Extreme Measures. Brenda Harlen

Because until he knew for certain that the threats against his life were past, he couldn’t promise her anything.

      “I’m here now,” was all he said.

      Colin left Nikki’s house with a lot of issues still unresolved but with a firm date set for him to see Carly: tomorrow.

      Nikki and Carly had plans to go to the botanical gardens for a picnic in the afternoon, and Nikki had reluctantly agreed to let him tag along. They were still at odds about the “daddy” versus “uncle” matter, but Colin was so excited about actually spending some time with his daughter, he almost didn’t care what she called him.

      By the time he got back to his hotel, apprehension was warring with anticipation. He knew nothing about children, less than nothing about his own child. Had he pushed the issue too soon? Had he forced all of them into a situation that none of them was prepared for?

      He had to admit, it wouldn’t be the first time. When Nikki had agreed to marry him, he’d rushed her to Vegas without fully considering the magnitude of such a step. He’d loved her, but that love hadn’t been enough to sustain their marriage.

      Was his pursuit of a relationship with his daughter destined to the same fate?

      No, he refused to believe it. This was different. This was about his child. He’d already missed the first four-and-a-half years of her life; he refused to miss even one more day.

      The ring of his cell phone was a welcome interruption from his disquieting thoughts.

      “Hello?”

      “Where are you?” came the impatient demand.

      He recognized his agent’s voice immediately.

      “I’m in Fairweather,” Colin told him.

      “Didn’t you hear the news? The police arrested Duncan Parnell.”

      “Yeah. Detective Brock called me last night.”

      “Then why the hell are you still in Pennsylvania? Get your butt on a plane and get back here.”

      “I’m not coming back,” Colin said. “Not right now, anyway.”

      A long, stunned silence followed his announcement. Then Ian finally asked, “Why not?”

      He didn’t even know where to begin to answer that question. “It’s a long story.”

      “It’s a woman, isn’t it?” Ian didn’t wait for a response. “Dammit, Colin, haven’t I always warned you that women are the downfall of men?”

      “And you have four ex-wives to prove it,” Colin finished for him. “Yeah, you’ve told me the story.”

      “Obviously you weren’t listening.”

      “You’re my agent, not my personal advisor. And as my agent, I need you to look into a job opportunity for me.”

      “You’re not unemployed yet,” Ian reminded him. “The new owners haven’t made a decision about your contract.”

      Colin ignored the protest. “There’s a new cable station launching in Fairweather in September—an all-sports channel—that’s looking for on-screen personalities.”

      Ian groaned. “You don’t know anything about television.”

      “Just get me an interview and a screen test.”

      “You’re sure about this?”

      “Positive.”

      For the first time in five years, he knew exactly what he wanted, and he wasn’t going to let anything stand in his way of getting it.

      Chapter 4

      Nikki hung up the phone, wondering why she was surprised that Colin had bailed on their plans at the eleventh hour. And why she felt let down.

      “I’m glad I didn’t tell Carly he was coming with us,” Nikki told Arden.

      “He’s not?”

      “No. ‘Something came up,’” she repeated his explanation scornfully.

      Arden frowned. “Something that couldn’t wait?”

      “Apparently not.” She wasn’t disappointed, she assured herself, she was annoyed. After all, he was the one who’d insisted on spending time with Carly. The only reason she’d agreed was that she felt backed into a corner, his casual threat about taking her to court still looming in her mind.

      The biggest irony was that she’d glanced at her calendar this morning and realized it was Father’s Day. And she’d actually been pleased that Carly would, for the first time in her life, spend Father’s Day with her daddy.

      “That doesn’t sound like the same man who badgered you into letting him spend the day with Carly,” Arden said.

      “No,” Nikki agreed. “Although it’s not the first time he’s changed his mind about what he wants.” They both knew she was referring to the marriage Colin had ended before their first year anniversary.

      “He didn’t offer any kind of explanation?”

      She shook her head. “No.” Not now, and not five years ago, either. “It just doesn’t make any sense.”

      Then again, not a lot about this situation did make sense. She’d once loved Colin with her heart and soul. She’d believed he loved her. Five years later, there was no hint of the tender affection they’d once shared. All that remained were bitterness, remorse and accusations—and a little girl who didn’t deserve to be at the center of their battle.

      “How am I going to explain any of this to Carly?” she wondered aloud.

      “She’s four years old,” Arden said gently. “She won’t require as much explanation as you think.”

      “She’s going to have to be told something.”

      “She’ll deal with it,” Arden said. “Kids are amazingly resilient.”

      “She shouldn’t have to be resilient,” Nikki said. “She shouldn’t have her world turned upside down because of the mistakes I’ve made.”

      The pitter-patter of footsteps forestalled any further conversation, and Nikki managed a smile as Carly skipped into the room.

      “Mommy, I’m hungry.”

      The familiar refrain transformed the forced smile into a more natural one. “You’re always hungry.”

      “But it’s been a really, really long time since breakfast,” Carly said solemnly. “And my tummy is hungry for chocate chip cookies.”

      “Chocate chip cookies?”

      “Uh-huh,” Carly affirmed, nodding her head for emphasis.

      “You know the rule—no choc-o-late—” Nikki enunciated the word “—chip cookies before lunch.”

      Carly’s lower lip jutted out and her deep green eyes—eyes so much like her father’s—pleaded. “But I’m hungry.”

      Nikki wrapped her arms around her daughter and pulled her onto her lap. She breathed in baby shampoo and bubble gum. The unique scent of her little girl.

      “Are you okay, Mommy?”

      “I’m okay.” Nikki pressed a kiss to Carly’s soft cheek. “I was just missing holding you.”

      Carly wriggled to get down. “Maybe you need a chocate chip cookie, too.”

      Nikki laughed as she released her. “Maybe I do. And we can both have one after our picnic.”

      Colin had vowed that nothing would interfere with his plan to spend Sunday afternoon with his daughter. A single phone call had proved otherwise.

      Four