One Daddy Too Many (17 page)

“You look
beautiful, Katie. You didn’t have to get all dressed up just to see me.”

Kate quickly sat down across from Ian. Six pairs of prisoners and guests shared the same table, each separated by a shoulder-high barricade of pressed wood. Ian was dressed in dark pants and a bright orange shirt. His hair, which had begun to grow out, was brutally short again. His complexion was sallow.

“How are you feeling? You don’t look so good.”

“The food they feed you in here isn’t the best. People with Hep C do better with lots of fresh vegetables and fruit. But it won’t kill me.”

“That’s good to know.”

He didn’t ask why she was dolled up. She wouldn’t have had an answer if he did. She and Jo had had a long, serious talk the night before. Among other things, her new partner had mentioned that Rob was coming back today. Kate hadn’t asked if he planned to attend the swim party but she’d put on a sundress and styled her hair, just in case.

“So, Katie girl, what’s up? I know that look. It’s the I’ve-made-a-decision-and-to-hell-with-everyone-else look.”

“Is
that what I do? Really? I’ve always thought of myself as kind of a pushover. I usually go with the flow, while other people make decisions around me. Grace decided she wanted to open a restaurant, next thing you know we’re partners.” She tossed up her hands. “You’re the one who decided we needed to get married.”

“Well, you were pregnant.”

Her cheeks heated up. She’d been on every kind of birth control known to man, but somehow she and Ian had created a baby. They hadn’t planned Maya, but she’d immediately made their other plans seem unimportant.

“True, but we had options. We could have lived together for a while. It’s not as if either of us was worried about what people said.”

“Speak for yourself. I was scared spitless of your dad and the Gypsy mafia. I’d heard stories. How was I supposed to know they were all made up?”

She shook her head and sighed. “Daddy was a sweetheart. All he ever wanted for me and my sisters was for us to be happy and secure. That’s what the money in our trust funds was all about.”

The mention of money seemed to drop the temperature in the room. Kate’s trust fund had been transferred to a joint account that Ian immediately reinvested into diversified stock holdings. The first year under his management, the fund had doubled. But after that his reports to Kate became few and far between. Whenever she tried to pin him down on the balance, he had a long, convoluted explanation that usually included a speech on being in the market for the long haul. In the end, there’d barely been enough to repay half his client list.

“Kate, I’m going to make it up to you. Every penny.”

She
looked down. “That’s a lot of pennies, Ian.”

“I know that, but I’m a whiz, remember. I can make money in my sleep. I just had a run of bad luck before.”

She took a deep breath. “Ian, you’re smart and clever and you do know numbers. But you don’t just take risks, you seek them out. The way some people feel compelled to jump out of airplanes or ride bulls or any of the myriad methods thrill-seekers have of getting that rush.

“For you, it was buying and selling stock. But like any gambler, you are never content with the win.”

“Were, Kate. Past tense. I learned my lesson. My God, talk about humility. I was brought home in chains and leg irons. Do you think I don’t carry the memory of the look on your face when you saw me get out of that van every day of my life?”

“Maybe. But will it be enough to keep you from putting your daughter’s college fund on the line—if I ever recoup enough to set one up? I don’t know. And I can’t risk it. Not again.”

“Katie,” he said, reaching between them to touch her arm. His touch was warm and familiar, but not the touch she wanted.

“We can work this out. Let me come home after I get out and once I find a job, I’ll have my paycheck direct deposited into an account that you control. You can handle all the money. You can give me an allowance and I—”

She brushed his hand away. “I’m not ready to pass out allowances, Ian. That’s what a mother does when her child is old enough. I have enough to do keeping my daughter happy and my business afloat.”

“She’s my daughter, too, Kate.”

“I know that. And I’ve made a decision. She needs her dad
in her life. I’d like for us to set up some kind of visitation schedule once you’re on your feet. I talked to your attorney who said you’re interested in relocating to Reno. I can understand why. A fresh start might be just what you need.”

She saw his lips form the words as he silently repeated, “Visitation. Will your legal eagle boyfriend draw up the agreement?”

Her shoulders stiffened. “Don’t, Ian. Rob isn’t to blame for any of this. You made your choices a long time ago and there’s no way to go back. This is what’s in my heart. I’ll always care for you, but the love we shared is gone.”

He looked tormented. “I killed it, didn’t I?”

“We both made mistakes. All I know is you can’t erase the past—and I wouldn’t even if I could. We had some great times, but I can’t go down the same road again. I’m sorry.”

He sat back and closed his eyes. “That sounds like something your mother would say. Prophetic.”

She nodded to herself.
Maybe I’m finally getting the hang of this Romani fortune-teller thing.
Now, if only she had a crystal ball to look in to see what Rob was thinking.

“Kate.”

She blinked, bringing her thoughts back to reality. “Hmm?”

“If you talked to my lawyer, then she told you about Rafe’s offer, right?”

She nodded. Ian’s old friend and mentor, Rafe Borba, apparently had heard about Maya’s abduction and put two and two together. He’d offered to help Ian out with a job and a place to live once Ian had his parole violation straightened out.

“He’s got a bunch of properties in Reno. He told me he needed me to run things while he travels. He’s trying to
make up for sitting on his butt for too long.” He smiled. “Believe me, I know the feeling.”

Kate did, too. “The furthest I’ve been from Vegas in two years is Mesquite. We’re quite a pair, aren’t we? Gypsy moths with their wings clipped.”

He appeared startled by the comment. “Gypsy moths. That’s what I called us the day we met. Do you remember?” He blinked suddenly as if something had gotten in his eye. “You took quite a risk giving me your number.”

Kate felt a sudden easing of the band around her chest. She had indeed taken a risk. One that had paid off handsomely for a while. “Not really. I recognized you immediately. We were kindred spirits, both looking for a place to land.”

She shrugged. “This is my place, Ian. I belong here. And don’t plan to leave, but if you think Reno will be better for you, then I’ll do whatever I can to make sure Maya gets to visit you whenever possible…as long as you swear you’ll never try to run off with her again.”

“I promise, Katie. On Maya’s life, I promise.” He let out a shaky breath.

Neither spoke for a few seconds, then Ian commented, “That’s really generous of you, Katie. I guess you can afford to be generous since you’re in love.”

He made it sound like a done deal.

“I have to go. My sisters are throwing a thank-you party for all the volunteers who pitched in to find Maya. Even my future brother-in-law is flying for in it.” She didn’t stand up right away. She felt as if this was goodbye, even though she knew she’d see him again once he got settled.

“Will the Sisters of the Silver Dollar dance?” he asked, his tone wistful.

“I
don’t know. We haven’t danced together since Dad died. But maybe it’s time to start liv…dancing again.”

A
FTER THE RELATIVE CHILL
of the Bay area, Rob welcomed the heat of the desert. To his surprise, Vegas actually felt more like home than “home” had. The interior of his car was nearing meltdown when he got into it, but he put the top down anyway—and rolled up the windows and turned on the air-conditioning full blast. He wanted to feel the sun and breathe the dry desert air.

Haley had given him a new CD which he blasted at boom-box levels as he drove to Yetta’s. He’d called his mother before getting onto the plane and she’d informed him that Kate was taking the day off because of the party. Jo planned to oversee the lunch shift then drop by later in the afternoon. “I probably won’t stay, though. My doctor gave me some medicine for my cough and it really knocks me out,” she’d added.

There was a defeated quality in his mother’s tone that didn’t sound like Jo. He planned to investigate that next. After he talked to Kate. And Maya.

Haley had asked him not to share the news about the baby until she told Jo. While she and Jo got along well, this was a life-altering event and Jo had enough on her mind at the moment with her health issues and new partnership.

Rob was certain his mother would be happy for her ex, although she’d probably have a few things to say privately about his parenting skills. But Rob couldn’t complain. Not really. His father was human, flawed and imperfect. But that didn’t mean he couldn’t learn from his mistakes and be a better husband to Haley and a better father to Daisy.

“I
hope,” he murmured.

He turned down the volume as he swung into the cul-de-sac. Yetta’s house sat straight ahead; Kate’s car was in the garage beside her mother’s. A few other vehicles were parked on the street. Was the party already going? Damn. He’d hoped to arrive ahead of the other guests.

He quickly parked and walked to the door.

A face appeared at about thigh level in the side window. Maya. He leaned down and said loudly, “Hi. Can I come in?”

Her frown told him she wasn’t wild about the idea.

“I have a present for you.”

She looked skeptical. “What is it? One of the new fish died. Grandma helped me bury it at the cemetery where my grandpa lives.”

“I’m sorry. I have the receipt. Maybe we can get another one to replace it. Is the black fish behaving himself?”

“The other fish don’t like him, but he hasn’t eaten any of them.”

“That’s good, isn’t it?”

She nodded, and a second later the door opened.

The first voice he heard upon entering the foyer was Yetta’s. “Hello, Rob. How was your trip to California?”

“Good. Fast. But I got to see my dad and Haley, so that was nice.”

“I had a dream about them the other night. They were strolling on a moonlit beach. They seemed very happy.”

Rob smiled and nodded. “Hey, you really are psychic. They just got back from Tahiti and they’re in absolute bliss.”

The twinkle in her eye made him wonder if she knew the other part of the joy. He almost asked, but Maya distracted him. “You said you brought me a present.”

“Maya,” her
grandmother said, reproachfully. “That was rude.”

“It’s okay. She’s right. I do have a present for her.” He whipped the book he was holding behind his back out for them both to see. “You like jokes, right? I even learned a couple. Want to hear one?”

“Um…I don’t know. Maybe,” Maya said.

She took the book but didn’t open it.

Rob wasn’t sure what to do next. He looked to Yetta for guidance. She smiled and ushered him inside. “Come in and sit down while Maya remembers her manners.”

The living room was simply decorated with eclectic touches—a well-used Persian rug, a beautifully framed copy of “The Kiss” and furniture that ranged from leather to antiques. The blinds were angled down to keep the sun and heat at bay.

“Wow, in all the times I’ve been here this is the first time I’ve sat in this room. It’s beautiful.”

“Thank you,” Yetta said. “A repository for our meager treasures.”

He walked to the mantle to examine an interesting sword and scabbard. “Is Kate around?”

“No, I’m sorry. She’s—”

“With my daddy. My
real
daddy,” Maya said, pointedly.

Yetta gave her granddaughter a stern look and said, “Why don’t you read a couple of jokes to Rob, Maya, while I call your mother and see what’s keeping her. Other guests are starting to arrive, too.”

She left so abruptly Rob didn’t have time to get nervous—until he looked down and saw Maya staring at him, with those big brown eyes that seemed to gaze right to his core.

He sat down in a convenient navy-blue tweed recliner.

“That
was my grampa’s chair.”

Her tone was so accusatory he started to move.

“But you can sit there. He doesn’t live here anymore. He moved to the cemetery.”

Rob had no idea what to say. “Um, you’re sure he won’t care if I sit in his chair?”

“It’s okay. He visits sometimes, but he’s not here now.”

Rob looked around uneasily. “Good. Uh, so, what kind of jokes do you like best?”

“Funny ones.”

Of course.

“Knock, knock,” she said, catching him off guard.

“Um…who’s there?”

“Boo.”

“Boo who?”

“You don’t have to cry. It’s only me.”

He laughed. Her expression was so endearing he couldn’t help it. “That was funny. You’re good.”

She didn’t smile back. “Your turn.”

His stomach clenched the way it did the first time he addressed a new judge. He’d practiced on the plane. How hard could it be to impress a child?

“What do you call a boat shivering on the bottom of the sea?”

Her shoulders rose and fell. “I dunno. What?”

“A nervous wreck.”

She didn’t even crack a smile.

Feeling more on the spot than he had when he told the partners he preferred to stay in Las Vegas than climb up a rung in the corporate ladder, he blurted out, “I know a secret.”

She took a step closer. “What is it?”

He lowered his voice. “I’m going to be a brother.”

Her
eyes went wide.“I’m going to have an uncle when my Auntie Grace gets married. Who are you going to marry?”

The question made sense, he supposed, from her point of view, but he was quite sure she wouldn’t like the answer he was tempted to give her. “My situation is different. My father got married and his wife is going to have a baby. That makes me a brother.”

“Oh. Well, my daddy is going to marry my mommy and they’re gonna have two babies that come at the same time. That’s called twins. Just like Dora the Explorer’s mommy.”