Margaret Daley - A Mother for Cindy

“You don’t have to do that.”

“I know, but I want to. So pencil me in.”

His eyebrow quirked.

“It won’t be a large gathering. Just a few people.” Jesse heard herself talking a mile a minute. She stopped and took several deep breaths. “How about it? I’m a great cook.”

“After tasting your cookies, you won’t get an argument from me. They were delicious.”

“Yeah, Daddy had half the plate eaten before I even had a chance to eat one.”

Jesse laughed. “Then I’ll make some more for dessert tomorrow night. My son loves chocolate chip cookies, too. They’re a staple around our house.”

“But not your husband?” Nick asked, a lazy smile accompanying the question.

“He loved them, too, but he died four years ago. A freak accident. He was struck by lightning.” There she went, telling a person more than he asked.

“I’m sorry.”

“Daddy, Bingo can do all kinds of tricks. Watch.” Cindy stood. “Roll over.” After the dog performed that task, she said, “Sit. Shake hands.” The little girl took his paw in her hand. “Isn’t he terrific? Dogs make good pets.”

Nick tried to contain his grin, but it lifted the corners of his mouth. “I’m sure they do, princess.”

“Then we can get one?” Cindy turned her hopeful expression on him.

“I’ll think about it when we return to Chicago.”

“You will?”

“That isn’t a yes, young lady. Just a promise to consider it.”

Cindy leaned close to Jesse and whispered loudly, “That means we’ll get one when Daddy says that.”

“I heard that, Cynthia Rebecca Blackburn.”

“Oh, I’m in big trouble now. He’s using my full name.” The little girl giggled and began petting Bingo.

“Would you like to throw the ball for him? He loves to play catch.” Jesse retrieved a red ball from the flower bed loaded with multicolored pansies along the front of her house.

“Yes.” Cindy moved out into the yard and tossed Bingo’s toy toward her yard. The dog chased it down.

“I didn’t want to say anything in front of Cindy, but I know where you could get a poodle puppy.”

His dark gaze fixed on her. “Thank you for not saying anything in front of Cindy.”

“Then you aren’t interested?” She heard her disappointment in her voice and grimaced. She never liked fostering her ideas onto another—well, maybe she did. Anyway, pets were good for children and clearly his daughter loved animals.

“I don’t know. I—” He looked toward Cindy. “I’ve never had a dog before. Or any pet for that matter.”

For just a few seconds she glimpsed a vulnerability in his expression before he veiled it. “If you decide to get one, I’ll help.”

“Until we go back to Chicago.” A self-mocking grin graced his mouth. “Then, I’m on my own.”

“It’s not that difficult. Love is the most important ingredient.”

“Isn’t it always?”

“Yes, it is.” She couldn’t help wondering where his world-weary tone came from.

He took a deep breath. “I’ll think about the puppy. I’ll have to consult Boswell, too, since he’ll be taking care of the dog.”

“Is that the older gentleman I’ve seen leaving your house?”

“Completely bald?”

“Yeah.”

“That’s Boswell. I don’t know what I’d do without him. He takes care of the everyday details of my life as well as Cindy’s.”

“Cindy said something about you working this afternoon. What do you do?”

“I’m CEO of Blackburn Industries. We’re into a little of everything it seems.”

“And you live in an apartment?” she asked without really thinking. Her picture of his home obviously wasn’t right.

A sheepish look fell over his features. “I guess it isn’t your idea of an apartment. It takes up the top floor of the building I own on the lake in downtown Chicago.”

She chuckled. “No. What pops into my mind is maybe four or five rooms at the most.”

“Okay, maybe I have space for a pet. I just think dogs should have a yard. All I have is a terrace. Not the same thing.”

“If you don’t think a dog is a good idea, I know a lady in town who has some kittens she wants to find a home for.”

“I get the distinct impression that if I want something, you’re the lady to come to.”

Jesse warmed under the smile directed at her. The laugh lines at the corners of his eyes deepened and his stance relaxed completely. “I do know what’s going on around Sweetwater. If it’s to be had, I can probably get it for you.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

“A kitten can be a totally indoor animal.”

He threw up his hands. “Enough,” he said, laughing. “You’ve convinced me, but I still need to talk with Boswell. Thank you for showing Bingo to Cindy. I haven’t seen her smile like that in a while.” He turned to leave, then glanced back at her. “You know, I could use a negotiator like you working for my company. If you ever think about moving to Chicago—”

Jesse shook her head, the idea of a big city sending a chill through her. “No, that will never happen. My home is here. I’ve lived here all my life and can’t imagine being anywhere else.”

“Oh, well, you can’t blame a guy for trying.” He started toward his daughter.

“I’ll see you at six-thirty tomorrow night.”

He stopped and swung back around, a question in his eyes.

“The dinner party. Casual attire. And Cindy is invited, too, as well as Boswell.”

Cindy pulled on his arm. “Can we come, Daddy?”

“Sure, princess, if it’s not too much trouble.” He peered at Jesse.

“No problem. A piece of cake. I throw parties all the time.”

Jesse watched the father and daughter walk away. If he only knew about her famous little dinner parties, he might pack up and leave in the dead of night. Tara Cummings would be perfect for him. Cindy needed a mother and Nick needed—well, he seemed awfully lonely. He masked his vulnerability well, but she’d glimpsed it. Besides, any man who worked all the time needed to loosen up. There was more to life than work. Tara was definitely the person to match him with, especially after Clint broke off their engagement. Jesse hurried inside to call her friend.

“Tara, you’re early,” Jesse exclaimed when she opened her front door to find her friend standing on the porch.

“I wanted all the juicy details before I meet this man. I heard the Millers weren’t coming this summer to Sweetwater Lake. It’s your new neighbor, isn’t it?”

Jesse turned away from Tara. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Jesse Bradshaw, we all know when you throw one of these little dinner parties it’s to fix someone up. I’m single and recently out of a relationship. Perfect target for your matchmaking.”

“I invited Susan Reed tonight, too. You won’t be the only one single.”

“If we exclude you, I’ll be the only single woman here under the age of fifty. Right?”

Jesse slid her gaze away. “Cindy’s coming.”

“Who’s Cindy?”

“My neighbor’s almost-seven-year-old daughter.”

“I knew it! You’re up to your old tricks. Okay, tell me about your new neighbor. I’ve heard he is dynamite-looking, some kind of millionaire, and besides having a little girl, he has a manservant. He’s from Chicago and is only here for a couple of months.”

“Where did you hear all that?”

“The usual.”

“Susan Reed?”

Tara nodded. “The best source of info in this town. Far better than our newspaper.”

“There isn’t much else I can add.” For some reason she didn’t feel right gossiping about Nick. Tara would have to discover for herself how vulnerable he was, how lonely he was, how attractive—whoa, stop right there, Jesse Bradshaw! A little inner voice yelled.