Who's The Daddy?

“I just told you she has amnesia!” James snapped.

“But the accident— Is she hurt?”

“No, only bruised. Prescott, go to another phone and tell Lewis to bring the limo around. Adrian, you call Tucker and tell him he’ll have to wait on my decision. I’ve got to call her mother and Chelsea.”

As was their custom, the two men jumped to do his bidding. He growled to his secretary, “Find my wife. I believe she’s attending the symphony auxiliary this morning. I’ll try to reach my younger daughter.”

The woman scurried from the room, as if grateful to have escaped.

“Chelsea? This is your father. Are you dressed?”

“Hi, Daddy. No, I’m still resting. Expectant mothers should get lots of rest, you know. Roddy agrees with me.”

“I’m coming to pick you up. Your sister’s been in an accident. She’s not badly hurt, but she’s lost her memory. The doctor thinks familiar faces will bring it back.”

“But Daddy, why do I have to go? Pregnant mothers shouldn’t get upset or go to hospitals. They have germs there.”

“Chelsea, you have ten minutes to get ready. Don’t keep me waiting,” he warned in ominous tones.

“Your wife is on line two, sir,” the secretary said softly from the door.

James nodded and told his daughter goodbye in the midst of another protest.

“Amelia? Caroline’s okay but she’s been in an accident.”

“Oh, dear. But she’s all right?”

He breathed a sigh of relief. Amelia might not be the perfect mother, but she loved her children. “Yes, well, she’s lost her memory. It’s temporary, of course, but—”

“Her memory? You mean she doesn’t remember who she is? That’s horrible. Why—why, she might think she’s some—some common woman, not—”

“Amelia! We’ll be there to pick you up in five minutes.”

“Pick me up?” she asked in puzzled tones.

“Yes, the doctor said you should come. It might help Caroline’s memory come back.”

“But—but I’m in the middle of my meeting. Couldn’t I come when I’m free? After all, I’m sure—”

“Five minutes, Amelia. I’ll come in and drag you out if you’re not waiting.”

“James!” Amelia squealed as he hung up the phone.

Damn females! They drove him crazy. First Caroline with her independence, then Amelia with her social life. And he didn’t know what to do about Chelsea.

He rushed out the door, hearing his secretary murmur, as he passed her, that the limo was waiting downstairs. Of course it was. The driver was a man and always did exactly what he was supposed to do. It was only females—three particular females—who gave James any difficulty.

When he reached the front door, he found both men who’d been in his office standing in front of the limo arguing.

“What’s going on?”

“I think I should come with you, James. After all, Caroline and I have been seeing quite a bit of each other, and I might be able to help,” Prescott Brownlee said at once.

“She was with me last night, at the opera ball,” Adrian Meadows inserted, stepping closer to his boss. “Since we were just together, she might remember me more. Besides, James, you may need some help with details.”

“Fine, both of you can come. I want her memory restored as soon as possible. I won’t tolerate anything less. She’s been acting strange lately. It’s time for things to get back to normal around here. You hear me?”

Both men nodded and stood at attention as he got into the limo, neither daring to suggest that some things might be beyond James Adkins’s control. They weren’t sure anything was. Then they quickly scrambled after him, each one trying to enter first.

As the limo pulled out into traffic, James clenched his hands into fists. “If either one of you had convinced Caroline to marry him, she’d be home having a baby, like Chelsea, instead of running around having accidents!”

Both men protested their innocence, each assuring James he’d done everything in his power to court Caroline.

“Last night she really enjoyed herself,” Adrian added, shooting a smug look at Prescott. “We danced all evening.”

“Did you ask her?”

All three men knew what James was referring to. Adrian met neither of the others’ gazes. “No. Uh, the time didn’t seem right. But I’m sure she’ll accept when I do.”

Prescott snorted in derision, a knowing look in his eyes. James ignored both of them. “She’ll make up her mind soon. I’ve sensed a readiness to settle down. We’ll get her memory back, and then she’ll marry one of you.”

Neither of them argued with him. But then they never did.

“COME ON, MAX, give us a break. You’ve driven the entire crew like they were dogs the past few weeks. And they’ve done a good job. Let’s give them tomorrow off, let’m have a four-day weekend for Labor Day.”

Max Daniels pinched the bridge of his nose and closed his eyes briefly. His foreman, Jim Swensen, hadn’t lied. He’d been a bear to work for, and he knew it. “Okay. That’s a good idea, Jim. Give’m Friday off.”

Jim slapped him on his shoulder. “Great. The guys’ll be glad to hear it.” He paused and Max tensed for what would come next.

“You still don’t want to talk about what’s buggin’ you?”

He offered a brief smile to compensate for his negative answer. “No. But thanks for the offer. I’ll see you on Tuesday.”

“All right, man, but if you need to talk—”

“I’ll know where to find you. Thanks, Jim.”

Max watched as his foreman, also his best friend, headed toward the group of workers putting away their tools.

Slamming the truck in reverse, he backed out of the makeshift driveway, wanting to get away before any of the men came over to thank him for the extra holiday.

He knew he didn’t deserve their thanks. He’d been impossible to work with for two months. No question. But he couldn’t explain to them that he’d fallen in love and been abandoned by the woman with no explanation, no goodbye. One minute, bliss, the next, hell. And he was afraid that he’d demanded company in his personal hell, from everyone around him.

Man, he had to get a grip on himself. He’d never thought a woman would send him into such a tailspin. He still didn’t understand why. She was beautiful, but he’d dated women more beautiful. She was intelligent, charming, but no more so than others. Her sense of humor delighted him, making him eager to share the events of his day with her, waiting to hear her warm chuckles. Her kisses—

A blaring horn reminded him the light had turned green and he stepped on the accelerator. Just as well. No sense following that line of thought.

He reached for the radio, seeking distraction. It was five after five and the national news had just ended.