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  “I mean it, Riki. There’s a strange old man in there fiddling with your riding mower.” When all he received was a seductive smile, he roared, “Dammit, Riki. say something.” His voice lowered in disgust. “He called me ‘Sonny.’ ”

  As royally as any queen brandishing her scepter, she waved a knife dripping grape jelly. “Off with his head.” A momentary lull in the children’s uproar and a quiet chuckle from Jason were the only rewards she received for her acting. She muttered under her breath about everybody being a critic nowadays.

  “I gather,” Jason said, “that this little piece of information doesn’t bother you?”

  She kissed the corner of his mouth. “Of course it does, Jason. The nerve of his calling you ‘Sonny.’ As soon as I’m done here I’ll go have a talk with that man.”

  “Riki, do you know who that man is?”

  “Yes, Jason. That’s Harold. He and his wife, Norma, live across the street.”

  “What’s he doing in your garage messing with your mower?”

  “We have an agreement. If he mows my yard with my mower, he’s allowed to use it for his yard.”

  “Why?”

  “Jason, Harold is not a young man anymore. He had a stroke two years ago, and he really shouldn’t be pushing a mower in this heat.”

  “So what’s that got to do with your mower? Why doesn’t he go out and buy a riding mower?”

  Using the tone of voice she reserved for lecturing naughty children, she asked, “Jason, darling, do Harold and Norma look like they could afford to go right out and buy a riding mower?”

  As Jason pictured the weather-beaten, sagging- porch house across the street he had to agree with Riki. “No.”

  “Well, then, why not let him use my mower? Besides, who else is going to drive it?” At Jason’s raised brows, she resumed packing lunches and mumbled, “I don’t know how.”

  Chuckling under his breath, he pictured Riki buying a riding mower just so her neighbor didn’t have to push his. Come to think of it, it wasn’t such a bad arrangement after all. Just to be on the safe side he’d go have a talk with sweet old Harold and check out the mower.

  After a conversation with Harold, who did turn out to be a sweet old man, Jason started forming an idea in the dark recesses of his mind. The more he thought about it, the better he liked it. He twisted it, turned it upside down and inside out, but he could find no major flaw with it. It was the obvious solution to the dilemma he and Riki found themselves in.

  Joy shot through him at the thought of telling her about his plan. But on second thought, he’d proceed with the idea and tell her about it when it was set in concrete. Then she couldn’t dispute his love. She’d have to many him. He had a lot of phone calls to make, appointments to keep, and a brick walk to finish.

  Most importantly he had to keep Riki busy enough that she wouldn’t notice he was up to something. The future looked fantastic. With renewed confidence and a determined step, he marched off to the study to put his plan into action.

  Two days later the inevitable happened. Sam called. He needed Jason home immediately or an important deal would go under. Riki found Jason in her study raking his hand through his hair and with papers spread out all over her desk. He watched the light fade from her eyes while he told her he had to take the morning flight to Dallas. It was like ripping out his own heart. Promising it would only take two or three days didn’t seem to brighten the situation. Grabbing her by the shoulders and kissing the socks off her did bring a smile to her lips, but somehow that smile never made it to her eyes.

  Telling the kids before they went to bed was bad enough, but when Charlie disappeared from the room, he practically went nuts. They found her curled up in the fetal position on her bed, staring at a blank wall.

  Riki remained in the doorway, motioning for Jason to go to Charlie. When he sat on the edge of the bed and started to explain that it was only for two days, maybe three, he didn’t get any response. Charlie’s silver eyes didn’t so much as blink. When he gently touched her shoulder, she cringed. Turning tear-filled eyes toward Riki, he silently asked her for help.

  She crossed to the other side of the bed and sat down. When she tenderly brushed back a tendril of Charlie’s hair from her face, she was unprepared for the child’s reaction. She hurled herself at Riki. Small skinny arms circled her waist as a pale urchin face pressed into her breasts. Riki’s arms instinctively wrapped Charlie in a protective embrace. Softly rocking back and forth and whispering soothing words, she dared to glance at Jason.

  The color had drained from his face. As he rose to leave with Charlie still clinging to her, she noticed the total dejection in his eyes. Reaching out a hand to him, she wasn’t surprised when he whispered a harsh “No.” He walked out of the room with his head bowed and shoulders slumped, not seeing the tears streaming down her face.

  She continued rocking and whispering to Charlie until she felt the girl’s arms loosen their hold and her breath settle into an even rhythm. Turning down the covers she lay Charlie in the center of the bed and tucked her in. After stopping in her bathroom to wash her tearstained face and try to compose herself, she went downstairs to round up the rest of the troops. It was past their bedtime.

  While tucking in all the Munchkins, she promised them she would wake them up early so they could say good-bye to Jason before he left.

  She found Jason in the study, systematically emptying the bottle of Scotch. He was pouring a mouthful into a glass, downing it in one gulp, then repeating the process.

  “Trying to get drunk?”

  “Yes.”

  “Why?” “You saw what happened. My own daughter can’t stand for me to touch her.”

  She crossed the room to pour herself an apricot brandy. “Is that how you saw it?”

  “That’s how it was!” His voice was low and harsh. “Don’t start to analyze me, Riki. I know what I saw.”

  “Yes, but do you understand what you saw?” She didn’t quite catch what he muttered under his breath. Watching him down the third drink since she walked into the room, she decided it was time to explain before he became too intoxicated to understand. “Listen, Jason, I don’t tell you how to build a building and you don’t tell me how to understand children. I won’t analyze you because adults aren’t my cup of tea. Personally, I think all adults have a few screws loose. That’s what life does to us all. It’s children who fascinate me. They haven’t learned yet to throw up decoy barriers. Their emotions are basically straightforward, except for the few like Charlie. She’s lost the ability to express her feelings.” Making sure she still had Jason’s attention, she asked, “Do you have any idea what your child is feeling?”

  “Repulsion.”

  Knowing Jason was being sarcastic to cover up his hurt calmed her own nerves. She took a small sip of brandy to fortify herself. “No, Jason. Your daughter is scared.”

  “Of me?”

  “Yes.”

  “What does she think I’m going to do, beat her?” His hand was trembling as he reached for his glass, and she knew she had to do something before he became totally drunk.

  “No,” she said. “Put down that drink and I’ll tell you what Charlie is afraid of.” His eyes darted between her and the glass, but he did replace the glass on the desk. “Thank you. Charlie is scared you are going to leave and not return. More than likely she connects it to her mother and stepfather leaving and never returning again.”

  As Jason ran his fingers through his hair he seemed to come to some kind of decision. “That’s settled then. I’m not going to Dallas in the morning. The deal can just fall through. Charlie is more important to me than a major deal any day.”

  “I’m glad you said that. But I think you will be making a major mistake. She has got to learn that the people she loves, and for some unknown reason she has taken a fancy to you, will come back.”

  “But does it have to be now?”

  “What better time? She’s here with us, she knows we all love her. She’s
comfortable here. I’m here. Can you honestly say that once she’s in Dallas with you, you’ll never have to leave her? Who would you leave her with, your sister? Charlie doesn’t even know her. Now is as good a time as any, Jason.”

  He thought about all the plans he had been making. Was now the time to tell Riki? He thought about future business trips to Dallas and realized the problem would still exist even if all his plans went through. “Okay, I’ll go.”

  “Thank you.”

  “For what?”

  “Trusting me with your daughter.”

  He rose from his chair and crossed the room to stand directly in front of her. Lifting her chin so that she could read the truth in his eyes, he said, “I love you, Erika. I trust you with my life.”

  Her reply was lost in the crush of lips. Heat spread through her body, matched by the growing arousal of the man she loved. Hearing her moan, he broke the kiss. Running his lips down the side of her neck, he muttered, “Please don’t make me climb that damn tree tonight, not tonight, darlin’.”

  “No, Jason, not tonight. Not ever again,” was her heated declaration.

  The next morning, half an hour before the kids were normally up, they all stood on the front porch dressed in their pajamas, except for Riki who wore blue jeans and a Garfield T-shirt for such a festive occasion. Personally, she’d seen more excitement at a wake. If this was how they acted when Jason left for only two or three days, she thought, she couldn’t imagine what it would do to them when he went for good.

  And if their desperate lovemaking last night and early this morning was anything to go by, she had no idea what she would do. As he said goodbye to the boys, he made them promise to take care of their mom until he got back. He promised them each something special if they all behaved and listened to her.

  Picking up a sleepy-eyed Billy-Jo, he received a sloppy kiss on the side of his neck. He set her on her feet, then patted Tiny on the head, ordering him to watch over his big girl Charlie until he returned.

  Kneeling down in front of Charlie, he felt a lump suddenly catch in his throat. She was hiding behind Riki, her arms wrapped around Riki’s legs, her face buried in the folds of the Garfield T-shirt. Placing his hand on her slim shoulder, he whispered bye-bye and told her to take care of herself. If she did her homework she would get a surprise when he returned. Receiving no response, he slowly straightened to face the hardest goodbye. Riki.

  Seeing the tears in her eyes almost caused him to cancel the whole trip. She accurately read the look on his face and whispered, “Go, please.”

  His mouth touched hers in a kiss that promised the future, and held a hint of desperation. “I can’t say good-bye to you, darlin’,” he said, the words torn from his throat. “So, I leave you with I love you.” After a last quick kiss, he turned and walked briskly to his car.

  He had his hand on the door handle when a rusty, hoarse, squeaky voice split the air. “Daddy, don’t go.” He spun around to see his daughter standing on the edge of the porch with her arms stretched out to him. As he dropped his bag and ran back up the brick walk, he vaguely noticed the openmouthed stares his daughter was getting.

  When he reached the bottom step, Charlie hurled herself from the porch straight into his open arms. With tears of happiness streaming down his face, he twirled his daughter around in circles. She had talked.

  With Charlie’s arms and legs wrapped around him in a fierce grip, he studied the other children. They were just recovering their vocal cords.

  “Hey, Charlie talked.”

  “Why did she call Jason Daddy?”

  “Always knew she could talk.”

  “Would someone please tell me what’s happening?”

  “Sorry, Jake. Jason’s holding Charlie now.”

  “Why?”

  “I guess because she spoke.”

  It was Tiny’s bark that drew Jason’s attention back to Riki. “She spoke.” With a look of pride, love, and great accomplishment on his face he said, “She called me. Did you hear that?”

  Blinking back tears that threatened to spill at any moment, Riki said, “Yes, I heard, but did you hear what she called you?” At Jason’s blank look she answered her own question. “Daddy.”

  “Well, of course. I am her father.”

  “How did she know that?”

  Looking down at the small dark head pressed against his chest, he started to wonder the same thing. “I don’t know.”

  “Hey, wow, did you hear that? Jason’s Charlie’s father.”

  “Neat-oh.”

  “I wish he was my dad.”

  Riki looked at her youngest son and wondered how much he missed having a father. He was too young to remember Brad. Hearing the chorus of agreements didn’t help to lighten her heavy heart. Jason was going back to Dallas. Charlie knew he was her father. There was nothing to hold him in Virginia any longer. Well, just great, she told herself. Why don’t you get mad at the poor little girl for finally talking?

  She shooed the children into the house, ordering them to dress for school. She told Billy-Jo to go find a doll and feed her breakfast, knowing that it would keep her busy for a while. Then she led Jason, who still had Charlie clutched in his arms, into the front parlor and sat on the sofa. He sat beside her and lifted Charlie’s chin. For the first time in seven months, Riki noticed tears gathering in the usually vague silver eyes.

  Jason had to swallow the lump in his throat before he could speak. “Hi,” he said huskily.

  He received a hesitant smile and a rusty “Hi” back. Folding Charlie in his arms and giving her a huge hug, he thanked the Lord for his daughter.

  Riki moved closer to the clinging pair. “Charlie, honey?” The child lifted her face. “How did you know Jason is your daddy?”

  Small frightened eyes darted between Riki and Jason before she buried her face in Jason’s shirt front. As he gathered her closer, he shot Riki a look that clearly said, “Knock it off.” Never one to back away when there were unanswered questions, she plowed on.

  “It’s okay. Charlie. You’re allowed to know that Jason’s your father. In fact, I’m very happy you know and I’m sure Jason is too. Do you see the way he’s holding you? He’s not mad. He’s very proud to be your daddy.”

  Charlie raised her head to look at a smiling Jason, then turned to Riki.

  “All we want to know,” Riki said, “is how you know that Jason is your daddy.” As Charlie stared blankly at her, she changed tactics. “Did your mommy tell you?” Charlie shook her head no. “Did your daddy Richard tell you?” Again the small head shook. “Did you know that Jason was your daddy when he first came here?” This time she nodded.

  Riki glanced at Jason and he shrugged. “That explains the immediate acceptance,” she said.

  “Thanks a lot,” he muttered. Receiving a sweet smile and a ‘You’re welcome’ in return didn’t seem to pacify him.

  Riki returned her attention to Charlie. “Honey, do you think you could tell us how you knew?” The look on Charlie’s face was one of total concentration as she searched her mind for the right word. “Book.”

  Jason’s and Riki’s response coincided with each other. “Book?”

  Charlie slid from Jason’s lap and searched the room until she found what she was looking for, a magazine. She placed it on Riki’s lap. Riki glanced at the books lining her shelves, a pile of children’s books on the coffee table, and the family photo albums stacked haphazardly on the lowest shelf. Obviously Charlie knew what she was searching for, a magazine. But why?

  Jason’s face cleared as a sudden thought occurred to him. “Charlie, did you see my picture in a magazine? Was I standing in front of a big truck?” Charlie nodded. “Did your mommy and daddy Richard see the picture too?” Damn, he thought. That man’s name left a rotten taste in his mouth. Again the child nodded. “What happened when they saw it?”

  Charlie looked down and bit her lower lip. Finally she raised tear-filled eyes and whispered, “Yelled.”

  Jason closed his
eyes as pain twisted in his heart. Why did his sweet innocent daughter have to suffer because of thoughtless adults?

  He took a deep breath and asked, “Do you re- member any words that they yelled?” He was almost afraid to contemplate what kind of words could have been shouted. His heart stopped when his daughter answered, “Money.”

  Riki watched as Jason closed his eyes and hugged his daughter tighter. She heard him whisper how sorry he was and that nothing was ever going to hurt her again. What kind of woman was this Cynthia? she wondered. What kind of man was Richard? How could they have kept Charlie from her father? Were they going to demand money from him? Considering the neighborhood Charlie had been living in, it was a definite possibility.

  As she saw two tears slide down Jason’s cheek, anger burned in the pit of her stomach. How could they have done this to Jason? They’d had no right to keep Charlie from him. Maybe they had changed their minds and were not going to demand money. “Charlie honey, when did they see the picture?”

  Charlie lifted her face from Jason’s neck. Riki noticed the tears and quivering lip, and her heart bled. “Day they went away.”

  As the words registered, Riki stared at Jason. The color drained from his face as a look of helplessness overtook his features. He’d never know if they were going to call and demand money. He could have known about Charlie months ago, if they hadn’t been killed in the accident. All those wasted months, all those wasted years!

  Riki placed a box of tissues beside Jason and told him she’d see to breakfast. All the kids were eating and she was making French toast when Jason and Charlie walked into the room. Both were smiling.

  “I’m not going to Dallas,” Jason said.

  “Why?”

  “I can’t leave Charlie now.” By his tone of voice it was clear he thought she was a few bricks shy of a full load.

  “How much money are you going to lose?”