“Any particular reason why you left the party?”
“Any particular reason why you followed me?” She stood and moved toward the swing set, the grass cool against the soles of her feet. Okay, that was snarky and probably uncalled for, since Jack was the only person who cared that she’d left.
She sat on the swing and gripped the metal links in each hand. The black vinyl seat was probably going to ruin her white pants. She sat down anyway. Jack claimed the swing next to hers. His gaze warmed her skin. She still refused to look at him. Planting her toe in the dirt, she pushed off, the chains squeaking as she started to swing.
“Is this about Landon?”
“I can’t believe he was invited.”
Jack cleared his throat. “That’s my fault.”
She glared at him. “How?”
“I sent a message telling him I was sorry to hear about your grandfather and congratulated him on his last ride. I also mentioned today’s party.”
“You did what?” Blood pounded in her head. “Why?”
“Because your family needs help with the wheat harvest and getting the right care for your grandfather.”
“Nobody asked you to do that, Jack.” Laramie couldn’t keep the anger from her voice. She let the swing slow down, then jumped off, grimacing as the pebbles in the dirt nipped at her skin. Behind her, Jack abandoned his swing and caught up as she paced the lawn beside the picnic table.
“He didn’t respond, so I assumed he wasn’t coming,” Jack said. “That’s why I never mentioned anything to you.”
“Landon ruins everything,” she whispered.
“He does?” Jack frowned. “What do you mean?”
Laramie slumped on the picnic table bench. A warm breeze rippled the fabric of her T-shirt. She refused to look at him. Go. Away. She dug her nails into her palms and willed him to leave her alone. Then she wouldn’t have to explain why she’d just spouted the most childish words ever.
“Nothing. It’s—never mind.” Inexplicable tears stung the backs of her eyelids and she ducked her head, trying to hide behind a curtain of hair. The bench shifted as Jack sank down beside her.
“I’m sorry, Laramie.” He rested his palm on her forearm. “The last thing I ever want to do is upset you.”
“Yeah, well, too late.”
“Your feelings matter to me and you left my party. As the guest of honor, I’d like to know why.”
Did she owe him an explanation? And where would she even start?
“Landon was always the center of my parents’ universe.” Laramie swiped at the moisture on her cheeks. “Other than the farm, life revolved around Landon and his obsession with rodeo.”
“That’s not true.”
She silenced him with an icy glare. “I did extra chores, earned straight A’s, babysat, played volleyball, went to church every time the doors were open. Anything I could think of to please my parents. If I wanted something special, I had to earn it, while Landon skipped chores, left a mess all over the house and barely passed his classes. My parents never said a word. Everything was all about what Landon needed or wanted and how they planned to get him to his next competition.”
Bitterness had crept into her voice, which made her want to crawl under the table and hide. So humiliating. Who sat around crying about a sibling who got too much attention? Landon was never going to change.
“I should probably know this, but why are you so upset about Landon coming home now?”
“Because he’s going to throw a bunch of money at the problem, smile, shake a few hands.” She smacked her fist against her palm to punctuate every one of Landon’s perceived offenses. “And then, after he signs a zillion autographs, he’ll go back to his completely self-absorbed life and I’ll have to clean up the mess.”
Whoa. A beat of silence filled the space between them. Where did all that come from?
“If I’d known, I wouldn’t have sent him that message.”
She hugged her knees to her chest. “Go back to your party.”
His brow furrowed. “I can’t leave you here like this.”
“You can’t leave Macey and Charlotte with Emily much longer, either.”
“Fine, I’ll go, but I’m sending Skye back to check on you.”
She averted her gaze. “Please, just go away.”
Jack hesitated, then stood and strode across the street, back to his friends and family who’d gathered to celebrate his thirtieth birthday.
Laramie sat alone, chin resting on her knees. The woodsy scent of his cologne lingered in the air. She should pull herself together and go back to the party. Today was supposed to be about Jack, after all. But the thought of shoving her anger and her hurt aside and pretending everything was fine provoked a fresh wave of tears. She couldn’t pretend her feelings didn’t matter. Not anymore.
Chapter Nine
The crowd pressed in, and the scent of hot dogs, popcorn and cotton candy filled the air. It was hot. Really hot. The July sun beat down on the pavement on Main Street, making everything feel ten times hotter. Jack kept his hands locked tightly on the handlebar of the girls’ double stroller and craned his neck for a glimpse of Laramie. She’d never come back to the party yesterday, at least not before he left. And he wasn’t confident she’d speak to him today, but he had to try. Since his mom was the Fourth of July parade’s grand marshal, he expected to run into Gage, Skye, Connor and Drew any minute now. But the only person he really wanted to see was Laramie.
The sunshade protected the twins, and he’d slathered plenty of sunscreen on Macey and Charlotte’s pudgy legs when they got out of the truck, but he was still worried the heat would be too much. A rivulet of sweat trickled down his back as he carefully navigated the busy sidewalk. He should probably just go home. Turning the stroller back toward his truck, he spotted Laramie standing on the next street corner. His pulse sped.
In his desperation to reach her, Jack bumped into the person in front of him with the stroller, earning a glare.
“Sorry.” He offered an apologetic smile, then stole another glance at Laramie. She looked amazing in a red sundress with skinny straps crisscrossing her bare shoulders. The top emphasized her petite figure and the skirt went to her knees, showing off her tan legs and then her painted red toes in her flip-flops. Okay, so maybe his eyes wandered a little too much.
And she turned and caught him staring. Great. He probably looked like a creep.
His skin flushed hotter as he finally reached her and parked the stroller beside her. “Hey.”
“Hey.” Laramie’s gaze skittered away. Not even a smile. He deserved the frigid greeting, especially after last night, when he’d confessed he invited her brother to his party. Her anger had completely blindsided him. Sending Landon that message had seemed like a great idea at the time. Showed how little he knew about Laramie’s feelings. What an idiot.
She reached into her purse, pulled out sunglasses, then slipped them on. Even if Laramie was barely speaking to him, he couldn’t think of anyone else he wanted to watch the Fourth of July parade with. Especially since they were running out of time to be together. Only eleven more days until she stopped working as his nanny and took her volleyball team to camp. Eleven. How could one small number sound all the alarm bells in his head?
He couldn’t think about that right now.
“Do you know which car your mom is riding in?”
“A restored teal-green convertible.” Jack scanned the crowd lining the parade route for any sign of his siblings. Plenty of curious gazes from other friends and familiar faces flitted their way. He pretended not to notice.
Charlotte squealed and kicked her bare feet against the frame of the stroller, then flung her plastic toy keys to the ground.
“I don’t think she’s a fan of being restrained.” Laramie bent down and scooped up the keys, then tucked them away in the dia
per bag.
Charlotte started crying and kicked harder, then stretched out her arms toward Laramie.
“Charlotte, it’s okay.” Jack’s words did nothing. Macey started to fuss, too.
He released the brake and tried gently rolling the stroller back and forth, but the girls only amped up the tears.
“Want me to hold her?” Laramie offered. “Maybe she’d be happier if she could see the action?”
“I don’t want you to have to hold her the whole time. She’s super wiggly, and it’s so hot.”
“I can handle super wiggly. And the heat.” Laramie slid the sunshade back. “You’re going to have to hold Macey, though.”
“All right.” Jack wasn’t thrilled about letting the girls out of the stroller, but when he looked at Macey squinting at the sun and tears sliding down her flushed cheeks, he relented.
“I packed some hats in the diaper bag yesterday.” Laramie pointed with her free hand. “Did you leave them in there?”
He shrugged. Did he?
Without waiting for him to check, Laramie reached inside the diaper bag, then pulled out matching small pink baseball caps and slipped them on the girls’ heads.
The tears instantly stopped. Jack stilled. Laramie was so good at this. How was she always prepared with exactly what the babies needed?
Macey looked at him, her eyes wide, as she grasped the bill of the cap with both hands.
“I’m always speechless when I get a new hat, too.” Jack held out his arms. “Come here, sweet girl. Let me hold you.”
Laramie unclipped the buckles and he lifted Macey from the stroller. Tucking her against his chest, he angled her away from the sun as best as he could. The pink-and-white-striped shirt and matching white shorts were adorable. He’d never been much of a fan of pink until the twins moved into his house. Now he couldn’t get enough of the pastels, polka dots and frilly stuff taking over every square inch of extra space.
From the corner of his eye, he watched Laramie balance Charlotte on her hip. The baby had dialed back the fussing as Laramie calmly distracted her with a running commentary about the American flags mounted along Main Street. Warmth spread through Jack’s chest. He never could’ve survived this parade without Laramie.
A muffled percussion beat of a drumline echoed off the storefronts and Macey swiveled in the direction of the sound. The high school marching band began playing somewhere down the street and out of sight, indicating the parade was about to start.
“Do you hear the music?” Jack spoke softly near Macey’s ear.
Macey responded with a string of gibberish he couldn’t interpret. Other than Skye and Gage’s little boy, Connor, he hadn’t hung out with many babies. Caring for his daughters exhausted him, but sweet moments like these were slowly shifting his attitude. Being an unexpected father had its rewards.
The cheers and applause grew louder as a classic car came into view, its chrome bumper gleaming and the teal green an eye-catching color that drew comments from people as it passed. Mom sat perched on the back seat, wearing a bright blue blouse and white pants. She had a bouquet of flowers and a fancy ribbon sash. Her smile was radiant, and she waved like she was born to be a parade grand marshal.
We miss you, Dad.
Jack was surprised by how much the emotions overtook him. He hadn’t acknowledged missing his father to anyone. Ever. Why now? Swallowing hard against the lump clogging his throat, he focused his attention on Macey.
“See the pretty car?” Laramie asked, pointing.
Mom caught sight of them, smiled wider and blew them a kiss. He was grateful for his sunglasses so no one could see the tears he barely held back. Man, where was all this coming from?
“Oh, let me take a picture real quick.” Laramie whipped out her phone and snapped a picture of his mother cruising by.
“The car looks great,” Laramie said. “Your mom looks like she belongs there.”
“Yeah.” Jack barely squeezed out the word.
“Want to take a selfie?”
Before he could answer, Laramie had leaned in close and held her phone at arm’s length.
“Wait. Let me take that for you,” a woman standing next to them offered.
“Oh.” Laramie hesitated, then handed over the phone. “Sure.”
Without looking up at him, Laramie slipped her arm around his waist and he shifted Macey to his opposite arm. Charlotte squealed and clapped her hands. Jack rested his hand on Laramie’s shoulder, his pulse racing as he realized what was happening. This was everything he’d hoped for—Laramie beside him, celebrating one of his favorite events of the year. The babies were an unexpected bonus.
“You all make a beautiful family.” The woman handed Laramie her phone. “What a blessing.”
Jack’s mouth felt dry as a cotton ball.
“Th-thanks,” Laramie mumbled.
Jack glanced at Laramie and tried to gauge her reaction. Since their conversation in the park went sideways and she’d refused to come back to the party, he didn’t want to say anything else that might upset her. But the woman’s innocent comment stuck with him. Did he want a mother for his twins? And could Laramie be the one?
* * *
Several hours later, Laramie stood in the church parking lot, savoring the last bite of chocolate sheet cake. After the parade, she’d enjoyed another of her favorite traditions in Merritt’s Crossing—the Fourth of July community barbecue. Once she watched the fireworks with Skye, Gage and Connor, her day would be complete.
She tossed her paper plate in the garbage can, then turned in a slow circle. Didn’t Skye say they’d meet her right here by the dessert table? Laramie checked the time on her phone. Maybe something had come up with Connor.
“Are you looking for someone?” Jack’s voice, low and warm, sent goose bumps skipping across her bare skin. She turned to face him.
“Your sister and her family.” Her gaze flitted to the picnic basket and blanket in his arms. “Who are you looking for?”
“You.”
Oh. Those beautiful blue eyes searched her face. The hum of conversation and laughter of the kids playing on the playground nearby all faded into the background. For one glorious instant, she stood there, basking in his gaze. She should say something. Anything. Thank you? Why? It’s about time? How could such simple words get stuck in her throat?
Her phone chimed, defusing the spark humming between them. She forced herself to look away as she pulled her phone from her purse.
Connor is wiped out. We’re going home early. Have fun!
She sighed and put her phone away.
“Bad news?”
“Your sister and her family bailed.”
Jack grinned. “I guess it’s just you and me.”
“Where are the twins?”
“I hired a babysitter.”
“Who?”
Jack tucked the blanket under one arm, then offered her his other. “Not to worry, Macey and Charlotte are in good hands, and hopefully already asleep. C’mon, the fireworks are about to start.”
Laramie blinked, her feet still rooted in place. Who was this version of Jack, hiring a babysitter and showing up with a picnic for two?
“If we’re going to claim our spot, we need to go.” He angled his head to one side and gently tugged her into motion.
“What spot is that?”
“The place we always sat when we were kids.”
She tucked her hand into the crook of his elbow and fell in step beside him, her mind replaying summer nights long ago spent playing freeze tag and kick-the-can and feeling like it took forever before they piled on blankets to watch the fireworks.
A few minutes later, Jack stopped near the trees at the edge of the church’s property. He unfolded the quilt, then spread it on a patch of grass with a gentle slope and a fantastic view of the sky over Merritt’s
Crossing.
“Please, sit down.” Jack sank cross-legged on the center of the quilt, patted the space beside him and reached for the basket.
Laramie sat down and tucked her legs beneath her, then smoothed her skirt over her knees. The warm evening air smelled of charcoal and hot dogs and hamburgers. Families gathered nearby, the kids’ anticipation for the show almost palpable.
Jack offered her a bottle of water. “Thirsty?”
“Thank you.” She twisted off the cap and took a sip.
“I have brownies, pretzels dipped in chocolate and some strawberries.” He spread out the dessert options along with two red plates and patriotic napkins printed with stars.
“Wow, you thought of everything.” Laramie reached for the giant pretzel stick with white chocolate and sprinkles on one end. “Did you make this?”
He lifted one shoulder, then reached for a chocolate-covered strawberry.
“I’m very impressed.”
He winked. “I wanted tonight to be special.”
Her mind raced, analyzing all the details of this very date-like scenario. Had he changed his plans? Declined the job interview? Stop. She refused to give voice to the questions. Ignoring the warning signs that everything about her relationship with Jack was about to change, she relaxed and vowed to live in the moment.
“It’s perfect.” She smiled. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
Suddenly the night sky filled with pops and fizzes and brilliant shades of green and purple, yellow and orange. Laramie tipped her head back and gasped with each new explosion of color and sound.
Jack slid his arm around her bare shoulders and she looked at him, acutely aware of the warmth of his skin against hers. And those eyes. Drinking her in. She’d waited a long time for Jack to look at her like that. The fireworks soared overhead, casting a silver-blue light across the planes of Jack’s face. Her heart hammered as his gaze drifted to her lips. Even if her name appeared in cursive swirls of sparking light right this very second, she couldn’t look away.
He inched closer and her breath caught. Then she leaned toward him and closed her eyes. Jack’s mouth brushed hers. His lips were soft and warm with a hint of strawberries and chocolate. A shiver of delight raced through her.
An Unexpected Arrangement Page 10
