Next Door Secrets (Secrets Series Book 2) Read online

“Do you know why they took you away in the first place?”

  Kaylee looked at the ground.

  “That’s all right. You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to.”

  The girl worried on her lower lip until it was chapped. “Sometimes Mommy got sick and she couldn’t take care of us. But sis and me knew she loved us.”

  “Of course she did.” Beth rested her hand on Kaylee’s shoulder. “I’m sure she loved you very much.”

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  When he arrived at the office, Parker marched straight to the break room where he expected to find the interns. Elaine surveyed an open box of donuts as if she were fighting an internal battle. The other two were nowhere in sight.

  Parker stepped closer and caught a whiff of chocolate frosting. "Where are Larry and Michael?"

  She glanced at her watch. "They must be running a little late."

  "I wanted to talk to all of you. What happened last night? Hannah came home drunk."

  "Really? We had some wine with dinner, but not enough to get drunk. I left early because I had some homework due for my on-line class."

  "Who gave Hannah wine? She's not twenty-one."

  Her eyes grew wide. "The waiter asked to see her license so I assumed. . . ."

  "Well, she's not. She's still in high school." His hands fisted at his sides. "I can't believe I trusted you guys."

  She held her hands up in protest. "Hey, I didn't do anything. She must’ve had a fake i.d."

  Maybe Hannah wasn't as innocent as he made her out to be. He still wanted to yell at somebody. "I want the name of the restaurant. I'm going to call the owner and give him or her a piece of my mind."

  She gave him the name of a local Italian restaurant. "Sorry I didn't watch out for Hannah better." Reaching in her purse, she pulled out some bills. "Here's the money you loaned me last month for rent. I really appreciate all that you've done for me, and I'm sorry about last night."

  He unclenched his fists and reached out. Just as he did, the break room door swung open and in walked Michael and Larry. One of the bills fell to the floor and landed in some donut crumbs. Larry ended up stepping on it as he came to grab himself a powdered donut.

  Elaine dropped to the floor to pick it up. "Oops. Here you go."

  Noticing a brown footprint emblazoned on Andrew Jackson's face, Parker cringed. He turned toward the male interns. "What the hell did you do last night with my daughter?"

  Larry's mouth dropped open and he exchanged a look with Michael before speaking. "Hannah's your daughter? I had no idea." He stepped back as if he thought Parker might hit him.

  The truth was Parker was tempted. That was a father's right, wasn't it? To hit the jerk who took advantage of his teenaged daughter? He got her drunk and what else? "I want to hear exactly what happened last night."

  Another exchange took place between the guys. The powdered donut remained in mid-air because Larry seemed to have lost his appetite. "Um, nothing. We went to dinner and we all ordered drinks. Then we left. Right, Elaine?"

  She shrugged. "I didn't see you leave."

  Larry’s moustache twitched. "Well, Michael and I drove Hannah home right after Elaine left and I swear we hadn't had that much to drink."

  Michael nodded without speaking. He had a deer in headlights look about him.

  Parker crossed his arms. "It was pretty late when Hannah got home."

  "She said she might go to Notre Dame," Larry said. "So we drove through campus and then took her home."

  Parker ground his molars. The guys probably gave her a tour of their dorm rooms, too. "I don't believe you. As far as I'm concerned, you broke the law last night, providing alcohol to a minor, and I am terminating your internships. You're done. Good bye."

  The three of them froze. Larry dropped his donut back into the box. "Seriously?"

  "Yes." Parker narrowed his eyes at him. He always thought Larry was a little squirrely. Michael would be better off if he found himself a new best friend.

  Michael raised his hands to his face. "Oh, man. This can't be happening. The semester’s almost over and I need these credits."

  "Unless you want to tell me what really happened and who’s to blame for my daughter throwing up all night, you're terminated."

  For the third time, Michael and Larry exchanged knowing glances, but neither of them spoke.

  Elaine's eyes remained wide. "Am I fired too?"

  Parker mashed his molars together a moment longer. "No. You left before the situation got out of hand. I'm still going to call the restaurant to check your story. If it matches, then you may stay." He faced the guys. "I'll walk you to the exit."

  # # #

  Once Larry and Michael were gone and he chewed out the owner of the Italian Bistro, Parker still didn't feel better. An e-mail and photo from Ivy labeled “Baby’s Trip to the Park” taunted him. He deleted it without opening it.

  His gaze landed on his desk and the twenty that Larry had stepped on. For some reason, he gathered all of the money from his wallet and headed to the executive restroom. He turned on the faucet and rinsed each bill and then laid them on the counter to dry. "Money is dirty," he mumbled to himself. Searching his pockets, he found two quarters and a dime which he rubbed with liquid soap before rinsing.

  Afterwards, he returned to his desk and went on with business as usual until Tina announced it was quitting time. For once, he was anxious to leave, too.

  On the way to his car, he thought about how he would spend his evening. Oftentimes, he and Beth would meet for dinner. As he thought about her now, guilt forced its way through his veins like a vine of poison ivy. He’d hated to hurt her by ditching her this morning. Truth be told, he probably shouldn't see her tonight, either. So, on his way home from the office, he stopped by a florist.

  The tiny shop burst with colors and a pleasant floral scent. A bell on the door announced his presence and a teenaged girl greeted him. He walked up to the glass refrigeration case to gaze at the selection. “I’d like to send a bouquet to someone.”

  She pushed her glasses up on her nose and stood next to him. “What type of flowers would you like? Roses?”

  “No.” That sent too strong of a message. He simply wanted to cheer Beth up. “An assortment of spring flowers would be nice.” He pointed at a pink and white bundle that included daisies. He seemed to recall those were her favorites. “I like those.”

  “No problem.” She walked around behind the nearby counter and started typing on the computer. “When would you like them delivered and to whom are we sending them?”

  Smiling at a teenager who used the word “whom,” he told her Beth’s address. “It doesn’t matter when you send them. Pick a random date.”

  The teenager furrowed her brow at him. “Huh?”

  “Just send them sometime in the next week. They’re not for a special occasion or anything.”

  “Oh, it’s an apology bouquet.” She nodded as if she were very familiar with this type of order. “What do you want written on the card?”

  He swallowed. “I don’t want a card. I want it to be anonymous.”

  “That doesn’t make sense. In order for an apology to work, the person has to know from whom it came.”

  There she was again with her proper English. He figured she was a straight-A student, just like Hannah. Hannah—he’d liked spending time with her, but he was glad she was miles away from Larry. He took comfort in knowing Connie would keep a close eye on her to make sure she stayed focused on school and not boys.

  The edges of the florist’s thin lips turned up. “Unless this isn’t an apology bouquet but a secret admirer one.” She adjusted her glasses again.

  Nodding, he pulled out his wallet, which for once, didn't have any cash inside. “So, can you assure me she won’t know who sent them?”

  “I’ll put a note in the computer. Secret admirer flowers are so much better than ‘I’m sorry’ flowers.” She offered him an encouraging smile. After she gave him his total, she took his Vis
a card and swiped it. “Anything else I can do for you?”

  “I’m good.” As he walked out the door, he felt his guilt dissolve a little.

  # # #

  On the edge of falling asleep, Beth wondered why Parker had ditched her twice in one day--no breakfast or dinner. He'd been acting weird ever since he saw Ivy and it worried her.

  In the darkness, a pounding noise got her attention. It sounded like someone was knocking on her door. She sat up and listened. Yes, that was her door. She pulled on her robe and went to look through the peep hole. Standing on tip toe, she closed one eye and recognized the man as Jim.

  She opened the door a crack. “What’s the matter?”

  “It’s Kaylee. She’s sick and I don’t know what to do.”

  At this point, Beth heard Kaylee screaming in pain. “Oh, my gosh. Is she hurt?”

  “She woke up moaning about thirty minutes ago and it seems to be getting worse. I don’t know if I should take her to the hospital or what.”

  Beth opened her door wider and followed him next door. The sound of Kaylee’s cries told her where to go. She found Kaylee lying in bed holding her stomach with her good arm. “What’s wrong?”

  “It hurts! It hurts!” Moaning, she curled inward.

  Beth looked at Jim. “What did she eat for dinner? Maybe she has food poisoning.”

  “She ate a hamburger and fries. What did she eat when she was with you?”

  “Just those muffins.” Beth searched her memory for any other snacks she might have consumed. Had she gorged herself on her stash in the closet? “That’s all I can think of. Can you call her pediatrician?”

  “She doesn’t have one yet. I’m afraid if we go to the hospital, CPS will take her away.”

  Putting her hand on Kaylee's forehead, she checked for a fever, while addressing him. “But this isn’t your fault.” Kaylee let out another scream and Beth turned to Jim. “She doesn’t feel warm, but she’s kind of scaring me.”

  "I took her temperature and it was normal."

  “Did you look at Web MD?”

  “Yes. It could be anything from appendicitis to gall stones to an ulcer.”

  Then she remembered one time when they thought her ex’s three-year-old niece had appendicitis. It turned out she was constipated. “Kaylee, when was the last time you went poo?”

  Kaylee’s eyes blinked innocently. “I don’t know.”

  “Let’s get her into the bath with warm water and see if that helps.” Of all the food stashed in the girl’s closet, not one thing had any fiber. Who knew the last time she’d eaten something healthy?

  Jim dashed to the bathroom and had the water running by the time Beth escorted Kaylee in.

  As she pulled off Kaylee’s night gown, he looked away.

  "Don't get her cast wet." He rushed out of sight, then returned with a plastic bag and rubber band. "Could you wrap this for me?" He stood out in the hall.

  Quickly, Beth covered the cast with the plastic. The tub was encircled by a collection of rubber duckies and half-used bottles of shampoo, one of which Kaylee knocked over as she climbed in.

  “Lie down and let the water cover your stomach,” Beth said.

  Closing her eyes, Kaylee moaned. She wrapped her good arm around her middle and didn't seem to notice when the ends of her hair got wet. Beth put down the toilet lid and took a seat. Clasping her hands, she prayed this would work. Within ten minutes, Kaylee smiled with relief. "I feel better."

  Beth felt her shoulders unclench. "Good. Stay there while your dad and I talk." She headed out of the room and signaled for Jim to follow her to the kitchen. With cream-colored laminate counters and oak cabinets, the room matched hers. On the stove sat a square pan of uncut brownies, which left the lingering scent of chocolate in the air.

  He ran his fingers through his tousled, brown hair. "Thank you so much. She seemed to be miserable, but I was afraid. . . since the last doctor might’ve reported me to CPS. . . ."

  With the kitchen island between them, Beth stood across from him. "I only knew what to do because my. . ." How to explain her relationship with Emma, her ex-boyfriend’s niece? "My niece had the same thing happen once. I'm thinking that Kaylee needs to eat more fruits and vegetables. She eats too many processed foods and too many sweets."

  His mouth formed a straight line. "I spoil her because I'm gone so much." His Adam's apple bobbed. "Can I get you something to drink? Coffee? Tea?"

  She should go back to her place, but she realized she wouldn't be able to fall back asleep. Inhaling a deep breath only reminded her of the nearby brownies, which she didn't want to think about. "Got any chamomile tea?"

  "I'll check. The people who lived here before me left a bunch of tea." He opened the cabinet next to the microwave and searched. "Here's something called Sleepytime." He read the label. "It has chamomile in it."

  "Perfect." She pulled up a stool while he heated the water and fixed her a mug. Her mind returned to how he shied away when Kaylee climbed into the bath. "It can't be easy raising a little girl all by yourself."

  "I'm doing my best." He placed the bag of sugar in front of her with a spoon.

  "Of course. She's lucky to have you." Wondering if he had any Truvia, she hesitated, but then decided not to bother asking.

  After she'd sweetened her tea, he scooped sugar into his cup and took a sip. "Not bad. I'm not much of a tea drinker. I'm usually guzzling coffee while I'm driving to stay awake." He took his place on a stool next to her and they sipped in silence.

  A child’s voice singing "Twinkle, twinkle, little star" came from the bathroom and then the toilet flushed. They looked at each other and smiled. Kaylee must be feeling OK if she were singing to herself. They heard a lot of splashing as if she'd climbed back into the tub and probably grabbed one of her rubber ducks to play with.

  He sighed and stroked his beard. "I would've felt like an idiot if I'd taken her to the ER."

  Chuckling, she pointed at him. "You need to buy some prunes."

  "I guess so." He allowed the sound of Kaylee's faint singing to fill the air. "So Kaylee tells me your father is the minister at that church you've been taking her to."

  Nodding, Beth wondered where he was going with this.

  "I bet it wasn't easy growing up under his shadow."

  Yes, father-daughter relationships could be complicated. "He expected me to be perfect. The other kids never wanted to play with me because they wanted to goof off."

  "That's how kids are."

  She shrugged. "Kaylee said she doesn't have many friends, either."

  He rubbed his forehead. "We've moved around a lot. That makes it hard to get close to anyone."

  "Maybe you should settle down."

  His head cocked to the side and he offered her a seductive smile. "Maybe."

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  Beth pulled the plate of brownies out of Kaylee's hands. "Remember how terrible you felt last night?" The girl nodded. "Did your dad explain to you why your belly hurt?"

  Again, Kaylee nodded. "He said I need to eat more fruits and veggies." She crossed her arms. "But I don't like those."

  "Maybe you don't like everything, but you have to like some. What's your favorite fruit?"

  She scrunched up her face as she thought. "I don't have one."

  "Try this apple then." She grabbed the fruit bowl and placed it in front of Kaylee. When the girl didn't move, Beth felt her blood pressure rising. "After you eat an apple, I'll let you have a brownie." She hated that she'd just bribed her, but she didn't know what else to do. "I'll go get my walking shoes on."

  Soon they were out the door carrying the brownies to the English-as-a-New-Language class. Beth considered telling Jim to stop baking her goodies, but she knew the immigrants appreciated them. Plus she admired his sense of fairness and his determination not to take charity.

  As they walked through the sixty degree weather, Beth mulled over Kaylee's aversion to healthy foods. Any kid would probably choose processed foods over whole food
s if given the choice. That was part of a parent's job, to ensure they ate right. She understood Jim's dilemma, though. He worked all of the time and he wanted to indulge Kaylee to make up for his absence. Probably to make up for her losing her mother and her sister. To make up for all the crap life had thrown at her.

  The problem was that food didn't really heal the pain. And now that kids were teasing Kaylee for being fat, it was creating its own problems. She needed to help Kaylee discover that fruits could be sweet, too. "I have an idea. I think we need to go on a scavenger hunt in the grocery store."

  Kaylee looked up at her with those gorgeous blue eyes. "What's that?"

  "Well, I'll tell you what you need to find, like something round or blue, and you'll put it in our grocery basket. Then we'll go home and taste test to figure out what your favorite fruits are."

  After the brownies were gone and Maria's mother finished her lesson, Beth walked Kaylee to a nearby grocery store.

  Once home, Kaylee sampled sweet-sour kumquats, beautiful star fruits and the ugly, yet delicious kiwis. She was most surprised to discover that she liked red and yellow bell peppers.

  The next afternoon Kaylee held up a basket of cookies when they met on her stoop. Beth pulled back the red checkered cloth and peered at them. "What are those?"

  Kaylee scrunched up her face. "Prune cookies."

  Beth burst out laughing.

  # # #

  "I can't believe I listened to you!" Hannah's voice accused Beth across the telephone.

  Every muscle in Beth's body tensed and she was glad Kaylee had gone home early. "What are you talking about?"

  "You gave me bad advice. I talked to my mom about getting birth control and now she won't let me go to prom. She forbade me from seeing Ryan ever again!"

  "I thought you and Ryan broke up."

  "We made up. He said he was drunk and didn't do anything with that bitch he met in Florida."

  Beth shook her head. "Are you sure you want to take him back?"

  "That's none of your business. Just like it's none of my mom's business. I can't believe if I'd kept my mouth shut, I'd be out with Ryan right now."

  Not sure what to say, Beth took a breath. Didn't everyone know that forbidding a teenager from doing something would make them want to do it more? "I'm sorry your mom reacted that way. Maybe she just needs time to process it."