Cinderella Story

Putting the leftovers in the refrigerator, Nina was sure Alex Bennett had had enough of her and her children. He’d never relaxed, but remained tensely alert in order to aid Pete, especially after the spilled soda episode. And Elizabeth hadn’t been able to keep her eyes off of the man. Knowing that a child’s nearly constant stare would make anyone uneasy, Nina had cast her daughter several reproving glances and Elizabeth had tried to behave herself. But, Nina had to admit, Alex Bennett was the kind of man any female would be drawn to study. She, herself, had found her gaze wandering to him several times, but she quickly jerked it away. Then there had been Tommy’s bout of threatened nausea.

Nina was used to active mealtimes and her children watching her, especially when they were anxious. But she was certain Alex was accustomed to a more sedate dining atmosphere with much more comfortable companions. Returning to the living room, she found him on the floor helping Pete build while Elizabeth introduced him to her dolls. She expected him to rise, make a polite excuse about business he needed to take care of and leave. Instead, he ruffled Pete’s hair playfully and added another block to the tower they were constructing.

Her jaw firmed. Even if he wasn’t tired of them, his presence was wearing her down. She needed some time alone with her children to absorb the impact of the events of the day. But politeness kept her from ordering him out. After all, he had provided dinner. She’d give him another fifteen minutes. If he wasn’t ready to leave by then, she’d politely but firmly send him packing. Seating herself in a nearby chair, she gave in to fatigue, leaned her head back and closed her eyes.

It seemed only moments had passed when a strong hand, gently shaking her shoulder, woke her.

Alex hated disturbing her sleep. She’d looked so peaceful. But he knew the children wouldn’t allow him to tuck them in, and he was ready for them to go to bed. Their company had been interesting but tiring. Both Elizabeth and Pete had vied for his attention, and he’d tried to give it equally. Tommy had continued to study him warily, and he’d sensed that all three were trying to decide if it was all right to like him. The effect put a strain on his nerves different from any he’d experienced in a long time. It was, he thought dryly, a lot like his first day in school when he wasn’t certain where he would fit in or if he would fit in at all. “Elizabeth tells me that it’s Pete’s bedtime,” he said when she opened her eyes.

Nina glanced at the clock. She’d been asleep for nearly two hours. “I’m so sorry,” she apologized, her cheeks reddening with embarrassment.

She was cute when she was flustered, Alex noted. “You obviously needed the rest.”

She saw a softness in his eyes that sent a curl of warmth through her. He’s way out of your league, she chided herself, and jerked her gaze to her children. “Time for baths,” she announced, rising and picking up Pete.

For the next hour, she washed backs, read stories and tucked all three kids into bed. Returning to the living room, she found Alex reading the newspaper. “I would have thought that you’d had enough of me and my family for one day,” she said, as surprised to find him there as she was by how at home he looked in her living room.

He laid aside the paper. While she’d been away, he’d had a stern talk with himself. He couldn’t deny he was physically attracted to her, but he vowed to keep the attraction under control. Having spent the evening in her home, not only was he more certain than ever that she would want more of a commitment than he wanted to give, but he wasn’t ready to take on the role of father to three children he hadn’t even sired. Not that they weren’t nice kids, he just wasn’t in the market for a ready-made family. Ignoring the curve of her hips, he kept his mind on business. “We don’t have much time to get to know each other.”

She noted that the warmth she’d seen earlier in his eyes was gone, and his cool, calculating tone let her know there was nothing personal in his inquiry. A few second thoughts about the reality of getting physically or emotionally involved with a woman with three children have obviously dampened any ardor he was experiencing, she thought cynically. It was just as well, she added. She would never be a wealthy man’s playmate, and that was all he would ever offer her. “What do you want to know?”

“Elizabeth filled me in on her age and those of her brothers. From that I figured out you’ve been widowed approximately three years.”

“Yes,” she replied when he paused, clearly expecting a response.

“You mentioned that your parents are deceased.”

Realizing that this twenty-questions game could go on forever unless she began to elaborate, Nina said, “My father had a small one-man, one-plane charter service. When I was sixteen, he and my mother were flying to Las Vegas for a short vacation. The plane got caught in a storm and crashed. My father’s mother was widowed and lived here. I didn’t want to leave Grand Springs, so she took me in. She died five years ago. My only close living relatives are my maternal grandparents. They live in a retirement community in Florida. We write but rarely see one another. Tom was my high school sweetheart. After my parents’ deaths we became even closer. As soon as I graduated from high school, we married. He worked with his father as a mechanic at a local garage. A drunk driver caused the accident that killed him.”

Tom’s image came strongly into her mind. Too tired to keep her emotions under control, tears welled in her eyes. “I thought he’d always be here. I let myself rely on him too much.”

She’s still in love with him, Alex noted. That explained why she’d fled when he’d started to kiss her. And another very good reason not to get involved with her, he added. Only a fool would compete with a ghost. “What kind of music do you like?”

She pushed Tom from her mind and ordered herself to concentrate on the business at hand. “All kinds. Country, mostly.”

“Movies?”

“I haven’t seen any in years. I don’t know.” Her nerves wearing thin, she frowned at him. “Do you really think your grandfather is going to grill you so closely about me?”

Alex had to admit he’d only continued to question her out of curiosity. He already knew enough to satisfy his grandfather. And curiosity did kill the cat. “You’re right. I know all I need to know.”

Her tiredness suddenly lessened as she realized that it was her turn to ask questions. “What about you? I’ll need to know something.”

“My father died before I was born. My mother preferred the jet-setting life to motherhood. As soon as I was born, she left me in my grandfather’s care and took off to lead her own life. She married several times. I lost track. About five years ago she drowned in the Mediterranean. I didn’t know her. I was raised by my grandfather and Matilda Hastings. Matilda was hired as my nanny and has remained as my grandfather’s housekeeper.”

Nina found herself picturing him as a lonely child. “I’m sorry about your parents.”

Alex shrugged. “My grandfather gave me all the attention any child could want. And Matilda was as protective as a mother hen. I figure I didn’t miss much.” But even as he made this declaration, a deep-rooted anger stirred within, and he scowled. He didn’t normally allow his mother’s desertion to awaken emotion. Long ago, he’d vowed to remain as indifferent to her as she had been to him. He glanced at his watch. “I think we both need to get some rest,” he said, rising. “I’ll come by and pick you up in time for your appointment tomorrow.”

“I need to drop the children off at their grandparents’ house. I’ll meet you at the doctor’s office,” she countered, then gave him directions.

He nodded and, bidding her good night, left.

As the door closed behind him, Nina frowned thoughtfully. If Alex Bennett had been truthful, and she had no reason to doubt him, he’d been loved and well cared for. But she’d seen the flash of anger in his eyes and knew his mother’s desertion had bothered him. “At least I know one subject to avoid,” she muttered, and headed into the bathroom to take a long, hot shower.

* * *

Alex’s knuckles whitened around the receiver of the phone as he fought to keep his temper in check. Soon after arriving back at his mountain retreat, he’d called his grandfather’s house to tell Matilda to expect him, Nina and Tommy. He’d also told her about the boy’s need for surgery. He would decide after he saw what condition his grandfather was in if it was necessary to tell the old man about the seriousness of the boy’s condition. “No need in causing him any grief in his last days,” he’d said.