The Soldier's Legacy

Trevor joined them for breakfast before leaving to spend the weekend at his second resort on the Texas Gulf Coast. Erin and Caleb chattered at him throughout the half hour he sat with them. Jade was impressed with his patience in answering their questions and responding to their random comments, even though it was obvious to her that he was keeping a close eye on the time, preparing for his departure. He went out of his way to include shy Bella in the freewheeling conversation, eliciting a few smiles and even a couple of soft laughs from the child in response. Jade was content for the most part just to listen while she enjoyed her waffles, contributing only when she was directly addressed. Mary Pat bustled around the table like a proud Southern grandma blissfully feeding her brood, settling only occasionally into her own chair.

Trevor made his excuses before the others were finished with their meals, explaining that he had to get to the airport. He encouraged Jade and the children again to use the pool and other amenities, adding he was sure Mary Pat would take good care of them. Jade noted that he squeezed his housekeeper’s shoulder lightly on his way out and Mary Pat patted his hand in response, an affectionate exchange that demonstrated their mutual fondness.

She and the kids had several errands scheduled for that very warm day. When they returned to the house, Jade, Caleb and Erin made good use of the swimming pool. Bella, who was afraid of water, sat on the side and entertained herself with toys while the others laughed and swam and played on the tall, curving waterslide.

Jade climbed out of the pool first, telling Caleb and Erin they could play awhile longer before getting ready for dinner. Toweling her hair, she divided her attention between her older two, who swam like playful dolphins, and her daydreaming youngest nearby. Jade realized she was sitting in the same spot she’d shared briefly with Trevor the night before. She couldn’t help thinking again that he seemed like a genuinely nice guy. It was a wonder such a handsome, successful and charming man lived alone in this lovely home.

Was he still grieving the young wife he’d lost in a traffic accident? She remembered hearing about it at the time from her mother. Saddened by Trevor’s loss, Jade had been unaware, of course, that she would be widowed herself within a few short years.

She could understand if Trevor found it hard to allow anyone new into his heart. She wasn’t sure she would ever take that leap again herself. She’d been so deeply in love with Stephen during their somewhat unconventional but passionate marriage, and the grief of that devastating loss had been grueling to get through. She’d managed somehow for her children’s sakes, but it had been a tough time for them all.

“Mom, Mom, watch this!” Erin called from the top of the slide. “Headfirst!”

Pulling her attention back to her maternal duties, Jade called out to her daredevil daughter to be careful, then settled back to watch, putting both the past and Trevor Farrell out of her mind for now.

Chapter Two (#ub61669b5-04d8-5ebb-8e69-811668064e27)

“MARY PAT, STOP HOVERING. I’m fine, okay?” Trevor hated sounding cross and ungrateful, but he disliked even more being dependent on anyone. He’d spent the latter half of last year recuperating from the motorcycle accident that had come too close to ending him, and he’d only been off crutches for a couple of months since his last knee surgery. Now damned if he hadn’t injured the knee again, though fortunately not nearly as badly this time. But that didn’t keep it from hurting like hell.

Though his original injury had been due to a distracted driver crashing into his motorcycle, this time it was entirely his own fault. He’d thought his knee was recovered enough for some energetic kitesurfing, a sport he loved, with friends in Texas. He’d been wrong.

He’d felt the damned knee pop when he’d made an awkward landing, and the pain had been instant and excruciating. His friends had insisted on taking him straight to an emergency room. Now he was back on crutches for a week or so, under doctor’s orders to keep the leg elevated as much as possible and to take it easy for a while. Considering how busy he was with work at the moment, that wasn’t going to be easy.

Tonight he planned on relaxing with a hot shower, a cold beer and a baseball game on the TV while propping his leg on an ottoman. He hoped he wouldn’t feel obliged to entertain the guests staying on his second floor that night. Every once in a while, being the gracious host, at work and now even in his home, became utterly exhausting.

“I’d hardly call it hovering for me to just do my job,” his housekeeper muttered. With an emphatic thump, she deposited a tray on the low table in front of the easy chair in Trevor’s suite.

The driver he’d arranged to collect him at the airport had dropped him off at home an hour ago, and Mary Pat hadn’t left him alone since. She’d turned down his bed, fluffed his pillows and made sure he had water, pain meds, crutches, his cell phone and the TV remote within easy reach. As she’d said, it was her job. He just wished she wouldn’t be quite so conscientious for an hour or two while he sulked in private.

He hadn’t seen Jade or the kids since he’d returned. It was after nine, so maybe Jade was putting the kids to bed. Or maybe they were just thoughtfully staying out of his way.

Hands on her ample hips, Mary Pat displayed her frequent uncanny ability to know what he was thinking. “I advised Jade and the kids to give you some space this evening. I knew what kind of mood you’d be in. Jade told me to be sure and let you know she’s right upstairs if you need anything tonight. She’s a nurse, you know.”

“I don’t need a nurse. And I’m not in a mood.” He had to suppress a wince when he heard his own grumpy tone.

His housekeeper rolled her eyes expressively. “Oh, no, of course you’re not. Now, do you need anything else or are you going to snarl at me just for asking?”

“I don’t need anything else. Thank you, Mary Pat,” he added, apologetic.

“You’re welcome, hon.” She patted him on the shoulder, letting him know she understood his grouchiness was spurred by pain and frustration. Which made him feel even guiltier about taking it out on her. “And notice that I’m not saying a word about how you shouldn’t have been on that surfboard thing at all.”

Trevor grunted, knowing the lectures would come, both from his housekeeper and his mother. Maybe even from assorted friends and staff.

Mary Pat continued, “You shoot me a text or call me if you need anything at all later, you got it? Even if it’s in the middle of the night.”

“I’ll be fine, but thanks.”

Giving him a final pat, she bade him good-night and let herself out of his suite. As soon as the door closed behind her, he allowed himself one low moan when he shifted his throbbing leg on the ottoman, adjusting the ice pack covering his knee. He wore shorts and a T-shirt, baring his scarred leg for the treatment, and still the cold wasn’t helping much. The pain meds he’d been given at the hospital were wearing off, but he didn’t want to take more unless it became absolutely necessary.

He was aware that his disposition was growing darker by the moment. His business trip hadn’t gone particularly well, he’d foolishly reinjured his leg, he’d snapped unfairly at Mary Pat and there were guests in his home, so he had to be on his best behavior until he was back on his feet, regardless of his mood. The whole point of owning a house fifteen miles from the resort was to have a refuge where he could get away for a few hours from polite small talk, incessant smiles and perpetual hosting.

A quiet tap on his door deepened his scowl. It didn’t sound like Mary Pat’s usual firm rap. Had Jade come down to check on him? If so, it was thoughtful of her but not the greatest timing. Still, it would be rude to ignore her. Forcing himself into his usual practiced-host demeanor, he said, “Come in.”

The door opened slowly, but he had to lower his gaze to identify the visitor, who was much shorter than he’d expected. “Bella? Are you lost?”

The child stepped fully into the room, her expression tentative, one hand behind her back. He noted that she was dressed in blue pajamas decorated with leaping dolphins, and he wondered if she was supposed to be in bed.

“Is there something I can do for you?” he asked, though he wasn’t sure how much assistance he could provide at the moment.

“Mommy said you got hurt,” she said, her voice so soft he had to strain to listen. She pointed to his elevated right leg. “Does it hurt bad?”

“It’s felt better,” he answered candidly, “but I’ll be okay.”

Her brown eyes looked huge as she gazed at him with sympathy. “Were you trying to do a cartwheel?”

Reminded of their conversation the day they’d met, he smiled. “No, I wasn’t trying a cartwheel. But perhaps you can show me how you do them sometime.”

“Mommy says I have to do cartwheels outside unless I’m at gymnastics class,” she informed him solemnly.

“Then you can show me outside when we get the chance.” He studied her more closely. “What do have behind your back?” he asked in a casual tone.

Keeping her eyes focused hard on his face, as if to judge his reaction, she brought her hand around to show him a stuffed brown bear. “I brought this for you,” she replied in little more than a whisper.

Confused, he looked more closely at the bear. Looking well-loved, it was dressed in a pink T-shirt bearing the words Get Well Soon.

“GamGam gave me this when I had tonslisus,” Bella added earnestly. “It made me feel better. Maybe it will help your leg not hurt so much.”

Mentally translating tonslisus to tonsillitis, Trevor swallowed hard as he tried to come up with the proper response to her touching gesture. “That’s very kind of you, Bella. Thank you. Um—does your mother know you’re down here?”

Stepping closer to his chair, she set the bear carefully on his ottoman, next to his ice-pack-covered knee. “I don’t know.”

Which meant no, he decided. With a sigh, he reached for the crutches lying beside his chair. “I’ll take you back upstairs.”

“That won’t be necessary.” Jade stood in the doorway to his suite. Her arms crossed over her chest, Jade eyed her youngest in disapproval. “Bella, I’ve been looking all over for you! What on earth are you doing down here? Didn’t I tell you we have to leave Mr. Farrell alone?”

“You said he was hurt,” Bella argued. “So I brought Dr. Bear to make him feel better.”

“Oh. Well. You still shouldn’t have come down without telling me.” Jade shot a quick glance at Trevor, then motioned toward the door. “Back to bed, young lady. I’ll be up in a few minutes to make sure you’re tucked in.”

Bella took off without another word, leaving Trevor grinning despite himself. He stifled the smile when Jade looked around at him again.

“I’m sorry. I thought Bella was in bed until Erin let me know she was missing. I was in the rec room watching a TV show with Caleb.”

He leaned forward to pick up the toy. “She thought this would make me feel better. I’d hate to see her get in trouble for that.”

“She’s in trouble for sneaking downstairs without asking. I have to be able to trust her to follow my rules.” Jade tucked her hair behind one ear as she glanced down at his leg. He was sure she saw every scar he’d accumulated through the accident last year and the follow-up surgical repairs. They weren’t pretty. “Is there anything I can do for you?”

“I’m good, thanks.” Setting the stuffed bear on the table beside him, he shifted his weight in his chair. The movement dislodged the ice pack from his knee. He made a grab for it, but it fell to the floor. Jade rushed forward to scoop it up.