too pleased with her kid, or with him. “That’s right, Stormy. I don’t see the need to go out and buy a lot of softball gear before we’ve decided you can play.”
Stormy braced both hands on her hips. “Before you decided if I can play, you mean. I’ve already decided I want to play. And just because you wear old clothes doesn’t mean I have to wear old clothes. When I go to the mall today, I want to get some stuff so I can practice.”
Erica gave a solid tug on her sweatshirt and frowned. “First of all, I didn’t say you could go to the mall. Second, I’d rather be with you when you buy your clothes.”
Stormy looked as if she was ready to reload until a horn sounded, sending her straight to the window. After peeking through the blinds, she spun around again. “They’re here, Mom. They’ve come all this way to pick me up. We’re going to play at Lisa’s, then go to the big mall, the one with the skating rink. Please let me go.”
Erica blew out a frustrated breath. “All right, you can go. But I don’t have any cash on hand to give you right now.”
Stormy scowled. “Lisa’s mom lets her use her credit card.”
“No way,” Erica said. “You’re too young to use a credit card.”
“But I need new sneakers, Mom. At least let me buy those.”
Kieran wouldn’t be surprised if Erica yelled, but instead she added in an even tone, “We’ll buy you new sneakers as soon as I get paid next week.”
Erica sounded self-conscious, probably over being forced to drop her pride and admit to him that her finances weren’t all that solid. In an effort to keep the peace, Kieran pulled out his wallet, withdrew a hundred-dollar bill and offered it to Erica, possibly at his own peril. “Take this for the time being.”
“I can’t let you do that, Kieran,” Erica said. “Stormy can wait a week.”
Stormy, on the other hand, ignored her mother, snatched the bill and smiled. “Thanks, Kieran. I’ll pay you back with my Christmas money.”
“I’ll work it out with your mom.” Kieran repocketed his wallet and regarded Erica. “Consider it an advance for the massage you’re going to give me next week.”
Her eyes went wide. “You booked an appointment?”
“Not yet, but I will.”
The ringing doorbell halted all conversation. “I’ll get it,” Stormy called as she sprinted down the hall.
“Tell Candy to come in and give me some details,” Erica called back.
Kieran bit back a curse. “Candy as in Candice Conrad?”
“The one and only,” Erica answered.
Although confirmation wasn’t necessary when he heard, “You girls wait in the car while I speak with Erica.”
Hell, this was all he needed—the last thing he needed. He’d spent several months avoiding Candice as much as possible. Sneaking out the back door seemed like a damn good plan, although he might have to explain to Erica why he didn’t want to be in the same room with the woman.
Candice whisked into the den on a cloud of expensive perfume and an air of supremacy, wearing too-tight jeans and a cleavage-revealing sweater, not a blond hair out of place. “Hello, Erica. Stormy said you wanted to talk to—” Her words died in her open mouth when her gaze fell on Kieran. “What a surprise. I wasn’t expecting to see you here, Kieran.”
“He’s my personal trainer,” Erica said, before Kieran had enough presence of mind to respond.
Candice raised a perfectly manicured hand to her throat. “I see. I didn’t realize you could afford Kieran’s services.”
“We have a deal,” Kieran said without thought. “I oversee her fitness program, she gives me massages in exchange.”
Kieran wasn’t sure which of the two women looked more shocked.
Erica cleared her throat. “What time do you think you’ll be through, Candy?”
“I’ll drop Stormy off here after dinner, around seven.”
“We’ll be at the club,” Kieran said, before Erica had a chance to answer, or change her mind. “You can drop Stormy off there.”
Candice’s expression brightened. “Not a problem. I’ll come prepared to work out. Maybe you can give me a few pointers on the new elliptical?”
Lighten up on the mascara was the only pointer he cared to give her, unlike Erica, who wore next to nothing on her eyes and looked damn good regardless. “I’ll be busy. Joe or Evie can help you.”
She didn’t bother to mask her disappointment. “I suppose that will have to do, at least for tonight. I’ll find a time to pin you down later.”
He sure as hell didn’t want her to pin him down in any shape or form. “Have fun shopping, Candice.” He had no doubt she’d greatly enjoy spending her husband’s fortune.
“We’ll have a marvelous time, as always.” She flipped a hand in Erica’s direction. “And don’t worry, Erica. I’ll make sure the girls stay with me.”
“Thank you,” Erica said. “You know how I worry when they’re in a crowd.”
“Yes, I know. You’ve reminded me every time I take them out.” With that, Candice turned on her spiked leopard-print heels and strode out of the room.
“Don’t go anywhere,” Erica said to Kieran as she backed toward the hallway. “We have a few things to discuss after I tell my daughter goodbye.”
Kieran started to remind her that she still needed to get ready for work but reconsidered. He figured his immediate future held a good chewing out, and he might as well take it like a man.
A few minutes later, Erica returned to the den sporting a serious expression. Assuming this could take a while, Kieran dropped down onto the sofa and waited for the lecture.
Erica stood in the middle of the room, arms crossed over her midsection while she nailed him with a hard stare. “Don’t get me wrong. I do appreciate your generosity, and I realize you’ve probably always had money to toss around on a whim.” Her tone indicated she didn’t appreciate it one damn bit. “However,” she continued, “I can provide for Stormy, even if it doesn’t seem that way to you. Therefore I’d prefer you not undermine my authority with my child.”
Time for Kieran to set her straight. “I’m sorry for overstepping my bounds, but you’re dead wrong about one thing. I haven’t always had money. I grew up less than two miles from here in your average, middle-class neighborhood. My father’s a retired postal worker, my mom stayed at home to raise her kids. They worked hard for a living and I’ve worked equally hard for every damned dime I’ve ever made.”
Her features softened somewhat. “I just thought that—”
“I was born with a set of sterling silver weights in my hands?” He came to his feet, battling his own anger. “Not
