“What’s a mantra?”
“Something we’ll say that has a special meaning just between us.”
“Ohhhh. I like that.”
After dinner, I cleared the plates and Bridget went to her room. I called her down for dessert, and this time she didn’t hesitate. She sat on the counter stool instead of at the dining table.
“I know you said you wanted ice cream, but I’m double checking. Cookies or ice cream?” I had set both on the counter, along with bowls and spoons.
Her eyes bounced between them, sticking out her tongue. “I can’t decide. I wanted ice cream at first, but now I don’t know.” She propped her forehead on her hand and sighed as if this was the hardest decision she’d had to make.
I wrinkled my nose and placed my chin under my fists, elbows on the counter. “Well ... how about we have both?”
“Both?” Her eyes sparkled brighter than the kitchen lights. “Mona doesn’t let me have both.”
“Mona isn’t here, is she? That means I get to make the decision. Just this once, I think you deserve both for being brave.”
She blinked and her eyes rounded. “I was brave? How?”
“Well, two people you love are away and you are acting like a big girl by letting me watch over you. And I want to thank you for accepting me.”
She dipped her head wordlessly. I could assume she felt guilty for giving me an attitude earlier.
“Maybe I wasn’t that brave,” she said softly.
“I think you are. So let’s eat.” I scooped small portions of chocolate and strawberry ice cream into two bowls and shoved a snickerdoodle in the middle. “There. One for you and one for me.”
Bridget’s eyes widened in delight as she picked up a spoon.
“Wait. We forgot something.” I went to the fridge and took out a can of whipped cream. “Do you want some?”
“Yes.” She jumped in her seat and clapped.
I shook the can and swirled the cream in both of our bowls. “There. Now it’s perfect. Cheers.” I raised my spoon.
Bridget clinked her spoon with mine and dug in. “This is the best.”
“Oh, wait.” I walked back to the kitchen cabinet next to the sink and nabbed the cake decorations I’d seen when I was snooping. “It’s not dessert without sprinkles,” I sang.
“Wow. I never had them on ice cream before, only on cupcakes.”
“Well, now you have.” I sprinkled the pretty pink dots inside the bowls. They fell like snow.
“To unicorns, rainbows, and all the sparkling things,” I said, holding up a spoon.
Bridget giggled, clinking her spoon against mine once more.
I think we’ll get along just fine.
We ate until we were scraping the bowls.
Chapter Eighteen — Bedtime Story
Mona’s instructions stated, in capital letters, that I had to help Bridget with her bath after dinner, but Bridget was not my child. Mona had been her nanny since she was a baby, but I was someone new. I had to be sensitive about the situation.
Bridget’s bathroom was connected to her bedroom. Lucky girl. I tested the water temperature—not too hot or cold—then I told Bridget to get in while I had my back toward her.
Once she was covered in bubbles, I handed her a unicorn wash scrubber and set the pink towel by the tub for easy access.
As she bathed herself, I sat on the toilet lid, glancing at her unicorn bath rug, toothbrush, and hand towels.
After she was done washing, she put on her unicorn PJs and got into bed.
“Miss Summers, can you read me a bedtime story?”
“Of course,” I said as I tucked her inside the blanket. “I was just going to do that, but only if you call me Kate. Do you have a book in mind or do you want me to pick one?”
She stuck her hand under the pillow and yanked a book out. “This one,” she said excitedly.
I read the title and laughed. “I should have guessed. Goodnight, Unicorn.”
The cover featured a white unicorn with a rainbow horn running across a glittering rainbow.
“Is it okay if I sit on your bed?” I asked.
“Yes.” She scooted over and settled herself with cushions behind her.
I rested on top of her soft, fluffy comforter and read aloud while she held the book.
About halfway through the book, the sound of soft and soothing wind chimes came from my phone, almost identical to the chimes I’d heard at Abby’s gallery, when Leonardo stormed off after I got paint on his shirt. And I felt that same invisible hand caress down my back.
Strange. I hadn’t changed my ringtone. When I grabbed my cell next to me on the bed, Bridget jolted up into a sitting position, her wide eyes twinkling.
“My mama. That’s my mama!”
At Bridget’s outburst, I ditched the call and swung my legs around, ready to greet her mother. Halfway to my feet, it hit me—Leonardo had said there wasn’t a Mrs. Medici. I closed my eyes and listened, but the rest of the house remained silent. No footsteps strode toward us from the hall.
I eased back down next to her. “Bridget. What are you talking about, sweetheart?”
She fluffed her pillow and leaned back to the headboard. “My mama always said when the wind chimes, an angel is near. That was her, I know it.”
“Ohhh.” A quiver passed through me. “Tell me more about your mama.”
She didn’t have a chance to answer. My phone chimed again and Leonardo Medici flashed on caller ID. I hadn’t answered his call seconds ago, so I picked it up. My heart raced. This man caused my body way too much disruption.
“It’s your dad. He wants to video chat with you.” I brushed a thumb across and handed her the phone. Something about speaking to him face-to-face seemed intimate. He’d called for his daughter and not for me anyway.
Leonardo’s face popped up. “Hello, sweetheart.”
“Hello, Papa.” She waved her small hand.
“How are you?”
“Fine.”
“I see you’re ready for bed. Good girl. How was your day?”
“Good. And Kate—I mean Miss Summers—is very nice. And you know what? She loves unicorns as much as I do.” She flashed me a smile, and then got back to the conversation.
“That’s great. Remember you have a piano lesson tomorrow.”
“I know.” She puckered her lips and bounced once on the mattress. “You don’t have to remind me.”
“Yes, boss.” He winked, making Bridget giggle. “Anyway, I called to say goodnight. I’ll see you in three days. I love you, Unicorn.”
“I love you, Skeleton.”
“Can you give the phone back to Miss Summers, please?”
When Bridget handed me the phone, my heart thudded faster. I didn’t like that he made me so nervous, so I clipped that feeling and presented my professional smile. I mostly resisted the urge to check my image in the corner and try for my best angle.
“Hi.” I stared into the screen at his face ... his thick eyebrows, his stunning chestnut-colored eyes, his sharp nose, and those lips that made you wonder what they tasted like. Then a horrifying thought came to mind. He could see every detail of my face. I pushed back the phone.