Page 100 of Big Bad Wolfe

Back downstairs, Mrs. Stevens loved the small room that Jillian had converted to an exercise/dance studio. “This is wonderful!”

“It is, isn’t it? My dad put up the mirrored panels, installed the barre, and wired a state-of-the-art sound system. I do dance aerobics on the wood floor and meditation on the mat. Casey likes to exercise in here with me.”

“I can see why.” After a final glance around, Mrs. Stevens turned toward the doorway. “I’d like to say good-bye to Zane.”

Jillian led the other woman to the kitchen. The amazing Zane had put his nervous energy and organizational skills to good use and had righted the chaos.

Mrs. Stevens said her farewells, and Jillian let her out. Trembling with a combination of relief, frustration and anxiety, she returned to the kitchen. “Whew! I’m glad that’s over.”

Casey cocked his head. “Boy, she sure was nosey company.”

Zane’s gaze slid to the perceptive child. “Casey, why don’t you go tuck the note for the Tooth Fairy under your pillow so it doesn’t get lost? And maybe while you’re up there, you should pick up your toys so she finds a nice clean room when she gets here.”

“Great idea!” Casey zoomed out and his feet pounded up the stairs.

Features taut, Zane propped a hip against the counter. “How did it go?”

“I couldn’t tell. Okay, I hope.” She smiled. “Casey told us what happened in the store. You did exactly the right thing.”

Guilt and fear slashed his face. “I shouldn’t have let him out of my sight. If anything had happened to him—” His nostrils flared. “I ... it’s unthinkable. I’ve read enough abduction reports. I should have known better.”

“It’s not your fault.” She moved closer, rested her hand on his forearm, his rigid muscles like steel under her fingers.

He grimaced. “The hell it’s not!”

“If you’ve read the reports, you know it only takes half a second to lose track of a lively kid. I’ve done it myself, more than once.”

“That’s no excuse. I screwed up. Then I screwed up again when I turned the rugrats loose in the kitchen.” He drew a shaky breath. “I might have cost us custody.”

“I’m sure you didn’t.”

“I haven’t been acting like myself, haven’t been thinking like myself.” He shook his head. “Between you and the kid, you’ve driven me right out of my ever-lovin’ mind.”

Whether he knew it or not, that was a huge compliment. Restrained, always-in-control Zane was behaving totally out of character. His heart was finally overruling his head.

“You handled everything perfectly and it’s obvious Casey respects you even more now. Kids appreciate limits, it makes them feel secure. And in spite of the mess, the boys had fun fixing their own lunch. Let’s not jump off the deep end. If Mrs. Stevens admires you half as much as I do, we’re in.”

Wariness warred with acceptance in his gaze. It was apparent he’d expected her condemnation. He looked like he wanted to believe her, but couldn’t quite let himself off the hook. “Thank you.”

His astonished gratitude tightened her throat. Her tough, confident warrior hid so much vulnerability and hurt. “I saw the Tooth Fairy note.” She smiled. “That was sweet, thankyou.”

“It wasn’t that much.”

“Are you kidding? You’ve got real talent. I’m sure you’ve noticed Casey is always drawing, and he’s way better than average at it for his age. He got that from you.”

“My … ah … my mom was an artist. Oils. She was brilliant.”

“Did she paint professionally?”

His gaze dropped, his body tensed. “For a short time, and her pieces sold for a stunning price for a newbie. Then she met my old man. She was so young, so vulnerable after losing her parents, and I guess his commanding presence seemed like a port in a storm. But he was obsessed with perfection, and demanded she set aside everything to become the ultimate, perfect corporate wife. She quietly encouraged me to keep painting and drawing, even though Stoneheart despised having his sons do anything he considered ‘sissified.’”

Zane’s moniker for his father said it all … and made Jillian’s heart hurt. She held her breath and her silence, not wanting to shatter the moment. For the first time, he was voluntarily sharing about his childhood.

“She was beautiful. She’d won the Miss Kansas pageant right before her parents died. She was a knockout in a cocktail dress, had a charmed smile, and knew how to focus a conversation on the other person and make them feel important—a real asset to the old man’s career.” He paused. “Unfortunately, she also became hooked on tranquilizers. Along with booze. The crutches helped her cope. Didn’t make her a very effective mother, though. She was never stoned or drunk in public, but at home she was always out of it.”

Jillian gently squeezed his arm. So he’d never received support from either parent. “I’m sorry.”

“We managed. We had housekeepers, though none of them stayed very long. They had the option of leaving when my old man went on a tear, and took it. By the dozens. Too bad we didn’t have the same option.” He scrubbed his hand over his face. “No matter how hard Mom tried, how beautiful and charming she was, it wasn’t good enough for Stoneheart. He used to lash out at her, pick her apart piece by critical piece like a goddamned vulture, and make her cry. And I’d feel so helpless, I wanted to—” He choked off his words.

---