Chapter 5

"Michael! Hi." Indie looked up in surprise to see the man strolling into the store. It had been a few days since the party, and they had messaged each other twice to say hello. He had also reiterated how much he had enjoyed the time spent with her.

Finishing with the customer, she hurried to meet him, a smile on her lips. "What are you doing here?"

Taking both her hands in his, he smiled at her. "Would you believe that I was in the neighborhood?"

"No."

"I wasn't," Letting go of her hand, he looked around the busy store. "But I just had to come and check this place out for myself." Turning back to look at her, he grinned. "And I was hoping to steal you away for a cup of coffee."

Looking around the store, she started to refuse, then decided there would be no harm in just stepping out for a few minutes.

"Let me tell Miriam that I am heading out."

"Great. I will just wait right here by this African princess."

"And hopefully, see something you like." She told him with a laugh as she went to ask Miriam to take over.

"He looks like ‘the one,'" her friend murmured, looking at the man in front of the glass case.

"Don't get your hopes up. We are just friends, and he is coming out of a long-term relationship—and a painful breakup," Indie told her.

"You never know what can happen. Go and enjoy."

"There is a place right here." Pushing her door open, she turned to the left and led the way to a lovely outdoor cafe with striped umbrellas to shield them from the sun"s rays.

"Very convenient," Michale murmured, sliding out of her chair before going around to take his.

"The entire complex is. What are you having?"

He scanned the menu and decided on the iced coffee with the ham and cheese sandwich.

"I will have the latte and the cucumber sandwich," She told the girl who had come to take their orders. "So, what brings you to my part of town?"

"I was a few blocks away attending to some business and decided to drop by." He smiled at her, eyes wandering over her face appreciatively. "And I could not get that night out of my head. It's been some time since I enjoyed myself that much. You are pretty easy to talk to, Indie."

"Must be my bubbling personality."

"Something like that." He took a sip of water and looked at her thoughtfully. "After my breakup, I told myself that's it. I was just going to get more involved with work, and it's easy to do in my field. I told myself I would not bother with a relationship, at least not in the foreseeable future."

"That's understandable." She nodded.

He continued, waiting until their meals had been placed in front of them. "But I wondered if that's the best thing to do."

"It usually is. At least from my point of view."

Picking up his iced coffee, he eyed her. "You did not go into details about your relationship."

She shook her head. It was not quite the lunch hour break, so few people were around.

"He was a jerk." She murmured, sipping her latte and bringing her attention back to him. "Plain and simple."

"And you don't feel comfortable going into details."

"Not particularly."

"Which tells me you are still hung up on the guy."

Her tapered brows lifted. "Is that right?"

He grinned at her. "I don't want to appear as if I am prying or anything like that. But I was under the impression that we were friends."

"And as a friend, I expect you to understand that the topic is off-limits right now." She said firmly.

"Of course." Holding up a hand, he acquiesced. "I guess the writer in me gets curious. You are a beautiful woman, Indie."

"Thank you."

"And I am thrilled I met you."

"Likewise. So, where are you headed next?"

"I am staying put." Picking up his sandwich, he took a bite and chewed in appreciation. "This is good."

"Everything here is."

"I was ill on my last sojourn and am still not quite over it yet. My doctor advised me to just chill for a while, and that's what I am doing. I had intended to take perhaps a year off anyway and do some research for a book I am planning to write."

"A book? Wow. I am impressed."

"Don't be," he told her with a laugh. "At least not until you have read it. The truth is, I am tired. I have spent most of my time hopping from one country to the next and never putting down roots. I thought that when I did, I would be married and starting a family. The joke was on me."

"Life has a way of disappointing us." She murmured.

He sent her a thoughtful look. "I feel there is a story you are unwilling to share."

"Something like that." She said lightly.

"How about we go somewhere on Saturday?"

She was about to say yes when she remembered the party.

"I would love to, but I was invited to a little girl's party, and I simply cannot disappoint her."

"And I suppose you cannot take a plus one?"

She shook her head with a laugh. "I am afraid not."

*****

Royce was not sure how much more he could endure. His mother had assured him that it was a small affair, and it had turned into much more than that. The magnificent grounds had been turned into party central, with tables and chairs near the octagonal pool. One of the gardeners had been designated as the valet.

The keys were handed over when the vehicles swept through the open gateway, and the guests made their way along the winding path to the pool area. Portable toilets had been procured for the occasion so no one would have an excuse to go indoors.

The princess theme could be seen all over the area, with hundreds of balloons, party decorations, and caterers hired for the occasion, passing around with food trays.

Turning away to avoid another hopeful female, he strode to the table where several acquaintances were standing, loaded with gaily wrapped gifts. His daughter, dressed in her adorable pink tulle dress and a crown on her head, was flitting from one place to the next.

"Quite a party." Benjamin Hurt drawled, one hand holding a glass of lemonade and the other a plate loaded with hot dogs and fries. "You are going to have our wives hounding us to make something like this happen for our children."

"You can always say no, and this was not my idea," Royce said curtly as he accepted a glass of fruit punch and wished for something more substantial. He wished he was anywhere else.

"Why do we feel you are not enjoying any of it?" Another man commented wryly, sipping his drink.

"You are very observant." Royce was about to say something else when he saw his daughter approaching a voluptuous female with short, curly hair.

"Who is that?" One of the men murmured. "She is … curvy."

"That's one word for it." Another one responded.

Excusing himself, Royce moved forward just as Madison had taken the woman's hand and the gift she had brought and made her way toward him. He could not help but notice the flawless complexion and the deep craters on both cheeks.

"Daddy, this is Indie. She is the owner of the store and also my friend." Madison's face was glowing with excitement, her eyes sparkling.

"Indie Blair." The woman extended her free hand, and he took it briefly before letting go. "It's very nice to meet you, Mr. St. Clair."

With a nod, he focused on Madison. "What have you got there?" He asked, referring to the gift bag she was holding.

"A pink elephant."

"Perhaps you should show Ms. Blair where to put your gift."

"I will." Tugging on Indie's hand, she urged her forward. Unconsciously turning around, he noticed the animated conversation between his daughter and the strange woman. They went over to where his mother and several of her friends were gathered.

He watched in surprise as his mother greeted her with a hug. Rachel St. Clair was well-known for her reticence, and her circle was relatively small, even though she was on the board of several charities.

Her husband's scandalous association with women in her circle had a lot to do with it, of course, and over the years, she had cut herself off from the people she had thought of as her friends.

Walking over to the group of chairs under an oak tree, he sat and watched the scenes unfolding in front of him.

*****

"We are missing your party."

"I am tired, and grandma said it's okay to come here and rest a little bit. And I wanted to show you my room."

They were seated on the lush white carpet, their backs against the bed.

"Do you like it?" Madison asked hopefully as she snuggled closer to Indie.

"What's not to like?" Indie asked dazedly. They had entered through the massive double doors at that entrance and along a wide hallway, passing several open doors where she caught glimpses of silken wallpapers, expensive artworks, and antique furnishings.

The spiral staircase seemed to go on forever, and the little girl's suite of rooms was quite extravagant. But still, Indie sensed a feeling of sadness surrounding her.

"It's a beautiful space, Madison." She told her solemnly.

"I don't have a mother." She told Indie suddenly.

"And I already said to you that everyone does. I had a mother, but she died two years ago, and I still miss her."

"My mother left when I was born. And no one talks about her. She is not dead, but she never calls."

"Oh honey, I am so sorry to hear that."

"I overheard Grandma and Daddy talking about her and saying that all she wanted was money." Tilting her head up, she gave Indie a sad, piercing look. "Do you think she hates me?"

Indie had no idea how to answer the question and was unaware of the man beside the doorway. Royce had been on his way up to his suite when he heard the conversation.

He watched as the woman touched his daughter's face gently, a smile on her lips. "Anyone who could look at this face and hate it has to be insane. I am sure there is an excellent reason why she left, and it has nothing to do with you."

"Daddy is angry with me."

"Why would you say a thing like that?"

"He does not smile."

Royce waited with bated breath to hear what the woman would say.

"Is it just you he does not smile at?"

Madison shook her head and sent her heavy hair flying. "He doesn't smile at anyone."

"Well, there you go," Indie said airily. "Maybe your Dad has a lot on his mind."

"He runs a company."

"A rather huge one at that. It takes much concentration to do something like that."

"I wish he wouldn't work so hard."

"And one day, your wish will come true. I always believe it will happen if we wish for something hard enough."

"I wish you were my Mom."

"Oh honey, that's a very nice thing to say."

"Do you have a little boy or girl?"

"If I did, he or she would be at the party with me," Indie told her teasingly.

"I love you, Indie," Madison told her wistfully.

"I happen to love you too, darling."

"Will you come back and visit even when there is no party?"

"Or you could come and see me at the store. You are always welcome. Okay, sweetie, we have abandoned your party for far too long. Let's go and have some cake."

Royce shifted into the room doorway next to him to avoid them noticing him. Waiting until they had descended the stairs, he walked over to the banister to watch as they made their way down. Madison was still chatting, and to his surprise, it seemed as if the woman was genuinely interested in what she had to say.

His hands gripped the smooth wood coating the surface as he recalled the conversation that had just taken place between his daughter and a stranger.

He had left the party with the intention of coming up to get some work done. But after what he had just heard, he decided that it was prudent to go back out to make his presence felt. He would also talk with his mother about giving the woman free rein to his house and his daughter.

*****

"Darling, I thought you had turned in for the night," Rachel exclaimed as he approached her from the direction of his suite. "That little girl of yours is tucked in tight. She was tuckered out from all the excitement and the opening of her presents."

"Do you have a minute?"

"Of course. Inside my suite or yours?"

"Yours is closer."

With a nod, she preceded him into her suite, switching on the lamp inside the doorway to her sitting room. "Is everything all right?"

"You tell me." He did not bother to sit but stood inside the doorway with one broad shoulder leaning against the jamb.

"I am at a loss. Why don't you fill me in?" Going over to the silk brocade sofa, she sat gracefully, bracing for whatever her son had on his mind and knowing instinctively that it would have something to do with his daughter.

"You invited that woman to the party."

"What- Oh!" Her brow cleared. "Indie."

"And you are on a first-name basis with her."

Rachel's eyebrows lifted. "That does not meet with your approval?"

"How well do you know her?" he prodded.

"She is the woman who brought your daughter back to her nanny the day Madison got away from Glenna, and my granddaughter seems to get along splendidly with her. What's the problem?"

"Did you also give her permission to come upstairs?"

Rachel was becoming upset with the questions. "Madison wanted to show Indie her room. Again, what is the problem?"

"You sent a stranger into our space, not just the living area, but where our suite of rooms are. A woman you know nothing about."

"What are you afraid of? She would take off with the silver or one of the paintings?" Her eyes blazed with irritated anger. "Don't worry, darling. When she was leaving, I saw she had nothing in her hands."

His eyes glittered ominously. "Madison spent the entire time airing our dirty laundry," he said. "She told Ms. Blair that her mother had left her at the hospital and did it for money."

Rachel's hand flew to her mouth as she stared at him in shock. "Oh my God."

"Yes, mother.' He continued relentlessly. "Madison was not afraid to tell her that she overheard you and I talking about that worthless bitch and what she did. She also told this woman that she wished she was her mother."

Leaning back in her chair, Rachel shook her head sadly.

"She is a child - a little girl who clearly doesn"t understand what is happening. Why did her mother abandon her just like that? She is attached to Indie. I have seen them together, and the feeling is mutual."

"And you don't think that's strange?"

"Why should it be strange?" Rachel stared at him in stupefaction. "You think Indie is setting up an elaborate plot so that she could get to you through her daughter?"

He moved his shoulders restlessly, refusing to ignore the irrationality of his thoughts. "It would not be the first time."

"She didn"t even know who Madison was until I went to the store that day."

"I find that very hard to believe. And in any case, I do not want her spending too much time with Ms. Blair."

"Are you going to be the one to tell her? It will not come from me."

"Madison told Ms. Blair that she loves her. I find that very disturbing."

"You would." Rachel suddenly felt decidedly weary. "She is latching onto a woman who has been very nice to her. If you would spend some more time-"

"You are blaming me again." He cut in harshly.

"No." She shook her head. "I am blaming myself as well. For not seeing that my grandchild is hurting." Her eyes touched on her son's harsh features.

"I hope you are not expecting me to find a replacement mother for her."

"No." Rachel shook her head. "I am not expecting that."

He turned to leave the room when she called out to him.

"Yes?"

"The worst thing you could do is to stop her from seeing Indie."

His hands clenched into fists. "Very well. Goodnight." He left and closed the door behind him. Leaning back against the cushions, Rachel closed her eyes in distress. She had seen how Madison stayed at Indie's side, even forsaking her friends. And Indie had been so exceptionally good to her, listening to her chatter with fantastic patience.

Some of her friends even commented on how close they were. Madison clung to Indie as she was leaving and begged her to come upstairs to read her a bedtime story.

Rachel intervened by telling her that she would read her two bedtime stories, the only way the little girl would let go of the woman's hand. Madison also clung to the pink elephant Indie had given her as a gift. She talked nonstop about Indie and how much they enjoyed spending time together.

"You like her, don't you, grandma?" Madison had implored her.

"Of course I do. She is a lovely woman."

Rachel had been truthful. Indie Blair had formed a connection with her granddaughter, and some insane idea was popping up inside her head, but it would take a miracle for her son to see things her way. Madison needed a mother, and Indie would be perfect. But there was no way her son would agree to anything like that.

*****

Inside his bedroom, Royce was nursing the glass of bourbon he had poured. The conversation he had overheard between his daughter and Ms. Blair had been disturbing. The idea that a stranger was privy to what had happened all those years ago did not sit well with him.

And the sound of his daughter's plaintive tone when she said she wished the woman was her mother bothered him. He had been so busy running his company that he had not realized how much the little girl yearned for a mother. He figured that Madison had her grandmother and a nanny who took excellent care of her, and that's that.

His expression turned brooding as he stared into the drink. The idea of marrying a woman so that she could become a mother to his daughter was distasteful, and he had no intention of resorting to something so revolting.

He had rashly ordered his mother to get Madison to stay away from this woman, but in hindsight, he realized that would not be a good idea. Leaning back in his chair, he closed his eyes wearily.

The last thing he wanted was for Madison to overhear what had been said about her mother. The woman was a useless bitch, but the child had not needed to hear it. He recalled how devastated he had been when he found out what type of man his father was, and it had scarred him completely.