“You aren’t old.” She stared at his face. “Not really. You’re just tired. You should take a nap.”
“A nap, huh. You think it will make me look younger?”
“No, I think it will make you not be grumpy.”
Jimmy smiled. “She’s got you there. Um, your guest is downstairs and she isn’t happy about waiting. Elizabeth said you better come down or she’s going to put Super Glue in her martini to shut her up.”
Cameron frowned over his daughter’s head. Why the hell was Shelly downstairs drinking when she was having dinner with him and Emma?
“Emma, remember I told you we’re having dinner with my friend?”
“Yes.” She dragged out the word with melodramatic exasperation, like only a five-year-old (or teenager) could do. “You told me last night and two times this morning. I’m five, not three. I can remember what you said.”
Cameron held back the laugh. His shoulders shook with the effort.
“Of course you can, sweetheart. I want you on your very best behavior. Shelly has been looking forward to meeting you and . . .”
And he didn’t want to introduce them, but couldn’t get out of it now. He’d just have to do it and see how Emma responded. He’d cooled toward Shelly, but maybe she’d redeem herself and show an interest in Emma.
Maybe one day he’d stop looking for Caroline in every woman he met.
He let his thoughts run away. Back to the past, and here and now, where every woman was dull and flat and never sparked anything more than a quick flash. This meeting had better turn out well. He didn’t want to disappoint his daughter or upset her in any way.
He wasn’t sure what her expectations might be in meeting a woman he dated. She might think it meant more than it did. His fault. He’d spent last night and this morning telling Emma all about Shelly and her many good qualities.
He might have embellished a bit and told a few white lies. Again, he felt like a supreme jackass.
Irritable, he clipped out, “Let’s go.”
“Maybe we should go home, so you can take a nap. You’re grumpier than normal.”
He scooped up his daughter and headed for the elevator.
“I’m just hungry. Maybe I’ll have you for an appetizer.” He lifted her, pressed his mouth to her belly and blew on her stomach to make her laugh. Just being with her made him feel lighter and overshadowed his dark thoughts.
Chapter Four
* * *
“AUNT ELIZABETH, I want to make the brownies now.” Emma tugged on her skirt.
Elizabeth stood beside the table of one of her most prominent guests. The restaurant was popular with the well-to-do, executives, and the office workers in and around the Merrick International building. Elizabeth had a very popular—and often very overrun—bakery several blocks away. Brides-to-be stalked her in hopes of having her make their wedding cakes.
Cameron was like a brother. She loved Emma as much as her own daughter, Grace. Since Emma didn’t have a mother, she and Jenna often took over some of the more motherly duties, like baking with the child and sharing girl talk. Elizabeth often wished Cameron would find a nice woman to settle down with so that Emma would have a mother.
Until that day, Elizabeth and Jenna were surrogate mothers. They couldn’t be happier to fill the position until Cameron found someone to share his life with, someone who also loved Emma the way they all did.
Elizabeth looked down at the little girl with the grown-up eyes and the wisdom of an eighty-year-old trapped in a five-year-old’s body.
“Emma, I’d like to introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Stanford.”
Emma turned to the two older people at the table. She held tight to Elizabeth’s hand and said, “Hello. I’m pleased to meet you.”
“Pleased to meet you too.” Mrs. Stanford smiled warmly.
“You should have the chicken and pasta Florentine with garlic and butter sauce. It’s my favorite. Aunt Elizabeth makes the best dessert. You should have some pie with ice cream. I haven’t made the brownies yet, but maybe they’ll be done before it’s time for your dessert.”
Mr. and Mrs. Stanford turned to Elizabeth. “We’ll have Emma’s recommendation.”
Emma beamed a smile. “I’m supposed to eat dinner with my daddy and his friend, but she’s boring. She’s only being nice to him because he’s the president. I think you should be nice to people no matter what, don’t you?”
The couple smiled at the little girl with the insight of an adult. “Yes, dear. It shouldn’t matter if he’s president.”