“Good.” He controlled his urge to smile. “Let me help you clean up.” Their empty plates sat on the table, ignored while they made plans.
“I’ll take care of it.” She got to her feet and stacked plates.
He didn’t bother to argue with her. That was pointless. Actions worked better. He picked up the dishes and headed for the sink.
“Wash or dry?” he asked, turning on the water and filling the sink.
“Dishwasher,” she said, bumping her hip against the appliance, which had the effect of drawing his attention to her body again. “Just rinse.”
“Got it.” They took care of the dishes and wiped the counters in comfortable silence interrupted only by a gurgle coming from the baby monitor.
“Will he wake up?” Zach glanced at the machine in concern.
“Probably not.” She paused and listened. After a minute, all was peaceful. “He’s a sound sleeper once he’s out. He really is a great kid.”
“I can see that.” The kid was awesome, fun and happy. “It’s probably because he has you for a mom.”
She laughed. “You had something to do with his DNA, too.”
He shrugged off her compliment, not convinced that his genetic makeup was worth that much. He and his brothers were improving the family stock, but they were starting from a pretty low standard to begin with.
“I better go so you can get some sleep.” Her house was lights out by ten, he’d noted, but Austin’s bedroom light came back on by six in the morning.
“Thanks for having dinner with me,” she said as she walked him to the door. “It was nice.”
“It was.” He had his hand on the doorknob, the metal cool under his fingers. Leaving was the last thing he wanted to do. He wanted to kiss her like he used to when they were wild about each other and when he’d thought nothing could ever change that. He didn’t think she’d go for a passionate kiss, but she was lingering at the door with him. Maybe…
He leaned toward her, brushing his lips against hers in a soft kiss, giving them both a taste of what could be. “Good night,” he said and left before he was tempted to yank her to him and kiss her the way he yearned to. Something still simmered between them, but he’d wait until she was as ready as he to act on it.
He pulled away from the curb in front of her house, circled the block, and took up the position he’d held for the past nights to watch over her and Austin.
6
Castle Jewels did look classy. Its interior, once dominated by shades of brown, had been updated to an elegant green-and-gold scheme. As they walked in the door late the next afternoon, Carolyn nervously twisted the engagement ring she’d taken from her home safe. The pear-shaped diamond was beautiful in its platinum setting. She’d loved it the second Zach had slipped it on her finger during his proposal. Having it on brought back a slew of memories, many of them good…but not good enough to outweigh the fears she’d felt whenever Zach left on a mission.
Zach took her hand, lacing their fingers together. He’d noticed the ring. She’d seen his eyes go to it when he picked her up, but he’d said nothing. As their hands joined, she felt him finger the ring, almost as if to prove to himself it was real. He shot her a smile, the kind that made his blue eyes warm and playful. She thought of their kiss the evening before and how tempted she’d been to continue it. But she couldn’t be distracted by that. She had to focus on their reason for being there.
“Welcome to Castle Jewels.” A saleswoman approached them, assuming they were a couple and this was a good potential sale. “How may I help you today?”
“I’d like to see Mr. Castle, please.” She’d wanted to call ahead and make an appointment, but Zach had convinced her that surprise was a better method of gleaning the truth from people.
“I’m sure I can help you.” The woman glanced to a closed door at the rear of the store, making it clear that Drew Castle was in.
“I’m not shopping. I need to speak with him about business matters. Please tell him that Carolyn Evert would like to speak with him.”
A flicker of recognition crossed the woman’s face. She knew the name. “I’ll be right back.”
When they were alone, Carolyn looked in the nearest display case. The merchandise was lovely, very sophisticated, not altogether different from what her store offered. The stores were on par with each other in quality and taste, making them true competitors, which explained why Drew was trying to buy All That Sparkles.
“Carolyn.” Drew came to greet her. “Step into my office so we can talk.” He turned his attention to Zach, offering his hand. “Drew Castle. I don’t think we’ve met.”
“Zach Vale. I’m Carolyn’s fiancé.”
“Congratulations, then. I don’t suppose you’re shopping for a ring with us?” His eyes dropped to Carolyn’s hand, where the diamond sparkled. “I see you’ve taken care of that.”
“That’s not why we’re here,” Zach said. “If we could speak in private?”
“Of course.” Drew led the way to his office, also recently redone to reflect the store’s new color scheme. “Can I get you anything? Water? Coffee?”
“No, thank you.” Carolyn settled into a chair as Drew took a seat behind the oak desk.
“I heard about the robbery,” he said. “It must have been awful. It’s what we fear most in this business, isn’t it?”
“Yes,” Carolyn agreed. She’d done her best to shrug off the effects of the robbery-turned-hostage-situation, but it haunted her. Even though it had ended well for her, Austin, and her staff, it could have been devastating. “We were fortunate it was resolved relatively quickly and peacefully.”
“I heard the robber…” Drew trailed off, which brought the image of the robber’s final seconds to Carolyn’s mind.
“Yes.” Carolyn didn’t want to think about that.
“Where were you at the time?” Zach asked Drew, drawing the focus away from Carolyn.
“Right here. It was nearly closing time. As soon as we heard, we went into lockdown mode,” Drew explained, shifting his attention to Zach. Part of being in retail was assessing your clients. Carolyn could see that Drew wasn’t sure what to make of Zach.
“A wise choice,” Zach said neutrally.
“Yes. Despite what happened,” he turned to Carolyn, “I want to reiterate my offer to purchase All That Sparkles. I know the store’s reputation may have taken a hit with the robbery and some bad reviews, but the offer I made your mother a few weeks ago still stands.”
“We’re not selling, Drew. As a matter of fact, I came to discuss those negative reviews and some other difficulties All That Sparkles has experienced in the past month. I want to know if you’re behind them.”
“What?” The other jeweler’s mouth hung open.
“You heard me. Are you trying to sabotage my store so you can lower your offer while forcing us into selling?” She’d phrased it as bluntly as she could, trying to shock Drew to see what he would reveal.
Zach was perfectly still next to her, but he missed nothing. She was sure of that.
Drew’s face turned red before going pale. Mission accomplished. She’d distressed him, knocked him temporarily speechless.
He sputtered before finding his voice. “Carolyn, I…I hope you know that I would never stoop so low. It’s true I want to buy you and your mother out so I control the jewelry market in Sheridan Falls, but…but you must have a very low opinion of me to think I’d resort to unethical activity to do so.”
“The clues I have point to you.” She wasn’t letting him off the hook too easily, even if her evidence against him was nil—except that he stood to gain from her troubles. Even so, she questioned whether the man before her was capable of orchestrating a robbery and hostage situation.
“I can see how you think they could, but I’m a businessman.” He spoke slowly, getting himself under control. “And I may get aggressive in my tactics, but I would never willfully harm anyone.”
“You can see how it might look,” Zach
said.
“I can, but I assure you I have nothing to do with your misfortunes.”
She tried to evaluate Drew’s truthfulness. The jewelry business could be ruthless at times, but they’d been friendly rivals for many years. She couldn’t see a reason why that would have changed.
“Have you had any peculiar incidents in recent weeks?” she asked, wondering if this was just her store or might be a bigger issue.
“Nothing at all,” Drew confirmed. “It’s been business as usual.”
“We’ll go, then.” She stood to end the conversation, but Drew jumped to his feet.
“Perhaps you could stay a little longer. Your mother has refused to listen to my latest offers, but I thought you might be interested.”
“Why would I be?”
“You have a son to raise. You’re getting married. You must want stability in your life. I can give you that. I’m prepared to buy the name, building, and any merchandise you have on hand. It would be a tidy sum, all cash. Think of it. You could probably not work for several years, stay home with your child, have more if you want.” Drew looked between her and Zach. “You’re young, Carolyn. You could take your life in a completely different direction and not live out your mother’s.”
He had no idea, Carolyn thought—no idea at all what All That Sparkles meant to her. It was more than a livelihood, more than a store. It was what her mother had worked to build, and Carolyn was convinced it was her future as well.
“We’re not interested,” she said, “and I speak for my mother and sister as well when I say that.” She walked from the office. Zach’s hand touched the small of her back, giving her wordless support. He’d said little to Drew, but his reassuring presence was enough.
Out on the sidewalk, he guided her to the car. “I don’t think we learned anything new,” she said as she buckled her seat belt.
“No, but I think we eliminated Castle Jewels from our list of suspects. I think he’s what he appears to be: an opportunist. He sees that you might be struggling, and he’s willing to take advantage—but I don’t think he’s the type to cause problems.”
“I think you’re right. No help from that quarter, but no harm either,” she concluded. “What’s next?”
“Let’s pick up Austin,” Zach said, “and wait for your IT company to get back to you. Their findings might give us a lead to pursue.”
She didn’t need to direct him as they drove to her mother’s house to get Austin. It was the house Carolyn had grown up in, so Zach knew it well.
“I can just run in and get him,” Carolyn offered when they pulled into the driveway.
“I’d like to see your mother,” Zach said, which was exactly what Carolyn feared. Her mother had been pestering her for details ever since Carolyn had admitted Zach was spending time with Austin, and she made no secret of the fact that she hoped Carolyn would give Zach another chance.
“Sure,” Carolyn said with little enthusiasm as she got out of the car. She entered by the side door, pausing to listen. When there was only silence, she guessed they were in the backyard. Zach stayed with her as she headed to the French doors that opened onto a deck. Her mom was pushing Austin in the toddler swing she’d just had installed for her only grandchild.
“Look who’s here,” Faith said, slowing the swing and lifting Austin out. “Mama and Dada.”
Great. Carolyn hadn’t wanted Austin to think of Zach as his daddy, in case it didn’t work out. She supposed kids at that age didn’t really know what a father was, but she was still cautious, unwilling to let her son be hurt by an unreliable father as she had been hurt by her own father.
Austin toddled toward them across the grass. The smallest bumps in the lawn could make him fall, but he was adept at getting back on his feet. To her surprise, Austin went straight to Zach, raising his arms to signal he wanted to be picked up. Zach swung him up, giving the boy a kiss on the cheek before holding him against his chest.
Uh-oh, she thought, when Austin waved at her from the safety of Zach’s arms. Her son was growing attached to his father, which wasn’t a bad thing in itself—Austin should know his father—but a part of her worried. What if Zach grew bored with mundane family life? He was used to a different existence, full of missions and specialized training. He worked for a security company now, where he could still use some of his skills, but he’d been unwilling to give up his exciting military life for her once before. Would he capture their son’s heart only to break it when a better opportunity came along? God, she hoped not.
“Zach.” Faith gave him a one-armed hug. “It’s good to see you.”
“Same goes for you, Faith.”
“Carolyn says you’ve retired from the SEALs,” her mother said. “I guess that means you’ll be sticking around.”
“Mom, Zach’s just getting used to civilian life,” Carolyn interrupted, trying to preempt her mother’s gushing. Faith had told her from the beginning that Zach was a keeper. Carolyn suspected that her mother had been upset with her for letting him go, but as Carolyn saw it, she’d had no choice. She hadn’t been able to live with the uncertainty any longer. Faith had repeatedly expressed her disappointment in Zach when he failed to acknowledge his son.
But, it seemed, he was forgiven after Carolyn explained that he genuinely hadn’t known about the pregnancy. Carolyn wasn’t willing to trust quite that easily herself. She’d wait. If things continued as they were and Zach remained interested in being with Austin, she’d let her guard down a bit. She already had, she admitted to herself. She was wearing the ring he’d given her, even if it had just been for show. She was sure her mother hadn’t missed the flash of diamond on her finger.
Faith turned to her. “Any luck with Drew Castle?” She’d confided in her mother about their plan to confront him.
“No, we didn’t learn anything new. I don’t think Drew’s behind the sabotage. He offered to buy us out again, though.”
“He’s relentless.” Her mother dismissed the idea with a wave. “I’m glad you had Zach with you.”
He had been helpful—or, at least, she’d felt better having him with her.
“Thanks for keeping Austin,” Carolyn said. “We’ll take off since I want to get him home in time for dinner.”
Her mother gave Austin a noisy kiss and patted Zach’s cheek before giving Carolyn a hug, whispering in her ear, “I’m so happy to see you two together again.”
She wanted to say they weren’t together, but her mother had timed it so Carolyn had no chance to disagree without making a scene. Being with Zach again wasn’t going to magically happen overnight. If it happened at all. Oh, heck, she didn’t even know if she wanted it to happen. Thinking it would was unrealistic and potentially the road to heartache.
At home, she made sandwiches for a quick dinner before settling down to work at the alcove in her kitchen while Zach took Austin into the living room to play. Even though she tried to focus on emails and calls, she could hear giggling. For now, Zach was making Austin happy, very happy, judging by the peals of laughter.
She’d just take a peek, she decided, tiptoeing into the living room. Zach lay on his back, holding Austin at arm’s length above him. He zoomed the boy over his head while making noises like a plane taking off. The muscles in Zach’s arms flexed and rippled with the effort. For a minute, Carolyn got sucked into the fantasy of a perfect family life. She found herself twisting the engagement ring she hadn’t yet removed. How good would it be if she came home to the two of them every evening? If they were a real family?
But it couldn’t be. They weren’t husband and wife, raising their son together. They were…friends trying to make this arrangement work, to be there for their child, despite their differences in the past.
7
Zach placed Austin in the crib that night, leaning over to kiss his forehead before straightening.
“All set?” Carolyn said softly from next to him. She placed her hand on his arm.
During the trip to Castle Jewels, he’d h
eld her hand and touched her as a fiancé would, falling easily into that role again and liking it. With her touch, was she signaling her desire for more between them? He hoped she might be.
“I think so.” Austin’s eyes were already closed. “He’s tired today.”
“Lots of play time,” she commented before kissing their son good night and adjusting the soft blanket he slept with.
Zach had already started the soother and turned on the night-light, so they crept out and went downstairs. He didn’t notice that she’d paused at the bottom of the steps, waiting for him, and he bumped into her. To steady her, his arm went around her waist as it had so many times in the past, and she looked up. Her eyes had always reflected her thoughts. He liked what he saw in them at that moment.
Without overthinking it, he pulled her closer, pleased when her arms went around his neck and she snugged her curvy figure against him. The sultry smile on her lips was the only invitation he needed as he covered her mouth with his. A soft moan, a sound he remembered well, came from her as he deepened the kiss, teasing the seam of her lips until she opened for him.
Her tongue slid against his, the friction hot and wet, making him think about other ways they might come together. Sex with her had always been good, better than he’d known with anyone else. This kiss was a reminder of all that and something more, he decided, when she nipped his lips playfully and her hands slid to his butt.
He pushed his leg between hers, thinking her couch was a good place to test the chemistry. When he made a step toward the living room, though, she backed away, loosening her hold on him.
“You’d better go,” she said, her voice husky and cheeks flushed. He bit his lip but didn’t take offense at her words. Leaving was probably the smart move until he was certain what she wanted. The kiss gave him an indication, maybe more of a beacon, but their relationship was complicated, and he didn’t want to jeopardize things by pushing too hard too fast.
“I’ll see you tomorrow.” He pressed one last kiss on her lips and let himself out the door. He’d return later to watch over the house, but their kiss had given him plenty to think about. He wanted her. That had become clear to him over the past few days. He still regretted he’d missed out on his son’s first year, but he believed she’d tried to contact him, so any blame he’d wanted to pile on her was gone.
The SEAL’s Surprise Son: The Admiral’s SEALs Book One Page 5
