Judy Duarte - From Fortune To Family Man

Dana still had no clue where this conversation was heading, but it was obviously in a direction the older couple needed their minister’s help expressing.

Pastor Mark Wilder, who’d served his congregation for the last thirty years, scooted back his chair and got to his feet as if he was preparing for a sermon. “Sam and Sandra believe that Zach’s wishes should be followed, but they also know he hadn’t expected to die so suddenly or so young. And their biggest concern is for little Rosabelle.”

Dana had no doubt about that. The couple adored their precious granddaughter.

“As you know,” the pastor continued, “Rosie and Zach have been living with Sam and Sandra for her entire life. So the Leaning L is the only home she’s ever known.”

Where was he going with this? Dana assumed Rosie would stay with her grandparents. After all, she’d just lost her father. Who else would take her? Where else would she live?

Oh, no. Surely her mother hadn’t resurfaced. From what Zach had told Dana, her pregnancy had been unexpected and unwanted. She’d planned to give her baby up for adoption, but Zach had refused to sign the paperwork, insisting that he wanted sole custody of their child. The woman had agreed and then walked away without a backward glance the moment she’d been discharged from the hospital.

Dana stole a glance at Kieran. The expression of concern he’d been wearing moments earlier had morphed into one that almost appeared panicked.

It wasn’t until Pastor Mark completed his speech that Dana realized why.

“Zach gave custody of his daughter to Kieran.”

Chapter Two

Kieran hadn’t been sure the Lawsons had even known about the existence of Zach’s will, but he had. He’d also been well aware of Zach’s wishes when it came to who would raise Rosabelle. He just hadn’t planned to bring it up, especially now.

When Zach had first mentioned his visit to the attorney and had asked Kieran to be Rosie’s guardian if the unthinkable should happen, Kieran had laughed. Sure, he’d been honored to be chosen, but he’d known there had to be someone much better qualified than him to finish raising Zach’s daughter.

What did Kieran know about kids—or parenting?

He didn’t have any insecurity about his competence to do anything else. As one of the legitimate offspring of Gerald Robinson, aka Jerome Fortune Robinson, he was certainly capable of taking care of her financially. He was a millionaire many times over and a damn good computer analyst. He was also good at making and investing money. But he was a man who knew his strengths, and parenting was not one of them. Hell, he certainly hadn’t had the perfect example of either a mother or father while he grew up. And he’d told Zach as much.

But Zach had disagreed. “If something ever happens to me,” he’d said, “there’s no one else I’d trust to take care of my daughter.”

Kieran would have mentioned Rosie’s biological mother, but the flighty brunette was completely out of the picture. She’d gladly signed over full custody of the newborn to Zach and had never looked back.

“It’s just a formality,” Zach had said. “We’ll both be dancing at Rosie’s wedding.”

At the time, Kieran had believed that was probably true, so he’d reluctantly agreed. But obviously neither of them had foreseen the accident that would change everything.

Kieran, who actually liked having Rosie refer to him as her uncle and had no problem assuming that easy role, blew out a ragged sigh as he looked at the people around the room. “I knew about Zach’s will, but neither of us expected him to die so soon.”

“Sandra and Sam are hoping that you will hold off on exercising your right to custody,” Pastor Mark said. “At least while Rosie is so young, and the loss of her father is so recent.”

Kieran hadn’t planned to assume custody, although the Lawsons probably didn’t know that. And he wanted to put their minds at ease as well as his own. “If Zach could somehow talk to us right now, he’d agree that Rosie would be better off living with the two of you. Your bond with her is the strongest, now that he’s gone. We can discuss the legalities later. But in the meantime, if there’s anything she needs, anything at all, just say the word. I’ll make sure she gets it.”

Sandra’s eyes overflowed with tears. “I’m so glad you feel that way, Kieran. We love that little girl with all our hearts, and she’s...” The grieving mother and grandmother sniffled. “She’s all we have left.”

It might sound as if he’d made a huge concession, yet even though he adored the sweet little girl, he was actually relieved that she was going to continue living with Sam and Sandra on the Leaning L.

“We’d also like both of you to remain a part of her life,” Sam added, looking first at Kieran, then at Dana. “Especially over the next few months, while her loss is so fresh.”

“Of course,” Dana said. “I’d hoped you’d allow me to continue visiting her—and you, too.”

“Honey,” Sandra said, gazing at her son’s girlfriend, “over the past six months you’ve become the daughter I never had. I’ve enjoyed having you around, even if it wasn’t as often as I’d have liked.” Then she looked at Kieran. “I hope you’ll come by regularly, too. I know your job keeps you busy, but...” A tear slipped down her cheek, and she paused to wipe it away.

But she didn’t need to finish her words. Kieran knew what she meant. He’d make it a point to come around more often than he had in the past. “I’ll never be too busy for Rosie or the two of you.”

“See?” The pastor placed a hand on Sam’s shoulder. “I told you all we had to do was pray about it, and everything would work out.”

Kieran wasn’t very religious, but he appreciated them putting in a good word with the man upstairs. As far as he was concerned, this was working out for the best—for everyone involved.

“Why don’t you go back into the living room?” he suggested to the grieving couple. “I’ll help Dana get the food set out.”

“That’s so sweet of you,” Sandra said as she got to her feet. “I feel funny not being the hostess, but...”

Dana slipped her arms around Zach’s mom. “I know you do, Sandy, but let me take over your duties today. Besides, I have help.” When she glanced at Kieran, he nodded his agreement.

“Come on,” the minister said. “It’s time for people to show you their love for a change, just as you’ve done for them in the past.”

After the Lawsons and Pastor Mark returned to the living room, leaving Kieran and Dana alone, Dana said, “I hadn’t realized Zach gave you custody.”

“I’m not entirely sure why he did.”

“He considered you his best friend.”

Kieran had felt the same way about Zach, but still, what had he been thinking when he’d asked Kieran to step up and parent Rosie? He was a diehard bachelor and not the least bit family-oriented.

Sure, he loved and respected his siblings. But seriously? He would make a lousy parent.

“Just so you know,” Dana said, “I agree that it’s in Rosie’s best interests to stay on the ranch with Sam and Sandra, but you need to consider something.”

Kieran never made rash decisions. What did she think he’d failed to think about?

“Sam has heart trouble, and Sandra’s health isn’t very good. I’m not sure how long either of them will have the stamina to keep up with an active three-year-old.”

She had a point, and while he had no idea what the future held, he was glad the couple wanted Rosie—and that they would be able to raise her, at least for the time being.

As Dana moved about the kitchen, pulling salads from the refrigerator and serving spoons from the drawer, Kieran watched her work. He was drawn to her hair, especially since the color reminded him of autumn. She usually wore those long red locks pulled into a topknot or woven into a twist held up with a clip. He’d seen her with it hanging down once, and it nearly reached the small of her back.