The Surprise Holiday Dad (13 page)

“It’s okay.” Her chest felt tight. Although he’d accepted, his guardedness wasn’t encouraging.

Wade tapped her door lightly, as if marking an end to the conversation, and strode back to his son. She’d done the right thing, Adrienne was convinced. She’d also been correct to assume he didn’t want a relationship beyond the collegial one they’d established.

Stop trying to control the future.

Together they’d create a memorable holiday for Reggie. And then, whether she liked it or not, Wade would be on his way.

Chapter Thirteen

Wade had never lived in a big house like Adrienne’s. And he didn’t exactly live there now, even though he’d moved his stuff into the spare bedroom. As a temporary resident, he still felt like a hotel guest—a nonpaying one.

Perhaps that explained why, during the two weeks since arriving, he’d done his best to maintain a low-key presence, putting away every dish and smoothing the couch after watching TV. Aside from leaving a few personal articles in the bathroom he shared with Reggie, he confined his possessions to his own room.

Also, while they’d agreed on ground rules about noise, meals and schedules, he kept stumbling across things he hadn’t considered. Adrienne forgot to warn him that she employed a cleaning service twice a month, and Wade narrowly escaped major embarrassment that morning when he darted from the bathroom to retrieve the clothes he’d left in the bedroom. Wrapped in a towel, he nearly mowed down a lady wielding a dust cloth.

“Sorry,” he said, whipping into his room. He’d believed he was alone in the house.

She merely stood there openmouthed. After he came out, he introduced himself, and they both pretended not to notice each other’s red faces. Thank goodness he’d thrown on the towel by instinct.

Someday he’d like to have a home like this. Even better, he’d like to share it with his son. Yet Adrienne’s willingness to let him move in, even temporarily, showed a huge amount of acceptance on her part.

He was grateful to have this chance to get to know them both better. Being a father involved a major learning curve, and the role, he was beginning to understand, would evolve as his son grew.

At the office, Wade’s change of address drew a few raised eyebrows. Sue Carrera went around all day grinning, no doubt anticipating another staff romance.

She couldn’t have been further off base. Adrienne was polite, friendly, but distant. Her moments of sadness reminded Wade that her sister had died nearly a year ago. He had his own painful memories connected with this season, but he hoped that as Christmas drew closer, they’d both rally for Reggie’s sake.

For the upcoming weekend, she suggested bringing down the artificial tree from the attic. That, he hoped, would mark the start of festivities and a renewal of the closeness he’d experienced during the wedding. Wade could hardly wait.

That Friday he was called into Mike Aaron’s office. Wade remained standing in front of the broad desk until his boss finished reading something on his laptop. Glancing up, Mike removed his glasses and closed the computer. “Have a seat.”

Since he’d been expecting a performance review after a month on the job, Wade sat rather stiffly in one of the chairs. While he’d completed each project and had his reports approved with only minor corrections, he took nothing for granted.

“I have a rather unusual assignment for you.” Mike scratched his thick thatch of hair.

“Unusual?” This might be a test, Wade considered.

“The client requested you specifically.” His boss leaned back, stretching his long legs under the desk. “Not only that, but he refuses to discuss the details with anyone else.”

Who might put in such a request? “Did he explain how he knows me?”

“That wasn’t necessary.” Mike seemed in no hurry to provide more information. He had a gift for turning small issues into power trips.

“I see.” But of course, Wade didn’t.

“The client is Bruce Hunter.”

What?
Wade swallowed, aware that his astonishment showed despite his attempt to match his boss’s self-control. “My grandfather is hiring me? He didn’t even want me to work here.”

“Apparently he’s changed his mind.” Having obtained maximum shock value, Mike moved on. “He’d like you to stop by his condo so he can fill you in. Anything he tells you is strictly confidential.”

“He does realize that you’ll be reading the report, right?” Wade asked.

“Yes, but he specified that we’re not to mention it to anyone else at the agency.”

This must concern Daryl. But if Grandpa had questions, why not just ask Wade straight-out? Or did Bruce suspect Dad of being up to something suspicious? If he was, Wade had seen no sign of it while staying with his father.

He accepted the slim folder Mike handed him, which contained Bruce’s address and background information. As if he needed it. “I’ll start right away.”

Mike waited until he was halfway to the door before asking, “Aren’t you interested in your performance review?”

Wade turned sheepishly. “I was wondering.”

His boss didn’t drag things out. “Flying colors. You’ll see a slight raise in your next paycheck. I wish it were larger, but we’re still getting this business off the ground.”

“Much appreciated.”

“Glad to have you here.”

In the report-writing room, Wade called his grandfather. Bruce answered on the second ring.

Wade identified himself, repressing the urge to add, “Reporting for duty, sir.” This was a real case, and despite the positive feedback from Mike, one positive performance review didn’t make him immune to criticism. “Is this a good time for me to stop by?”

“No,” said the gruff, familiar voice. “Tomorrow.”

That was inconvenient for Wade, since he’d planned to spend the morning with Reggie and had promised to help Adrienne with holiday decorations after lunch. If he refused, though, he could imagine Bruce’s belittling response. Real detectives worked on weekends or whenever else they had to.

He took the initiative. “Three o’clock would work for my schedule.”

Loud throat clearing preceded Bruce’s reply. “I guess if you’re tied up till then, that will do.” A harrumph was followed by, “What do you hear from your father?”

“Not much.” Since their argument Wade and Daryl had exchanged only a few brief messages on practical matters. “Why are you asking me? I thought you two were on good terms.”

“I can’t stand listening to his slurred speech when we talk and his lies about taking cough medicine,” Grandpa said.

“He and I don’t get along so well, either,” Wade admitted.

“We’re just one big happy family, aren’t we?”

That didn’t bear commenting on. “I’ll see you tomorrow at three.” Unsure how to address his grandfather in this situation, Wade avoided using any name.

“Done.” With that terse conclusion, Bruce hung up.

As he pocketed his phone, Wade realized what the conversation signified. His grandfather wasn’t hiring him to snoop on Daryl. If so, why had Bruce asked about him on the phone?

Whatever the old guy was up to, Wade would have to wait to find out.

* * *

O
N
S
ATURDAY
MORNING
as she was leaving the hospital, Adrienne noted a text message from an unfamiliar account. The subject line read “THX From Judi.”

That was the young woman whose daughter she’d delivered two weeks ago, to whom she’d given her cell number. “My parents will help me raise her,” Judi wrote. “Her name’s Merrie, for Xmas. She’s so sweet. Look!” Attached was an image of a darling baby in a pink onesie, cuddled against her mother’s cheek.

Adrienne’s eyes burned with tears as she replied. She felt happy for Judi, glad for the chance to help and a deep yearning for what could never be.

Stay in the moment.
This month she’d had to fight her impulses since Wade had moved in. It was hard not to touch him, not to join in playful tussling with him and Reggie, not to show how much she yearned for him.

But she’d managed. And she would keep right on managing, Adrienne resolved, and headed for her reserved parking spot.

Already the new routine felt familiar. She arrived home to find the laundry running and enjoyed a leisurely breakfast without having to worry about Reggie’s supervision for the day. After touching base with Wade, she went to bed and slept soundly.

As usual, she awoke at lunchtime. Although that didn’t give her a full night’s sleep, she’d napped for several hours in the on-call room, and she had a couple days off to catch up.

The door cracked open and Reggie peered in. “You awake?” he whispered.

“I am,” Adrienne confirmed.

Into the hallway he hollered, “Okay, Dad! We can bring down the tree now!”

A light tap preceded Wade’s appearance behind his son. “Should we wait till you’re up?”

“Go ahead and get started.” The physical chore of carting stuff from the attic held no appeal for Adrienne. “I’ll join you shortly. The pull-down door to the attic is in the ceiling next to your bathroom.”

“I noticed.” He gave her an indulgent grin.

“Set up the tree in the family room,” she added.

“The front hall has more space.”

“But it isn’t as friendly.” Adrienne didn’t mention her other reason for placing the tree in a less-public spot. Over the years, it had lost some of its artificial needles and much of its freshness. She’d planned to dispose of it after the holidays last year and buy a new one, but Vicki’s death had thrown everything off-kilter.

“Point taken.” In front of him Reggie was hopping from one foot to the other. “Okay, sport, let’s give your aunt some privacy.”

“Can I climb up the ladder?” Reggie asked, darting under his father’s arm.

“Yes, but carefully, and only when I’m watching.” Wade gave Adrienne a wink before closing the door quietly.

Once Adrienne showered, dressed and ate a quick meal, she found that the industrious pair had already set the tree on its stand in a corner of the den. Boxes of ornaments, wreaths and knickknacks lay on the coffee table and carpet.

Nostalgia rushed over her. Years ago she and Vicki used to tumble about while their parents decorated a tree—a real one. The scent of pine had filled the air, along with apple cider heating on the stove and cookies baking.

Only a little over a week remained before Christmas. Recovering from the wedding and adjusting to her new housemate, she’d fallen behind in her planning. She’d meant to update the collection of ornaments, and she hadn’t yet wrapped presents.

Wade was checking the colored lights intended for the porch. “Most of these are burned out. I’ll buy a new string, but not today. I have an appointment with a client in a little over an hour.”

“You’re working?” She felt unaccountably disappointed.

“I’m afraid so.” He shrugged. “Not sure how late this will run.”

“Hope you make it home for dinner,” Adrienne said. “I’m cooking pasta with broccoli and peanut butter.”

“My favorite!” Reggie put in. Adrienne was sure half a dozen other dishes would have drawn the same response.

“Save some for me, okay?” Wade gave her a sideways smile. “I’ll be hungry whenever I get home.”

“Of course.”

They spoke like roommates or friends, yet a sweet tension hung in the air.
We’re always tiptoeing around each other.
Was it possible he had feelings for her, too?

If so, Adrienne reminded herself, they couldn’t afford to indulge them. For Reggie’s sake, the two of them had to work together. To be strong, dependable and stable. There was no room for the emotional roller-coaster ride she had experienced during her long-ago engagement and that Wade had apparently suffered with Vicki. Presumably any other love affairs hadn’t worked out, either, since he’d remained single.

They both had terrible track records. Mercifully, they’d begun to form a workable team. That was enough.

Since the exterior lights weren’t ready to hang, they devoted their energies to the tree. Adrienne’s favorite ornaments were the personal ones: framed pictures of Reggie as a baby and toddler, salt-dough figures he’d whipped up in preschool and kindergarten, and a coffee-filter angel Vicki had helped him create last year. There were a scattering of colored glass balls, tiny toy soldiers and wooden elves, as well.

She explained the history of each to Reggie. While listening, Wade settled a large old-fashioned Santa on the top. He was tall enough to reach it without a ladder.

Next Wade affixed sparkly angels to the higher branches. “Is anything here from your own childhood?”

Adrienne hesitated to comment in front of Reggie, but it was better to give him the facts. “My father drank too much one year and knocked over the Christmas tree. Stuff broke.”

“That was bad,” Reggie said. “People shouldn’t drink.”

“You’re right.” Although some doctors recommended a glass of wine with dinner, Adrienne considered it wise for a person with a family history of alcoholism to avoid even that.

As usual, Reggie’s attention quickly shifted. “Can I take photos now?”

Startled, Adrienne regarded the bedraggled tree. It was hardly worthy of recording, yet this was a special holiday for her nephew. After a tough year, he had his father. And she’d like to build up a new stock of family photos, even though they couldn’t entirely replace those they’d lost. “Sure.”

The little boy ran for his camera. Harper, who took professional-quality photos of insects and hummingbirds to illustrate children’s nature books that Peter wrote, had taught Mia and Reggie to compose their pictures, study the lighting and use special settings.

The boy was absorbed in his picture taking when Wade departed. “I’ll replace the lights as soon as I can,” he promised.

“Thanks.”
For being here. For bringing us light in more ways than one.
“Good luck with your client.”

“I may need it,” he said enigmatically.

“We’ll be baking cookies this afternoon.” The fragrance would fill the house. “I’ll save you a plate.”

“What kind of cookies?”

“Does it matter?”

“Studies have found chocolate chip to be vastly superior to any other cookie on earth,” Wade informed her. “Aside from that, I’m not particular.”

“I’ll keep it in mind.” She nearly walked him to the door, except that he wasn’t a guest.

Then Adrienne turned to Reggie. Sticking to her theme of staying in the moment, she put all those rampant male vibrations out of her head. “Let’s start baking cookies,” she suggested.

Lowering his camera, he faced her solemnly. “What kind?” he asked, just like his father.

“All kinds,” Adrienne said, grateful for her stock of refrigerated dough.