The Man Who Has No Sight - Victoria Quinn Page 0,49
the elevator. When the doors were closed and we descended to my floor, I looked at him. “You okay, little man?”
“I’m fine, Dad.”
“You seem sad.”
“No. I want everyone to be happy. If Mom is happier there than she is here, that’s where she should be.”
“She’s not happier away from you, Derek.”
He shrugged. “Can we go get some ice cream?”
I wanted to shut him down, but then I realized doing something fun was appropriate in a situation like this. I pressed the button to the lobby when the doors opened to my floor.
Derek grinned. “Yes! And we need to get something for Cleo for Christmas.”
“Did you have something in mind?”
He nodded. “She loves to color, so I was going to get her a new coloring book. She really likes flowers and stuff, so maybe something with a garden.”
I smiled. “She’ll love that, Derek.”
“Cleo picked me up from school yesterday, and we picked out some stuff for you.”
“You did?” I asked. “What did you get?”
He stuck out his tongue. “I’m not telling you.”
I chuckled. “Fair enough.”
“What are you going to get Cleo?”
I’d put some thought into it. She liked to wear nice clothes, her mother’s jewelry because it was the nicest thing she owned, and she loved expensive heels so they were easy to walk in. She didn’t have any other hobbies because she worked so much. “I think I’m going to get her a bracelet.”
“A bracelet?” he asked. “That’s boring.”
I had something else picked out, but it was inappropriate to share. “A nice bracelet, to go with her nice clothes. I think she’ll like it.”
“Why do women like jewelry so much? It doesn’t do anything.”
I shrugged. “It makes them look pretty.”
“I think Cleo is pretty without it.”
I smiled. “Yeah. True. I think she’ll like this, though.”
“Why?” he asked.
“Because I’m going to have it engraved. It’ll say it’s from us.”
“I guess that’s pretty cool…”
The doors opened, and we walked through the lobby then got into my driver’s car. “So, ice cream first and shopping later?”
“Yeah,” Derek said excitedly. “I’m getting chocolate. What are you getting?”
“Vanilla.”
“I wish Cleo could come with us. She always gets a sundae.”
“Yeah.” I smiled. “But I’m sure she’ll come next time.”
Ten
Cleo
I walked in the door to Derek sitting on the couch, eating a snack, while Patricia worked in the kitchen. “Hey, Derek.”
He quickly chewed his apples so he wouldn’t talk with his mouth full. “Hey, Cleo. Dad and I went Christmas shopping yesterday. I think you’re gonna like what he got you.”
“Yeah?” I asked. “Now I’m excited.”
“But my gift is better.”
I chuckled. “I’m sure it is.” I went into the kitchen and saw Patricia pull out the tray from the oven. “Hey, Patricia. How are you?”
“Great. Just finished dinner. When will Mr. Hamilton be home?”
“He texted me and said he was on his way. I can take over from here.”
She pulled off her mitts and set them on the counter. “Anything you need before I go?”
“No, you’ve done great. Have a good Christmas.”
“You too, Cleo.” She turned away.
“Patricia?”
“Yes?” She turned back.
“How are you getting along with Mr. Hamilton?”
“Honestly, he’s an easy client. Doesn’t need much and doesn’t say much. My uncle was a very gifted man, so I’m kinda used to people like him at that point. But I do hope he warms up after a while…”
“Yeah, it took me a long time to break through those gates.”
“How does he feel about me?”
“No complaints, so that’s a good sign.” I smiled.
“Good. Well, goodnight.”
“Goodnight.”
She said goodbye to Derek before she grabbed her coat and left.
I plated the food and set the table. “What do you think about Patricia?”
“She’s cool,” Derek said as he watched TV. “She can’t really help me with my homework, though.”
“Your father can answer any questions you have when he gets back.” I set the table with a bottle of wine with two glasses and three glasses of water. “He should be here any minute.” I joined Derek in the living room, seeing his model on the coffee table so he could work on it while watching his shows. “Are you excited for Christmas break?”
He nodded. “Dad said we could go to the cabin.”
“Great. I love the cabin.”
“And then my birthday is right after Christmas.”
“What should we do?”
“I was going to ask Dad if I could have a birthday party at the planetarium.”
“Ooh…that’s a great idea.” I wished I’d thought of it myself.
The door opened, and Deacon walked inside, sexy as hell in his leather jacket and dark jeans. He shed his coat and hung it