He nodded. His hand shook as he drained his coffee mug. “Thanks, Mom.”
“Don’t lie to me, William. Don’t steal from me. If you do, this will be the shortest week you’ll ever remember.”
“I won’t, I promise.”
She stood and walked away from him to the sink, not wanting him to interpret any emotion in her face. How sad, a thirty-six-year-old man making a promise to his mother that sounded like it might have come from a five-year-old.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
THE BOTTLE OF local vintage Kelly’s Island Red was almost empty. Liam poured the rest into Jude’s glass. “I’m driving,” he said. “You finish it. Then we’ll have coffee and dessert. This place is famous for their crème brûlée.
“I’m stuffed,” Jude said. “But I might have a taste of yours.”
The waiter removed the remains of Jude’s shrimp dinner and Liam’s steak. Liam gave him the coffee and dessert order. When he’d walked off, Liam stared at Jude’s face. “You look so pretty in this light,” he said. “But that didn’t really come out the way I meant. You always look pretty no matter what the light is like.”
“Come on, Liam, you don’t have to flatter me. I know you’ve got something to tell me.”
“Why would you think I have an ulterior motive?” he asked.
She smiled. “Well, don’t you?”
“Okay, I sort of have one, but still, what I said is true. You look pretty.”
She didn’t argue again. The truth was, she felt pretty. And she was especially happy that she looked pretty to Liam. Maybe the couple of glasses of wine had contributed to her sense of well-being. Or maybe it was the haircut or the red-and-black sweater. Her sisters always told her she looked good in red.
And she’d had a good time. She and Liam talked about everything from their childhoods to her failed attempt at college and his successful completion of his education at Wharton. He’d made some great friends at school, he told her. Many of them he was still in contact with. A couple of times, when he was making a point, he reached across the table and stroked her hand. The gesture tingled all the way up her arm and settled as a comforting warmth in her chest.
What was happening to her? She hadn’t considered dating for so long she’d definitely gotten out of practice. And she certainly wouldn’t have expected to enjoy it so much. She’d sighed with contentment about halfway through the meal when she realized the date had been easy. She hadn’t struggled to make conversation. She hadn’t worried about what she would say or do. How was it possible that in this five-star restaurant with a man she’d only recently been furious with, she could feel so at home?
She took a sip of the wine and smiled at him. “Okay, you might as well hit me with whatever you want to say. I’m assuming you want to talk to me about the foundation.”
“I do. Have I plied you with enough alcohol?”
She laughed, though her senses warned her that this smooth-sailing date might be ready to hit a sand bar. “I don’t think there’s enough in this restaurant, but go ahead.”
“I’ve been thinking about the groups who benefit from your charity, the ones that aren’t a great financial burden and the ones that are. I don’t believe you’ll have much trouble supporting the scholarships for veterans’ kids, although maybe you should cut back. Many organizations give scholarships of only five hundred or a thousand dollars, enough for the student to buy books at least. And the kid has to reapply each year. Plus, you should demand a financial statement from the parents to justify the gift.”
“You’re saying I’m giving money to applicants who might not really need it?”
“It’s possible. Anyone who’s applying for one of your scholarships should be willing to show financial need.”
That made sense. “Okay. I can do that. And you’ll help me interpret the financial statements?”
“Sure.”
He seemed so cool and confident that Jude wondered if she was making this too easy on him. “What’s next?”
“Get rid of the goats.”
Even for a guy who didn’t like goats, that was a pretty blatant suggestion. “Now, wait a minute. I told you that takes time. I want to first make sure that the goats are well enough to withstand a sea voyage to Central America.”
“Do you have a destination point in mind?”
“No, not yet.” Perhaps she should have been researching this more diligently.
“I’m sorry, Jude, but that herd is probably the biggest drain on your day-to-day operation. I’ll admit I’m not a goat expert, but I didn’t see a one that wasn’t fit to go on a little cruise.”
She remained silent a moment. He was right. The goats were fine. Her vet hadn’t treated one for a problem in weeks. Their weight was ideal, and there was no reason she shouldn’t let them go to the homes where they could do some good. “Okay, but not Eloise. I’m going to keep her.”
He smiled. “Okay, not Eloise. You’ve got to keep one so Mutt will have something to do.”
“Tomorrow I’ll make some calls and get estimates on getting the animals to Central America. I’m hoping I can find a charitable organization that might be willing to chip in on shipping costs if the goats will help their local population.”
“That’s a great idea,” Liam said. He cleared his throat. “There is one last thing.”
He’d saved the worst for last. “What?”
“The radio station,” he said.
“I knew it!”
“Jude, in just the little time I had to look at your books, I immediately determined that WOIH is your biggest expense, next to the animals’ care.”
“Maybe so, but I won’t pull the station. It’s too important to the people of Bees Creek.”
Liam gave her an earnest stare. “All five thousand of them?”
“That may not seem like a lot to you—”
“Jude, that’s not a lot of people to anyone. WOIH is a minimum-wattage station whose broadcasts only reach fifty miles or so. Even if you enlarged the listenership, which wouldn’t make sense because you’ll be encroaching on major markets, the expenses will keep eating up your budget.”
“But I have plans for the station I haven’t even put into effect yet. A recipe program, a show where we talk about the best prices on goods and services, a neighbors-helping-neighbors feature... And then there’s Harvey and Gary—”
“Who each take a salary,” he finished for her. “I know how you feel about them, but you can’t keep supporting these guys because they’re friends or original settlers. Both those men can find jobs, even if it’s not in the radio business.”
She straightened her spine. The radio station was her personal favorite of all her charities. WOIH’s building was located in Bees Creek, where Paul had been raised. The men who ran it had known Paul since he was a child. She herself contributed by broadcasting information that was important to the people, Paul’s people. She leaned forward and spoke in a low, but harsh whisper. “You’re going too far, Liam. I won’t dismantle the station, I just won’t.”
He expelled a long breath. “Jude, I’m not saying you should. In fact, I’ve got a plan so you won’t have to.”
She tried to relax, though she doubted if his idea would appeal to her. But she would listen. “Go ahead.”
“I’ve done some research, made a couple of contacts. There’s a new company in northeast Ohio called Northern Ohio Media. They’re buying up local stations like WOIH, modernizing them with new formats, making them more accessible to greater numbers of people.”
“What sort of new formats? All national news? All rock music?”
“No. They incorporate the best of what the station currently broadcasts and add some newer, modern features.”
“So they would keep broadcasting local info that the farmers need?”
“It might be arranged, yes. It’s all about the contract of sale.”
“Fine, but they’d fire Harvey and Gary, and I can’t let that happen.”
“It’s possible,” Liam said. “I talked to the director today, and told him about WOIH. I said the listenership is small but loyal, thanks to the two guys running the station now, men who would be essential to the future success of WOIH. I might have convinced him that to get WOIH to sell to Northern Ohio Media, he’d have to promise a fair and impartial audition to Harvey and Gary.” Obviously sensing her reluctance, he added, “They’re grown men, Jude. They know that very little is handed to them on a silver platter. They’ll go along with this.”
“But they at least agreed to give them an audition?”
“Yes. Besides, everything is negotiable now. We can make it a priority in any contract.”
The waiter brought coffee and Liam’s dessert.
“I appreciate that, Liam,” Jude said. “I would definitely consider those terms.”
“It’s a win for the foundation,” Liam said, stirring a teaspoon of sugar into his coffee. “The foundation will experience a boost to its bottom line from the sale. And your boys will probably still have a job doing what they love, as long as they can accept that they’re not their own bosses anymore.”
“They’ll be okay with that,” she said. “And maybe I can pay Dad back for some of his expenses.” She couldn’t keep a smile from spreading across her face. “Paul would be so pleased about Harvey and Gary...”
She paused, looked down a moment. Why did she have to bring Paul into this now? “What I meant was...”
He held a spoon close to her lips. “Don’t worry about it. Try the crème brûlée.”
She let the flavors melt on her tongue. Sweet and smooth, like most of this night had been. How strange that after all the years of denying herself pleasure and passion, she could find herself in this restaurant, with a man so completely unlike herself, and feel so comfortable.
They had discussed important topics tonight. They’d compromised and listened to each other, and Jude now understood why Liam Manning commanded such a high salary. He was a man of his word, honorable in his own right without betraying those closest to him. He was steadfast, trustworthy, here for the future.
Now, where did that notion come from? Jude rarely thought about a future. She was so consumed with the responsibilities of living each day. And yet suddenly a future of happiness and contentment, and maybe even romance, didn’t seem like it was for everyone else, but not her. She didn’t know how Liam felt about her, but she now knew that if she could ever fall for another man like she’d fallen for Paul, Liam might be the one.
* * *
WITH HER ARM tucked in his, Jude and Liam took a brisk walk along the lakefront in Cleveland. In spite of the temperature, she felt warm, protected. At one point they stopped, she leaned her head against his shoulder and they stood quietly, just looking out at the waves. Any rancor that might have sprung up between them at dinner seemed to have faded in the soothing cool evening air. Later, on the drive to Dancing Falls, Jude made a list of projects for the next day. She planned to take each of Liam’s ideas seriously and make a dent in the foundation’s debt.
After several miles, Liam spoke in an obviously feigned grumpy voice. “I was hoping you might sit a little closer to me on the way,” he said. “I didn’t know you’d have your nose buried in your homework.”
She slid the paper into her purse and scooted over on her bucket seat until their shoulders touched. “You’re right. There are more important things than making lists, even if I am implementing your ideas.”
He settled his hand on her thigh. “Oh, well, in that case, don’t let me interrupt you.”
“Too late,” she said. “You have ruined the list-making mood.”
He smiled at her. She settled close and just watched the miles slide by. There was no urgency to talk in the peaceful environment of his car. Enveloped in darkness, she felt like the interior of this car was the only place that existed. Maybe she even felt, almost...trusting.
“Are you happy with me now?” he asked when they pulled into the drive of Dancing Falls. “You don’t think I’m the horrible hatchet man anymore?”
“We’ll have to see about that. I fully expect you to take this small victory tonight and spoil it with many more cutbacks.”
He chuckled.
“But for now, right this minute...” She sighed and spoke a few simple words she never thought she’d say. “I am sublimely happy with you.”
He pulled in front of the barn, cut the engine and lifted her face to his. The first kiss was different. Needy, expressive, saying with the press of his mouth and invasion of his tongue what words didn’t have to.
I am falling in love with this man, she thought. It can’t be happening this fast. But, oh, how she felt about him. If this wasn’t love, then it was the next closest thing, and she didn’t want to let go.
She stopped a sigh in her throat, blinked. “Liam...”
Just a moment ago she had been lost in the feel of him, the wonder of him, the wonder of herself...but it all changed when she was suddenly faced with this life-altering decision. Could she commit to this man? When she’d married Paul, the memories of every other boy ceased to exist as she said her vows. And she couldn’t so easily forget those vows now. She would be giving too much too soon.
She sat back, hugged her arms to her chest.
He cupped his hand on the back of her head and stared into her eyes. “Whatever it is, Jude, don’t worry about it, okay? It’s all right. How about I come by on Sunday and pick up you and the kiddo and bring you both to my place for dinner? I’m cooking. How does that sound?”
“Perfect. But just give me the address. I’ll drive.”
“You sure?”
“Yes. You’ve driven out here so often. It’s more than my turn.”
“Okay, then. I’ll call you tomorrow.” He got out of the car and walked her to the door for one last kiss.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
“HOW MUCH LONGER till we get there, Mom?”
Jude told herself to exercise patience. Yes, this was about the hundredth time Wesley had asked this question. Yes, she was driving in afternoon rush hour, and yes, this was Cleveland. She should have agreed with Liam’s plan to pick them up, but no, she had been in Super Woman mode and convinced him she’d drive herself.
“We’re almost there, Wes,” she said, glancing quickly to consult her GPS. “We only have two more miles, less than the distance to your school. I need to call Liam now to tell him we’re close. Can you dial the number for me?”
Wesley was happy to oblige. Like most kids his age, he knew the basics of cell phone operation. He found the list of Jude’s contacts and zeroed in on Liam. He was grinning as he held the phone to his ear. “Hi, Liam. It’s Wesley.”
“Yeah, we’re coming. Mom says we’re about two miles away.” There was a moment of silence. “Okay, I’ll tell her. Bye.”
“What did he say?” Jude asked, stopping at yet another red light.
“He’ll be outside his apartment building watching for us.”
“That’s good. He’ll be able to tell us where to park.”
Ten minutes later, they were on Lakeshore Drive, passing an endless stream of modern high-rise buildings. One of these elegant structures was Liam’s, and each one was about as different from an apartment above a tack room as any place could be. Jude patted the dashboard of her truck. “It’s okay, baby. Don’t feel embarrassed. You run as well as any of these fancy cars.”
Wesley giggled. “Yeah, our truck looks pretty bad next to some of these other cars.”
They rounded a graceful bend in the road and saw Liam standing in a parking lot waving his arms. Jude navigated to a stop next to him
while he motioned her into an underground parking garage. She followed his instructions and slid into a narrow spot labeled “Guest.”
“You made it,” Liam said when Jude and Wesley got out of the truck. He high-fived Wesley and planted a chaste kiss on Jude’s temple. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
“Nothing to it,” Jude said, grateful to be out of her truck.
“I’m anxious for you to see my place. Thank goodness the cleaning lady was here yesterday, so things are pretty tidy.”
Wesley was spellbound as they entered the brass and mirrored elevator and rode to the eighteenth floor of the Wave Crest Building.
“Wow, this is high up,” Wesley said.
“Yeah, it’s pretty high,” Liam confirmed.
They stepped into a wide entrance hallway with four doors leading to apartments on this level.
“You only have three neighbors?” Jude asked, looking around at extravagant silk flower arrangements under low lighting.
“That’s right. There are larger apartments on floors above me with only two units each and the top floor is for the penthouse.”
Impressive. Jude was anxious to experience what lay beyond the double door to Liam’s apartment.
He proceeded to the door marked with a B and slipped his key into the lock. “After you,” he said, swinging the door wide.
* * *
LIAM TRIED TO see his living quarters as Jude might see them. More than anything, he wanted her to feel comfortable being here so she would want to come back again. But would she? Jude, with her gently used furniture and minimal space, might view his apartment as a tribute to excess. Or she might see it as a testament to a young man’s success after years of study and deprivation. Liam had made his own way through graduate school, and as far as he was concerned, this condominium was a result of his accomplishments.
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