Cinderella Story Part 2

Recalling the conversation in the hospital cafeteria the day before, Nina was tempted to remind her mother-on-law that he was merely living up to his part of the bargain, but now wasn’t the time or place.

“Come see.” Pete grabbed her hand and began pulling her down the hall.

“He’s learning to build an oil rig,” Elizabeth explained, falling into step beside her mother. “He and Alex spent the entire morning constructing it.”

Surprised, Nina glanced over her shoulder. “I thought you’d gone into your office.”

“As long as I have access to a computer and a telephone, I can run my business from wherever I choose. Right now, your family comes first.”

He sounded so genuine, she would have believed he really meant that if she hadn’t known he was only saying that for the servants’ ears.

“Look!” Pete demanded as they entered a room with a huge wide-screen television at one end and a pool table at the other. Down at the end where the television was housed, in front of the couch and chair grouping, were a variety of toys. To one side was an authentic looking oil rig, nearly as tall as Pete.

“My grandfather had miniature replicas created of all the equipment he used in the field for drilling and pumping oil so that he could teach me how to build them. He believes in a person knowing their business from top to bottom,” Alex explained. “This is a drilling rig. We’re going to work on one of the pumps next.”

Pete beamed as he pointed to the replica. “Drill oil.”

“Looks like my grandson is already teaching your son how to be an oil man,” an elderly male voice said from behind them.

Nina turned to discover William Bennett. He was in his pajamas and robe and leaning heavily on a cane.

“Grandfather. I thought you weren’t supposed to be out of bed,” Alex admonished, continuing to play the part of the grandson concerned his grandfather would die at any moment.

“Matilda told me about the young’un building on the rig and I had to see for myself. Nothing like having a bit of youthful blood in the house to give the place life. Must’ve rubbed off on me. I’m feeling a lot better.”

“So it appears,” Alex noted, fighting to keep a dry edge out of his voice.

“‘Course, I ain’t saying I’m ready to be doin’ cartwheels,” William added hurriedly. He made his way to a chair and sat down. “But I ain’t in no mood to lie up there waitin’ for Death to come knocking on my door.”

Fear spread over both Elizabeth and Pete’s faces, and Nina realized they’d taken the elderly man’s words literally.

“Death is coming here?” Elizabeth asked in horror.

“No. No, he’s not,” Nina said firmly.

She’d expected the children to accept her word. Instead, both Elizabeth and Pete looked to Alex for confirmation. How much they’d learned to trust the man shook her, and she hoped they weren’t getting too attached to him.

“No, he’s not,” Alex assured them. “You’re safe here.”

Both children visibly relaxed but kept their distance from the old man, as if not totally sure he wasn’t a friend of Death’s and hadn’t invited the specter for a visit.

“Can you show me how the rig works?” William asked Pete, clearly trying to take the children’s minds off of the fright he’d given them.

Making a wide circle to avoid getting too near William, the four-year-old went to the structure and sat down in front of it. He looked up at Alex and, after getting a nod of approval, began to turn one of the gears.

William laughed. “Right smart little fellow.”

Pride spread over Pete’s face and he grinned happily.

Nina saw Elizabeth look at Alex, the hurt expression of one who felt left out on her face. She was about to place a comforting arm around the girl’s shoulders when Alex turned to the child.

“I believe I heard Charles instructing you on the proper etiquette for serving tea earlier today,” he said.

A smile spread over Elizabeth’s face. “Yes. He told me that he thought every young lady should know how to serve a proper tea.”

Alex gave her a comradely wink, then turned to Matilda who had just entered the room. “Would you see that a tea tray is prepared? While Nina freshens up, Elizabeth will practice what Charles has taught her and preside over an afternoon tea.”

“Really? Could I really?” Elizabeth asked.

“I’ll see what pastries Rosemary has in the kitchen and have her start some water brewing,” Matilda said, already on her way to the door.

Elizabeth looked excitedly at Nina. “Will you hurry so you can join us?”

“Yes, of course,” Nina replied.

As she left the room, Helen accompanied her, asking questions about Tommy. Once satisfied that her grandson was getting the best of care, Helen said, “Alex Bennett really surprised me today. He played with Pete for quite a while this morning and actually seemed to be enjoying himself. And just now when he saw Elizabeth looking left out, he made her feel important. He’s good father material. Who would have thought?”

“Yes, who would have thought?” Nina muttered, not convinced that Alex’s behavior wasn’t all an act.

“I’d better get back,” Helen said. “Alex seems to be able to control the children well, but I like to keep an eye on them, as well.”

Continuing into her bedroom, Nina frowned. Tom used to play with the kids just like Alex was doing now. But Alex Bennett wasn’t anything like her Tom. Alex Bennett was a cynic. “And he’s only putting on a good show for his grandfather,” she told herself as she shed her clothes and climbed into the shower.

Chapter Six

Nina never thought time could pass so slowly. She’d again spent the night at the hospital with Tommy. Both she and the surgeon had agreed that it would be best not to give the boy any specifics regarding the operation. All he knew was that the doctor was going to fix him and make him better. Still, he was scared, so she’d stayed to ease his mind and because she was as afraid as he was and couldn’t bear to leave his side. Alex had stayed late, as well, and had arrived at the hospital early enough to see Tommy before the boy went into the operating room.

Now she sat by her son’s empty bed. Trying not to dwell on what was happening to him, she studied Alex Bennett. Earlier, he’d been working at his computer. At the moment, he was standing at the window. She recalled the light, brotherly kiss he’d placed on her nose following her first meeting with William Bennett, then frowned at herself when the memory caused a curl of warmth to spread through her. He did not fit her requirements for a man she could learn to care deeply for. He scorned love and marriage. To her those were basic values that went to her core.

Alex looked at his watch. “Four hours. Only four or eight or more to go.”

The phone rang, causing both of them to jump. Alex grabbed it up. He listened for a couple of moments, said “Thanks,” and hung up. “That was the operating room. The nurse called to tell us that everything is going well.”

“Do you think she was telling the truth?” Nina asked, fighting a rush of terror.

“Yes.”

He sounded so positive, her fear subsided to a manageable level. “I should call Helen and tell her everything is going well.”

Alex punched in the number and handed the receiver to her. Reassuring her mother-in-law when she wasn’t at all certain of the outcome was difficult, but she forced her tone to remain positive.

“It’s taking a very long time,” Helen said, voicing Nina’s concern.

“You wouldn’t want them to rush,” she replied, repeating Alex’s argument.

“You’re right about that,” Helen conceded. “Alex’s grandfather has been very generous. He’s offered to arrange for the children and me to go to a fireworks display, but I thought it would be best if we stayed here. I have a cell phone, but I don’t feel like being out in a crowd. So he’s sent John out for a few sparklers and we’re going to have our own Fourth of July celebration here.”

“That sounds nice.” Nina had forgotten all about the holiday. The mention of sparklers brought a flood of memories to the forefront of her mind. She took a couple of minutes longer to ask about Elizabeth and Pete, then rang off.

Alex watched her hang up, then stare vacantly toward the window. “What sounds nice?” he asked, wondering what Helen had said that had triggered that faraway look.

“Your grandfather has arranged for a small Fourth of July celebration at his estate.” She forced her mind back to the hospital room. “I didn’t even realize it was the Fourth of July.” Again the memories took control. “When Tom was alive, we always went to the park for a picnic and afterward watched the fireworks.”

Alex suffered a jab of frustration. Her deceased husband seemed to be always on her mind. That she hadn’t buried Tom Lindstrom and moved forward with her life was her problem, not his, he told himself. Not in the mood to listen to reminiscences about her and her former spouse, he merely nodded and returned to his computer.

Nina frowned at herself. Alex Bennett wasn’t interested in her mundane life. As she had done so many times during the past three years, she sought refuge in her memories.

Normally Alex had no trouble concentrating on his work. But Nina Lindstrom was a hard woman to ignore. He saw the distant look return to her eyes and his irritation with her returned. The woman needed to bury her dead and get on with her life. It’s her choice, he told himself curtly. Still, the urge to force her mind off of her deceased husband was too strong to resist. “Working with those toy models yesterday reminded me of a design I’d once considered but never had any time to pursue.”

Jerking her mind back to the present, Nina looked at him questioningly. She’d expected him to ignore her. That he hadn’t, surprised her.

You’ve got her attention. What now? Alex mocked himself. “Pete’s very clever with his hands.”

A glow of pride gave color to her cheeks. “Yes, he is.” But instead of picturing her son at play with his building blocks, her gaze shifted to Alex’s hands. The remembered feel of them against her skin brought back a memory that was so vivid, it was as if he was actually touching her. Startled by how strong an impression they’d left on her, she quickly jerked her attention to the computer screen.

Seeing the flicker of uneasiness cross her face, Alex wondered what had caused it. “I was surprised a child so young could actually be of so much assistance in putting the models together,” he persisted.

Alex Bennett is not a man to let get under your skin, she cautioned herself. She pulled Tom’s image from the back of her mind. He was the kind of man she should look for if she ever decided she wanted another man in her life. “Pete inherited his father’s knack for mechanics.”

Tom, again, Alex grumbled silently. Would any man ever break the bond the deceased man held over Nina? Alex doubted it but the urge to try worked its way through him. Unfortunately, he reminded himself, she’d want an emotional commitment, the kind he was determined never to feel toward any woman. Burying the urge, he returned to his computer and allowed a silence to fall between them once again.

* * *

Ten hours! Nina fought to keep the hot tears in her eyes from flooding down her cheeks. This had to be one of the longest days of her life. “What can they be doing?”

“Their best,” Alex replied.

She glared at him. “It’s easy for you to be patient. That isn’t your child on the operating table.”

His expression darkened. “This waiting isn’t any easier on me than it is on you. Do you honestly think I’m so cold-blooded I don’t care what happens to the small boy in there?”

The intensity of his anger startled her. “I’m sorry. It was unfair of me to lash out at you like that.”

Silently Alex admonished himself. He knew she was under stress. What he hadn’t realized was how strongly he’d become attached to Tommy. The image of the frail, hollow-faced six-year-old looking up at him for courage had been haunting him for the past several hours. “It’s all right. We’re both stressed out.”

Nina’s hands balled into fists. “I feel so frustrated. I want to do something to help, and there is nothing I can do.”

“Just keep reminding yourself that he’s getting the best care possible.”

Nina nodded.

The opening of the door caused them both to jerk to attention.

“Everything is looking good,” the nurse who entered said. “They’re finished with the operation and are closing now. He’ll be in recovery for about six hours. After that he’ll be transferred to intensive care. You can see him then.”

“Was the operation a success?” Nina demanded around the lump in her throat.

The nurse continued to smile reassuringly. “The doctor will be in to fill you in on the details. But don’t worry. Dr. O’Conner is the best.”

As the woman made a quick exit, Nina looked to Alex with panic in her eyes. “She’s not telling us the truth.”

That same fear was spreading through him, but he refused to give in to it. “Yes, she is.” His hands closed around Nina’s upper arms and his gaze locked on hers. “It’s not her duty to give us the details. All she can do is relay messages from the doctor. She said everything looks good, and that’s what we’re going to believe until someone tells us differently.”

Strength seemed to flow from his touch into her. “I needed to hear that,” she said. “Thank you.”

He grinned and kissed the tip of her nose. Straightening away from her, he returned to the window. That he’d been able to help her caused a rush of pleasure. Then Tommy’s small, trusting face came back to haunt him and the pleasure faded. “I never realized waiting could be so difficult,” he said, breaking the silence between them.

“Helen says that waiting is the hardest part of being a parent. You wait for them to be born. Then you wait for them to roll over for the first time so that you know they’re getting stronger. Then there’s the first step and the first tooth. Every time they reach another milestone, you feel more secure. Then there’s that first day at school and you spend it worrying that they’ll have trouble adjusting. They do just fine, but you’ve started getting white hairs. Then they learn to drive and you worry when they’re late getting home.”

“You don’t paint a very happy picture of parenthood.”

Nina’s expression softened to one of motherly love. “Oh, it has its rewards. There is nothing that can compare to the thrill of seeing them take their first step or say their first word.”

Alex abruptly frowned. “Not all women feel that way.”

“Then, they shouldn’t have children. Parenthood isn’t for everyone.”

“No, it’s not,” he agreed curtly.

The bitter edge in his voice made her certain he was thinking of his own mother. She wanted to say something soothing, but there was nothing to say. Besides, he’d made it very clear that this was not a subject he wanted to talk about.

Angry with himself for exhibiting emotion, Alex turned away from the sympathy he read in Nina’s eyes. He had a good life. There was no reason for him to allow his mother’s lack of the nurturing instinct to bother him.

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