Beside him, Annalise gathered his hand in hers and squeezed gently. She waited until he’d regained his self-control before continuing. “Anything you’ve forgotten about?” she asked Isabella.
There was a momentary hesitation and then she darted to the small bedside table and snatched up a picture frame, hugging it close. It was too much. Jack was at Isabella’s side in an instant, lifting her into his arms. He took a seat on her bed and cradling her close. “Don’t worry about your pictures,” he murmured. “They all stay in here. Every last one of them.”
Gently he pried the frame from her grasp so they could both study the photo. Joanne and Paul beamed out at them, a slightly younger version of Isabella tucked protectively between the two. He ran his index finger over his sister’s image. Memories crashed over him like waves advancing before a storm front.
“Your mom and I looked alike, didn’t we?” he managed to ask his niece. Not that he expected a response. To his surprise, she leaned her slight weight against him and nodded.
His sister’s rich, brown hair was a couple shades lighter than his, the highlights more red than the gold that streaked his own hair. But they shared the same facial features—straight, bold noses, full mouths, squared jawlines. Even the direct intensity of Jo’s black eyes was identical to what he saw reflected in his mirror each day. These were characteristics they’d inherited from their mother, something that connected the three of them.
“God, I miss her,” he said. Isabella curled tighter into his embrace and he could feel her shoulders tremble, feel the dampness of tears soaking into his shirt. He wrapped her up close and planted a kiss in her matted curls. “We’ll get through this, Baby Belle. I swear we will. You and I are going to be a family. It won’t be the same as it was. But we’ll figure it out. Somehow we’ll manage.”
He didn’t know how long they clung to each other. Throughout it all, Annalise remained quiet and motionless, giving them the time they needed to weather the storm. When the last hiccupped sob had long faded, Jack drew Isabella to her feet. His hand swallowed hers as he led her to the bedside table. Carefully, he returned the photo to its place of honor.
He crouched beside her. “They’ll always be watching out for you, Isabella. Just like I will. Okay?”
Isabella nodded solemnly. Then Annalise crossed to join them. “Why don’t we go find that special room for the rest of your toys?” The gentle suggestion came at the perfect moment, helping to distract them from their sorrow. “Anytime you want one of the toys from that room, you can trade them. That means you pick one of the toys from in here and put it in the special room and take the toy you’d like to play with instead and bring it in here to live with you. Is that all right?”
Isabella sought Jack’s reassurance before nodding. Over the next hour, they made a production of choosing the perfect “special room” and transferring toys. When they were done, his niece’s room had been transformed from a toy store into a peaceful, uncluttered bedroom. Her favorite toys decorated the shelves lining her room, each assigned a place of honor. He noticed that all the books remained, as well as a small play station that contained puzzles, coloring books and other educational toys.
“Makes quite a difference, doesn’t it?” Annalise murmured. “This gives her a safe haven that should help her relax.”
“Instead of a place guaranteed to agitate.”
He glanced at her, driven to mention what had happened in the playroom. Before he could, she spoke again. “Did the caseworker see Isabella’s room with all the toys?”
He grimaced. “Yes.”
To his surprise she rested a hand on his arm and gave a reassuring squeeze. “Don’t worry. I’m sure it will help once she sees the changes you’ve made.”
It was the second time they’d touched since their embrace in the playroom. Not that she seemed aware of that fact. He wound one of her curls around his finger and tugged. “The changes you’re making, don’t you mean?”
She stilled and her pulse fluttered at the base of her neck. Standing this close he could see the smooth, rich texture of her skin, the color a gorgeous creamy shade accentuated by her dark hair. The attraction he felt drew him, even as he fought to hold himself at a distance. He shouldn’t be experiencing these emotions. They weren’t part of the plan. And yet, they were undeniable. What the hell would happen once they eventually married?
If they married, he hastened to correct himself. He had a long path to walk from here to the altar. Considering Annalise’s willful nature, it wouldn’t be an easy one.
As though underscoring that point, she eased free of his touch and focused her attention where it belonged … on Isabella. “I couldn’t have made any changes if you weren’t here to reassure your niece and lend support.” She shot him a warning look. “Nor will I be able to make any more if we’re not in agreement on how our … relationship should progress from here.”
He had to give the woman credit. Subtle, yet direct. Too bad she hadn’t chosen to enter the business world. She’d have been a natural. “So, what’s next on the agenda?” he asked with a calm he didn’t come close to experiencing.
“Lunch, I hope.” A swift smile flashed. “Dare I suggest something casual, either al fresco or in the kitchen?”
“We’ll eat on the patio. Sara’s not too keen on having her kitchen invaded,” he explained.
The choice proved a rousing success. The serene location had a beneficial effect on Isabella. After they arranged for a place setting for her doll, she ate without protest or tears, and afterward played beneath a nearby tree, rocking her “baby” while humming tuneless reassurances.
“It won’t last,” Annalise offered. She dipped a hand in a glass bowl containing a selection of olives and popped one in her mouth. “I just want to warn you so you don’t get your hopes up.”
“And here I was assuming you had waved your magical wand and fixed all our problems.”
She cocked an eyebrow. “Sorry. The fairy godmother association hasn’t issued me my official wand yet. Until they do, we’ll have to handle this the old-fashioned way.”
“Hard work and luck?” he guessed.
“Mmm. We were lucky today. Tomorrow …?” She shrugged. “Who knows? I do have another suggestion, however.”
“Go on.”
“If there’s any way you can arrange it, we should institute step two as soon as possible. Can you take a couple weeks off sometime in the near future?”
“And go where?” A hint of cynicism crept into his voice. “The Caribbean? Hawaii? Europe?”
“Is that what you think I’m after? A free vacation?” Laughter brightened her eyes. “No way, ace. I’m talking low-key. A little bungalow on one of the islands around here. Someplace modest where the three of us are tripping all over each other so we’re forced to bond.”
“Dangerous, all that bonding.”
Color dotted her cheeks and he could see the reflection of those moments in the playroom mirrored in her eyes. “Focus, Mason. I’m talking about bonding with Isabella,” she stated tartly. “Once we’ve spent some quality time together, we can come back here. It would help if you could transition to working part-time and hang around here with your niece the rest of the day.”
“Hell, honey. If I do all that, what am I paying you for?”
Annalise didn’t take offense, though her chin jerked upward an inch in open challenge. “You’re paying me to help Isabella adjust to a brand-new life, a life she didn’t expect or want or ask for. You’re paying me to get CPS off your back, although you neglected to mention that small detail during our interview.”
“Sorry.” He scrubbed his hands across his face. “You’re right, of course. I’m not handling this well. Blame it on exhaustion.”
It took her a minute to work out the reason. “Isabella’s nightmares?”
He nodded. “It’s hard to get her settled afterward. I’m down to about five hours a night. She can sleep during the day to make up for it, but I can’t.”
“That explains a lot. Isn’t there someone who can cover for you at night? What about the woman you mentioned during the interview?” She fumbled for a name.
“Mrs. Walters?”
“She’s here five to ten but refuses to live in. And I’ve had enough trouble finding someone for the day shift without running the risk of losing Walters. I need her for those occasions I work late or have a meeting out of town. Besides, the nights I’m with Isabella …” His mouth compressed. “You’ve talked about my bonding with my niece. Well, the nights when I sit with her, comforting her while she drifts back off to sleep, those are the times we come closest to bonding.”
Annalise nodded in perfect understanding. “And you don’t want to give them up.”
“No.” His response caused a hint of relief to flicker across her face. His back teeth clenched. “My guardianship of Isabella isn’t just about duty, Ms. Stefano, despite what you clearly believe.”
A smile quivered at the corners of her mouth. “Do you realize that whenever you’re annoyed with me, you revert to formality?”
“Take it as a warning.”
Annalise’s smile grew and Jack stared in disbelief. Why didn’t she react the way every other intelligent person within his sphere of influence did when confronted with the predatory side of his nature? She should be quaking in her sensible flats. She should be utterly intimidated by the slightest frown. Hell, she should be doing precisely what he said without a single word of argument. Instead, she helped herself to another olive and popped it in her mouth as though lounging across from a man capable of destroying her world was an everyday occurrence.
“Do you have no sense of self-preservation?” he demanded.
She blinked, mildly startled. “Excuse me?”
“You are familiar with my name, I assume? With my reputation?”
She frowned. “Sure. Who isn’t?”
“What, may I ask, do you know about me?”
She shrugged. “You’re thirty. You’re rich. Powerful. You were supposed to go into the family business with your father. Instead you walked away. When you were cut off from the Mason purse strings, you built an import/-export empire from scratch that succeeded in eclipsing your father’s in the business world. You’ve been linked, romantically, with some of the most beautiful women in the world.” She blinked at him in open bewilderment. “Is it important that I know your history? Will it help somehow with Isabella?”
He gritted his teeth. “No, but it should help in our dealings.”
Her eyes narrowed, then widened. Her mouth gave another betraying quiver before she bit down on her lip to suppress it. “I’m so sorry, Mr. Mason. Have I neglected to treat you appropriately?”
“Instant obedience to my every whim would be appreciated,” he responded dryly.
A gurgle of laughter escaped. She leaned forward and pitched her voice to an ingratiating purr. “Very well, sir. Your every wish is my command, no matter how boring and tedious all that instant gratification may become.”
He fought for a control that should have come without thought or effort. But ever since Annalise had entered his life with her distinctive hip-swinging stride, that control had eluded him. He couldn’t help himself. He released a barking laugh, unable to recall the last time he’d felt such genuine amusement. Isabella’s head jerked up and she stared at him in open disbelief, as though the sound was not only unheard of, but downright impossible. Sorrow caused his humor to fade. Was his laughter really such a rare occurrence?
Annalise followed the progression of his thoughts with uncomfortable accuracy. “Okay, I get it. You’re a ruthless businessman. But who are you to Isabella? How do you want her to respond to you, Jack? Should she fear you, or should she look on you as her kind and loving uncle?”
He shook his head. “It’s not like I have a choice. I am what I am.”
“Are you saying you’re incapable of kindness? Of love?”
He turned his gaze on her, one he didn’t doubt reflected the wintry coldness that seized hold. “Those qualities were eradicated long ago. What I can give my niece is a home, financial security and as much attention as I can spare.”
“Got it. That sounds a lot like duty and obligation to me. And yet, not two minutes ago you claimed that wasn’t why you took Isabella in. You might want to consider which is most accurate.” She fixed him with an unwavering stare. “And I suggest you choose one that CPS will buy.”
“You want me to lie?”
“Right now, I’m not sure even you know what’s truth and what’s lie.”
He swore beneath his breath and surged to his feet. He’d had enough of this touchy-feely stuff. Time to take control, and this time he wouldn’t let Annalise wrest it away again. “I think we need to discuss what happened earlier in the playroom.”
His comment struck a nerve. She deliberately turned her head in Isabella’s direction. His niece remained fully engaged with her doll. “I believe I already addressed that issue. It won’t happen again.”
“Time will tell.”
She followed his example and thrust back her chair. He couldn’t begin to imagine the amount of inner fortitude it took for her to stand and face him. But somehow she did it. “I have no excuse for what took place earlier. I will tell you I’m no stereotype, despite that unfortunate incident. You’re paying me to take care of your niece, not be your mistress. Decide now, Mr. Mason. Which do you want? A nanny or a mistress?”