Waving, Collin waited for the elevator doors to shut. Only then did he muse, “I wondered how long it would be before you made a pet out of him. You’ll be having everyone in the building nosing around you like a litter of pups within a week.”
“If it weren’t for those two little girls and your sister, I would tell you to take a flying leap into the Trinity River, Mr. Employer.”
Collin looked taken aback. “What animosity! If you weren’t smaller than my sister, I’d be worried. All I was pointing out was that you’re a fixer and a caretaker, a natural mommy. Most women would be flattered by such a compliment.”
“Maybe I didn’t see what you said as a compliment. I may not have worked for you all that long, but you’re a fairly easy read, boss.”
“All men are,” Collin replied with a sigh. “We need medals and sports jerseys and tool belts before we’re even remotely interesting to a woman, otherwise we’re considered as shallow as most wallets. Sonny doesn’t know how lucky he is. He’s got the uniform and the gun. And before you let your head get turned, let me inform you that my cleaning lady, Graziella, has him in her sights for her eldest daughter Isabella.”
Staring in disbelief, Sabrina replied, “Is everything fodder for your audience-of-one comedy routine?” Sabrina told herself she would not cry, but this day had pushed her last button and she had run out of thick skin. The tears started welling in her eyes before she could turn away to hide them.
“Wait a minute. There are No Crying Clauses in our contract.”
Feeling and hearing shifting beside her, she looked over to see him fumbling in pockets.
“Please stop,” he continued with increased unease. “I don’t have a hanky or tissue. Would it help if I took back every compliment and tease? I can also say ‘Sorry’ in four languages.”
Despite everything, Sabrina had to smile. “I’d forgotten that you weren’t just a little crazy, you’re seriously crazy.”
Collin shrugged, his expression suggesting he didn’t see that as a problem. “I was only trying to keep up your spirits.” More gently he asked, “Are you going to be all right?” He began to reach out to stroke her hair as it fell forward hiding her face from him, then quickly dropped his hand.
“For someone who came home from work and realized she’d lost her entire adult and independent life? Yeah. Or rather I will be. Don’t forget, I come from stoic farmers.”
“Yes, with three protective brothers,” Collin added under his breath. “We will not forget that again.”
They arrived at his floor, ending her chance to wonder about his last comment. What she had to focus on now was getting a quick tour and some desperately needed sleep. She was dead on her feet and that filling but wonderful meal was making it difficult for her not to yawn.
As she entered the spacious high-rise condominium, Collin locked up behind them. Joining her at the other end of the foyer, he gestured self-consciously. “Mi casa, su casa.” Stepping forward he nodded toward the kitchen. “Graziella is pleased with the microwave, but I can’t say whether the dishwasher or oven have ever been turned on. As for the refrigerator…well, there are mostly wines in there at the moment, since I tend to eat out rather than cook—or else bring home takeout.”
“Is that going to continue?”
“My eating? I certainly hope so.”
Sabrina slid him a sidelong look. It wasn’t fair that his English accent made everything seem deeply considered and intelligent even when intentionally ridiculous. “I mean shouldn’t you consider spending dinnertime with the girls? You know, establish family time, a schedule?”
Collin’s eyebrows lifted in genuine surprise. “Hadn’t given that much thought to it. You see? You’re already invaluable. Well, I suppose I could ask Graziella to make us something. Although, she has eight children, plus her parents now live with her and her husband.”
“Then she has more than enough to do. I’ll do the cooking.”
“You can cook?”
“Yes, sir, you hired a bargain. I can also bake, crochet…and butcher a chicken or duck for you if you’ve a mind for fresh poultry or fowl.”
Urging her into the living room, Collin pointed toward the French doors that led to the balcony. “Pigeons rest on that railing. Don’t let me find them on the dinner table. Sometimes we talk.”
“Why am I not surprised?”
“When you’re brainstorming ideas for a demanding client, one uses the audience that’s available.”
He did a slow 360-degree turn. “Should be roomy enough for two active children. Large-screen TV and all the equipment for games and videos. Great view of the city.”
Sabrina had begun biting her lips as she passed the chrome and glass coffee table murmuring, “Sharp corners and so much glass.” The balcony concerned her the most, though. “There’ll be no running, and the view will be mostly closed drapes unless there’s a childproof lock put on those balcony doors.”
“The barrier is shatterproof and steel—and the railing well over their heads. No way they can fall through. Are you just covering that you’re afraid of heights?”
“Afraid, no. Mindful, yes. And you’ll thank me when we return those children back to their mother without casts or stitches.”
Upon arriving at the far side of the condo, she saw that her room would be right beside the children’s, across the hall from the condo’s second bathroom. There were no windows in the children’s room or hers, and only a small one high up in the bathroom.
Collin’s master suite was on the far side of the condo. She didn’t ask for, nor did he offer a tour, but considering that this had to be at least a two-thousand-square-foot living space, the layout gave her considerable relief. Until the girls arrived, she would still feel awkward staying here alone with him, but the doors had locks and she didn’t have to worry that every word could be overheard if she was on her cell phone.
She placed her purchases on the lush cream-colored carpet beside the queen-size sleigh bed and wondered who or what had inspired this much decorating when the third bedroom that would be the girls’ was empty? A sleigh bed had always been a fantasy of hers, although this one was bare of linens or blankets. The bone-colored walls were also bare, but at least there was a large armoire for storage and a good-size closet.
“I’ve never gotten around to finishing things on this side,” he told her. “The only reason that I got this far was from thinking maybe Cassie would visit. She and the babies could have all snuggled in the bed and still had room for a puppy.” He shrugged. “Alas, no visit.”
“And no puppy. Should we look for one after the girls arrive?” She meant that mostly to pay him back for all of his teasing her, but she also thought she’d sensed a flash of loneliness in him.
“Maybe the stuffed toy variety,” he drawled, moving on. “I’ve plenty of linens in the main hallway closet by my room. I’ll get you a set and a blanket. Keep that credit card I gave you and pick up whatever else you feel is right for here and for the girls’ room.”
“Thanks,” Sabrina said to his back.
What about towels and supplies in the bathroom? she wondered.
While he was gone, she went to check, and sure enough there was an assortment of dark blues and greens as far as towels were concerned, and adequate toiletries, but things like no-tearing shampoos and a first-aid kit were definitely lacking. Sabrina concluded that a shopping list was a must-do in the morning.
Returning to the bed, she sank onto the mattress only to jump up, reminded of her day working in a grimy warehouse. But how she yearned to curl up