The Acquired Bride

“You’re welcome,” she said.

The children lost interest as soon as the basket was opened and they drifted away. Quentin noticed the girls quietly checking out the magazines sitting on the table in the corner.

“Don’t touch things,” Dana warned them. “You too, Lukie. Put down Mr. Mac’s eyeglasses.” The boy had retreated to the other side of his desk again and was examining the glasses Quentin used for computer work.

Quentin studied Dana. She was definitely tense. He hoped she wasn’t really worried about spilling on him. Or was something else bothering her?

“The kids are fine, Dana. It’s their job to explore,” he said gently.

“And it’s my job to pay for what they destroy in the process of doing their job,” she said. Glancing around his office she continued, “And you have a wonderful office with all kinds of things to break.”

“Thank you, I think.”

“So much to explore, so little time,” she said, giving his work space an admiring glance.

He followed her gaze. He liked it and was pleased that she approved. On the hunter-green carpet, his oak desk and computer return filled the center of the room. Across from it was the soft brown leather sofa. From time to time, he had picked out pieces of art and knickknacks that caught his fancy. The cost hadn’t fazed him.

A worried frown marred her smooth forehead. “But do you have something against plastic?”

“Excuse me?”

“Everything in here is breakable. I’d better get the children home before you regret that we dropped in. Dropped being the operative word.”

“Don’t go yet,” he said before he could stop himself. “The carpet is thick. Things bounce.”

“I’m glad. Because my budget doesn’t have much bounce,” she said ruefully. “But we’re doing fine financially,” she added quickly.

To reassure her or himself, he wondered. He decided to change the subject. “How’s business?”

“Good. Storkville is a wonderful community for a baby store. The population is growing steadily, hence the store is doing well. I think word is out about what a great place it is to raise children.” Her pretty face clouded. “Which is probably why the twins were left with Hannah. I hope they find whoever abandoned those babies.”

“I couldn’t agree more,” he said, uncomfortable with the direction his change of subject had taken her.

“There should be a special place in hell for someone like that. Who could walk out on their children? Steffie and Sammy are so adorable. I worry about Molly, Kelly and Lukie every moment I’m not with them.”

Had she heard that the sheriff suspected him of fathering the twins? He studied her reaction, trying to decide if her tirade was general or specific to him. Suddenly an alarmed expression suffused her features and she hurried around his desk.

“Lukie, put that down,” she said, removing a ceramic paperweight from the child’s hand. She glanced ruefully at Quentin. “Something tells me you don’t do much business with three-year-olds.”

He laughed. “No. But I’m looking into it.”

He realized he wasn’t joking. The moment she’d walked into his office with her munchkin marauders, their energy and innocent curiosity had lifted his spirits. He liked watching them. He liked watching her. He would like to have them around. A lot.

He wondered if Aunt Gertie’s lemonade, which he’d sipped the night before, was to blame for his thoughts. The rumor was that it was supposed to help women get pregnant. Could it put thoughts of settling down with a ready-made family into a lonely bachelor’s head? Even one who had been avoiding gold diggers all his adult life?

Did Dana fall into the gold digger category? His every instinct said no. She had ignored him after their first meeting. His gut told him she wouldn’t be here now if not for the lucky coffee accident last night. And she’d had a little help from the mayor. He made a mental note to send Cleland Knox a special greeting when the holidays rolled around this year.

With her son’s hand firmly gripped in her own, Dana walked back around in front of him. “If your clientele expands to children, I’d advise you to kid-proof your office. Otherwise the pressure will age you before your time.”

“I’m not worried. Relax, Dana. They’re things. Replaceable.”

“Easy for you to say,” she said, sighing loudly as Lukie pulled his hand from hers and wiggled back under the desk. Looking over her shoulder, she saw Kelly and Molly touching a crystal bell on a shelf in the curio cabinet in the corner.

“Put that down, girls,” she said, an edge to her voice. “Please don’t touch.”

“But, Mommy,” Kelly said.

“It’s pretty,” her sister continued as if she was finishing the thought. “When the light shines it makes wed, and bwue.”

“Me see,” Lukie said, quickly moving beside them.

“No, Lukie.” Dana started toward the trio. “Don’t touch it.”

“Wanna see,” he said.

He grabbed it. When he turned toward the light, the delicate handle hit the shelf and broke off. Then he dropped the bell and it shattered against the base of the cabinet.

“Oh,” Dana said. “Oh, no.”

Quentin stepped in. He gently moved the children away from the broken glass. “Don’t touch,” he warned quietly. “The pieces are sharp. They can cut you. Are you all okay?” They nodded, but he scanned them quickly and didn’t see any blood, so he figured no one had been hit by flying glass.

Lukie stared up at him with a contrite expression that looked awfully familiar. “Sorry, Mr. Mac.”

“Accidents happen, buddy.” He stooped and picked up the pieces of crystal.

When he met Dana’s gaze, he realized she was more fragile than the bell. Her gray eyes shimmered. “I’ll bet that cost at least as much as my monthly grocery bill,” she said.

Close, he thought. But how did she know its value? If she was on a tight budget, would she have any idea what the replacement price was?

She bent and took Lukie’s arm. “Son, that was a no-no. I asked you not to touch Mr. Mac’s things. No cartoons after supper,” she said sternly. “Straight to bed.”

“No, Mommy.” The little boy’s mouth quivered. Then he started to cry.

The next thing Quentin knew, Molly and Kelly were sobbing. Dana looked at him helplessly. “I’m so sorry. Somehow, I’ll make it up to you. I wonder how many cookies I’ll have to bake. I—I have to g-go—”

“Don’t cry, Dana.” Quentin moved toward her and reached out a hand to comfort her.

She backed away. “Please don’t touch me. I have just about enough self-control to make it home with the triplets before I lose it. But if you’re nice to me, that time frame c-could be c-considerably shorter.”

He pulled her into his arms and felt her body shake. He heard a sob before she put a hand over her mouth.

“M-mommy? Sorry, Mommy. Don’t cwy,” Lukie said, burying his face in his mother’s leg. The girls followed suit.

Group hug? Quentin thought ruefully. He disengaged himself from the crying quartet and pressed the intercom for his secretary.

“Yes?”

“Doleen, I could use your assistance.”