It wasnt just the woman who saw him in the daddy role. With Hannah, hed adopted it willingly.
He resisted the urge to show Kaylee more affection, though she obviously craved it. He gently detached her from his leg. Do I smell coffee?
I made a pot, Jane said. I know were going for breakfast, but I thought we might both need some caffeine.
You didnt sleep well, either, huh? His voice was laced with more innuendo than hed intended.
She arched one eyebrow at him. I slept fine, just not long enough.
Max poured himself a half mug of coffee, wishing he had time to linger over it. Instead he gulped down a few scalding swallows. They were scheduled to meet Ellen and Ogden at the hotel restaurant in five minutes. We probably should get going.
Im ready.
As they rode down in the elevator, Jane asked, Is there some point at which youd like me and Kaylee to disappear? I dont want Kaylee to distract from a business meeting.
Well see how it goes. Once he told Ellen the truth about his relationship with Jane and her daughter, Ellen might be the one who disappeared.
He was more nervous about losing this account than he cared to admit. He had payments to make on his business loan, and he shuddered to think what would happen if he was late.
Reece wouldnt be happy with him, that was for sure.
He wished hed saved more money during the years hed worked for Remington Industries. But back then, hed seen money as a never-ending river. He could spend it because he would always have more.
Hed thought that by now, he would have landed some bigger accounts. But the river was more like a trickle.
Youre going to tell Ellen the truth as soon as we sit down, Jane said suddenly. Right?
Yes. No matter how hard that was.
JANE COULDNT HELP but be impressed with the beautiful hotel restaurant. Shed been to plenty of fancy restaurants before, but not with Kaylee. Scott had not believed in taking children out to eat.
In truth, sometimes a screaming toddler could be a problem at a nice restaurant. But Kaylee was almost old enough that she could be counted on to behave civilly.
She took in the high ceilings and ornate gold-leaved moldings with big eyes. Mommy, I think a princess lives here.
Youre the only princess around, Jane replied with a slight smile.
Your party is here, the hostess replied when Max gave his name. Right this way.
Ellen Lowenstein and the same man whod been with her the other day were seated at a large, round table. The man stood and extended his hand to Max.
Remington. Good to see you again. Then he turned toward Jane. Jane, isnt it? And Katy.
Kaylee, Jane gently corrected.
Ogden didnt look all that pleased to be seeing the child again.
The waiter brought a booster seat for Kaylee. Max held Janes chair for her. She looked at him. Now, not later.
Yes, um, well, thanks again, Ellen, for the baseball game. We had a great time.
No sense in having that expensive box unless you share it, Ellen said cheerfully. Ogden, you really should join us out there some time.
Im not much of a sports fan, Ogden said stiffly.
That figured, Jane thought, just as Kaylee started to squirm out of her chair. Mommy, look, its Daddy!
What?
Every head at their table swiveled as Kaylee, slippery as a little frog, slid out of Janes grasp and ran toward a man standing at the buffet with his back turned toward them.
Oh, please, let it not be.
Jane was out of her chair in a flash, running after Kaylee. It would be embarrassing to have her launch herself at some strange man shouting Daddy!
Then the man turned, and Jane saw that it was, in fact, Scott.
Daddy! Kaylee shouted again just as she reached him and attached herself to his leg, just as shed done with Max a few minutes ago.
Scott looked down dispassionately. Kaylee? He was such a cold fish! Then he looked up and spotted Jane heading for him. His smile wasnt pleasant. Well, look who we have here.
Could you at least pretend to be happy to see your daughter? Jane hissed under her breath as she pulled Kaylee away from her fathers leg.
I am happy. I love my daughter.
Jane suspected that sentiment was for the benefit of the cool blonde whod just sidled up to Scott, putting a proprietary hand on his arm.
This is your daughter? she asked, shooting a hostile look toward Jane.
Daddy, were gonna have waffles.
What brings you to Houston? Scott asked. Are you already bored with dreary little Port Clara?
Im at a business meeting. Really, Im sorry to have interrupted your, er, breakfast. She wondered how Max was explaining Kaylees outburst.
A business meeting? Are you charging for it these days?
The blonde looked surprised by the blunt attack, but Jane was livid. How dare he?
Only her reluctance to embarrass Max further kept her from grabbing a glass of orange juice from the buffet and dumping it over Scotts head.
Kaylee was still babbling, trying to get her fathers attention. Jane took her hand. Were leaving now.
But not soon enough. Scotts gaze wandered toward Janes table, and recognition quickly registered on his face. I dont believe it. He brushed the blonde off his arm and strode toward the table where Max, Ellen and Ogden sat.
Oh, God, no. Scott, leave it alone! she called after him, scooping Kaylee up and hurrying to try to ward off the confrontation.
Oh, God, no. Scott, leave it alone! she called after him, scooping Kaylee up and hurrying to try to ward off the confrontation.
So, Remington, youre not involved with my wife, huh?
Chapter Seven
Max calmly set down his coffee cup as Ellen and Ogden looked on in horror. He stood up, appearing utterly unafraid. I wasnt. But I am now. And shes your ex-wife, in case youd forgotten.
Now the diners at neighboring tables were staring.
Jane was frozen with fear, and Kaylee continued to call for her daddy, who didnt seem to hear.
Scott balled up his fists, his eyes mere slits. I could ruin you.
I wouldnt try, if I were you. Not unless you want a few of your secrets out in the open. Or would you like for everyone to hear about Laura Ann?
Laura Ann? Who was that?
Whoever she was, mentioning her name caused Scotts already short temper to snap. He cocked his arm back.
But Max ducked to the side. At the same time, he thrust his leg out in a lightning-fast kick that buckled Scotts legs. He toppled over, clutching his knee and cursing up a blue storm.
By then, the security guard from the hotel lobby had been summoned. He apparently had seen who was the aggressor and who was merely defending himself, because he dragged Scott to his feet. Sir, youll have to come with me. Mr. Remington, are you all right?
Never better. He couldnt quite hide his smile of triumph.
Men.
Scott was too humiliated, or in too much pain, to argue. He limped away with the guard, not even giving Max or her or Kaylee a backward glance. The blonde, not so cool now, scurried after him.
Well, Ogden said, pushing to his feet. That was an interesting display. I take it you and Jane are not, in fact, husband and wife?
Max deflated slightly. No. We arent even involved. Im not married and I dont have any children. But I thought you would prefer to give your advertising account to a family man, so when you assumed Kaylee was mine, I chose not to correct you.
Ogdens scowl deepened, but Ellen merely stared, looking bewildered.
We dont normally do business with people who lie and brawl in restaurants, Ogden said succinctly. Ellen?
Ellen looked like she wanted to say something, but in the end she followed Ogden out of the restaurant.
That went well. Max practically fell back into his chair. He looked stunned, shell-shocked.
Jane said nothing. She had warned Max that when KidznStuff found out about the deception, there would be some fallout. But not even she had visualized the truth coming out in such dramatic fashion.
Mommy, I want to see Daddy, Kaylee said in a small voice.
I know, sweetheart. Youll see him next weekend, and youll get to spend two whole days with Grandpa Larry and Grandma Bonnie.
Max fiddled with his fork. You still want breakfast? Or did this fiasco ruin your appetite like it did mine?
Im not very hungry, Jane said. But we should get something for Kaylee.
The waiter stopped at their table. Breakfast is on us, Mr. Remington, he said. Would you like to order from the menu, or have the breakfast buffet?
How about some waffles for the little one? Max said.
Of course. Would she like some juice? We have orange, grapefruit and cranberry.
How about it, Kaylee? Max asked. You want juice? He reached out to brush a strand of hair from her face, but she shrieked and hid her face against Janes shoulder.
You hurt my daddy!
Kaylees accusation was like a knife to Maxs heart. Of course she would see Max as the villain. She wasnt old enough to understand the complexities of the fight shed just witnessed. But shed seen the outcome.
No matter what anyone else thought of Scott, he was Kaylees father.
Kaylee, listen to me, Jane said. Your daddy lost his temper and tried to hit Max first. Max was only trying not to get hurt himself.
You dont have to stick up for me, Max said, though he was honored that Jane would do so. I shouldnt have hit back.
You did exactly the right thing, Jane insisted. If you hadnt taken him down, hed have come at you again. His temper is completely out of control. For months I told him he needed counseling, but he wouldnt listen.
I cant exactly blame him for being angry, Max said. He thinks I stole you. If you were my wife, and I thought some guy had poached, I might get violent, too.
Jane blushed, and Max realized he might have been just a bit too passionate in stating his opinion. His feelings for Jane had gone beyond simple lust.
He decided a change of subject was in order. You know, I think I will have some breakfast. Its free, after all. Who knows when well be able to set foot in a place like this again? He certainly wouldnt be paying for fancy restaurants until the agency brought in some larger accounts. He was grateful for the Mattress Masters of the world, but he needed more.
Are the finances in bad shape? Jane asked.
Not as bad as all that. But dont expect an extravagant raise any time soon.
THE PLANNED TOUR of the KidznStuff offices and manufacturing facility was obviously off the schedule, but they still had the appointment with the modeling agency.