Page 4 of The Comeback Heir

“I’d heard that. It’s a lot to wrap your head around. Is there no one else?”

Wynn shrugged. “The baby’s father has never been in the picture. And as you know, our parents are gone.”

Felicity nodded slowly. “I heard,” she said. “I’m sorry they were never there for you.” Shandy and Wynn’s parents had both died of drug overdoses on the same night. As adults, as parents, they had been dysfunctional at best. When Wynn was in elementary school, a neighbor discovered Wynn and Shandy had been left alone for hours at a time. Department of Human Services was called in, and the children were removed from the home.

Wynn’s mother and father threw themselves on the mercy of the court with an elaborate tale, begging for their son and daughter to be returned. After two months in foster care, Wynn and Shandy came back.

Things were better for a year or two. Felicity knew that Wynn had learned a valuable lesson. Never again did he or Shandy let anyone know about the times they were left to their own devices.

He grimaced. “Even if they had still been alive, there was no way I would let my mother have my sister’s innocent baby.”

“I can understand that. Where is Ayla now?”

“My housekeeper has agreed to keep her for a few days. I’ve had all the funeral arrangements to take care of...and I still need to clean out Shandy’s apartment.”

“And your business in New York?”

He shrugged. “Fortunately, I have good people working for me and with me. I’m just a phone call away.”

Felicity nodded. “I don’t know what it’s like to have a sibling, but I’m sure this hasn’t been easy.”

His face grayed, betraying exhaustion and the grief he had kept hidden earlier in the day. “It’s such a damn waste,” he muttered.

Eventually, he crossed the room, shifted the tray to one side and sat on the edge of the ottoman, his knees almost touching hers. “I need your help, Fliss.” His beautiful eyes bored into hers, making it hard to swallow, hard to breathe.

Though she wanted to scoot away, she forced herself to sit still. She wasn’t afraid. Not really. But this was Wynn. Her heart and her head battled over the correct response.

“I’m off for the next five days,” she said. “I can help pack the apartment. It will go faster with two people.”

His mouth settled in a grim line. “It’s not that.”

“I don’t understand, Wynn.” What was he trying to say?

An odd look crossed his face. “In a weird coincidence, I know your boss. He and I served on an FAA advisory committee together a couple of years ago.”

As adults, Felicity and Wynn had both ended up indulging their dreams of flying around the world, but in different careers.

Felicity was completely confused. “Okay...”

“I explained my situation. Never mentioned your name. But asked if—under the circumstances—an employee might be granted an extended leave and later go back with full seniority and benefits.”

Her stomach curled. Surely, he wasn’t saying... “You’re not making sense,” she said, her voice flat.

Wynn took her hands in his, a clear invasion of her personal space. “I need you, Fliss.”

“You already said that. But for what?” Her pulse accelerated.

“I want you to look after Ayla for nine months to a year. Live with me in New York. Care for her. Then when I’m home at the end of the day, I can bond with her.”

Felicity jerked her hands away and steeled her resolve. He was asking the impossible. “That’s absurd. New York, of all places, must have at least half a dozen highly reputable nanny agencies. You can offer top dollar for salary. You’ll have your pick of applicants.”

“No,” he said, his tone abrupt. “I don’t want a stranger in my home or in Ayla’s life.”

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