Daddy Next Door (10 page)

“Oh, and I’m interviewing a lady to do the housekeeping.”

“Should I sit in on the interview?”

“You can if you want. I’m going to hire her for all four apartments. You’ll each have her for one day a week and I’ll have her for two days. It will be a hundred dollars for each day.”

“You talked to the others and they agreed?”

“Yes. Have you changed your mind?”

“No, not at all.”

The doorbell rang and Jennifer looked at her watch. “She’s a little early,” she said as she hurried to the door.

Nick wiped off the table before he joined Jennifer
in the living room. But it wasn’t the housekeeper interviewee that was talking to Jennifer. It was her mother.

“Did you give her the note?” Mrs. Carpenter demanded as he strolled in.

“Sure did.”

“Jennifer, I thought I made it plain in the letter that you need to get rid of those children!”

“Mother, you have no right to make that kind of a demand. I am an adult and I won’t have you upsetting my children.”

“They aren’t your children,” her mother pointed out.

“For the last time, Mother, yes, they are. Those girls are mine and nothing you can do will change that.”

As if she hadn’t heard Jennifer, the woman continued her demands. “Get rid of them, Jennifer, or I’ll never speak to you again.”

“Fine. It makes—” Just then she noticed Steffi in the room. “Steffi? What’s wrong?”

The little girl turned and ran back down the hall.

“Go away, Mother! I’ve got to go take care of my children!”

Jennifer ran from the room. Nick remained, glaring at the woman in front of him. How could anyone be so cold?

“You’re staring, young man!”

“Yeah, I am. I can’t believe that you would shut yourself off from the only daughter you have just because she doesn’t do exactly what you want her to do.”

“You know nothing about anything. Jennifer is a
blueblood who can marry whomever she wants. Unless she sabotages her life by getting all sentimental over someone else’s children!”

“I think you’d better leave before Jennifer comes back. She’s not going to be happy with you for upsetting the girls.”

“You have no right to throw me out of my daughter’s house.”

“No, but
I
do,” Jennifer said as she walked into the room. “And I don’t want you to come back here unless you’re willing to accept my choices in life.”

“Really, Jennifer, I see no need for such rudeness,” the woman said, her nose in the air.

“Those are my terms, Mother. Take them or leave them. But they are not negotiable. I don’t want you doing any more damage to my children.”

“Oh!” The woman stamped her foot in frustration and then turned to leave. Before she opened the door she said, “Call me if you come to your senses.”

“Goodbye, Mother.”

After the door closed behind the woman, Jennifer slumped down onto the sofa.

“Are the girls all right?” Nick asked.

“Yes, I think so. I tried to reassure them that I love them and they’re not going to be taken from me.”

“Did they believe you?”

“I hope so.”

“Mind if I go say goodbye?”

“Of course not. I’m going to finish cleaning the kitchen.”

Nick went to the girls’ room and knocked softly on the door. Then he opened it.

All three girls were sitting on the lower bed, crying.

Nick stepped into the room. “What’s wrong, girls?”

“You know,” Steffi said. “Mommy’s mother wants us to go away.”

Nick sat down beside her and carefully wiped the tears away. “That’s true, but Jennifer doesn’t want that.”

“But it’s not fair for her to lose her mommy,” Annie said. “We know how hard that is. Steffi says we should run away so Jennifer’s mommy will come back.”

“That’s very giving of you, Annie, but it would be terrible for Jennifer. You know, I lost my mother, too, and I know how hard it is. But Jennifer is all grown up and she can decide whether she wants her mommy in her life. You know, Jennifer loves you three very much.”

“She does?” Steffi asked.

“She does. She’s planning on being your mommy for the rest of her life. If you leave, she’ll be all alone. She would cry a lot.”

“Then we can’t leave,” Missy said with a sniff. “I don’t want Jennifer to cry.”

Annie looked at Nick. “Does that mean we get to stay? We won’t have to run away?”

Before Nick could hug the little girl and assure her she shouldn’t run away, Jennifer came in.

“What’s going on?”

Nick gave her a reassuring smile. “I’m explaining to the girls that they shouldn’t run away because you would miss them.”

Jennifer almost fell over. “What? Of course I would miss them.” She turned to the girls. “Why would you even think about running away?”

“So your mommy won’t be mad at you,” Steffi explained.

Jennifer closed her eyes for a minute. Then she sank onto the mattress with the rest of them. “Steffi, my mother is not— She’s not like your mommy. She doesn’t really care what happens to me if I don’t do exactly what she says. But I’m an adult, and I get to make choices about my life. When you grow up, you’ll get to make choices about your life. I always want you to love me, but I know you’ll make the decisions. That’s the way life is. But my mother doesn’t play by the rules.”

“What does that mean?” Missy asked.

“It’s too hard to explain, sweetheart, but don’t run away. I would miss you so much. Okay?”

“We don’t want to,” Annie said, “but we want you to be happy.”

“I am, as long as I have you three. We’re a family.”

Nick leaned toward the girls. “And, as the, uh, neighbor of this family, I expect to be notified before you do anything that risky. Got it?” The girls nodded. “Then how about a group hug? That’s what we always did in my house.”

The girls threw themselves at both Jennifer and Nick, giving them big hugs and wet kisses. Eventually, they began to giggle, which brought joyful laughter to Jennifer. Nick laughed, too, glad to bring a happy ending to such a deserving family.

To celebrate, he kissed Jennifer, right there in front of the girls. Then he walked to the door. “I’ll see you later.”

“I
LIKE
N
ICK
,” M
ISSY SAID
with a big smile. “And I think he likes you, too.”

“Yes, we all like Nick,” Jennifer said hurriedly, willing away the blush from her cheeks. “But—but let’s talk about you. You don’t have to tell Nick when you’re upset. You should tell me. I’ll fix it if I can. Okay?”

Once she had the assurances from her three charges, she told them to lie down and rest before they went out to play with Blondie.

Jennifer went to her own bedroom, where she sank down on the bed. Warnings ping-ponged in her brain. Warnings to back off from Nick. He was getting too involved with her and the girls, but his career path wouldn’t lead to domesticity. If they were making a film
from his book, he was destined for bigger things. He’d probably be moving to Hollywood.

That wasn’t a place for her or her daughters. She didn’t want any of them to have their hearts broken by Nick’s departure. And she was already falling in love with him. Just a little bit.

The doorbell rang and this time she was sure it was the housekeeping interview. She’d called an agency and they said they had a perfect candidate who loved kids.

Jennifer opened the door and invited in a smiling, middle-aged woman.

Her smile was a good start.

They discussed the setup. The only one that caused concern was the six stewardesses in one apartment, but Jennifer reassured her about the group. When they were both satisfied with the interview, Jennifer went to the girls’ room and invited them to come meet the lady who would be taking care of the apartment.

They lined up in front of the woman, and she bubbled over with excitement. “They are so darling!”

“Girls, this is Mrs. Carroll. She will come clean two days a week. You must be sure to have your dirty clothes in the laundry basket before she comes and all your toys put away. Okay?”

They nodded. Then Missy leaned close to Mrs. Carroll. “I’m the messiest one, but I’ll try really hard to put my dirty clothes in the basket.”

“Good. And I’ll help you,” she said, stifling a smile.

“I’m very pleased, Mrs. Carroll,” Jennifer said. “You’ll start here on Monday and I’ll make a schedule for the other apartments.”

Jennifer escorted the woman out. When she turned around, she nearly bumped into Missy.

“Does that mean we need to tell Nick?” Missy asked.

“Well, yes, but I’ll just call him.”

“But I want to ask him to come out and play.”

“No! No, we can’t do that, sweetie. He’s busy.”

“Can’t we just ask?”

“Not today. Go play with Blondie. I think she misses you.”

That convinced Missy, who ran for the backyard.

W
HEN THE WEEKEND CAME
, Nick wanted to take a break. He’d been writing steadily for several days. He strolled across the hall and knocked on Jennifer’s door.

There was no answer. With a frown he returned to his apartment and went to the back bedroom, which had a view of the backyard. He didn’t see anyone outside.

Probably because it was too hot. Why was he looking for Jennifer and her girls, anyway? Getting back to work had reminded him of the kind of life he’d planned for himself here in Dallas. He was going to be alone, productive, focused, not lose his chance at the limelight.

He was attracted to Jennifer. Hell, he was attracted to all of them. But did he want the difficulty of a family? He thought about that for a minute. Why not? He wanted a family…one day.

He moved back to the front of his apartment to see if Jennifer’s car was in the parking lot. For right now, he wanted to see her and the girls.

No, it was gone. Why hadn’t he heard them leaving? He stuffed his hands in his pockets and began pacing the floor, which made him think he was a lot like Jennifer’s mother.

But he certainly wasn’t going to lay down ultimatums.

When his phone rang, he was surprised to hear his agent’s voice. “Jim, what are you doing calling on a Saturday?”

“You’re not going to believe this, Nick. I got an emergency phone call from Hollywood. They’re having trouble adapting a scene to film. Several of their hotshot writers have tried, but they aren’t satisfied with the results. They thought they’d give you a chance.”

Nick could hardly believe his ears. Hollywood wanted his help? “What scene?”

“I have no idea. They want you to fly out right away.”

“Fly out? To Hollywood?”

“Yes. They’ll pay for your expenses. They’ve got a ticket waiting for you. Just go check in.” He gave Nick the flight information.

“I won’t have to be there very long, will I?”

“Why not? You’re single. Hollywood will be great for you.”

“Are they talking a couple of days or a week?”

“I have no idea.” Jim hesitated, then he asked, “Nick, are you okay?”

“Yeah, I’m fine. I’ll get out to Hollywood.”

“Here’s the number to call before you board your flight. That way someone will pick you up.”

“Right. Thanks, Jim.”

Nick hung up the phone and stared at it for several seconds without moving. Here was the opportunity he thought he wanted. Strange, his heart wasn’t racing. He was thinking about leaving Jennifer and her girls.

He shook his head as if to banish the thoughts and went to his bedroom to pack.

When that was done, he took out some paper to write Jen a note. That wasn’t how he wanted to leave, but he had to tell her what was going on.

He was halfway through his note when he heard some noise in the hallway. He sprang to his feet and threw open his door.

“Did we disturb you?” Jennifer asked as she urged her children inside her apartment.

“I’ve been waiting for you.”

“You have?”

“Yeah. I’ve got to leave.”

“Where are you going?” Missy asked, stepping out into the hall.

“I have to go to California,” he said, squatting down beside Missy. “Will you give me a goodbye hug?”

“Yes,” Missy agreed, throwing her arms around his neck.

Annie and Steffi followed Missy. In the meantime, Missy was asking when he would be coming home.

“I’m not planning on being gone longer than a week. But I won’t know how long until I get there.”

“We’ll miss you,” Annie said.

“I’ll miss all of you, too, but I’ll be back. Now, I need to talk to your mommy for just a minute, okay?”

Jennifer, who had backed up to her apartment door, opened it and told the girls to go wash up for lunch.

She stood there, not moving toward him. He crossed the distance between them in two strides. “I should’ve given you all this information before, but here are my sisters’ names and numbers…just in case something goes wrong.”

“Are you sure you’ll be coming back?” she asked, staring at the paper he’d given her.

“What do you mean?”

“You’re going to Hollywood. Anything can happen.”

“I’m not sure what they have in mind for me, Jennifer. They may need me longer, but I’ve only packed for a week.” He smiled and ran a finger across her cheek. “But I’ll be back eventually,” he said, leaning just a little closer.

“Okay.” Jennifer couldn’t think of anything else to say. If she tried, she was afraid she’d say something she shouldn’t. But it disturbed her how much his departure upset her. Even though she’d expected it.

“I’ll miss you,” he muttered, and then kissed her. He took her in his arms and pulled her close, needing to feel her. She opened up to him and deepened the kiss.

She put a finger to his lips. “Don’t, Nick. I—I have to go inside. To be with the girls.”

“I know. Take care of them until I get back.”

“I will. Take care of yourself.” She backed into her apartment and closed the door.

Nick stood there for a moment reliving that kiss. Then he went into his apartment to grab his suitcase and called a taxi to take him to the airport. He was on his way to Hollywood!

J
ENNIFER LEANED AGAINST
the door, her eyes closed, thinking about his goodbye kiss. She needed to remember it because she figured once he got to Hollywood, he wouldn’t think of her or the girls anymore.

“Mommy?” Missy asked.

“Uh, yes, sweetie?”

“Why do you have your eyes closed?”

“I was just resting a minute. Are you hungry?”

“Yes. But I’m going to miss Nick.”

“Yes, sweetie, we all will. But Nick may move to California, so don’t plan on him being around all the time.”

“But I don’t want him to. He’s the daddy!”

“No, Missy. I told you he isn’t the daddy. He’s a neighbor, but that can change, so you mustn’t count on him.”

Missy fell silent, a sad look on her face, and Jennifer couldn’t help but hug her. Then she hurried her into the kitchen.

After lunch she sent the girls to rest. And she went to her own bedroom, taking the piece of paper Nick
had given her. She folded it and put it under her jewelry box to keep it safe. She didn’t think anything bad would happen.

Except that Nick wouldn’t come home.

N
ICK WANTED TO GO HOME
.

He was frustrated. Every time he solved one problem, the people doing the film came up with another. He’d spent three long days putting out fires, and three long nights being taken to one club after another. Each one was filled with beautiful women, some single some not. But his guide, one of the writers, said it didn’t matter. They were all available to anyone who had either money or power.

“But I don’t have either,” Nick said.

“They’ll think you have power. They’ll think you could get them a job on the set. That’s the way to fame and fortune.”

Nick shook his head. “Shouldn’t we be working instead of partying?”

“We’ve told the director we need time to work these things out,” the other writer said with a grin. He was about twenty-six years old and had lived in Hollywood after getting out of film school at UCLA. He didn’t know another way of life existed.

“Hey, Nick, you work too fast. We don’t want to overdo it.”

Nick thought about Jennifer and the girls and the time he’d spent with them. That time had been so much
more fun. So had the time he had been alone and worked on his book. He’d already learned it was important to enjoy the process of the writing as much as the results.

“You know, I need to wind up my work tomorrow and head back home. I’ve discovered I’m a homebody.”

“I should’ve known you were married. You haven’t picked up a woman the entire time you’ve been here. And you have your own hotel room, paid for!”

Actually he had a suite, in a five-star hotel that was beyond his wildest dreams. Still… “I’m tired of it. I want to go home.”

“But you could have a regular job writing here. They like your work.”

The director had told him as much yesterday when Nick had shown up on the set with the rewrites. Nick had been thrilled, but his elation waned when Jen wasn’t there to share it. The director had clapped him on the back and recommended Nick try his hand at writing screenplays. The Hollywood hotshot was well connected, his reputation having drawn some marquee names to this film.

Nick could hardly believe his ears. This was a break people would kill for and it was being offered to
him
. This was his chance—to make it, to be famous, rich. But why hadn’t he jumped at it? It was everything he ever wanted… But no longer.

Now the only dreams that filled his head had four blondes in them. And he couldn’t wait to get home to them.