by Susan Meier
Seeing it was Jake, she smiled as she answered, “Hey, you.”
“How was the drive out?”
“Effortless. That car is fabulous. And now that I know I can handle it on the highway, I was thinking I should take a day and visit my parents.”
Jake didn’t say anything for a few seconds. When he did speak, his voice had changed to cautiously optimistic. “If you’re going to visit your parents, maybe it would be a good thing for me to go too.”
Her heart caught. He wanted to meet her family and she wanted him to meet them. But she didn’t want him to cut her visit short. She had things to do. She might be falling in love, but her life plan hadn’t changed. She would be starting a law firm in Wilton. But she and Jake weren’t at the place where they could talk about things like moving in together, let alone where they would live. And she couldn’t take anything for granted. She had to go forward.
“Did you forget or not hear that I said I wanted to take a day? A whole day?”
“I can take a day.”
She laughed. “Really?”
“Yes. You came to Paris with me to tell my mom about the pregnancy. I can take a day and introduce myself to your parents so they don’t think the father of their grandchild is an unmitigated snob.”
She winced. “I never told them you were a snob. I told them you were stuffy.”
“So? I can be stuffy with them and meet or exceed their expectations.”
She laughed again. “Stop. I just want you to be you.”
His voice softened. “I can do that too.”
He could. She knew that now. She also knew that he could surprise her and be funny, or kind, or understanding the way he was with Seth.
“We’ll plan on tomorrow?”
“Sounds good.”
She hesitated. It was on the tip of her tongue to ask him to stay at the beach house with her that night so they could get an early start, but she knew what would happen, and, honestly, there was a part of her that wasn’t ready. She might have thrown caution to the wind at Seth’s apartment, but now that things were really happening, her fears had reawakened.
He was still a rich guy, someone accustomed to getting everything he wanted. Her family had learned a huge lesson with Paul Barnes. Wealthy people didn’t think the way average people did. They also used their power and influence to make sure they got what they wanted.
The overflowing emotions she had for Jake didn’t mitigate or change the fact that they lived two different kinds of lives and wanted two different things out of life. They could laugh and play all they wanted. But at the end of the day, he was responsible not just for the family business but for his family.
And she wanted to change the world. Or at least her little corner of it. No matter how funny or friendly or downright happy they were, their lives would not easily mesh. One of them was going to have to make a huge compromise.
And she didn’t think it could be her.
But maybe this trip would show them if it could be him?
“Okay, I’ll see you tomorrow morning.”
“You will.”
“Bring doughnuts.”
She disconnected the call to the sound of his laughter. But she also realized their trip to Wilton just might prove that he couldn’t compromise any more than she could.
* * *
They were on the road the next morning by eight. He’d left his penthouse at four, with Gerry driving so he could work, and he arrived at the bungalow on time to eat two of the doughnuts he’d brought for breakfast. Then they headed for Pennsylvania.
Avery liked the Porsche so much that he kept the top down and they drove in the warm sunshine. She prompted him to take an exit a few miles past Allentown then directed him another couple of miles to the small town of Wilton. They glided along streets filled with quaint buildings and shops until they stopped at a ranch house.
After pulling up to the closed garage door, he turned to Avery. “That’s not as far as I thought it would be.”
She brightened. “I know!”
Thinking out loud, he added, “I bet it would be under an hour by helicopter.”
An older woman raced from the front door before they could open their car doors. When Avery got out, she grabbed her and hugged her.
Jake exited the Porsche more slowly, examining the house and understanding why Avery loved Seth’s bungalow so much, then looking at the short red-haired woman and taller bald man.
The man stepped forward, “I’m Dennis, Avery’s dad. Everybody calls me Denny.” He pointed to the woman who had her arm around Avery’s waist. “That’s Avery’s mom, Andrea.”
He said, “Hello,” and shook both of their hands. As they walked into the small uncluttered home, he watched Denny in awe. This man had spent six years in prison for something he hadn’t done, but you would never know it. In his jeans and sweatshirt, he was quiet and unassuming, but he had an easy laugh and a sparkle in his eye. He didn’t appear bitter or angry. Just normal.
Avery’s mom took her into the kitchen to get coffee and cake, but Jake could hear her grilling Avery about her pregnancy, whether she was taking care of herself. She seemed pleased to hear Avery had lost her job, then not so pleased to hear she was living in a beach house owned by Jake’s brother.
“Why don’t you come home?”
“My doctor’s in the city,” Avery casually replied. “Besides, I have a whole house to myself. I’ve got my Pennsylvania bar exam things scattered all over the dining room table. When I get hungry, I eat. When I get tired of studying, I go for a walk on the beach. Remember our beach trips, Mom?”
Andrea let out a long sigh. “Of course, I do.”
“Seth’s house is like one of the ones we used to rent. Except it has a big screen TV and a patio the size of Ohio.”
Her mother laughed. “You always were one for exaggeration.”
“And the beach is semiprivate so I’m not running into weirdos.”
“That’s always good.”
Jake chuckled and Denny cleared his throat. “They could gab like that for hours.”
Jake faced him. “Does Avery visit often?”
Denny shrugged. “In spurts. She loves it here in the summer, so when she doesn’t have a lot of work to do, she’s here on the weekends.”
“It’s not really a long drive.”
“Depends on what you consider long.”
“I’ve been traveling almost three hours to get to the beach house where Avery’s living.”
“You’ve been going there?”
“I don’t exactly check up on her, but I do like to make sure she has everything she needs.”
Denny laughed. “Good man.”
The warmth of Denny’s approval filled him. So, he pushed just a little bit more. “Have you and your wife ever been to the city?”
“Avery’s dragged us there a time or two.”
“You don’t like it?”
He leaned close and whispered, “It’s amazing. I love the restaurants. I could do without the shopping though.”
Jake chuckled, fully understanding. “Have you ever been to a Knicks game?”
“Wanted to, but there never seems to be time.”
“Maybe I could arrange for you to get tickets.”
Denny seemed surprised. “That would be great.”
“You tell me the next time you’ll be in New York and I’ll make sure there are tickets at the door for you.”
Avery and her mom walked in. Avery held a tray with four pieces of cake on it. Andrea held the tray with coffee and mugs.
“Hope you don’t mind simple.”
He glanced at her. “Simple?”
“Just plain plates for cake and mugs for coffee.”
He laughed. “If the cake is good, I’d eat it with my fingers.”
Andrea beamed.
The cake was delicious. So was lunch at the diner. As he expected, his choice of T-shirt and jeans got him through the town with minimal notice. Everyone noticed Avery, though. They stopped. Talked. Hugged her. And then shook his hand when she introduced him.
It was all easy and nice. There were a few residents who gave them sideways glances, but he suspected that had more to do with the fact that there were those in the town who didn’t believe her dad was innocent.
But Avery didn’t seem to care. She focused on the people she liked, the ones who liked her.
He glanced around as she chatted. This would make an exceptional place to bring a child for long visits, to give him or her the opportunity not merely to see, but also to experience the other side of life.
It wouldn’t only be good for their child. It would be good for him too. He wanted to understand everything about Avery, and to enjoy a little peace and quiet himself a few times a year. Week-long visits to her parents would benefit all of them. And if there was an emergency in the city, a helicopter could get him there quickly.
Everything was working out perfectly.
It was time to call Pete Waters.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
THEY RETURNED TO the beach house a little before dark. The Porsche roared onto the driveway in front of the two-car garage. Jake pressed the button that opened the doors and once the Porsche was parked, he closed them again.
She didn’t think that strange until he followed her into the kitchen and tossed the keys onto the center island.
“Where’s Gerry?”
“Probably at home with his family.” He caught her gaze. “I thought I’d stay tonight.”
The day before that suggestion would have made her think of all the things they still had to work out. But after the way he’d gotten along with her parents, made small talk with her friends and obviously liked her hometown, everything seemed right. She fit into his world. But more important, he fit into hers.
She walked over to him, slid her arms around his neck and kissed him. “I’ll need a shower first.”
He tightened his arms around her waist. “How about if we shower together?”
She laughed. “That sounds like a great idea.”
He kissed her deeply, wonderfully, and she melted into him. The kiss went on and on, an expression of pure emotion. Then he picked her up and carried her to the bedroom.
* * *
An hour later, sated and happy, clean and dry, she snuggled close to Jake in the big king-size bed of the bungalow’s master bedroom, unable to believe how lucky she was.
Pressed against his side, she felt him take a long breath.
She sat up. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah. Probably more okay than I’ve ever been in my life.”
“But?”
“I’m wondering how much I missed.”
“Missed?”
“With you—” He glanced at her. “With us, things just happen. Even the way we found each other on Valentine’s Day. Most of what we’ve done hasn’t been planned and it’s been remarkable.”
“This really is the first time something like this has happened to you?”
“When I was a kid, I was too afraid to just let things happen. I was also constantly trying to stay one step ahead of my dad. Then, when I went to work for him I had to watch him like a hawk.”
“You had good reason.”
“I totally changed the company’s reputation.”
She lay back down and nestled against him. “So now you can relax.”
“Part of me is afraid I won’t be a good father because I didn’t have a good father.”
“Are you kidding? I’m guessing you’ve been more of a dad to Seth than your father ever was.”
He stayed quiet.
“Jake, a lot of it comes naturally. We’re going to see our little boy or little girl and just melt like two sticks of butter.”
He laughed. “You have the best ways of phrasing things.”
She tapped his chest. “And you have a whole lot of love in that heart beating in there. All a child wants is to be loved.”
“The way your parents loved you?” He took another breath. “I had a short chat with your dad. He had no complaints about you. Nothing he’d change.”
She thought about that. Though she had no doubt Maureen loved her children, she loved them a little differently than the way Avery’s parents loved her. Easily. Naturally. No strings attached. No work required.
“That’s sort of the key to parenting. Just to love your child exactly as he is and guide him through the tough stuff.”
“I really liked your parents.”
“They liked you too.”
“And your small town.”
Her heart skipped a beat. She’d seen the way he’d looked around. But more than that, she’d seen how easily he’d gotten comfortable. He might not be ready to say the words, but he could live there. She could already picture it.
“It’s a beautiful place. I can understand why you love it so much.”
“It was a great place to grow up.”
“I’ll bet. That park was amazing.”
Part of her wanted to say, So that’s why I think we should live there. But it was still too soon. They’d dated three weeks in the winter but had only gotten to know each other in the past two weeks.
She couldn’t ask him to move for her any more than he could ask her to move for him.
“I’m not sure if this is good timing or bad but I have another charity ball on Saturday.” He shifted so he could see her face. “I want you to go with me.”
“To announce to the world that this is your baby?”
“I think the world got that point when the tabloid printed our picture, remember? It’s why we had to race to France.”
She smiled at the memories. “If I’m going, I’m wearing the same dress I wore to the ball in Paris.”
He shrugged. “I don’t care. You looked stunning in that dress.”
“I did.” She laughed. “I’m not vain. It’s just not easy to find a dress that looks that good when you’re six months pregnant.”
“Getting close to seven,” he agreed, his voice filled with something that sounded like awe.
She knew exactly what he felt. Her skin virtually sparkled from the light of happiness glowing inside her. It wasn’t all from the baby. It was from him. He’d gone from being stuffy and bossy to easygoing and happy. And now he talked. Not only about little things. About everything.
Though she knew the pregnancy had begun his metamorphosis, she’d like to think she’d been the one to make him happy, that a little bit of compromise had taken them a long way. Sure, they needed more time to cement what they felt. And after that there were tons more compromises to make. But from the way he’d reacted to her parents and to Wilton, she knew everything would work out.
* * *
The ball on Saturday night at the Waldorf turned out to be nearly a carbon copy of the one in Paris. The attendees and the language they spoke might be different, but the protocol was the same. Maureen walked with Avery and Jake through the receiving line, proud to have her son beside her and eager to introduce Avery as the mother of her soon-to-be-born grandchild. Like Jake, she didn’t seem to mind Avery wore the same gown.
Of course, that could be because—with the exception of Annalise and Julianna—the people who saw her wear it the first time were across an ocean.
Still, everything was perfect, wonderful.
They danced the entire first set of songs without even once returning to the table. They had just finished a dance and were laughing when the band announced their break. As they walked to their seats, Jake slid his arm around her waist and she leaned into him.
Annalise sighed. “You’re such a lovely couple.”
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br /> Maureen sniffed. “They are, but it looks like one half of that couple is getting tired.”
She was, but she didn’t want to leave. She couldn’t believe how easily she’d gotten adjusted to his life, his mother, attending parties littered with the rich and famous. But it was more proof that with a little compromise they fit.
“Let’s stay for another couple of dances.”
“Okay by me.”
They danced the night away, then went back to his penthouse and made love. Jake fell into a sound sleep almost immediately but it didn’t bother her. When they were dating he had been the lightest sleeper on the planet. It was as if he had been so bogged down by worry that he never totally relaxed. Now he slept. Peacefully. Easily.
She wanted to take the credit for that too.
The baby moved and she waited for him to stop, but he didn’t. Not only did he roll around as if doing somersaults, but he kept her wide awake. Not wanting to disturb Jake she eased out of bed.
Chilled, she shrugged into a huge robe she found in his dressing room and padded toward the kitchen. She poured herself a glass of milk and made a peanut-butter-and-jelly sandwich and headed to his office.
He’d used her computer on the flight to Paris so she decided it was okay to use his. Like his documents, her notes for the bar exam were available through off-site storage, and rather than waste this whole night, she would use it to study.
She slipped into the office where his laptop sat open on a polished oak desk. She knew he’d worked on it that afternoon but was surprised he hadn’t turned it off. She hit the Enter key to wake it up, only to discover an email from Pete Waters was up on the screen. She raised her hand to minimize the email, but as she did, she saw her name.
Oh, now she really couldn’t look at it.
If this was about their custody battle or even about the fact that they might not need one, she couldn’t see this.
Except the words pro bono caught her eye.
This email was not about their custody battle.
But it was about her and...
The pro bono arm of Waters, Waters, and Montgomery?
She sat down, swallowing hard as she read the short email. A deal between Jake and Pete Waters. His family would sign a ten-year contract to retain Waters, Waters and Montgomery and the firm would agree to expand their pro bono arm any way Avery wanted.
