Untangle My Heart (Tangled Hearts) (7 page)

“Sorry I’m late. It’s been a crazy few days.” Kate shrugged out of her coat and handed it to Meghan.

“I’m in no hurry. As you can see, I’m still unpacking.” Meghan led Kate into the living room.

Kate glanced at the open boxes lined up against the wall. “I thought you hired the movers to unpack you?”

“Charles insisted. He didn’t want me lifting the heavy boxes. Mostly, I’m reorganizing. It was hard to know where to tell the movers to put things. There’s some stuff, like my mother’s china and even some of our clothes I can’t unpack until our new furniture is delivered.”

“What did you do with all of Charles’s furniture?”

“Sold it with his place. Most of it was too formal, not what either of us want for our home. For now, we’re using the furniture I put in storage when Edward sublet my old apartment.”

Yeah, the apartment directly across the hall from Kate. It had been great having her best friend living so close. Often they’d have dinner together or spend a girl’s night doing their nails and watching movies. As far as neighbors went, Kate couldn’t have asked for anyone better. That was, until Edward moved in. Now, she dreaded the thought of returning home and catching a woman entering—or worse—leaving his apartment. Not that she’d seen any, but it was only a matter of time.

“I took the day off, so I can help you rearrange things or whatever you need while I’m here.”

“I’ll take you up on that.” She rubbed her stomach. “I’m not sure if it’s because I’m carrying two, but my energy level isn’t close to what it used to be.”

Kate remembered the wonder of being pregnant. Among the joy of feeling life inside her, she recalled the swollen feet and aching back. Despite the discomforts of pregnancy, Kate felt the ache of envy building in the pit of her stomach and pushed it away before her friend noticed.

“I’m sure carrying twins drains your energy faster. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. You’re looking great and finally starting to show.”

“They must have gone through a growth spurt. I’ve started wearing bigger pants, mostly with elastic. Karen said she’d lend me some of her smaller sized maternity clothes, since she’s as big as a house now—her words, not mine.”

“For someone small, she’s huge even for carrying two babies. I think she’s going to go early, which they say anyway with twins. They may be big babies, especially if they take after Mark.”

“I know she’ll feel a lot more relaxed once her baby shower is over this weekend. She wants to have everything in the nursery and all ready before she goes into labor.”

Kate followed Meghan into the dining room. An assortment of party favors lined the table.

“Yikes, now I know why you needed help. Couldn’t make up your mind, huh?” Kate said.

Meghan wrinkled her nose. “I had a bit of a hard time making a decision. There were so many cute things. I figure you can take whatever’s left and use it for my shower.”

“Sounds good. Let’s get started.”

They ordered Chinese and started working on the party favors, which ended up being an assortment of items from bath soaps to chocolates.

“My parents’ church is having a Christmas party for a local orphanage, complete with a visit from Santa.”

“That’s a nice thing for them to do.”

“My mother and I somehow got volunteered to lead the coordination. My parents are donating the food, and we have a whole committee charged at making this the best Christmas for these kids.”

“How many kids are at the orphanage?” Meghan asked.

“Around thirty kids plus the staff.”

“Let me know if I can help. Have you asked Charles or Edward if you can collect toys and food at the office?” Meghan asked.

“Not yet but I plan to. These kids have so little and some of their stories are so sad. I met this little boy who lost his parents and sister in a car accident two years ago. Now it’s just him. He doesn’t have any extended family to care for him.”

“Or to even help him get through the emotional aspect of his loss. How old is he?”

“His name’s Lucas and he’s six,” Kate replied, her voice quiet.

“That’s the same age as Tony would be now, right?”

Kate nodded. “He’s the sweetest little boy. I met him on Sunday and although he was shy at first, I was able to get him to talk a little. I promised him I’d visit over the weekend.”

“How do you feel about being around him and stirring up memories of Tony?”

Kate stopped filling the bag she held. “A little sad. It’s hard not to imagine Tony at the same age. Lucas has these very intense, sad eyes that make him seem older than his six years. If his pain is anything like mine, he must feel very sad and alone.”

Meghan reached for her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. “I’m sure it must be very hard for him because he probably remembers his family. In some ways, his loss is a lot like yours.”

“True, but I have my family and friends to lean on. He has no one.” She stood and paced the room.

Meghan studied her friend. “What’s up? What are you thinking?”

“What if it wasn’t a coincidence that I met Lucas? What if…” Kate paused and twirled a strand of hair. “What if his family died so that we would find our way to each other? We each suffered a loss and maybe together we can start to heal.”

“You mean as friends or something more?”

Kate stopped suddenly and grasped the back of a chair. “Would it be so crazy to adopt him?”

“It wouldn’t be as long as you were doing it for the right reasons.”

Thankfully, her friend didn’t look at her like she’d lost her mind. Kate struggled to put her emotions into words.

“I felt this bond with him. The kind a mother feels toward her child. I’ve been around other kids since Tony died, but this child touched my heart.”

“What about men? Raising a child will definitely put a cramp in your dating life. How do you feel about being a single parent?” Meghan asked.

“I have no qualms about raising a child myself. Besides, I have no dating life, at least not since the summer.”

“You mean since Edward returned to London?”

“Right.”

“What about my brother-in-law? I know he’s interested in you, and you’re obviously attracted to him. How long are you going to punish yourself with this emotional detachment?”

Kate lifted her chin. “I’m not emotionally detached. I have feelings but choose not to have anything long-term. I don’t need a man to feel complete. I’ll be damned if I’ll become codependent on one again.”

“You’re older and stronger now than when you were married to Mario. I can’t see you making the same mistake twice.”

“Damned straight.”

“Okay, so relax and stop pushing men away. Rather than being paranoid about getting close, let things happen naturally.”

“I don’t know that I can do that.”

Hell, she didn’t know what she was doing or what she wanted where Edward was concerned. But the thought of seeing Lucas on Friday brought a smile to her lips. She believed in fate and hoped that this little boy was the answer to her prayers for peace and closure about her son’s death—something she needed before she could move on with her life.

Chapter Five

Kate reviewed her mental checklist making sure she had everything she needed for the long weekend at her parents’ house. She glimpsed at the time just as there was a knock at the door. Punctual as usual, she thought with a grin. Behind the door, Edward stood, casually leaning against the door jamb as though he hadn’t a care in the world.

“Good morning,” he said. “Ready to go?”

“I’m all set.” She swung her laptop bag over one shoulder and grabbed the handle of her suitcase with her opposite hand.

“I’ll take that,” Edward said, reaching for the suitcase.

“I have it,” she snapped and held firmly onto the handle. His old-fashioned ways sometimes annoyed her and today was one of those days. Why was he always trying to be nice to her? It would be easier to maintain her distance if he wasn’t so damned considerate. Damned British manners. “I don’t need your help.”

He raised an eyebrow at her outburst but let go of his hold on the suitcase. “Fine. I see someone didn’t get her coffee this morning.”

“Wrong. I had two cups.” And a restless night of sleep with alternating dreams of Edward and Lucas. Frustrated from tossing and turning all night, she’d gotten up at four and started baking.

“I made biscotti if you’d like some.” She handed him a white bakery bag, hoping her offering of food would compensate for her irritable mood.

He opened the bag and pulled one out. “Are they safe to eat or did you use arsenic instead of sugar?”

Rather than dignify him with an answer, she leaned forward and took a bite. It was still warm and the chocolate chips melted in her mouth. Edward’s gaze studied her mouth as she chewed and for a minute Kate thought he may take a nibble out of her.

“Perfectly safe. I swear,” she said after swallowing.

He popped the other half in his mouth. “Not bad.”

“Not bad, my ass,” Kate said.

“That’s pretty fine, too.”

There was the sparkle of amusement in his eyes and his lips curved in a crooked smile like they did when he teased her. Kate took his expression to mean their little spat was over.

She locked the door and followed him to the elevator, silently cursing herself for refusing his help. Her suitcase was heavier than usual because she had bought a couple gifts for Lucas and new release videos for the orphanage. Thankfully it had wheels and she struggled only mildly to get it on the elevator.

“Are you sure it’s all right for me to stay at your parents’ house again? I can get a hotel room right down the street from the restaurant,” Edward said, pushing the button for the garage level.

“It’s fine. Are you afraid my sister may try something more direct this time?”

“I’ll be better prepared, but maybe you should stick close to me in case I need protection.” His tone was playful, but the flash of heat in his eyes conveyed much more than the words he spoke. She was grateful for the gust of cold air that hit them when the elevator doors opened.

He opened the passenger door for her and stored their bags in the trunk. He’d been at off-site client meetings most of the week, and to her dismay, she’d missed seeing him at the office.

They headed out into the Manhattan rush-hour traffic, a comfortable silence between them.

“What are you and your mother doing today?”

“This afternoon we’re going over to the orphanage to finalize our plans for the holiday party. I made up flyers that we’re going to post around town and have handed out at church on Sunday. We also have to set up the toy collection box at the church and a couple other locations.”

“Sounds like an eventful day. We’ll be busy at the restaurant, as well. Since Mark rounded up some of his men today, I want to get them on board with the plans,” he explained. “If we’re both not too tired, would you like to catch a movie later?”

“I’m not sure I can. The head of the orphanage invited me to stay for movie night tonight, and I thought about having pizza sent over for everyone. Why don’t you call me when you’re finished and you can come over and join us.”

“A night with a bunch of orphans? That sounds a bit daunting to me, like something out of a Dickens novel.”

“Oh, come on. They’re just kids. You can’t tell me you’re afraid of kids.”

“Not afraid as much as uncomfortable. I’ve never been around kids much. I’m not sure I’d know what to say or do.”

“Just be yourself.”

“That’s what I’m worried about.”

****

Kate passed around more green and red construction paper so the kids at St. Vincent’s could continue to make a huge paper chain. While some were doing this, others were making snowflakes and bells and covering them with glitter.

The day flew by and Kate was surprised at how much they’d accomplished. After Edward had dropped her off at her parents’ house that morning, she helped her mom and sister pack up Vicky’s car with craft supplies and headed over to the church to meet up with Father Dave. With his help they’d set up the collection boxes for toys and food. Flyers were hung and would be distributed after all the masses over the weekend. Her mother had also arranged for volunteers to stand outside after mass on Sunday and take up a collection they would donate to the orphanage.

Kate smiled as she watched the kids hard at work on the crafts. They were so excited to help out. Lucas’s tongue slipped out of his mouth in concentration while he cut pieces of paper that would be used for the garland chain. He’d been shy when he first saw her again but now seemed more relaxed and playful.

Earlier in the day, she’d made arrangements with Father Dominic to have pizza delivered for dinner. Afterwards, they were all going to watch
How to Train Your Dragon
in the common room.

“Come on, Kate, let’s get a good seat,” Lucas said, pulling on her hand. “You’ll sit next to me, right?”

A smile lifted the corners of her mouth at the look of excitement on his face. “Just as long as you don’t hog all the popcorn.”

“I won’t. I like mine with extra butter. How ’bout you?”

“Absolutely. Plenty of salt, too.”

They settled onto one of the couches while the other kids assembled and sat on mats and blankets that magically appeared. Father Dominic lit a fire in the massive stone fireplace and the glow of the fire cast warm shadows over the room.

Kate couldn’t help but study Lucas. He enjoyed the movie and laughed at all the silly parts. Kate loved the feel of his small and warm body cuddled up next to hers. It reminded her of evenings she had looked forward to having with Tony. Evenings she would never have. The longing for family, her family, overwhelmed her so much that she felt tears well in her eyes. She tilted her head toward Lucas’s and breathed in his sweet little boy scent. He glanced up at her and gave her the sweetest smile. And in that heartbeat, she fell gob-smacked in love with a six-year-old.

****

Edward stood at the back of the room and watched Kate with the little boy. It seemed right, them sitting close together, almost like mother and son. He frowned, not sure why he thought that or why it bothered him. But a small pang of what he could only describe as jealousy passed through him. He shook it away. Certainly he couldn’t be jealous of a child.