we have that settled, are there any questions you want to ask me?”
“There’s only one I can think of right now. Do you know when Jamie’s supposed to go in for his next checkup?”
“The nurse indicated he saw the doctor three weeks ago. I’m going to be taking him to a new pediatrician here in the city named Dr. Wells. I’ll give him a ring tomorrow and find out when he wants to see him. They’ll send for his records right away.”
“I think that’s wise in case he needs another immunization soon.”
He sat back in the chair to drink his coffee. One of the first things she’d noticed in the limo yesterday was that he didn’t wear a wedding ring. In one way she thought it odd because his wife’s death had been so recent. On the other hand, maybe he’d never worn one, or possibly he didn’t like rings of any kind. And maybe you’re thinking about him way too much for your own good.
“If there’s anything you want to do for the rest of the afternoon, take advantage of the time, Reese. I plan to get a little work done around here and do a few laps in the pool.”
“How can you do any work when your office is in shambles?”
A chuckle escaped his throat. “I’ll worry about it later.”
“The mess will still be there later. Why don’t we tackle the other bedroom while Jamie’s out for the count? I’ll feel much better if we set it up for you. Don’t forget I’m the one who managed to get everything knocked out of whack. Kind of like the little kid who comes along and destroys the puzzle you just put together.”
His haunting smile turned her heart over. “Okay, let’s get busy.” He rose to his tall, imposing height. “But when we’re through, I’ll take care of Jamie until I leave for work in the morning.”
“He’ll be thrilled with all your attention.”
Hurrying ahead of him, she walked through the apartment to peek on the baby, who was fast asleep. He looked so precious with his arms and legs spread out, his little hands formed into fists.
“Not a care in the world,” Nick murmured near her ear, surprising her. She could feel the warmth from his hard body. For a moment she had the urge to lean into him and cling. Almost dizzy from unbidden longings, she turned away. But in the next instant she spied a glint of pain in those dark orbs and despised herself for being so aware of him when his thoughts had absolutely nothing to do with her.
Leaving them alone, she rushed out of the nursery and down the hall to the other bedroom. The room was a vision of white and café-au-lait with an exquisite white lace throw over the down-filled duvet.
White lace curtains hung at the huge window that gave out on a fabulous view of the city. There was a love seat with a jacquard design in the same colors and a white rug with a deep pile in a geometric design of coffee and beige.
When Nick came in she said, “This is a beautiful room. Luckily it’s big enough to accommodate everything if we move the love seat against that other wall. What would you think if we put your desk in front of the window where you can look out? If it gets too bright you can always draw the sheers.
“And on the left here we’ll set up your computer system. Keep in mind that if you get tired, you only have to take a few steps to the bed.”
His hands went to his hips in a purely male stance. He glanced around at all his state-of-the-art equipment without saying anything. She wandered over to the window and looked out while she waited for him to make a decision.
“I’ve got a better idea.” Reese turned to him, curious to hear what he had to say. She felt his penetrating glance. “I’m going to give up having an office altogether and work from a laptop in my bedroom when I’m forced to.”
“I don’t understand.” She was incredulous.
“There are only so many hours in the day. If I can’t accomplish what I need to do at the office, then I’ll turn it over to someone else. I have my son to think about now.” His explanation sounded more like a declaration, as if his mind had been somewhere else. “Please feel free to enjoy the rest of your day. I’m going out to the pool.”
Reese had been dismissed. Now that their business was concluded, naturally he had other plans that didn’t include her. Silly how bereft she felt.
Needing to shake the feeling, Reese went to her bedroom to start studying. But an hour later she realized she’d been going over the same section of work a dozen times and nothing was sinking in. All she could think of was a pair of dark eyes that set her heart rate fluttering.
What she needed was a good walk in the park to clear her head.
“Albert?” Nick approached the front desk at three in the afternoon. “Has Ms. Chamberlain gone out with Jamie yet?” It was Friday. He’d turned over some work for one of the office staffers to finish up so he could come home early and spend it with Jamie.
“She left maybe a half hour ago.”
“Thank you.”
Disappointment crept through him because it wasn’t only his son he’d been longing to see. All week he’d found himself watching the clock. When it was a quarter to five, he’d called Paul to be out in front of the building to drive him home. Today he couldn’t take it any longer and knew he had raised eyebrows when he’d taken off from work two hours before time.
He realized that their constant togetherness over those first two days had spoiled him. Now, Nick missed talking to Reese. She was the most alive woman he’d ever met. Intelligent. Her conversation stimulated him and there was no question Jamie adored her.
Since he had no legitimate reason to prevent her from doing what she wanted with her spare time, he usually took his son up on the roof to the gym and worked out in front of him.
Throughout the week she hadn’t called down to the kitchen for dinner once. That gave him no opening to join her. Apparently she liked fixing her own food and ate before he arrived, frustrating him no end.
Not able to take it any longer, he broke his own rule and phoned her. She answered on the fourth ring. “Hello, Nick? Are you phoning from your office?”
Her voice sounded tentative, if not a trifle anxious. He brushed aside the thought that he knew her voice so well already, knew how she was feeling simply from the tone of it. He had to remind himself that as much as he enjoyed Reese’s company, she was only temporary in his and Jamie’s life.
“No. Where are you and Jamie?”
“At the park. Is anything wrong?”
He sucked in his breath because it seemed there had to be some kind of emergency in order for him to be with her at a different time than the schedule dictated. The schedule you established, Wainwright!
“I was able to tie up work early and decided to spend the rest of the day with my son.”
“I’ll come right home then.”
“That won’t be necessary. Tell me where to find you.”
Nick heard her hesitation. He didn’t know if it was because she wasn’t sure of her exact location,
