until he’d calmed down?
I wrapped my arms around his waist. “She’s here for only a few days. I need you two to get along.”
His voice softened. “I’ll try, but that might not be possible.”
Though disappointed, I appreciated his honesty. “What set her off?”
His muscles tensed under my touch. “Are you taking sides?”
“No, just trying to understand.”
“There’s no understanding that kid. She’s rude. It’s as simple as that.”
“What were you talking about when she got upset?”
Tony pulled away, walked toward the sink and poured himself a tall glass of water. He drank half, turned and leaned against the granite countertop. “I was trying to get through to her, but she wasn’t having any of it. I told her how much work you’d done to make her stay special. The least she could do is show a little appreciation and not give you a hard time.”
“I don’t need you fighting my battles.”
“I know that. I was only trying to help.”
“Is that when she called you—”
“She didn’t say a word, instead she stared blankly out the window. Before I went inside to get the pizza, she asked if I could leave the engine running so she could listen to the radio. Of course I refused. I was afraid to come out and find her gone.”
“I certainly understand.”
“When I returned a moment later with the food, she was hunched against the seat, pouting. Thinking it would make her feel better, I pointed out that no one but me drives the Porsche. Not even you.”
That news didn’t settle well. “Does this mean you wouldn’t let me drive your car if I asked?”
“No, of course not.”
But there was enough doubt in his tone to make me wonder.
“So when exactly did Summer start calling you names?”
“Right after she found out you’d never driven my Porsche.”
“It sounds as though you think more of that damn car than me.”
“I never knew you wanted to drive my Porsche.”
“I didn’t…but now I do. Very much.”
“Then let’s go for a spin.”
This was silly. I really didn’t care about driving his car.
It was the principle.
Plus it had a stick, and I was no good at shifting.
I had to be sure he trusted me with his precious car.
He took his keys and slapped them into my palm.
I had my answer. I grabbed the keys, but after a few seconds, I handed them back to him.
He shook his head. “I thought we were going for a ride.”
“I just needed to know you’d let me drive your Porsche. I feel better now.”
When he nabbed the keys, his fingers captured mine. “Nothing is more important to me than you.”
“Not even your Porsche?”
“Let me think about that for a minute,” he said with a teasing grin.
I reciprocated with an elbow to his ribs. But it was all in jest. Because he’d proven to me that I mattered most.
Still, I couldn’t help but wonder—would he still have been smiling if I’d really taken his pride and joy for a ride?
We sat and ate pizza, discussed my job and his. He wouldn’t know for another week whether his firm got the bid for the mall. It was almost midnight when he stood to leave. I walked him to the door and leaned against him.
We held each other and kissed.
“Last chance for that quickie in the back of my car,” he whispered into my ear.
I sighed. “There’s not enough room.”
A deep sexy laugh rumbled from his chest. “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.”
CHAPTER 5
A round midnight, wearing my comfy flannel nightgown and slippers, I crept up the stairs and listened outside my niece’s bedroom. Silence. My gut wrenched. Was Summer sleeping or had she escaped through the window?
How would I explain to my mother that I’d lost her granddaughter?
As I imagined all sorts of gruesome possibilities, I pushed the door open and was relieved to see her curled up in bed. I tiptoed across the room. The light from the bathroom slanted across the bed. I saw wet bath towels on the tiled floor beside the tub.
Typical teenager. Didn’t pick up after herself.
This revelation gave me hope.
Along with the fact she’d removed her makeup and looked less intimidating. She sighed softly. I wanted to sit next to Summer and take her into my arms. But I didn’t dare wake her.
Such a pretty girl.
Yet so confused.
As I admired her long eyelashes sweeping her tear-streaked face, I noticed her right hand curled under her chin, fingers clutching the little moose Vi had given her. I spotted part of a plastic bag sticking out from under the sheets and the ribbed neck of the oversized bright yellow nightgown I’d bought for her.
When I’d picked Summer up at the airport, I instantly regretted purchasing the nightgown and had never expected her to wear it.
A child of contradictions.
I’d also selected several T-shirts, which were no longer on the bureau. Had she tucked those into her bag? Compassion swelled in my chest for my niece who felt she had to guard her possessions.
I bent and brushed my lips against her cheek that smelled like Ivory soap. I considered turning off the bathroom light but remembered that at eight years old, she’d insisted on leaving a light on while she slept.
Summer put up a tough front, but inside, I suspected she was still a frightened little girl.
I’d need to remember that tomorrow, if confronted by the angry teenager clad in black, her face masked in white.
The next morning, determined to get reacquainted with my niece, I jumped out of bed, threw on jeans, a T-shirt and slid my feet into my slippers. I called my supervisor and explained I’d need some time off due to a family emergency. Once I’d taken care of that, I checked with the hospital
