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“No. I’m her guardian and I’ve always been closer to her and to Adam. He was born three years before I was. Zach is thirty-two, four years younger than I am. He’s in demolition and travels because he works in Europe and Japan—all over the world, actually. He’s good at what he does, but rarely home. Ryan is twenty-nine. He’s the one who lives in Houston and has taken over a drilling company we own. None of us are really daddy material.”
“So tell me about Caroline, as well as her nanny. What does she like to do? All kids have something they like.”
“Swimming. If you like to swim, bring your swimsuit. It’s a way to interact with her. Also, she likes to read.”
“She’s five and can read—that’s early, and it’s good news.”
“She won’t participate at school, so they don’t know how well she reads. I tell her teacher that she reads at home, but since she won’t read at school or say what she’s read, her teacher is skeptical.”
“Do you think Caroline is really reading?”
“I know she is. She started reading very simple books before her dad was killed. The beginner Dr. Seuss books, for example.”
“She was young to be reading like that.”
“Her dad doted on her and worked with her. She’s a sharp kid, so that makes her withdrawal painful. If it was a book she liked, she would talk at length about what she read. I give her books because that’s one thing that seems to please her.”
“I take her reading as a hopeful sign. If she likes to read, it will give her tutor a chance to reach her.”
He glanced at their plates. “We’re both finished. Would you like dessert? They have great ones.”
“No, thanks. We’ll head for the bookstore. There’s one close.”
He escorted her to a waiting limo. At the bookstore Will held the door for her, watching the slight sway of her hips as she entered, momentarily forgetting his mission while he thought about Ava. He wanted to ask her out for an evening where no business would be discussed.
She led him to the children’s section and began to pick out books. “How about this one?”
“Caroline has that book and likes it,” he said, looking at a familiar story. “I can’t remember everything she has. Get what you want and I’ll call Rosalyn and ask her.”
“I can bring it back if she already has it.” While Ava strolled along the row of books, Will watched her, catching up with her when she stopped to pull out a book.
“That you have no men in your life surprises me. And six years is a long time.”
“I’m not interested in going out with anyone. Actually, I’m too busy.”
“No one is that busy.”
She paused to smile at him. “And you’re offering to fill the void? Let’s stick to finding a tutor for your niece and then we’ll go our separate ways. Unfortunately, I don’t know many single, cute young tutors.”
“Under different circumstances, I would agree with you about going our separate ways, but there’s something going on here that prevents that,” he said, lowering his voice and stepping closer to her. Her eyes widened a fraction as she gazed at him.
“The electricity. You feel it the same as I do. Deny that,” he challenged softly, reminding himself in two days she’d be out of his life. This woman was too earnest for him. Ambitious, serious—not his type. But the next two days could be interesting.
She inhaled deeply and her cheeks flushed as she looked away. “Be that as it may, we’re sticking to books and reading and business,” she whispered. “There’s no place in my life for a brief affair. If I ever get involved with another man, it will have to be a deeply committed relationship. I doubt if that’s what you’re looking for.”
“Definitely not. I’m not into a strong commitment, a lasting relationship or marriage. No male in my family has done well in those situations.”
“Then we shouldn’t start even a casual relationship.” She moved along the row of books. “Does she have this?” she asked, withdrawing a first reader with bears on the cover.
His hand closed over Ava’s as she held the book. At the instant of contact she drew a deep breath, causing his pulse to speed a notch. She reacted to every personal remark or gesture, each touch.
“No. Not that I can recall,” he replied, looking at the cover.
“It’s a cute story. I’ll get this one.”
“You know your children’s books.”
“My doctorate is in early reading. I should know them.”
“If you’re getting more, I’ll hold the books you want while you look.” It occurred to him that she might be the perfect tutor for Caroline. A doctorate degree, dedicated to children—she was imminently qualified.
“Oh, yes,” she answered, moving away from him. He watched her, something easy to do. She would be at his house for two days. He made a mental note to clear his calendar and stay home with her the entire time. He would get past the barriers she had thrown up. If she hadn’t dated in six years, she was long overdue. He had not been fabricating the sizzling tension that existed since the first moment he saw her. She felt it as much as he did; she had not denied feeling it.
“What about this book?” she asked, holding out one with puppies on the cover.
He held one corner. “Let’s see the pictures,” he said, moving closer and catching the scent of her perfume. She turned the pages while he enjoyed standing close. As far as he knew, Caroline did not own the book, but he was savoring the moment. “I don’t think she has this one.”
“I love this story. Put this with the other one,” she said, handing the book to him and continuing her search. After she selected four books, they had a brief argument about who would pay, which he won.
“When do you want me to come pick you up?” he asked as they headed out and toward her home.
“Early evening. I’ll be ready,” she said.
He nodded. “Good enough. I’ll take the books because they’re going home anyway.”
“Fine. Thank you, and thanks for the lunch. I’ll see you soon,” she said at the door. He watched her step into the building before he returned to the limo.
She was flying home with him, and he would have the next couple of days to try to talk her into staying this summer and tutoring Caroline herself. He had already made a decision about who he wanted to tutor Caroline. None of the tutors on her list were as qualified or had the great references that Ava did. She was the best possible person, and he had long ago learned it was usually worth more to get the best. Whatever Ava decided, he intended to get to know her. The challenge she presented was irresistible when it involved a beautiful woman who had drive and intelligence.
Ava stood at the window and watched the limo disappear down the street. She wasn’t ready for the complication of a man in her life, and William Delaney would be a big-time complication. Sparks had flown from the first moment they saw each other in the restaurant lobby—something that hadn’t happened to her since Ethan. Something she hadn’t wanted to have happen now. She could vividly recall the moment: taller than others in the lobby, Will had stood out from the crowd as he walked through the door. She had seen pictures of him in Texas magazines, the newspaper, local news, but they hadn’t done him justice. He had to be six-four. His compelling chocolate eyes, fringed with thick, slightly curly lashes had taken her breath. His thick wavy black hair was as appealing as his other features and together—eyes, hair, firm jaw—all made a lethal combination that packaged seduction. A supremely confident man with good reason. Born into wealth, life had been on his terms—most of the time. She suspected the problems with his niece had really thrown him. Caroline was a lovable frustration he was totally unaccustomed to facing.
Ava pulled her list of tutors out of her purse. It started with the one she thought the most qualified and the best to work with a traumatized child. Becky Hofflinger was wonderful with children and a highly successful tutor. Becky could use the money, and Ava guessed Will would be extremely generous.
She thought about the two thousand she would get paid for each day in Dallas. She could have stayed a week and he would gladly have paid her. She shook her head. The man had more money than one human needed.
Fly to Dallas, meet his niece and assess the little girl. From the first moment her heart had gone out to the child. It was heart-wrenching to lose a loved one, and for a child to lose her only parent in a tragic accident had to be devastating. Ava empathized. Her heartbreak and grief had diminished somewhat, although there were moments it hit again.
She didn’t want another relationship; she couldn’t imagine having one. Her own reaction to Will had shocked her. For the past six years she had lived in memories and hurt, trying to overcome loss. No one had held the tiniest bit of interest for her. Until Will Delaney came into her life.
As she showered and then dressed in red slacks, a matching red silk blouse and high-heeled red sandals, she had to admit she admired Will’s concern for his niece even more so because she had never expected that of him. She’d jumped to hasty conclusions.
Only time would tell.
Two
The buzzer rang, and Ava pressed the intercom listen button.
“Ava, I’ll come get your things.” Will’s deep voice had a slightly husky note, definitely unique and unforgettable.
When she opened her door, the impact of seeing him again was as electric as it had been the first time. Maybe more, she decided, too aware her pulse raced. He was breathtaking, too handsome, and getting to know him had revealed a caring man, which was a devastating combination. Along with his navy suit jacket, he had shed his tie. With the top three buttons unfastened on his snowy dress shirt, he looked more casual. Warm approval in his brown eyes gave her a rush of pleasure.
“You look great,” he said.
“Thank you. For our purposes though, it wouldn’t matter if I wore a tent and sported floor-length hair.”
“On you the long hair and tent would look good,” he said, smiling at her. Her heart skipped at that irresistible smile. Trying to get her mind off him, she turned away to retrieve her small bag and a carry-on suitcase, which he picked up before she could.
Within an hour they were airborne. She looked below at Austin. Sunlight splashed on the red granite of the state capitol as the plane headed north.
“Does Caroline know we’re coming now?” Ava asked, her pulse leaping when she turned to look into his brown eyes.
“Yes. She won’t come running. You’ll see how subdued she is. When her dad was alive, she wasn’t reserved at all. They were really close and he loved her more than anything.”
“That’s sad that she doesn’t have him now. Was she cooperative with him?”
“Yes. A bright, happy, cheerful little girl. That’s what hurts so badly. She’s drawn into a shell and no one has been able to reach her. It breaks my heart because I know what a sunny disposition she had.”
Since he sounded truly hurt, she was touched again by his concern. If she were going to be with him longer than two days, she would need a more solid barrier around her heart. She looked out the window, trying to think of another subject.
“Do you travel a lot? Will you be around while I’m there?”
“Yes. I’m not going to drop you off and leave,” he replied with a smile. “I’ll take time off from work and be home as much as possible.”
“After I meet Caroline, I’ll need time alone with her, so you go ahead and work tomorrow.”
“I’ll give you time alone. I can stay out of the way. I hope you brought a swimsuit.”
“I did,” she said, feeling tingly at the thought of swimming with Will. “Does she have a schedule for her day?”
“Her schedule is flexible in the summer. Breakfast and then reading and playtime. Sometimes a swim before lunch if she wants to. Lunch, a quiet time of reading—I think she just reads because she doesn’t nap any longer. Then, usually swims again. Our nanny, Rosalyn, is with her all day. I try to be home for dinner and spend the evening with her and put her to bed. If I need to work late or attend a social event, her nanny spends the evening playing with her. Caroline has every kind of toy imaginable and she’s getting amazingly good with computers.”
“I’m sure,” Ava replied, smiling at him. “Her situation sounds challenging, but I have a short list of tutors who come highly recommended. After my assessment, I’ll be able to choose the one who can hopefully work a miracle.”
“I hope so. It’s been a godsend to find you. Every day when I’m with Caroline, this situation tears me up. I owe it to my brother and I love Caroline. I’m praying she can be helped. I think the right person can reach her. I want to hire the best possible person to work with her.”
“We’ll see. These are the most qualified tutors I know. I asked each one if I could put her on my list, so I found out who was available and who wasn’t. At present, all three women are employed, but their service will be ending very shortly and they’ll be free to take on a new challenge.”
“Good. I’ll make it worthwhile for the person I decide will do the most for Caroline.”
“I’m sure of that. What you’re paying me is generous, to say the least.”
“This is worth it.”
She smiled at him. “You’re a good uncle, Will Delaney.” He leaned closer.
“And you, Ava, have the greatest smile. I’ll see if I can keep you smiling.”
“That isn’t one of the week’s requirements. I’m here about Caroline. Only about Caroline,” she said, her heart racing, something she couldn’t control.
“Maybe I can change your mind on that, too.”
“Too? What else?”
“Let’s see how it goes with Caroline.”
She wondered what he referred to. He surely didn’t want to hire her, because she was not a tutor. When he sat back, her drumming pulse returned to normal.
The flight was quick and a limo was waiting.
As soon as they drove through the gates where he lived, her mounting curiosity about his niece momentarily abated, replaced by fascination with the mansion she glimpsed through the trees as they wound up the drive.
“You have a beautiful estate. This fits the image I had of you much more than the doting uncle you are.”
“I need to change some of your preconceived notions about me. We’ll get to know each other. I’m looking forward to it.”
“That’s not on this agenda. I’m here about Caroline and I think that’s the second time already that I’ve reminded you.”
“Relax and lighten up. We can get to know each other while you meet and learn about my niece. One doesn’t rule out the other. They’re both going to happen.”
“You’re not paying any attention to me,” she said.
“Not true at all. I’m paying a great deal of attention to you and I’m slipping, if you haven’t noticed.”
“Will you stop flirting?” she asked, amused and unable to be really annoyed with him over harmless flirting, yet afraid of her volatile reaction to him intensifying.
“Not on this night. Why should I? Flirting is fun, harmless and I like the exchange when I’m with a gorgeous woman. You’re not interested in anything serious and neither am I. We should make a good pair.”
“Thank you for the compliment. And we’re not going to be ‘a pair.’ I think this conversation needs to shift to another topic. Your palatial home is magnificent. You live here with just Caroline and her nanny?” Ava could clearly see the elegant mansion. Sunlight splashed over the gray slate roofs and gave a warm tint to the pale stones.
“We’ll come back to the conversation we were having, but to answer your question—it’s a comfortable house built to suit me. It’s big enough for all of us and my staff. A partial staff is on the third floor.” She turned to watch him, listening and thinking at the same time that she hadn’t had a clear concept of his wealth.
“The head gardener and his staff have homes on my grounds. So does my cook. My chauffeur has a house near the garage.”
She barely heard him as she stared at the sprawling three-story home built in the style of an English country manor surrounded by landscaped grounds and sprinklers watering beds of colorful flowers. More flowers surrounded a large circular three-tiered fountain with sparkling water tumbling over each tier.
“A little girl will be lost in this,” Ava said without realizing she had spoken aloud.
“Caroline’s accustomed to it. The house she lived in with her dad was very similar to mine. I doubt if she gives it a thought.”
“All this wealth, yet you can’t accomplish the one thing you want to do,” she said quietly and he glanced her way.
“You’re right. At least it gives me options on getting help for her. I can’t stop thinking that if I keep trying, I’ll find that perfect person who’ll get her to open up.”
“I hope you do,” she said, touched again by his concern for his niece.
At the front they climbed out of the car to cross the wide porch. The massive door swung open and a butler greeted them. Ava entered a three-story-high walnut-paneled entryway where a huge French Empire chandelier hung overhead.
“Ava, meet Fred Simms. This is Ms. Barton, Fred.”
“Miss Caroline is in the library with Miss Rosalyn,” Fred said after greeting Ava.
Will held Ava’s arm. “This way,” he said. She was as aware of his fingers resting on her forearm as she was of his palatial mansion.
Ava carried two of the books, each in colorful sacks from the bookstore. They entered the library, where a child sat drawing at a table. Her nanny sat nearby, also drawing.
Pausing, Caroline turned to look at them, sliding out of her chair while the nanny came around the table.
“Look who’s here, Caroline,” the nanny said cheerfully.
Ava looked at a beautiful child with long curly black hair, thickly lashed big brown eyes and a facial structure bearing a clear family resemblance to her uncle. She was a feminine version of him.
Caroline gazed solemnly at Will in silence as he picked her up gently to kiss her cheek. “How’s my girl?” he greeted her, smiling. “I want you to meet someone.” He turned to face Ava.
“Caroline, this is my friend, Miss Ava. She’s a teacher.”
Caroline stared in silence at Ava.
“Ava meet Caroline.”
“I’ve heard a lot about you, Caroline, and I’m so glad to meet you,” Ava said.
“Ava, this is our nanny, Rosalyn Torrence. Rosalyn, meet Ava Barton.”
“I’m glad to meet you,” Ava said, shaking hands with the nanny. She turned her attention back to Caroline.
“I’ve missed you, sweetie,” Will said in such gentle tones Ava’s heart lurched. “I’m glad to be home. We’ll stay with her now, Rosalyn.”
“Thank you. If you want me, I’ll be upstairs.”
“Thanks,” he replied. As Rosalyn quietly left, he set Caroline on her feet.
Ava held out two of the sacks. “Caroline, I brought you a present.”
Caroline stared at the sacks, eyeing them and making no effort to take them.
“Look at the presents, sweetie,” Will urged
Caroline obediently took the bags and pulled out the first book, looking at it intently. “Thank you,” she whispered so softly Ava barely heard her. She pulled out the second book.
“Thank you,” she whispered again.
“You’re welcome,” Ava said, kneeling so she would be on the same level with Caroline. “I’ll read them to you whenever you want to hear them.”
Caroline nodded, looking at Will.
“You can whenever you want,” he said. “I’ll get out of the way. Want to read them now?”
Caroline shook her head no.
“I’ll go unpack then,” Ava said far more cheerfully than she felt. She was not a child psychiatrist, but it seemed to her that Will had just as big a problem as he had described. The child seemed remote, cold and unresponsive, as if she wanted to shut herself away from all human contact.
“I’ll stay with Caroline, but first,” he said, picking up Caroline again. “Let’s go show Miss Ava where she will be sleeping.”
Upstairs, they turned to the east wing and passed beautiful rooms until he led her into a suite. “How’s this?” he asked. “You’ll be near Caroline’s room.”
“This is gorgeous,” Ava exclaimed, looking around a suite lavishly outfitted with an antique rose silk sofa, Louis XIV–style furniture and a thick rug on the polished oak floor. Through the open door she could see the bedroom. “I’ll unpack, which won’t take long. I can find my way back to the library.”
“Leave your things to unpack later. C’mon. We’ll give you a brief tour so you know where you are.”
Noticing how silent Caroline was, docilely letting Will carry her without wiggling or the usual chatter of a child her age, Ava was more aware of the child than her surroundings.
“Here’s Caroline’s suite,” he said, pausing at a doorway a brief distance down the hall. “Rosalyn is in an adjoining suite, although she has a bed in Caroline’s room.”
They entered a child’s room that was a dream room to Ava. Murals of nursery characters decorated one wall. White clouds were painted on the pale blue ceiling. The furniture was painted white, or covered with pink and blue chintz upholstery. Table legs were carved as nursery characters. She couldn’t imagine the unhappiness Caroline was steeped in while living in such an adorable, cheerful room.
They left Caroline’s room, and at the end of the hall she entered a huge master suite with striking black and white decor.
“Your suite, no doubt,” she said, and Will grinned. “You’re getting to know me.” “More a process of elimination.”
They went downstairs to a playroom where Will held Caroline and read to her. Next they played a board game with her, and while she remained silent and somber, she moved her pieces to play along with them.
“Want Ava to read one of your new books to you?” Will asked when they finished the board game.
Without looking at Ava, Caroline nodded. The three of them sat on a sofa with Caroline between them while Ava read and let Caroline turn the pages.
Giving her a pleasant surprise, Ava realized Caroline was reading with her enough to know when to turn a page without being told. She looked at the child’s tiny hands, so dainty and frail. Caroline smelled sweet, something that held a hint of apples, and her hair was shiny. Ava could see why Will loved her so much and was doing what he could for her.
By the time Ava finished both books, dinner was served by Will’s chef, who then disappeared back into the kitchen.
After dinner they played more games with Caroline and then walked outside to sit near the pool.
“Will, this is grand,” she said, looking at a covered area with an outdoor stainless-steel kitchen and a patio with upholstered furniture. “You have another kitchen and living room out here. This is incredible.”
“It’s comfortable like the rest of the house,” he said. They talked while Caroline sat at a desk to paint and draw pictures. When she finished, Will praised each picture. Rosalyn arrived to get Caroline ready for bed and the two left.
“She’s precious, Will. I can see why you worry so about her.”
“She’s shut away in her own world where I can’t get through to her. No one can.”
“Why don’t you leave her in my care tomorrow?” Ava suggested. “I’ve never dealt with a child in this situation before, but I need to get to know her before I talk to the likely tutors.”
“Fine. If you’re ready for that. If you want just half a day, let me know. If at any point it isn’t going well, Rosalyn will be here, so summon her.”
“You can give Rosalyn the day off and let me take care of Caroline. We’ll be fine.”
“I’m sure you will, but you’re unaccustomed to that kind of responsibility and a child can wear you down.”
She smiled. “I don’t think Caroline will.”
He stood. “If you’ll excuse me, I’ll go see Caroline. If I’m home, I always read to her before she goes to bed for the night.”
“Of course.”
He left and Ava turned to watch him walk away. He’d been telling her the truth about his devotion to Caroline—when he was home he read to her at night. Another plus in Ava’s view of him.