by Lauren Canan
As soon as Jace spotted her standing behind the screen door with the baby in her arms, that infamous smile spread across his face. Kelly pushed open the door and bade him to enter. Gingerly, Jace reached out and touched Henry’s hand. The baby laughed and grabbed the offered finger, kicking his feet in excitement.
“Hi, buddy.” The acceptance was immediate. Apparently on both sides. “He’s amazing.”
“Would you like to hold him?”
Jace nodded, his eyes switching from Kelly to the baby, then back to Kelly. A twinge of heat surged through her body. Jace was so masculine, so totally male, every hormone she had was screaming to get closer. It was unsettling. His earthy aroma swirled around her, and she swallowed hard.
“Take a seat,” she offered, clearing her throat, then placed the little bundle in his father’s arms. Henry looked so tiny, and Jace looked so awkward, so out of place, but she couldn’t miss the look of pride in his handsome features. As she silently watched father and son interact for the first time, she couldn’t help but ask herself how Jace could look even sexier when he held the baby. His tanned arms and dark features were such a contrast to Henry’s pale skin and hair. The sheer sexuality rolled off him in waves. So male. So powerful. So compelling. She ran the fingers of one hand through her hair in an effort to regain control of her wayward thoughts.
“He’s just starting to respond to voices and smiles. He can almost roll over from his tummy onto his back. One day soon I’ll go in the bedroom and find him trying to pull up and stand. His pediatrician said he is exceptional in both his mental and physical development.”
Jace nodded, still staring at the baby as if he were in a trance. Kelly knew the feeling. The first time she’d been allowed to hold her son, she’d been captivated. A miniature of his father, complete with dimples, Henry was going to be a heartbreaker someday.
Just like his dad.
While Jace held his son, speaking softly to him and chuckling at his antics, Kelly eased into the kitchen and took her cell phone from her purse. Bringing up the camera, she returned to the living room and clicked away. This was a memorable moment for all three of them.
“If you’ll give me your email address, I’ll send them to you.”
“Thanks, Kelly,” Jace said in a tone that indicated he really did appreciate the gesture.
She returned to the chair and sat down.
“Tell me more about him.”
She shrugged. Where to begin? “He’s a happy baby. He loves the water and bath time. He has a small yellow plastic duck he will try and grab. His efforts send water splashing in every direction and it makes him laugh, so he splashes some more. My coworkers bought him a little swing. You wind it up and it will stay in motion about half an hour. Henry loves that, too.”
“How did you choose his name?”
“Henry was my grandfather’s name.”
Jace nodded.
“His...his middle name is Jason.”
Jace’s head shot up and that green gaze held hers. “You named him after me?”
Kelly shrugged. “It seemed like the right thing to do.” The warmth of a blush touched her cheeks as the glint of surprise and obvious happiness showed in his eyes. “I’ve started reading to him. Of course he doesn’t understand what I’m saying, but he seems to like it.”
“He responds to the sound of your voice.” Jace looked at her. “Like father, like son.”
For an instant their eyes met and held. Kelly swallowed hard, fighting against a sudden overwhelming sense of loss. It felt as though somebody had reached in and ripped out everything inside. Which was crazy. How long would this man have such a compelling effect on her? His voice had always sent shivers across her skin, and now was no different. She remembered lying on the blanket under the shade of a giant oak tree, her head resting on his muscled chest, held close and protected in his heavy arms. She remembered how good just being in his presence had made her feel.
Pushing away those memories, Kelly continued to share small things about Henry’s life. She kept her gaze locked on the baby. She didn’t need any more remembrances of Jace distracting her. The recollections she’d managed to bury could stay buried. Feeling his arms around her again would never happen. The past was best left in the past.
Eventually their quiet conversation lulled the baby to sleep. Kelly took him from Jace and put him in his crib, covering him with his blue puppy blanket. When she returned Jace was standing at the front door.
“Do I have you to thank for getting my car home?”
He shrugged those broad shoulders. “No big deal.”
“I called everyone I knew and no one had time to look at it.” She felt the need to assure him she’d tried to get the car out of his way. “How much do I owe you?”
He shook his head and shrugged. “I just turned the key. You must have given it too much gas and flooded the engine. Desperation for a quick getaway sometimes causes that to happen.”
She ignored the gibe. “Well, thank you.”
“No problem.” He hesitated. “I’d like to invite Matt out to the ranch to throw some footballs. Maybe I can give him some pointers.”
“He would love that. He is so into football, and as you will soon discover if you haven’t already, you’re his hero. But Jace, don’t do it because you feel in any way obligated. Eventually, Matt would figure it out and—”
“Gotcha. No worries there. He seems like a good kid. My mom will be staying at the ranch but won’t be here for a few days, so tossing the ball with Matt will be great. Brings back the good old days.” He grinned and pushed open the door as Matt came jogging up to the porch. “It gets dark around nine. I’ll have him home about then.”
* * *
The afternoon visits and the ball practice with Matt at the ranch became everyday events. Over the next two weeks, Kelly’s anger and resentment slowly began to wane to a controllable level. It was so odd having Jace back in her life. Every day she expected him to not show up. But he hadn’t missed a day yet. Initially she’d had some sleepless nights, her mind trying to answer the big question: What now? Where was this going? What was he eventually going to do? Did his plans include an attempt to take Henry?
Jace was a brief moment in her past. He had no part in her future other than being her son’s father. Never again would she be back in his arms. Ever.
Pushing open the heavy glass door of the insurance company where she worked as assistant customer service rep, Kelly headed toward the side of the building and the employee parking lot. It had been a long day. But it helped keep her mind focused, leaving no time to think about Jace.
Most of the time.
Rounding the outside corner of the building, heading toward the parking lot, she immediately spotted the very subject of her thoughts leaning against her car, his arms crossed over his broad chest. Her heart skipped a beat. Her determination to keep their past where it belonged was an ongoing battle, and every time she saw him, it grew more difficult.
Inside she was jumble of nerves, wanting him to stay away yet missing him, then hating herself for it. Every time a dark blue truck passed, she had to look to see if it was him. When told she had an incoming call at work, she anxiously picked up the receiver, prepared to hear his deep voice on the other end. Errands around town had her searching the faces in the crowd for him.
Now the pulse surged through her veins as she took in the sight of him, and her mind rushed to figure out why he was here.
“Do you have a minute?” he asked when she reached the car.
Kelly shrugged.
Jace hesitated, as though looking for the right words. “I received a phone call about an hour ago. A friend in the media owes me a couple of favors. He called to let me know someone found out I’m the primary stockholder in a company that recently bought a ranch in Calico Springs, Texas. The news media will probably be staking out the ranch by this evening or soon after. Reporters can be ruthless. They can dig up facts you thought were long buried.”
Why was he telling her this? This didn’t concern her. And if the media discovered Henry was Jace’s son, she couldn’t stop it.
“So, why tell me? It’s not any of my business.”
“I’m afraid it might be only a matter of time until they find out about Henry.”
“Are you asking me to deny Henry is your son if anyone should inquire? Sorry if he’s an embarrassment for you.” She adjusted the strap of her purse on her shoulder. “Excuse me. You’re blocking the door. I need to get home.”
Jace didn’t move.
“That’s not what I’m saying at all. Kelly, other than his middle name, did you put my name on his birth certificate? As the father?”
She nodded.
“If anyone finds out about Henry, this will blow up into a very big deal. You won’t be safe, or at the least, you will be surrounded by the press. Night and day. Everywhere you go. They will follow you to work. They will find out who keeps the baby during the day and do what they have to in order to get a picture. They could even go to Matt’s school.”
Jace had to see the skepticism on her face. “So...I’ll just tell them to leave my property,” she countered. “And once the school year begins they should be able to keep any stranger, reporter or not, away from Matt. I mean, they can’t just—”
“They can and they will.”
“No.” She gritted her teeth to keep her anger in check. “No. This will not happen. Dammit, Jace. Keep your media mania on your side of the street and leave my side alone. This was exactly what I told you I didn’t want to happen to Henry.”
“I know. And I’m sorry. I’d change it if I could.”
“So what’s the answer? Why are you telling me all of this if there is no way to stop it?”
“You and Henry and Matt need to move out to the ranch as soon as possible.”
Her eyebrows shot straight up as she looked at him with open disbelief. “Yeah. Right. That is so not going to happen.”
“Kelly, you’re not equipped to deal with this on your own. I have a full security staff in place 24/7.” Jace glanced toward a black sedan parked across the street and nodded. The man behind the wheel nodded back.
“You’ve got to be kidding.” He had to be. “Jace, you’re blowing this way out of proportion. This is Calico Springs, population six thousand and two. It isn’t Los Angeles. It’s a quiet little ranching community. Things like you’re describing just don’t happen here. Now if you’ll please step aside, I really need to go and pick up Henry.”
With a muttered curse, Jace moved toward the front of the car and opened the door for her. Kelly didn’t hesitate to throw her purse onto the passenger seat and slip behind the wheel.
“Take this.” He handed her a cell phone. “Just punch Call. There are only three people who will answer it—a couple of my security team and me. If you get into trouble, change your mind or need to reach me, use it.”
This was taking on the ambiance of a James Bond thriller. “Are you kidding me?”
Jace looked down at her and shook his head. He wasn’t smiling. A small trickle of fear ran down her spine. She took the phone and slipped it into the side pouch of her purse. It seemed easier than arguing about it.
“I won’t be coming back in the afternoons. There’s too much of a risk someone will see me. Kelly, I really do wish you would—”
“We’ll be fine.” She turned on the ignition and put the car into reverse. “I’ll let Matt know you won’t be stopping by for a while.”
Jace didn’t nod. He said nothing more. He stood in the same spot as she backed out of the parking space and turned toward home.
It must be tough to live your life always looking over your shoulder. In a way she found it sad. To become so successful in your chosen career that you actually become a target of the very people you sought to entertain. But it was a life he’d chosen. Consequently, he had to deal with the repercussions. It didn’t mean she had to.
Five
An unfamiliar sound woke Kelly from her sleep. Frowning, she rubbed her eyes and listened more intently. It sounded like people talking outside her house. She threw the covers back and rolled out of bed. It was early morning, still not completely light. She checked on Henry and adjusted his blanket. He’d slept through the night, so he would be ready for his breakfast soon.
Without bothering to turn on a light, she headed toward the living room, literally bumping into Matt in the hallway.
“Do you hear that?” It took a major shakedown every morning to get Matt to even open his eyes. For him to be awake at this hour...
“Yeah. I heard it.”
“What is it?”
“I’m not sure.” Separating the blinds just enough to see, they both looked out the front windows. In the predawn light, Kelly saw people. About a dozen of them. And cars and vans lining both sides of the street.
“What’s going on, Kelly?” Before she could speak, Matt added, “I’m going out and see what’s happening.”
“No! Matt. Don’t go outside.”
In the ever-increasing light Kelly now saw the cameras and the white vans with satellite antennas on top. People were talking among themselves, calling out instructions to their crews. Large black power cords lay over the ground. She swallowed hard. Jace had told her the truth. Anger flared that he had brought this madness to their family, but it was temporarily pushed aside by concern for Henry and Matt.
“Matt, go get dressed and ready for school. You can’t be late the second day. Find something to eat for breakfast. There are waffles in the freezer. Fresh fruit in the bowl on the table.”
“This is wild.” His eyes were as wide as saucers. “Those are reporters, right? Is all this because Jace comes here to visit?”
“No. Not exactly.” She didn’t know how her brother would take the news, but it was time he was told. Before he heard it on television. “This is because Henry is Jace’s son.”
Matt’s jaw hung open; his eyes went ever wider. “What? Oh, man. Are you kidding me? You had a thing with Jace and you never told me? When? How? Where? Are you serious?”
Kelly nodded. “Yes. But it’s...complicated. And we don’t have time to discuss it now.”
“Does Jace know?”
Kelly rubbed her temples. “Yes.”
“Henry is Jace Compton’s son?”
Clearly Matt was struggling with this truth.
“So that’s why he invited me out to his place to throw the ball.”
Wow. Left field. His disappointment was obvious. “No. Absolutely not. You guys share a love of football and the two of you seemed to...click. He thinks the world of you, Matt. I would never lie about that. He’s told me so on more than one occasion.” The very last thing she wanted to add to this insanity was hurt feelings. She’d told Matt the truth. She just hoped he would believe it.
Matt was silent for a few worrying seconds. “Okay,” he nodded. “Okay. Good. That’s cool.” The side of his mouth drew up in a half grin and he looked squarely at his sister. “I guess I’m not the only one in this family he clicked with.”
She felt the heated blush cover her neck and face. Her eyes narrowed into a glare. “Right now, Matthew Douglas Michaels, I would advise you not to go there. Go get dressed.”
Matt headed for his bedroom, a wide grin across his face. His body language was decidedly springy with a bit of teenage swagger thrown in. He was on the ins with a superstar. And no doubt he thought he had something on her, as well. From the number of people standing outside their house, he would have to get in line.
With Henry changed and dressed, she went into the kitchen to ready his food. Her purse was on the kitchen table and the cell phone Jace had given her began to ring. When she pulled it out of her bag, she saw there had been numerous calls. She’d never heard it.
“Hello?”
“Why in the hell haven’t you answered your phone?” Jace bellowed out, his frustration obvious. “I’ve been trying to reach you for thirty minutes. Are you all righ
t? Is Henry—?”
“Henry is fine. We’re all fine. There are some people outside. They have cameras. I guess you were right. It appears the media found us.”
She heard him take a deep breath and blow it out. Kelly couldn’t remember Jace ever getting angry or upset about anything. Clearly he was experiencing some anxiety now. Did he actually think something was going to happen to them in Calico Springs?
“Stay in the house. Keep the doors locked. Tom Stanton, my head of security, just arrived and is standing by outside your house. Let us know when you’re ready and he’ll bring you guys to the ranch and we—”
“Jace, no. I’m not coming to your ranch. I thought I made that clear. I’ve got to go to work and Matt has to be in school—” she switched Henry to her other arm and checked her watch “—in twenty minutes. I need to take the baby to the sitter’s, then be on my way.”
“Kelly, I don’t think that would be—”
“Please don’t waste either of our time telling me you don’t think it’s a good idea. If you want to help us, we need to get Henry safely to the babysitter and Matt to school.”
A prolonged silence met her statement. “Kelly, you can’t go on expecting your life to stay the way it was. I’m sorry, honey.”
She heard the sincerity in his tone. His endearment made her heart beat a bit faster, her breathing become shallow. His rich baritone voice calling her honey caused a memory to flash in her mind. Jace’s arms around her, his hand covering hers as she gripped the end of a fishing pole. They’d been on the edge of a clear blue pond located in an area of the ranch where he’d stayed last year. It had felt as if they were the only two people on earth. Jace had removed his shirt and shoes, leaving only the well-worn, slightly ripped jeans. She’d had a two-pound bass on the line, the first fish she’d ever caught. When it broke the surface of the water, bending and flouncing in an effort to get free of the hook, she hadn’t been able to contain the screams of excitement. And she couldn’t forget Jace’s laughter at her animated enthusiasm. Then the fish had fallen back into the water and seconds later the line went slack. She’d lost it. Jace had hugged her close and murmured, “I’m sorry, honey. Let’s see if we can catch him again.” But as she’d turned into his arms the fish was forgotten. The soft rays of the summer sun had been joined by the hot sparkle of desire in his eyes and the burning of his hungry lips.
