From the Heart

Kasey apply her makeup. The pots and tubes of color which were scattered over the vanity table fascinated her. Approaching, she began to finger them hesitantly.
    “When do you think I’ll be old enough to wear makeup?” Alison picked up a pot of eyeshadow for closer study.
    “Not for a few years,” Kasey murmured as she darkened her lashes. “But with that face of yours, you won’t need illusions.”
    Alison leaned over to peer at both faces in the glass. “But you use it, and you’re much prettier than I am. You have green eyes.”
    “So do cats,” Kasey commented and grinned. “Brown eyes are very effective, especially on a blonde. Nothing devastates the human male more than soulful brown eyes and long lashes. You’ll have boys eating out of your hand when you’re fifteen.” She watched Alison smile and blush. “Just don’t turn on the charm too early,” she warned and gave Alison’s hair a tug. “And no fluttering eyelashes tonight. I don’t think Dr. Rhodes could handle it.”
    With a giggle, Alison sat down on the edge of the lounger. “Grandmother says Dr. Rhodes is a distinguished man and a social asset.”
    I’ll bet she does, Kasey mused to herself and picked up her lipstick. “I thought of him more as a teddy bear, myself.”
    Alison covered her mouth and rolled her eyes. “Kasey, you say the strangest things.”
    “Do you think so?” She began to search for a misplaced brush. “I thought it an accurate description. He’s all round and kind of cuddly. Winnie the Pooh with glasses. I’ve always been fond of Winnie the Pooh. He’s rather sweet and helpless and wise all at once. Have you seen my brush?”
    Alison picked it up from the lounge chair and handed it to her. “He pats me on the head,” she said with a sigh.
    Stifling a grin, Kasey tried to convince her hair to come to order. “He can’t help it. Older men who are confirmed bachelors have a tendency to pat children on the head. They really don’t know what else to do with them.” Kasey picked up her perfume bottle and aimed a squirt at Alison. She liked hearing the child laugh. “Let’s go see if Pooh’s here yet.”
    They entered the parlor together. Spotting Harry Rhodes across the room, Kasey looked down at Alison and sent her a conspirator’s wink.
    Standing beside Harry, Jordan noted the exchange. He lost the thread of his friend’s conversation. When was the last time he had seen Alison smile that way? When was the last time he had taken the time to look? He felt a quick pang of guilt. As a guardian, he realized, he couldn’t be faulted. But as a surrogate father, he had failed completely. It was time to make it up to her—and to himself.
    He laid a hand on Harry’s arm to stop his dissertation, then crossed the room to his niece. “Well, I wasn’t prepared for two beautiful females.” He lifted Alison’s chin with his hand and studied her. She was quite beautiful, he realized with a start. And more grown up than he had thought. “I’ll have to lock you up before long if I want to keep you to myself.”
    Alison’s eyes widened in surprise. The look alone had him berating himself for having taken her for granted. How could he have lived with her for so long and not have noticed? As he watched, Alison glanced up at Kasey in confusion. Jordan felt a moment of panic as she looked at him again. Was it too late?
    “Oh, Uncle Jordan.” He saw Alison’s heart leap into her eyes.
    Love without restrictions. He felt something open inside ofhim. “Oh, yes,” he said quietly and touched Alison’s cheek. “I believe I’ll keep you.”
    “Alison,” Beatrice called from across the room. “Where are your manners? Come say good evening to Dr. Rhodes.”
    Alison flashed a grin at Kasey and went to do her grandmother’s bidding.
    “Well, Jordan.” Kasey swallowed hard and cleared her throat. “You’re quite a man.”
    He looked back at her and smiled. “Tears, Kasey?”
    “Don’t.” She shook her head and swallowed again. “I’ll disgrace myself.”
    Briefly, his eyes swept to Alison. “I have you to thank for that.”
    “Oh, no. Please.” Kasey shook her head more fiercely.
    He took her hand and lifted it to his lips. “Yes. I have a feeling it’s going to be a difficult debt to pay. I had love staring me in the face and didn’t see it.”
    She studied him and let out a deep breath. You still do, she thought. It’s just a bit more complicated. “Jordan, unless you want to send Dr.