Tamping down a sudden well of emotion, she forced herself to open the rest of the boxes.
One box contained a pair of stylish stiletto sandals. Another held an adorable sleeveless flower girl's dress with a high ribbon waist and matching white sandals.
Her heart squeezed as she thought of Jade and how delighted shed be.
When she opened the last box however, her reaction changed, and she felt heat course through her.
The box contained a white bustier, matching lacy underwear and thigh-high hosiery.
Unbidden, images of modeling the sexy concoction for Stephen went through her mind.
Then, annoyed with herself, she let her hand drop away from the box.
Of course Stephen had no trouble picking out her size. He was a connoisseur of the female form, she reminded herself. A playboy extraordinaire.
She was torn from her thoughts by the sound of the doorbell.
Moments later, she heard the sound of running feet.
"Mommy, there's someone at the door!" Jade called out.
"I'll be right there."
She and Stephen had agreed he'd come over on Wednesday night in order to ease the transition for Jade to the upcoming marriage.
She’d already explained to Jade as well as she could that she’d be getting married to Stephen and they'd be known as Megan and Jade Garrison.
Now she prayed Stephen's get-to-know-you session with his daughter went well.
When she opened the door, with Jade peering around her she was presented with an incongruous sight. Stephen held a bouquet of flowers in one hand, and a large brown-haired, brown-eyed baby doll in the other.
As annoyed as she'd just been with him she couldn't help reacting with a laughing gasp.
His eyes met hers, and she saw laughter lurking within them. "She rode in the front passenger seat."
Wide-eyed. Jade stared at Stephen.
Megan covered her mouth.
Not a word. Stephens eyes mockingly warned her. Then he stepped forward. "Hello, honey."
Megan stared at him—dressed as the consummate corporate executive in a charcoal business suit—before he bent forward and kissed her on the lips.
"We need to make this good for Jade." he murmured as he straightened.
She gave him a startled look, then closed the door behind him. What was he up to?
But Stephen was already looking down at his daughter. He smiled. "Hello. Jade."
Jade edged closer to her and Megan put a comforting arm behind her.
"Hi." Jade said hesitantly.
Megan realized with a start that Jade was uncharacteristically shy.
Apparently, it was one thing to enthusiastically point out a stranger—as Jade had done when Stephen had appeared in their backyard on Saturday—and another to welcome someone more permanent.
Megan prayed again or all their sakes that tonight went well.
Stephen held out the baby doll, which was dressed in pink and purple and wore a headband. "I have a present for you. This is Abby and she's looking for a home."
Jade eyed the doll, then looked back at Stephen.
Megan saw a flicker of uncertainty in Stephens eyes, and her heart went out to him. He was clearly lost.
"Stephen bought a gift for you isn't that nice?" she said to Jade.
They'd agreed Jade would call him Stephen until she got used to him in her life.
Jade stepped forward, then took the doll and hugged it to her. "Thank you."
Megan watched as Stephen's eyes went to her again. "And these are for you."
The bouquet that he held out to her contained lilies mixed with lavender. Her favorite. He’d sent the flowers to her when they'd dated, and he'd remembered still.
"Thank you."
Their hands brushed over the flowers, and a sizzle went through her. And though her mind flashed danger, her heart beat rapidly.
She steadied herself. "Why don't we go into the living room? Dinner is almost ready. Would you like anything to drink Stephen?"
"A beer would be great."
Jade was already playing with her doll, and Stephen planted himself halfway between the kitchen and where the little girl sat.
Megan felt a small smile rise to her lips. Big bad Stephen Garrison was in unfamiliar territory, rendered helpless by a three-year-old.
She could see the headline: Playboy Beaten by Child's Play.
When she came out with Stephen's beer, she noticed Jade looking at him from the corner of her eyes.
The little girl stood, then blurted. "Would you like to see my toys?"
She watched the play of emotions on Stephens face, before he responded casually. "Sure. Let’s see what you got kid."
Her heart constricted as she watched Stephen follow Jade, and a variety of emotions swept over her.
Finally, she headed back to the kitchen. She had chicken Kiev in the oven and potatoes and broccoli on the stove.
Dinner would be a far cry from what Stephen was used to at Miami's top-tier restaurants, including the ones within the Garrison Grand itself. She had to give a nod to kid fare, but she reminded herself that Stephen was better off finding out sooner rather than later what parenthood was about. He was determined to come into her life and Jades, and she wasn't going to sugarcoat it for him.
When shed gotten everything on the table, she went to find them—the most important person in her life, and the one around whom her world had revolved four years ago.
She located them in Jades room.
"...and this is Holly, and that's Caroline." her daughter said.
Megan watched as Stephen nodded. "Quite a crowd."
Jade had all her dolls and stuffed animals lined up and apparently had been introducing them all to Stephen.
"Dinner’s ready." Megan heard herself say.
Stephen and Jade both turned to her.
"But Mommy. I still need to introduce my dolls!"
"Later, sweetie."
Stephen winked. "I promise I’ll come back after dinner, pumpkin."
Jade pulled a face but trudged in the direction of the kitchen.
Pumpkin ?
It was a big turnaround from where Stephen and Jade had been a mere thirty minutes ago and Megan was reminded again of the fact that a three-year-old’s worldview could do a one-eighty in a minute.
She watched Jade leave, then looked back at Stephen. "Quick work there."
He gave her a lazy smile. "Charm upsets you?"
She forced herself to shrug indifferently. "Your legendary charm. Why should I be surprised?"
"Afraid you'll fall under it again?" he challenged.