by Angel Smits
Wyatt nodded. Uh, oh. Here it came. The “do you think you’re doing the right thing with your life?” discussion.
“You’ve done well for yourself, little brother.” Wyatt leaned back. “Mom would be pleased.”
Whoa. Who was this guy?
Wyatt laughed. “Not what you were expecting?”
“No,” Jason admitted. “Not even close.”
Emily came into the room, a glass of wine in each hand. “Here you go, gentlemen. It’s not a long neck, but tonight, let’s pretend we’re civilized and go with long-stemmed instead.” She set the glasses on the chrome-and-glass coffee table and returned to the kitchen for her own glass.
“To family,” she proposed her toast and smiled at Wyatt. Then at Jason.
“To long, happy marriages,” Jason offered, and glasses clinked. Lauren’s image filled his mind, and he almost shook his head to dispel it.
He wanted to curse. Wanted to—
Leave now, speed across town and make sure she was eating dinner, or relaxing, safe inside the town house, not riding some damned bus through LA’s streets.
“Dinner’s ready.” Emily thankfully interrupted his wandering mind. Jason didn’t miss the way Emily and Wyatt linked hands beneath the table. If he hadn’t thought it would get him clocked, he’d have laughed at his brother. The rough cowboy was in so deep. Did he even have a clue?
Probably.
“I see your mom’s chair is here.” Emily pointed to the wooden chair that really didn’t fit in with the rest of his place.
“Yeah. I wasn’t sure where to put it. The kitchen seemed like the right place.”
Wyatt nodded. “I think most of us put them there.” His face grew distant. “It’s too bad they have to be separated.”
Jason nodded. His phone chirped then, and despite his personal philosophy that phones didn’t belong at the table, he glanced at the screen.
Thank you. Lauren had written, with about half a dozen smiley faces of varying levels of joy.
He frowned. For what? he sent back.
His phone chirped again. A photo appeared on the screen. A picture of a bouquet of roses, sweet baby pinks mixed with a darker red center bloom.
“I didn’t send that,” he said aloud, eliciting a look from Wyatt.
“Send what?”
“Flowers to—” They didn’t know about Lauren. He was hoping to introduce them tomorrow night at the fundraiser. “A...friend.”
He wished he could call her. But that wouldn’t do any good. He stood, excusing himself. He’d explain to them later. He texted as he walked out of the room. They are lovely, but I didn’t send them.
Oh. Came her answer. A long pause before she typed back. I thought maybe. Another pause before the next bubble of conversation appeared on the screen. If you didn’t, who did? Must be a fan.
How did you text a shrug? Maxine? They weren’t the kind of flowers an elderly foster mother would send.
Doubtful. Sorry to bother you.
No bother. Not ever. He waited for a long time, waiting for her to answer back.
“Problems?” Wyatt stood in the doorway.
“No. Just, uh, a client.” It was as close to reality as he could come up with. “She’s, just got a couple questions.”
“A client has your personal number?” Emily joined them, kicking her feet up as she held her still half-full wineglass.
“It’s complicated.”
“Uh-oh. First you’re giving wayward kids rides home. Now a client has your private number?”
He laughed, realizing she was giving him the same look he’d given her all those months ago, when they’d been at the hospital when DJ was hurt. Jason called her on her BS then and she was doing that to him now. “Okay, we’ve become...friends. She’s deaf and texting is the easiest way to communicate.” He shrugged.
Wyatt wasn’t saying anything, but Jason saw the wheels turning in his brother’s head. Jason was glad Emily was here, though her lifted eyebrow over the rim of her glass told him what they’d be talking about later.
CHAPTER TWELVE
“THIS IS IT.” Jason had managed to score a parking spot across from the studio, surprising even himself with the parallel parking job. He had to fight back the gloat as he glanced at his older brother, the one who’d taught him to drive. Back in the day, he remembered Wyatt cursing as he tried to teach Jason how to parallel park.
“It’s beautiful,” Emily said as she got out of the car. Standing on the sidewalk, she stared up at the art deco exterior of Lauren’s studio. The street in both directions was lined with cars and the small parking lot was full. Jason hoped tonight was a success.
This time, the ticket booth was lit up, looking like it came out of an old-fashioned movie. A young girl, dressed in the costume of a flapper from the 1920s, handed out the prepurchased tickets. The sign above her head read the event was sold out.
“Jason Hawkins. There should be four tickets?”
The girl nodded and smiled, sliding them through the half circle in the glass. “Enjoy the show,” she said before turning to the next people in line.
“Your friend owns this place?” Wyatt stared up at the glaring marquee. “Lauren Ramsey, right?”
“That’s what he said.” Emily punched his arm. “Weren’t you paying attention?”
“Were you there?” He grinned at her. “Then, no. I was not.”
Jason groaned and led the way into the lobby. He’d texted Lauren earlier, and told her Tina was welcome to join them. Tina had been pleased with the invitation, especially after learning that Emily was coming along.
“There she is.” Emily pointed and headed toward the girl. Tina smiled. He’d done the right thing taking her out of that foster home.
“Hi.” Tina grinned, her painful tears long gone. “Thanks for inviting me to sit with you guys.”
“You’re welcome.” Jason moved closer, wanting to ask a couple of questions without anyone overhearing. “Did the caseworker come over today?” He’d talked with the woman this morning, offering to be present, if needed.
Tina nodded. “She met with all of us.”
“All of you?” Emily asked.
“Lauren, Dylan and me. Even Maxine was there. She said she’d help.”
Jason’s hopes rose. Maxine was a powerful force, having taken Lauren in years ago. He had a sneaking suspicion the woman knew at least one judge a little too well, but he’d never voice it as a concern. “That’s good. Really good.”
Emily put an arm around Tina’s shoulders and hugged her. “That’s great, hon. You’ll have to keep me posted on how it all goes after I head back home.”
Tina’s expression faded for an instant, but Emily evidently noticed and quickly changed the subject, commenting on her apparently new shoes. Heels? Who let a thirteen-year-old wear heels?
“Don’t say a word,” Wyatt said softly at his side. “Don’t act like you even notice.” To the whole group, he said, “Shall we find our seats?” He led the way into the auditorium.
Their seats were toward the front, nearly center. Green velvet curtains were illuminated with spotlights situated on the edge of the stage.
Jason’s previous conversation with Maxine came to mind. This was a fundraising event for the studio, for Lauren’s foundation. Maxine had said that Dylan was dancing, but Jason hadn’t even asked about Lauren. “Is Lauren performing?” he asked Tina before thinking.
The girl grinned, then shrugged. Little stinker. She’d seen them kiss good-night and knew there was something between them.
“I hope so,” Emily said. “I’d love to see her in person. The performance videos on the internet were amazing.”
Jason looked at his sister-in-law, surprised, much the same way her husband did.
“
Since when do you watch ballet?” Wyatt asked.
“Since Jason told us about Lauren.” She smirked, much like Tina had. The two females looked at each other and laughed.
Again, Wyatt leaned over. “Give up, brother. Just give up.”
Jason shook his head, and turned to stare at the stage, wondering what Lauren was doing now. He didn’t have long to wait.
The lights fell, plunging everything but the stage itself into darkness. Music rose, and slowly, the curtains slid apart. A wide, wooden floor glowed with spots of bright light, the back wall of the stage painted in a blue glow.
A dozen little girls, wearing stiff tutus, moved onto the stage in a line. They looked like the ballerinas that first night he’d seen Lauren dance. Was this a typical ballet move? Another reminder of all he didn’t comprehend about her world.
Would he ever know and understand it all? Would he ever—
Lauren appeared then. Where the little girls wore a white outfit, Lauren was dressed in black. Her hair was in a braid that fell in a red-gold rope down her back. The starkness of the colors was beautiful, as were her movements. So smooth and fluid.
The little girls all wore toe shoes, but even he could tell they weren’t quite ready for that move. Lauren, on the other hand, was at the top of her game. Magnificent.
She twirled on her toes until Jason was dizzy watching her. At least, that’s what he attributed the heat in his blood to. It had nothing at all to do with the memory of how those twirling curves felt in his arms.
* * *
BACKSTAGE WAS NOTHING like one of Lauren’s professional performances where she went to the dressing room, took off her makeup and costume, and headed home. The chaos there actually had an order to it.
Not this. This was two dozen pint-size ballerinas running and screaming, burning off all that nervous energy they’d been so good about holding in while on stage. It was insanity and Lauren loved every second of it.
This was a family event, so soon the parents would be picking up their children. But until then, she and Lisa were in charge. Sort of.
Someone tapped her on the shoulder and she turned around, expecting a parent looking for a wayward child.
Jason grinned at her and signed hello. Her heart skipped. He looked so good, and her excitement at the success of everything bubbled over.
A man and woman stood with him, and she knew immediately that this was his brother. The men looked so much alike—and yet, the city boy and cowboy were a definite contrast.
“This is W-y-a-t-t, my brother. His wife, E-m-i-l-y.” Jason finger-spelled the names, but the rest he signed clearly. He’d been practicing, and another thrill went through her at his efforts.
“Hello,” she signed, extending her hand to shake theirs. The greeting felt stiff, and yet she liked their warm smiles and how they seemed to enjoy being with Jason.
Tina stepped over just then and spoke as she signed. “This is the lady I was telling you about.” Tina had filled Lauren in about the trip from the airport, and how Emily had been so friendly. It was nice to meet someone who understood the world of foster kids. She told Tina that, and she saw Tina turn to Emily and speak.
“You’re welcome,” Emily said, facing Lauren so she could read her lips. Tina had apparently explained that, too.
“Lauren is letting us stay with her until our caseworker can get things straightened out,” Tina signed and spoke.
Emily nodded and smiled.
“I wish we could stay with Lauren forever.”
Lauren stared at the girl, surprised by the sincerity in Tina’s face. Did Dylan feel the same? Lauren had no intention of letting either of these kids out of her life—but live with her? Like a...family?
Why did that send a cold shiver through her? She wasn’t the parenting type. None of her foster mothers had taught her how to be a real mom. Maxine was the only one who’d come close, and she seemed more of a mothering coach than what Lauren thought a mom should be.
Lauren measured everyone against the faded memories of hugs, love and bedtime stories from her own mom. But that was all she had. She didn’t have the skills—
She’d never considered the possibility of ever being a mom. Staring at Tina, Lauren couldn’t even focus. Her brain shut down. Tina wanted to stay with her? The girl who’d hated every foster home she’d been in? The kid who wanted no one? Something Lauren understood too well.
Jason touched her arm, a frown on his face. “You okay?” he signed.
She nodded, knowing it was a lie. But surrounded by dozens of dancers, visitors, and families, she couldn’t say otherwise.
“I need to work,” she hastily signed, then turned away, hustling two miniature ballerinas back to the locker room. Their parents would be here soon. They needed to be out of costume.
“See you later?” Jason signed when she glanced back over her shoulder. He waited expectantly for her to respond. She did the one thing she hated others doing. She ignored him, using her deafness as a shield. She couldn’t talk to him, or anyone. She concentrated instead on herding kids.
For the next half hour, she gathered tutus, tights and shoes. It was all she wanted to focus on right now.
At last, the locker room was empty. The costumes were gathered on one table. Rita was coming in tomorrow to double-check them, repair any that were damaged and clean everything. Lauren stared at the mound of tulle and sank onto the wooden bench that ran the length of the locker room.
What if—
What if Tina and Dylan actually did move in with her permanently? What if she totally screwed it up? What if? Panic clenched in her stomach. She couldn’t do this. What was she supposed to do? She couldn’t hurt them by refusing to take them in. She remembered too clearly the disappointment of not being wanted. Of having to leave a place she’d come to consider home. She’d only made that mistake a couple of times before she’d toughened up and shut off her emotions.
A shadow fell over her. If it hadn’t been the girls’ locker room, she might have thought Jason had come after her. She looked up to see Tina. The girl’s face was covered in hurt. “Did I say something wrong?”
“Oh, no!” Lauren shot to her feet and pulled the girl into a hug. She leaned back after an instant. She knew she had to explain “You just surprised me.”
“Don’t you want us?”
This was just proving Lauren’s fears true. She was messing this up. “Oh, sweetie. I love both you and Dylan. I just don’t think I’d be a very good mom.”
Tina’s face lit up. “You are the best.”
Lauren shook her head. “I don’t know how.”
Tina turned around then, and Lauren saw the woman who’d been with Jason earlier, his sister-in-law. Emily?
She said something Lauren didn’t catch. “You can learn,” Tina translated in sign.
Emily slowly walked over to them. She faced Lauren. “No one knows how to parent. They learn.”
“I don’t know.” Lauren cringed. She didn’t shrink from responsibility, and hated that she was considering it now. Fear was not something she allowed herself to feel. With a deep breath, she faced Emily and Tina. “How about we see what the court thinks, and go from there?”
Tina’s enthusiastic hug nearly knocked Lauren off her feet. She laughed and Tina joined her. Emily smiled, too.
For the first time in ages, Lauren actually felt like one of the girls. Something inside her shifted. She chose to ignore it. For now.
* * *
STANDING IN THE lobby of Lauren’s studio, with no one but his brother Wyatt for company, felt odd. If they were together, they were usually at the ranch, not the ballet. The crowds were gone, and other than the women in the locker room, the place was empty.
Which only made Wyatt’s pacing all the more obvious. Finally he stopped and glared at Jason. “Tell
me how she’s related to Haymaker. ’Cause she sure as hell looks like one of them.”
Damn. He really didn’t want to get into it with Wyatt now. Okay, he never wanted to get into it with Wyatt.
“Is she part of the business he hired you to do?”
“Yeah, she’s the reason.”
“Damn it, Jason.” Wyatt paced away. “What are they up to?”
“Nothing. Wyatt, just relax. She’s Pal’s daughter—”
“What?” Wyatt paced. “That old bastard.” He turned to face Jason again. “You’re kidding, right? I thought you were gonna say she was a niece or even Pal Junior’s kid. She looks the same age as Trey.”
“About.” Jason couldn’t share her personal info, and didn’t want to. But he had to explain to Wyatt. “She never knew Pal.”
Jason explained about the meeting after DJ’s wedding, and how he’d gone to the ballet with Pal and first seen Lauren. He stopped short of telling his brother how attracted he’d been to her.
“Do Pal Junior and Trey know about her?”
Jason shrugged. “I assume so, since they received copies of Pal’s will, just like Lauren did.”
“Trey might not know. He was still missing when we came out here.” Wyatt resumed pacing. “When they find out, there’s gonna to be hell to pay.”
“Don’t worry, Wyatt—”
“Don’t worry? Have you ever dealt with that family? I know DJ thinks a lot of Trey, but he’s lost his mind since Pal tried to frame him for murder. And Pal Junior’s a chip off the old block. Not near as mean, but greedy.”
Jason cursed. “I’m sorry to drag you into this.”
“What?” Wyatt faced him. “Me? No. Me and the boys can handle anything Haymakers can come up with. Chet’s probably chomping at the bit for a tussle since it’s been so quiet lately. No, I’m more worried about her.” Wyatt tilted his head toward the locker room where Tina and Emily had disappeared. “If you’re right, and she never knew Pal, she doesn’t have a clue what kind of men she’s related to.”
A movement in the doorway made both men turn. Lauren stepped from the shadows just then, followed by Emily and Tina. Lauren faced Wyatt. Had she seen what Wyatt said?
