Daddy's Little Girl (A Homespun Romance) Page 5

  The thought she'd proved Uncle Samuel's frequent statement, ”You’re useless, you’ll never amount to anything”, wrong, undid another tie to the past. By the time this job was over she would have enough money to get her own apartment.

  Sara's face was turned away from him, so he couldn't tell if her eyes were open, but Jason knew she was still awake. A blue airline blanket covered her from her neck to toe, hiding the jeans, tee-shirt and denim jacket she'd worn to travel in.

  "Can't sleep?" He pushed the bell that would summon the airhostess.

  She turned towards him, shrinking into the corner of her seat. "I'm sorry if I disturbed you."

  He'd bet a year's income that he couldn't spend five minutes in Sara Adam's company without hearing some sort of an apology. She had taken great care not to be alone with him, since Dee Dee's visit. When she was around him she acted like a new recruit before an army sergeant.

  "Can I help you, sir?" The air hostess smiled at him.

  "A glass of warm milk with a tablespoon of brandy for my fiancé, please."

  He watched Sara's eyes widen.

  "It will help you fall asleep."

  "What if Kelsey wakes up, and I don't hear her?"

  She took her responsibilities as seriously as she took everything else. Rowena Harris had told him she'd never met anyone as determined to be perfect as Sara. Very little impressed his secretary, but after two visits with Sara, she had joined the Sara Adams fan club that Moses and Mrs. Garcia were already members of.

  "There you go." The airhostess turned Sara's tray down and placed a glass on it.

  "Kelsey's just gone down," Jason pointed out when Sara made no move to pick up the glass. "She's a veteran traveller. I doubt if she'll wake up till we reach Heathrow, but I'll keep an eye on her. I have work to do. Try the milk, Sara."

  In the overhead light, Jason Graham eyes looked inky and very compelling.

  Sara sipped the milk cautiously, reminded about Claire's last comment at the airport.

  Jason Graham's eyes could beam a woman up to Heaven. Are you blind Sara?

  She wasn't blind, but Jason Graham was her employer. He'd made it very clear he didn't want any complications. Sara didn't think he would hesitate firing her if he thought for one minute that she would cause him any trouble. Not, she told herself quickly, that she had the slightest wish to do anything like that. She didn't want Jason Graham to have any cause for complaint. This job was very important to her.

  Jason Graham was a very tough man with room for only one female in his life...his daughter, Kelsey. Which reminded Sara of what she had to say.

  "There's something I'd like to discuss with you."

  Jason capped the pen he was using and looked at her, "Yes?"

  Sara cleared her throat. The `yes' hadn't been very encouraging. "It's about Kelsey?"

  "What about her?" She had his complete attention now.

  Sara wished she'd talked to him before she'd drunk the milk. It felt like a curdled lump in her throat. "It's about you and Kelsey."

  "What about me and Kelsey?"

  Sara drew a deep breath and let the words fly. "You...you do a lot of things for her...bathe her and feed her and put her to sleep...but you don't play with her."

  She closed her eyes and waited for the anger. He hadn't liked Dee Dee's criticism of his daughter and he wasn't going to like this.

  The silence forced Sara to open her eyes. "I'm only telling you this because the contract said we had to be completely honest with each other...."her voice trailed away. She'd just emptied her personal tank of courage.

  "Go on, Sara." The tight look was back around his mouth. As she watched, he put a hand up and rubbed it across his forehead as if his head hurt.

  "It's great the way you look after Kelsey," she said quickly. "I mean I've seen fathers at the preschool who didn't know which foot their kids shoes went on, or how to do up their jackets. You're super in that department, but it's important to do fun things together, too. Shared laughter creates an important bond."

  Jason looked at the paperwork on his tray table. He was going over what might turn out to be a multi-million dollar contract. He had a custody case on his hands, and a dozen other problems that went with running a company. About to tell Sara this wasn't the time to lay a guilt trip on him, he looked at her. The quiver of her mouth, the look in her eyes changed his mind. She was very serious.

  "And I'm falling short in that department, am I?"

  "Yes, unless you count Kelsey's bath time. I know you both enjoy that, but Kelsey needs more. Mrs. Garcia used to take her out on the swings and I play games with her. You should too."

  Jason thought of the games Sara played with his daughter. She never had a problem romping on the floor with Kelsey. Yesterday they'd both been having a mock cushion fight when he'd come home.

  "You'll have to show me how to play, Sara."

  "You've got to set a time aside for playing everyday. Ideally it should be the same time every day."

  "I'm going to be very busy the first week in London, but after that I can work something out."

  "Good. I'll show you a few simple games you can start with. You'll get the hang of it. I make up games sometimes. It isn't too difficult you know."

  "I hope not." Jason reached over and switched the light over Sara's seat off. "Now we've settled that, try and get some sleep Sara."

  Sara looked out of the window at the dripping rain that hadn't stopped for the last two days since they'd gotten here. So much for an English summer. Something about the relentless tap-tap-tap of heavy raindrops found an echo in the restlessness deep inside her. It wasn't supposed to rain in June. She wasn't supposed to feel so unsettled.

  You've gotten everything you wanted. A job, a new life, a salary to die for. What's wrong with you?

  The penthouse flat was incredibly spacious. A living cum dining room, a kitchen with a laundry room off it. Four bedrooms with attached bathrooms, maid's quarters. The master bedroom that Jason used even had a side area that he'd set up as his home office complete with computer, fax machine, and a private telephone line.

  He must be very busy because she hadn't seen him since they'd arrived here on Monday morning. He came in late and she heard him moving around. Kelsey woke up around midnight and stayed up till four a.m. Sara heard Jason talking and playing with his daughter till she fell asleep again. Sara stayed in her room because Jason Graham had made it very clear that as far as he was concerned he wanted to do everything for Kelsey when he was around.

  Right now Kelsey was fast asleep in the bedroom between Sara and Jason's. The move hadn't upset her, neither had their new surroundings...she was as happy here as she'd been in Rainbow Valley. The refrigerator and pantry were well stocked, and caring for herself and Kelsey was super easy in the luxury flat.

  There was no accounting for this unsettled feeling.

  Sara turned the stereo up just slightly, so that the sounds of the symphony would drown out the noise of the rain. Returning to the couch, she picked up a cushion. Hugging it, she decided she was just unsettled because she had nothing to do. Kelsey's body clock still hadn't tuned in to London time, so she slept a great deal whereas Sara's jet lag was beginning to wear off and she wasn't used to having so much time on her hands.

  She'd explored every inch of the flat, and found evidence of what a great Dad Jason was. Kelsey's closet held an identical set of clothes to ones she wore in California and the toys were the same ones she played with back home. The child's bedroom here even had the same clown wallpaper it did in Rainbow Valley. Buying two of everything couldn't be cheap, but Sara knew money was the least of Jason Graham concerns. Making the changes as easy as possible for his little girl was all that mattered.

  The heavy bag he'd checked in contained Kelsey's favorite soups and baby jars of fruit. Mrs. Garcia had told her he preferred to make sure Kelsey's menu wouldn't be too different the first week in London.

  Jason Graham deserved to be named International Father of the
Year, if there was such a title around.

  Sara drew her knees up to her chest and wrapped her arms around them, telling herself for the tenth time that day, that she was lucky to be have gotten this job. Her whole life had changed. It was as if the patron saint of employment had decided she needed a break.

  At times, the thought that really nothing was different nagged at Sara's mind. Except for Jason Graham, she didn't know anyone in England. If she wanted to go out by herself, she wouldn't know where to go or what to do. She felt very much tied to him, the way she had felt tied to Uncle Samuel.

  There was one major difference though. Uncle Samuel had been verbally abusive. His constant put downs were a sharp contrast to Jason Graham, who hardly said anything.

  Leaning her head against the back of the couch, Sara told herself to stop imagining Jason Graham as a goaler. As soon as it was sunny, she would put Kelsey in a stroller and they would take long walks in the Park she could see from the bedroom window. In her time off, she would take a guided bus tour of London.

  Jason pushed the lift button. It was good to be home early, to know that Kelsey was so happy with Sara that he'd be able to get back to work after the evening meal.

  Buying this flat five months ago, when he'd realized he was going to need a permanent base in London, had been a smart move. He'd heard of it through his friend, Peter Wilton.

  A shrewd businessman had bought an old house in Bayswater from his noble but poor relative, torn it down, and put up a high-rise apartment building that he'd named The Towers. On a quiet street, and a stone's throw away from Kensington Park, the flat was ideally located.

  The Towers was a wonderfully planned building. It had everything anyone wanted right here. The ground floor had an assortment of shops, a deli, a health club and a beauty parlor. The flats were separated from the shopping arcade by glass double doors and a doorman also served as security officer.

  As he got out, Jason wondered how Sara and Kelsey had spent the day. The last two days had been hectic, but now he'd organized his schedule, so that he'd be able to leave the office by four each afternoon.

  Moving his briefcase to his other hand he dug into his right pocket for the key to the flat. The first thing Jason noticed as he opened the door was Sara curled up in a corner of the couch, fast asleep. For a moment he just stood and stared at her. He hadn't seen her since the day they'd got in. Each night she'd left a note in the kitchen that there was dinner in the refrigerator for him in case he was hungry.

  He wondered if she was very bored in the flat. With her hand tucked under her cheek, she looked very young and very innocent. He recalled the way her head had felt against his shoulder in the aircraft. When she'd fallen asleep, he'd moved the two arm rests out of the way and shifted into Kelsey's seat, so Sara would have a place to rest her head. Did she knew she'd slept like that?

  From the utility room off the kitchen the dryer made a sound, indicating the drying cycle was complete. Getting the clothes out and folding them was a chore he'd done often. He was halfway through it when he realized something. Sara's nightgowns were faded and darned, her underwear plain. He frowned. He'd thought everyone threw away their clothes as soon as they got holes in them.

  Was Sara so poor that she had to mend her clothes?

  He thought of the box she'd packed her things in, of the worn handbag she carried around. The house Sara had lived in was in a good area of Rainbow Valley. Why had she been treated like a poor relation? Rowena had made an odd remark after she'd met Sara. “I don't care how rich the uncle was. Miss Adams hasn't had an easy life”.

  Twin prongs of guilt and determination gripped him. He should have done something about her clothes before now. He would attend to it in the next twenty four hours.

  He was folding the last item in the basket when Sara came awake with a start. The moment she saw him, panic took over her face. The glance she cast the clock on the mantelpiece was frantic.

  "I...I didn't mean to fall asleep. I'll have dinner ready in a jiffy. Would you like some coffee in the meantime?"

  Jason caught her arm just as she sprang off the couch and turned towards the kitchen.

  "Where's the fire?" Had someone told Sara he expected to be waited on hand and foot. "Dinner can wait. How was your day?"

  She glanced at the large brown laundry basket, her eyes widening, the color on her face deepening. "You didn't have to fold the clothes. I would have done that. Kelsey's body is still on California time, so I have almost nothing to do."

  "It usually takes a week for her to adjust." Ignoring the look she cast the door, Jason steered Sara firmly back to the couch. "Are you bored?"

  "Of course not." She looked as if he'd suggested something outrageous. "I meant to have dinner ready. I just don't know how I fell asleep. I'm sorry."

  "Would you like to have a drink?"

  "No thank you." She looked towards the kitchen as if wondering how she could get there. "Kelsey is fine. She's eating well and we played a couple of games before she got sleepy. She loves her plastic building set."

  "I'm sure Kelsey had a good time today," Jason said. "I asked how your day was?"

  Sara's surprise showed plainly as she said. "Fine," she said. "Just fine."

  "I want the truth. It can't be easy for you being cooped up in here with a small child." Diana had hated the brief times she'd spent alone with Kelsey.

  Sara's eyes opened wide. "I enjoy caring for Kelsey."

  Jason's eyes narrowed. Was she afraid to tell him how she really felt? "I've contacted an agency to provide us with a nanny and a maid. You'll have more free time once they get here."

  Dismay flashed across Sara's face before she looked down at her hands.

  "There's no need to hire anyone else," she said earnestly. "You're spending too much money on me as it is. I love being with Kelsey, and when she's napping, I can clean the place and cook the evening meal. I only fell asleep today because of the rain. I'm sorry."

  The soft, absolutely unnecessary apology, unleashed a primitive anger within Jason. "Sara, you are not my personal slave. All this...cooking, washing up, caring for Kelsey isn't your job. You were hired to be my fiancé, nothing else."

  Sara kept quiet. There was no sense arguing with the man now. When he'd eaten, he'd be in a better mood, and she'd talk to him again then.

  Apparently Jason wasn't on the same wave length as she was, because he said, "The agency's sending five women over tomorrow, starting at two. They all come highly recommended and have experience caring for children. I told the agency we want to hire a maid and a housekeeper-nanny type."

  "Are you going to be here to interview them?"

  Jason looked surprised. "No. I thought you'd take care of that for me."

  "Me?" Sara blurted, petrified by the idea. She'd never even interviewed a garden bug in her life. "I wouldn't know what to say to those women."

  "There's a first time for everything, isn't there?"

  Sara stared at him. Jason seemed to take it for granted she'd do it. That she could do it.

  Miserable, she watched as he reached under the bar counter and took out a bag of potato chips. Opening the packet he filled two glass dishes with the chips and handed her one.

  "It isn't so very complex. You make a list of things you think are most important, and ask the women questions about their experience."

  Sara stared at the bowl. How could he trust her with something so important as choosing the right person to take care of Kelsey? Uncle Samuel had always said the only thing she could be trusted for was to make a complete mess of everything.

  Jason seemed to guess her uneasiness, because he said, "What kind of person do you think Kelsey needs, Sara?"

  "Someone who will travel with you between the States and England. Someone who is willing to stay with you for the next five to ten years."

  "See?" he said encouragingly. "You're already on the right track. There's nothing to it."

  Cold chilled her from the inside out. What if she chose the
wrong person for Kelsey?

  Jason got to his feet, bowl of chips in hand. "I'm going to get Kelsey up and then if you'll keep an eye on her, I'll cook dinner. Wait till you try my Chinese fried rice."

  "Cooking's my job," Sara protested, getting off the couch.

  The hand he placed on her shoulder had her sinking back into the couch. Her gaze rested on his hand and then traced a path up his arm to his face. The dark blue shirt he'd worn with his grey suit made his eyes look more hypnotic than ever.

  "Why?" His tone and analytical look confused her as did his closeness.

  "What do you mean, why? I haven't done a thing all day."

  "Why is cooking and doing the laundry your job? Did Moses include it as part of the contract we signed?"

  "Of course not. It's just that I haven't done a thing all day and you've been working so hard...." And Uncle Samuel had always made it very clear that household chores were a woman's job.

  "I want you to sit here and plan out your new routine."

  "R...routine?" His hand on her shoulder pumped heat and chaos directly to her brain.

  "Once we get the staff, you'll be able to call your time your own. There's a health club and a beauty parlor in this building, and the bus stop and taxi stands are a block away. The tube station's close by too. I have a couple of guide books I'll dig out for you. You can go shopping, tour London, do anything you feel like."

  Sara stared at him as if she didn't have the power to look away. True she'd wanted some freedom; she just hadn't expected to have it handed to her in one big package, marked `NOW'.

  "Did Rowena Harris give you a couple of charge cards?"

  "Yes." They were tucked safely away in the back flap of her suitcase. Sara couldn't imagine using someone else's line of credit.

  "Would you like that?"

  "Like what?" she asked blankly.

  "Shopping, sight-seeing, spending time at the health club?"

  "I don't know," she said. It was hard to tune into the picture Jason Graham seemed to have of her in his mind. "I've never done those things before."

  He masked his surprise quickly. "What are your interests, Sara?"