The Fortunes of Texas: The Secret Fortunes

But Zach had disagreed. “If something ever happens to me,” he’d said, “there’s no one else I’d trust to take care of my daughter.”

Kieran would have mentioned Rosie’s biological mother, but the flighty brunette was completely out of the picture. She’d gladly signed over full custody of the newborn to Zach and had never looked back.

“It’s just a formality,” Zach had said. “We’ll both be dancing at Rosie’s wedding.”

At the time, Kieran had believed that was probably true, so he’d reluctantly agreed. But obviously neither of them had foreseen the accident that would change everything.

Kieran, who actually liked having Rosie refer to him as her uncle and had no problem assuming that easy role, blew out a ragged sigh as he looked at the people around the room. “I knew about Zach’s will, but neither of us expected him to die so soon.”

“Sandra and Sam are hoping that you will hold off on exercising your right to custody,” Pastor Mark said. “At least while Rosie is so young, and the loss of her father is so recent.”

Kieran hadn’t planned to assume custody, although the Lawsons probably didn’t know that. And he wanted to put their minds at ease as well as his own. “If Zach could somehow talk to us right now, he’d agree that Rosie would be better off living with the two of you. Your bond with her is the strongest, now that he’s gone. We can discuss the legalities later. But in the meantime, if there’s anything she needs, anything at all, just say the word. I’ll make sure she gets it.”

Sandra’s eyes overflowed with tears. “I’m so glad you feel that way, Kieran. We love that little girl with all our hearts, and she’s...” The grieving mother and grandmother sniffled. “She’s all we have left.”

It might sound as if he’d made a huge concession, yet even though he adored the sweet little girl, he was actually relieved that she was going to continue living with Sam and Sandra on the Leaning L.

“We’d also like both of you to remain a part of her life,” Sam added, looking first at Kieran, then at Dana. “Especially over the next few months, while her loss is so fresh.”

“Of course,” Dana said. “I’d hoped you’d allow me to continue visiting her—and you, too.”

“Honey,” Sandra said, gazing at her son’s girlfriend, “over the past six months you’ve become the daughter I never had. I’ve enjoyed having you around, even if it wasn’t as often as I’d have liked.” Then she looked at Kieran. “I hope you’ll come by regularly, too. I know your job keeps you busy, but...” A tear slipped down her cheek, and she paused to wipe it away.

But she didn’t need to finish her words. Kieran knew what she meant. He’d make it a point to come around more often than he had in the past. “I’ll never be too busy for Rosie or the two of you.”

“See?” The pastor placed a hand on Sam’s shoulder. “I told you all we had to do was pray about it, and everything would work out.”

Kieran wasn’t very religious, but he appreciated them putting in a good word with the man upstairs. As far as he was concerned, this was working out for the best—for everyone involved.

“Why don’t you go back into the living room?” he suggested to the grieving couple. “I’ll help Dana get the food set out.”

“That’s so sweet of you,” Sandra said as she got to her feet. “I feel funny not being the hostess, but...”

Dana slipped her arms around Zach’s mom. “I know you do, Sandy, but let me take over your duties today. Besides, I have help.” When she glanced at Kieran, he nodded his agreement.

“Come on,” the minister said. “It’s time for people to show you their love for a change, just as you’ve done for them in the past.”

After the Lawsons and Pastor Mark returned to the living room, leaving Kieran and Dana alone, Dana said, “I hadn’t realized Zach gave you custody.”

“I’m not entirely sure why he did.”

“He considered you his best friend.”

Kieran had felt the same way about Zach, but still, what had he been thinking when he’d asked Kieran to step up and parent Rosie? He was a diehard bachelor and not the least bit family-oriented.

Sure, he loved and respected his siblings. But seriously? He would make a lousy parent.

“Just so you know,” Dana said, “I agree that it’s in Rosie’s best interests to stay on the ranch with Sam and Sandra, but you need to consider something.”

Kieran never made rash decisions. What did she think he’d failed to think about?

“Sam has heart trouble, and Sandra’s health isn’t very good. I’m not sure how long either of them will have the stamina to keep up with an active three-year-old.”

She had a point, and while he had no idea what the future held, he was glad the couple wanted Rosie—and that they would be able to raise her, at least for the time being.

As Dana moved about the kitchen, pulling salads from the refrigerator and serving spoons from the drawer, Kieran watched her work. He was drawn to her hair, especially since the color reminded him of autumn. She usually wore those long red locks pulled into a topknot or woven into a twist held up with a clip. He’d seen her with it hanging down once, and it nearly reached the small of her back.

He’d always thought of redheads as being a little feisty, but Dana was more serious and a little old-fashioned. She was also bright and the studious type. At least, he’d always had that assumption because she was a graduate student and a researcher at the history center, so it was an easy jump to make. Either way, she wasn’t the type of woman Kieran dated.

When Dana turned away from the kitchen counter with a bowl of macaroni salad in her hand, she caught Kieran studying her. For a moment, something stirred between them—a spark of some kind. Maybe a flash of chemistry. He’d dated enough to know when an attraction was mutual.

But if he was right about what he’d sensed, she seemed to get over it a lot faster than he did.

“Is something wrong?” she asked.

“No.” Hell, no. He’d merely zoned out, caught up in a momentary fixation. He shook off his wild thought. “I... I just wasn’t sure what to do next.”

“Would you take this salad, along with the others on the counter, to the dining room and place them on the table?”

“Sure.” Glad to have a job to do, one that would take him out of the kitchen and away from her, he took the bowl and did as instructed.

What was the matter with him? Even if he did find Dana attractive and interesting, she’d dated Zach. It wouldn’t be right to think of her in a...well, in a romantic way.

So he’d better get his mind on either someone or something else. Quickly.

* * *

Dana reached into the drawer nearest the oven and pulled out a couple of pot holders. But she couldn’t help glancing over her shoulder to see Kieran carry the first of the salads out to the dining room. The man might be well-dressed and gorgeous, but he was completely out of place in a kitchen, let alone one that was built in the 1950s.

Even when he wasn’t dressed in a stylish gray Armani suit, the corporate vice president seemed to be cut from a different bolt of cloth than Zach. Kieran was made from expensive silk, like the fancy yellow tie he was wearing, while Zach had been made out of rugged and durable denim.

It was impossible not to compare the two men, to note their good qualities or admire their close friendship, although now that Zach was gone, there was no longer any reason to.

Dana returned to her work and pulled a ham from the oven, leaving two casseroles still baking inside.

When footsteps sounded in the open doorway, the kind made by Italian loafers and not cowboy boots, she turned to see Kieran return, his hands now empty.

“What next?” he asked.

She put the hot pan on the stove top, then set the pot holders on the counter. “Would you mind slicing this ham?”

“No, not at all.”

“There’s a serving platter in the small cupboard over the fridge. There might also be a couple of trivets in there. I’ll need them to hold the casserole dishes.”

His brow knit together. “What’s a trivet?”

She couldn’t help but smile. He’d probably been raised with a housekeeper, a cook and a nanny, so it was no wonder that he didn’t know his way around a kitchen. But she had to give him credit for trying to help and to fit in. “A trivet is a small little rack that keeps a hot dish from resting directly on the table.”

“Got it.” He brushed past her, leaving a soft trail of that mountain fresh scent in his wake.

She couldn’t help taking a second whiff, appreciating his unique fragrance. But that’s the only arousing awareness she’d allow herself. She shook off her momentary attraction, took the pot holders in hand again, removed the two casseroles from the oven and placed them on the stovetop.

After Kieran set the platter on the counter, he removed the trivets from the cupboard. “Why don’t I put these on the table so they’ll be ready for those hot dishes?”

She thanked him. Then, in spite of her resolve to keep her mind off him and on her work, she watched him go. She’d never been interested in men like Kieran, although she had to admit he was more than attractive. At six feet tall, with light brown hair and blue eyes, he was a killer combination of bright and sexy. Most women wouldn’t think twice about setting their sights on him, but Dana was more the down-home type. And she knew most men considered her to be a little too quirky to notice her in a romantic way.

In addition to the obvious, Kieran was also a member of the renowned Fortune family. And Dana had no family at all.

Of course, that didn’t mean she’d been left destitute. Before their fatal accident, her parents had set up a trust fund for her, and last year, on her twenty-fifth birthday, the money had been released. She’d used most of it to purchase and to renovate a run-down house in Hyde Park that was built in the 1940s.

Still, even though she was a property owner and had a small nest egg, she wouldn’t fit into the social circles in which Kieran and his family ran—nor would she even want to try. Not when her idea of a perfect afternoon was a trip to an antiques shop, where she scoured vintage photos, or a lazy walk through flea markets, where she searched for hidden treasures.

No, she’d feel completely uncomfortable hobnobbing with Kieran and his rich family and friends. Heck, she sometimes felt out of place in 2017 Austin, which was one reason she loved walking in her quaint, historical neighborhood.

So why complicate matters when she liked her life just the way it was?

“I’m finished,” Kieran said, as he reentered the kitchen yet again.

Dana was finished, too. Not just getting the food ready, but comparing the different lives she and Kieran lived. Besides, even if she ever did consider going out with a man like him, it would never work out. From what she’d heard, Kieran dated a lot of gorgeous women, and Dana would never agree to be one of many.

She had a good life—and a busy one. She wasn’t lacking anything other than a family of her own. And now that the Lawsons had invited her to come around more often, she’d be able to maintain and nurture the relationship she had with them.

It might not be the perfect setup for the holidays and other lonely days, but it was close enough to be a darn good substitute.

* * *

The call Kieran had been dreading came only a week after Zach’s funeral, while he was in his office at Robinson Tech.

“Sam’s in the hospital with angina,” Sandra said. “It’s pretty serious this time, and I’m not sure how long he’ll need to stay. They’re talking about surgery.”

“Is there anything I can do?” Kieran asked.

“I have a babysitter at the house with Rosie. The granddaughter of a neighbor. The girl is good with kids and responsible, but she’s only fourteen. She’ll be able to handle things for a while, but I have no idea how long I’ll need to be here with Sam.”

“Don’t worry about Rosie,” Kieran told her, even though his own concern about the child’s well-being, especially with him in charge of her, was mounting by the second. “I’ll pick her up and relieve the sitter. But if you don’t mind, since I’m not too far from the hospital, I’ll stop by to see you and check on Sam first.”

“Thanks, Kieran. He’d love to see you. He’s on the third floor, in room 312.”

“I’ll be there in twenty minutes—maybe less.”

Sandra paused a beat then asked, “What would we do without you, Kieran?”

He could ask her a similar question. How in the world will Rosie be able to get by without you?

“I’m happy to help out whenever and however I can,” he responded.

“Bless you, honey. I’ll see you soon.”

After disconnecting the line, Kieran told his assistant to cancel an afternoon appointment and to reschedule tomorrow’s board meeting. Then he left his high-rise office and drove to the hospital. The direct route he took reminded him of the times in weeks past that he’d traveled that same stretch of road on his way to see Zach in the ICU, hoping and praying that his friend would have made some improvement during the night, only to find that he hadn’t.

Kieran felt that same cold and heavy weight of dread and fear now.

Sam has heart trouble, Dana had said last week, and Sandra’s health isn’t very good. I’m not sure how long either of them will have the stamina to keep up with an active three-year-old.

He’d known Dana was right, but he’d hoped the older couple would be able to keep Rosie for another few years—maybe even until she graduated from high school.

Was it already time for him to step in and take full custody of Rosie, as unready as he might be?

Maybe Zach’s parents only needed him to provide temporary help and babysitting duties. Once Sam was feeling better and returned home, Sandra would want Rosie back again. Then Kieran’s life would go back to normal. He convinced himself that was the case.

It would only be for a few days. He could handle child care duties for that long.

“I got this,” he said out loud, hoping the sound of his voice would provide all the assurance he needed.

Yet those words, interlaced with the doubt that plagued him, were still ringing in his ears when he entered the hospital lobby. As he started toward the elevator, he spotted Dana coming out of the gift shop holding a yellow ceramic vase filled with brightly colored flowers.

She wore a simple black skirt and a white sleeveless blouse. Once again, her hair was pulled up in a topknot, with two turquoise chopsticks—or were they knitting needles?—poking out of it.

When she saw him, she broke into a smile that dimpled her cheeks. Again, he was struck by her simple beauty, something he’d failed to notice when she’d been with Zach.

“I take it Sandra called you,” he said.

“Yes, she did.”

“I guess this is what you meant when you told me you were concerned about Sam’s health.”

Dana blew out a soft sigh. “Yes, but I was hopeful that the doctors had his heart issues controlled by medication.”

Kieran had hoped that was the case, too.

“I just stopped by for a quick visit,” he said. “I told Sandra I’d relieve the babysitter and keep Rosie for a few days. Once Sam is released and ready to go home, I can take her back to the ranch.”

“You may need to keep her longer than that. The doctor mentioned surgery, and those ‘few days’ could end up being more long-term.”

“Yes, I know.” Kieran was trying to prepare himself for that possibility. He glanced down at his leather loafers, then back into Dana’s eyes. There was no need to lie or to pretend that he was ready to be a parent. “To tell you the truth, I’m a little nervous about being Rosie’s guardian. As much as I adore her, I’ve never spent much time with kids.”

“I can understand that, but you’ll do fine. Zach wouldn’t have chosen you to step up if he’d had any concern about that.” Dana’s eyes, a stunning shade of blue, filled with something akin to sympathy. “Not that I’m an expert on child rearing,” she added.

“That’s just it,” Kieran said. “I’m great at giving piggyback rides and playing hide-and-seek for an hour or two. But being her legal guardian means choosing just the right preschool and knowing when she needs to see a pediatrician.” Damn. Just the thought of doctor visits brought on a whole new worry that filled his gut with dread. “What do I do if she gets a fever or a tummy ache?”

And then there was the whole idea of shots, immunizations and making her take liquid medicine that tasted nasty.

Worry and fear must have altered his expression because Dana said, “You’ll do just fine.”

“Thanks for the vote of confidence.”

She placed a soft and gentle hand on his shoulder, which sent a rush of warmth to his gut, chasing a bit of his fear away. “And remember, it’s just a few days at this point. There’s no need to borrow trouble.”

“That’s easy for you to say.” He offered her a halfhearted grin, although he really did appreciate her support.

“If it’ll make you feel better,” she said, “I’d be happy to stop by your place so I can visit Rosie and give you a break at the same time.”

Kieran would take all the help he could get, even if it was just an occasional visit. “I’d appreciate that, Dana. Before you leave I’ll give my business card, along with my address.”

The hand that had been resting on his shoulder slid down to his back, giving it a rub that suggested she wanted to provide him with comfort and understanding. But her touch, the trail of her fingers, triggered a spark of heat he hadn’t expected. Nor did he have any idea what, if anything, to do about it.

“You’ll do fine,” she said.

God, he sure hoped she was right. But he couldn’t very well remain in the hospital lobby, talking to a woman who’d sent his thoughts scampering in an entirely wrong direction. So he nodded toward the elevator. “Are you ready to visit Sam?”

“Yes, let’s go.” Dana fell into step beside him, but they didn’t speak again until they reached the third floor.

As the doors opened up, Kieran said, “Here we are.”

They started down the corridor together, their shoes clicking and tapping on the tile floor. Still, they didn’t speak.

When they neared room 312, they spotted Sandra walking out the door and into the hall.

“How’s Sam doing?” Kieran asked her.

“About the same. The doctor has ruled out bypass surgery for the time being, and he’s responding to treatment. But Sam has a few other health issues they’d like to get stabilized before they dishcharge him. So it looks like he’ll be here for a while.”

“What about you?” Kieran asked. “How are you holding up through all of this?”

Sandra took a deep breath, then slowly let it out. “I’m a little tired, but I’m doing all right. My blood pressure is higher than usual, which is a little concerning. My doctor would like me to get some rest and stop worrying about Sam. But that’s not easy to do.”

Under the circumstances, Kieran didn’t suppose it would be. Not when Sandra had their granddaughter to worry about, too.

“I’ll plan on having Rosie indefinitely,” Kieran said. “Once Sam is feeling better, just say the word and I’ll bring her home.”

Sandra’s eyes filled with tears. What she couldn’t blink away, she dried with her index fingers. “As much as I hate to let Rosie go, especially when I fear it could end up being permanent, I really have my hands full with Sam right now.”

“I’ll take good care of her,” Kieran said. “And if it makes you feel better, Dana promised to help me.” He gave the attractive redhead a nudge.

Dana slipped her arm around Sandra and drew her close. “That’s right, Sandy. I know how difficult this must be for you, but don’t worry about anything or anyone except Sam—and yourself.”

“We’ll just be a phone call or a short drive away,” Kieran added.

“Thank you.” The older woman again swiped at her teary eyes. “That’s probably for the best.”

Kieran knew they’d made the right decision all the way around, although he still wasn’t sure about his capabilities as a guardian, let alone as a paternal role model. But he’d do his best by Rosie.

“Don’t worry about a thing,” he told Sandra, although his gut twisted at the thought of being on his own with Rosie.

But, hey. He’d just take it one day at a time.

“Sandy,” Dana said, “is there something I can do to help you? Do you want me to bring anything to you from the house? Or, if you give me a list, I can run errands or stop by the market and pick up groceries or whatever.”

“Since I don’t have to worry about being home with Rosie,” Sandra said, “I’d like to camp out here at the hospital for a while. So, yes. If you don’t mind, there are some things you can pick up from the house and a prescription that’s ready at the pharmacy.”

While the women continued to work out a game plan of sorts, Kieran looked up at the ceiling as if he could see through it and beyond, as if he could somehow connect with Zach and ask for his forgiveness. I’m sorry I lied to your mom. I have no idea how to provide for Rosie’s needs.

But he made Zach—and himself—a promise right then and there. He would do his best to provide everything Rosie needed—come hell or high water and damn the cost.

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