A New Foundation by Rochelle Alers (philippa perry book txt) 📕

“It is a period in French history dating between 1880 and World War I, and because Bainbridge House is designed as a French château built in 1883 and falls within this architectural era, I think of her as a girl. But after she has been restored both inside and out she will once again become a stunning woman flaunting her beauty for those stopping long enough to marvel at her.”

Taylor crossed his arms over his chest. “I don’t want you to take offense because this may sound sexist. Once the exterior of the house is power washed it will appear pink, and traditionally that’s a color usually attributed to girls.”

“I’m not offended, Taylor. I happen to like the color, and if I ever have a girl I’ll definitely would dress her in pink.”

“You want children?”

Sonja went still, meeting his eyes. There was something in Taylor’s query that annoyed her. Did he believe she was so career focused that she eschewed motherhood? Even before she’d agreed to marry Hugh Davies, they’d talked about starting a family after she’d earned her degree. She had become Hugh’s second wife, and although he was nearly twenty years her senior he claimed he was looking forward to becoming a father for the first time.

However, Sonja had known before they’d celebrated their second wedding anniversary that she had no intention of bringing a child into a hostile environment where his or her parents spent more time arguing than making love. Now, as a single woman, her plan was to have a career and children. Rather than give birth, she would foster and eventually adopt an older child or children.

“Yes. I plan to adopt.”

“Good for you.”

She was taken aback by his response. “Good for me?”

Taylor unfolded his arms and rested both hands on her shoulders. “Yes. There are too many children languishing in foster care that need a forever home.”

With wide eyes, Sonja stared at Taylor like a deer caught in the bright beam of headlights. She couldn’t help comparing him to her ex-husband. On a scale of one to ten Hugh came in at a low-two while Taylor was a ten. She’d found him to be open-minded and nonjudgmental. And, more importantly, he wasn’t a sexist.

“You would rather adopt than have your own biological children?” she asked.

Sonja’s question gave Taylor pause when he recalled his own upbringing. Elise was unable to have children, yet that hadn’t stopped her from becoming a mother of five. “There’s no reason why I couldn’t have both, Sonja. A lot of couples have blended families with biological kids and adoptees of different races.” He didn’t tell her that he was talking about his own upbringing and family.

During a heart-to-heart discussion with Elise during one of their first Sunday meetings, she’d asked him if he ever intended to marry or if he wanted to father children. Taylor had been forthcoming when he told her yes to both. He wanted to fall in love, marry and start a family. And it didn’t matter whether he fathered or adopted them. Elise had become emotional when he told her he knew he would become a good father because she and Conrad were the best role models for him to nurture the children he’d hoped to have.

“Do you realize you’re an anomaly.”

“Why would you say that?”

“I’ve met a lot of men that claim they prefer fathering their kids to adopting someone else’s.”

“I don’t see a problem with that, Sonja. What I take exception to is their not taking care of their kids. Sometimes it is impossible for couples to live together, but that doesn’t excuse a man from not having a relationship with his kids. Too often it becomes out of sight, out of mind.”

Taylor didn’t want to go on a rant and talk about men he’d known who were serial fathers and had felt the need to impregnate every woman with whom they’d had a relationship. And then there were those who were missing in action once a woman revealed she was carrying his child. It had had happened to his biological mother, who’d lived with her boyfriend, and once she discovered she was pregnant and told him, he disappeared. Aware of the circumstances surrounding his birth, Taylor had made it a practice to develop a relationship and always use protection whenever he slept with a woman.

He released Sonja’s shoulders and took a step back. He’d enjoyed touching her, inhaling her sensual perfume and staring into the large dark eyes brimming with confidence. In fact, he’d enjoyed it much too much for him to remain emotionally disconnected.

“Now that we’ve established that Bainbridge House is a girl, I’d like to ask how you would decorate this bedroom to make it appear less crowded.”

Sonja pressed her palms together. “The round table and chairs will have to go, and the armoire should be moved, facing the bed. Shelves in the armoire have to be removed if you want to install a flat screen. The console table, doubling as a desk, could be positioned under the window to take advantage of daylight. I suppose the bedside tables can stay where they are.”

Taylor knew Sonja’s suggestions would make the room less crowded and more inviting. He walked over and opened the door to a walk-in closet. “There’s plenty of space for clothes and storage.” He opened another door to the en suite bathroom. “Come, Sonja, and check out the bathroom.”

Sonja stood next to him and snapped a picture of a sculptural sink on a ribbed column with brass fittings and a deep soaking claw-foot bathtub also with brass fittings. Then she took photos of the commode and bidet. “There’s a fireplace!”

“The original plans included fireplaces in every bathroom suite on the first and second floors.”

“Why only those two floors, Taylor?”

“Anyone that was a Bainbridge occupied the first two floors. The upper ones were reserved for guests.”

Sonja laughed softly. “Were they trying to send a message that they didn’t want their