A Humble Heart (Hollywood Hearts #1)(25)

“I don’t understand.”

“They won’t know it was me. I never attach my name to anything. This particular project will be named after Deana’s son like the rest of them. I have a foundation in his name. It was something Deana tried to get off the ground. She was struggling to do it. She was barely keeping a roof over her head. She made okay money, but it was all going to this foundation. I took over and gave her a job. She oversees most of it for me. I have a lawyer that handles the business aspects and we pick the projects.”

He reached out and took both of her hands into his. “You are a wonderfully kind woman, Dana,” he said, looking into her eyes. She looked nervously away. “I truly mean that.” He leaned down, intending to kiss her mouth, but thought better of it and kissed her forehead instead. “Those kids are very lucky to have you.”

“Thank you, but it’s really Deana. She got me involved with Griswold House and the foundation.” She stepped back awkwardly. Edward released one of her hands, but kept the other one firmly in his hand.

“That was so much fun!” Deana said as she walked the kids towards them. She took one look at their entwined hands and grinned wickedly. Dana knew that look all too well. Deana was about to play matchmaker.

“Dana, the kids were just asking about the Ferris wheel. I told them we would go on it next. I know it’s one of your favorite rides so I thought we could all go together.”

“Okay,” Dana answered cautiously. Edward released her hand when Cole walked over and pulled her hand into his. Edward thought the little boy was upset that he was touching his mother until Cole took his hand as well so he was walking between the two of them.

“Swing me, peease!” Cole begged.

Dana and Edward nodded and began swinging Cole gently. He giggled that cute little toddler giggle that could melt even Scrooge’s heart. They walked to the Ferris wheel while swinging a very happy Cole. Deana had Elizabeth on her shoulders and was pointing everything out to the little girl.

The man taking tickets at the Ferris wheel looked the kids over. “I’m sorry, I can’t let the kids on. I have a height requirement and no seat belts.”

“Oh, that’s okay,” Dana said, sounding a little disappointed.

“No, its fine. I’m taking the kids on the carousel. Edward, do you mind going with her? She hates going by herself. She gets a bit freaked out when the ride stops.”

He smiled hugely. “No problem.” The first chance he got he was sending Deana her favorite thing in the world, a huge chocolate basket. Something he discovered a week ago when someone sent one to Dana and Deana went nuts over it. He couldn’t remember if Dana ate any of it. He was now curious if she liked chocolate, but that question would have to wait. He was about to be alone with Dana on the Ferris wheel.

The man stopped the ride and gestured for Dana to get in. Edward waited until she was seated before he turned to the man. He slipped the man a hundred dollar bill. “In a few minutes make sure we’re stuck up there for a good five to ten minutes.”

The man took the money and winked at him. “You got it, buddy.”

Edward sat down next to Dana, happy to discover that it was a snug fit. He had the perfect excuse to put his arm around her shoulders. The man locked the safety bar over their laps and started the ride.

They sat silently as the ride moved for several minutes. He was in no rush to make his move since he would have her undivided attention in a few minutes. His hand began moving of its own accord, gently rubbing her shoulder.

Something occurred to him as they reached the top. Something he overlooked in his excitement to have her alone. He was deathly afraid of heights. His hand froze on her shoulder. “Oh shit,” he mumbled.

“What is it?” Dana asked nervously. She turned to look at him, which rocked the seat. Edward bit his lip.

“Please, don’t rock the seat.” He felt his stomach twist.

“Are you sick? I’ll tell the attendant to let us off the next time the carousel brings us to the bottom.”

Edward shook his head while he squeezed his eyes shut. “He won’t. I paid him a hundred bucks to keep us on this ride….up top.”

“Why?” she asked.

“Because I wanted to get you alone and I’m an idiot. I forgot I have a serious fear of heights.” He pulled his arm from behind her and dropped his head into his hands. “This is so embarrassing. Can we forget about this, please?”

She laughed. “Oh, I’m not going to forget this, Edward,” she teased. “The great Edward Pierce is afraid of heights.”

He groaned.

“I don’t remember reading that in any of the articles about you, very interesting.”

“Hey, heights is a common fear. You can seriously get hurt or die from a fall like this. It’s the body’s natural response to something that is dangerous. At least it’s not as lame as being afraid of spiders.”

He felt Dana’s entire body freeze next to his. “Why did you pick spiders? Oh my God! You don’t see a spider right now, do you?” she asked, clearly panicking.

Edward’s eyes shot open in time to find her looking around frantically. He had to smile, she was so damn cute. When she wasn’t looking he snuck his hand behind her and ever so gently ran two fingers up her back. “Yeah, you have one on your back.”