Mother's Day Babies (Holiday Babies Series) (2 page)

“Not bad. I have to apologize for
not calling in the last few days. So many problems to handle at the office and
elsewhere. Imagine that SOB from a competitive channel tried to steal one of
our stories. A big hit...” Lou related the problem and grumbled about the
backstabbers. His Southern drawl endeared him to her as much as his trust.

“I understand.” She’d been used
to listening to her late husband and daughters complain about stress at work. “Unfortunately,
I can’t offer you a cup of coffee and a cookie.”

“Your cookies are the best,
Barbara. I’ve already finished the box you sent me.” A bone-melting chuckle
reached her through the line. “Meanwhile I’m planning our visit to Paris and counting
the days until we take a break and relax.”

“Our visit to Paris,” she
repeated absentmindedly. The implication of the first word
prickled her
with unease. Why had the powerful KNR News Director invited her when he could
have any woman he set his eyes on?

“My secretary already booked the
hotel. I insisted she reserves a room with a view on the Eiffel Tower for you.”

“Thank you, Lou.”

“Roxanne and Greg are staying on
a lower floor with the KNR crew,” he said before she even asked. “I hope you’ve
started packing.”

 “Not yet. Madelyn came from Florida
for the weekend to help me, and Heather is here too.” In fact, she could use all
of her five daughters’ support at the moment.

“Someone is buzzing me. I have to
go. Thanks for listening, Barbara. You’re such a good friend. You always manage
to help me forget the stress. I wish I’d met you years ago. Talk to you soon,
dear.”

The connection cut and Barbara
stared at the phone, an uncertain smile hovering over her lips.

He really wanted her with him. He
even needed her.

There was nothing in the world
she liked more than to be needed. Unfortunately, her daughters had become way
too independent and rarely asked for her help—except for babysitting.

“You’re smiling. Does that mean
we can start planning your packing?” Heather asked.

“Yes, I’m going. What have I got
to lose? Lou Roland has plenty of girlfriends at his beck and call. Now he
needs a good friend to help him cope with his stress, if only for a short time.
I’m a patient listener. That’s all there is to it.” She’d go to Paris, help Roxy
with the twins, and enjoy Lou’s friendship. Happy tremors fluttered up her
spine, but a strange reluctance squeezed her gut.

Was she letting herself in for
more than she could handle?

****

Lou rushed to the airport
departure gate and scanned the crowded area, hoping the storm hadn’t delayed
the plane of his traveling companions too. He caught a glimpse of Roxanne and
her husband, each rolling a stroller back and forth, and next to them a striking
blonde woman in black pantsuit and lemon blouse. He froze in his tracks,
staring from far.

Damn, but she was gorgeous. His
gaze riveted on her lovely face framed by a sleek blond bob with wide bangs
covering half of her forehead, and roved over her perfect figure. Had she lost
weight? In person, Barbara Ramsay by far eclipsed the fading image he’d kept in
his memory.

Recovering his cool, he grinned
widely and sauntered toward her. “Hi there. Glad you made it safely and on time.”

He hugged her. She stiffened.

Unable to resist her natural
appeal, he deposited a chaste kiss on her cheek and released her—though not
quickly enough to prevent her perfume from enfolding him and numbing his gray
matter more effectively than a magical charm.

“Hi Lou.” She smiled and he
breathed better. “We were worried about you. The TV reported a bad storm in
Atlanta.”

Her anxious tone delighted him. Usually
people didn’t worry about him. They feared him and avoided him, which never
bothered him. He commanded respect and preferred to be obeyed than liked. But
Barbara had thrown him off axis and he didn’t mind.

“It would have been awfully bad
luck if I’d missed our connection.”

She laughed. “Imagine, us in
Paris and you stuck in New York.”

“God forbid.” Not a man to be
thwarted, he’d have raised hell. But the sound of her laughter reminded him of
musical pipes and he made an effort to share her hilarity. “I don’t want to
think about it. Although I know I’d have booked the very first plane to follow
you.”

Her smile faded. He realized the
double meaning in the words he’d just said. How far would he go to follow her?

He captured her bewildered gaze.
Those huge turquoise eyes shimmered with surprise, uncertainty, and joy.

“We’ll have a great time in
France.”

A child’s wailing answered him.
He flinched, spun to the right, and caught Roxanne’s sarcastic smile. Darn,
he’d forgotten all about his employee and her family. Was she criticizing him? A
frown reminded her to stay out of his business and keep her thoughts to herself—even
if said business centered on her mother.

Except that Roxanne had never let
anyone intimidate her. Not even her boss. He shook hands with Greg. “Ready for
the family trip?”

“I’m always ready for an exciting
job,” Roxanne quipped before her husband could answer. “But the girls are
getting tired in their strollers.”

 “I’ll take Lucia.” Barbara
lifted her granddaughter and cooed at her. “Big hug, cutie pie.” The little
girl kissed her grandmother’s cheek and snuggled against her neck.

“Charming, she’s adorable.”
And
you too
. Lou smiled at the scene unfolding before his eyes.

A sudden disgust for his world of
meaningless affairs and casual sex stabbed him. Too busy building and
maintaining his television empire he’d missed out on many precious joys. Regret
tore through him, rapidly wiped away by a swift decision—one of those sharp
decisions that had garnered him multimillion dollar contracts and his
reputation of tough cookie.

With Barbara Ramsey at his side,
he could have it all. He could sample the family life he’d given up because of
Monica. He could taste the cozy happiness Barbara created around her.

The feisty woman had caught his
attention with her natural beauty and simple elegance at the wedding where
they’d met. Her kindness and spontaneity had utterly bewitched him and he
hadn’t hesitated to invite her to come along to France. She’d accepted with
eagerness, but in the last few weeks, he’d detected unease in her usually vivacious
voice during their telephone conversations.

Damn it, he’d wasted valuable
time. He should have visited with her long ago.

Giving his back to Roxanne and
Greg, busy with their other kid, he eased closer to Barbara. “I’m sorry I never
came to see you in Kentucky. I was so busy, but I plan to make up during our
vacation.”

A gasp escaped her and her eyes
widened. Anticipation or reluctance?

“I was busy too with my many
grandchildren,” she explained with her usual poise.

A nagging doubt twisted his gut. Would
a woman so dedicated to her family and children be interested in a confirmed bachelor?
A man who terminated his relationships before his partners demanded long term
commitment?

Lou groaned inwardly. Had she
heard of his lamentable reputation?

“Look at my little sweetheart,
Lou. She fell asleep already.” Barbara’s comments interrupted his inner contempt.
He’d rather admire her refreshing smile than linger on his many sins.

Not one to be deterred by a
challenge, Lou squared his shoulders. He’d go the extra mile to win her trust. He
wanted this woman, so different from his numerous dates—a woman who’d proven
her loyalty during thirty years of marriage.

Chapter Two

A knock on her hotel door alerted
Barbara. She’d hardly had time to unpack, shower and change. It was only 10:30
am, Paris time. “Yes, coming,” she called before unlocking her door.

“Mom, it’s me.” Roxanne walked in
already dressed in her professional trademark navy pantsuit and white
turtleneck. “Lou asked me to see if you’re not too tired to start a day of
sight-seeing. He didn’t want to disturb you by calling, in case you wanted to
have a nap after our long flight.” Roxanne examined her and smiled. “I love
your pumps. Two-inch high with a rubber sole. Perfect for a stroll in Paris. I must
say you look totally refreshed for someone who’d just spent eight hours in a
plane.”

“Honey, this plane trip was the most
comfortable one I’ve ever taken. The flight attendants pampered us non-stop.
After the delicious dinner and two glasses of wine, I slept like a baby. I
never thought that these first-class seats could be transformed into such convenient
beds. Do you always travel first-class?”

“Are you kidding? Only once
before because I was pregnant and Lou insisted I should go to Iraq. And this
time, thanks to you, because Lou is determined to impress you.”

“I’m impressed all right. Look at
this room and its stylish furnishings. I feel I’m in a palace, not at the Four
Seasons Hotel.”

“It used to be the George V, the
most famous hotel in France, patronized by VIPs and celebrities. The Four
Seasons bought it, but didn’t change its fabulous decor. Our room is nice too,
though not as grand as yours. I’m just Mr. Roland’s employee, not the woman of
his dreams.” Roxanne winked.

Woman of his dreams
.
At
her age
. “Stop it, girl.” Barbara rolled her eyes, and surveyed her room.
The luxury surrounding her attested to Lou’s effort to please her. Biting her
lip, she admired the Louis XVI furniture trimmed with golden appliqués, the
crystal chandelier, the embroidered silk bedspread matching the sofa and chairs.
Not to mention the small balcony with wrought-iron rail and a superb view of
the Eiffel Tower. She didn’t think she was the
woman of his dreams,
but
Lou certainly went out of his way to make sure her French vacation would be a
memorable one.

Unless it was part of his usual seduction
style. Hmm... She’d better stop analyzing Lou’s motives. “I’m going to your
room to say good morning to my little darlings.”

“Lucia and Julia already left.”

“Left? How? Where?”

“Elias and Marie Diab picked them
up an hour ago. The girls are going to stay the whole week with them. It’s
easier for Greg and me than driving them back and forth every day. Plus it
allows them to spend time with their grandparents.”

Barbara nodded with
understanding. Roxanne wanted her daughters to grow up loving their natural
father’s parents. “You’re doing the right thing. It was horrible for the Diabs
to lose their son to a terrorist bomb. At least, they’re able to enjoy his
children.”

“So now you can visit Paris
without worrying about my babies. By the way, Lou was delighted with the
arrangement,” her daughter added with a wink.

A sigh escaped Barbara. “I don’t
know what to make of your boss. He’s going out of his way to be nice, and
charming, and attentive. But...”

“Mom, any woman would be delighted
to have a man like Lou at her side. Why are you so worried?” Roxanne held her
shoulders and peered into her eyes.

“Not worried, but puzzled, because
we’re so different. He’s the powerful director, an outgoing man who travels
every week and never has to worry about anyone but himself. And I’m a homey
widow who loves to be surrounded by my children and grandchildren. We can’t
meet half-way, because, at our age, none of us will change.” Barbara shook her
head. “Your matchmaking efforts are doomed, my dear girl.”

Her feathers ruffled,
daughter-number-two protested. “I never started any matchmaking. The man liked
you right away and didn’t ask my permission to call you.” With a shrug she
added, “You never told him to take a hike when he called you. So?”

Roxanne was right. For some
obscure reasons she didn’t understand, Barbara had encouraged Lou to call her.
To be honest, she appreciated his keen mind and enjoyed his conversation, and
now his company. Was she playing with fire?

 “Seriously, Mom, let me give you
a piece of advice, because let’s face it, I’m much more experienced in that
domain.”

“In what domain?” Barbara
squinted. What was her daughter getting at?

Roxy blushed. “Uh... you haven’t
flirted for ages. So I guessed you forgot that a girl, even a woman your age,
should keep her heart out of the picture.”

Barbara gasped at her daughter’s
audacity, but Roxanne hardly noticed. “I mean, have fun, enjoy yourself, but be
careful. Don’t fall for a womanizer like Lou Roland. He’s a fifty-four-year-old
bachelor who’s certainly not marriage material. I’ve never seen him with the
same woman for more than a year.”

“Thank you, darling.” A smile
twitched her lips.
A woman her age
had learned not to be naive over the
years. “I appreciate the warning. Believe me, I’ve no intention of turning a
two-week vacation into a long-term problem. Let’s go.” Angst squeezed her
stomach. She took a deep breath, smothered the butterflies in her stomach, and
grabbed her handbag.

A frown marred her pretty
daughter’s forehead. The poor darling felt responsible for her mom.

Barbara wrapped an arm around Roxy’s
shoulder to reassure her. “Sweetheart, don’t worry about me. My many years of
marriage have taught me something about relationships, namely how to study a
man and handle him accordingly.”

“Mother, you don’t know how
things are today. It’s not like when you dated years ago.”

How like her daughters to assume
she lived in a different era. Barbara chuckled under her breath. She’d survived
the sexual revolution and still had a happy marriage for thirty years. “I know
I’ll have a wonderful time in Paris.” With or without Lou at her side. “Lou and
I are good friends. Just friends.”

“Sure, Mom.” Roxanne shrugged and
spun toward the door. “I’ll walk you to the lobby.” Barbara followed her to the
elevator.