| |
The phone startled her on Sunday night just as she was going to bed.
"Hello, Darcy."
For a moment, she didn't reply. She hadn't expected Travis to ring her from America. She wasn't sure exactly what she'd expected after their last meeting, but an international phone call was definitely not on the list.
"Darcy, are you there?"
"Yes. I mean, I'm here. Is anything wrong?" Maybe he missed her as much as she did him and he was ringing merely to hear her voice.
"Wrong? Why should anything be wrong? Oh, you mean because I'm calling you." Travis' deep chuckle echoed down the phone. "No, nothing's wrong. I just wanted to know how things were going on your end."
Darcy's nervousness rapidly deflated. He hadn't rung to see how they were, or to apologize for his behaviour at their last meeting. He wanted to know how the custody proceedings were going.
"Not bad." She kept her voice devoid of expression. "We've applied for passports. Brooke's will have to be in the name of Farrell for now. You can get it changed later. Laura and Mr. Case are sorting out the custody, and Brooke's bugging me every day to know what's going on."
"What do you mean? You haven't told her anything, have you?" Travis sounded suspicious, and before Darcy could reassure him, he went on the attack. "You know we agreed not to tell her anything until I get back to New Zealand. It's my prerogative to tell her. I'm her father."
"Hold it! Let me explain, will you?" Darcy managed to interrupt. "I haven't told her anything about you but I had to give her some reason for having her photo taken for the passport. I said we might be going on a trip but I wasn't going to tell her where or when in case it fell through and she got disappointed."
"And that's it? That's all you told her?" Travis demanded.
"You know, you're paranoid when it comes to what you think are your rights. I'm going to hang up if you've only rung to tell me off."
"Wait! I'm sorry. I feel so out of it over here. Why I really called was to say I'll be back next Friday, but I need to know when to book the tickets for us to return to San Diego. Does the following Monday suit you?"
Darcy felt as if her world was collapsing around her as she realized in seven days, she'd be leaving New Zealand with Brooke and when she returned, she would be alone.
"Monday's a bit quick, don't you think? You'll want to talk to Mr. Case and see if the agreement he's reached on your behalf is okay. I hope you don't think I'm still trying to delay matters, Travis, but I think Wednesday would be best. Maybe you should check with Mr. Case as there might be some things he needs to finalize before we take Brooke out of the country." Her voice got faster and faster as she spoke, and by the time she finished, she could barely speak clearly.
"Good idea. I'll get hold of Mr. Case in the morning. Is it okay if I ask him to let you know what we decide?"
"That will be fine."
"Darcy." He paused.
"Yes?" Darcy said when the silence lengthened.
"I miss you and Brooke. I'm really looking forward to bringing you over here and showing you around. I know Brooke will love it, and I hope you will, too."
That's right, add me as an afterthought.
"This call must be costing you a fortune."
Darcy could have kicked herself. She was so used to having to watch the cents she'd forgotten Travis didn't have the same restrictions.
"I'd best go then." His voice was barely audible. "I'll call next weekend as soon as I get back to Timaru."
"Fine. I'll see you then."
Darcy put the phone down and leaned weakly against the wall. Even on the phone, his voice had a devastating effect on her. At long last, she let herself believe she was seriously attracted to him — then honesty took over and she admitted she had fallen in love with him.
*****
"AS FAR AS HERBERT CASE and I are concerned, we think Thursday or Friday would be the best time for you to travel to the States," Laura rang to tell her on Monday afternoon. "Brooke needs time to adjust to having a father, and it's not a good idea to whisk her off to San Diego right away. Plus, we've arranged for a custody hearing on Tuesday and you all need to attend."
"So which day does Travis want to fly to America?"
"He's leaving it up to you. He says you would be more aware of how long it will take Brooke to get used to the news."
"Like I tell her she's got a father every day of the week." Darcy let sarcasm hide her real feelings. "How do I know how long it will take? I do know it will be longer than a few days, more likely months."
"Make it Thursday then." Laura ignored Darcy's outburst. "I'll let Herbert know, so he can make the arrangements. Have you got the passports yet?"
"They came in the mail this morning." Darcy didn't tell Laura how hard she'd cried when she'd seen Brooke's. Her niece looked so young and Darcy wanted to hide her away and protect her from the imminent upheaval in her life.
"That's all for now. I'll let you know if anything else needs to be done."
*****
THE REST OF THE WEEK passed in a dream for Darcy. She realized she only needed a substitute for two weeks and would be able to take a longer break if necessary. The beginning of December was always quiet, and she usually closed down from two weeks before Christmas until the third week of January.
The thought of Christmas came as a shock to Darcy. They'd be in America for Christmas, which meant she'd have to pretend to be cheerful and festive, plus she'd have to buy Travis a present. What on earth could she get for the man who was going to take away the only things of value in her life? A child she adored and a man she loved, but who didn't love her.
By Friday, Darcy had worked herself into a frenzy of uncertainty. The more she thought about the days ahead, the more unsure of herself she became. When it came down to the bare facts, she would be travelling to America with a man she hardly knew, to hand over her beloved niece and return to New Zealand empty handed and broken hearted. It sounded like a bad television series, but unfortunately this was reality.
*****
"IT'S ME, I'M BACK." Travis sounded excited when he rang on Friday night. "How are you?"
"I'm fine, thank you. Where are you?"
"I'm in Timaru. I suppose it's too late to come over now?" He sounded hopeful.
"Yes, Brooke's in bed and asleep. Besides it'll best if you tell her in the morning, not evening. That way she won't worry about it all night."
"Actually, I knew she'd be in bed. I meant is it too late to come and see you?"
Darcy was about to say she couldn't see him tonight, but then she realized it was only eight thirty and maybe it would be a good idea to discuss tomorrow. She'd already upset Brooke by telling the child 'No' when she asked to stay with Minnie on Saturday night.
"I think that would be a good idea. We need to discuss how we're going to prepare the stage, so to speak."
"I'll be right there."
Before Darcy uttered another word, Travis hung up. Smiling at his enthusiasm, she went to put the kettle on, but she'd only taken a few steps when the doorbell rang.
"Sorry." Travis stood on the steps looking like a naughty schoolboy. "I called you on my cell while I was parked outside. I couldn't wait any longer."
"Okay, I'll take pity on you. Come on in." Darcy stood back to allow him through the door. His unexpected appearance had left her emotions swinging from longing to frustrated anger.
"Thanks." He had the grace to look sheepish.
"I'm going to make coffee." Darcy smiled at him. "If you promise to be very quiet, you can go and take a look at Brooke. I'm warning you though, if you wake her, you'll be leaving immediately."
Travis tiptoed dramatically down the hallway to Brooke's bedroom. Flashing a cheeky grin at Darcy, he gently opened the door and looked in. She left him to it and went off to make the coffee. A few moments later, he joined her as she was pouring the rich brown liquid into the mugs.
"That was quick." She handed him a mug.
"I didn't want to disturb her, so I didn't go into the room, just looked at her from the door." Taking her coffee from her, he placed both mugs on the table, then took her hands in his. "Darcy, I may not have said this before, but I can't tell you how grateful I am you're not making a big fuss about this. It means a lot to me that you're not trying to turn Brooke against me before she's had the chance to judge for herself."
"Whatever I feel about this horrible situation, you are Brooke's father and she has a right to know you without any baggage unloaded on her from me." Gently Darcy disengaged her hands from his before he became aware of her sweating palms and nervous reaction to his touch.
"Thank you."
"You may not thank me tomorrow morning. She's already in a bad mood. She announced this afternoon that Minnie's mother had offered to take them to the cinema tomorrow and she'd be staying overnight at Minnie's house. When I told her 'No', she wasn't amused and demanded to know why. The news that my supposed boyfriend was returning didn't impress her." Darcy sighed and pushed the hair back from her eyes. "I'm beginning to think I may have been a bit soft on her. Maybe it's time she learned the discipline a father can give her."
"Pardon? You expect me to start off right away like a heavy father?" Travis looked horrified at the thought.
"Of course not. I simply want you to be aware of what you're getting yourself into. Don't make the mistake of spoiling her rotten because you feel you have to make up for the last eight years. Spoil her by all means, but make sure she knows where the line is, and be firm with her. She'll love you all the more for it."
"Thanks for the tip."
At first, Darcy thought he was being sarcastic, but when she looked at him, she realized he was serious and a small grin quirked the corners of her mouth.
Without a word, they picked up their respective mugs and took them into the lounge. Darcy curled up in her favourite armchair and Travis sat on the sofa and stretched out his long legs.
"That feels good," he sighed. "You don't realize how small the space between the seats on a plane are until you're forced to sit in them for hours on end."
"How reassuring it is to know that." Darcy grinned.
"Sorry, I wasn't thinking. Herbert tells me he's booked the flight for Thursday morning. I hope that's okay with you."
"Fine. To be honest, the only thing that's bothering me at the moment is tomorrow. I haven't a clue how Brooke will react. She might throw herself adoringly into your arms or storm out of the house."
"Do you think we should tell her as soon as she gets up, or wait until before lunch?" Travis took Darcy's hand to stop the coffee slopping from the shaking mug.
"She usually gets up about eight on Saturdays. I suggest we wait until after breakfast, and then tell her. Of course just to be awkward, she could get up earlier or later." Darcy spoke quickly, trying to cover up the nervousness contact with Travis brought her.
"I'll come around about eight thirty then, if that's okay with you."
Darcy suddenly realized warmth and friendliness had emanated from Travis ever since he'd arrived, and she found herself responding to him with an empathy she hadn't felt before. Until now, her feelings for him had been passionate, but she hadn't examined them any deeper than that. She'd thought passion would be enough for love. Now she realized friendship also had an important part to play.
"Until tomorrow then."
While Darcy sat deep in thought, Travis stood up, ready to leave. She suddenly realized she wanted him to stay, but didn't dare ask him. He'd think of her as loose as he'd first assumed her to be. Standing up, she then led the way to the front door.
"I'll see you first thing in the morning." She reached for the door handle.
"Darcy." Travis voice sounded low and breathless. "About the last time we met. I let my feelings get out of control. Can we start afresh?"
"No problem." She tried to appear light hearted about the matter. "After all, it was only a kiss."
"In that case, another one won't hurt, will it?"
Travis' mouth sealed the protest within her. His lips were on hers as he claimed a hot and steaming kiss. Darcy did not struggle, instead she melted into his arms and responded with equal fervour and suffered extreme disappointment when he broke away from her.
"I'll see you at eight thirty." And he was gone.
*****
TRAVIS HAD NEVER FELT so nervous in his life. Not only had the time arrived to reveal his true relationship to his daughter, but he'd done what he swore he wouldn't do. All the time he'd been in California, he'd thought of Darcy as well as Brooke. To think of one was to think of both.
Eventually, he'd admitted he wanted Darcy, but had been determined to push his feelings for her to one side until the issue with Brooke had been settled. He had decided to tell her how he felt when they were in San Diego, but now he'd screwed that up by kissing her again. He was acting like a teenager with his first crush.
He chose his clothes carefully. This was the first time Brooke would see him as a father, at least he hoped she would see him that way. It was important to look the part without overdoing it. In his mind he went over several scenarios of how he would explain himself to his daughter, and what her reaction might be.
His favourite beginning point was to ask Brooke if she'd ever wondered about her father. What happened next would depend on her reply.
His watch alarm beeped and he saw it was eight in the morning. He'd better get moving.
*****
"BROOKE, TRAVIS IS HERE."
"Big deal. I suppose you're going to drag me off to some place you want to go." Brooke flopped down on the couch in the lounge. "Well, go on. Tell me where we're going."
"Actually, we need to talk to you." Darcy heard the nervousness in her voice. This was it! The next few minutes would change her whole life. Brooke looked at her and suddenly she looked like a small waif, not the self-assured eight-year-old she tried to project to the world.
"Is anything wrong?"
"No, Brooke." Travis took over the conversation. "At least we hope you'll be pleased with what I have to tell you."
"Are you going to be married?" Brooke looked frightened as she jumped to the wrong conclusion.
"No, we're not going to be married. Brooke, have you ever wondered about when you were born?"
"No. Darcy told me my mother died when I was born. She came home after a year in America and all she brought back was me."
"And you've never wondered about your father?"
"My father? I don't need a father. Darcy looks after me." Brooke's face looked more and more frightened as she answered the questions. "Are you telling me I've got a father?"
"Yes, Brooke, I am. I'm your father. Your mother and I were married but the marriage didn't work out and she came back to New Zealand. Unfortunately, I didn't know she was pregnant and she died before telling me about you. I only found out I had this gorgeous daughter earlier this year."
Darcy realized she had been holding her breath, waiting for Brooke's reaction to the news. She forced herself to take long, silent breaths as the child assimilated the astounding information.
"You — you're my father?" Astonishment and uncertainty had replaced the fright, but Brooke made no move towards Darcy or Travis. "Darcy, is it true?"
"Yes, hon. It's true. I think your mother meant to tell me just before she died, but she left it too late. Grams and I had no way of finding out your father's identity. And he had no idea you existed. As soon as Travis knew, he came to find you."
"What happens now? Is Travis going to stay here?"
"We go to San Diego to see where I live." Travis spoke slowly to his daughter. "Then we talk some more."
"I'm not going with you!" Brooke jumped up from the chair and threw herself into Darcy's arms. "You're not taking me away from Darcy. I won't go!"
"Shush, hon. Nobody's forcing you away from me. I'm coming to San Diego, too. Remember, I applied for my passport at the same time we got yours." Darcy hugged her niece, relieved the child didn't hold the secrecy against her. "I really think we should give Travis a chance."
Excitement and fright fought for control of Brooke's emotions but eventually curiosity won.
"Okay. I'll go as long as Darcy's there, but I'm coming home to New Zealand with her."
"Brooke..."
"Tell you what, let's go out and celebrate." Over Brooke's head, the look in Darcy's eyes warned Travis that was enough for now. "Where would you like to take your father, Brooke?"
"My father. Do I have to call you that? I'd rather call you Travis."
"You may call me whatever you want, but I hope in time, you'll want to call me Dad... or maybe even Daddy." Travis treated her question with due consideration. "Where can I take my gorgeous daughter for a celebration?"
"Silly." Brooke giggled, her earlier uncertainty forgotten. "Can we go for a drive and then to the Bay Hill, and have a meal in a restaurant?"
"I think that's an excellent idea." Travis smiled. "I'd be proud to be seen escorting two such lovely ladies."
"I think you should change into a dress if you want to do that, Brooke." Darcy raised her eyebrows at the crumpled jeans and dirty tee-shirt. Brooke scampered off to her room and Darcy turned to Travis. "Sorry I cut in on you like that, but I think we should leave the discussion on returning to New Zealand until she's got a bit more used to things, don't you?"
"I agree. What about the custody hearing, though? She'll have to know about that and she's very intelligent. She'll work out what it means. This gets harder as it goes along, doesn't it?" Travis looked so confused that Darcy felt obliged to reassure him.
"Not really. She took the news about you quite well. Would you like me to tell her about the custody issue?"
"Maybe we can do it together?" Travis asked hopefully, his pleading look making the slight resemblance to Brooke more pronounced.
"I'm ready!"
Darcy laughed when she saw how Brooke had dressed. She'd obviously taken extreme care choosing her clothes, and Darcy hated to think what the bedroom looked like after the selection process. The child stood before them in her best yellow sundress, complete with matching hat and white sandals. In her hand, she held a toy handbag and a pair of white gloves which were normally used for dressing up.
"I think we can lose the gloves and handbag, hon." Darcy tried to keep her voice steady.
"Too much?"
"Too much," Darcy agreed.
"I think you look great with the hat though." Travis joined in. "You'll make Darcy and me look scruffy."
Brooke studied them for a few moments as she removed bag and gloves, then she shook her head.
"You'll be okay." Brooke decided. "Let's go."
She behaved like a perfect little lady all through the meal, ignoring any reference to Travis as her father. He treated both Darcy and Brooke as if they were the most important people in the world, demanding his daughter's soft drink be served in a wineglass to match the ones he and Darcy were using. By the end of the meal, Darcy felt Brooke warming to Travis' charm. It was time to tell the child about the custody hearing.
After leaving the restaurant, Travis drove them home. Brooke bounced into the house and headed for her room, but Darcy called her back.
"Your father and I would like to talk to you about next week. Why don't we get ourselves some juice and go sit on the deck where we can be comfortable?"
Brooke shrugged and led the way outside. As Darcy put the drinks on the table, Travis cleared his throat and turned to his daughter.
"First, Brooke, is there anything you'd like to know about me? Or your mother? Or anything else?"
Brooke's head tilted to one side as she considered the question, then took a deep breath.
"Have you any other children? Are you married? Do you live in a house? Have you got a swimming pool?" The words poured from her and Travis held up his hands in defence.
"Hey, one at a time. No, I don't have any other children and I'm not married."
Not yet.
"I live in an apartment in La Jolla, a district about fifteen minutes from downtown San Diego. Yes, the building has a swimming pool. Anything else you'd like to know?" He laughed as Brooke took his question seriously. "Tell you what, why don't you write down any questions after I've gone back to my hotel, then I can go through them with you tomorrow. Is that okay?"
Brooke nodded solemnly and Darcy bit her lip. Now they would have to break the change of custody to Brooke. She wasn't looking forward to this part.
"Do you know what custody is, Brooke?" The child shook her head and Travis explained, "Custody in your case is when an adult has the responsibility of bringing up a child in the best possible way they can. This is usually the parents' job, but until now, Darcy has been your guardian."
"Oh, I know what a guardian is," Brooke stated importantly. "Darcy explained it to me when the kids at school were teasing me because I didn't have a mum."
"As I said, the person who has custody, or the guardian, is usually the parent. I'm your father, Brooke, your parent, so I'd like to know how you feel about me taking over custody from Darcy?"
Immediately Brooke moved towards Darcy and wriggled under her aunt's arm, her small body rigid with fright.
"No, thank you." Her voice was polite, but emotionless. "I want to stay with Darcy."
"Hon." Darcy hugged her. "All it means is that Travis has the right to take you to America as his daughter. If we want to stay longer, it makes it easier as far as the American government is concerned."
"Does it have to be done now, or can I think about it? Will we be able to change it back to you when we come back to New Zealand?"
"Oh dear, this is getting complicated." Darcy sighed. "Shall I explain why we need it done now? Travis has to earn a living the same as I do, which means he needs to go back to America next week. That's why we're going with him, but it also means we should see a judge to change the custody before we go and the only time the judge can see us is next Tuesday. That's why we need to know how you feel pretty soon, Brooke. Do you understand?"
"I don't want to do it, but I will if we can change it back when we come home."
Darcy's look warned Travis that was enough for now and when Brooke asked to leave the room, Darcy gave her a kiss and a hug and sent her on her way.
"How do we get over that hurdle?" Travis asked.
"Do you know what I think she needs now? I think she needs to talk to Minnie."
"Her friend? Why does she need to involve her?" Travis seemed annoyed at the mention of Brooke's friend.
"Brooke and Minnie tell each other everything, but they also have a way of elaborating on things. If we let Brooke discuss it with Minnie, she'll end up bragging about her father who lives near Disneyland and who wants to take her to America for a visit. It might work in our favor. Of course, there's also the possibility that Minnie will put her off going, but I think we should take the chance." She looked at Travis, waiting for his reaction.
"You could have something there. Darcy, this is getting a bit messy. I don't want to lie to her, but custody is an important issue to me."
"I realize that, Travis, but if Brooke is against it, I think we should wait. It's a lot to ask an eight-year-old to accept a father she doesn't know and change of guardianship all within a few days. I'm quite willing to sign an agreement saying I will accept change of custody when we both agree Brooke is ready." He looked doubtful and Darcy hastened to reassure him. "Travis, I've accepted you're her father and that you will take custody of her, but surely you can see it must be at Brooke's pace, not ours. I will hate to lose her, but I know it's inevitable."
"Fine, we'll do it your way. There's no need for an agreement though, your word is good enough for me."
"And Minnie, shall we invite her over?"
"Fine. If you think it will help Brooke." Travis grinned wearily at Darcy as she went to ring Minnie's mother.