by Jillian Hart
“We match.” Rachel gave her full skirt a swish. “Do you want to come with me?”
“Um, okay.” Sally tipped her head back, her full curls cascading over her reed-thin shoulders. “You’re comin’ too, huh, Uncle Jake?”
Rachel found it hard to keep her admiration volume on low as Jake gave a slow nod. She braced herself against that high-wattage smile of his, but he didn’t smile. No dimples, nothing. Instead she saw the iron curve of his jaw. The hard gleam of his stormy eyes. And the military stance of a soldier at attention.
“Sure.” Jake’s lips barely moved. “Go ahead.”
Was something wrong? The last time she’d seen him, he’d looked happy congratulating Ben after the ceremony. As Sally sidled up and reached for her hand, Rachel decided Jake had a lot on his mind. He carried serious responsibilities on those wide shoulders of his. She knew he was hoping to leave on a late-afternoon plane. “Did you want to help yourself to the buffet? I’ll get Sally fed. Does that sound like a good plan?”
“It does.” He didn’t look at her but pushed up the sleeve of his jacket to study his watch. “We’ve got plenty of time. I made a call to the airline on the way over. As of five minutes ago, they have space available on their afternoon flight to L.A.”
Okay, so he did have leaving on his mind. As she watched Sally press closer to her uncle, Rachel understood. The girl needed security. She was afraid of losing Jake, too. “Great, but I guess you won’t be stopping by for that roast I promised you.”
“That’s too bad. Sal and I had a good time last night.”
“Me, too.” She didn’t want to analyze that too much. He was leaving. Of course he was—she’d known that all along. It made no sense that she felt disappointed. “Hey, Sally. We’ve got a kids’ party all set up on the patio. Do you want to come see?”
“Is Uncle Jake comin’ too?” Endless hope rang in those words, and a child’s honest need.
Jake let his sleeve slide back into place. “I’ll come and see how you’re doin’. You go have fun with Rachel.”
“Oh. Okay.” Sally swallowed hard. “Uh, when are you gonna come see?”
She thinks I’m mad at her, Jake realized and felt like a heel. “I’ll come see you as soon as I get some grub. Deal?”
“Deal.” Sally’s eyes stayed wide and wary as she stuck to Rachel.
Rachel. Just looking at her made his temper want to erupt like a major volcano. He had to get a grip. He had to chill out. He was a highly trained soldier. He had discipline. Tons of discipline. So why couldn’t he seem to calm down?
Good question. One he didn’t have an answer for. He watched Rachel cast him an uncertain look, something between a grin and a look of relief, as she turned to lead Sally through the diner. The bridesmaid dress she wore was all soft-looking silk that flowed like a dream behind her. She was everything lovely and feminine and domestic, everything that was way out of his reach. He’d never felt turmoil about that before. He’d known long ago that his job and domestic tranquility weren’t compatible. A settle-down kind of woman wasn’t for him.
“Hey, Hathaway.” Ben called above the crowd on the other side of the long buffet server. “Come meet Derrick. He jumps. We’re talkin’ about going up when I get back from our honeymoon. Are you still gonna be around?”
“What’s that, three weeks?” Revved up at the thought of skydiving, Jake navigated around the small crowd at the end of the buffet. “I don’t know how long my sister’s estate is gonna take to wrap up, but maybe. Count me in, if I’m still on this side of the continent.”
“Sweet. Jake, meet Derrick Whitley. We were in high school together. He used to have a crush on Rachel.”
Derrick shook his head. “I did not. You don’t have to go saying stuff like that.”
Jake zeroed in on the civilian. He was lying. Flat-out lying. Jake didn’t approve of dishonesty. Especially when he knew the man was just trying to save face. Yeah, he’d seen how this Derrick dude looked at Rachel. Like he was looking at a dream come true.
She’s not your dream, buddy. The harsh bolt of jealously zinged through him like lightning. His entire being shook from the force of it. Why? He wasn’t jealous. He didn’t let those dark emotions into his heart. So where did that come from?
He certainly wasn’t getting into a froth over some stranger’s interest in a woman, no matter how good and how pretty she was. It made no sense to feel so possessive of Rachel. He’d probably never see her again…okay, maybe once, if he came back to take Ben up on his offer to jump. But other than that…no way. He wasn’t a settling-down kind of man.
“U-uncle Jake?” Sally’s small voice trembled with uncertainty.
He melted at her big eyes. He could feel her sadness as if it were her own. Okay, he was going to be a settling-down kind of man after all. “Hey, cute stuff. Aren’t you supposed to be with Rachel?”
A solemn nod. “She’s real nice, but you said you were gonna come.”
So much need. She stared up at him with a quiet question, one she didn’t ask, and it was as if she were afraid he’d say no. That he wouldn’t keep even the small promise of coming back to check on her. “Tell you what. You hang with me while I load up my plate, and we’ll eat together. How’s that?”
She nodded hard, relief easing the fear from her pixie face.
“Ben, let me know about the jump. Derrick, good to meet ya. I’ll see you around later, Ben.” Jake had a lot to talk to his good buddy about, but Sally was leaning against his knee, a steady presence that reminded him of what she needed. That was what his life was going to be. Making sure she got what she needed to get past her grief and move on. To be a normal, happy little girl again.
How was he going to do that if he had to leave her with a stranger?
His chest ached with sympathy for her. And love. He splayed the palm of his hand on the top of her downy head. “Let’s steer you to the end of the line, cutie. You can help me figure out what to get. Do you want some of this?”
“Nope. There’s gonna be cake, too. And ice cream, but we gotta wait for that. There’s candies and nuts, though.”
“Gotcha. We’ll make a loop past the goodie table on the way out.”
That suggestion went over with success. Sally hung close as he waded through the slow-moving line. The food smelled great. There was everything from barbecue to fancy sandwiches to a lasagna that looked like the most delicious thing ever. He loaded up on that, and a few juicy pieces of barbecue chicken. Made sure he got plenty of fries—homemade just like Rachel had fried up for him last night—and tartar to go with it. He added buttermilk biscuits and that delicious coleslaw.
He wasn’t the only one loading up. The wedding had been a small event because Cadence was on a limited budget, but Paige was hosting the reception and had invited the entire town. More people kept streaming in through the door carrying gifts and good wishes. Folk called out to one another by first name and stood around talking as if they were good friends.
So this is normal life, he thought as he managed to crowd three big pieces of garlic bread onto his plate. This is how most people spend their lives. Everyone surrounding him was talking and laughing with one another. These were friendships and family bonds and community ties that he’d never given much thought to before. He never had the leisure time to stand around and think about it. He’d been too busy lobbing grenades and trying not to get killed.
Sally tugged on his jacket hem. “The candy’s over this way.”
“Lead on, princess. Where you go, I’ll follow.”
“They’re pretty.” She halted in front of the cloth-covered table where various glass bowls of nuts, mints and chocolate and colorful candy crammed the surface. Sally helped herself to a small paper plate and began to pick through the pastel mints. “The pink ones taste best.”
“Then you’d best get a lot of ’em.” He waited patiently—and he wasn’t the most patient of men—while she scored a half dozen pink mints. The crowd swirled around them, the con
versations crescendoed as even more folks arrived. Rachel popped through the open side door, where a patio was visible behind her, looking for children in the crowd. She didn’t look his way.
Good. The image of her standing and innocently talking with that Derrick dude still made him mad. It didn’t make sense. Feelings weren’t logical. He didn’t like them, he didn’t trust them, and he never made decisions based on them. Cool logic, that was the best way to make decisions. And the truth was, he was leaving town in about an hour’s time. If he did step foot in this town again, it wouldn’t be with the express goal of dating Rachel McKaslin.
Chapter Six
Except for the fact that Jake was avoiding her, he had to be the most perfect guy. Rachel did her best to stay focused, but her gaze kept sliding to the back corner of the enclosed patio where he sat at a patio table with Sally at his side. Uncle and niece stayed in companionable silence as he downed his heaping plate and she picked apart her hamburger.
Amy poked her head through the doorway. “How’s it going out here? Do you need anything? More root beer? More fries? Oh, and I left the box of stuff for the games on the bench by the front door. It looks like the kids are starting to get restless.”
Rachel glanced at her sister and replied, “Yep. We’re almost done here. I figure we’ll run off some of that energy at the park and come back for cake and ice cream. Thank heaven for our cousin Kelly. She’s been great with the kids.”
“I’m glad she could help out. You look tired.”
“Oh, thanks. Next you’ll be commenting on the bags under my eyes.”
“They’re not too bad.” Amy winked, so light-hearted these days. “You’ve been here since six getting all of this ready. Why don’t you let me take over? Take a load off. You can put up your feet. Maybe grab a bite under the umbrella. Talk to a cute guy.”
Oh, she knew exactly what Amy was thinking. And there was no way she was up to dealing with any of her sister’s well-meaning matchmaking. It was best to ignore the amazing Jake Hathaway in the corner and play innocent. “What cute guy?”
“The best man. Did you know that Ben thinks he’s great?”
“Like that’s a secret. They’re best friends.”
“He’s hard-working. Brave. A fine soldier. And he’s totally available.”
“Available for what? Have you forgotten that he lives in Florida?”
“So does Ben. And Cadence will, too, as soon as the two of them get her moved. The Florida thing isn’t a major obstacle.”
“Then what would be? It’s clear across the country.”
“Sure, but you’ve heard of airplanes, right? You could get on one and go down and visit. That way you could get to know Jake a little better. Let him fall in love with you a little more?”
“What?” Had she been so transparent? Did everyone know how she felt? Denial was always a reliable way to cope. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’ve got this diner. I have bookkeeping to learn. Paige is counting on me.”
“You can study bookkeeping from a book. They have books in Florida. And what’s one little visit? You work hard. You haven’t had a vacation in forever.”
“Vacation? That’s the last thing I need.” Rachel wasn’t fooled one bit. Amy glowed with happiness; it was clear she loved being a wife and that Heath cherished her. That made all the difference in a woman’s life. It made sense that Amy wanted that to happen for her.
But Jake wasn’t for her. Couldn’t everyone else see that? She wasn’t going to open up her heart to the possibility. He was too good to be true, she was in serious like with him, and he kept avoiding her gaze. Probably because somewhere he’d overheard her sisters yakking on about how he was available and the poor man wasn’t thrilled with the idea. “And it’s the last thing Jake needs. He has his little niece to look after.”
“And doesn’t that just melt your heart? A big tough guy like him, he’s so sweet with her. Don’t you think?”
“Stop!” Laughing, Rachel held up her hands. “I give up. Just change the subject.” She could never win when it came to her sisters. “I’m gonna set up a board game in case there are kids that don’t feel like running around outside.”
“So, you’re taking me up on my offer?”
“Yep.” Rachel spied a familiar little boy circling around the table to get to her. “How’s my favorite astronaut today?”
“An astronomer, Aunt Rachel.” Westin rolled his eyes in good humor, as if he’d given up trying to expect her to keep things straight. “Not an astronaut.”
“Well, they both do space stuff. Are you ready to go run?”
“Yep.” Fidgeting with boyish energy, Westin shot her a dimpled grin, designed to melt all of her resistance. “And then I can get a really big piece of cake? With lots of frosting?”
“No frosting for you. And only the smallest piece of cake. Go on, tell Kelly we’re going across the street.” Rachel grinned and ruffled the wild tufts of his cowlick.
She couldn’t help the love filling her up for this little nephew of hers. She knew just how Jake felt. She could see Jake in her peripheral vision leaning over to swipe his last French fry through the plastic container of Sally’s tartar sauce.
I’m gaping at him again. Embarrassed, she jump-started toward her cousin Kelly before Jake noticed she was sneaking peeks at him and got the wrong idea completely. The poor man. He probably got it all the time. Women probably fell at his feet in adoration. So she made sure to whisper as she sidled up to Kelly. “Tell me my sisters haven’t been overheard trying to set me and Jake up.”
“Okay, I won’t.” Kelly piled the last of the plates into the bus bin. “But they have.”
“Great.” No wonder Jake hadn’t so much as looked her way! Her sisters were well-meaning, but they weren’t helping. Ah, the joys of a close family. She rolled her eyes, unable to be really mad. “Go. I’ll finish cleaning up. And don’t forget to take Sally with you.”
“Sure. I’ll do you a favor and make sure her handsome uncle comes, too. I’ll sacrifice myself just so you don’t have to be around him if that’ll help.” Her eyes twinkled.
“Oh, that’ll help. Thanks. Then my sisters can try to fix you and Jake up, and I’ll be out of the loop.” She liked that idea. “See how handsome he is?”
“But I thought you liked him.”
“Like him, sure. Who wouldn’t? But that’s as far as it goes.” Careful to keep her voice low, Rachel gathered the soda glasses from the table. The kids looked up at her with expectation. “I promised you milk shakes when you come back. Let me take your orders now. Allie, do you know what you want?”
“Strawberry!” Their little cousin sang with amazing cuteness.
“Okay, sweetie. You’ve got it. How about you, Anna?” she asked Allie’s little sister and wasn’t surprised when she wanted strawberry, too.
Rachel scribbled down orders as the kids started shouting out what they wanted. They were loud and funny and she loved that they made her laugh. Just what she needed. By the time the kids were shoving through the doorway and out of sight, she felt much better and ready to tackle the next problem.
Sally was the only child left on the patio. Streamers waved from the open table umbrellas. Bright balloons floated, tethered by their colorful ribbons. The wind breezed through the trees behind the patio wall, and the afternoon sun cast a solemn shade over the girl and her uncle.
This is an easy fix, she realized. She had nothing to do with her sisters’ schemes, and Jake was leaving in less than an hour for the airport. Easy. All she had to do was smile. The Lord would take care of the rest, as He always did.
“What kind of milk shake can I get you, Sally?” Rachel kept her order pad handy.
But instead of belting out her preference, the little one simply shrugged her slim shoulders and stared hard at the table in front of her.
Rachel tried again. “You look like a girl who likes strawberry.”
“’Kay.” She didn’t sound enthused.
> Jake stirred. “Maybe we ought to get ready to go, Sal.”
The little girl sighed. “I don’t wanna go back to California. I don’t wanna go home anymore. It’s not my home now.” Her voice rose with high emotion, and there was no mistaking her dark pain on this bright, beautiful day.
Nothing could be more unfair, poor sweetheart. Rachel knelt, wishing she could take the little girl into her arms and hold her until the pain eased up a bit. But Jake was there, swinging Sally into his sheltering arms and bringing her to rest against the wide expanse of his dependable chest. She pressed hard against him, her little body shaking with silent sobs.
An equal sorrow darkened Jake’s eyes as he met Rachel’s gaze over Sally’s soft, downy head. “Thanks for everything, Rachel, but I’m gonna take her home.”
“Is there anything I can do? Just ask.”
But Jake was already striding toward the door, and he didn’t look back as he shook his head in reply. The broad line of his powerful shoulders looked invincible, as if he could handle anything. He could take care of Sally, she had no doubts about that. Emotion wedged so tightly in her throat, and she couldn’t rightly say how much was for Sally or how much was for Jake.
One thing was sure, she wouldn’t be seeing them again. Sadness punched her square in the chest, and it was a sadness that lingered and did not fade.
“I found an extra blanket, sir.”
“Thanks.” Jake took the folded blue blanket from the flight attendant.
Sally lay snuggled in the window seat beside him, her head propped up by two pillows. He’d given her his, and she was already draped with one blanket. But her hand felt cold against his arm, where she clutched his sleeve, even in her sleep.
He shook the second blanket over her and tucked it beneath her chin, careful not to wake her. She didn’t move, nestled with her head in the pillows, her other hand curled beneath her cheek.
Tenderness for her roared to life inside his chest. She was so small and vulnerable. The memory of her sobbing so hard as she clung to him haunted him like a mistake. Maybe he shouldn’t be taking her back to California. Maybe it wasn’t the best decision, but he had no one to leave her with. He knew this was going to be hard for her.
