Starlight in Her Eyes (6 page)

“Nonsense. You always take care of me, so I figured it was time for me to take care of you.” Colin glanced about her tastefully furnished home, impressed by quality pieces of art and sculpture. The place was lived-in but elegant with muted colors accented with jewel tones, contrasting fabrics, and an eclectic mix of old and new. A low fire burned in the fireplace, filling the room with warmth and coziness. His gaze fell on the sofa, and he imagined Serena curled on it, reading a book. What a lovely image.

“Colin, this isn't exactly appropriate.”

He swung his gaze to hers. “Why not? Since when is expressing concern for a friend not a good thing?”

Without her makeup, she appeared barely older than a teenager, yet more approachable in spite of the fact she was currently asking him to leave.

Serena shifted from foot to foot, drawing attention to the pretty painted nails on her toes. Red, of course. “It's not that. It's just—”

“Mommy?”

An adorable moppet with dark curls and large blue eyes nearly identical to Serena's stood in the middle of the carpeted staircase. Not that he was a good judge of age, but she appeared to be no more than five or six and wore red-footed pajamas with reindeer, of all things. A child after his own reindeer-loving heart, it would seem.

This must be Lily.

He'd seen the child's birth announcement as he'd read about Graham last night. In truth, in his search for information on how Serena might have been connected to Graham and how she might have fit into the man's life, Colin had learned all about Graham's professional accomplishments and knew he was a broadcasting legacy with a famous father, but he'd been more interested in the man's private life. He'd discovered quite a bit.

After studying him for a few seconds, the girl scampered down the staircase with her arms wrapped around a well-loved teddy bear. Padding over to him, Lily glanced up into his face with a curious expression. “You're the man on Mommy's TV show.”

Colin hadn't a clue how to talk with the youngster but he'd give it his best shot. He genuinely liked children, so that was a good start. Should he crouch down to her eye level or continue to stand? He crouched. “Yes, that's right, love. We couldn't do our show without”—he glanced at Serena and she gave him a slight nod—“your mum. She's very important. My name is Colin Young. What might your name be?”

He felt somewhat disingenuous for asking the question, but he couldn't let on to Serena quite yet that he knew she'd been married to Graham for nearly a decade and that Lily was their only child. Which would make her six years old, seven in May.

“You talk funny. I'm Lily,” she said. “This”—she nodded to her teddy bear—“is Truffle.” Her face grew red and she slapped one hand on her chest before bursting out in a full-on coughing fit. Thankfully, she turned to the side before she could spew germs all over him. When she wiped her hand beneath her nose, Serena dug a tissue from the pocket of her jeans and gave it to her. Taking a deep breath, following her mother's instructions, the little girl blew for all she was worth in a display equally disgusting and impressive.

Serena excused herself and darted from the room, presumably to dispose of the tissue and to take the bag of food to the kitchen.

Colin made a grand, sweeping bow before the child with deference befitting royalty. “Miss Lily, it is indeed my highest honor to meet you and Truffle. I must say, I also have a great fondness for reindeer.” He gestured to her pajamas. “And that was the absolute best demonstration of nose blowing I have ever seen.” He would have kissed her hand, but decided against it considering the circumstances.

Lily giggled, and when she choked, he was afraid she'd erupt in another coughing fit. She recovered nicely, however. “Did you come to see my mommy?”

“As it turns out, I came to see you since you're not feeling well,” he said. “I brought some comfort food from a restaurant I know your mum likes. Hot soup and muffins with amazing healing powers, or so I'm told.”

Lily tilted her head. “Why do you keep calling her mum?”

“Because he's from England and that's how he says ‘mom'.” Coming around the corner of the living room, Serena wiped her daughter's hands with a cloth and then smoothed dark curls away from Lily's flushed face. “Are you hungry? Would you like some of the soup and a muffin?”

“Uh huh. Do you want some, too?” Lily said to him.

“That's a very lovely invitation.” Colin shot a glance at Serena.

“Honey, you're not up for company today and need to eat in your room.” Serena briefly rested the back of her hand on Lily's forehead as if gauging her temperature. “Scoot back upstairs and get in your bed. I'll be there in a few minutes with a tray for you.”

Lily appeared disappointed, but she nodded. “Bye, Mr. Colin. Thanks for the grub.”

Colin couldn't stop his grin. “Good-bye, Lily-Love. I hope you feel better very soon.”

“She's been watching the movie,
Annie
,” Serena told him as the tyke trudged back up the stairs with a bit less bounce in her step. “In case you believe that I'd purposely teach my child to speak like a street urchin.”

Colin smiled and caught sight of Lily at the top of the stairs.

She blew him a kiss, stealing a bit of his heart in the process.

He pretended to catch the kiss in one hand before she disappeared from view.

“She's a precious child, Serena. I should go now so you can attend to her. There's a double batch of the soup and a half dozen muffins, so I hope you'll have some, as well.” He started to turn toward the door but paused. “As much as I've come to appreciate your eyeglasses, I like this look.” His eyes roamed over her lovely chestnut waves. “Ditto the hair.”

Serena's cheeks flushed at his compliments and she followed him to the front door. “The glasses are only to correct a slight astigmatism. I wear them mainly for convenience, but that'll be our secret. As far as my hair, it's distracting and much easier to pull it away from my face and neck when I'm trying to concentrate at work. I appreciate you taking the time and trouble to come all the way out here. Lily and I both thank you.”

“No trouble, love. I'd apologize for not calling first but there are certain things that seem to be in the Lord's plan. When He puts someone on my mind and in my heart, I'm learning I need to respond accordingly.” He tapped Serena's nose, every bit as cute and pert as her daughter's. “I daresay this was one of them.”

Serena tilted her head with a bemused expression. “How do you figure that?”

Stopping beside the door, Colin hesitated. “For one thing, if I hadn't come today, I wouldn't have met your darling Lily. And her friend with the intriguing name of Truffle.”

“Truffles are a weakness for me, and Lily thought the teddy bear's brown fur looks like the same color.” She shrugged. “I couldn't argue with her reasoning. It seemed to fit.”

“Good to know,” he said. “I'm quite fond of them myself, and it would seem Lily's as creative as her mother. Are you still willing to meet me at the mission tomorrow night? Considering the circumstances, I'll understand if you'd like to put it off until another time. They serve meals every night, and it promises to be a long, cold winter.”

“Don't remind me. Lily's rarely sick for long, but I think it might be a better idea to get a group together from the station and go one night next week.”

Colin nodded, trying not to show his disappointment. She was right, and going to the mission would be a terrific group outing for the station's employees. “That sounds like a great plan. We can talk about it more on Monday.”

“Thanks again for the grub, Colin. Have a nice weekend.” She gave him a sweet smile as she opened the door.

“I hope Lily feels better soon. Bye, Serena.”

5

Monday Afternoon

Serena burst out laughing as she watched the latest tape of Colin on the city streets and visiting local landmarks. The man could be an actor. In some ways, he was, but instead of playing a role, he was simply being himself. At times self-deprecating and naturally funny, Colin made the most mundane places, people, and situations fascinating.

Viewers were responding positively to his “Out and About” segments on
Wake Up, Philadelphia!

Serena caught wind that the evening news wanted to feature them twice a week during the late night broadcasts and then again on the weekend news.

In this particular segment, Colin stood next to a woman wearing a white apron and a holiday cap with blinking Christmas lights and reindeer antlers. Never one to bypass an opportunity, Colin had commented on those antlers and shown the viewing audience his red high-tops with the jingle bells and reindeer nose on the laces.

“I understand the Reading Terminal Market is actually considered the number one most visited attraction in Philadelphia,” Colin said. “Tell me, love, approximately how many people would that be per annum? Your best estimate.”

“Per what?” Margaret gave him a befuddled look.

“Every year,” Colin said. He sometimes got that same look from people because of the words or expressions he used, but he always kept it light and playful. Amazing how the use of the endearment
love
could melt the strongest of resolves.

“Oh. I'm told we have more than six million visitors every year,” Margaret said.

“Six million?” Colin appeared stunned. “That's astounding, but food is a universally shared interest of people all over the world. The Reading Terminal Market decidedly has something to offer everyone.”

Serena laughed when she heard the jingling on his shoes as Colin walked down the aisle with Margaret and waved his arm at the vendors and row upon row of food. “We have fresh produce, sandwiches, artisanal cheeses, desserts. Margaret, tell me something. Supposing a Brit has a hankering for a hot dog and a slice of apple pie, where might he go in the Reading Terminal Market to get such fare?”

~*~

“Margaret officially declared me a foodie.” Colin lounged against the doorframe of her office and gave her a smile.

Something inside her shifted and she felt warm all over. Oh, he was handsome. She was not a woman to experience silly, adolescent fantasies…or tingles. Until now.

Colin had changed out of his suit and tie as per his usual routine after the show taped. In his khaki slacks, a button-down shirt—rolled on the forearms and opened at the neck—and a moss green V-neck sweater, Colin looked casually elegant.

She glanced at his feet.

The man did love his high-tops. A stray lock of blond hair had fallen over his forehead, almost to the fringe of his dark eyelashes. His hair was getting a bit too long. Serena made a mental note to mention to Marla that he needed a trim. It was either that or dwell on how much she'd love to touch his hair and push aside that stray lock.

She was staring at the man.
Say something.

Switching off the tape, Serena motioned for him to come into her office. “What is the definition of a foodie?”

Colin dropped into the chair across from her desk. “Someone who has an avid interest in all things to do with food. Sometimes associated with food fads and also called a foodist.” He grinned. “You should watch the rest of that particular segment. I mistook what my new friend Margaret said at one point and thought she said nudist instead of foodist. As you can imagine, it made for an interesting exchange.”

Serena laughed. When she leaned back in her chair, she dislodged the bun, sending her hair spilling over her shoulders. Reaching for her hair, she started to twist the long strands on top of her head again.

“Leave it down.” Colin's voice was low and sexy. “Please.”

She forced herself to stay put and not squirm in her chair. Unsure what to do, her gaze fell to her glasses sitting in the middle of the desk. “I look more professional when my hair is up.”

“Serena, love.” Straightening in the chair, Colin leaned close, his eyes filled with warmth and affection. “Humor me. Allow me to take you for a cup of coffee and leave your hair down. Not that it's a prerequisite for my offer.”

She tilted her head, considering his invitation. “Glasses or not?”
Did I really just ask him that question?
She wanted to groan.

He chuckled. “Completely up to you, but thanks for asking.”

“I'll leave them off. You're a bad influence on me, but I'm due for an afternoon break.”

“From what I know, you rarely take them.” He lifted out of the chair. “Let me go get my coat and I'll come back to get you in five minutes.”

“Let's meet downstairs in the lobby. We should discuss the plans for the mission.”

“You know what?” Colin stopped in the doorway. “Let's not. We can discuss that when we return. This afternoon respite is about Serena and Colin, two friends sharing coffee and personal conversation. No television business or otherwise. Agreed?”

Serena nodded. “All right, then. I'll see you soon.”

He tapped the doorframe with an irresistible smile. “Count on it.”

~*~

“I trust Lily is feeling better.” Colin placed Serena's cup of peppermint mocha coffee on the table and then set down his gingerbread latte. “Forgive me. I was remiss in not asking after her earlier.”

The rich aromas from their drinks smelled divine as he sat in the chair opposite her.

Shoppers and business types bustled in, bringing a burst of cold air inside with them whenever the door opened.

For that reason, and because he wanted as much privacy as possible, Colin had located a table as far away from the door as he could find.

“Lily's much better, thanks. Her fever's gone and she's left with only a lingering, annoying cough. My daughter attributes the soup and muffins from Mr. Colin as the miracle cure for her cold, and she's been singing your praises ever since.”