This was what she craved—what was missing. Their connection. It was unique and explained why she’d practically documented every day of Arianne’s life. She wanted Arnie to be a part of things—to be her partner through thick and thin and feel the weight of fatherhood.
“What’s it feel like?” she asked with a half-smirk.
He nodded enthusiastically. His eyes sparkled with interest.
“Well, you know when you reach the top of the Ferris wheel and then drop down the other side? It’s a little like that. There’s science involved. Biology and whatnot. Chemicals are released. Pleasure endorphins. Do you need me to get more technical?”
His head shook.
“That’s the upside.” She chuckled. “The downside is painful nipples. I want to wean her to the bottle, but so far, she’s been rather opinionated.”
“I’m glad she dragged her feet. Gives me a chance to, well, you know.”
Lingering in a bubble of contentment long after Ari finished nursing, they took their time leaving the bedroom.
Lined up along the wall in the kitchen were a dozen blue suitcases of various sizes. Several sticky notes from her basket overflowing with markers and stuff were stuck on the wall.
Arnie checked them out one at a time.
“Stan has food coming,” he said, waving the first one in the air.
Her stomach rumbled on cue.
“Uh, let’s see,” he muttered. “This one is written in Dottie’s hieroglyphics. I believe it says King has arrived.” He looked at her and smiled. “This is a good thing, babe. It means we’re off the hook. He’ll handle the police and everything else.”
She couldn’t help her grimace. The idea of meeting someone else in Arnie’s orbit just reminded her how quickly his big world swallowed her small pitiful one.
“Okay, and this one is from my dad. He’s taking the Gerrys to lunch, and if I know him at all, he’ll be extending an invitation to visit the Big Island and tour his organic growing operation.”
“Excuse me?” Was he talking about Hawaii?
“Yeah, remember? I told you this, didn’t I? Ned runs a food plantation. It’s nothing too big, but he does organic vegetables, herbs, edible flowers, stuff like that. He contracts with the local restaurants and knows what their chefs want. And he does a farm stand for the tourists.”
If he told her this before, she hadn’t retained it.
“And your grandfather, Darnell Senior, he’s got the flower farm in Montecito, right?”
“Correct. You’ll love it. After he meets you, I’m pretty sure he’ll start a sunflower field.”
His life. Was. So. Big.
She looked at Ari and kissed her nose. Arnie was on top of her in a heartbeat.
“You’re exhausted. This has been a lot. Come on, let’s get you comfy and then I’ll call Stan and find out when the food is coming.”
She didn’t put up a fight. As a matter of fact, she just sat back and let whatever was going to happen, happen.
35
He was buying Dottie a thank-you Mercedes the minute he was back in New York. What she pulled off in Summer’s suite at The Peninsula was impressive and showed her attention to detail. Not only was a crib and changing table in the bedroom but also a glider exactly like Summer’s.
They made it to the hotel during the dinner hour. While Summer unpacked and got settled, he worked the phone and arranged for room service. The kitchen was fully stocked, but he didn’t want her to do anything more strenuous than open a can of soda.
“This is lovely,” she told him in a soft voice when he joined her on the private terrace.
Flickering candles in hurricane lamps and table holders gave the space a tranquil vibe. Dark blue sky and glimpses of the LA skyline were visible through the privacy landscaping.
Gently nudging her, he asked, “An improvement on Motel 6?”
“I’m not used to such luxury.”
“Luxury is window dressing. It’s only eye candy.”
“This is a good look for you.” She eyed him up and down critically. “Are you comfortable?”
“Are you kidding? This baby sling wrap thing is fantastic. All it needs is my logo.”
“Your logo?”
There was no saving the cocky grin on his face. “Magnum Sherpa Services.”
It took a year and more shit than any person should have to deal with, but when his sunshine girl snorted loudly and then broke into giggles, he noted the time. They weren’t out of the woods yet, but she was thawing.
“I don’t share,” she shot back with a sniff.
Arnie knew the sniff. Any man worthy of his balls knew the sniff. And he knew all