Daddy's Sweetheart Parts 1-5: The Complete Collection Read online

  Daddy's Sweetheart

  Parts 1-5

  By: Rachel Burns

  Daddy's Sweetheart

  The Complete Series

  Fourth Edition

  Copyright 2015 Rachel Burns

  Published by Rachel Burns

  Text Copyright © 2015 by Rachel Burns

  All Rights Reserved

  All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the U.S. Copyright Act 1976, no part of the publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by and means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the author.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, incidents and dialogues are products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual people, living or dead, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Table of Contents

  Part 1

  Chapter 1 – Where To?

  Chapter 2 – The Test

  Chapter 3 – Nobody Gets Anything For Free

  Chapter 4 – Shopping

  Chapter 5 – A New Home For Amelia

  Chapter 6 – The Wedding

  Chapter 7 – Call Me Daddy

  Chapter 8 – Liar, Liar Pants on Fire

  Chapter 9 – Don’t Test Me

  Chapter 10 – Showing His True Self

  Chapter 11 – Taking It Too Far

  Chapter 12 – Finding Out The Whole Truth

  Chapter 13 – Playing Dress-Up

  Chapter 14 – Amelia’s Not Perfect

  Chapter 15 – All Better

  Chapter 16 – Visiting School

  Chapter 17 – Knowing What You Have

  Part 2

  Chapter 1 – Hair Ribbons

  Chapter 2 – My Favorite Colors

  Chapter 3 – Play Date In The Garden

  Chapter 4 – The Doll

  Chapter 5 – Seeking Help

  Chapter 6 – Passport Pictures

  Chapter 7 – Concentrate

  Chapter 8 – Overhearing The Servants

  Chapter 9 – Teddy Bears

  Chapter 10 – Daddy’s Birthday

  Part 3

  Chapter 1 – Starting A New School

  Chapter 2 – Parent’s Night

  Chapter 3 – Play Date Gone Bad

  Chapter 4 – Making It Better

  Chapter 5 – Daddy Knows Best

  Chapter 6 – Thanksgiving

  Chapter 7 – Maintaining The Peace

  Chapter 8 – Christmas Pageant

  Chapter 9 – Voices Intertwined

  Chapter 10 – Uncle Ned

  Chapter 11 – Amelia’s First Christmas

  Chapter 12 – I Need You

  Chapter 13 – Just Daddy

  Chapter 14 – Valentine’s Day

  Chapter 15 – Is There A Doctor In The House?

  Part 4

  Chapter 1 – Monthly Spanking

  Chapter 2 –The Flu

  Chapter 3 – Benefits Evening

  Chapter 4 – Easter

  Chapter 5 – Worries

  Chapter 6 – Amelia's Birthday

  Chapter 7 – The Fair

  Chapter 8 – Escape

  Chapter 9 – Wandering Alone

  Chapter 10 – Cindy’s Family

  Chapter 11 – Gone For Good?

  Chapter 12 – Sarah

  Chapter 13 – Thanksgiving

  Chapter 14 – Learning To Live Without You

  Chapter 15 – Discovered

  Part 5

  Part 1 - Unbelievable Truths and Plausible Lies

  Chapter 1 – Back Home

  Chapter 2 – Nanny’s Revenge

  Chapter 3 – Pushing Him As Far As I Can

  Chapter 4 – Paternity Test

  Chapter 5 – Facing Facts

  Chapter 6 – Understanding Can Hurt

  Chapter 7 – Be Careful What You Say

  Chapter 8 – Christmas

  Part 2 - Betrayed

  Chapter 9 – Trust Comes And Goes

  Chapter 10 – He Trusts Me, He Trusts Me Not

  Chapter 11 – Unexpected

  Chapter 12 – Happy Birthday

  Chapter 13 – Depression

  Chapter 14 – Adam

  Part 3 - Waiting For Angels

  Chapter 15 – Sandy Beaches

  Chapter 16 – A Visitor

  Chapter 17 – Walls Tumbling Down

  Chapter 18 – Waterfalls

  Part 4 - Leading Her Out Of The Dark

  Chapter 19 – Confinement

  Chapter 20 – Wrapping Paper

  Chapter 21 – On Trial

  Chapter 22 – Justice For Few

  Chapter 23 – Swimming

  Part 5 - In Good Hope

  Chapter 24 – Having To Share

  Chapter 25 – Back In The United States

  Epilogue

  Daddy's Sweetheart

  Part 1

  The Wedding

  Chapter 1 – Where To?

  Brian was already bored with this meeting. His father had attended to this side of the family business when he’d been alive. Now that duty fell to Brian. His older brother could have taken care of it, but he lived too far away.

  This just wasn’t his passion. It remained a duty. Brian sat quietly on the sofa and read through business contracts that would bring in millions.

  He already had millions. He’d been born with a silver spoon in his mouth.

  Brian looked over at his father’s business partner. James Anderson looked tough. He was older with perfectly manicured fingernails, and his gray hair was trimmed into a very distinguish haircut. A very expensive suit was covering his wide and strong shoulders.

  Brian’s father had played racket ball with this man and had usually lost. James had been an old football star back at his school in his younger days. Brian had known him all his life. After the business part was settled, they’d talk and have a meal together. He’d ask Brian about his brother and his brother’s wife and about Brian’s real job and then probably ask about his personal life.

  There had been pictures of Brian in the society pages with a few different women, and people were starting to talk. Words like playing the field were usually written under his picture.

  The truth was that all the women were just friends, most not even that.

  They were using each other. The women wanted to use his name to get into the public eye, and he’d needed a date for that particular evening. He wanted to settle down, but he just couldn’t find anyone who even came close to what he was looking for.

  He reread the contracts, looking for loopholes. It appeared sound, and his lawyers had already checked it out.

  There was a knock on the door.

  “Come in,” his business partner called out without looking up from the copy of the same contract that Brian was holding in his hands. They still needed to be signed.

  The door opened, and a girl in a school uniform walked in.

  Brian looked at her closer. She wasn’t really a girl but a young woman. She had long dark hair that curled at the ends. Her body was something to see too. Long legs, cute little rounded bottom and full breasts.

  She approached the desk. She had a small piece of paper in her hands. “I’m finished with school now.” She was biting her lips as she laid the little piece of paper in front of Brian’s partner. She stepped back away from him immediately.

  He pushed it to the side without looking at it. />
  “Father, what is to become of me now?” Her head was hung. She was beet red. It probably embarrassed her to have this sort of a conversation with a stranger listening in.

  “I’m surprised that you didn’t start looking for a job around your school,” he sighed, obviously disappointed in her. “You’ve been eighteen for a few months now. I’ve been more than generous in paying for that school of yours. How dare you stand in front of me and ask for anything more?” His fist pounded down on the desk. “One week. I want you out of here within the week. I don’t want to see you at all in that time.” He spoke to her so coldly. Brian was in shock as he watched them.

  “Thank you for your kindness. I’ll see to it that I’m gone in that time,” she stammered back. With her head still hung, she left. She looked so desolate.

  Brian’s heart went out to her. At first, he’d thought that they were lovers playing a game, but the hate in his business partner’s eyes had been real.

  “Was she your daughter?” he asked.

  He knew that his business partner had once been married many years ago, but he’d never heard of, or met any children.

  “Uh, yes. We aren’t close, as you may have guessed. She killed the thing I loved most in this world. She’s never been anything but a burden to me. But now my time is served. I finally get to be rid of her.” He smiled at the end.

  “She killed someone?”

  “Her own mother. It was during childbirth. I still can’t stand the sight of her.” He didn’t even try to hide the disgust in his voice.

  “You don’t care what is to become of her?” he questioned his older partner.

  “I’d be thrilled to never have to see her or hear about her again.” He hoped the topic could be dropped now.

  “Could I have her?” he asked, wondering if he meant it.

  “You can have her,” he laughed. “Take her away today even, but under the condition that you wouldn’t, ever, bring her back. When you decide you don’t want her anymore, then you’d be responsible for finding her somewhere else to live, not me.”

  “I want to talk to her first, before I decide.” He stared at the door she’d left through. Was he serious? What would he do with her?

  He wanted his own little girl waiting for him at home. He’d take better care of her than her father had, he reasoned with himself.

  “Go talk to her now while I read through the papers you brought me. We can meet up at dinner to discuss – ” the older man smiled, “everything.”

  “My pleasure.” He gave the older man a slight bow and left the room.

  Brian spotted her right away. She was standing on a balcony across from the door. He wanted to comfort her.

  He was acting crazy, comforting a complete stranger and wanting to take her into his home. Things like that didn’t happen in real life.

  Still, he walked up behind her.

  ***

  That had been very embarrassing.

  My father was right. I should have looked for a job already.

  I was stupid enough to hope that by doing well at school that he’d come to my graduation and be proud of me. I’d graduated the best in my class. All the other girls’ parents had come. Once again, I’d stood out like a sore thumb. I’d been the only one who didn’t have parents swarming around me, taking pictures.

  Tears filled my eyes. My heart felt like someone had rammed a knife through it. Why was I always so naïve? He’d never want me. He hated me. I had to accept that and move on.

  I laid my hands on the railing and let the tears flow. I was so ashamed of myself. I needed a job, and a place to stay. I wasn’t as worried about the job. A job I could probably find, but how was I to find a place to stay without any money? Well, not enough money.

  I needed to start making plans, and a week would be over with quickly. I decided to have a good cry and then face the world. This wasn’t all that unexpected. A week was even generous, I told myself. I needed to pick myself up off the floor and face my problems.

  “Excuse me, Miss Anderson.”

  I quickly wiped my eyes before I turned to face whoever had called out me. It was probably one of the servants wanting me to leave. I wasn’t actually allowed on the main floor.

  When I turned around, I was surprised to see the attractive young businessman who had been in my father’s office. His skin was nicely tanned. He had dark brown hair and brown eyes. Something about him said warmth. I longed to just lay my head on his chest and have a good cry.

  “Yes,” I answered him, pretending that I hadn’t just been bawling away.

  He took a step back away from me as I turned. He looked surprised to see me, but he’d called me. “Are you all right? Can I help you in any way?”

  I shook my head and looked down at my shoes. They were thick heavy black ones, typical catholic girl school uniform shoes, too cumbersome to be practical.

  “What’s your first name, Miss Anderson?” he asked in a very soft tone. I wasn’t used to anyone talking to me like that.

  I looked up to meet his eyes. They still looked so warm.

  Why was he paying attention to me?

  No one else ever did. Not even the teachers at school. They mostly ignored me in favor of the other girls whose parents would be more likely to donate a gymnasium. I was usually very good at blending into the background.

  “I’m sorry I worried you. I’m fine. Really, I am. Please, excuse me.” I wanted to walk past him, but he stepped in front of me blocking the way inside. I looked at him surprised. I wasn’t used to anyone talking to me at all, much less a man.

  “I spoke with your father about you.” He paused, giving me a chance to let that sink in. “He said if I wanted you, I could have you.”

  The heat rose to my face. He couldn’t mean – could he? My father was giving me away for someone’s quick pleasure. I opened my mouth to say no, but nothing came out in my shock. Did my father think I should take him with me to my room or something like that? My already broken heart felt like it was being ripped into little pieces. I hung my head again.

  “I think we should go somewhere so we can sit down and talk. Marriage is a very big decision. I’d like to get to know you a little better before I decide.” He was still talking so sweetly to me.

  “Marriage?” I stood perfectly still. I looked down and then back into his eyes. “Is this a joke? At my cost?” I asked him in a whisper.

  He smiled, “This is no joke, my dear.” He took me by my elbow and led me into the living room. I wasn’t usually allowed in there, ever.

  “I’m not supposed to be in here,” I whispered.

  “I think it will be okay today. All you have to do is sit down on the sofa and talk to me.” He sat down on one of the sofas and continued to smile at me.

  I sat down on the sofa across from him and arranged my skirt so it covered up my knees. I crossed my legs at the ankles as the nuns had taught us at school. He watched my every little move. I was feeling very self-conscious.

  A servant came running in and asked if he wanted anything to drink. “I believe the customary drink for such an occasion would be lemonade.” He smiled at me.

  I smiled back. The thought of anybody courting me was ridiculous.

  “Let’s see, where were we? Your name.” He raised an eyebrow.

  “My name is Amelia.” The name was terribly old fashioned. I hated it. The Amelia Bedelia children’s books hadn’t helped either. I looked up; he was trying not to laugh. My name had been just another way for my father to show me how much he hated me. Now he was giving me to a stranger. I hung my head again, too ashamed to ask him what his name was.

  “Amelia,” he called out strictly.

  I peeked up at him.

  “I like your name. It’s just fine. Let me see. I know you’re eighteen, and that your name is Amelia. You just finished school?”

  I nodded. I should probably be more talkative, but he’d wanted to get to know me, and I usually didn’t say much so he was getting to know the real
me.

  “Did you like school?” His eyebrows rose as he asked questions. I could tell I was disappointing him by giving him so little information.

  “Yes, I did.” That was better, I guessed. At least it was a complete sentence, be it a short one.

  He moved a little forward on his chair. He was leaning in my direction. I felt a little like leaning back away from him just to keep the status quo, but I remained sitting up straight and waited for what he wanted to ask next.

  I knew which question I’d ask him if I could. I wanted to ask why he’d be interested in marrying me. He was good-looking and very well dressed. He didn’t look like someone who would want to marry a girl after only seeing her for less than a minute.

  This couldn’t be right. It didn’t match up, at all.

  “What did you like about school best.” He looked please with himself. He’d asked a question that I couldn’t answer with a yes or no.

  I looked down at my lap and smiled.

  He was being so patient with me. That was a good sign, right?

  If he’d take me in, then I wouldn’t have to be homeless and live on the streets. I’d have a home.

  A tear came to my eyes. I wiped it away before I looked up at him again. “I like to read and learn new things.” I shrugged and hoped my answer wasn’t lame.

  He nodded in what looked like approval. “Which was your favorite class?”

  “History and English. Both required a lot of reading.” I was warming up to him. He seemed happy with my answers.

  “Which were your least favorites?”

  “Math and Sciences. I’m typically female that way.” I’d made a joke. That was so unlike me.

  He smiled even bigger at that. Great, now he’d expect me to be funny more often.

  The butler came back with his drink. The butler set it down on the coffee table and was turning to leave.

  The brown-eyed man got very upset. His forehead wrinkled together. “Wait.” He stood up and moved his glass to my half of the table. “Please, bring me something to drink.”

  The butler looked mad. The staff didn’t like doing anything for me. It lost them father’s favor.