the weekend is coming up. Saturday morning would be a good time for us. Mornings are better because Noah will be awake. He’ll nap in the afternoon. I’ll have my voice practice, and I schedule time regularly for exercise, but I won’t stay with you anyway, so that won’t matter.”
“I’ll let you know about Saturday morning. I need to run that past my sister because she has a family. I’d like to bring someone else with me, if I may. My ranch foreman has been with us all my life. He’s like a member of the family to me, and he was to Kern. I’d like him to see Noah.”
“Of course,” she said, smiling warmly. “You’re not exactly like I thought you’d be,” she added, studying him. “You’re not like Kern, either.”
“Definitely not like Kern,” he said. “So what did you expect?” Marek asked, amused and curious. When her cheeks turned pink, his curiosity grew. “You’re blushing. Your opinion must have been not so great. Now I’m curious.”
“You’re more friendly than I thought you’d be,” she said, her cheeks growing even more red. “I thought you would be like you were the first few minutes at your office.”
He smiled. “I’ll have to improve my image. I’ll have to admit, I wasn’t friendly at my office. I thought you wanted a donation for something to do with the opera.”
She laughed, a light, inviting sound, making him want to cause her to laugh often.
Conversation shifted to other topics. For the next hour over dinner, he enjoyed her company and enjoyed being out for the evening with a beautiful woman again.
Later, when they returned to the dance floor, he found it was easier. He still thought of Jillian, still missed her badly, but he had better control of his emotions and he was happier about dancing. “I really would like to see Noah again before Saturday. Is there anytime that would be convenient for me to drop by when he’s awake?”
“Of course. Just call ahead. Come tomorrow when you want. I’ll be home. I have a voice lesson, a workout and a French lesson, but I can break away briefly. We’ll be happy to see you.”
“When do you have free time?”
“I have some to be with Noah. There are moments my life is like everyone else’s. We’re all busy.”
“Very well. I’ll come in the morning if that’s all right.”
“It’s fine. It might give Ashley a bit of a break. Stephanie will vanish with errands, so you won’t cross paths with her.”
“She feels that strongly about me,” he said, shaking his head.
“She’s just scared.”
“She doesn’t need to be afraid I’m taking your baby. I would never do that. No judge would let me anyway.”
“Oh, one might. I think you have a lot of influence in this state.”
“How I wish. Where was Noah born?”
“Oddly enough, I had a special performance here and he was born in Texas. I had excellent care. I was in a Dallas hospital.”
Marek smiled. “So we have another Rangel who’s a Texan. That would please Kern.”
“I think it pleases you.”
“Yes, it does,” he said.
“I don’t think I’ve mentioned it, but I named him Noah Kern Avanole. I hope you don’t object.”
“I’m glad you did. Did you tell Kern what you planned to name him?”
“Of course, and he was delighted.”
“I’ll bet he was. I’m still amazed he didn’t call me. Usually Kern didn’t keep things to himself. Noah Kern Avanole. Good name.”
“Thank you. I thought so. Right now is a good time for everyone to see him. When I’m performing, I won’t be as free.”
“That’s what I figured,” Marek said, thinking she had a face and figure to have gone into movies instead of opera. They danced until she mentioned the time and said she had to get home.
They talked all the way during the flight back to Dallas and by the time he brought her to her condo door, he realized he had enjoyed the evening. Impulsively, he took her hand.
“I’ve enjoyed getting to know you. I still can’t tell you how much I appreciate you sharing Noah with us. There aren’t words for that.”
“I’m glad you’re happy about him and interested in him.”
“I hope your sister stops worrying. I’ll never try to take Noah from you.”
“Stephanie will be all right. She’s just scared right now because you can do more for him than we can. I don’t think she understands how I feel as a mother, wanting him to know his father’s family, to know ranching. That’s important to me.”
“I’m glad,” he said lightly, leaning forward to brush a kiss on her cheek, catching the scent of her perfume again. Her skin was soft and smooth, and he was grateful to her for making the evening enjoyable. “I’ll see you in the morning. I’ll call before I come by.”
“Fine,” she said, smiling at him. She stepped inside and closed the door.
On the drive to the ranch, he had time to consider the evening. the vision of Camille dancing around him remained indelibly etched in memory. He thought about Noah and holding him in his arms. Camille would be in Santa Fe this summer, Budapest in the fall. How could he keep Noah in their lives in Texas when he would be far away with his mother? Noah was too tiny now to take him away from her for a long visit.
Saturday morning Camille showered and dressed in blue slacks and a matching shirt. As she pinned up her hair, Ashley stood watching her. “You’ve gone out with him three nights this week, and he’s been here to see Noah every day. He’s crazy about Noah.”
“He’ll be a good father figure for Noah,” Camille remarked.
“I’m beginning to wonder whether Steph is right. Is Marek going to want to have custody of Noah? Or is there any chance part of it is he’s coming to see you, too?”
Camille laughed. “No. He’s interested in Noah.” Her smile faded. “He’s still having difficulty about losing his fiancée, although he seemed to get a grip on those feelings when we were dancing.” She pulled a brush through more long strands of hair before pinning them up. “As far as Noah is concerned, Marek has told me repeatedly that he won’t ever try to take Noah from me. I know he wants to be part of Noah’s life, and I think he should be. I want Noah to be part of the Rangel family. He needs to know them. Marek can show him a cowboy’s life.”
“Some cowboy,” Ashley said, laughing. “He’s a billionaire.”
“Ashley, he’s a good guy. He truly likes the baby, and he’s promised me he won’t try to take him. We’ll work out something everyone can live with.”
“Let me have Noah before you have to change again,” Ashley said, taking Noah
