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"And the other mothers in my bridge club have grandbabies," her mother told her. "They babysit. " Her mother sighed. "I would make an excellent babysitter, Kia. "
"Yes, sir. Yes, ma'am. I'll run right out to the husband store and then to the baby store and take care of that before I head home today. "
She was unaware of the edge in her voice. She tried to keep it light and amusing, and she missed the look her parents shared. Full of concern and confusion.
They were parents. They knew their daughter. She had shadows under her eyes, and there was an edge of disillusionment that even Drew hadn't been able to put there.
Timothy sipped at his water, his gaze sharper on his only child now. He would never forget receiving that call, two years ago, that his daughter was in trouble and her husband was possibly abusing her.
He had rushed to her apartment, found her in her bathroom, hysterical, wrapped in a towel and begging him to get her out of there.
The need to destroy Drew Stanton rode him often. The little bastard still worked for him, but only because the son of a bitch was still paying her alimony. And if Timothy heard of any more shenanigans going on where Kia's charity functions were concerned, some heads were going to roll.
Not that his daughter deigned to tell him about it. No, he had to play games to learn the information from others. She was too independent, too determined. She always had been.
"She's getting cheeky, Timothy," Celia pointed out.
"Yes, I heard it. " He nodded, giving his daughter a mock glare. "Perhaps we should go shopping with her, Celia. A family effort, so to speak, so she doesn't take too long making up her mind. "
Finally, a spark of laughter lit Kia's gemlike eyes, and she lowered her head, a light laugh passing her lips.
"You two are impossible," she groaned.
"We're parents," he reminded her. "Now, eat your food. I heard your aunt has you busy with the party tomorrow night. Don't let her wear you down. "
"And your dress arrived here by mistake Friday," her mother informed her. "You can take it home with you tonight. We'll send Farrell with a limo to pick you up. You are not arriving in a cab. I don't want to hear about it. "
"Yes, Mom. " She almost rolled her eyes, but caught her father watching her.
He was almost grinning, hoping to catch her.
"There's a nice young man at Delacourte-Conovers you might like," he told her smoothly. "Very handsome gentleman, I'm told. Related to those two young hellions, Lucian and Devril. Daniel Conover. "
Kia stared back at her father warningly.
"Well, he has strong features. " Timothy shrugged. "He'd sire strong boys. "
She just stared.
He cleared his throat. "You could use an escort to the party. "
She laid her fork beside her plate.
"Well, fine. I've said my piece. Don't upset your mother by leaving. "
He dug into his own food, and Kia ignored the comments about other couples' grandchildren, sons-in-law, and various family affairs.
She ignored it, because listening to it only made the ache deeper. It made her remember the night Chase had forgotten to put on a condom after she'd asked to come in her mouth and then afterward nearly spilled inside her. And that wasn't something she needed to remember in front of her father.
Her parents could read minds. It was creepy.
Celia wanted to weep for her baby, though. Kia was the pride of her life, and she was so alone. It broke her heart, worried her into the night. If she and Timothy were gone, who would protect their most precious possession, their greatest accomplishment in life? Who would protect Kia against the world, the cruelties of life, and the loneliness and hurt that filled her? Who would watch over their little girl?
Cecilia glanced at her husband and saw the same concerns in his face. Kia had hidden for far too long after her divorce. They had had hope the other night when she left the ball with the Falladay boy.
Chase Falladay was a handsome, honest young man, and Celia had always liked him. Ian Sinclair always spoke highly of him and his brother.
Of course, there were those nasty rumors that went around about them, but there were always nasty rumors. One had to trust that their daughter was making certain they were unfounded.
