Red saw her briefly hold up the locket to her cheek. She was such a devoted mother. That little boy was everything to her. And Red knew she was the kind of mother who would put Andy’s needs and welfare before her own.
He felt an overwhelming desire to gather her up in his arms and just hold her. Cradle her against his chest and show her how much he respected her for everything she had done for her son. For her selfless, loving presence and care. She was the kind of mother every child should have. The kind of mother he wished he had had when he was young.
The kind of mother he’d want for his children…
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
THE LIMO STOPPED and dropped Ronnie off right at the Yonge Street store. Since Red’s meeting was scheduled at the same time, he had suggested they join up afterward for lunch. When he had found out she had never been to 360, the CN Tower revolving restaurant, he called and made reservations. “Might as well do something new while you’re in town,” he said. “Good luck with your meeting.”
* * *
An hour later, Ronnie walked out of the hardware store with a light heart. Mr. Kennedy had been very open and receptive to what she had to show him. He thanked her for being Casson’s emissary and told her that he would arrange a final conference with Casson.
Ronnie headed toward the downtown area. She had time to peruse a few shops before heading to the CN Tower. She ambled along Yonge Street near Bay. Ronnie wasn’t sure what she was looking for, but she was determined to go back to the cottage with something unique that Andy could cherish forever.
Ronnie arrived at the Eaton Centre. She would surely find something here, she thought, striding toward the navigation screen that listed the stores and boutiques on each level. She searched for children’s novelty shops, made a note of where they were located and set off.
Ronnie entered a children’s store that, at first glance, seemed to offer a wide variety of gifts. She walked up and down the aisles slowly, hoping something extraordinary would catch her eye.
And it did, near the back of the store. Her eyes widened. It was the last thing she had expected to see. An enclosure with a kitten in it. No, several kittens. They came out from behind an elaborate scratching post, tumbling into each other and scampering off, only to dash back moments later, ready for another tumble.
One particular ginger kitten caught Ronnie’s attention. It was the most playful of the bunch, and most vocal, mewing as it leaped from one spot to another, and doing the most comical acrobatics.
Ronnie laughed. Its fur was just about the same color as Red’s hair. And as it came closer, she noticed its eyes were blue-green, also like his. Maybe he should buy this kitten. They would be a perfect match.
No. She should buy it. Andy had asked her for a pet while he was at SickKids, but there was no way she could have dealt with such a responsibility at that time. But now things were different. Andy was back home, and taking care of a kitten would be manageable. He would love it. It would be the best surprise she could think of for his birthday…
But how could she keep it a secret till then? A sudden idea popped in her head. She could ask Red if he could take care of it until Andy’s birthday. It was a long shot, but she could try…
With excitement swirling in her veins, she strode over to a staff member. She was going to do this! “Ginger” was coming home with her. After lunch.
* * *
Red’s meeting with the Australian magnate had gone longer than expected, but with superlative results. All of his projected outcomes of the meeting had been achieved. And more. His legal team had been present to see to the technical details of the contract, and after heartily shaking the magnate’s hand and wishing him a good flight back to Australia, Red had left the meeting, elated at having secured this new project for his Melbourne office, a world-class art gallery with specialty restaurants, gift shops and teaching studios.
Red placed the garment bag with his jeans and shirt in the back seat of the limo. Not wanting to keep Ronnie waiting, he had decided not to change. He instructed Liam to head to the CN Tower as the gold stylized letters of Brannigan Architects International receded in the rearview mirror.
He was ready to celebrate, and he was looking forward to celebrating with Ronnie.
She was waiting just outside the main entrance. After exchanging greetings and the news that their respective meetings had gone well, they proceeded into the building and reached the glass-fronted elevator that would take them up the iconic tower to 360, the restaurant 1150 feet above ground that revolved every seventy-two minutes. But first, Red wanted Ronnie to experience the first view of the city at the LookOut. As they rocketed upward amid gasps and a few excited shrieks, Ronnie did what many did the first time in the tower: instinctively move away from the glass panel as the elevator shot up. It was packed, and as she stepped back, one foot landed on Red’s shoe and she faltered, her body pressing against him. Red’s arms instinctively encircled her waist, and the rest of the visitors in the elevator disappeared as his mind and body registered only the sensory impact of Ronnie in the tight circle of his arms.
And then he promptly dropped them as Ronnie gained her balance. The door opened and the visitors surged toward the floor-to-ceiling window walls, while others ventured to the glass floor, showing the dizzying vertical view.
Red was glad it was sunny, so Ronnie could have the experience of enjoying a magnificent view of the cityscape. She was leaning toward one window with an expression
