wouldn’t think twice about setting their sights on him, but Dana was more the down-home type. And she knew most men considered her to be a little too quirky to notice her in a romantic way.
In addition to the obvious, Kieran was also a member of the renowned Fortune family. And Dana had no family at all.
Of course, that didn’t mean she’d been left destitute. Before their fatal accident, her parents had set up a trust fund for her, and last year, on her twenty-fifth birthday, the money had been released. She’d used most of it to purchase and to renovate a run-down house in Hyde Park that was built in the 1940s.
Still, even though she was a property owner and had a small nest egg, she wouldn’t fit into the social circles in which Kieran and his family ran—nor would she even want to try. Not when her idea of a perfect afternoon was a trip to an antiques shop, where she scoured vintage photos, or a lazy walk through flea markets, where she searched for hidden treasures.
No, she’d feel completely uncomfortable hobnobbing with Kieran and his rich family and friends. Heck, she sometimes felt out of place in 2017 Austin, which was one reason she loved walking in her quaint, historical neighborhood.
So why complicate matters when she liked her life just the way it was?
“I’m finished,” Kieran said, as he reentered the kitchen yet again.
Dana was finished, too. Not just getting the food ready, but comparing the different lives she and Kieran lived. Besides, even if she ever did consider going out with a man like him, it would never work out. From what she’d heard, Kieran dated a lot of gorgeous women, and Dana would never agree to be one of many.
She had a good life—and a busy one. She wasn’t lacking anything other than a family of her own. And now that the Lawsons had invited her to come around more often, she’d be able to maintain and nurture the relationship she had with them.
It might not be the perfect setup for the holidays and other lonely days, but it was close enough to be a darn good substitute.
* * *
The call Kieran had been dreading came only a week after Zach’s funeral, while he was in his office at Robinson Tech.
“Sam’s in the hospital with angina,” Sandra said. “It’s pretty serious this time, and I’m not sure how long he’ll need to stay. They’re talking about surgery.”
“Is there anything I can do?” Kieran asked.
“I have a babysitter at the house with Rosie. The granddaughter of a neighbor. The girl is good with kids and responsible, but she’s only fourteen. She’ll be able to handle things for a while, but I have no idea how long I’ll need to be here with Sam.”
“Don’t worry about Rosie,” Kieran told her, even though his own concern about the child’s well-being, especially with him in charge of her, was mounting by the second. “I’ll pick her up and relieve the sitter. But if you don’t mind, since I’m not too far from the hospital, I’ll stop by to see you and check on Sam first.”
“Thanks, Kieran. He’d love to see you. He’s on the third floor, in room 312.”
“I’ll be there in twenty minutes—maybe less.”
Sandra paused a beat then asked, “What would we do without you, Kieran?”
He could ask her a similar question. How in the world will Rosie be able to get by without you?
“I’m happy to help out whenever and however I can,” he responded.
“Bless you, honey. I’ll see you soon.”
After disconnecting the line, Kieran told his assistant to cancel an afternoon appointment and to reschedule tomorrow’s board meeting. Then he left his high-rise office and drove to the hospital. The direct route he took reminded him of the times in weeks past that he’d traveled that same stretch of road on his way to see Zach in the ICU, hoping and praying that his friend would have made some improvement during the night, only to find that he hadn’t.
Kieran felt that same cold and heavy weight of dread and fear now.
Sam has heart trouble, Dana had said last week, and Sandra’s health isn’t very good. I’m not sure how long either of them will have the stamina to keep up with an active three-year-old.
He’d known Dana was right, but he’d hoped the older couple would be able to keep Rosie for another few years—maybe even until she graduated from high school.
Was it already time for him to step in and take full custody of Rosie, as unready as he might be?
Maybe Zach’s parents only needed him to provide temporary help and babysitting duties. Once Sam was feeling better and returned home, Sandra would want Rosie back again. Then Kieran’s life would go back to normal. He convinced himself that was the case.
It would only be for a few days. He could handle child care duties for that long.
“I got this,” he said out loud, hoping the sound of his voice would provide all the assurance he needed.
Yet those words, interlaced with the doubt that plagued him, were still ringing in his ears when he entered the hospital lobby. As he started toward the elevator, he spotted Dana coming out of the gift shop holding a yellow ceramic vase filled with brightly colored flowers.
She wore a simple black skirt and a white sleeveless blouse. Once again, her hair was pulled up in a topknot, with two turquoise chopsticks—or were they knitting needles?—poking out of it.
When she saw him, she broke into a smile that dimpled her cheeks. Again, he was struck by her simple beauty, something he’d failed to notice when she’d been with Zach.
“I take it Sandra called you,” he said.
“Yes, she did.”
“I guess this is what you meant when you told me you were concerned about Sam’s health.”
Dana blew out a soft sigh. “Yes, but I was hopeful that the doctors had his heart issues controlled by medication.”
Kieran had hoped that was the case, too.
“I just stopped by for a quick visit,” he said. “I told Sandra I’d relieve the babysitter and keep Rosie for a few days. Once Sam is released and ready to go home, I can take her back to the ranch.”
“You may need to keep her longer than that. The doctor mentioned surgery, and those ‘few days’ could end up being more long-term.”
“Yes, I know.” Kieran was trying to prepare himself for that possibility. He glanced down at his leather loafers, then back into Dana’s eyes. There was no need to lie or to pretend that he was ready to be a parent. “To tell you the truth, I’m a little nervous about being Rosie’s guardian. As much as I adore her, I’ve never spent much time with kids.”
“I can understand that, but you’ll do fine. Zach wouldn’t have chosen you to step up if he’d had any concern about that.” Dana’s eyes, a stunning shade of blue, filled with something akin to sympathy. “Not that I’m an expert on child rearing,” she added.
“That’s
