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“Oh? You were familiar with the house from before?”
Jess chuckled as she settled into her seat. “You’re kidding, right? This place is known throughout town. The old Tallard mansion. Everyone’s been wondering about its next occupant ever since the Tallards moved to Panama City last year.”
So maybe she was impressed. Only, it had nothing to do with him. He would have to do something about that.
“They shall wonder no more.”
She looked around. “The patio additions are new. And so are the waterfalls.”
“I had them add a few new touches.”
“Very nice,” she repeated. Damn it, he should have thought to ask her to bring a bathing suit. The night was pleasantly warm and the pool water heated to the perfect temp. He found himself wondering what she would look like in a formfitting bikini. She looked like the type who might have a belly button ring. And a small tattoo somewhere discreet, maybe on her inner thigh. He had to shake those images away before it was too late.
Sonya continued to smile as the two spoke. Within minutes they’d each filled their plates and had begun to eat.
“You appear to be a man of many talents, Mr. Paydan,” Jess declared. “Quite the cook based on this meal.”
Jordan grunted. “Hardly. The kebabs were premade at the butcher and Sonya suggested crispy French bread to go with it all. I’m going to have to figure out meals going forward. I’ll have to find a live-in chef or a meal delivery service like we had in Manhattan. Or we’ll be having kebabs every night unless we want to starve.”
Whether Sonya heard the gist of what he’d said or she was reacting to his expression, he couldn’t be sure. But she giggled with amusement. She was truly enjoying herself. When was the last time that had happened?
Jess nodded. “Clara mentioned that your mom had moved to New York after leaving the island. The vineyard must seem like a far cry from Manhattan,” she supplied.
“It’s going to be a bit of an adjustment. But my mother grew up here. And I think it’s a better environment for Sonya.” The ever-present feeling of guilt clogged his throat and he had to clear it before he choked on it.
“That’s why you made such a drastic move?”
He nodded. “I should have done so as soon as I found myself the guardian of a small child.”
“Sounds as if it was somewhat unexpected.” Jess shifted in her seat. “If you don’t mind my asking, how did that come about? I’m sorry if it’s not something you like to discuss.”
Did he mind talking about it? He certainly hadn’t spoken of their circumstances much with many others. Though every one in New York’s social circles was well aware of his tale. It had made all the rounds in the city papers. He found himself wanting to share the story with her, though she was barely more than a stranger at this point.
He put his fork down and began to tell her.
* * *
Jess wanted very badly to reach out and stroke Jordan’s hand in comfort as he spoke. Sonya had finished eating and was now lying on a lounge chair by the pool, fully engrossed in a picture book. As accomplished and successful a man as Jordan was, he must have been completely taken by shock by the circumstances that had led him to where he was today. But Jess didn’t know him well enough to guess as to whether he would welcome such a move. She hardly knew him at all. So why did she feel so touched by what he was describing to her about all the turmoil he’d been dealt in the past few years?
“I lost my mother as a teen,” he told her. “She became ill and never recovered.” The sorrow in his voice as he spoke of the loss had tears stinging her eyes.
“She’s a bit of a legend around here,” Jess said. “Local girl who moved on to become an international fashion model. Then married a successful American tycoon.”
Jordan swallowed. “They lived a fairy-tale life until hers ended. In a way, my father never really recovered either after she was gone.”
“I’m so sorry, Jordan.” The words felt so useless as she uttered them.
“I tried to keep myself busy and distracted with school. I’d been attending an exclusive boarding school in Rhode Island. My father insisted it was better for me to maintain my regular routine. So I went back even though I worried about leaving him.”
