“Kitchen’s fine.”
Mary nodded.
Mary asked him every night, and he always had the same answer for her, but he never wanted her to stop asking. Maybe one night he’d change his mind. Maybe one night he’d want to sit outside and see the sun set, hear distant laughter coming from the shoreline and let faint music reach his ears. Maybe one night he wouldn’t want to eat in solitude, then watch a ball game and read himself to sleep.
“Oh, and Mary?”
She was almost out of the doorway when she turned. “Yes?”
“Take the day off tomorrow. Enjoy a long weekend.”
Sundays and Mondays were her days off. Adam could fare for two days without housekeeping help, unless something important came up. He made sure it didn’t. He had an office in the city where he met with his clients and had meetings with his staff. He often worked on his designs from home. His office was fully equipped with everything he needed.
“Thank you, Adam. Does this have anything to do with that lovely girl you met the other day?”
Mary had been with him since before he’d moved into his house. Some said she had no filter, but Adam liked her. She spoke her mind, and he trusted her, maybe more than some trusted their own relatives. She was younger than his mother but old enough to know the score. “If I told you yes, would you leave it at that?”
A hopeful gleam shined in her blue eyes. “A date?”
Of course she wouldn’t leave it alone. “Not really. She’s coming over to cook for me. As a thank-you for helping her.”
Mary grinned, her face lighting up. “A date. I’ll make sure the kitchen is well stocked.”
“It’s always well stocked, thanks to you, Mary. Don’t worry about it. I imagine she’s bringing over what she needs. So enjoy your Saturday off.”
“And you enjoy your date,” she said. “I’ll go now and set the table for dinner.”
She walked out of the room and Adam smiled. Mia was coming over to make him a meal. For all he knew, she felt obligated to reciprocate a favor. Not that what he’d done had been a favor; anyone with half a heart—that would be him—would’ve helped her out. Who wouldn’t stop for a woman bleeding and injured on the beach?
A beautiful woman, with a knockout body and skin tones that made you want to touch and keep on touching. He had to admit, the thought of her coming over tomorrow got his juices flowing.
And that hadn’t happened in a very long time.
* * *
“Gram, this is so hard,” Mia said, shifting her body to and fro, rocking baby Rose. The baby’s weight drained her strength and stung her arms, but she didn’t want to stop rocking her. She didn’t want to give up one second of her time with Rose. Her sweet face was docile now, so very peaceful. She was a joy, a living, breathing replica of her mama. How could she lose Anna a second time? “I can’t imagine not seeing her every day. I can’t imagine giving her up.”
“She’s ours, too, you know.” Grandma Tess sat in her favorite cornflower-blue sofa chair. As she smiled her encouragement the wrinkles around her eyes deepened. “We won’t really be giving her up,” she said softly. “I’m sure...this Adam, he’ll do the right thing. He’ll allow you contact with the baby.”
“Allow.” A frown dragged at her lips. She’d raised Rose from birth. They’d bonded. Now someone would have the power to allow her to see Rose?
“He may not be the father, after all. Have you thought about that?”
“I have,” she said, her hips swinging gently. “But my gut’s telling me he’s the one. Rose has his eyes. And his hair coloring. She’s not dark like us.”
“Well, then, maybe you should get going. Lay the baby down in the playpen. She’ll probably sleep most of the night. We’ll be fine—don’t you worry.”
“I know. She loves you, Gram.” Tears formed in her eyes. Her heart was so heavy right now. She didn’t want to leave. She didn’t want to see Adam Chase tonight. She wanted to stay right here with Rose and Gram. She caught the moisture dripping from her eyes with a finger and sighed. “I won’t be late. And if you need me for anything, call my cell. I’ll keep it handy.”
She laid the baby down in the playpen that served as the crib in Gram’s house. Wearing a bubblegum-pink sleep sack, Rose looked so cozy, so content. Mia curled a finger around the baby’s hair and, careful not to wake her, whispered, “Good night, Sweet Cheeks.”
She left the baby’s side to lean down to kiss Gram’s cheek. Her skin was always warm and supple and soft like a feather down pillow. “Don’t bother getting up. I’ll lock you in.”
“Okay, sweetheart. Don’t forget the groceries.”
“I won’t,” she said.
As she passed the hallway mirror, she gave herself a glance. She wore a coral sundress with an angled shoulder and a modest hemline. Her injured foot had healed enough for her to wear strappy teal-blue flat sandals that matched her teardrop necklace and earrings. Her hair was down and slight waves touched the center of her back.
“You look beautiful, Mia.”
“Thanks, Gram.” She lifted the bag of foodstuffs she’d need to make the meal, glanced at Rose one more time and then exited her grandmother’s house, making sure to lock the door.
The drive to Adam Chase’s estate was far too short. She reached his home in less than twenty minutes. Her nerves prickled as she entered the long driveway and pressed the gate button. After a few seconds, Adam’s strong voice came over the speaker. “Mia?”
“Yes, hello... I’m here.”
Nothing further was said as the wrought-iron gates slid away, concealing themselves behind a row of tall ivy scrubs. She drove on, her hands tight on the steering wheel, her heart pumping. She had half a mind to turn the car around and forget she’d ever met Adam Chase. If only she had the gumption to do that. He would never know he had produced a child. But how fair would that be to him or to Rose? Would she wonder why she didn’t know her father and try to find him once she grew up? Would she pepper her aunt Mia with questions and live her life wondering about her true parents?
In her heart, Mia knew she was doing the right thing. But why did it have to hurt so much?
She parked her car near the front of the house on the circular drive. Adam waited for her on the steps of the elaborate front door, his hands in the pockets of dark slacks. Her breath hitched. A charcoal silk shirt hugged arms rippling with muscle and his silver-gray eyes met hers through the car window. Before she knew it, he was approaching and opening the car door for her. His scent wafted up, clean and subtly citrus.
“Hello, Mia.” His deep voice penetrated her ears.
She took a breath to calm her nerves. “Hi.”
“How are you?” he asked.
“I’m all healed up thanks to you.”
“Good to hear. I’ve been looking forward to the meal you promised.” He stretched his hand out to her and she took it. Enveloped in his warmth, she stepped out of the car.
“I hope I didn’t overstate my talents.”
His gaze flowed over her dress first and then sought the depth of her eyes. “I don’t think you did.” A second floated by. “You look very nice.”
“Thank you.”
He spied the grocery bag on the passenger seat and without pause lifted it out. “Ready?”
She gulped. “Yes.”
He walked alongside her, slowing