Daddy by Christmas (12 page)

Before he could answer there was a knock on the door. Jarrett checked the peephole, then pulled open the door. “Hi, Danny.”

The sheriff removed his hat and stepped inside the apartment. “Hey, McKane.”

“Thanks for stopping by, Danny.”

“Not a problem.” He looked at Mia and nodded. “Hello, ma'am.”

“Mia, this is Sheriff Danny Haskins. Danny, this is Mia Saunders.”

“Nice to meet you, Ms. Saunders. I'm sorry to have to bother you on Christmas.”

“It wasn't necessary for Jarrett to call you.”

“It's my job to protect our citizens.” Danny turned to Jarrett. “There was a dark sedan leaving when I pulled in, but I got the license plate. It's a rental.” He pulled out a small notebook. “The name of the customer is Jake Collins of Collins Investigation. He's a P.I. out of Denver and he's been here over a week.”

Haskins turned to Mia. “Jarrett told me that your father, Preston Saunders, came to Winchester Ridge after no contact with you for years.”

Mia nodded. “He has a P.I. watching me to see if I make any mistakes,” she said to Jarrett. “He'll use anything he can against me.”

Jarrett saw not only her fear, but the sadness. Damn Saunders. “We're not going to let him,” he assured her.

He walked Danny out the door. “Thanks, friend. Is there any way you could keep an eye out for this car? I'll bet my next deal that Saunders is trying to find something against his daughter so he can get custody of his grandson and it's my guess he'll do anything to get him.”

“Since he isn't breaking the law, I can't do much, but I'll alert my deputies to keep an eye out. I'll also have them patrol this area.” His friend smiled. “I take it you have more than a passing interest in that very attractive brunette.”

“Yes, I do. So don't get any ideas.”

Smiling, Danny raised a hand. “Enough said, friend. You always had all the luck when it came to the ladies. I'll let you know if I find anything.”

Jarrett said goodbye, then went back inside to find Mia in the kitchen putting away leftovers.

He walked up behind her. “I don't want you to be alone tonight. I don't trust Saunders.”

She closed her eyes a moment. “My father just wants me to know that he's there, that he's a threat if I don't do what he wants. I can handle this on my own.”

“Like you did in the past,” he said, regretting the harsh words. “Why are you being so stubborn?”

She stiffened. “Because if you stay it will only infuriate him. Believe me, you're not the type of man Preston Saunders wants his daughter to associate with. You're not successful enough, not from the right family or the right school.”

“So a poor country boy isn't good enough for a Saunders?”

She glared at him. “That's correct. It's strictly eastern blueblood.”

Jarrett hadn't done too badly for himself, but suddenly he felt like the kid with dirt under his fingernails.

“I'm that poor little rich girl,” she told him. “I'll do whatever it takes to keep my son. So please, I need you to leave… And I mean for good.”

 

Mia woke up the next morning, fed BJ and tried to eat but her stomach couldn't handle food. She hadn't gotten much sleep last night, either. All she kept seeing was the look on Jarrett's face.

How could she have said those things to him? The hurt she'd caused nearly killed her, but she couldn't let him get mixed up in her fight. He would lose everything.

So many things rested on her playing nice with her father. Even if she was miserable and lost the man she loved.

There was a knock on the door. She didn't open it until she heard Nola's voice.

“I was worried about you,” the older woman said.

“Why? I'm just tired from the long day yesterday.”

Nola watched her. “Your father showing up out of the blue might have had a lot to do with it, too.”

She nodded. “I'm sorry I never told you about my parents.”

Nola shook her head. “We all figured if you didn't want to talk about them you had your reasons.”

Tears welled in Mia's eyes. “My father's threatening to take BJ.”

Nola took hold of her hand. “He can't do that, you're a good mother. All of us can attest to that.”

“But Preston Saunders has money and a legal team on his payroll that I can't compete with. He's a successful businessman, and I'm a law student who can barely make ends meet.”

“What about Jarrett? He could help you.”

She shook her head. “I can't let him get involved in this. You have no idea what my father could do to him. He'd destroy him without a backward glance. No, this is my fight. And I told him so last night.”

Nola nodded. “That explains the man's grumpiness when I greeted him this morning. A bear, he was.”

“It's better this way, Nola. He has to stay away from me.”

“Why don't you let Jarrett decide if you're worth it or not? He's a big boy. He'd probably go a few rounds with your father and still be standing afterward.”

“No. This is my fight. All my life, I've let everyone else do things for me. First my parents, even Brad. Jarrett has already done too much.”

“I know you can fight this. You're a strong woman who handled the tragedy of her brother's death with grace and strength. You've fought hard to get into law school. And don't you forget all the times you helped us. I remember a feisty gal who took our landlord to court so we could stay in our homes.”

And fell in love with him,
Mia thought. “I was only helping out my neighbors.”

Nola took Mia's hands in hers. “Did you forget the most unselfish gift of all? You carried your brother's and his wife's baby.”

She smiled. “Oh, Nola, that wasn't a sacrifice, that was pure joy for me. BJ is a miracle.”

Nola agreed. “And no one could love him more. BJ belongs with you. What's most important, it was your brother's wish. He trusted you enough to raise his child. That should say it all. So somehow we've got to make sure that little boy stays with his mother. That's you. Nothing will ever change that.”

T
HE
next morning, Jarrett got out of bed in a bad mood. He left the apartment early so as not to run into Mia, then went in to the office, hoping to get some work done. Not possible. He couldn't clear his head of the stubborn woman.

“Ah, hell.” He stood up from his desk and went to the large window looking out over the snow-covered ground. The Rocky Mountains off in the distance were magnificent against the blue sky. The view did nothing to improve his lousy mood.

How was Mia doing today? Dammit! She couldn't cave in to her father's demands. She had to stand her ground, everything would be all right. He needed to be there….

“Hey, you busy?”

Jarrett glanced over his shoulder and saw Trace peering into the office. “If I said yes, would you go away?”

He walked in. “Sorry, big brother. Your bad attitude doesn't scare me anymore. What happened with Mia yesterday?”

It had taken a lot of years, but he finally realized that Trace and Kira wanted to be the family he'd longed for. “Nothing happened. She sent me packing last night when I offered to help her. So I don't know and I'm not sure I care.”

His younger brother placed his hat on the chair and
joined him at the window. “Now, that's a lie. And your way of helping is about as subtle as a bulldozer.”

Jarrett glared, but Trace didn't budge. “Thanks a lot.”

“I know you mean well, but it's true,” Trace told him. “So what's going on with Mia's father?”

“We're pretty sure that Saunders has had a P.I. watching her this past week. He came straight out and told Mia he wants to take BJ away from her.”

“What kind of a man would do that to his daughter?”

“You don't want to hear my answer to that. Besides, I told you I'm not involved in this anymore. Mia doesn't need or want my help.”

“Poor Jarrett.” Trace shook his head. “Ain't getting any lovin' these days.”

“It isn't that way with Mia.” Damn, if he didn't want it to be though. “She's a new mother.”

“And a very attractive woman.”

Jarrett studied his brother. “I thought you only had eyes for Kira.”

“Kira has my eyes, plus my heart and soul and my fidelity. But that doesn't mean I don't notice a pretty woman. I'm not dead yet. As I remember, a while back you had eyes for my wife, too.”

That seemed so long ago. Now he couldn't think of Kira as anything else but a loving sister. “Bite your tongue. She's the mother of my favorite little girl.”

“I think you just found the right woman for you.”

Jarrett couldn't deny it, nor could he confirm it. Mia was different from anyone he'd known.

He glanced at Trace.

“What?”

“I want to ask you something, but you'll probably think it's stupid.”

“Just ask me.”

“How did you know that you loved Kira?”

His brother acted surprised by the question, then he turned serious. “Honestly, I can't remember a time I didn't love her, even when our marriage was falling apart.”

Trace raised his hand. “Here are a few of the symptoms if you have doubts. When Mia looks at you, you get tightness in your chest, like you can't breathe in enough air. Your heart rate isn't ever normal when she's around. And when she smiles at you.” He shook his head. “It's like everything is right in the world.”

Jarrett groaned. “Damn!”

There were voices in the outer office, and then his secretary, Marge, came in followed closely by Nola Madison and Joe Carson.

“Sorry, Jarrett,” his secretary apologized. “I told them you were busy, but they said it's important they see you.”

“It's okay, Margie.” He had no idea why they would come here.

As Marge left, Nola hurried across the office. “Hello, Trace.” Then she turned to him. “Jarrett, this is important. It's about Mia.”

He saw the worried look on the older couple's faces. “Did something happen to her? To BJ?” He came around the desk. “Is her father causing trouble again?”

Nola looked at Joe, then turned back to him. Her large glasses made her eyes look huge. “No, she's fine for now. I would tell you, but I promised Mia I wouldn't say anything.”

Jarrett frowned. “Am I supposed to guess?”

Nola shook her head. “No. I did tell Joe and Sylvia, but Sylvia is at the apartment watching BJ so Joe drove me here. He didn't promise Mia anything, so he came along to talk to you.”

“Talk about what?”

Joe took over. “Mia's considering moving home with her father, so she'll be guaranteed to be a part of the boy's life.”

“What? She can't do that.” Jarrett started for the closet and pulled out his jacket. “How is she expected to have a life of her own? And what about BJ? We all know what Mia and Brad thought about their father's parenting skills. No, it isn't gonna happen.”

Trace stopped Jarrett at the door. “Hold on there, bro. I think you need a plan before you go rushing in and playing hero.”

“My plan is to stop him.”

“Bulldozer,” Trace reminded his brother.

“What if I tell her how I feel?”

Trace didn't look happy. “Okay. So you're ready to take the next step? The big question is, what are you going to offer her?”

Jarrett swallowed the dryness in his throat. It had been all he'd thought about it. He'd never felt about anyone the way he did about Mia. “I care about her. But you know everything is pending on this Fulton deal. I could be broke in a month.”

Nola nodded. “Does that really matter? We all know the way you feel about her.”

“Yeah,” Joe agreed. “That was some kiss under the mistletoe.”

“Thanks.”

Nola pushed her way to the front. “But is it enough to commit to her?”

“Stop pushing the guy,” Joe said. “He can't think.”

“He doesn't have time to think about it,” Nola argued.

“Besides, how long does it take to know you love someone? If it's for real, you know it.” The older woman turned
back to Jarrett. “You know she's leaving town because of you?”

His chest tightened. “I don't want her to leave.”

Joe spoke up again. “Mia's only leaving to save the factory project. Seems Mr. Saunders knows Neil Fulton and he's threatened to ruin you if she doesn't play his game.”

Jarrett looked at Trace for help.

“Okay, maybe it's time we help out a little,” his brother said.

Jarrett had never let anyone get this close. He thought of Mia's pretty blue eyes, her smile. Somehow she'd gotten through all his barriers. Now, nothing mattered if he couldn't be with her.

Jarrett looked at the group. “You know, this means I could be living in the apartment from now on.”

Joe smiled. “Hey, Mountain View is a great place.”

“Just make sure you tell that to the judge when I go back to court.”

 

The next day, Mia walked into the hotel lobby. With each step, she had to fight the urge to turn and run. Run so far that no one would find her or BJ. She detested being here. Even as a child she'd hated that awful feeling that came when she was summoned by her father.

Nothing had changed. She was still sick to her stomach. Of course she was older and hopefully wiser. Bound and determined to stand up to the man, she had a list of rules for if she did return to Boston.

First and most important, she would never give up custody of her son. BJ would be a Saunders, but she would be his mother. So, needless to say, there were a lot of things to be ironed out before she committed to anything. She had to protect her son and herself.

She would never trust Preston Saunders. That had been
the reason she left BJ with Sylvia. He wasn't getting his hands on her grandson, yet. Suddenly she was sad, thinking about leaving this town and all her friends. They'd been like family to her and BJ.

And then there was Jarrett.

She swallowed the ache in the back of her throat. She'd never wanted to hurt him, or herself, but by leaving she'd manage to do both. She knew Preston Saunders well enough to worry that he would destroy Jarrett's factory project. Perhaps even the man himself.

She also had to think about the people in town who needed those jobs created by the project. Not just in the building of the factory, but finished, it would employ a lot of workers.

She went to the desk clerk. “Preston Saunders, please.”

The young man looked the name up on the computer screen. “Mr. Saunders is in one of our small conference rooms.” He gave her directions.

Mia walked along the carpeted hallway and found the room. The door was ajar and she heard her father's voice. She peered in and saw that he was on his cell phone, looking out the window.

He didn't see her. “I told you it will all be taken care of by the end of the month. Yes, the money transfer will be there by the thirty-first.” He nodded. “You have my word.”

Mia was only half listening, but she wondered if her father could have money troubles. It wasn't a good time for a lot of businesses. She knew little about the family finances, except that both her parents came from money.

Her mother's wealth came from Ashley Oil and Textiles. Her father's from banking. Their marriage had been more of a merger than a love match.

Since she and Brad had been disinherited, she didn't concern herself with any of that. She only cared about BJ. And she would do anything to keep him. Even sell her soul.

Preston ended his call and turned around to see her. “Eavesdropping isn't polite, Margaret.”

She walked up to the table. “You're the one who set up this meeting. Besides, you're the one who's been sneaking around. I don't think I want to stay if you're going to be condescending.”

She started to leave and he called her back. With hesitation, she turned around and waited.

“Maybe we both got off on the wrong foot,” he said.

“That's what you call destroying my life?”

“I want to be a part of my grandson's life. Is that so awful?”

“You keep saying that.” She paused. “What about Mother? Is she here with you?”

He shook his head. “No, your mother stayed home. She didn't want to get her hopes up if this didn't work out.”

Mia had realized a long time ago that Abigail was just what Preston wanted her to be. A society wife. She did charity events, but raising her children was just too difficult for her. Nannies had always taken care of her and Brad. Mia was afraid that would happen with BJ. She couldn't let history repeat itself. She reached inside her purse, took out an envelope and handed to her father.

“What's this?”

“The list of conditions you have to agree to if you want me to return to Boston.”

“You're in no position to demand anything.”

She straightened her back. “If you don't want a court battle, Father, we need to come to terms. I will never hand over my son to you. I'm BJ's mother and that isn't going
to change.” She still needed to work out the legal adoption agreement. “So we're working on my terms. You've got twenty-four hours to give me an answer.”

She swung around and marched out, praying he wouldn't stop her. She'd crumble for sure. But just thinking of BJ gave her strength. He was all she had. She'd lost everyone else, she couldn't lose him, too.

 

Later that day, Trace and Jarrett were at the office doing research on Preston Saunders. Thanks to his Internet whiz, Margie, they'd been able to learn a lot about the Saunders family, including the fact that Saunders Investments was a Fortune 500 company.

“How much to do you want to bet Mia is a shareholder?” Jarrett glanced at Trace. “I wouldn't put it past Preston to have another reason besides his grandson for showing up here. Could it have something to do with money? Mia's money?”

“Wait, this is all speculation,” Trace said.

“You didn't talk to this man—I did,” Jarrett assured him. “By Mia's own admission, he's been a lousy father. And on Christmas, he made no bones about trying to use his authority over his daughter by showing up and trying to regain that control and take his grandson. There's got to be a reason why he's here.” He stood. “And I'm going to find out what it is.”

“Where are you headed?”

“To see Mia. Whether she likes it or not.”

 

That evening, Mia was still shaken from the visit with her father. Of course, this time she'd done a lot of the talking, but he'd definitely had enough to say.

She looked down and watched the baby at her breast and
smiled. She began to calm down. No way did she want to relay her anxiety to BJ.

She knew Preston would be upset with her demands. She'd insisted she have her own apartment, refusing to live in the large house she was raised in. She refused to let her father control her life again. But as long as she had BJ, life would be good.

She heard a knock on the apartment door. “Come in, Nola, it's unlocked,” she called from the bedroom.

When she looked up, she saw Jarrett standing in the doorway of her bedroom.

“It's not Nola,” he told her.

She tried to cover herself, but BJ was having none of it. He began to fuss. She raised him to her shoulder and quickly made an adjustment to rearrange her blouse.

“Jarrett, I'm busy right now. So if you'll—”

He walked toward the bed. “Leave?” he finished for her.

“I will, but first we need to talk, Mia. And we need to be honest.”

Mia stared at the man. He looked so good she felt a stirring that made her ache. “We've said everything already.”

“No, we haven't.” He sat down on the bed. “Look, Mia, I know why you're doing this. It's because of what your father threatened to do to me.”

She couldn't answer him. “Who told you that? Did my father say something to you?”