The Right Bride

Chapter Three


“DADDY, DADDY, JIMMY let me put the window up and down in the car and have a soda while we drove here.”

Jimmy walked in behind his little munchkin and put his hands on his hips and glared down at her. “You weren’t supposed to tell.”

“You didn’t say not to.” Emma beamed the big man a smile and threw her arms around his leg and gazed up at him. “It was so cool. I pretended I was a movie star.”

She struck a pose and Jimmy and Cameron both laughed.

“How’s my golden girl today?” Cameron turned his thoughts away from the sailboat out his window and the lost dreams of his beloved wife.

“I’m hungry. Can we go see Aunt Elizabeth now? Maybe she’ll let me make something in the kitchen.”

Aunt Elizabeth was married to his boss’s brother-in-law. Cameron had become close with Jenna when she took over as CEO of Merrick International several years ago and made him president. Emma was just a baby. He and Emma had moved into a penthouse next door to Jenna and her husband, Jack.

Jack’s brother, Sam, lived with Jenna and Jack at the time and they all spent many evenings together, especially after Jenna gave birth to her twin sons. Emma and the boys were close. They were all like one big happy family now. Emma thought of all of them as her aunts and uncles and cousins.

After marrying Sam, Elizabeth opened her restaurant on the first floor of the Merrick International building. Elizabeth was like a little sister who nagged him to eat right and “Don’t forget dessert”. He loved her like a sister and loved her more for treating Emma like her own.

Emma especially loved playing with Elizabeth and Sam’s daughter, Grace. Emma thought the baby was as close to a little sister as she’d ever have. He wanted a mother, a complete family for Emma, but realized she had a close family of sorts.

“Aunt Elizabeth is expecting you and mentioned something about brownies tonight.”

“Really?” Emma bounced up and down on her toes, her hands held in front of her like a prayer. “She’ll let me make the brownies?”

“You’ll have to eat all your dinner. But yes, you get to make the brownies.”

“Awesome.” Emma ran and jumped into his lap. She gave him a hug and a kiss on the cheek.

“I wondered how long I’d have to wait for you to give your old man some love.”

“You aren’t old.” She stared at his face. “Not really. You’re just tired. You should take a nap.”

“A nap, huh. You think it will make me look younger?”

“No, I think it will make you not be grumpy.”

Jimmy smiled. “She’s got you there. Um, your guest is downstairs and she isn’t happy about waiting. Elizabeth said you better come down or she’s going to put Super Glue in her martini to shut her up.”

Cameron frowned over his daughter’s head. Why the hell was Shelly downstairs drinking when she was having dinner with him and Emma?

“Emma, remember I told you we’re having dinner with my friend?”

“Yes.” She dragged out the word with melodramatic exasperation, like only a five-year-old (or teenager) could do. “You told me last night and two times this morning. I’m five, not three. I can remember what you said.”

Cameron held back the laugh. His shoulders shook with the effort.

“Of course you can, sweetheart. I want you on your very best behavior. Shelly has been looking forward to meeting you and . . .”

And he didn’t want to introduce them, but couldn’t get out of it now. He’d just have to do it and see how Emma responded. He’d cooled toward Shelly, but maybe she’d redeem herself and show an interest in Emma.

Maybe one day he’d stop looking for Caroline in every woman he met.

He let his thoughts run away. Back to the past, and here and now, where every woman was dull and flat and never sparked anything more than a quick flash. This meeting had better turn out well. He didn’t want to disappoint his daughter or upset her in any way.

He wasn’t sure what her expectations might be in meeting a woman he dated. She might think it meant more than it did. His fault. He’d spent last night and this morning telling Emma all about Shelly and her many good qualities.

He might have embellished a bit and told a few white lies. Again, he felt like a supreme jackass.

Irritable, he clipped out, “Let’s go.”

“Maybe we should go home, so you can take a nap. You’re grumpier than normal.”

He scooped up his daughter and headed for the elevator.

“I’m just hungry. Maybe I’ll have you for an appetizer.” He lifted her, pressed his mouth to her belly and blew on her stomach to make her laugh. Just being with her made him feel lighter and overshadowed his dark thoughts.