My Secret Valentine by Marilyn Pappano

Author:Marilyn Pappano [Pappano, Marilyn]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Romance
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2001-09-06T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 7

On Thursday Katy made it through kindergarten and day care, and went home to pout and act out the rest of the evening. On Friday she made it through both and, when she heard her cousins were spending the night with their grandparents, cried to go, too. Fiona worried over the decision until her mother made it for her.

“We’ve been keeping Katy overnight since she was eight weeks old,” she reminded her. “We’re only a few blocks away. If she needs to come home in the middle of the night, it’s not a problem. We’ll take good care of her, and, frankly, honey, you look like you need some good care, too. Call one of your friends and go out tonight. Have a pleasant dinner. Talk to nonmedical people about nonmedical subjects. Have a drink or two and relax.” A sly look came into her eyes. “You could ask Justin. He doesn’t know many people in town. He’d probably be happy for the company.”

“Ma. You would actually set your beloved daughter up with the man who abandoned her and broke her heart?”

“I’m not talking about a setup,” Delores said innocently. “I just remember that no other man ever made you seem so relaxed and at ease. Besides, broken heart aside, he’s a fine-looking young man. I’m sure he could show you a good time.”

Sure, he could—right before crushing her again. “I’m not interested in going out. Besides, I haven’t even seen Justin since—” yesterday morning, but if she admitted that, her mother would know she was keeping track “—well, in days. If Katy’s sure she wants to go with you, I’ll get comfortable, eat junk food and fall asleep on the sofa.”

Delores rolled her eyes. “And my friends wonder why a pretty girl like you is still single. Katy-bug, you want to spend the night with Grandpa and me?”

Katy bobbed her head vigorously.

“Tell your mom goodbye while I pack a bag for you.”

Katy climbed onto Fiona’s lap and wrapped her arms around her neck. Fiona hugged her back, and for a time didn’t say a word. It was sweet, touching, one of the greatest pleasures in her life—and Justin had never experienced it. He’d never gotten a hug from his daughter, or a sloppy kiss—had never heard her say, I love you, Daddy. He’d never stood in the room and watched her sleep or listened to her spin one of her tales or laughed at her jokes. He’d missed so much, and whether it was his fault or hers didn’t seem to matter so much anymore.

She brushed Katy’s hair back. It was so soft and silky—darker than her own but not as dark as Justin’s. “I love you, Katy,” she murmured, her voice thick with tears.

In response Katy puckered up and gave her a noisy smack on the cheek.

“You be good for your grandma and grandpa, okay? And if you need anything—”

“We’ll be right there,” Delores said from the doorway. She held out a miniature suitcase that said Goin’ to Grandma’s, and Katy leaped to the floor to take it just as the doorbell rang.

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