At ten, a violin rendition of a Strauss waltz played faintly and she rushed to answer her cell phone to hear Will’s voice.
“Did I call too late?”
“Of course not,” she answered, her pulse speeding simply over the sound of his voice. She sat in a cherrywood rocker, rocking slightly. “My sister Trinity just left a little while ago. She’s very excited about my new job and we called our youngest sister and told her.”
“I hope they’re happy about it.”
“That’s a huge understatement. It’s a wonder you didn’t hear Trinity screaming for joy.”
He chuckled. “I told Caroline. In her own quiet way I think she’s pleased.”
“I’m sure she didn’t say anything.”
“No, but I got a little response because she nodded. That’s more than I usually get, so I took that as a positive sign. She also gave me a long look and I think that was another affirmation.”
“I hope so.” She thought about the little girl and grew somber after the evening with Trinity.
“We already miss you being here” he said in a deeper tone of voice that caused another flurry to her heartbeat.
“I’ll be back soon enough.”
“No, not soon enough. If you wind things up there sooner, give me a call and I’ll send someone to get you earlier. If I can do anything to help you move, let me know.”
“Thank you. It’s just a matter of putting things on hold for the summer.”
“Are there really no guys to say goodbye to?”
“There are really no guys,” she said, smiling. “I meant what I said about that.”
“You’ve been shut out of life long enough.”
“That doesn’t go with the job, remember?”
“This is entirely separate from that. If you’d turned me down on my offer, we would still be having this part of the conversation.”
“Stop flirting and getting personal,” she said, trying to sound good-natured about it, but meaning what she said. “You make it difficult because you’re now my boss, so it’s a little strange to tell you what to do.”
“Then don’t.” She detected the laughter in his tone. “You know I could send someone to help you with the arrangements you have to make.”
“Thanks, but I’ll take care of things here myself,” she said, amused that he would try to take charge of what she was involved in at home.
“Some weekend soon, I’ll fly your sisters here so I can meet them and they can meet Caroline and see where you live and work.”
“They would love that,” she said. “We’re not much alike. I’ll warn you now, Trinity is a little dramatic.”
“She didn’t get that from her older sister.”
“You don’t know me well enough to decide whether I’m dramatic or not.”
“I think I do. I’m not much like my brothers, either.”
They talked easily about their families, and when she glanced at the clock, she was surprised an hour had gone by. “Will, we should end this conversation. Do you realize how late it is? I need to get up early in the morning.”
“I’m enjoying the company. It’s worth losing some sleep.”
“Stop it. I’m saying good-night now. Good night, Will.”
“Good night, Ava. I’d rather kiss you than say farewell,” he said in a husky voice.
Her heart beat faster. All summer with him; he could derail her dreams even more if she wasn’t careful. She inhaled deeply. She had no intention of letting him do that no matter how appealing the man was. Or what he offered her, because he had already promised enough that she could afford to turn him down in the future. Half a million was a fortune beyond her dreams. The wealth would give her independence to do as she pleased about some facets in her life, including Will Delaney.
“Thank you, Will,” she said, remembering his dark gaze on her, trying to avoid thinking about his kisses or his sexy voice as he told her goodbye on the phone.
Will Delaney had just opened a whole new world for her.
Smiling, Will shut off his phone. Before he set it down a tune began to play. He answered the call to hear his brother Zach’s voice.
“Had a moment and thought I’d check with you. I’m in the L.A. airport, but I won’t be coming home. I’m on my way from Australia to Winnipeg. Any luck with tutors for Caroline?”
“Actually, I’ve hired the teacher who gave me recommendations. I wanted to get to know her better, and then when she was here, Caroline responded to her in a small way.”
“If Caroline responded in the least, it’s worth a try. Don’t blame you.”
“Caroline asked Ava if she hurt. Ava is a widow.”
“I’ll be damned,” Zach said. “Caroline hasn’t said a word to me since she lost her dad. That’s something.”
“It’s a small thing, but I’m willing to take it. I just have a feeling about this, and with Caroline asking Ava a question—I couldn’t let that go.”
“Hell, no, you couldn’t. That’s amazing. A widow. That’s nice for Caroline. Our mother isn’t grandma material and our stepmother has never been interested in Caroline.”
“Zach, Ava isn’t exactly grandma material, either. She’s twenty-eight. Widowed in college. They married before they graduated. She doesn’t date though.”
“Okay. I assume she’s good-looking.”
“Good-looking wouldn’t have mattered if I hadn’t thought she’d help.”
“I know. Well, that’s good news. I’ll pray for Adam’s dear Caroline and this tutor. What’s her name?”
“Ava Barton.”
“I’ll meet her next time I’m home. Whenever that may be. Let me know how things go. When does she start work?”
“Next Monday.”
“Good deal. And good job, Will. Hey, they’re calling my flight.”
“So long, Zach. Take care.” Will broke the connection, staring into space, but lost in thought about Ava.
After a busy week, Ava wound everything up by Saturday. She’d taken Trinity for a goodbye dinner, then woke up early and excited on Sunday. She dressed with care, in blue linen slacks and a matching shirt, and wound her hair into a bun, fastening it with a clip. She made some last-minute phone calls, did some research and waited for Will.
Promptly at 3:00 p.m. her doorbell rang.
When she opened the door, her breath caught. Tall and handsome, Will smiled at her and stepped inside, closing the door behind him. His brown eyes swept over her, stirring tingles. The impact of seeing him was greater than ever, and she locked her fingers behind her back.
“Hi. You look gorgeous,” he said in a husky voice.
“Thank you. Is it possible for you to keep this a purely business arrangement?” she asked, hating the breathless sound of her voice.
“No,” he said, smiling at her, an irresistible smile showing snow-white teeth and creases bracketing his