Forever My Baby

While her daughter watched television, Garland cleaned up the kitchen.

She had to drive to Charleston the next morning for a meeting. For the fourth year in a row, Garland had volunteered to be the chair for a children’s festival. Tomorrow they would be discussing potential vendors for the upcoming event.

After getting Amya settled in bed, she strode into her bedroom and walked straight to the closet. She wanted to find the perfect comfortable outfit to wear. Garland pulled out three options, tossed them on the bed and then grabbed two more.

She chuckled at her actions. What did it matter what she wore? It was not as if she were meeting a man. Garland was just going to a meeting and then back to her shop to finish taking inventory.

* * *

Garland dropped off Amya at preschool on the island before heading straight to the French Quarter Restaurant located on Bay Street in the historic district of Charleston.

An hour later, she parked her car and climbed out. Horse-drawn carriages and people alike roamed the charming cobblestone streets. The architecture, colorful gardens, historic alleys and courtyards dated back to the colonial era.

She entered the restaurant and walked over to a table near the window, where three people were engaged in conversation. “Good morning,” Garland greeted as she pulled out a chair and sat down. “I brought the photographs from the last two festivals. I thought you’d like to see them.”

Garland always enjoyed the planning of the annual French Quarter Children’s Festival. The other three lunch guests at her table were members of the planning committee, as well.

Two hours later, the meeting concluded. As Garland walked out to her car, she noticed a new children’s shop on the next block. I wonder how long it has been here, she thought.

Garland walked down to the store and went inside. She navigated slowly through the aisles of clothing for girls and boys. “Quaint,” she whispered. It’s a nice store.

She found a couple of cute dresses for Amya and purchased them.

Her next stop was the bookstore. Garland had not intended to spend this much time in Charleston, but she could never resist an opportunity to buy books.

She walked out twenty minutes later with a bag of books and magazines.

Garland slowed her pace, her eyes widening in surprise as she stared at the man walking toward her in a black suit with faint pinstripes running through the fabric, a classic pale blue shirt and a perfectly knotted black tie.

Ryker DuGrandpre looked as if he’d walked straight out of a magazine. He was a gorgeous, smart but arrogant man who used to tap on her nerves every time she ran into him. He was her brother Parker’s best friend and had been his college roommate at the University of South Carolina. Before he had convinced some woman to marry him a few years back, he had had women fall at his feet.

A year behind Parker and Ryker, Garland had managed to withstand the urge to hurl herself at him and had focused on her studies instead. Though it had not been an easy task, considering the huge crush she had had on Ryker.

Then, eight months after graduating from college, her brother had died in a car accident. Ryker had been in law school at the time but had been sure to attend Parker’s funeral. That was the last time she had seen him.

He did not seem to know who she was at first, but recognition dawned and he broke into a huge grin. He crossed the distance between them in quick strides.

Ryker embraced her warmly. “Garland, how are you? It’s been a long time.”

“I’m fine,” she responded, his presence giving her joy. “It has been a while. How are you?”

“Life is good. I can’t complain.”

She smiled. “That’s great.”

Garland could tell that Ryker was tentative—she knew why and she felt the same way.

“How’s your mom doing?” he inquired.

“She’s doing the best she can, but I know that she misses Parker. We all do.”

“So do I,” Ryker confessed. “I wish I had more time to talk to you, but I’m due back in court soon. I was just about to pick up something to eat.”

“It’s okay,” Garland responded. “I need to get back to work, as well. It’s good seeing you again.” Out of the corner of her eye she could see his eyes tracing her silhouette.

“Here’s my card,” Ryker said, his lips curling into a delicious smile. “Call me. I’d really like to catch up soon.”

For some reason, her body reacted to Ryker. She nodded and reached for his card, but Garland did not intend to make contact with Ryker. Seeing him now brought back the pain of losing her brother. Almost frozen in place, she watched him as he walked in the opposite direction.

She and Parker had been close, despite the fact that his mother and father were her foster parents. Although they initially talked of adopting her, her foster father’s untimely death had put an end to that discussion.

Garland had not been disappointed because she knew that she was loved. Her biological mother had died when she was five and her father had been in no condition to raise a child, though she did have a relationship with him, albeit a distant one. He’d remarried when she was ten and his new wife had wanted nothing to do with Garland, leaving her feeling as if she had no real family.

She unlocked her car and got inside. It had been nice seeing Ryker again after all this time. He still possessed those beautiful lips and handsome DuGrandpre features. He was married now, Garland reminded herself. And as far as she was concerned, that ship had sailed. Her one chance with Ryker had come and gone a long time ago.

Chapter 2 (#ulink_80025ee8-d317-5e85-8d1f-51bcac7ae825)

When Ryker had first spotted Garland, he’d experienced the weirdest sensation—a strange combination of calm and excitement roiling through his bloodstream like a virus on a mission. The chemistry between them from the first moment Parker had introduced them had blindsided him.

Today, as they had walked toward one another, their gazes locked, Ryker noted a brief reaction of shock and pleasure in her hazel eyes before it faded away into a welcoming stare. Her short haircut was a tumble of soft, light brown curls, tempting him to run his fingers through its silkiness. She was beautiful and still possessed that same youthful glow she’d had in college.

A shred of guilt snaked down his spine because he had not sought out the family after Parker’s death. The loss of his best friend had left such an empty hole in his own heart. Then losing his wife shortly after she had given birth to Kai had been almost too much to bear. Kai was all Ryker had left of Angela and he vowed to keep her close always.

He was thankful for his family and the way they’d surrounded him with love and support during each tragedy.

Ryker smiled as he pulled into his parking spot at the law firm and got out of his SUV. He checked his watch as he walked briskly across the lot and into the building.

His mother was in with the office manager. She spotted him and gestured for him to wait for her.

“How is my beautiful granddaughter?” his mother asked as she joined him on the walk to his office.

Rochelle DuGrandpre, hailed as one of the top family law attorneys in the state, was passionate when it came to children. He knew that she often worried about him raising Kai alone.

“She is great,” Ryker responded with a smile. “Kai recognizes most of the primary colors and some of her numbers.”

“That’s wonderful,” Rochelle exclaimed. “I’m not surprised, though. She’s a DuGrandpre.”

Ryker nodded. “That she is.”

Rochelle settled down in one of the visitor chairs in front of his desk and studied his face. “Son, how are you doing?”

“I’m fine,” he responded in earnest. “I stay busy here at work and when I’m home, my focus is my daughter.”

“Why don’t you and Kai move in with us?” Rochelle suggested. “It’s just your father and me in that huge house. We would love to have you both there.”

He shook his head. “Mom, stop worrying about me. I would think you’d be enjoying your empty nest.”

“It’s nice, but I have always felt that a house comes alive with children.”