Then Came You (The Wilde Sisters #2) (7 page)

Damn Aruba heat.

Lunch was surprisingly pleasant. Being around children didn’t seem to bother Grayson, yet at times his mannerisms and questions were awkward. If Maddie noticed she didn’t let on. If anything, she controlled the conversation, setting him at ease.

“Do you know what you want to be when you grow up?” Grayson asked.

“I want to be a princess. How much does it cost to be a princess?”

Thyme smiled and quirked her eyebrow at Grayson, letting him answer this one.

“Well, it doesn’t exactly work that way. You have to be born into royalty and you were…” He stopped and pinched the bridge of his nose as Maddie tilted her head, squinting at him. “Or you could be given the title from a monarch for service to their country.”

“I learned about monarch butterflies in preschool. Can I be a princess if I take special care of butterflies?

Throughout the lunch he’d gotten better about stopping himself before going on a tangent that was over a five-year-old’s head. Thyme thoroughly enjoyed watching him try to get out of his own way.

“Well, could she?” Thyme asked.

If his manners weren’t high class he’d surely have growled at her. Grayson narrowed his eyes and pinched his lips together. Thyme grinned and sipped her iced tea.

“Actually, I haven’t a clue how much it costs to be a princess.” He sighed.

“Can you find out? Do you have enough money to make me one? Or help me catch some butterflies?”

Thyme laughed out loud, earning herself another scowl from Grayson.

“It’s not a monarch butterfly I’m referring to. A monarch is a head of state. Like a king or queen.”

“Do you know any kings or queens who can make me a princess?”

“Sorry, Maddie, I don’t.”

“Oh.” Her cute lips puckered and pouted.

“Don’t let that get you down. You can be anything you want to be. You don’t need lots of money to reach your dreams.”

“Yeah, but it sure helps,” Thyme spoke into her glass.

“Can we go for a boat ride? I saw lots of boats on the water yesterday. Can we go, Thyme? Please? Grayson, can you go with us too? I’ll give you a kiss.” Her usual bribe to get what she wanted. Not that Maddie was spoiled. She was an affectionate little girl who loved to give hugs and kisses and was smart enough to realize flattery could get you further in life. Apparently she had more of Grayson in her than Thyme realized.

“Sure. Maybe tomorrow.”

Thyme kicked him under the table and frowned. She cleared her throat and mumbled so only he could hear, “Don’t make empty promises, Grayson.”

“Yay!” Maddie bounced out of her seat and kissed Grayson on the cheek. Thyme shook her head in disappointment. Most likely something would come up and Grayson wouldn’t be able to fulfill his promise to his little girl. She pushed back the familiar feeling of parental rejection.

An odd twist of fate for
her
to be the voice of reason. A first time for everything. “I’m sure Grayson is busy tomorrow. You and I can go out for a ride, okay? I’ll call around when we get back to the hotel and find someone to take us out.”

The waitress came by to clear their lunch plates. “Anyone care for dessert?”

“Would you like some ice cream, Maddie?” Grayson was the master of distraction.

“Yay! Can I have chocolate with sprinkles?”

“You can have anything you want,” he promised his daughter.

Sure. Anything but a full-time dad.

When Armand dropped them off at the hotel later in the afternoon, Thyme thanked him and picked up a sleeping Maddie in her arms.

“Will you be going anywhere else today, Miss Wilde?”

“No, Armand. Enjoy the rest of your day.”

“Thank you. I’ll see you at eight tomorrow morning then.”

Thyme shifted Maddie in her arms and turned back to the driver. “Eight?”

“Mr. Montgomery booked a sailboat for you and Miss Davenport tomorrow. He said you two would be gone most of the day. I’ll have a lunch packed for you both as well.”

“Oh, well, thank you. I’ll see you in the morning then.” She turned and walked toward her suite wanting to despise Grayson for taking the liberty to plan their day for them, but she couldn’t. It would have been a nicer gesture had he intended to join them. Armand didn’t say anything about Grayson coming along. His comment about packing a lunch for “both” her and Maddie made it clear he had spoken too soon at lunch.

Thyme couldn’t figure out if she was more disappointed that Grayson wouldn’t be there for his daughter or that she wouldn’t be able to see him tomorrow.

Chapter Five

Grayson

He did it. Granted, he hadn’t seen Maddie or Thyme since their lunch date three days ago, but he had just about every loose end tied up now. He could take a few days off to get to know his daughter, maybe even relax and get to know Thyme as well. Franklin Kincaid, his new head foreman, had proved himself more than capable and could handle the rest of the details. And Scott Barry, the owner of The Green Sands Resort, was thrilled with the progress.

Barry had been decent to work for. He liked Grayson’s designs and only asked for a few changes along the way. Overall, the business relationship had been ideal.

“Montgomery.” Barry slapped him on the back and shook his hand. “I think it’s time to kick back and relax. My CEO and his family are celebrating on my yacht tomorrow night. Why don’t you join us? Bring a date if you’d like.” He winked and walked off, whistling as he strolled through the lobby of his new hotel.

A date? The only female interested in him wasn’t even in school yet and he didn’t think a late night dinner party was the place for her. He’d go solo, as always. Well, not always. If Sophia was around she’d schlep some skinny model type on his arm and tell him to mind his manners. Conflicting messages.
She’d make a good Mrs. Montgomery, but keep it in your pants.
He’d never figure out his grandmother. And, according to his mother, Sophia had an arranged marriage all set up for Grayson. One that would make his grandmother’s slowing fashion empire rise to the top again. She’d used her manipulation tactics on enough people for Grayson not to take her frequent threats lightly.

Love wasn’t a necessary component in a marriage in Sophia Buchanan’s eyes. She considered the union just another business deal between two people who had common interests and values. While Grayson wasn’t searching for a wife, the idea wasn’t abhorrent to him either. When and if he did marry, he hoped it was because the woman cared for him, loved him, not his bank account or family name.

Grayson looked down at his Rolex. A little past noon. He had all day to visit with Maddie.

And Thyme.

He braved the ninety-degree heat and humidity and nearly jogged to his rental car. After cranking the air conditioning, he drove the few miles to a gift shop to pick up something for Maddie. What would a five-year-old wannabe princess want? Feeling completely out of his element, he wandered around aimlessly until he found something that reminded him of her.

After paying for his purchase, he drove to his hotel and changed into shorts and a polo shirt before making his way toward Thyme’s suite. He rang the doorbell and waited.

And waited.

Then knocked.

And waited.

No one answered. Having a sense of déjà vu, he pulled out his cell and pressed a few buttons.

“Sir?”

“Armand, you said you didn’t bring Maddie or Miss Wilde anywhere today, correct?”

“Yes, Mr. Montgomery. Unless they went for a walk, they should be in their suite or out at the pool.”

“Thank you.” He put his phone back in his pocket and made his way toward the back of the hotel. If they were at their private lap pool she would have heard the doorbell.

Tucking the package under his arm, he used his key card to open the door to the outdoor lounge area. It was magnificent. Three waterfalls flowed into the M-shaped pool. The outer ends were long lap pools while the middle of the M catered to those who wanted to float or play. Sunbathers were scattered around the exquisite landscaping, lying in lounge chairs or reading in covered cabanas.

The only people in the water were a young couple sitting inappropriately close to one another at the bottom end of the M, and at the top were two women and a little girl. Two? Grayson inched toward the squealing laughter and smiled, then took in the sight of Thyme’s orange bathing suit. It would have been modest on any other woman, but her shapely curves made her look scandalous. He nearly swallowed his tongue and averted his eyes, looking to the other woman. His…

“Grayson! I never thought I’d see you at the pool.”

“Mother,” he moaned. Thyme clearly had no respect for his wishes and had gone ahead and told his mother about her granddaughter. Furious at Thyme for disrespecting him, he ordered her out of the pool. “Thyme. A word, please. Now.”

“Grayson!” his mother gasped. “That’s no way to speak to Thyme.”

“I’m used to it, Eva. I’ll be right back.”

“Hi, Grayson. We met your mommy. Are you going to play with us?”

“Not right now.” He didn’t mean to sound so short with her, Maddie had done no wrong, but he wasn’t used to being crossed. And he hadn’t prepared himself to tell his mother about his daughter. Hell, he’d barely gotten used to the news.

He watched Thyme walk out of the pool; water cascaded down her tan body, begging his tongue to lap it up. A pool of water gathered in her belly button where a sparkle reflected in the sun. A piercing? There? It should have appalled him, but Grayson’s lower half betrayed him and twitched.

Knowing he needed to gain control, he turned and stormed toward an unoccupied cabana. The witch of a woman sidled up next to him and didn’t even cover herself up with a towel. How was he to reprimand her when she only wore three triangles of fabric on her body?

“How dare you.” She stabbed her finger into his chest.

Grayson grabbed her finger and held it still. “How dare I? Are you serious? This is none of your business. You had no right to tell my mother about Maddie. You’re her nanny. Hired by the Davenports, nonetheless, not by me. You have no entitlement to her.”

Thyme’s hand went limp and if he wasn’t staring so intently at her face he wouldn’t have noticed the slight tremble in her lip.

“The only reason you have any entitlement to that precious child is because you’re an adulterer. Don’t talk to me about right and wrong, Mr. Montgomery. If you don’t want me in Maddie’s life, fine. I quit. Good luck,
Dad.
Just don’t come begging for my forgiveness tonight when she’s up all night crying because she lost another person in her life and is stuck living with a cold-hearted stranger.” Thyme yanked her hand from his and stormed off. She got three steps before she came back and jabbed him in the chest again. “And for the record. I never said anything to Eva. She’s a wonderful woman who wanted to befriend an innocent little girl. She has no clue that she’s a grandmother. Or that her son is an asshat.”

This time she got all the way back to the pool before he came to his senses. It wasn’t like Grayson to overreact, but when he saw the three of them laughing and playing in the water, part of him was…jealous. Not a feeling he had experienced before.

“Thyme,” he called, but she ignored him.

She hopped in the pool and waded over to Maddie. “Hey, princess. I’ve gotta go but you can keep playing with Mrs. Montgomery. Grayson is here to play with you too, okay?”

“But I want to play with all of you.”

“Thyme isn’t going anywhere.” He quickly shucked his sandals and shirt and came to the edge of the pool. Wishing he’d worn his swimming trunks, he waded in the shallow end, stopping when the water came to the bottom of his shorts.

“You’re not wearing a bathing suit!” Maddie giggled.

“No, I forgot it. I’ll bring it next time.”

“Can you get it now and come swimming with me?”

“Um…” He didn’t want to take a chance on Thyme escaping while he went to his suite. “Sure. Thyme, would you mind walking me to my room? I need to talk with you.”

“Grayson, are you okay?”

“Yes, Mother. Everything is fine. Would you mind keeping an eye on Maddie? We’ll be back in a few minutes.”

“Yes. Of course. But—”

Grayson took a step farther in the pool, soaking his shorts, and grabbed Thyme’s arm.

“Seriously, Mr. Montgomery. You’re an idiot. I’m not going with you.”

He grabbed hold of her hand and dragged her through the water, trying to ignore his mother’s grin as Eva picked up Maddie and twirled her through the water.

When they were a safe distance away, Grayson picked up a towel from a teak shelf and shoved it at Thyme. “Cover yourself up. Please.”

As he dried his legs, he saw a look of defiance in her eyes, but she slowly wrapped the towel around her waist, leaving her glorious cleavage as a distraction. Sighing, somewhat defeated, he opened the door for her and led her toward his suite.

“You’re used to getting your way, aren’t you?”

“Yes.” Reaching into his wet pocket, he pulled out his keycard and gestured her into his room.

“I’ll be right back. Don’t go anywhere.”

“Yes, sir.” She saluted.

The woman drained him. He probably would be better off without her.
Yeah, right.
He quickly changed into his swimming trunks and returned to the living room. Thyme hadn’t stayed put, not that he expected her to. She let herself out onto his veranda and stood facing the water, her spine straight and rigid.

“I think your view is better than mine.”

“Probably,” he said, standing next to her, facing the ocean as well.

Thyme snorted. “When I first met you I thought you were sweet, if not misguided. Yet you have a touch of arrogance and a lot of cluelessness when it comes to women.”

“I know.” He ran his hand through his hair, a new gesture he’d picked up since meeting Thyme, and sighed, another habit he’d picked up in the past few weeks. “I’m sorry. I jumped to conclusions. Seeing my mother laughing and playing with Maddie, well, it looked like she was in her glory, playing with her granddaughter.”

“She was. Is. She doesn’t know Maddie is her granddaughter. Was I tempted to tell her? Hell yeah. Just to piss you off. But that wouldn’t be fair to Maddie and I care about the girl a hell of a lot more than I care about you.”

“Gee, thanks.”

Thyme shrugged and crossed her arms, inadvertently making the line between her breasts more prevalent. Maybe if she unfolded her arms the towel would fall and he’d get another glimpse of her tanned curves. Shaking away his sexual fantasies, he shoved his hands in his pockets and tried to appear more relaxed. The woman thought he was an ass and if he was honest with himself, he’d admit he kind of was. Another changing factor in what used to be the primed and polished Grayson Montgomery.

“Do you really think I would do that to her? Maddie has been through so much. Hell, I don’t even want her to know you’re her father. Why would I tell her about Eva?”

Grayson hid the painfulness of her statement. “I don’t know. I panicked. I don’t know what to do.” He pleaded with her. “Please don’t leave me. Us. Please stay with Maddie. We both need you right now. I don’t know how to take care of a daughter.”

“I didn’t either four months ago. She’s an easy kid. She lets you know what she needs.”

“Like ice cream for breakfast?” He hoped to get a smile out of her.

“Sometimes that’s not a bad thing.”

“Will you forgive me?”

“I’m just the nanny. I don’t really belong here anyway.”

Shit. “I didn’t mean that. I was angry.”

“In my experience, when someone is angry their true feelings tend to come out.”

“I don’t get angry often. Ever, really. I was taught to control my temper, but you seem to bring it out in me.”

She smiled for the first time and uncrossed her arms. The towel didn’t fall. “Thanks.”

Grayson tipped his head back and laughed. “You are one complicated woman.”

“Thanks again. That’s actually the nicest compliment anyone has ever given me.” Her eyes turned somber again as she faced the ocean.

Thyme Wilde had layers he was just beginning to see. There was definitely more to her than soft curves and an infectious laugh. She had a heart of gold, putting the needs of a child she’d just met months ago ahead of her own. He didn’t even know what her needs and desires were.

“Can I ask you something?”

“Sure. My life’s an open book.”

“What do you want in life?”

He’d clearly surprised her. “Me? I don’t know.” She shrugged. “I’m like a nomad. No commitments, no responsibilities. My life’s one big party. That’s how I like it.” She tried to brush off her answer but he could tell she wasn’t being entirely honest.

“I’d say caring for a child is a pretty big responsibility.”

“Yeah, but that’s just temporary. You won’t need me for long. I’m just a filler.” She laughed again. “Thyme to fill. That’s what Sage always says. I’m great at filling in where needed. Right now I’m needed here. Next month I’ll be needed somewhere else.”

She spoke as if she didn’t have a care in the world, but Grayson saw the hurt in her eyes. Never knowing where she fit in and always filling in for others. Thyme Wilde had a huge heart and was underappreciated. He’d find a way to show her how much he and Maddie valued her. It was better not to get involved with…the nanny. He’d befriend her, that’s all. Besides the obvious differences in their personalities, careers, and lifestyles, Thyme lived in Maine and would never fit in with his high maintenance world in New York. Nothing romantic could or would ever happen between them.