Barbara Dunlop - Christmas Secrets

Destiny thought for a moment. “Maybe. I mean, we’d spin it that you were willing to step up and look after Zachary’s interests.”

“Would a judge believe that?”

“Maybe. It’s a fifty-fifty shot. Then again, a judge might just as easily take you not joining the board as a sign you weren’t a suitable guardian.”

“Problem is we can’t separate the two.” Amber set down her fork to free her hand for a drink of wine.

Zachary batted his arm out, nearly knocking the glass from her hand. She gave up on the drink.

“If you do it,” said Destiny, “Roth will spin it that you’re power hungry. If you don’t, he’ll spin it that you’re incapable. But Coco wanted you, and that’s important.”

“But Samuel wanted Roth.”

“He did,” Destiny agreed.

“And in a character and intellect debate, Samuel is going to win out over Coco every time.”

Destiny took a drink, and Amber couldn’t help but feel envious. She settled for another bite of the linguini.

A knock sounded on the door.

“That was fast,” said Amber, starting for the path through living room.

“They’re staying at the East Park.”

With a tired and tearful Zachary on her shoulder, Amber crossed to the entry hall. She checked the peephole and opened the door to Cole and Luca.

She couldn’t help but smile at the sight of the dog at Cole’s heels. He’d told her about the shoe altercation, and his decision to take the animal back to the hotel. She also knew he’d been planning to drop the scruffy dog at a shelter. He hadn’t done it yet, and that was somehow endearing.

His expression was sympathetic as he gazed at the pathetically sobbing Zachary.

“I hear you’ve got trouble?” he said.

Zachary instantly perked up. He straightened in Amber’s arms, turning to Cole and blinking his watery eyes. Then he lunged for him.

Cole reflexively reached out, stepping forward to catch the baby. “Hey there, partner.”

“It’s hard not to take this personally,” said Amber, even though her arms and shoulders were all but singing in relief as the weight was removed.

For some reason, Luca was grinning ear to ear as he took in the sight of Cole and Zachary. “Nice to see you again, Amber.”

“Hello, Luca. I’m really sorry that Destiny called you guys. It wasn’t a fair thing to do.”

“No problem at all,” said Luca. “She in here?” He brushed past Amber.

The dog kept his position next to Cole.

“In the kitchen,” Amber called to Luca’s back.

Cole moved into the entry, and Amber shut the door behind him. Zachary heaved a shuddering sigh and laid his head on Cole’s shoulder.

“Do babies always react to you like this?” she couldn’t help asking.

“I don’t know. I’m not usually around them. Mostly, they ignore me.”

“Do you mind if I have something to eat while you hold him?”

“Not at all.” Cole shrugged out of his jacket, draping it over the brass coat tree. “Do whatever you want. Have a bath. Take a nap.”

“Tempting,” Amber admitted. “But I’ve got a glass of merlot in there with my name on it.”

Cole and the dog followed her into the kitchen, where Destiny had dished up some linguini for Luca.

“Peace and quiet,” she noted, taking in Zachary’s posture.

His little hand was stroking one side of Cole’s neck, his face buried in the other.

“Hungry?” Amber asked Cole.

“You go ahead. But I’d pour myself a glass of wine.” He took the remaining of the four stools, and the dog curled up at his feet.

Amber took a satisfying sip of wine and another bite of linguini. It was wonderful to have the use of both hands.

“What’s his name?” Destiny nodded to the dog as she poured wine for the men.

“I don’t know,” said Cole, looking down. “We met in the alley after the dance, and I wasn’t really planning to keep him.”

“I think he’s planning to keep you,” said Amber.

“That’s because I fed him a burger that first night.”

“Cole’s got plenty of room in Alaska,” said Luca.

“You’re taking him home with you?” asked Destiny.

Cole glanced down and seemed to contemplate. “I suppose I am. I’m not liking his chances stacked up against those adorable puppies at the shelter. I don’t know who would choose him.”

“He’s not that homely.” Amber sized up the square, tan muzzle, the floppy, uneven ears and wiry, mottled coat. “Okay, maybe Alaska’s not such a bad idea.”

“You’re so diplomatic,” Cole said with a smile.

“He’ll need a name,” said Amber.

“Rover?” Cole asked the dog.

It didn’t react.

“Spot?”

Nothing.

Amber smiled as she ate and drank.

“Lucky? Butch? Otis?”

The dog glanced sharply up.

“Seriously?” asked Cole. “Otis?”

The dog came up on its haunches and lifted its chin.

“Otis wins,” said Destiny.

“Otis it is,” said Cole, reaching down to pat the dog’s head.

It sniffed at Zachary’s bare foot.

Zachary looked down with curiosity, and the two stared at each other for a long moment.

“Sizing up the competition?” said Destiny.

“Which one?” asked Amber.

Zachary looked suspicious of Otis, and Otis looked suspicious of Zachary. The adults all chuckled at the picture.

Amber quickly polished off her dinner, knowing it wasn’t fair to take continued advantage of Cole.

She moved her plate to the sink. “I should give this little guy his bath.”

“I’m guessing you mean Zachary and not Otis,” said Luca.

“Definitely Zachary.” She couldn’t help but picture Coco’s reaction to Otis in her expensive bathtub.

Cole shifted Zachary on his lap. “Otis had a bath in the hotel car wash the first night I found him.”

“Did he mind?” asked Amber.

“Didn’t seem to. He smelled pretty bad, so I bribed the valet.”

She couldn’t help admire his ingenuity.

“Smells a little like Showoff Gold now, but it’s a big improvement.”

Zachary reached for Otis, grabbing a handful of his ear.

“Careful there,” said Cole, gently pulling Zachary back. But Otis just gazed at Zachary, not seeming the slightest bit concerned.

Much as Amber hated to disturb Zachary when he seemed so happy, it was getting late. She moved toward him.

“Time for a bath?” she asked, a lilt to her voice as she smiled brightly, trying to send him the message that something fun was about to happen.

She held out her arms. “Bath?”

Zachary shrank against Cole, his face scrunching up in discontent.

“I can come with you,” Cole offered.

“That seems like a cop-out,” said Amber. She was already feeling a bit inadequate as a guardian.

Cole rose. “It’s a bath. No big deal. Sometimes it’s good to just go with the flow.”

She couldn’t deny she was tempted. “Okay, maybe just this once. But I’m supposed to be convincing a judge that I’m the best guardian for Zachary. I’d hate to have to tell him it was you instead.”

“Definitely just this once,” Cole answered. “I can hardly give the kid a bath from Alaska.”

“In that case, let’s make my evening easier.”

She led the way down the hall to the main bathroom.

It was easy to tell which of the rooms had been redecorated by Coco. The living room and kitchen were luxurious, with the finest appliances and handcrafted furnishings. But they were subdued and sophisticated, with the obvious touch of a professional decorator.

The master bedroom and the three bathrooms were in stark contrast. They were bright and flamboyant, every feature an extravagance of brilliance and color.

“I should probably prepare you for this,” she told Cole.