Read the book: «Lone Star Legacy: Relentless Pursuit»

Lone Star Legacy
Relentless Pursuit
The Reluctant Heiress
Midnight Under the Mistletoe
One Texas Night…
Her Texan to Tame


Sara Orwig

www.millsandboon.co.uk

Relentless Pursuit

Sara Orwig

“I’ll be forever grateful to the school principal who gave me your name,” Will told her.

He stood close, his hands on her arms. At the moment she was no longer thinking of him as Caroline’s uncle, with a problem that needed her help. Instead, she could only see the handsome, sexy man who was inches away. She wanted to wrap her arms around him to kiss him. Her desire shocked her.

“I think you’re bringing me back into the world and I’m not certain I’m ready,” she whispered.

“You’re ready,” he said in a husky voice.

The moment she felt his lips, she closed her eyes. Her heart thudded. She had not been kissed by a man in six long years. His mouth settled possessively on hers, hard, demanding, no longer light and tentative.

“Will,” she said, trying to get some firmness into her breathless voice. “You need to go.”

Desire blazed in his dark eyes, making her racing heart pound faster. He wrapped his fingers in her hair. He wasn’t going anywhere.

Dear Reader,

This story focuses on families—a theme that runs through many of my books because families are fascinating to me. Families are wonderful, unique, diverse, sometimes dysfunctional, but always interesting. Relentless Pursuit deals with different facets of love—that of an uncle devoted to his preschool niece whose scarred psyche developed after losing her single parent. The story also celebrates the love of a man and woman meeting, their excitement when falling in love and then their coping with seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Handsome Texas billionaire Will Delaney is too accustomed to getting his way to give up on what he wants.

Even though sandy-haired Ava Barton finds Will irresistible, she struggles to keep her distance because Will can derail all her dreams and well-laid plans for her future. For the first time in his life, Will has met his match in the beautiful educator. Also, the patriarch of the Delaney family, Argus Delaney, has recently passed away and the reading of his will brings new shocks to the Delaney family and changes lives with the legacies he bequeathed.

The story is set against a favorite backdrop—Texas. Larger-than-life in many aspects, the Texas romance plays out in Dallas and Austin settings.

The endless aspects in a relationship, its give-and-take as two people come to the realization they have found true love and struggle to overcome obstacles to a blossoming love, is what this story celebrates.

Thank you for selecting this book.

With best wishes,

Sara Orwig

About the Author

SARA ORWIG lives in Oklahoma. She has a patient husband who will take her on research trips anywhere from big cities to old forts. She is an avid collector of Western history books. With a master’s degree in English, Sara has written historical romance, mainstream fiction and contemporary romance. Books are beloved treasures that take Sara to magical worlds, and she loves both reading and writing them.

With thanks to Stacy Boyd and Maureen Walters.

With love to my family.

One

William Delaney gazed into thickly lashed big brown eyes. While he loved his five-year-old niece with all his heart, this was the first time in his life he had had a problem with a female. Ever. From his earliest memories until now they always had given him smiles and laughter. He loved females and they loved him. Caroline’s solemn gaze broke his heart.

He knelt to be level with the girl. Would he ever get accustomed to taking care of her? The responsibility weighed heavily and he was at a total loss—another first in his life.

“Here is a little present for you, Caroline. Just because you’re a sweet girl.” William watched her tiny hands tug free pink silk ribbon and silver paper to reveal a book.

She hugged the book, focusing on him. “Thank you,” she whispered.

His heart skipped a beat with her simple thanks because he didn’t always get that much response from her. “If you like it, I’ll read it to you tonight. For now, after you have lunch, Miss Rosalyn will read your new book to you.”

Caroline opened the book.

“I’ve got to go,” William said, lightly embracing his niece, thinking as he always did how frail she seemed. “As soon as I get home tonight, I’ll come see you,” he added, releasing her. His heart thumped when big brown eyes stared at him. “Miss Rosalyn has your breakfast ready.”

The nanny smiled at the girl and took her hand. “We have oatmeal plus one of your favorites—strawberries,” she said brightly.

As Will left, he hoped Caroline would eat something. Too many times in the year since he’d become her guardian, she would take only a few bites and then sit politely while he finished.

He drove his black sports car through the gated area in Dallas where he lived and headed for his private jet.

At half past eleven, he walked through the doors of an Austin restaurant where he was meeting a teacher. She had been recommended as a superb educator and one who could suggest excellent tutors for Caroline.

One more effort to find help for his niece. Since his brother’s death in a plane crash the previous summer, Will had spent the past school year talking to Caroline’s prekindergarten teacher, her tutors, her counselors, the child psychiatrists and the pediatricians. None had helped bring Caroline out of the shell she had retreated into with the loss of her parent. The death of her dad, plus her mother walking out of the marriage when Caroline was a baby, had been too much.

Will had never met Ava Barton. All he knew, aside from her great reputation, was that she was widowed. He had formed an image in his mind of someone who resembled one of his own elementary school teachers. When he entered the waiting area, he expected to see spectacles, graying hair and a smiling face.

The lobby was already becoming crowded. As he looked around, his attention was caught by a gorgeous sandy-haired blonde who met his gaze. Distracted, he momentarily forgot the teacher while he glanced swiftly from straight, silky hair that cascaded below her shoulders down to a tiny waist. Her short tan skirt revealed her knees, long legs and dainty feet in high heels.

His gaze traveled back to lock on her wide eyes, so green he could only stare and forget the purpose of his appointment.

Seemingly as captured in the moment as he was, she stared back at him. While seconds ticked past, her eyes widened a fraction. When she walked toward him, images of any teachers he had ever had vanished. The realization that he might actually be facing Ava Barton shook him. He should have a professional relationship with a teacher, but the relationship he wanted with the woman walking toward him was strictly that of a man attracted to a gorgeous woman. The tension that rocked him made him want to know her better, and his desire had nothing to do with her job.

He regained his wits. “Ava Barton?”

“Yes,” she replied, offering her hand.

Her dazzling smile heated his insides. Her hand was warm, delicate, soft. He regretted having to let go the sizzling contact.

Fighting to keep his focus on her face and not yield to the temptation to look her over again from head to toe, he released her hand. “I’m William Delaney, Caroline’s uncle and guardian,” he explained. His secretary had arranged this appointment, and now he regretted not giving more time and attention to Ava Barton’s background beyond teaching.

“I’ll get the maître d’.”

Within minutes they were seated in a quiet area near a splashing fountain.

“You’re not what I expected,” he admitted as soon as they were alone. She had a smattering of freckles across her nose, but otherwise her skin was smooth, pale with rosy cheeks. Her lips were full, enticing and as he focused on her mouth, he wondered what it would be like to kiss her. Another unprofessional curiosity. He was going to have to make a choice in dealing with her: keep it strictly business, or do what he wanted and get to know her as a woman. When he looked into her big green eyes, the decision seemed clear to follow his heart. He shrugged away a swift surge of guilt because he usually could follow a professional course with ease. But when he looked at her, he knew there was no way he could stay businesslike.

“Teachers come in all sizes and shapes,” she said. “You’re what I expected, but then I’ve seen your pictures in the newspapers and Texas magazines.”

“You don’t look like any teachers I ever had. I might have been more enthused about school if I’d had you for a teacher.”

“I doubt it,” she said, giving him another dazzling smile.

“You have no idea. I could have been the studious type.”

“You look like the sports—no, the debate type.”

“You’re an observant teacher. Or good at guessing.”

Before she could answer, their waiter appeared, took their drink orders of two glasses of water and left them with menus.

“I appreciate you meeting with me,” Will said. “You have an impressive resume and you’ve been highly recommended by Caroline’s principal and her teacher. The teacher she’ll have next year is using one of the textbooks you authored.”

“Thank you. I feel strongly that nearly all children can be taught to read.” She tilted her head to study him. “If we had talked on the phone, it would have saved you the trip to Austin. I already gave your secretary a list of qualified tutors, so I assume you want to discuss the candidates.”

He nodded. “I wouldn’t have missed this lunch for the world,” he said, not just because Ava could help Caroline, but because he was enjoying her company himself, too. She was stunning, and it was difficult to keep his mind on his mission.

“Your secretary told me about your niece, Caroline. She’s had trauma in her young life.”

“She lost her single-parent dad over a year ago, and after the accident she shut out the world.”

“What about her mother?”

“She walked out when Caroline was four months old.”

“Four months? What kind of marriage was that?”

“The kind the men in my family have had. Mom and Dad divorced and it was bitter. But we were all older than Caroline. I was fourteen. Marriage is not an institution that holds appeal for any of the males in my family.”

She had a slight frown as she stared at him intently. “Two marriages gone sour doesn’t mean all marriages are bad.”

“We do well in the financial world. Not so great in personal lives. With her mom gone as far back as she can remember, Caroline poured all her love on her dad. When she lost him because of the plane crash, it was devastating to her.”

“Does her mother ever see her?”

“She gave up all rights when she left.”

“What kind of mother does that?” Ava asked, her green eyes open wide. Sea-green eyes he could gaze into all day.

“The kind of beautiful woman whose total focus is on herself, who loves money and things money can buy. When they dated, my brother was wild and a partying man. She liked to party. When they married, he settled like a rock, but she didn’t want to give up the party life, or take responsibility even though in our family she would have had all the staff she wanted. They agreed to postpone a family until later, and then Caroline was a surprise that didn’t go over well with her mother.”

“Caroline is young for the kind of loss she’s had. It hurts terribly and I’m sorry.”

He glanced at the wedding ring on her finger. “I’m sorry for your loss. I see you’re still wearing your ring.”

Looking down, she touched her ring while her sandy hair swung forward on both sides of her face, making him want to run his fingers through the long strands.

“I wear my ring because I’m not interested in dating, and it keeps men from inviting me out. I loved my husband and losing him was dreadful. I don’t ever want to run that risk again.”

He studied her. “So you’ve given up on men, marriage and life in general.”

“Not life in general. I love kids and working with them. You don’t sound as if you have plans for marriage in your life.”

“I definitely do not. I’m not getting into that trap. With the Delaney men’s track record, marriage means heartbreak, bitterness and loss. No, thank you. How long have you been widowed?” he asked, expecting her to reply a year or less.

“Six years now. We were undergraduates in college when we married and he was killed in a motorcycle accident that first year of our marriage.”

“Sorry.”

“Thanks. You didn’t come here to discuss my history. Tell me about Caroline.”

“Caroline has withdrawn from the world. Maybe it’s defensive—if she doesn’t love, maybe she won’t get so hurt with loss. I’ve heard all kinds of theories, but that one makes the most sense. Caroline talks very little. She is unresponsive to people, and consequently she has performed poorly in preschool. She keeps to herself and doesn’t associate with other kids. It didn’t help when my father died recently, because he doted on her since she was the only grandchild. Even so, they weren’t really close. It was just one more thing that hurt her. She became a little more receptive with me after he was gone because I think she feels we both share a loss.”

“I’m sure you’ve had all kinds of help for her.”

“I’ve tried everything. That’s why I’m here.” He studied her in silence a moment. “You don’t approve of me, do you?”

She blinked and then her eyes widened and she blushed, a rosy pink filling her cheeks. “I didn’t know it showed.”

A slight annoyance pricked him. He was unaccustomed to negative reactions from females.

“I’ll admit, I may have jumped to inaccurate conclusions because of your press,” she continued. “I’m glad you’re concerned about Caroline. But have you tried giving a little more of yourself?” she asked quietly.

Startled, he stared at her. When annoyance flashed briefly, he tried to curb it. “I don’t know anything about little girls. I’ve done everything I can think of to do.”

“Do you spend a lot of time with her?”

With an uncomfortable guilt at not being able to reach his niece, he frowned. “I try. She doesn’t respond to me as much as she used to when her dad was living. I have to admit that I don’t give her the hours of attention her father did. For the first time in my life, I’m up against something I can’t cope with.”

“If you’re trying, that’s important.”

“Caroline’s doctor said if she responds to someone, we should maintain the relationship as much as possible. Unfortunately, so far, I haven’t found a single person she reacts to with enthusiasm. She used to have a sunny disposition. Now, instead of a joyous little girl, she’s quiet, polite and withdrawn. Her nanny and my staff all try to pamper her, but it doesn’t seem to matter to her.”

He picked up his menu. “We better decide on something to eat before we get too deep in this conversation. Our waiter will return soon. Do you see anything that appeals to you?”

She laughed lightly. “It all appeals to me. This is one of my favorite places to eat.”

“It’s one of mine, too” he said, staring in surprise. “When I’m in Austin, I eat here. I can’t recall seeing you. I’d remember.”

As she shook her head, she smiled. “No, you wouldn’t. We were strangers until today. Even though this is a favorite restaurant, I come at odd hours and not often.” She closed her menu. “I do eat here often enough that I know what I want.”

“It’s always good when you know what you want,” he said, watching Ava as the waiter returned and she ordered a Cobb salad and raspberry iced tea.

He ordered a hamburger, and as soon as they were alone, Will added, “On the flight here, I looked over the resumes of the teachers you recommended.”

“I’ve given you highly qualified, experienced teachers who have very successful track records in raising children’s reading levels.”

“I know, and I appreciate that. But it’s more difficult to choose a tutor than I realized. I’m worried about kindergarten because Caroline is going to have to participate and show her teacher what she can do. She’ll be in a private school and they’ll work with her, but there’s just so much they can do. When she doesn’t respond at all, people give up trying to help her as much.”

“Hopefully the right tutor might make a difference.”

“Right now, Caroline is the most important person in my life. Before we go further, I’d like to fly you to Dallas and have you meet Caroline. I think it would be better if you know her. Once you meet her and spend a little time with her, you might be able to better assess the situation. Since time is valuable, I’ll make the trip worth your while. Two thousand a day plus expenses, and I’ll fly you to Dallas and back to Austin.”

“That’s an enormous amount to pay,” she said, not hiding her surprise.

“I can afford it, and this is top priority,” he stated, determined to get what he wanted.

“You know there are excellent private schools where you can board her and they work with the children all day and have activities at night.”

He could tell the question was a test, but one he knew he’d pass. “I’m not sending her away.”

Her green eyes flashed. “That’s commendable.”

“Will you come to Dallas?”

While he waited for her answer, his pulse sped. He wanted her to accept his offer, and it wasn’t altogether because of Caroline. This morning he had expected to fly to Austin, have lunch, go over the candidates and fly home, mission accomplished. Instead, from the first moment he looked at Ava, he had scrapped his original plan and purpose and was going by instinct, determined to get help for Caroline but also to get to know Ava.

“When are we talking about?” she asked.

“Whenever you want. You can fly back with me now. Fly tomorrow or next week. Whenever you can work the trip into your schedule, but the sooner, the better.”

As she gazed beyond him while she thought it over, he took the opportunity to study her again. Her silky hair was meant for a man’s hands to tangle. Thick, long sandy lashes framed her seductive eyes. The sight of her mouth made his temperature climb. All he wanted to do was flirt, ask her out, take her to dinner and then kiss her until they were both on fire. She didn’t want to be entangled with anyone and he didn’t, either, so passion would not lead to complications.

The waiter brought their orders. As soon as they were alone she leaned forward. “What time are you returning to Dallas?”

“I have one appointment at three this afternoon to stop by the office of one of my customers. It won’t take long and then I planned to fly home. I can change my schedule easily.”

“In a couple of hours I can be ready to return with you tonight if you’d like. The weekend is coming up, plus I have a few days with nothing scheduled.”

“Excellent. We’ll fly home and you can meet Caroline. Stay a week if you can.”

She smiled. “It won’t take that long to get to know Caroline a little. I’ll stay tonight and tomorrow night and fly back Saturday. I just got my doctorate and I plan to spend the summer and this next year working on opening my own private school.”

“That’s admirable,” he replied, his pulse humming because she would be at his house for the next three days and he could get to know her.

“I assume you read to Caroline,” she said. “If you can give me a list of some of her favorite books, I might be able to add to them with a new book or two.”

“Sure. Better yet, when we finish lunch, I’ll take you to a bookstore and we can look things over and get what you want.”

“As long as you still leave me a couple of hours to get ready to go.”

He couldn’t imagine what she would have to do that would take a couple of hours because she looked ready now except for packing clothes and necessities. “You take all the time you want.”

“You’re very determined about this.”

“I’d do anything to help Caroline. I know what she was like before she lost her father.”

“I think I’ve misjudged you. I had preconceptions built by tabloids and television,” she admitted.

“It’s good news to discover your opinion of me is improving. Hopefully, we’ll get better acquainted.”

She smiled. “I’m flying to Dallas to get to know Caroline.”

“I’ll have to work on my image. I’m not accustomed to having someone I’m with tell me she is not interested in getting to know me.”

“It really isn’t important that we become buddies,” she said, pausing over her salad.

“It will be far more fun, and you might be surprised what you discover. I know I want to get to know you,” he said, his voice lowering a notch.

“I ought to tell you no flirting,” she said, shaking her head, “but I suspect that’s impossible. I imagine at this point in your life, it’s as much a habit as breathing.”

“And where a beautiful woman is concerned—as necessary. You’ll be gone in two days, so what does a little flirting hurt?”

“Maybe you deserved your media coverage after all.”

“Forget the media. I really don’t know that much about you except you’re excellent in dealing with children and reading. You’ve taught and you said you recently earned a doctorate.”

“Correct.”

“What do you plan to do with the degree?”

“I publish texts on teaching reading, children’s books on reading and games. Hopefully, the degree lends more credibility. I plan to open a private school—at this point, limited to first and second grade—and use some of my own methods for reading instruction. I’m working on securing grants. I have limited funds for this.”

“Opening a school is ambitious,” he said with admiration, reassessing his opinion of her. “A woman with drive.” And one who hoped to get grants for the financial backing—a bargaining point that gave him an advantage.

Beautiful, driven and intelligent—an enticing combination that excited him.

“A lot of the praise I received about you was about your ability to work with children,” he stated.

“I like kids and feel at ease with them. I have younger siblings. I try to make all this interesting and appealing to kids. Not necessarily easy, because learning isn’t always easy. I love working with kids and want to dedicate my life to them.”

“How many siblings?”

“I have two younger sisters, Trinity and Summer. Trinity is a technical writer for an exclusive Austin clothing store chain. My youngest sister is home for the summer. She’ll be a sophomore in college and wants to teach.”

“Parents? And where’s home?”

“My dad has a feed store in Lubbock and my mom is a dental hygienist. So what about your family other than Caroline?”

“Besides my late brother, Adam, I have two other brothers. Zach, who is rarely home because of his job, and the youngest, Ryan, works in Houston. My parents divorced years ago, and my mother is twice remarried and lives in Atlanta now. My dad recently passed away and his estate isn’t settled yet. That’s it.”

“Your brother who is rarely home—does he have any responsibility in Caroline’s care?”

“No. I’m her guardian and I’ve always been closer to her and to Adam. He was born three years before I was. Zach is thirty-two, four years younger than I am. He’s in demolition and travels because he works in Europe and Japan—all over the world, actually. He’s good at what he does, but rarely home. Ryan is twenty-nine. He’s the one who lives in Houston and has taken over a drilling company we own. None of us are really daddy material.”

“So tell me about Caroline, as well as her nanny. What does she like to do? All kids have something they like.”

“Swimming. If you like to swim, bring your swimsuit. It’s a way to interact with her. Also, she likes to read.”

“She’s five and can read—that’s early, and it’s good news.”

“She won’t participate at school, so they don’t know how well she reads. I tell her teacher that she reads at home, but since she won’t read at school or say what she’s read, her teacher is skeptical.”

“Do you think Caroline is really reading?”

“I know she is. She started reading very simple books before her dad was killed. The beginner Dr. Seuss books, for example.”

“She was young to be reading like that.”

“Her dad doted on her and worked with her. She’s a sharp kid, so that makes her withdrawal painful. If it was a book she liked, she would talk at length about what she read. I give her books because that’s one thing that seems to please her.”

“I take her reading as a hopeful sign. If she likes to read, it will give her tutor a chance to reach her.”

He glanced at their plates. “We’re both finished. Would you like dessert? They have great ones.”

“No, thanks. We’ll head for the bookstore. There’s one close.”

He escorted her to a waiting limo. At the bookstore Will held the door for her, watching the slight sway of her hips as she entered, momentarily forgetting his mission while he thought about Ava. He wanted to ask her out for an evening where no business would be discussed.

She led him to the children’s section and began to pick out books. “How about this one?”

“Caroline has that book and likes it,” he said, looking at a familiar story. “I can’t remember everything she has. Get what you want and I’ll call Rosalyn and ask her.”

“I can bring it back if she already has it.” While Ava strolled along the row of books, Will watched her, catching up with her when she stopped to pull out a book.

“That you have no men in your life surprises me. And six years is a long time.”

“I’m not interested in going out with anyone. Actually, I’m too busy.”

“No one is that busy.”

She paused to smile at him. “And you’re offering to fill the void? Let’s stick to finding a tutor for your niece and then we’ll go our separate ways. Unfortunately, I don’t know many single, cute young tutors.”

“Under different circumstances, I would agree with you about going our separate ways, but there’s something going on here that prevents that,” he said, lowering his voice and stepping closer to her. Her eyes widened a fraction as she gazed at him.

“The electricity. You feel it the same as I do. Deny that,” he challenged softly, reminding himself in two days she’d be out of his life. This woman was too earnest for him. Ambitious, serious—not his type. But the next two days could be interesting.

She inhaled deeply and her cheeks flushed as she looked away. “Be that as it may, we’re sticking to books and reading and business,” she whispered. “There’s no place in my life for a brief affair. If I ever get involved with another man, it will have to be a deeply committed relationship. I doubt if that’s what you’re looking for.”

“Definitely not. I’m not into a strong commitment, a lasting relationship or marriage. No male in my family has done well in those situations.”

“Then we shouldn’t start even a casual relationship.” She moved along the row of books. “Does she have this?” she asked, withdrawing a first reader with bears on the cover.

His hand closed over Ava’s as she held the book. At the instant of contact she drew a deep breath, causing his pulse to speed a notch. She reacted to every personal remark or gesture, each touch.

“No. Not that I can recall,” he replied, looking at the cover.

“It’s a cute story. I’ll get this one.”

“You know your children’s books.”

“My doctorate is in early reading. I should know them.”

“If you’re getting more, I’ll hold the books you want while you look.” It occurred to him that she might be the perfect tutor for Caroline. A doctorate degree, dedicated to children—she was imminently qualified.

“Oh, yes,” she answered, moving away from him. He watched her, something easy to do. She would be at his house for two days. He made a mental note to clear his calendar and stay home with her the entire time. He would get past the barriers she had thrown up. If she hadn’t dated in six years, she was long overdue. He had not been fabricating the sizzling tension that existed since the first moment he saw her. She felt it as much as he did; she had not denied feeling it.

“What about this book?” she asked, holding out one with puppies on the cover.

He held one corner. “Let’s see the pictures,” he said, moving closer and catching the scent of her perfume. She turned the pages while he enjoyed standing close. As far as he knew, Caroline did not own the book, but he was savoring the moment. “I don’t think she has this one.”

“I love this story. Put this with the other one,” she said, handing the book to him and continuing her search. After she selected four books, they had a brief argument about who would pay, which he won.

“When do you want me to come pick you up?” he asked as they headed out and toward her home.

“Early evening. I’ll be ready,” she said.

He nodded. “Good enough. I’ll take the books because they’re going home anyway.”

“Fine. Thank you, and thanks for the lunch. I’ll see you soon,” she said at the door. He watched her step into the building before he returned to the limo.

She was flying home with him, and he would have the next couple of days to try to talk her into staying this summer and tutoring Caroline herself. He had already made a decision about who he wanted to tutor Caroline. None of the tutors on her list were as qualified or had the great references that Ava did. She was the best possible person, and he had long ago learned it was usually worth more to get the best. Whatever Ava decided, he intended to get to know her. The challenge she presented was irresistible when it involved a beautiful woman who had drive and intelligence.

Ava stood at the window and watched the limo disappear down the street. She wasn’t ready for the complication of a man in her life, and William Delaney would be a big-time complication. Sparks had flown from the first moment they saw each other in the restaurant lobby—something that hadn’t happened to her since Ethan. Something she hadn’t wanted to have happen now. She could vividly recall the moment: taller than others in the lobby, Will had stood out from the crowd as he walked through the door. She had seen pictures of him in Texas magazines, the newspaper, local news, but they hadn’t done him justice. He had to be six-four. His compelling chocolate eyes, fringed with thick, slightly curly lashes had taken her breath. His thick wavy black hair was as appealing as his other features and together—eyes, hair, firm jaw—all made a lethal combination that packaged seduction. A supremely confident man with good reason. Born into wealth, life had been on his terms—most of the time. She suspected the problems with his niece had really thrown him. Caroline was a lovable frustration he was totally unaccustomed to facing.

Ava pulled her list of tutors out of her purse. It started with the one she thought the most qualified and the best to work with a traumatized child. Becky Hofflinger was wonderful with children and a highly successful tutor. Becky could use the money, and Ava guessed Will would be extremely generous.

She thought about the two thousand she would get paid for each day in Dallas. She could have stayed a week and he would gladly have paid her. She shook her head. The man had more money than one human needed.

Fly to Dallas, meet his niece and assess the little girl. From the first moment her heart had gone out to the child. It was heart-wrenching to lose a loved one, and for a child to lose her only parent in a tragic accident had to be devastating. Ava empathized. Her heartbreak and grief had diminished somewhat, although there were moments it hit again.

She didn’t want another relationship; she couldn’t imagine having one. Her own reaction to Will had shocked her. For the past six years she had lived in memories and hurt, trying to overcome loss. No one had held the tiniest bit of interest for her. Until Will Delaney came into her life.

As she showered and then dressed in red slacks, a matching red silk blouse and high-heeled red sandals, she had to admit she admired Will’s concern for his niece even more so because she had never expected that of him. She’d jumped to hasty conclusions.

Only time would tell.

Two

The buzzer rang, and Ava pressed the intercom listen button.

“Ava, I’ll come get your things.” Will’s deep voice had a slightly husky note, definitely unique and unforgettable.

When she opened her door, the impact of seeing him again was as electric as it had been the first time. Maybe more, she decided, too aware her pulse raced. He was breathtaking, too handsome, and getting to know him had revealed a caring man, which was a devastating combination. Along with his navy suit jacket, he had shed his tie. With the top three buttons unfastened on his snowy dress shirt, he looked more casual. Warm approval in his brown eyes gave her a rush of pleasure.

“You look great,” he said.

“Thank you. For our purposes though, it wouldn’t matter if I wore a tent and sported floor-length hair.”

“On you the long hair and tent would look good,” he said, smiling at her. Her heart skipped at that irresistible smile. Trying to get her mind off him, she turned away to retrieve her small bag and a carry-on suitcase, which he picked up before she could.

Within an hour they were airborne. She looked below at Austin. Sunlight splashed on the red granite of the state capitol as the plane headed north.

“Does Caroline know we’re coming now?” Ava asked, her pulse leaping when she turned to look into his brown eyes.

“Yes. She won’t come running. You’ll see how subdued she is. When her dad was alive, she wasn’t reserved at all. They were really close and he loved her more than anything.”

“That’s sad that she doesn’t have him now. Was she cooperative with him?”

“Yes. A bright, happy, cheerful little girl. That’s what hurts so badly. She’s drawn into a shell and no one has been able to reach her. It breaks my heart because I know what a sunny disposition she had.”

Since he sounded truly hurt, she was touched again by his concern. If she were going to be with him longer than two days, she would need a more solid barrier around her heart. She looked out the window, trying to think of another subject.

“Do you travel a lot? Will you be around while I’m there?”

“Yes. I’m not going to drop you off and leave,” he replied with a smile. “I’ll take time off from work and be home as much as possible.”

“After I meet Caroline, I’ll need time alone with her, so you go ahead and work tomorrow.”

“I’ll give you time alone. I can stay out of the way. I hope you brought a swimsuit.”

“I did,” she said, feeling tingly at the thought of swimming with Will. “Does she have a schedule for her day?”

“Her schedule is flexible in the summer. Breakfast and then reading and playtime. Sometimes a swim before lunch if she wants to. Lunch, a quiet time of reading—I think she just reads because she doesn’t nap any longer. Then, usually swims again. Our nanny, Rosalyn, is with her all day. I try to be home for dinner and spend the evening with her and put her to bed. If I need to work late or attend a social event, her nanny spends the evening playing with her. Caroline has every kind of toy imaginable and she’s getting amazingly good with computers.”

“I’m sure,” Ava replied, smiling at him. “Her situation sounds challenging, but I have a short list of tutors who come highly recommended. After my assessment, I’ll be able to choose the one who can hopefully work a miracle.”

“I hope so. It’s been a godsend to find you. Every day when I’m with Caroline, this situation tears me up. I owe it to my brother and I love Caroline. I’m praying she can be helped. I think the right person can reach her. I want to hire the best possible person to work with her.”

“We’ll see. These are the most qualified tutors I know. I asked each one if I could put her on my list, so I found out who was available and who wasn’t. At present, all three women are employed, but their service will be ending very shortly and they’ll be free to take on a new challenge.”

“Good. I’ll make it worthwhile for the person I decide will do the most for Caroline.”

“I’m sure of that. What you’re paying me is generous, to say the least.”

“This is worth it.”

She smiled at him. “You’re a good uncle, Will Delaney.” He leaned closer.

“And you, Ava, have the greatest smile. I’ll see if I can keep you smiling.”

“That isn’t one of the week’s requirements. I’m here about Caroline. Only about Caroline,” she said, her heart racing, something she couldn’t control.

“Maybe I can change your mind on that, too.”

“Too? What else?”

“Let’s see how it goes with Caroline.”

She wondered what he referred to. He surely didn’t want to hire her, because she was not a tutor. When he sat back, her drumming pulse returned to normal.

The flight was quick and a limo was waiting.

As soon as they drove through the gates where he lived, her mounting curiosity about his niece momentarily abated, replaced by fascination with the mansion she glimpsed through the trees as they wound up the drive.

“You have a beautiful estate. This fits the image I had of you much more than the doting uncle you are.”

“I need to change some of your preconceived notions about me. We’ll get to know each other. I’m looking forward to it.”

“That’s not on this agenda. I’m here about Caroline and I think that’s the second time already that I’ve reminded you.”

“Relax and lighten up. We can get to know each other while you meet and learn about my niece. One doesn’t rule out the other. They’re both going to happen.”

“You’re not paying any attention to me,” she said.

“Not true at all. I’m paying a great deal of attention to you and I’m slipping, if you haven’t noticed.”

“Will you stop flirting?” she asked, amused and unable to be really annoyed with him over harmless flirting, yet afraid of her volatile reaction to him intensifying.

“Not on this night. Why should I? Flirting is fun, harmless and I like the exchange when I’m with a gorgeous woman. You’re not interested in anything serious and neither am I. We should make a good pair.”

“Thank you for the compliment. And we’re not going to be ‘a pair.’ I think this conversation needs to shift to another topic. Your palatial home is magnificent. You live here with just Caroline and her nanny?” Ava could clearly see the elegant mansion. Sunlight splashed over the gray slate roofs and gave a warm tint to the pale stones.

“We’ll come back to the conversation we were having, but to answer your question—it’s a comfortable house built to suit me. It’s big enough for all of us and my staff. A partial staff is on the third floor.” She turned to watch him, listening and thinking at the same time that she hadn’t had a clear concept of his wealth.

“The head gardener and his staff have homes on my grounds. So does my cook. My chauffeur has a house near the garage.”

She barely heard him as she stared at the sprawling three-story home built in the style of an English country manor surrounded by landscaped grounds and sprinklers watering beds of colorful flowers. More flowers surrounded a large circular three-tiered fountain with sparkling water tumbling over each tier.

“A little girl will be lost in this,” Ava said without realizing she had spoken aloud.

“Caroline’s accustomed to it. The house she lived in with her dad was very similar to mine. I doubt if she gives it a thought.”

“All this wealth, yet you can’t accomplish the one thing you want to do,” she said quietly and he glanced her way.

“You’re right. At least it gives me options on getting help for her. I can’t stop thinking that if I keep trying, I’ll find that perfect person who’ll get her to open up.”

“I hope you do,” she said, touched again by his concern for his niece.

At the front they climbed out of the car to cross the wide porch. The massive door swung open and a butler greeted them. Ava entered a three-story-high walnut-paneled entryway where a huge French Empire chandelier hung overhead.

“Ava, meet Fred Simms. This is Ms. Barton, Fred.”

“Miss Caroline is in the library with Miss Rosalyn,” Fred said after greeting Ava.

Will held Ava’s arm. “This way,” he said. She was as aware of his fingers resting on her forearm as she was of his palatial mansion.

Ava carried two of the books, each in colorful sacks from the bookstore. They entered the library, where a child sat drawing at a table. Her nanny sat nearby, also drawing.

Pausing, Caroline turned to look at them, sliding out of her chair while the nanny came around the table.

“Look who’s here, Caroline,” the nanny said cheerfully.

Ava looked at a beautiful child with long curly black hair, thickly lashed big brown eyes and a facial structure bearing a clear family resemblance to her uncle. She was a feminine version of him.

Caroline gazed solemnly at Will in silence as he picked her up gently to kiss her cheek. “How’s my girl?” he greeted her, smiling. “I want you to meet someone.” He turned to face Ava.

“Caroline, this is my friend, Miss Ava. She’s a teacher.”

Caroline stared in silence at Ava.

“Ava meet Caroline.”

“I’ve heard a lot about you, Caroline, and I’m so glad to meet you,” Ava said.

“Ava, this is our nanny, Rosalyn Torrence. Rosalyn, meet Ava Barton.”

“I’m glad to meet you,” Ava said, shaking hands with the nanny. She turned her attention back to Caroline.

“I’ve missed you, sweetie,” Will said in such gentle tones Ava’s heart lurched. “I’m glad to be home. We’ll stay with her now, Rosalyn.”

“Thank you. If you want me, I’ll be upstairs.”

“Thanks,” he replied. As Rosalyn quietly left, he set Caroline on her feet.

Ava held out two of the sacks. “Caroline, I brought you a present.”

Caroline stared at the sacks, eyeing them and making no effort to take them.

“Look at the presents, sweetie,” Will urged

Caroline obediently took the bags and pulled out the first book, looking at it intently. “Thank you,” she whispered so softly Ava barely heard her. She pulled out the second book.

“Thank you,” she whispered again.

“You’re welcome,” Ava said, kneeling so she would be on the same level with Caroline. “I’ll read them to you whenever you want to hear them.”

Caroline nodded, looking at Will.

“You can whenever you want,” he said. “I’ll get out of the way. Want to read them now?”

Caroline shook her head no.

“I’ll go unpack then,” Ava said far more cheerfully than she felt. She was not a child psychiatrist, but it seemed to her that Will had just as big a problem as he had described. The child seemed remote, cold and unresponsive, as if she wanted to shut herself away from all human contact.

“I’ll stay with Caroline, but first,” he said, picking up Caroline again. “Let’s go show Miss Ava where she will be sleeping.”

Upstairs, they turned to the east wing and passed beautiful rooms until he led her into a suite. “How’s this?” he asked. “You’ll be near Caroline’s room.”

“This is gorgeous,” Ava exclaimed, looking around a suite lavishly outfitted with an antique rose silk sofa, Louis XIV–style furniture and a thick rug on the polished oak floor. Through the open door she could see the bedroom. “I’ll unpack, which won’t take long. I can find my way back to the library.”

“Leave your things to unpack later. C’mon. We’ll give you a brief tour so you know where you are.”

Noticing how silent Caroline was, docilely letting Will carry her without wiggling or the usual chatter of a child her age, Ava was more aware of the child than her surroundings.

“Here’s Caroline’s suite,” he said, pausing at a doorway a brief distance down the hall. “Rosalyn is in an adjoining suite, although she has a bed in Caroline’s room.”

They entered a child’s room that was a dream room to Ava. Murals of nursery characters decorated one wall. White clouds were painted on the pale blue ceiling. The furniture was painted white, or covered with pink and blue chintz upholstery. Table legs were carved as nursery characters. She couldn’t imagine the unhappiness Caroline was steeped in while living in such an adorable, cheerful room.

They left Caroline’s room, and at the end of the hall she entered a huge master suite with striking black and white decor.

“Your suite, no doubt,” she said, and Will grinned. “You’re getting to know me.” “More a process of elimination.”

They went downstairs to a playroom where Will held Caroline and read to her. Next they played a board game with her, and while she remained silent and somber, she moved her pieces to play along with them.

“Want Ava to read one of your new books to you?” Will asked when they finished the board game.

Without looking at Ava, Caroline nodded. The three of them sat on a sofa with Caroline between them while Ava read and let Caroline turn the pages.

Giving her a pleasant surprise, Ava realized Caroline was reading with her enough to know when to turn a page without being told. She looked at the child’s tiny hands, so dainty and frail. Caroline smelled sweet, something that held a hint of apples, and her hair was shiny. Ava could see why Will loved her so much and was doing what he could for her.

By the time Ava finished both books, dinner was served by Will’s chef, who then disappeared back into the kitchen.

After dinner they played more games with Caroline and then walked outside to sit near the pool.

“Will, this is grand,” she said, looking at a covered area with an outdoor stainless-steel kitchen and a patio with upholstered furniture. “You have another kitchen and living room out here. This is incredible.”

“It’s comfortable like the rest of the house,” he said. They talked while Caroline sat at a desk to paint and draw pictures. When she finished, Will praised each picture. Rosalyn arrived to get Caroline ready for bed and the two left.

“She’s precious, Will. I can see why you worry so about her.”

“She’s shut away in her own world where I can’t get through to her. No one can.”

“Why don’t you leave her in my care tomorrow?” Ava suggested. “I’ve never dealt with a child in this situation before, but I need to get to know her before I talk to the likely tutors.”

“Fine. If you’re ready for that. If you want just half a day, let me know. If at any point it isn’t going well, Rosalyn will be here, so summon her.”

“You can give Rosalyn the day off and let me take care of Caroline. We’ll be fine.”

“I’m sure you will, but you’re unaccustomed to that kind of responsibility and a child can wear you down.”

She smiled. “I don’t think Caroline will.”

He stood. “If you’ll excuse me, I’ll go see Caroline. If I’m home, I always read to her before she goes to bed for the night.”

“Of course.”

He left and Ava turned to watch him walk away. He’d been telling her the truth about his devotion to Caroline—when he was home he read to her at night. Another plus in Ava’s view of him.

Taking the stairs two at a time, Will hurried to Caroline’s room. Rosalyn was brushing Caroline’s long black hair. His heart felt squeezed that he was here when it should be his brother Adam with her.

“Rosalyn, I’ll read to her and I’ll call you when I’m ready to go back downstairs.”

“Yes, sir,” Rosalyn said, looking at Caroline in the mirror. “How pretty you look, Caroline. Here’s Uncle Will.”

As Rosalyn left the room, Caroline turned to look at him. He wondered if anyone would ever be able to reach her, and if he would ever stop hurting over the tragedy in her life. “You do look so pretty, Caroline.” He picked her up. “I’ll read to you. You find the book you want, okay?”

She looked at the bookcase as he approached it and set her on her feet. She smelled sweet, fresh and clean, a faint lilac scent left from soap. Her pink pajamas covered in kittens were soft. She touched a book and he pulled it out.

“Ah, good choice,” he said, picking her up again and holding the book. He carried her to the rocker to sit with her on his lap.

“Caroline, my friend Miss Ava would like to spend the day with you tomorrow. I’ll be home, but I’ll be in my office some of the time. Will this be all right with you?”

She gazed at him solemnly and nodded.

“Good. She wants to help you with your reading and she’s trying to find a reading tutor for you.”

As Caroline focused her big brown eyes on him, he marveled at the length and thickness of her lashes.

“Caroline, Miss Ava has sad moments sometimes because she has lost someone she loved just as you have. She was married, but her husband is no longer alive and there are times this makes her sad.”

Caroline gazed at him wide-eyed and solemn. How much did she understand? Did she feel any sympathy or a bond with Ava?

“Now let’s look at this book you picked about the brave puppy and the rescued kitten.”

He held Caroline, rocking her as he read to her, his mind wandering to Ava and back to Caroline. Halfway through the book Caroline’s breathing deepened. He continued reading a few more pages until he saw her dark lashes on her cheeks. He carried the sleeping child to bed and covered her lightly, brushing a kiss on her cheek and standing over her.

“Adam, I’m sorry,” he whispered, hurting and feeling helpless, something he was unaccustomed to in his life.

Ava looked around to see Will walk up and pull a chair close to hers.

“Sorry to leave you so long. Caroline is asleep now and Rosalyn is with her.”

“How many nannies has she had?

“Actually, Rosalyn is the only nanny we’ve had. She was her nanny when Adam was alive. Rosalyn had fifteen years’ experience, plus her own kids and grandkids. She had great references.”

“I’m surprised she didn’t become a substitute mother to Caroline, someone your niece would relate to emotionally.”

“Rosalyn has tried—sometimes I think too hard. She comes on too strong and it makes Caroline withdraw. Rosalyn means well and loves Caroline. She’s very good to her. I told her your plan to stay with Caroline tomorrow, and I’ll be home, so I gave her the day off. Still want to do that?”

“Yes, I do. I’d like to get to know her. I don’t expect to need you,” she said, smiling at him.

“I know, but just in case.”

“We’ll be fine, and I appreciate your concern. It’s only a day, perhaps two at the most.” She gazed into his dark eyes and could tell he was assessing her, trying to decide whether she could take care of Caroline or not. “By the way, you were right about her ability to read. The two books I read to her today are both beginner reading level and I know she can read them. I realized after a few pages she knew when to turn the page without being told, so she had to be reading along with me. Then I began to do things to make certain, like pausing on the last line and looking at the picture. Little things, but she had to be reading with me to know, because otherwise she would turn before I indicated I was through.”

“That’s a plus, but not too great if she won’t participate at school.”

“Let’s see what happens this summer. Time helps some on loss.”

He focused on her again. “Sorry about yours. I told Caroline. As always, I got no reaction from her except a stare, but she knows about your husband.”

“I don’t know if she’ll bond, but I feel a tie of sorts with her. As for my coping, I keep busy and am involved with children and coworkers, so I don’t think about it as much.”

“Maybe you need to get out and socialize more,” he said.

She smiled. “I socialize plenty. And I know you do. If there’s someone in your life and you want to see her tomorrow evening, go right ahead.”

His eyes twinkled. “Don’t try to get rid of me. There’s no one in my life and the only woman I’m interested in seeing tomorrow night is you. Aside from Caroline, I have a life. Go to dinner with me Friday night and I’ll show you.”

Her heart skipped a beat. For the first time since Ethan’s loss, she was tempted to go out with someone else. She wanted to accept, yet it would be folly to get involved with Will. He was a heartbreaker, with a reputation for going from woman to woman. Right now she needed no such distraction in her life. He was a sizzling attraction that she’d fought steadily through the afternoon and evening.

She was not complicating her life by seeing him beyond these two days. The physical reaction she had to him had shaken her. She didn’t want to risk succumbing to an affair with Will because it would be brief and meaningless to him. A casual affair was the last thing she ever wanted in her life. With Will, she suspected a date would ultimately lead to an affair. The best course was to go home and never see Will Delaney again.

“Thank you, but I think I should stay right here Friday night.”

“Scared to go out with me?”

“Definitely,” she said, smiling at him. “I don’t need a complication in my life. I’m here only to help Caroline. As quiet as she is, she’s adorable, Will. In her own unobtrusive way, she wraps herself around your heart. I can see why you’re concerned.”

“Looks like I have two females to win over now,” he said quietly, and her pulse jumped a notch.

“Stop flirting, Will,” she said, smiling at him.

“I can’t. I want to take you out.”

“It isn’t going to happen. Your brother must have been a great parent,” she said, determined to get the subject changed.

“He was, and he loved her beyond measure.”

“Were you and your brother close?”

“Yes, the closest brother. I’m close with my other brothers and some friends I’ve known all my life.”

“I noticed the rodeo memorabilia in your room. Do you still ride?”

“I haven’t for the past two years. Mostly because of lack of time.”

They talked about their friends and their lives until she realized the hour was late. Standing, she smiled at him as he came to his feet.

“It’s past my bedtime. Plus, I haven’t taken time to unpack. I should go.”

“I’ll go up with you in case you’ve forgotten the way.”

“Have you ever thought about getting Caroline a puppy?” Ava asked as they headed upstairs

“No, it never occurred to me,” he admitted, glancing at her. “I don’t know why I didn’t think of that, or why it wasn’t suggested earlier by someone.”

“It may not be something she wants.”

“It would be a little puppy to take care of. How could she resist loving one if it has a good disposition? When we were kids, my brothers and I had dogs. That’s a good idea,” he said. “I should have thought of a dog myself.”

She nodded. “A puppy might elicit a few laughs from her. Puppies are hard to resist. They do have sharp teeth though, and that can be a drawback for little kids.”

“I’ll get someone to check into which breeds are good with children. Big or little,” he mused. “Seems like little might be easier.”

“It probably would be. Talk to a veterinarian.”

“That’s a great idea. I need to keep you around.” Startled, she glanced at him and smiled when she saw his smile and realized he was teasing her.

They reached her suite and he entered with her, switching on lights and taking her arm. “Come look around and see if you need anything.”

“I’m sure I won’t.”

He turned her to face him. “I’ll be forever grateful to the principal who gave me your name.”

He stood close and his hands were on her arms. Her heart raced, and at the moment she was no longer thinking of him as Caroline’s uncle, a man with a problem who needed her help. Instead, she could only see the handsome, sexy man who was inches away and holding her lightly. When he looked at her mouth, she couldn’t get her breath and wondered if he could hear her heart pounding. She wanted to wrap her arms around him to kiss him. Her desire shocked her.

“I think you’re bringing me back into the world and I’m not certain I’m ready,” she whispered.

“You’re ready,” he said in a husky voice. “I can see it in your eyes.” He leaned closer and bent down to brush her lips with his.

The moment his mouth touched hers, she closed her eyes. Her heart thudded. She had not been kissed by a man since Ethan—six long years ago. Her pulse roared in her ears.

Will’s breath was warm. He brushed her lips again and then his mouth settled possessively on hers, hard, demanding, no longer light and tentative.

Her toes curled and her heart pounded. Her body reacted to his kiss from head to toe. She slipped her arms up to wrap them around his neck and hold him, feeling his body hard and warm against hers.

His tongue went deep, thrusting over hers, creating an intimacy they hadn’t had and taking them to a different level in their relationship, shifting from business to pleasure, from impersonal to personal. For the moment she wanted him as she had wanted few men in her life. Her reactions to him surprised her. Reasoning stopped while her body and heart ruled.

She held him tightly, kissing him back and feeling his heart pounding with hers.

Even though she had decided to keep her relationship purely professional with him to protect her heart from succumbing to his charm, she couldn’t resist his kisses. She had been steeped in grief so long, this was sunshine pouring into a dark night. Somewhere within her conscience a dim voice whispered stop, but she paid no heed. She felt the rough stubble of his whiskers, inhaled his aftershave, savored his mouth.

How long they kissed, she had no idea. Will’s hand traveled to her nape, warm, lightly caressing her, and then his hand slipped down her back to her waist, then lower over the curve of her bottom.

Pausing, she looked up at him while he still held her. “We should stop this, Will. It’s total foolishness. Risks neither of us want.”

“Speak for yourself.” His brown eyes blazed and he wound both hands in her hair. “I want you, Ava. I want to know you,” he said. “And you like being kissed. Your response sets me on fire,” he whispered, pulling her close again and then kissing away any answer she might have.

Again, a wave of desire swept her and she held him tightly, kissing him, relishing the feel of his hard body against hers. She tingled from head to toe, heat pooling in her. Special kisses when they shouldn’t be. Or was it simply so long since she had been held by a man? Thoughts spun away and she was lost in his kisses, returning them passionately until she had to stop.

“Will,” she said, trying to get some firmness to her breathless voice. “You need to go.”

Desire blazed in his dark eyes, making her racing heart pound faster. He wrapped his fingers in her hair to hold her head. “For now,” he said. He released her, leaving the room and closing the door behind him.

Immobile, she stared at the closed door, but all she saw was Will. Locks of his dark hair falling over his forehead, his gaze boring into her, his mouth red from kisses. Had she made a giant mistake by succumbing?

Not succumbing—she had kissed him passionately in return, wanting more. It was a good thing she had only two days here. Will was a sexy, appealing man. Caroline, an adorable child. Both could wind around her heartstrings until she was bound in unbreakable shackles with a man who had no intention of a serious relationship and a child who wasn’t hers and would soon go out of her life forever.

Each event would lead to heartbreak.

Three

In the morning, Ava stepped into the kitchen to find Will’s chef working at a counter.

Short, stocky, an apron around his waist, the man paused and smiled. “Good morning.”

Before she could answer, Will entered the room and for seconds as her gaze met his, she forgot all else. In a knit shirt and chinos, he looked casual, more appealing than ever. “Good morning,” he said, gazing warmly at her. He touched her arm lightly and his tone became brisk.

“Ava, meet my very fine chef, Rainey Powers. Rainey, meet Miss Ava Barton, a teacher who will be working with Caroline.

“Good morning,” she said, smiling at the man who had thick red curly hair and big brown eyes.

“What’s your preference for breakfast, Ava?” Will asked. “Rainey has a specialty—omelets. If you would like one, just tell him what kind.”

“I usually have some fruit.”

“You can have that, too,” Will said, “but don’t pass up a chance to have one of his amazing omelets.”

After she decided on spinach and mushroom, Will led her to a casual dining area overlooking the veranda and pool.

“You look gorgeous today,” he said, pulling a chair out for her, his eyes on her blue cotton shirt and matching pants.

“Thank you,” she said, aware of how close he stood. When his gaze lowered to her mouth, her heartbeat quickened. He sat across the table where a newspaper lay folded neatly and his coffee cup was half full.

He picked up a pitcher. “Orange juice?”

“Yes, please,” she said. “I’m surprised Caroline isn’t here.”

“Occasionally, she sleeps late.”

“Maybe she’s dreading the day and being with someone new.”

He paused in his pouring. “Maybe. You’ll never know. I have no idea what runs through her mind. Good or bad. She accepts everything, comments on nothing. It’s that total unresponsiveness that will hurt her in school.”

“Have you considered home schooling or a special school?”

“I’m afraid with home schooling she would become more withdrawn and antisocial. I don’t want a special school. At least not for now. I’d rather try to find someone who can break through the guard she keeps. If I ever do, I think all the withdrawal will vanish.”

“I imagine you’re hopeful with each thing and person you’ve tried,” she said, watching him nod. “Don’t get too hopeful with me. I’m out of my element here. I have never worked with a child who had problems like this.”

“I understand. But no one has higher recommendations than you in this field. I know a happy little girl is locked away somewhere inside her. I want her back again.”

“I’ll do my best with her.”

“I’m sure you will. How did you sleep?” he asked, changing the topic abruptly.

“Fine,” she answered, yet her cheeks grew warm because she instantly thought about their kisses.

He looked amused. “About as well as I did.”

“I met your housekeeper in the upstairs hall this morning.”

“Edwina. My staff are all here on Tuesdays and Fridays and then some of them are just here when I ask them to be or when I’m in town.”

“So you travel a lot.”

“Yes. I hear Rosalyn.” He stood, and in seconds Rosalyn and Caroline walked through the door.

“Good morning,” Will said, greeting them both and picking up Caroline to hug her. The girl’s pigtails swung. She wrapped her arm around his neck and hugged him in return, Ava noticed.

“Rosalyn, go give your order to Rainey and then come join us. He knows Caroline’s. I already have places set.”

As Rosalyn left, Will set Caroline in one of the chairs.

“So Rosalyn joins you for breakfast. That’s nice.”

“Rosalyn is like a relative. Actually, all of my staff have worked for me long enough now that I feel like they’re my family. And you’ll have to adjust your view of me again.”

“I shouldn’t have told you what I expected.” He was one continual surprise, and she promised herself never to prejudge anyone again. “The articles and press about you just present a different type person—not quite so down-to-earth and caring. I’m impressed,” she said.

“Good. That’s a step in the right direction.”

Rosalyn joined them and conversation became impersonal, polite, chatty among the three adults, swirling around the silent child as if she didn’t exist.

After breakfast they divided up, Rosalyn leaving, Will heading to his office while Ava went to the upstairs playroom with Caroline. “Come to my room, Caroline. I want to get a package I brought. I have a new game for you.”

Obediently, Caroline followed and Ava retrieved a large colorful sack that held gift bags and books. She pulled out a gift to hand to Caroline, seeing no spark of interest in Caroline’s eyes.

“This is for you,” Ava said, setting it in front of the girl, who glanced up at Ava and then looked at the sack. After pulling out tissue paper, she picked up a game that she turned in her hands.

“Thank you,” she whispered politely and set it on the floor.

“I’ll show you how to play it. All right?”

Caroline nodded.

“Before we do, here’s another little present I got for you.”

Caroline opened a small gift sack and once again tossed aside blue and red tissue paper to reveal a small brown teddy bear.

“Thank you,” she said, looking intently at it.

“You’re welcome. Now I’ll show you how to play this game. Let’s go to the playroom.”

In the playroom, Ava put her things on a sofa and turned to Caroline. “I think you’ll like this game. We can sit on the floor to play.” Ava kicked off her shoes while she got out cards.

“See these, Caroline,” she said, glad when she noticed that the girl still held the small bear. Was she grasping at straws about Caroline’s responses the way Will did? “Each card has a letter. We’re going to place them all facedown,” Ava added, putting cards facedown in a row. “Then we’ll take turns. Each of us can turn over two cards and the object of the game is to match the letters. If you turn over an A and a C, the next time if you turn over an A, try to find the matching A again. The one with the most pairs of matching letters wins the game. Is that clear?”

When Caroline nodded, Ava continued, “As soon as I put out all the cards, you can go first. Do you want to help me put the cards facedown?”

Caroline shook her head no, so Ava placed the cards in silence. As soon as she finished, she told Caroline to go ahead.

During the game, Ava glanced around to see Will standing in the doorway. As soon as she looked up, he left and she wondered how long he had been there.

Other than her silence, Ava thought she could be playing with any first grader she had known, and Caroline was just going into kindergarten.

Midmorning they paused for a snack and watched a short movie Ava had brought. Still holding the teddy, Caroline watched intently, never laughing or even smiling at the funny spots, and Ava didn’t think she was going to get to know the solemn little girl even a degree better. Ava’s satisfaction over Caroline’s abilities with letters and words was offset by her growing frustration at being unable to get a glimmer of emotional response.

The person who would get the job of working with Caroline had a big task ahead.

By eleven o’clock Ava asked Caroline if she would like to swim and Caroline nodded. Rosalyn had told Ava that she had laid out Caroline’s swimsuits and she could get one on by herself.

At the pool Ava shed the oversize T-shirt she had worn and her flip-flops while she watched Caroline go in cautiously.

Wondering whether Will would show up, Ava was acutely conscious of her new swimsuit—a conservative navy one-piece. The water was just cool enough to be enticing, and the circular pool was beautiful with a waterfall and a fountain.

She relaxed when Will did not show, nor did she see any sign of him.

Caroline splashed in the shallow end and then when Ava asked, Caroline showed her how she could swim, tread water and float.

Eventually, they lay on inflatable mattresses, looking at billowing thunderheads against a deep blue sky.

Will kept his word and disappeared for the day. By the time Caroline stretched out for quiet time in her room, she had a stack of books beside her.

Ava lay next to her.

“All right, which one do you want me to read to you first?”

Caroline handed her a book.

“Teddy’s New House,” she read. “You turn pages, Caroline.”

Halfway through the book, Ava stopped reading before the last word on the page. “Do you know that word?” she asked.

Caroline looked a long time at the word and nodded.

“Will you read it to me? I would like that so much,” Ava said quietly, holding her breath and wondering if she had alienated Caroline further.

There was a long silence and Ava waited, finally turning the page and reading the next one. Just before she reached the end, she paused and waited, finally reading the word. She did the same on the next pages. She was on the next to the last page when she paused again before reading the last word.

Caroline whispered, “Shoe.”

“Thank you, Caroline.” Ava’s heart skipped a beat when she heard Caroline’s faint voice. “Some things are just hard for us to do, but we can do them.”

As far as she was concerned, Ava saw the slight response as a tiny victory, one she didn’t care to push, so she didn’t ask Caroline to read anything else aloud.

The day passed with Ava learning a little about Caroline’s typical day and her responses. Ava suspected Caroline’s behavior wasn’t very different with Rosalyn or Will. Ava couldn’t feel much closer to the child because of the wall Caroline kept around herself. Will had been good to leave them alone—another surprise with him, because she had expected him to hang around and continue flirting. It was better he hadn’t, but she missed seeing him.

It wasn’t until almost dinner that he joined them in the pool. Ava didn’t see him coming until he was at the edge of the deep end. Her pulse jumped when she saw him. He was deeply tanned. His broad, sculpted chest tapered to a small waist, tight muscles on his flat stomach. He wore black-and-white patterned swim trunks. He made a flying leap and landed in the water with a loud splash, causing Caroline to smile.

He bobbed up by her, lifting her and then letting her splash down, but he held her the whole time.

“Want to do that again?” he asked her, holding her up again, and she smiled, nodding.

With a surprised expression he glanced over her head at Ava and then lifted Caroline higher to let her splash into the water again.

They played and he gave his full attention to Caroline, glancing once at Ava to say hello.

Later as Caroline splashed nearby, he swam close to Ava. When he bobbed up almost touching her, Ava’s heartbeat sped, a reaction she couldn’t control and one that happened too often with him. “Hi.”

She smiled at him. “Hi.”

“You know why I’ve been giving her all my attention.”

“Of course, and you should.”

“Caroline smiling at me like that—I think you brought that on. She hasn’t done that before with me. I was right about you. You are good with her.”

“Thank you. You may give me too much credit,” she said. “I did get her to read one word aloud today.”

Something flickered in the depths of his dark eyes. “I’m going to do some arm twisting and see if you’ll stay this coming week. We’ll talk about it later.”

“Will, the people I’m recommending will be better than I am in working with her.”

Smiling, he swam away to join Caroline, and she guessed she was in for a struggle with a man totally accustomed to getting his way.

After the swim, they ate dinner with Caroline and then played games until Will took Caroline upstairs to get her ready for bed. After half an hour he reappeared. “I came down to get you. She wants you to read a story to her if you will. I volunteered you, and she nodded.”

“Sure, I’d be happy to,” Ava said, going with him, gratified that Caroline wanted her to read.

“Rosalyn called and she’ll be here in about an hour. Ava, you’ve gotten closer than anyone else except my brothers and me. Actually, you’re getting more response out of her than my brothers do. Even Rosalyn doesn’t get as much response as you’d think. Rosalyn gets more than my brothers, but not a lot.”

“It’s so slight. Don’t read much into it.”

“As far as I’m concerned, it’s a breakthrough. Her teachers have gotten no responses.”

“I think you’re grasping at straws, Will,” Ava said gently.

“We’ll see.”

They had reached Caroline’s suite to find her sitting on the floor playing with miniature dolls and the small brown teddy bear beside a doll house.

“Time for a story and bed,” Will said. “Get your book for Miss Ava and climb into bed. She’ll read it to you and I’ll be back to tuck you in.”

In minutes Ava lay beside Caroline, reading while Caroline turned the pages again. She noticed that Caroline leaned close this time, pressing against Ava’s side, something she had not done before. As she read, Ava put her arm lightly around Caroline.

They finished. “Do you want another story until your Uncle Will comes back?”

Caroline shook her head no, so Ava stood beside the bed, tucking Caroline with the sheet beneath her chin. “It’s been a fun day, Caroline. I’ll be here one more day. We’ll probably do about the same thing tomorrow. Maybe we can get your uncle to take us to a bookstore and you can get a new book. If you want to.”

Big brown eyes looked up at her as Caroline stared without any response. “Do you hurt?” Caroline whispered.

Caroline asked the question so softly, Ava almost did not hear her. Startled, she guessed the question was not about physical pain at the moment, but about the loss of her husband. “Yes. It comes and it goes, but he’s always there in my heart.”

Caroline looked down at the sheet and twisted it in her small fingers. “I don’t have a mommy and daddy. I used to have Daddy.”

“I know,” Ava said. “It hurts, but there are other people you can love and they love you. Your Uncle Will loves you so, so much.”

Big brown eyes met her gaze again and Ava’s heart lurched over the silent world into which Caroline had locked herself. Ava tried to avoid intruding on Caroline, but at the sight of Caroline’s solemn expression, Ava could not resist leaning down to hug her lightly. “You are so loved, Caroline.”

Caroline slipped an arm around Ava’s neck and held on for a moment. When her arm slipped away, Ava released her. “You’re a brave little girl,” she said.

Caroline looked away and Ava felt the closeness vanish, suspecting Caroline was withdrawing back into her shell.

“Nighty-night time,” Will said cheerfully, entering the room. “One more story from me if you want and then it’s sleepy time. Miss Rosalyn is back and she’ll be here soon.”

“Good night, Caroline,” Ava said with a smile and she turned away with a glance at Will.

Shaken by the moments with Caroline, she went downstairs to wait in the family room. It was another half hour before Will appeared. He swept into the room, crossing the space in long strides to pull her up and hug her tightly. “You are a miracle worker,” he said. “I came into the room when she hugged you. I stepped out and came back because I didn’t want to break the moment.”

“Will,” she said, extricating herself and smiling. “Slow down. A little gain maybe. A baby step.”

He held her arms as he gazed down at her. Her racing pulse was half because of the moments with Caroline and half because of Will standing close and holding her.

“It’s huge, Ava. I’ve tried so many things, so many experts and nobody could get anywhere.”

“I think it’s because she feels a tie since I lost my husband.”

“Maybe, but she’s had people around who have lost someone and kids around who have lost parents and she wouldn’t respond to them at all. It’s more than that.”

“I’m surprised the kids didn’t reach her.”

“They didn’t. Maybe everyone came on too strong. I notice you’re pretty low-key with her.”

“There’s no magic formula and I don’t know why, but she’s responding slightly to me.”

“It isn’t slight. For her to hug you is huge.”

“You’re making so much out of so little, I’m scared to tell you anything else.”

“Now you have to. What else?”

“Just don’t get carried away. She asked me tonight if I hurt.” For an instant he stared at her and she wondered if she would regret telling him. “Will, don’t blow everything out of proportion. I see big hope for your tutor because the woman I have in mind should be wonderful with Caroline.”

“Let’s sit. What did you tell her?” he asked, taking her arm and moving to the sofa to sit close, facing her. Their knees touched and his hand still rested on her arm.

She told him about the brief moment she had had with Caroline.

“You did it. I knew you could,” he said. “You’ve gotten through to her.”

“Will, stop making something colossal out of this. It’s a tiny step, a baby step in the right direction.”

He framed her face with his hands. “We’ve tried so much. You should see the list of people I’ve had work with her and the play groups I’ve put her into.”

“Maybe she just wasn’t ready and time has passed and now she is,” Ava said, her voice breathless. His hands were on her cheeks and he sat close, his eyes blazing with emotion.

“I’m overjoyed, Ava. Maybe I’m clutching at straws, but straws are more than I’ve had in the past. This is real hope. She communicated with you, however briefly. She interacted with you.”

His gaze dropped to her mouth and her heart pounded. He leaned down to kiss her hard and she responded to him, knowing he kissed her with emotion and joy over his feelings for his niece. As his kiss changed, he lifted her onto his lap. A half day with him tomorrow. It wouldn’t last, so what did a few kisses hurt? She wrapped her arm more tightly around his neck and kissed him passionately, forgetting everything except Will, who was exciting, sexy, temporarily changing her life.

When she withdrew, his breathing was as ragged as hers. He stared at her as if he had never seen her before, his gaze roaming over her features while he combed his hand through her hair. “You’ll continue to spend time with her tomorrow, won’t you?”

“Yes, but I’ve really learned what I wanted to know—who would make the best tutor for her. I told her you might take us to a bookstore and she can pick out some books.”

“Sounds great. I should go tell Rosalyn that she can have another day off, so if she wants to make plans this evening, she can. I’ll be right back.”

He left and she watched him go, looking at his long legs, remembering him in his swimsuit and thinking about his kisses. Tonight was the last night with him—a good thing. No one-night stands, either. It would take her a long time to forget him and his niece. She was going to miss Caroline. The little girl in her quiet way was lovable.

In minutes Will was back. “She’s glad for another day to catch up on some things, so everyone is happy and I’m sure Caroline will be.” He sat close on the sofa again. “Want anything to drink? Tea, pop, wine, beer, milk, margaritas, rum… I have a full bar.”

“A glass of iced tea would be good,” she said, standing to go to the kitchen with him. She watched as he fixed her a tall glass, gave her some sliced lemon and got out a cold beer for himself. He motioned toward a sofa in the far side of the kitchen where there was an adjoining sitting room.

When she sat on the sofa, Will sat close beside her. He raised his drink. “Here’s to miracles.”

She smiled patiently and touched his glass with hers. “Something to dream about.”

“No dream today. I told you—you have no idea what we’ve gone through with none of the experts getting that much reaction from her.”

“Now that I’ve met Caroline, I plan to contact Becky first because she’s the best choice as tutor. She’s free for the rest of the summer and she lives in driving distance of Dallas so she can stay or drive back and forth, either one. Now I can tell Becky more about Caroline and know what I’m talking about. I think you’ll like Becky.”

“Ava, I’ve thought over who I want to hire,” he said, setting his beer on a coaster on the table. “I didn’t come up with my plans tonight or even earlier today. I promise.”

She set her drink on the nearby table. “You don’t approve of Becky? You read all I sent you, didn’t you?”

“Yes, I did. One person stands out.”

“And who is that?”

He took her hands. “I’d like to hire you to tutor Caroline this summer.”

Four

Even though Ava had suspected this request was coming, it still surprised her. She thought of Caroline and felt torn.

“Will, thank you for your faith in me. Caroline is adorable and I think she can be helped. She’s a precious child.” Will was desperate, and she had already gotten to know him well enough that she disliked disappointing him. She hated even more hurting Caroline, although his niece would never know about his offer or her rejection.

“If you feel that way, don’t rush to answer me. Think about it tonight and give me an answer tomorrow. You see the situation here, so you know what we’re like and where you’d live and what you’d be doing. Just give it some thought.”

“When we first met I told you my plans. I’ve received my doctorate. I intend to open my own school where I can hire the teachers I want and include some of my teaching methods with my books in the curriculum.”

“I appreciate your ambition. All I’m asking you to do is postpone your plans a little,” he said, leaning slightly closer.

“Opening my own school has been my dream since I was a student aide in high school and helped in a reading program.”

“An admirable dream,” he remarked. His dark gaze consumed her and her heartbeat raced. She had no intention of letting him derail all her plans. She took a deep breath, ready to launch into a refusal.

“You’re perfect to work with Caroline and it’s already June,” he said before she could speak. “It would be the rest of this month, July and only part of August until shortly before school begins. Not quite three full months actually. It would be a three-month delay in your plans at most.”

“I don’t want to put off my dream. I’m really not a private tutor. When you meet and interview Becky, I think you’ll agree that she’s the best person for the job, and I’m sure Caroline will like her.”

He reached in a pocket and brought out a piece of paper, which he unfolded.

She was tempted to refuse to even look at it. She suspected it would be an exorbitant sum of several thousand dollars, like the amount he was paying her for the two days in Dallas.

“I figured you would turn me down, so I’ve thought about what might induce you to stay. Don’t give me an answer now. Promise me you’ll take this and think about it tonight.”

“Will, I know what I want to do,” she persisted. “This isn’t the place for me to get sidetracked, because it’s more than just taking a job for the summer. This involves a child and you—It could be complicated.” The man wasn’t accustomed to hearing no, but he was going to have to adjust.

As if he hadn’t heard her, he continued, “Just remember, a little over three months would not be a big delay in your plans, yet it would give you some finances for your school.” He held the paper out to her. “Here’s what I will pay you if you work through the summer months with Caroline.”

While she could use the money, she didn’t want to look at the amount and be tempted. Will Delaney was temptation in every way. She didn’t want to spend almost three months under the same roof with him, didn’t want to change her plans because it could be a far bigger delay once summer was over and everyone got busy with the school year.

“Will, I’m sorry, but I’ve already commenced several things. I have a real estate agent looking for a location. I’m working on getting grants.”

“Give me half a chance here,” he said quietly. “You can at least look at what I’m offering.”

“It won’t matter,” she said, growing slightly more annoyed because he still held her hand and had the paper in front of her.

“Take it, Ava,” he said in a more commanding tone. “Otherwise you’ll always wonder.”

Certain in another few minutes he would just tell her, she took the paper in exasperation. “Will, this is just ridiculous for you to be so stubborn.”

“I’m not the only one being stubborn. You can at least look at my figures and my offer.”

“Will, I understand how you—” Frowning, Ava held the paper closer to study the figures he had written. Her gaze ran over the amounts several times. Stunned, she looked at one half million dollars to tutor for the summer and another half million if Caroline came out of her withdrawal.

Ava’s astonished gaze jumped to meet his. “You can’t be serious,” she whispered.

“I’m absolutely in earnest,” he replied. “You’ll live here. You’ll be off on Saturdays and Sundays. I can have someone fly you home on weekends if you want. I want you to tutor Caroline so she can go into kindergarten this fall and fit in. Hopefully, you might get her out of her shell. You already have a great start.”

“This is an astronomical figure,” Ava said. Her eyes narrowed. “What else do you expect from me?”

“Nothing personal,” he replied, appearing slightly amused by her question. “Although you know I won’t stop flirting, and I’ll ask you out.”

She opened her mouth and then closed it and gave him another questioning glance. “This is way too much money for such a job.”

“I think you can help Caroline. It’s worth that to me if you will try. I’ve already spent a fortune with no results. I’ve had doctors, counselors, shrinks, tutors—all to no avail. I’ve been told no one can work as well with children as you can.”

“Thanks. That’s nice, but I don’t know that it’s completely accurate.”

“Don’t give me an answer now. Think about it and think about what that money can do for you and your school and your students.”

Their gazes locked. Physically aware of him, she was stunned by the staggering amount of money he offered her. Now she had to give his offer consideration. How could she turn down half a million and a chance for a million if all worked out? She wouldn’t have to worry about grants. She could buy land and a building without a struggle for financing.

Anger and dismay churned in her. He had demolished her well-laid plans. He would derail her dreams to try to get what he wanted. He had already admitted he would flirt and ask her out. Her resistance to his charm was almost nonexistent. How much would she complicate her life? If he went to such lengths to get her to work for him, how persistent would he be in trying to get her in his bed?

She stood to break the mesmerizing spell he wove and to get to herself to think clearly, but there was only one answer to give him now.

He came to his feet the moment she stood.

“I need to turn in for tonight. I’ll think about this, of course,” she said, feeling overwhelmed and still stunned. She could not turn him down now, not with this kind of money. But she wasn’t going to capitulate the instant he waved a paycheck at her.

He took her arm. “I’ll see you to your room.”

She didn’t protest because she was lost in thought, but then she realized what he had said and that he walked beside her.

They were silent until she reached the door of her suite, where she turned to face him. “You barely know me. I’ve only known Caroline for one day. You don’t really know whether I’ll be this much help to Caroline or not.”

“She likes you. You made her smile when no one else has. I’m willing to take the chance. It’s worth the risk to me to have you try. I’ll never miss the money, and even if I did, if it helps Caroline, it’s worth it to me.”

“It doesn’t bother you to wreck someone else’s plans?”

“I haven’t wrecked your plans, Ava. The money I’m offering will help you get that school months or years faster than you would without it. Also, you said you would start with only first and second grade because of limited funds. Now you won’t be quite so limited. I’m not tearing up your plans—I’m aiding them. You’re free to make a choice.”

“That I am,” she said. “It’s been an interesting day. I’ll give you an answer tomorrow.”

She was angry with his high-handed methods, stunned by the amount, shaken that she could earn that much money in just under three months. Weighing more heavily were the problems she would have with Will and Caroline. She didn’t want to fall in love with Will, and that’s what an affair would mean. An affair for her would be an affair of the heart that needed commitment and real love.

When Will’s gaze lowered to her mouth, Ava held her breath. Her lips parted, tingled. She wanted his kisses while at the same time she didn’t. “Good night, Will,” she said, turning blindly and stepping into her suite, closing the door swiftly behind her.

She crossed the room and sat on a chair to stare at the figures scribbled boldly on the paper. Half a million to stay and work with Caroline for the next three months. Three months—a brief postponement of her dreams that would be more than made up when she could open a school, fully funded.

She could not possibly turn down the opportunity for the half million. If she connected and Caroline responded to her, there would be another half million. Ava stared at the paper and the figures danced before her. She had never been a therapist, yet she knew she could work well with the girl—academically and emotionally.

If she didn’t succeed, well, she had warned Will about her inexperience in this area. Three months. In those three months if she bonded with Caroline, she might love the little girl with all her heart and it would hurt to leave. And she would leave when the summer ended. She had a life and a career to pursue. Could she resist Will for the entire summer?

She leaned back in the chair, staring at the ceiling. Tell him no, came a small voice in her mind. Just say no and walk away.

Only she couldn’t. The chance for a half million or, if dreams came true, a million, didn’t come along in most lifetimes. If she turned down Will’s offer, she would be looking back forever. Particularly if financing became difficult. She had planned on grants, investors and relying on tuition. Now she would not be dependent on anything.

“Will Delaney, the demanding Delaney,” she said aloud, her thoughts jumping to their kisses until she was hot, tingly and filled with desire.

Impatiently, she stood to get ready for bed. Later, lying in the darkness, the turn of events and the amount of money being dangled before her kept her awake until almost dawn when she fell into a fitful sleep.

Saturday, Ava showered and dressed carefully in a navy shirt and slacks—casual but professional. When she walked into the kitchen, Will sat outside on the veranda at a table. He read an iPad on the table in front of him. He was in chinos, a black knit shirt and Western boots. Her pulse jumped merely at the sight of him and she had one more moment of reluctance. She had to give him an answer, and as far as she could see, there was only one reply.

He stood and smiled, approval lighting his eyes as his gaze swept over her. “Good morning. You look great.”

“Thank you,” she answered coolly, knowing she should be thrilled and eager when he made such a large offer, but she wanted him to know he couldn’t push her around.

He walked up to her and her pulse drummed faster when he placed his hands on her shoulders.

“Come sit and I’ll get your breakfast. Want coffee and orange juice now?”

“I can help myself,” she said, picking up a china cup.

When Ava was seated and had breakfast in front of her, Will also sat and sipped black coffee. “Have you thought over my offer?”

“Of course,” she replied, meeting his gaze. “And I accept. It’s an offer I can’t refuse, as you well knew. I think you expect miracles.”

“I think you can do miracles,” he answered quietly, his eyes flaring with triumph. It added to her annoyance that he was so confident and able to get his way easily.

“Go to dinner with me tonight. I want to celebrate hiring you for the summer.”

“Maybe we should make some rules from the first,” she answered. “You said there were no demands on me other than where Caroline is concerned.”

Again, amusement flared in his expression so slightly, yet she had no doubt that’s what he felt. “That’s correct, but I thought you might enjoy a night out and to get to see a little of Dallas.”

“I’ve been to Dallas before,” she answered. “Thank you, but I’d like to keep my personal life separate. I don’t care to go out unless it is something involving Caroline.”

“Whatever you want,” he said smoothly and her insides tightened. She would love to go out with him, but she wasn’t going down that road.

“If possible, I should return home today, get my things in order and make arrangements to be gone for the next three months. I’d like a week to get ready and return a week from tomorrow to begin work. How will that fit with your schedule?”

“Fine, I’ll take you home today. I’d like to tell Caroline the news because I think she’ll be pleased.”

“I think you’re reading much more into a relationship between your niece and me than there really is,” she persisted.

“Time will tell,” he said, smiling at her. He reached across the table to squeeze her hand. “Thanks for doing this, Ava.”

The contact made her tingle and the warmth in his voice heightened her reaction to him. Three months in the same house with a charismatic, seductive man. That might turn out to be as big a challenge as working with Caroline.

“There is no way I can turn down your offer, but I can’t give you any guarantees. I’ve never done this before, tutored long-term in a home with a child with problems as deep as Caroline has. I’ll do what I can.”

“That’s all I ask.”

Hours later, when she unlocked the door to her condo, Will stepped inside. He took her arm lightly and turned her to face him.

As she looked up at him, her breathing altered.

“This doesn’t have anything to do with your working for me,” he said in a husky voice. “It’s simply a man and a woman he’s attracted to.” Her lips parted as she drew a deep breath. He leaned down to kiss her, covering her mouth with his before she could answer.

Her heart thudded and she stood still, unresponsive for a heartbeat, and then she melted against his hard frame. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him in return. His fingers wrapped in her hair a few moments as he leaned over her and kissed her passionately.

His tongue thrust deeply into her mouth. His kisses were more devastating than before. Desire blazed, threatening her peaceful world. She stepped back. “This isn’t part of the bargain, Will. It just can’t be. I’ve got my life all lined up and you’ve already turned it upside down for the summer. I don’t want a big emotional upheaval on top of that.”

“I don’t, either,” he said solemnly. “It’s kisses and wanting to dance with you and hold you, nothing deep or involved. Get back in the world, Ava. You’re too full of life to withdraw into a shell.”

“You barely know me or what I do or how I am.”

“I’m beginning to know you, and I know that much about you already,” he whispered, showering kisses on her temple and cheek, brushing them lightly across her lips. She closed her eyes and in seconds they kissed again until she stopped him.

“I have to say goodbye now, Will. I’ll see you a week from Sunday afternoon.”

He smiled at her, running his fingers lightly on her throat. “See you at three next Sunday.”

She watched him climb back into the limo and leave. Dazed, she moved through her condo, feeling as if she had been caught up in a whirlwind and now dropped back to earth.

She got out her iPad to check her calendar and begin listing what she needed to do before she saw Will again on Sunday. Then she sent a text to her sister. In an hour, Trinity was at the door.

“Tell me what you’re doing and where you’ve been and about William Delaney!” Trinity exclaimed, rushing inside, her sandy curls bouncing. “I brought pizza,” she said, waving boxes with enticing smells.

“It’s good to see you and to be home,” Ava said, smiling, knowing an explosion was coming. “What would you like to drink?” She headed to her small kitchen while Trinity followed and set the pizzas on the table.

“Water. I have veggie blast and artichoke, basil and onion pizza.”

“Thanks. Let me pay you.”

“My treat, and you talk. What’s he like? Does he look like his pictures? Does he have a woman in his life? Is he nice?”

Ava laughed. “Trinity, slow down. One question at a time. He’s nicer than I thought he would be. He is more handsome than his pictures,” she said, remembering his kisses. “As far as I know there’s no woman in his life right now, but I really don’t know for sure. He was nice. He has a little niece whose dad was killed in a plane crash, and he’s worried about her because she’s sort of closed off the world.”

“That’s dreadful and sad,” Trinity said, her smile vanishing. “How old is she?”

“Five.” Ava set two glasses of water on the table and told Trinity about Caroline’s situation.

Trinity looked horrified. “Poor little thing. So is he going to interview the tutors you recommended?”

Ava braced herself. “No. He’s hired me for the summer to work with her.”

“You’re going to work for him and give up all your plans?” Trinity asked, her eyebrows arching as she stared at Ava.

“Yes. He gave me an incentive.”

Trinity squinted her eyes and tilted her head to study her sister. “You didn’t fall in love with him, did you?”

“Of course, not,” Ava snapped, while a twinge of guilt about the kisses she’d shared with him plagued her. “He made an offer I really couldn’t refuse.” She withdrew the piece of paper from her purse. “You might want to sit before you read it,” she added, bracing again for her sister’s reaction.

With one more long look at Ava, Trinity took the paper to read. Her mouth dropped open and she looked up at Ava. “Is this real?”

“Very. I’ll have money for my dream and be able to help you and Summer through school.”

Trinity looked at the paper again and read it aloud, suddenly screaming as she jumped up and down.

Ava smiled and held out her hand. “Now you see why I postponed my plans until fall. Give me back my paper. I want to keep it.”

To Ava’s amusement, Trinity reacted in typical fashion and it was an hour before she calmed. They called their youngest sister, Summer, to tell her the change in Ava’s plans, and then Ava spent the next several hours with Trinity. The only topics of discussion were Will, Caroline and summer plans.

It was almost nine before Trinity left. Ava felt wound up, filled with excitement, trying to ignore the constant simmering prospect of spending the summer with Will Delaney. To tell someone else about Will’s offer, actually show Trinity the amount written by Will, made it seem slightly more real.

At ten, a violin rendition of a Strauss waltz played faintly and she rushed to answer her cell phone to hear Will’s voice.

“Did I call too late?”

“Of course not,” she answered, her pulse speeding simply over the sound of his voice. She sat in a cherrywood rocker, rocking slightly. “My sister Trinity just left a little while ago. She’s very excited about my new job and we called our youngest sister and told her.”

“I hope they’re happy about it.”

“That’s a huge understatement. It’s a wonder you didn’t hear Trinity screaming for joy.”

He chuckled. “I told Caroline. In her own quiet way I think she’s pleased.”

“I’m sure she didn’t say anything.”

“No, but I got a little response because she nodded. That’s more than I usually get, so I took that as a positive sign. She also gave me a long look and I think that was another affirmation.”

“I hope so.” She thought about the little girl and grew somber after the evening with Trinity.

“We already miss you being here” he said in a deeper tone of voice that caused another flurry to her heartbeat.

“I’ll be back soon enough.”

“No, not soon enough. If you wind things up there sooner, give me a call and I’ll send someone to get you earlier. If I can do anything to help you move, let me know.”

“Thank you. It’s just a matter of putting things on hold for the summer.”

“Are there really no guys to say goodbye to?”

“There are really no guys,” she said, smiling. “I meant what I said about that.”

“You’ve been shut out of life long enough.”

“That doesn’t go with the job, remember?”

“This is entirely separate from that. If you’d turned me down on my offer, we would still be having this part of the conversation.”

“Stop flirting and getting personal,” she said, trying to sound good-natured about it, but meaning what she said. “You make it difficult because you’re now my boss, so it’s a little strange to tell you what to do.”

“Then don’t.” She detected the laughter in his tone. “You know I could send someone to help you with the arrangements you have to make.”

“Thanks, but I’ll take care of things here myself,” she said, amused that he would try to take charge of what she was involved in at home.

“Some weekend soon, I’ll fly your sisters here so I can meet them and they can meet Caroline and see where you live and work.”

“They would love that,” she said. “We’re not much alike. I’ll warn you now, Trinity is a little dramatic.”

“She didn’t get that from her older sister.”

“You don’t know me well enough to decide whether I’m dramatic or not.”

“I think I do. I’m not much like my brothers, either.”

They talked easily about their families, and when she glanced at the clock, she was surprised an hour had gone by. “Will, we should end this conversation. Do you realize how late it is? I need to get up early in the morning.”

“I’m enjoying the company. It’s worth losing some sleep.”

“Stop it. I’m saying good-night now. Good night, Will.”

“Good night, Ava. I’d rather kiss you than say farewell,” he said in a husky voice.

Her heart beat faster. All summer with him; he could derail her dreams even more if she wasn’t careful. She inhaled deeply. She had no intention of letting him do that no matter how appealing the man was. Or what he offered her, because he had already promised enough that she could afford to turn him down in the future. Half a million was a fortune beyond her dreams. The wealth would give her independence to do as she pleased about some facets in her life, including Will Delaney.

“Thank you, Will,” she said, remembering his dark gaze on her, trying to avoid thinking about his kisses or his sexy voice as he told her goodbye on the phone.

Will Delaney had just opened a whole new world for her.

Smiling, Will shut off his phone. Before he set it down a tune began to play. He answered the call to hear his brother Zach’s voice.

“Had a moment and thought I’d check with you. I’m in the L.A. airport, but I won’t be coming home. I’m on my way from Australia to Winnipeg. Any luck with tutors for Caroline?”

“Actually, I’ve hired the teacher who gave me recommendations. I wanted to get to know her better, and then when she was here, Caroline responded to her in a small way.”

“If Caroline responded in the least, it’s worth a try. Don’t blame you.”

“Caroline asked Ava if she hurt. Ava is a widow.”

“I’ll be damned,” Zach said. “Caroline hasn’t said a word to me since she lost her dad. That’s something.”

“It’s a small thing, but I’m willing to take it. I just have a feeling about this, and with Caroline asking Ava a question—I couldn’t let that go.”

“Hell, no, you couldn’t. That’s amazing. A widow. That’s nice for Caroline. Our mother isn’t grandma material and our stepmother has never been interested in Caroline.”

“Zach, Ava isn’t exactly grandma material, either. She’s twenty-eight. Widowed in college. They married before they graduated. She doesn’t date though.”

“Okay. I assume she’s good-looking.”

“Good-looking wouldn’t have mattered if I hadn’t thought she’d help.”

“I know. Well, that’s good news. I’ll pray for Adam’s dear Caroline and this tutor. What’s her name?”

“Ava Barton.”

“I’ll meet her next time I’m home. Whenever that may be. Let me know how things go. When does she start work?”

“Next Monday.”

“Good deal. And good job, Will. Hey, they’re calling my flight.”

“So long, Zach. Take care.” Will broke the connection, staring into space, but lost in thought about Ava.

After a busy week, Ava wound everything up by Saturday. She’d taken Trinity for a goodbye dinner, then woke up early and excited on Sunday. She dressed with care, in blue linen slacks and a matching shirt, and wound her hair into a bun, fastening it with a clip. She made some last-minute phone calls, did some research and waited for Will.

Promptly at 3:00 p.m. her doorbell rang.

When she opened the door, her breath caught. Tall and handsome, Will smiled at her and stepped inside, closing the door behind him. His brown eyes swept over her, stirring tingles. The impact of seeing him was greater than ever, and she locked her fingers behind her back.

“Hi. You look gorgeous,” he said in a husky voice.

“Thank you. Is it possible for you to keep this a purely business arrangement?” she asked, hating the breathless sound of her voice.

“No,” he said, smiling at her, an irresistible smile showing snow-white teeth and creases bracketing his mouth. “I don’t think it is for you, either, only you won’t admit it. I’ll bet your pulse is racing right now because, all business aside, we react to each other.” He reached out to place his fingers lightly on her throat to feel her pulse. She twisted away from him.

“You’ve proven your point,” she remarked dryly. “I’m ready.” She turned to pick up her things, but he stepped past her to shoulder the carry-on and gather her other bags.

She locked up, and when they stepped out, the chauffeur standing by the limousine came forward quickly to take her luggage.

“I’m glad to get you back to Dallas.”

She smiled at him. “So I might as well save my breath on telling you to keep all this impersonal?”

“Now you’re catching on. If you didn’t react to my flirting and remarks and kisses, I would back off, but you do respond.” He leaned down by her ear. “You set me on fire with your responses.”

“Stubborn, stubborn,” she said before stepping into the limo.

Looking relaxed, Will sat facing her.

“Rosalyn is with Caroline until we get home. Then she is taking tonight off. Tomorrow I’ll be home since it’s your first day. Did you get everything taken care of to your satisfaction?”

“Yes. With money in the bank, it gets easier.”

Will nodded. “Good. I don’t want you to have any regrets. Far from it. We’ll be home in no time.”

In what seemed a short flight to Ava, they landed at Love Field in Dallas. As soon as they were in his mansion, Will turned to her. “I’ll have your things put away.”

“Thanks, Will. Where is Caroline? I’d like to say hello to her.”

“She’s probably upstairs with Rosalyn.” They headed upstairs, and he knocked lightly on Caroline’s door. She sat on the floor playing with dolls and her small brown bear. Rosalyn sat nearby with a book in her hands. Caroline stood up, her gaze on Will although she gave Ava one brief glance.

“How’s my girl?” Will asked, picking her up to hug her and kiss her on the cheek. He turned to Ava. “Looks who’s here. She’ll be staying with us now for the summer.”

When Caroline’s eyes widened, Ava took it for a hopeful sign. She had uncustomary butterflies in her stomach over trying to help Caroline, yet she was hopeful she could do so even in a tiny degree.

Five

“Hi, Caroline,” Ava said, and without waiting for an answer she turned to Rosalyn. “It’s nice to see you, Rosalyn. Will, I’ll go to my room to freshen up and then I’ll go downstairs.”

She turned and left, trying to keep things low-key with Caroline. She knew the child would have to come to her, not the other way around.

She unpacked, giving Will time with his niece. After an hour, she went downstairs to look for him. She finally spotted them outside in the sparkling pool.

Declining to join them, she sat near the pool and watched Will with Caroline. Finally he swam a lap and then climbed out.

Ava drew a deep breath as her gaze ran over his muscled body and the thick mat of dark chest hair that tapered in a narrow line to disappear below his black swim trunks. Her mouth went dry and she could not keep from looking at his broad chest, lean body, long legs. He was tanned, fit and handsome. He raked his wavy black hair back from his face, wrapped the towel around his middle and strolled over to pull a chair close to her. “You should have joined us.”

“I will some other time. Caroline seems to enjoy herself.”

“She loves to swim. It’s easy to tell that she likes the water. She always has, and learned to swim early. My brother Adam swam with her all the time.”

“You said you were closest to your older brother.”

“Yes. I’m getting closer to Zach. There’s a big age gap between Ryan and me. We’re not as close and we have different interests.”

“I’m closer to Trinity, but that’s because of age. Now that she’s in college, I’m getting closer to Summer. Summer is the one who will be the teacher so we’ll probably become even closer later.”

All the time Will talked, he kept his attention on Caroline, as did Ava just out of habit from watching kids at school and on playgrounds. One time Caroline went under; when she didn’t bob right up, Will was almost in the pool before she popped up, splashing and obviously enjoying herself. While he paused at the edge of the pool to talk to her, she splashed around. She played with a ball, and after a few minutes, Will returned to his chair.

“She does that sometimes. It always scares me. So far, I’ve never had to pull her out, but she still scares me.”

“Better to be safe,” Ava said. “How long will she stay in?”

“Probably until I get her out. She loves the water. I told Rosalyn to keep a close eye on her because I always worry about her wandering off and going in without anyone watching. She’s getting big enough now it’s not the worry it was. When we’re not in the pool, we keep the gate locked on the surrounding fence. The gate helps, but I travel, and when I’m away, I don’t want to worry about something happening to her.”

“I don’t blame you,” she said. “I can see why your brother appointed you guardian.”

“I had the gate put up before I became her guardian, way back before she was toddling around. I couldn’t bear to have anything happen to her.”

“That’s good, Will,” she said, thinking it was one more facet of Will Delaney that she had to admire. Her gaze ran over his broad, bare shoulders that had dried. His black hair was still wet.

“I’m going to get her out and start dinner. I’m grilling tonight.”

She smiled. “I’ll watch her so she can stay longer.”

“Okay,” he said, walking away while her gaze raked over his wide shoulders, down his long legs briefly before she turned her full attention to Caroline. Pulling her chair closer to the edge of the pool, she sat watching Caroline, who swam to the edge and gazed back solemnly.

“You’re a good swimmer,” Ava said.

Caroline blinked and swam away and continued playing and splashing. Playing, she looked as happy as any other kid, and it made Ava hurt for her.

Finally Will returned to check on food in an outdoor oven. He walked over to the edge of the pool. “Time, sweetie. Dinner will be ready in a few minutes. Leave on your swimsuit. After you dry, you can pull on a T-shirt and shorts.”

Caroline climbed out and in minutes she had on a T-shirt and shorts. Slipping on flip-flops, she picked up the small brown teddy bear.

Will held out his hand. “Come over here while I cook. Ava, want to join us?”

She sat near them, aware of Will talking to Caroline, smiling at her, and Caroline gazing back gravely at him.

Through dinner Will talked about trips Caroline had taken to Disney World, things she had seen and managed to include her even though she never said a word.

“You’re a talented man,” Ava said. “This is a delicious steak.”

“Thanks. I’ve had a good teacher. It’s not Caroline’s favorite, so soon we’ll have fried chicken, which is what she prefers. But we’re not eating a steady diet of drumsticks,” he said, smiling at Caroline.

When dinner was over they moved to the edge of the pool while Caroline went back into the water.

“You’re good with her all the time,” Ava said.

“Maybe. I haven’t been able to break through that wall she keeps around herself.”

“Has she ever talked to you?”

“Other than ‘thank you’ and ‘please,’ very rarely. And that was when I first got her. Most of the time it was telling me she wanted her daddy. That’s heartbreaking.”

“Yes, it is,” Ava agreed, watching Caroline splash in the shallow end of the pool. “To watch her now, she looks like any kid having a good time.”

“That’s why I think swimming may be good for her. It’s exercise and may relieve tension in a kid as much as it does in an adult. It’s a healthy, normal activity.”

“You’re paying me way too much, you know,” Ava said.

His dark gaze shifted to meet hers. “If you can bring her out of this, it will be worth every penny.”

“There are definitely no guarantees.”

“I never asked for any,” he replied, turning to watch Caroline again.

Later, Ava went to unpack while Will took Caroline to bed. It was a couple of hours later when she heard a light knock on her door and she opened it to find Will.

“Caroline’s fast asleep and Rosalyn is here. Take a break, come have a drink with me—we have everything from milk and cookies to fizzy drinks to wine or cocktails. We can talk about the coming week.”

“For a short time,” she said, pushing her door wide and stepping into the hall with him. They got tall glasses of iced tea and sat on the veranda. Will pulled a chair close to hers. “I’ll be in Los Angeles this week. You have my cell number. I’ll leave you my secretary’s number because she knows my schedule. You can always get me on my cell. I’ll call during the day and in the evening.”

“Fine. I can’t imagine needing you, and if it’s something with Caroline, Rosalyn will be here.”

“Yes, she will. She can be quiet and blend into the background so she doesn’t intrude. With the staff here, meals will be prepared so you don’t have to worry about anything beyond Caroline. If there are any books you want to get for her, go ahead. Charge them to this card,” he said, withdrawing a credit card from his billfold.

She took it, tucking it into a pocket. “Thank you. Right now, I have plenty of my own material I can use.”

“After the past week and the coming week of staying here and working with Caroline every day, my guess is that by this weekend, you might enjoy an evening out. How about Saturday night?”

Saturday night out with Will Delaney sounded wonderful, but it meant getting sidetracked from the plans for her future even more. He grew more tempting daily and the risk of an affair was constant. Any affair for her would involve her heart and later, it would mean heartbreak, because Will would end it. Yet how tempting it was to think about Saturday night with him.

“I haven’t changed my mind about keeping this job separate from my private life. I’m here to work with Caroline. That’s all.” The words came out automatically, but it hurt to refuse.

He leaned closer, placing his hands on the chair arms on either side of her, hemming her in. Only inches away, his dark eyes consumed her. It was difficult to get her breath and her pulse raced. “You’re scared of life.”

“You got your way about this summer. Stop while you’re ahead. I’ve already explained to you, I don’t want to get tied up emotionally with someone.” She could barely get her breath to talk. “The minute Caroline goes to kindergarten in the fall, I will go back to my plans for my school. Particularly now that I have funds. I’m not getting distracted from my goals. I’m going to achieve what I’ve always dreamed about. And I’m not having a short affair with you, which is what dinner would lead to. Thank you, but we’re not going out to dinner.” Her voice was breathless and she was beginning to lose her train of thought and get lost in his dark eyes. He was too close, too appealing, too persistent. “We need to keep this a professional relationship. Treat me the same way you do Rosalyn or Edwina,” she added.

“That’s not at all the same thing and you know it. I’d be asking this if you hadn’t come to work for me. You’re scared to live again. One dinner and dancing isn’t that big a deal. It’s not an affair.”

“You know that’s not all you’re asking for. It’s a distraction I don’t need,” she whispered while he focused on her mouth.

“You’re a distraction I do need,” he replied, leaning close to cover her mouth with his.

Desire blazed in her. While her pulse roared in her ears, her heart pounded. His arm slipped around her waist then tightened before he lifted her to his lap and settled her against his shoulder. His kisses awakened responses unfelt in years. Heat and need grew vital. His boldness consumed her caution as her resistance crumbled.

The distant moan was her own voice, dim in her ears. He held her tightly while she had her hands against his chest.

When he raised his head slightly, she opened her eyes. Dazed, she wanted to pull him back to kiss her again.

“You’re ready for a night out. Go out with me Saturday night—you’re not making any kind of commitment beyond joining me for dinner away from here instead of eating the way we usually do.”

She slid her arm around his neck. “Yes,” she whispered, pulling his head down to kiss him again.

Surprise flared in his dark eyes before he kissed her. Relishing their kisses, she closed her eyes. From head to toe she tingled while heat pooled low in her body and an ache built.

Desire spiraled, burning hotly. Ava ran her hand over his broad shoulder, down over his chest while he caressed her nape. Slipping his hand down her back, he pulled her shirt free from her slacks. His warm hand caressed her bare back. Sitting up, she slid off his lap to return to her chair.

“You agreed to go out Saturday,” he reminded her and she nodded. She had gone against her own good judgment and plans. Even so, excitement hummed and she couldn’t take back her agreement. Just one Saturday night dinner. A few kisses. Nothing more—she could do that without heartbreak.

“Are you in contact at all with Caroline when you’re away?”

“Yes. Since we have Skype, I call her daily. She is as silent as when I talk to her in person, but with Skype we’re face-to-face.”

“That’s good to keep the contact and let her know you’re interested.”

“For the first time since I became her guardian, I feel better about everything concerning her.”

“You’re reading too much into the one tiny response I got from her.”

“No, that was not tiny. It was monumental. A breakthrough.”

“Will, stop setting yourself up for a big disappointment. I hope I can reach her, but that one response is no indication. We’ll just take it one day at a time.”

He smiled as if she had told him he couldn’t be certain the sun would rise tomorrow. Exasperated by his high expectations, she shook her head. “Does your mother see her often?”

“No. My mother packed and left when she divorced my father. She married again, moved to Chicago where she was originally from and never looked back. We hear from her several times a year, see her about once a year. She’s not excited over becoming a grandmother and really has no interest in Caroline, particularly since Adam’s death.”

“That’s too bad. I adored my grandmother—the one I knew. The other one died when I was small and I never really knew her. I can barely remember her.”

“My mother doesn’t deal well with people who have problems. She is not a patient person. Ironically, she does a lot of volunteer work, but it’s in the arts, the symphony, that type of thing. She’ll be present for the reading of Dad’s will, I’m sure. She’ll expect to inherit a large amount and she probably will. When it came to money, he was always generous to her.”

“He never married again?”

“No. I don’t think he wanted to commit. He was sour on marriage. There were women around, but no more marriages.”

“Will your brothers be here when the will is read?”

“Sure. Even Zach will come home. You’ll meet them all. They already know about you and that you’re going to work with Caroline. Do your sisters know you accepted my offer?”

“Oh, yes. So do my folks. Trinity and I have been together this past week.”

“So tell me about Trinity and Summer.” While she talked he took her hand, lacing his fingers through hers. He was still, and it would be ridiculous to protest the slight touch, so she talked about her sisters. Words came automatically while most of her attention was on the slight physical contact she had with him. Even though it was almost nothing, she tingled to her toes from it.

Conversation shifted and changed to a variety of topics until the moon was high. Ava stood. “It’s definitely time to turn in.”

He walked inside with her, talking about the coming week. At her door he slipped his arm around her waist to pull her close. This time she didn’t protest, but moved eagerly into his embrace, her arm encircling his neck.

Kisses grew heated, lengthening while he pulled her tightly against him, his hand exploring her back, slipping down over her bottom, up again over her back until she stepped out of his embrace.

“It’s later than ever. Good night, Will.”

Brushing a kiss on her lips, he smiled. “Until tomorrow.”

She closed the door to her suite, moving through the empty room quietly, wondering if she would get to sleep for the few hours left in the night. What had she gotten herself into?

He was quickly becoming irresistible to her.

By the time Ava finished breakfast the next morning, Will had left for his business trip. Ava sat on the playroom floor with Caroline and pulled a box from her tote bag. “I thought maybe you like to play games. I have one I hope you’ll like. We can try, and if you don’t like playing, we’ll stop,” Ava said, getting out a deck of cards. “See, they’re princess cards and each card has a letter on it. First let’s arrange them in the order of the alphabet and you can see the princesses.”

Ava began laying out the cards. “There are two identical cards that each have the same letter. Here are two cards with A and Princess Ann. Here are two B cards with Princess Brianna. Next, Princess Carolyn. And then Princess Dorothy. Now, what card comes next?” she said, spreading out five scrambled cards.

While Caroline sat quietly, Ava remained still, waiting to give Caroline a chance to participate. After five minutes had ticked past, Caroline pulled Princess Eileen and placed it in the row.

“Excellent,” Ava said. “I’ll do the next. Here’s Princess Fiona. We can mix these all up and play a matching game.”

She slowly went through the simple rules as they began to play. She had wondered whether Caroline would play or not, but the girl began to respond, her mind quick and her memory good.

From the game they went to books, and Ava read to Caroline, but once again, she let Caroline turn pages and knew that Caroline was reading along with her. They worked on letters and numbers through books and games until almost noon.

“Want to swim before lunch?”

Caroline was always slow to respond if she did at all. She gazed back at Ava with huge brown eyes and nodded her head.

“Great. I’m ready for a swim. Let’s put on our suits. Do you know where your swimsuit is?”

Caroline slid off the small chair where she sat and disappeared into the next room. Ava followed to see Caroline reaching into a dresser drawer and taking out a pink swim bottom and purple top.

“Great. Put yours on and then we’ll get mine,” Ava said.

Soon they were in the pool with Ava splashing and laughing. Caroline never laughed, talked or smiled, yet Ava had the feeling that she enjoyed the water immensely.

Rosalyn materialized for lunch and took Caroline to help her dress before they returned to eat.

The afternoon went as swiftly as the morning. Late in the afternoon, Ava swam again with Caroline. This time Rosalyn showed up and said she would watch Caroline while Ava swam.

Ava did laps, constantly checking on Caroline. She ate dinner with Rosalyn and Caroline in the kitchen alcove and spent a quiet evening getting ready for the next day. It wasn’t until after ten that she received a text from Will asking about the day. Shortly after her answer, her cell phone buzzed.

“Hi,” Will said in a husky voice. “How’s it going?”

“We had a good day. She’s a bright little girl.”

“So how are you doing in the new situation?”

“She’s delightful in her own quiet way and it’s a challenge. One I never dreamed I’d have.”

“Yeah, amen to that one. Adam and I talked about my being guardian, but I never expected the day would come when I really would be. I’m still at a loss.”

“You seem to be doing a lot for her,” she said, settling in a comfortable chair and kicking off her shoes.

“I wish I could do more. Ava, I’m sorry, but I won’t be able to be home this weekend to take you to dinner. I have a large sale pending and I need to be here part of the weekend, and then early Monday I have to be in Fort Lauderdale for a week, so I’ll just have to bypass coming home.”

Gone two weeks? “We’ll manage.”

“Don’t sound so cheerful to be rid of me,” he teased. “I have opera tickets for the next Saturday night. Some people don’t like opera, so if you’re one of those, I know the performance will not appeal. If you like opera, attend with me.”

“Will, that’s the Fourth of July. Caroline should see fireworks.”

“She doesn’t like them at all. The noise scares her. They have a great display at the country club, but she hated it last year and we left.”

“Well, I guess fireworks are out. I doubt if she’s changed in one year’s time.”

“The opera is The Marriage of Figaro.”

“Now you’re twisting my arm, because I do like opera and haven’t had a chance to go while I was in school.”

“Then it’s settled. Saturday we’ll go to the opera.”

“You get your way most of the time, don’t you?”

“When it’s important I try to. You’ll like this performance. I’ll try to make the evening enjoyable, maybe memorable.”

“You better stop while you’re ahead. We’re going out, which is what you wanted.”

“I can’t recall getting a pretty woman to go out with me being as difficult before.”

“I don’t imagine you do. I have an agenda to follow and I intend to stick to it, but I will go to the opera. Dinner here at your house before the opera.”

“Fine. I’m looking forward to it, and to being home.”

She rested her legs under her and sat talking to Will for the next hour before she said she would have to go.

Deciding Will was ruining her peaceful nights, she lay in the dark, remembering his kisses and missing him. She was doing all the things she had intended to avoid, yet it was becoming more difficult each day to resist Will’s charm. The barriers she had kept around her heart were melting away faster than she would have thought possible, and in truth, she wasn’t altogether sorry to see them go.

She thought of each of his features, the wavy black hair, his thick eyelashes framing lively midnight eyes, his broad shoulders, muscled body and long legs. He was wickedly attractive and sinfully wealthy, a devastating combination. On top of that, he cared deeply about Caroline, going above and beyond his duty to try to help her thrive.

The two weeks he was gone passed quickly, but by Friday, Ava had a subject she wanted to discuss with Will. She felt Caroline became even more distant when Will was not around. It was so slight, she wondered if she was imagining it, yet Caroline became a silent, unresponsive child during the time.

Though he called Ava every night after getting in from dinners and appointments, by the time he tried to get Caroline on Skype, she had already fallen asleep. Ava intended to change that. When he was home, Will gave his time and attention to Caroline, but when he was away, he had little contact with her. Ava felt at this time in Caroline’s life, she needed Will’s presence more.

She wondered how he’d react to that.

Saturday afternoon Ava swam with Caroline, as she had every day. They played water games and swam for over an hour. Finally Ava climbed out and sat on a chaise longue until she was dry. She watched Caroline continue to swim. At four, Ava let Rosalyn take her place while she went to bathe for the evening. Will had called to say he was running late getting home and she should go ahead and have dinner without him.

She was surprised to find herself disappointed. She ate with Rosalyn and Caroline and then left to dress. Will called once more to say he was turning in the drive and he would spend the time left with Caroline until he had to dress to go to the opera.

As she bathed and dressed, Ava thought about what she would say to him when they were together. She wanted him to make some changes, and she intended to get her way on this one.

She slipped into a dark blue dress with simple lines and a deep V neckline. Her hair was piled on her head with locks falling in the back.

By the time seven o’clock rolled around, she went to tell Caroline good-night. Gazing solemnly at Ava, Caroline held the brown teddy bear. Her dark eyes roamed over Ava, and Ava wondered what ran through Caroline’s thoughts. “Your Uncle Will and I are going to the opera. He’ll come see you before we go. Later, when we get home, we’ll check on you.”

The girl just stared her, so Ava smiled, told Rosalyn goodbye and left, going down to the front room to wait for Will. She looked at the leather-bound collection of books on the shelves and wondered whether Will had them for show or actually read them.

“I’ve looked forward to this all day,” he said, sauntering into the room.

Her heart missed a beat when she heard his voice. She turned, and the impact of the sight of him was even stronger than it had been before. Her pulse raced while she smiled at him. In his dark tux, he looked more handsome than ever—or did he seem that way because she hadn’t seen him for a while?

“You look gorgeous,” he said. “I missed you the past two weeks and I’m glad to be home. I spent about thirty minutes with Caroline and told her we would spend tomorrow together.”

“That’s good. I’m sure she likes having you here.”

“I don’t suppose anything changed with her while I was away?”

“No. There’s no change, but she seems happy enough. She likes her books, likes to swim.”

“I’m sorry I got delayed and couldn’t have dinner with you. I’ll make up for that, but there were big storms between here and Florida, and it was best not to take the chance.”

“That’s fine.”

“Don’t sound so cheerful that I couldn’t get home,” he said, and she smiled at him.

Will took her arm and they left to ride in a limousine. Will looked relaxed, confident and appealing.

“Soon now I intend to talk to Caroline about getting a puppy,” he said. “I spoke to a veterinarian, and he recommended a bichon frise—a lovable small dog.”

“That’s great. We had a dog all the years I was growing up. A cat, too.”

“We’re not getting a cat because I know nothing about them. One animal at a time for now. This is a big deal to bring a dog into the house.”

“You don’t exactly have a pet-friendly house,” she said with amusement. “She’s going to love a puppy, I feel sure. Will, while we have a chance, I want to talk to you about something I’ve noticed during the short time I’ve been here.”

“Sure. What’s that?”

“Caroline seems slightly more responsive when you’re around. She doesn’t talk or smile, but she’s less withdrawn. For the coming month, if you can possibly rearrange your schedule, I think you should travel less and try to be home more. A lot more.”

While he sat in silence, his dark gaze bore into her. “I’ll try if you think it will help.”

“I could be wrong, but I’ve spent over two weeks with her now and she’s more remote when you’re away.”

“No one has ever told me that before.”

“It’s not a real obvious thing, but that’s the way it seems to me. It’s worth it for you to make a change and see if that helps to have you around.”

“My schedule is really busy right now. I’ve got important appointments for the next three weeks and my work entails a lot of travel. After we lost Adam, I stayed home a lot that first month. Nothing I did seemed to make any difference so I picked up my life as much as I could and went on with it. I can’t just cancel everything scheduled. I’ll have to rearrange appointments and flights…but if you think this may help her, I’ll do it.”

“I know you can do this. You have people who work for you who can cover for you. You’re not trying to avoid her, are you?”

Again she got an intense stare. “No. I’ll arrange it so I’m in town. Or are you saying I should work at home?”

“Not at all. Just try to be there in the evenings. I think it’ll help, even though it may be a gradual thing. This kind of situation probably takes time to heal. I don’t know much about it, but I’m giving you my opinion from the last weeks’ observation.”

“Okay, I’ll be there more of the time,” he said, still studying her. “We’ll try that for a while and see how it goes.”

“Good,” she said, thinking it might be good for Caroline, but it wasn’t going to be better for her. Will’s presence would be temptation, and the more he was around, the more intense the situation would become. Her pulse raced now and she couldn’t get her breath around him. What would it be like to have him around constantly?

“Now if I thought you were asking to get me to be near you,” he said in a husky, deep voice, “that would be a different view of this request.”

His statement made her hot with embarrassment. To her chagrin, she felt her face flush and wished she could do something to distract him or get out of his view. Instead, he kept watching her, a flicker of amusement in the depths of his eyes.

“Maybe this will be a far more interesting week. I should have thought of this myself. A new dog. Home with you and Caroline each night. Home early if I can manage it.”

“You’re back to flirting again,” she said, looking out the window. The sun was still high. There was no merciful darkness to hide her blush. “Stop teasing me. All I had in mind was Caroline. I can go to my room and leave you two to bond.”

“Oh, no. This was your idea, and part of the deal has to be that you stay.”

“Sometimes. But part of the time it would be good if just the two of you were together. She needs you, and the more you’re together, the more she’ll bond with you.”

“How about you? The more we’re together, will it be the more we will bond?”

“That’s entirely different and you know it,” she snapped. “Stop your flirting. Get back to some impersonal level. Tell me about this opera. I can’t recall seeing a performance of this one,” she said, knowing full well she had seen it before, but not recently.

“Ah, it’s beautiful. You’ll like it,” he said, summarizing the story quickly as the limo slowed and stopped. A crowd had gathered, and she wondered if her picture would show up in a magazine with her entering the opera on Will’s arm.

The chauffeur held the door. Will climbed out and turned to help her.

While they moved through the crowd into the building, he held her arm lightly, yet with Will it was as disturbing as a caress, far from impersonal. During the performance she struggled to avoid glancing at him. After a time the music overrode her awareness of Will.

During intermission, she was introduced to friends of his. Several women gave her frosty stares, turning their smiles on Will.

“Will,” a deep voice called, and Ava turned to see a tall, ruggedly handsome man approaching. A stunning blonde with her arm linked through his walked beside him.

The tall man’s thick brown hair had unruly waves with a lock falling on his forehead. He was noticeable in the crowd because of his height plus his hawk nose, high cheekbones and pale gray eyes.

As Will shook hands with him, he turned to her. “Ava, meet my friend and right-hand man, my main advisor, Garrett Cantrell. Garrett, this is Ava Barton.”

Her hand was enclosed in a firm grip as he smiled at her with a flash of snowy teeth. His smile softened his rugged features, and she smiled in return.

“Will is given to exaggeration, probably because we’re longtime friends who have been together since too far back to recall. Let me introduce Sonya Vicente. Sonya, this is Ava Barton and Will Delaney.”

“I’m glad to meet both of you,” Ava said as the house lights dimmed.

“I think that’s our call,” Will said. “Nice to meet you, Sonya. See you, Garrett.”

“So Garrett is single?” Ava asked as they walked away.

“Yes. Very available, but not marriage material. He’s almost as leery as I am just because he doesn’t want to be tied down. Garrett’s ambitious and a workaholic. I think he’d really like to be on his own, but I pay him enough that his salary diminishes the temptation to go into his own business. All that plus our long-standing friendship and family closeness. I can’t replace him with anyone as loyal, good, intelligent and fun to be with all rolled into one person.”