Two Hearts And A Baby

CHAPTER ELEVEN

He noticed the white skirt with pale pink violets all over along with the pink top this morning.  At this very moment, though his body wasn’t thanking him for the stimulating curves of her body.  He escorted her into the dining room and the minute they stepped inside William was there taking her arm while smiling at Kincade.

“I’ll seat her son,” William’s voice was deep like Kincade’s but right now it was soft.

Kincade nodded then moved off to his own seat while Faith smiled at William as they moved toward the table, “I’m terribly sorry for upsetting you my dear I had no idea,” he whispered down to her.

“It’s quite all right Mr. Jordan I’m still a little emotional.”

He smiled as he pulled out her chair, “Faith I would be honored if you would call me William, please.”

Faith only nodded then he moved to take his place at the head of the table this allowed her to glance around at everyone.  Kincade sat on one side next to a man she didn’t know while Susan sat next to her but across from the man.  Kincade’s Mother sat at the other end of the table Faith noticed there were no children in the room.

She leaned closer to Susan and asked, “Where are the children.”

Susan softly replied, “Taking naps because they ate earlier.”

Then Emily’s stronger voice broke in, “Besides children are not allowed in the adult’s dining room.”

Faith paled at this statement Kincade didn’t miss it, so he smiled while shaking his head lightly.  Faith decided Emily was a beautiful woman, but she lacked quite a bit as a Mother.

“Faith dear what is it you did before the car accident,” Emily politely asked while the food was being placed in front of them.

Faith didn’t really know why she was asking but answered her anyway, “I’m Editor and Chief at a magazine.”

Susan asked, “Which magazine.”

“Dream Cottage,” Faith lightly said as she glanced down at the food.

“That’s a wonderful magazine Emily reads it all the time mighty impressive Faith,” William was genuinely sincere then took a bite of food.

Emily however snorted, which was very unladylike for such a sophisticated woman causing Kincade to frown.  Howard shook his head and Susan’s mouth thinned then she leaned over toward Faith to whisper, “Don’t let it bother you she’s like that with everyone.”

“Susan there is no whispering at my table,” Emily harshly announced.

Susan slumped slightly, “Sorry Mother.”

However, Howard was not pleased, “Emily, I’d appreciate it if you didn’t speak to Susan in such a tone.  I know she’s your daughter, but I don’t care she’s no longer a child.”

Emily glared at Susan’s husband but didn’t say anything further everyone was quiet and finished the meal quickly.  When lunch was finished, Faith requested to go to her room Susan volunteered to show her.  Together they left the dining room and ascended the winding stairs to the second floor.

While they were walking down the hall Susan made conversation, “I’m sorry about my Mother she doesn’t like anyone who isn’t what she considers blue blood.”

Faith tried to smile as reassurance but didn’t quite achieve it, “That’s all right I’m just the aunt and nanny of her grandson, by the way where is Gabe staying,” quickly changing the subject she didn’t want to discuss Kincade’s Mother.

 “Cade insisted he be put with you in your room,” Susan said.

Faith was happy with this news, “Oh wonderful.”

Finally, they came to a door on the right side of the long hall and as they walked, Faith counted the doors.  Her room was the fourth one Susan stopped at, “You have your own bathroom, which is really nice.  Cade’s room is the second door on the left side of the hall if you need him for Gabe,” she divulged.

Susan stepped into the room with Faith following it was breathtaking just like the rest of the house.  The color theme was a soft butter cream however the carpet was a soft ivory color.  The carpet matched the curtains while the bed comforter was a soft yellow with little white lilies.  Two layers of pillows leaned against the headboard the same color as the curtains and there were nightstands sitting on each side of the bed.  On the far side of the huge room in a beautiful cherry wood was a medium sized Armoire.  Across from the bed was a nine-drawer dresser that displayed a large mirror on top.  A large window was already opened to allow the soft spring breeze to come in and below it was a loveseat.  Next to the loveseat was the bassinet from the townhouse and Gabe was currently sleeping.

In the corner of the room to the right after you walked in was the private bathroom and inside the bathroom was a large walk-in closet.  Susan watched Faith closely while she surveyed the room then moved toward the bassinet where Gabe was.  It amazed her Faith didn’t seem the least bit impressed by what she’d seen today this was the kind of woman Cade needed she wasn’t after him for his money.

“I guess I’ll be going, my girls are probably waking up and I’ll need to take care of them,” she turned toward the door.

“Susan,” Faith called out.

She paused at the doorway, “Yes.”

“I was wondering if you could take me to my physical therapy session tomorrow morning.”

She frowned at her, “Isn’t Cade going to take you.”

Faith turned away to pick up Gabe before she answered, “I don’t know I haven’t asked him, but he should probably stay here with Gabe.”

Susan smiled at her, “In that case I’ll be happy to take you.”

Faith felt a weight lift off her shoulders, “Thank you.”

“Any time,” Susan finally took her leave.

Faith was finally alone with Gabe and managed to avoid Kincade the rest of the day until dinnertime when he appeared at her door, “I do believe Faith Summers you’ve been avoiding me.”

Kincade nonchalantly remarked as he came into the room and Faith tried to fake innocence, “Why would you think that.”

“Oh, please you locked yourself up here in this room then you ask Susan to take you tomorrow instead of me.”

She blushed fiercely as she realized he’d cornered her, “It would just be better if you stayed here with Gabe that’s all.”

Kincade didn’t believe her one bit, “Faith if this has to do with my Mother.”

Faith wouldn’t allow him to finish she didn’t want to have this discussion at least not right now, “It has nothing to do with your Mother it has to do with Julie.  Now I’m terribly hungry can we go to dinner.”

He watched as she breezed past him into the hall just as Susan’s nanny came in to get Gabe, “Joy will you be a dear and feed Gabe tonight for me,” Kincade smiled at the young girl.

Joy turned shy but replied, “Of course Mr. Jordan.”

He decided he wasn’t going to let Faith hide from him that easily as he strolled into the dining room everyone was laughing over something except for Mother, “Cade you just missed me telling Faith about the incident from last winter up at the cabin.”

Faith saw Kincade blanch, “Ah yes the embarrassing episode with the sleigh and horses thank you Father I appreciate you reminding everyone.”

Once again, he sat next to Susan’s husband whose name she’d learned was Howard and Faith smiled softly at him, “It was very funny Kincade, but I have many embarrassing stories too.”

Emily frowned at Faith, “Why do you call my son Kincade.”

Faith paled, “Isn’t that his name.”

“Mother,” Susan snapped.

“Hush up Susan,” Emily snapped back then turned back to Faith, “Yes but everyone usually calls him Cade except for associates and me.”

Kincade spoke before allowing Faith to answer her, “Mother, Faith didn’t know besides even if she did it’s her choice on what to call me.  You don’t seem to object to Christina calling me by my full name.”

Emily blushed, “It’s a different matter.”

“How,” Kincade barked.

William spoke before Emily did, “Enough Emily let’s just eat then have some entertainment.”

Dinner continued with more pleasant conversation, and everyone was kind and warm except for Emily.  She seemed hostile toward her, which confused Faith she just didn’t understand the evening ended very quickly and everyone retired.  Faith tried to go with everyone else, but Kincade insisted she come with him to the study.  Not too happy she accepted they made their way to the study as his parents headed upstairs.

“Kincade I really should get upstairs to Gabe,” she tried to convince him.

“It’s all right I had Joy take care of him tonight because we need to talk.”

Faith knew where this was going, “Listen I know there’s an attraction between us, but we can’t actually follow through with it.  I loved my sister and I’ll not disgrace her memory by lusting after a man she held dear.  Besides, you need to remember you have a girlfriend,” she didn’t wait for him to say anything instead hurried from the room as fast as her limp would allow.

Sighing heavily, he watched her rush away and didn’t think he felt the same way as she did.  Even though he had a soft spot for Julie their relationship ended before meeting Faith the only thing she said he admired was the fact he did have a girlfriend.  He just didn’t know what to do about this because he was positive Christina wasn’t going to want children.  Finally, deciding it wasn’t worth his time to sit here alone contemplating what he was going to do.  Maybe a goodnight sleep will bring some perspective especially since it’s been an exceedingly long couple of days.  Getting up he headed upstairs to his room at the door he paused glancing down the hall.  Faith was there alone but probably she’d gone and grabbed Gabe.  Why couldn’t this desire for her be as simple as it usually is.  They desired each other and as with normal relationships, you run the course to see if it would last.

It was as if a light bulb just came on in his head, he realized she’s afraid if they engage in a relationship and it doesn’t work out it could hurt Gabe or her ability to see him.  Now he must figure out what the step would be to ease her mind, so she could have this little happiness for herself.  Julie wouldn’t fault her for some happiness even if it were with him, whom she’d once cared for.  That only left what he should do about Christina sighing again he finally went into his room in the hopes of getting some sleep.

Morning dawned on a bright Saturday morning as Faith had just gotten up and realized Gabe wasn’t in the room.  Kincade asked Susan’s babysitter to watch him so getting ready she headed to the nursery to get him.  She was going to take him to Kincade then meet Susan in the foyer they had decided yesterday.  Faith finally entered the nursery to find Gabe was already up and taken care of by Joy.

             “Good morning, Faith,” Joy smiled at the woman.

            “Good morning, Joy, thank you so much for taking care of Gabe last night.”

            “It wasn’t a problem,” Joy handed Gabe to Faith then left the room to take care of herself before meeting up with the girls.  Susan decided to take the girls this morning since Joy was with Gabe.

            Faith looked down at Gabe’s sweet little face as he was staring up at her, “I missed you last night little one.”

            He gurgled up at her, “I still find this scene endearing every time I see it.”

            Faith turned to look at the man who haunted her dreams last night, “You always manage to sneak up on me.”

            “I find it’s a talent of mine” he chuckled as he approached her.

            “Hmm,” she mumbled.

            “Susan is downstairs waiting for you,” he reached out taking Gabe from her then together they walked down the hallway toward the stairs.

            True to his word, Susan was waiting in the foyer looking up as the two descended the stairs together and thought they make such a wonderful couple.  Why weren’t they together?

“Sorry to keep you waiting,” Faith said to Susan when they made it to the bottom.

“It’s all right I figured you had to take Gabe to Cade,” she smiled at her brother.

Just then the doorbell rang, “I’ll get it,” turning she pulled open the door and wished she hadn’t.

Christina was standing on the other side, “Good morning, Susan.”

“Good morning, Christina,” she said as she moved aside for the woman to enter.

Christina was smiling as she entered the elegant house then saw a woman she didn’t want to see.  Faith was standing next to Kincade while he held the baby, “Kincade I’m so happy to see you.”

Faith watched as the woman sashayed up to him and planted a kiss on his mouth.  Susan made a gag sound while Faith acted as if this sight wasn’t affecting her but knew it was a lie.  It did affect her because her mind and body wouldn’t allow her to stop thinking about this man.

“Susan, we’d better go,” Faith began to walk away.

“Hold on, Christina will you hold Gabe for a minute,” he handed the baby to her.

Christina took the baby, but the two women didn’t miss the look of disgust cross her face.  Kincade did because his back was too her, but he only had eyes for Faith leaning down he whispered into her ear, “I want to see you when you get back and don’t avoid me.”

“Fine,” she said then turned and hobbled down the stairs with the use of her cane.

Susan looked at her brother before following Faith out the door.  Kincade shut the door turning he found Christina standing in complete terror holding his son.  Joy just came out of the kitchen and saw them standing in the entryway.

“Joy can you please take Gabe for me while I show Christina to her room,” he smiled at the young girl.

“Of course,” she walked over taking the baby from the horrified woman.

Joy couldn’t understand why the woman seemed upset over a baby but sensed the woman didn’t like children.  Christina relaxed instantly once Joy removed the baby from her arms and she was free to lavish her attention on Kincade.

“Kincade why is Faith here,” she took his arm with hers.

“She’s Gabe’s nanny,” he stated the obvious.

“You didn’t have to bring her since Susan’s nanny is here,” she looked up at him seeing irritation in his eyes.

“I wanted her here with Gabe,” before he could say more Emily appeared at the stairs.

“Christina dear, I heard you arrived,” she made her way quickly down the stairs.

“Mrs. Jordan so nice to see you again,” Christina released her hold on Kincade’s arm.

“Oh, please call me Emily,” she hugged the girl.

Kincade was shocked and a bit scared over this display, “Very well Emily,” Christina said and tried to relax with the hug.

“Kincade I’m going to show Christina to her room if that’s all right,” Emily smiled at her son.

He was incredibly happy to get away from Christina at this moment he needed time to think, “That’s perfect since I have some things to attend to.”

“Great, come along Christina you’ll love the room I’ve picked out for you,” she took the girl by the arm and headed upstairs.

Susan sat for a minute in the car on the drive not saying anything but couldn’t hold out anymore, “Why don’t you get with Cade,” she blurted out.

Faith was a bit shocked, “I don’t know what you mean.”

“Don’t play dumb with me Faith, I’ve seen how you two are around each other.”

“It’s complicated,” Faith, sighed heavily.

“I don’t see how if it’s about Christina, he would dump her in an instant.”

“That’s only one of the problems.”

“My Mother,” Susan asked.

“She doesn’t seem to like me but that’s another issue.  If you must know its Julie,” Faith didn’t want to have this conversation but no way to avoid it.

“Your sister is gone Faith, sorry if that sounded harsh,” Susan pulled into the facility and found the closest parking spot, so Faith wouldn’t have to walk too far.

Faith turned and looked at the woman, “Your right, she’s gone but I feel guilty just thinking about your brother in anyway.  Julie at one time had been with Kincade and they created Gabe.  It just feels as if it would be wrong for me to be with him.”

“But every ounce of you wants to,” Susan knew this because she’d felt it with Howard.

  “Yes,” Faith opened the car door and got out.

Susan followed but continued the conversation as they walked across the parking lot, “Julie would want you to go on with your life if it’s with Cade then so be it.  Maybe this was her plan when she set up the Will.  Thinking maybe both of you alone couldn’t raise Gabe but together you could.”

Faith stopped walking for a minute to think about this, “I never thought about that, but for now can we drop the subject.”

Susan gave in, “Sure.”

They entered the waiting room of the therapist’s office in silence.  Susan took a chair while Faith went up to the receptionist desk, “I have an appointment.”

“Yes Miss. Summers,” the receptionist took out her file, “They’ll call you back in a few minutes.”

Susan was scanning through a magazine while Faith sat thinking about what she’d said about Julie, the Will, and Kincade.  The situation with Kincade was spinning out of control and it was going to end with them in bed. 

The nurse opened the door, “Miss. Summers you may come back now.”

Susan smiled, “Good luck.”

“Thanks,” Faith replied then followed the nurse toward the back.

She remembered this from the previous times the therapist would take her into a room where they would discuss her progress.  After that, they would go into a back room where they would conduct her exercises before relaxing then leaving. 

The nurse escorted her into the therapist’s office, “Here you are Miss. Summers, Dr. Fausett will be with you in a minute.”

“Thank you,” she smiled at the nurse.

The nurse shut the door leaving Faith alone in the small office taking a seat in the same chair as before.  In about ten minutes, Dr. Fausett would come in and sit behind his very tidy desk.  This was one of the first things she’d noticed about him was how tidy and organized he was.  His desk only contained a nameplate, appointment book, and a stack of files.  The door opened and Dr. Fausett entered but she immediately noticed he seemed agitated today.

“Good morning, Miss. Summers,” he greeted.

“Good morning Dr. Fausett you seem a bit annoyed,” Faith politely pointed out.

“Unfortunately,” he smiled at her.

One thing about her therapist she liked was he didn’t try to solicit his women patients.  He was an attractive man in his mid-forties with kind brown eyes unfortunately he was thinning in the front of his hair, but it didn’t take away from his attractiveness.  The only thing she could say about his appearance was his shortness as he was only an inch taller than her.  Kincade on the other hand was taller than Faith but her head still came to his chin.  She shook her head the last person to be thinking about was Kincade.

“Is there anything I can do to help,” she smiled at him.

“No, my ex-wife called to b***h at me about our son then to inform me our daughter was caught alone in her room with a boy.  It didn’t set my day off well,” he grabbed her file from the stack on his desk, “Now let me see,” he thumbed through her charts making little noises as he read.

“I believe we will up your exercises and after a few more sessions you’ll be able to discard the cane.”

“That’ll be great does this mean I can go back to work soon,” she looked expectant at the doctor.

“I would say a couple of weeks and you could,” he smiled at her.

Faith was one patient he really liked she wasn’t bitter over what she lost and had survived.  It made it easier for her to rehabilitate unlike the patients who sink into despair.  They excited the office to make their way to the exercise room where Dr. Fausett would take her through the routine.

Susan was sitting in the waiting room having read almost every magazine when Faith finally came out.  She smiled but Susan could see how tired she was they went out to the car and the drive seemed so long.  The therapy session had been grueling especially since Dr. Fausett upped her exercise on top of not sleeping well because of everything.  Faith was exhausted Susan tried to fill the drive home with conversation, but she was just too tired to listen.

Emily took Christina up the stairs and down the hall, “That is Kincade’s room,” she pointed to a room on the left about halfway down the long hall. 

Four doors later, on the same side they came to a door Emily opened it allowing Christina to enter.  Any type of conversation vanished the second she walked into the room she pretty much began to drool.  Antique furniture was scattered all over the room and a four-poster bed with canopy.  Soft antique gold and silver was the rooms décor while they stood there Emily told her she had a private bathroom.  The bathroom was exquisite with gold and silver marble it had a large drop tub with a private walk-in shower.  It also had a large walk-in closet that was inside the bathroom plus a vanity where she could do her hair then put on makeup.

“Well, my dear,” Emily said as she came back into the room.

“It’s so lovely Emily,” Christina softly said not sure how to handle this just yet.

Emily was positive this was the woman for her son, “I wish to speak with you about this nanny Faith.”

“I don’t like her and wish Kincade would just let her leave to go back to her own life,” Christina couldn’t believe she just said this to Kincade’s Mother.

“It’s not that I don’t like the woman myself, but she needs to understand she’s the help.  Which means she needs to behave as such and not as if she’s part of the family.”

Christina smiled at Emily, “I agree completely.”

“Good, well I have things to attend to I’ll see you at dinner time which is at six thirty,” Emily then left the room gracefully.

Christina squealed with joy over the money, power, and prestige she was going to be getting by marrying into the Jordan family.  Kincade was irritated all afternoon worrying about Faith and thinking about the strange things going on with Christina.  She’d integrated herself into his Mother’s inner circle this was bad because if Mother genuinely liked her then she wouldn’t be open to Faith.