Except: (from somewhere in Chapter 4)
Meanwhile back at the Paxton penthouse apartment, trouble was brewing at the dinner table.
“I want to go home,” announced Poppy.
“You are home, Poppy,” Spencer said calmly.
“No. I want to go home to Mama in Ohio.”
“Your home is here. This is your home. You were born in New York. You go to school here. Your brother and I live here.”
“They have schools in Ohio, you know.”
“All your friends are here. You don’t want to leave them, do you? And how about your teacher? I thought you were very fond of Miss Evanoka.”
“I do love my teacher. She is so smart. She told us the star that led the Wisemen’s way on Christmas Eve was really a spaceship and Jesus was an alien who beamed down to Earth at exactly midnight on Christmas Eve.”
“Oh, Lord,” mumbled Spencer and rubbed his face with his hand. “Please don’t tell your mother that.”
“Too late, I already did. Did you know Dougie and I have our own rooms at Mama’s apartment? We don’t have to share a room. There’s lots of sunshine. There’s a cute little park across the street.”
“Where is all this coming from? Who have you been talking to? Sophia? Sophia wants to go back to Heaton Valley because of that policeman boyfriend of hers. Is Sophia putting these ideas in your head?”
“No. I can put ideas in my own head, Daddy. I don’t need anyone else to do it for me. I’m bored here. And depressed.”
“You’re too young to even know what being bored and depressed means, young lady. Finish your dinner.”
“I’m not hungry.” Poppy pushed her plate toward the middle of the table and ran to her room in tears.
“Oh, Lord, spare me from another willful redhead,” sighed Spencer. “How about you, Douglas? Are you terribly bored and depressed living with me?”
Dougie smiled and nodded.
“Do you want to go live with your mother in Ohio also?”
Dougie smiled and nodded.
“Do you like spinach, liver, and broccoli sandwiches on toasted pumpernickel bread with strawberry jelly?”
Dougie smiled and nodded.
“With anchovies on top?”
Dougie smiled and nodded.
“Hmm, maybe I better change my approach. Dougie, do you want to stay here in New York and live with your Daddy?”
Dougie smiled and nodded.
“Good boy.”
A few days later, I called Spencer. I got the typical icy hello. I didn’t let that stop me from pouring my heart out.
“Detrick is having this giant seventy-fifth masquerade ball birthday party here at Palazzo Castellano.”
“How nice. And what does that have to do with me? Do you want me to send a gift?”
“No. Police Chief Tom Acton would like to bring his fiancée, Sophia, to the party. Do you think you could arrange for her to have a few days off?”
“Why didn’t Sophia ask me herself?”
“Because she’s afraid of you.”
“And you’re not?” laughed Spencer.
“No, you don’t scare me one bit, Mr. Spencer Paxton III. I know there’s a tender, lovable, teddy bear under that stoic Nordic facade.”
“Fine, she can have two days off. Is there anything else?”
“Yes. Spencer, I’m miserable.”
“Really? That’s too bad.”
“I miss my kids. I want to spend some time with them.”
“No, I am not sending them to Ohio. I refuse.”
“Spencer, I need to see them. Can you understand that?”
“Yes, of course I can. Why don’t you come home? Come spend time with your children here, at least for a week or two. They miss you, too. And Poppy seems to view me as the villain lately.”
“Okay. I’ll call Matteo and ask if I can sleep in the back room of the Miller Building office.”
“Nonsense. I’ll have Nelson freshen up the master suite for you while you’re visiting us. I’ll sleep in my office.”
“I wouldn’t want to put you out.”
“I insist.”
My heart skipped a beat. I heard him smile. I heard the sweet and gentle voice of the old Spencer Paxton, the one I fell in love with.
“Thank you, Spencer. I’ll call and book a flight for tomorrow. Is that too soon for you?”
“Tomorrow will be fine. Text me details. Nelson will pick you up at the airport. Our children will be overjoyed. I’m going to tell them this was all my idea and I talked you into coming. I’ll be their hero, for a change.”
I laughed. “Thank you, Spencer.”
“See you soon, Mary Catherine.”
Again, I heard the smile in his voice.