Daddy's Little Girl (A Homespun Romance) Page 7

  "It's very, very strange, father." Mrs. Binty said as she rinsed a plate.

  "What is?" Binty looked up from the dish he was drying.

  "Himself and Miss Sara, that's what."

  Mr. Binty sighed. They'd arrived here Sunday night. It was Tuesday morning. He knew from past experience that it was long enough for the snap judgments his wife made.

  "It's not our business," he tried to remind her, though the statement had never had any affect on her.

  "They act very cool for an engaged couple. No hugs or kisses, no time alone without the little one, and none of that other stuff we see on the telly, either."

  "Now Mother, that's none of our business. They're both nice."

  "That they are," Mrs. Binty agreed. "It's a relief to know they're nothing like that terrible couple we worked for last summer. Sara asked me to tell you she wants us both to stop calling her `miss'. She and the little one are real easy to take care of. I don't know much about Himself yet."

  It was a relief to know she was off the subject. "Where's Miss Sara now?"

  "Reading the book she bought yesterday. It took some persuading to get her to go downstairs and look around the shops, while the little one napped."

  "Kind of shy, isn't she?" Mr.Binty said.

  "That she is. Know what she got?"

  "No."

  "A book on etiquette. The serious way she'd reading it, is strange. Makes me wonder if she's afraid of displeasing him."

  "Why would she be afraid?" Binty asked in exasperation.

  "That's what I'd like to know."

  Sara's new routine surprised Jason. He knew she'd been to the stores downstairs because Mrs. Binty had mentioned it, but other than that she'd done nothing else.

  What on earth could she possibly find to do in her room? There was no television set in there and when he went past her door, she didn't even have music on.

  The Bintys were a wonderful couple and Kelsey had taken to them quicker than she'd made friends with anyone except Sara. There was no need for Sara to stick around the flat, but she did.

  Jason wanted to know what had made her the way she was. It was close to three weeks since they'd met and he barely knew her. Her smiles and laughs were for Kelsey. With him, she was reserved and quiet. It was four days since the Bintys had come. Four days in which the only words Sara had said to him were, `Good morning' and `Good night'.

  It was time he had a talk with her. He had to tell her they were dining with Peter and Meera Wilton on Saturday, which wouldn't be difficult. He also had to bring up the subject of what she would wear to the dinner, which from past experience he knew would be difficult. Very difficult.

  Jason came home on Thursday for lunch, and on impulse mentioned he'd decided to take the afternoon off.

  "It's a fine day for a walk in the Park, or shopping," Mrs. Binty suggested as she served them tomato soup and roast beef sandwiches. "Kelsey's going down for her nap, and then Mr. Binty and I are going to take her to feed the ducks."

  It would give him the chance to talk to Sara. "Would you like to come for a walk with me, Sara?"

  She looked surprised. Lifting the napkin from her lap she wiped her mouth. "For a walk?"

  You'd think he'd suggested they go skinny dipping in the Thames in the middle of the day. "Yes."

  Color shot into her face. She looked around the kitchen as if she wanted a bolthole. Her gaze flicked from Mrs. Binty who stood by the table taking a personal interest in the conversation, to him.

  "A walk in the Park will get the color in your cheeks”, said Mrs. Binty. “I won't have it said as 'ow you came to England, and grew plain and thin."

  "I'm just naturally pale." Sara looked at Jason and said, "Couldn't we wait till Kelsey's awake, and then all three of us go to the Park?"

  Half a loaf was better than nothing. "All right. Call me when she's up and ready. I've got a few things to do till then."

  Sara felt a light breeze stir her hair as they walked across the park. It was a beautiful day, and she loved the feel of the sun on her face and arms. Kelsey held on to both their hands till they got to the pond in the park. Sara sat down close to the water with Kelsey beside her. The greedy, pampered ducks sensed a food line and swam up to them.

  "The Wiltons suggested Saturday night for the dinner if that's all right with you."

  Jason liked the way the afternoon sun filtered through the weeping willow, casting a pattern of light and shade on Sara's delicate face.

  "That's fine."

  Sara bit her lip nervously. Was there a patron saint of eating out who would watch over her so that she used the right fork every time and committed no other social blunders?

  "Penny for them?"

  "Excuse me?" She turned her face to Jason who'd sat down on a bench, three feet away.

  "I'm willing to pay a penny for your thoughts."

  "They're not worth that." She stood and wiped her hands down the side of her pants. "I was just thinking of Claire."

  Jason's brows snapped together. "Are you homesick?"

  "Not really. I just miss some things."

  Here it comes, he thought. The long list of complaints.

  "Like?"

  "Like nachos smothered in cheese sauce and jalapenos, being able to drive myself places and...."

  "You want a car of your own?"

  She looked surprised. "Of course not. What would I do with a car here? I don't know how to drive on the wrong side of the road. It's just that at home I took it for granted that I could go anywhere, anytime I wanted. Here, it seems like going out needs so much planning, I don't want to do it. I don't like the feeling that my own fears might keep me inside."

  "It's only because it's all so new for you. Let me see if I can come up with an idea that might help."

  She looked startled. "It's not your problem. I wasn't complaining. I'm really happy here. You've given me so much, and I feel I haven't done anything to earn the salary you pay me."

  Her distress sounded loud and clear. "I know you're not complaining Sara, but a good salary hardly insures happiness."

  "It does for me. I'm fine, really I am."

  Had Sara had so little that she felt a job represented happiness. Jason stood up and went and sat beside Sara and Kelsey. Why did the money he was paying her represent so much to her?

  Taking the bread his daughter handed him he broke it into pieces and threw it to the ducks. "Sara, did your uncle pay you for all you did for him?"

  The color drained from her face. "He gave us a roof over our heads and food to eat and clothes to wear."

  "Did he love you?"

  Sara looked at him. "My mother loved me," was all she said.

  "I asked about your uncle, Sara."

  A wisp of hair blew against her trembling lips. "Uncle Samuel didn't love anybody."

  The words came out loaded with the pain of emptiness. Jason got to his feet. This wasn't the time to pursue the topic.

  Sara stared at a troop of yellow ducklings. Had she sounded whiny? Jason Graham was always catching her at unguarded moments. She stole a glance at him. He'd become very quiet. Was he thinking about Kelsey and the custody case again? She saw the worry creep into his eyes sometimes as he looked at his daughter. If only there was something more she could do to help him.

  Kelsey tugged at her arm, and Sara held Kelsey's hand, taking her closer to the edge so she could dip her fingers in the water.

  Jason watched them. He trusted Sara with Kelsey in a way he hadn't trusted anyone before. Quiet, unassuming, without even trying she'd made more of an impression on him than any woman he'd met. She'd used the word ordinary about herself, once. He wished the world held more ordinary people like Sara. People who believed in absolute integrity, who didn't say one thing and mean another, who did their best because it was their way, not because they had to. Sara had given ordinary a whole new meaning. There had to be something he could do for her...something special.

  Sara looked up and their gazes tangled. For a minute t
here was a new message in her eyes...the kind of message a woman sent a man when their relationship edged out of the area of just knowing each other into a new field.

  I like you.

  Jason tensed. Had the thought really arced between them, or was the fresh air and sunshine affecting his imagination?

  "It's time we were getting back."

  Nothing in Sara's voice as she stood up and brushed the crumbs from her skirt indicated anything unusual had happened. Jason reached for Kelsey who was holding her arms up. He hadn't gotten around to the second thing he'd wanted to tell Sara.

  The box was waiting at the flat when they got back.

  "There's something here for you," Mrs. Binty announced, putting the black and gold box in Sara's hands.

  "For me?" Sara stared at the name Rudolfo's on the cover. Hadn't she seen that name somewhere recently?

  "Open it."

  Sara did, wondering what was going on. Her hands shook as she moved the tissue paper and picked up the purple outfit. The pants were silk, the short jacket covered with sequins.

  "Do you like it?"

  Sara spun around. Jason was leaning against the door.

  "It's for the dinner with the Wiltons. Do you like it?"

  Sara opened her mouth, then closed it. It was all part of the job...only a dummy would have to be told over and over again. The warm feeling that she'd carried back with her melted away. Jason was spending a great deal of money on her. She had to make sure she didn't mess up.

  Aware that Mrs. Binty was staring at her curiously Sara said, "It's very pretty. Thank you, Jason."

  Enough enthusiasm to fill an egg cup. "If it doesn't fit, the store will be happy to alter it for you."

  "Thank you," Sara's voice sounded too polite. "If you'll excuse me, I'd better go and try it on."

  Jason was left staring at the empty box. You'd think he'd given her a hair shirt.

  Sara stared at herself in the mirror in her bedroom. She'd never worn anything so beautiful. The pants were attached to a bustier top. The jacket, left open, made her neck look long and elegant. Sara gathered up her hair and held it on the top of her head. The deep purple added color to her face, made her look almost pretty.

  Suddenly Sara was glad Claire had insisted on taking her to her hairdresser friend and told her she need some gold highlights in her hair…it had been Claire’s gift to her.

  “Forgot Uncle Meanie and live a little,” she had whispered in Sara’s ear as she had hugged her goodbye. “Everyone needs a break and you are long overdue.”

  Sara sighed. If only she didn't have so many freckles. If only she was less plain.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  The Wiltons surprised Sara. About Jason's age, there was nothing critical, or condescending about them as there had been with Dee Dee. Meera Wilton's parents had come out to England from India when she was three. Peter and she had met at Cambridge. They'd been married six years, had a little boy the same age as Kelsey, and were expecting their second child.

  By the time their drinks were served, Sara had decided she liked the warm, talkative Meera.

  Hearing she hadn't done any sightseeing so far, Meera said, "I would love to show you around London."

  "I'm not sure...," Sara began hesitantly, when Jason cut in. "She'd love that. I was just considering hiring a guide for her. Someone who would make it fun and interesting."

  Sara blinked. Why would Jason want to make things fun and interesting for her?

  "Aren't you going to take her around yourself?" Peter asked.

  Jason shook his head. "I can't for the next few days and I don't want her to feel tied to the flat. Meera, if you're sure?"

  "I'd love to." She smiled at Sara. "I haven't been doing too much lately because of this pregnancy but now I'm over the morning sickness, I want to enjoy myself till it's showtime."

  "I don't want to bother you," Sara protested. "You've got a little boy and you must need to rest."

  "We've got a really good nanny for Sean, and he goes to a private nursery school for half a day anyway. As for resting, pregnancy's a condition, not an illness."

  "How is Sean doing?" Sara stole a look at Jason's face. There had been a note in his voice that got there when he was upset about something.

  "He's fine." Peter said. "Has so many friends. Came home yesterday and told Meera that he had asked someone to marry him."

  Though Jason smiled, Sara sensed what he was feeling immediately. Sean's accomplishments reminded him of Kelsey's handicap. She looked at Meera who was glaring at her husband. Sara reached under the table for Jason's hand.

  "Kelsey worked out a twenty five piece puzzle in no time yesterday," she said quickly. " When I worked in a preschool, I knew three and four year olds who couldn't put a twelve piece one together. I play a math game with her, and she can match up numbers and symbols right away, up to ten."

  Meera guessed what she was trying to do. "Sean's slow about things like that," she said. "Must take after Peter's side of the family."

  The joke lightened the atmosphere. Jason had never been so surprised in all his life as when Sara had gripped his hand. The fact she'd guessed his pain, that she'd reached out to comfort him, had eased some of the tightness around his chest. Some of his close friends knew how he worried over Kelsey, but no one had ever done what Sara had...sensed his pain and shared in it besides defending Kelsey as if she were her own cub.

  He looked at her, aware that her gaze searched his face for signs of stress. Finding none, she made to withdraw her hand, but Jason turned his so that his fingers linked through Sara's and let their clasped hands rest on his thigh under the table.

  Jason glanced at Sara a little later as she talked with Meera. She'd done her hair in some kind of braid that drew attention to her slender neck and the delicate bones of her face. Purple was a good color on her.

  He was glad he'd insisted on the dinner with the Wiltons. Meera and Peter, with their easygoing manner, had made Sara comfortable. He knew his friends liked Sara too or Meera would never have offered to take her around. The Wiltons had met Diana once, and no one had suggested a repeat but now Meera couldn't stop talking about the places she wanted to show Sara. When the women had gone to the rest room, Peter had clapped him on the back and said, "Found the treasure trove finally, did you old chap? Sara's a wonderful woman."

  All three of them laughed at something Peter said. Aware they were looking at him, Jason smiled. He'd better pay attention to the conversation.

  In the car going home, Sara turned to Jason. "I really don't have all that much time to go around with Meera. Maybe I can call her and tell her so."

  "No. I want you to take her up on her invitation. Kelsey's doing great with the Bintys, so there's nothing for you to do at the flat anyway."

  Sara said nothing, but for a few minutes Jason had reminded her of Uncle Samuel. Firm, unbending, domineering. The change in him was so sudden it frightened her. Had his warm, friendly manner this evening been just an act for the Wiltons?

  Sara leaned back in her seat, feeling very tired. She'd enjoyed the evening, but it was time to get back to reality now.

  Three weeks to the day he had met Sara, Jason put his key into the lock and turned it. His daughter's laugh reached his ears bringing a smile to his lips. Setting the briefcase down, he hurried towards the sound.

  Sara was in Kelsey's bedroom, playing a simple game of peek-a-boo. Kelsey saw him and flung herself at him. Jason felt the familiar rush of love as he hugged his daughter.

  Please let Kelsey start talking soon. Please let there be nothing wrong with her.

  His gaze met Sara's over his daughter's head. She wore her usual skirt and sweater. He'd asked Meera to take her shopping, but Meera had reported through Peter, that Sara refused to buy anything.

  "Did you have a good day?"

  Some kind of charge passed between them, and Sara got to her feet. "Yes, thank you. Excuse me. I'm going to start dinner."

  Jason frowned at the old familiar refrain.
He'd thought all that was behind them. "Where are the Bintys?"

  "I...I gave them the afternoon off. One of their granddaughters had her tonsils removed this morning in Woolrich and they were anxious to see her. They'll be back in the morning."

  She looked at him as if she expected him to open his mouth and roar fire at her like the dragon in one of Kelsey's books.

  "That's fine with me," he said mildly, watching Sara relax. Had she been worried that he would be upset by her decision? "I have a better idea. You give Kelsey her bath, and I'll fix dinner."

  Sara's eyes widened. Bathing Kelsey was one of Jason's favorite tasks. She had never seen him happier than when he came out of the bathroom, his shirt and pants soaked, his towel-wrapped little girl in his arms.

  "Are you sure?" she asked, taking Kelsey from him, and balancing her on her hip.

  She watched him drag his tie off, undo the top button of his shirt, and begin to roll his shirt sleeves up.

  "I'm sure. What with the Bintys and you taking over all the cooking, I haven't done any in a while."

  Sara flushed. Did Jason resent the fact that he'd lost all his privacy by this new arrangement?

  Jason stared at her as she walked out with Kelsey. Now what had he said to make her look as if he'd just stepped on her? The woman was an unsolvable mystery.

  Forty five minutes later, Sara stepped out of the bathroom and took a deep breath. Kelsey immediately did the same. Sara smiled as she put Kelsey down and followed the toga wrapped child into her bedroom.

  "Umm! That smells good, doesn't it? Let's get you dressed and see what Daddy's made for dinner."

  Kelsey ran to the bottom drawer of her chest, opened it and took out the nightie she wanted to wear and clean underwear.

  Sara slipped the blue gown over the child's head. Her mind went back to the look she'd seen earlier in Jason's eyes. He was very worried about Kelsey. At least she had the experience with the little boy in the preschool to convince her it was only a matter of time before Kelsey started speaking. Jason had nothing to hold on to, except hope.

  She stopped abruptly in the doorway of the kitchen. Kelsey had run on ahead and was already seated at the table, her bib around her neck.