Finding Forever(38)
“I think I see what you’re trying to say.” And amazingly, Liam did see.
“So, what are you going to do about the custody situation? Do you still have your attorneys on it?”
Liam paused. “Yes, the law firm is still working on it, but …” Damnation. His heart just wasn’t in it anymore.
“But?”
“But I don’t think I can go through with it anymore. Maybe I just want her to stay with the children.”
“In what capacity?” Frederick asked.
“Why are you pushing this, Father?”
“Because I’m hoping it will make you really and truly think about it,” Frederick told him.
That hadn’t been what Liam was expecting his father to say.
“I honestly don’t know where any of this is going. I shouldn’t tell you all this, but I’ve flirted with the woman, kissed her, felt jealousy because of her, and shared things with her I haven’t shared with any other person, man or woman. But I don’t have a Magic 8 Ball at my disposal. I don’t know what the future holds.”
“Well, maybe you should do something magical for her,” Frederick said. “Then you can see if you want her to be in your life as more than just the aunt of your niece and nephew.”
“That’s an idea, Dad.” Liam didn’t notice that he’d just said “Dad” and not “Father,” but Frederick did.
Even while Liam was walking out of his father’s office, he was forming plans in his head. Why not see whether there was more to what he felt about Whitney than just hormones? Was it time to settle down? Geez. He’d never even considered that before, and he wouldn’t again. Stupid thought. Freaking insane.
And yet why was the thought of letting her go unacceptable? He could tell himself it was about controlling the situation, but he knew that wasn’t the case.
He just wasn’t sure what the case was.
Chapter Twenty-One
Can you come this way, Ms. Steele?”
Whitney looked up as Mr. Smotter stood in the doorway to her bedroom. He was wearing a heavy coat.
“What’s going on? I thought dinner was at seven,” she said.
“There’s been a change of plans. If you could follow me, your ride is waiting,” he said. He held out a jacket for her to wear, and it made her seriously suspicious.
She’d been in the home for long enough now to know he wasn’t going to tell her anything he wasn’t supposed to, so she could fight it or go along with him. She decided to go along with it, partly because she liked Mr. Smotter and partly because she had to be curious.
They stepped out the back door, where a golf cart decorated in twinkling lights and roses was waiting. She eyed it with suspicion, but she admitted to herself that it looked charming in a Disney sort of way.
“I don’t understand this,” she told Mr. Smotter.
“Just enjoy the moment, Ms. Steele,” he told her with a secret smile.
“Where in the world would we be going on a golf cart? It’s freezing outside.”
“It’s not far, I promise you.”
With a strange sense of excitement, she climbed onto the golf cart. Mr. Smotter got in after her and began driving down a plowed trail. It wasn’t long before a large black helicopter came into view.
Mr. Smotter pulled up to a lighted path leading to a large open door on the helicopter. Liam stood waiting there. He was wearing a beautiful charcoal suit with a red handkerchief in the pocket and a matching tie, and a smile adorning his lips. To top that off, he held a long-stemmed rose. Was this an episode of The Bachelor?
He strode up to her and held out the flower. “For you, my lady,” he said in an exaggerated voice.
“What are we doing here, Liam?”
“I’m taking you out, showing you the sights of New York,” he said as she accepted the rose, and then his hand as she emerged from the golf cart and began walking with him. “Unless you think Sam was sufficient for the task …”
She ignored that remark. “What? We’re going up in that thing?” she asked, drawing back as they reached the helicopter’s doors. “Who’s flying it?” Yes, that was fear in her voice.
Liam laughed as he gave her a little nudge inside. “Don’t worry. I have a very responsible pilot. I want to be in the backseat with my hands all over you,” he said with an elaborate wink.
Where had this playful Liam come from? Was this a new tactic? If it was, she sort of liked it, though she didn’t think it a good idea to admit that out loud.
“Liam,” she warned, but somehow she found herself sitting in the chopper with the doors shutting, and then the seat belt was being strapped around her, and a headset was placed over her ears.