Kyles easy smile came back. No problem, ladies. I think theres another bench just past the palmetto tree wrapped in lights.
Thank you, Captain. The woman flashed a smile back, advertising with a length of too-tanned leg through the gowns excessive slit.
Phoebe watched them disappear faster than the after-waft of their cologne. She turned back to Kyle. You dont deny knowing Bianca?
This is getting strange here. He scratched the back of his neck. You need to cut to the chaseWhat was your name again?
Phoebe She paused as a uniformed waiter tucked into the alcove, stopped short and then spun back around to leave, apparently looking for a place to ditch work undetected for a few seconds.
Good luck with that, buddy, because apparently there wasnt a quiet place to be found at this crammed-to-the-gills gala.
She hefted Ninas limpand growing heavier by the secondbody higher onto her shoulder. Her sweet weight and baby-shampoo-fresh scent tugged at her heart with a reminder of just how important this meeting was to both of their futures. Phoebe. My name is Phoebe Slater. Bianca and I were sorority sisters, but weve stayed in touch over the years.
Although not as much as she would have liked during the past two months. She still could hardly believe Bianca would just drop off her baby daughter and not look back.
Nice to meet you, Phoebe, he said, one eyebrow arching up with the implication his patience had about run dry.
Time was up. There wasnt ever going to be the perfect setting for this kind of revelation. She resisted the urge to clutch the baby tighter and bolt. This wasnt her child, but she loved her as dearly as if they shared the same blood. In fact, this would be her only chance at motherhoodhowever brief. When her husband shed loved more than life had died, all hopes of being a mother had died with him.
No blue eyes would distract her from protecting Nina, no social brush-offs would dislodge her from her mission. She would do anything, anything to secure Ninas future.
Phoebe braced her shoulders and her resolve to push forward with her plan, even if it meant making a deal with a blue-eyed devil. Meet Nina, your daughter.
Damn.
Another gold digger.
Party noise droning behind him like the buzz of aircraft engines, Kyle rocked back on his heels, his polished uniform shoes squeaking. Hed worked in intel during his Air Force career, but it didnt take an investigative mind to determine something was way off with this woman.
The second hed seen Phoebe Slater sidle past security, he had been gut-slammed by her appeal. He still couldnt pull his eyes off her beacon-pale blond hair, clasped back simply, and her wide mouth that didnt need lipstick or collagen to make it kiss-me sexy.
The kid had given him a moments pause, but his attention had shifted fast enough back to the totally hot female. Hed initially sized her up as a down-to-earth sort with unadorned appeal, a simple but intriguing woman. Not so simple after all, apparently.
Perhaps she wasnt a gold digger. Maybe she was just a deluded psycho.
He tucked his fisted hands firmly behind him, glad now hed chosen a locale that was only semiprivate, rather than totally secluded. Maam, Im certain weve never met before tonight, and Im even more certain weve never slept together. He would have definitely remembered her. As cute as your kid is, shes not mine.
Phoebe Slater visibly bristled, her chocolate-brown eyes darkening. Shes not my daughter. Im just caring for her while her motherBianca Thompsonis away at an audition in Southern Florida. Bianca and I went to school together before she started pursuing her acting career, and I became a history professor. But thats all beside the point. Her throat moved in a long swallow. Im here because Nina needs her father. Shes five months old now.
The hairs on the back of his neck prickled.
He had slept with Bianca Thompson, but hed used protectionhe always did. They hadnt known each other well. It had been more of an impulsive hookup on both their parts, over a year ago, before hed left for a year-long deployment to Afghanistan.
Just about the right timing.
His gaze snapped to the kid blinking groggily at him with light blue eyes just like his mother, brothers. Damn. Plenty of people had blue eyes, and plenty of people knew what his family looked like. And those same people would know about the Landis familys hefty investment portfolio. His youngest brother had even had a false paternity suit filed against him by someone hed actually cared about.
Kyle bit back a curse. He needed to stop this conversation now, until he could regroup with some more information on this woman. Preferably in a place where he didnt have to worry about everyone from the press to the governor of South Carolina overhearing.
Maam
Slater. I am Phoebe Slater. She rubbed soothing little circles between the babys shoulders, swaying back and forth like a pro.
Impressive. He knew from his brother and sister-in-law how tough it was to keep a little rug rat quiet at this age.
Okay, Ms. Slater, lets schedule a time for this conversation when were not trying to speak over a band and were certain not to be interrupted
And this is Nina. She angled sideways so the babys chubby-cheeked face was fully in view.
Cute kid. But that was irrelevant. I dont think this is the
Her mother is Bianca Thompson.
Shed said that already, but hearing it again made him really look at the baby. She didnt have Biancas red hair. The baby had dark brown hair. Like him. Where is Bianca? Why am I talking to you instead of her?
His suspicions mounted as he tried to put the pieces together before this blew up in a very public setting. His mother had gone to a lot of trouble putting together this shindig commemorating his homecoming. It meant a lot to her, since this also marked the end of his military commitment. In two weeks, he would start his new career as the head of the Landis Foundations international interests.
He didnt want his family upset needlessly by a scene. Family was everything.
His eyes flicked uneasily back to the baby, looking too darn cute in her pink dress.
I was only supposed to watch Nina until Bianca settled in at her new place in Southern Florida. Then weeks turned into months. When she stopped calling, I got worried and notified the police to file a missing persons report. Which then brought child services into the picture, and if I dont figure out something soon Phoebes chin quivered briefly before steadying again theyre going to put Nina into the foster care system.
He wasnt sure what she was up to anymore, but truth be told, even a conversation with a crazy woman was more engaging than the small talk hed made tonight with people who were mostly here for the free food and a chance to rub elbows with politicians. Phoebe Slater was anything but boring.
So you want me to take in this child, with no proof of who you are or who this kid is.
Just hear me out. Her eyes turned a deeper shade of brown, panic glinting.
His instincts went on alert. If this woman was a crookor a psychothe kid could be in danger. That changed things entirely. You know, maybe I should hold the baby after all, while we check into things.
His instincts went on alert. If this woman was a crookor a psychothe kid could be in danger. That changed things entirely. You know, maybe I should hold the baby after all, while we check into things.
Youre doubting me now, arent you? Smart man.
She secured the sleeping baby and leaned to dig through the voluminous diaper bag on the bench. Good Lord, he could have stuffed all his military gear in that sack.
His eyes dropped to her hips, to the sweet curve of her bottom as she rifled past diapers and a bottle. Was she really a college professor? Hed certainly never had any profs that looked like her.
What a waste to have all that appeal packaged in a woman he couldnt go anywhere near. She straightened and turned back to face him, drawing his eyes upward.
Okay, Captain Landis, I thought you would want proof. And well you should. She pulled out a file of papers. Ive got her birth certificate, photos and a notarized letter from Bianca stating Im a babysitter for Nina, authorizing me to get medical attention for her. I even included a copy of my drivers license.
He took the file from her and flipped it open, angling so his shoulders blocked any passersby from possibly seeing the contents. He scanned the first page, with pictures of Bianca Thompson holding a baby with wide blue eyes.
The hair on the back of his neck prickled again. He turned to the next page and read through the birth certificate
With his name in the father box.
He exhaled hard. True or not, he still needed a second to process seeing his name in that context. Not that he had anything against kidshe liked his nephew well enough. Hed just planned to leave perpetuating the Landis name to his brothers.
Thumbing to the last page, he found a copy of Phoebe Slaters drivers license. The picture was unflattering, to say the least, with eyes deer-in-the-headlight wide and no smile, but without question it was her.
All of which proved nothing, in and of itself. Why the hell hadnt Bianca notified him? She had plenty of contact numbers. He may have been out of the country, but his family had all been firmly here on U.S. soil.
The more he thought about this, the less it made sense. If the little girl was his, he would move forward and take responsibility. Landises didnt shirk their responsibilities. But, for the childs safety as well, he needed to investigate this claim and this woman further.
He closed the file and tucked it under his arm. Im going to need some time to look over this. I cant just take home a child because you say
She laughed, her breath gusting a straggled strand of blond hair. She scraped it away and behind her ear. No, you completely misunderstand. I dont want you to take her. I got the message loud and clear from Bianca that youre not interested in settling down. And truly, I love this little girl. She rested her cheek on top of the babys head with unmistakable maternal affection. I want to be her mother. I want to adopt her, if at all possible.
He should be relievedbut something was still off. His instincts from battling overseas bellowed loud and clear that there were more land mines ahead. Then why are you here?
Im here to keep Nina out of the foster care system, she said, her words tumbling together as she blurted, Im here to ask you to marry me.
Two
Phoebe bit her lip, cringing inside over having blurted the proposal rather than easing him into the idea the way shed mentally rehearsed.
Too late to call back the words now. The band segued into a Motown ballad, the crooners tune filling the silence while she waited for Kyles reaction. Not for the first time, she cursed Bianca for disappearing, while praying that her old friend hadnt landed in some kind of trouble. Or worse.
Meanwhile, she had to make use of whatever allies she could find, and please, please she hoped Kyle would fall into that category. She searched his face for some clue of his feelings, but he guarded his emotions well.
Finally, he raised a hand shoulder-high.
She tensed, wondering, waiting and definitely keeping her trap shut for now. She was a thinker, a plotter, damn it. Bianca was the impulsive one.
Kyle spanned a broad palm along Ninas back protectively, his gold college ring glinting in the flickering candlelight. Let me hold the kid for a minute.
Relief gusted from her so fully that she hadnt even realized shed been holding her breath. Shed hardly dared hope it would be this easy for him to connect with his daughter
Then the glow from the pewter tiki torches revealed the glimmer of alarm in his eyes, quickly covered as he flashed a pacifying smile.
Damn.
He thought she was off her rocker to the point he feared for Nina. As if she would do anything to harm this child. Although shed surely screwed up in pushing so hard and fast for his help.
Im not crazy, and Im the last person who would ever hurt Nina. She cradled the sleeping girl closer until he relaxed his hands, if not his stance. I didnt mean to spring that last part on you so bluntly, but you were ready to leave and I dont have time to be subtle.
Is there a subtle way to ask a total stranger to marry you?
Phoebe ignored his sarcasm. Child services is going to take her since I cant find her mother. I just need to buy a little time until I can settle things for Nina.
She didnt know what else to do. Nina had no one except herAnd this man. Her father.
I still think youre half-cracked, but Im listening. He folded his arms over his chest.
Was he settling in or blocking her exit? Either way, she needed to talk fast.
Okay, so maybe the marriage idea seems extreme, but Im desperate here. Backing off the proposal seemed prudent since she had a serious aversion to ending up in a straitjacket. My primary concern is keeping Nina secure. Shes already had too much upheaval, with Bianca dropping out of her life so abruptly.
This is a lot to digest, he said, his voice neutral, his eyes still watching her guardedly.
His military aura swelled unmistakably. He might not be thinking of himself as Ninas father, but he clearly would stand between the baby girl and any perceived threat all the same.
Her frayed nerves snapped. If you can think of another alternative to keeping her out of the foster care system, Im more than happy to climb on board.
He cocked a thick, dark brow. Excuse me for being slow on the uptake, but I didnt know until ninety seconds ago that I even had a child.
If youd stayed in touch with Bianca after you deployed, you may have She bit her tongue to keep from saying anything else, when she longed to shout out her frustration as she saw her last hope for help slipping away.
His eyebrows slammed down and together. You cant actually be blaming me because Bianca kept this a secret. If what you say is even true. I had my hands full fighting a war.
Her anger defused and sympathy slid into the void. Im sorry. Youre right. This is a lot to take in and I dont mean to be combative.
His jaw flexed as he paused to gather his composure. Arguing wont get us anywhere.
I completely agree.
Still, he kept his post in front of the arbor trellis, sprawling ivy cascading down the sides like spiky tentacles ready to snag her in place. Regardless of what came before, we need to decide on a plan of action from this point forward, which I absolutely refuse to talk about in a place where anyone could overhear. There are no less than seven people from the press attending this shindig my mother put together to welcome me back.