Just Practicing (Hearts for Ransom Book 2)

by Georgia Evans

  “Come here,” he muttered as he pulled her onto his lap.

  “What are you doing?” she demanded. All of his friends knew the truth.

  He gave her a lazy grin. “Practicing.”

  “I don’t think either one of us need to practice sitting down.” She started to get up, but he anchored his arm around her waist and kept her in place. Jan either had to sit still or flop around like a fish. Since nobody seemed to think anything unusual was happening, she decided to just sit there. They were definitely discussing this “practicing” on the way home, though.

  She felt work-roughened fingers slide under the hem of her top and gently rub her lower back. When she looked at Bo, he was talking to Logan, seemingly unaware of his caresses. This was getting ridiculous!

  “Relax,” he took the time to murmur before resuming his conversation with Logan.

  Jan had been dealing with so much stress, with her mother showing up, and unspoken threats to take Seth away from her. Without realizing it, she found herself resting against Bo’s firm chest as his fingers gently traced patterns on her bare back.

  “Are you gonna wake up and walk, or do you want me to carry you to the truck?” Bo’s soft voice roused her.

  She opened her eyes and glanced around. Nobody else seemed to be aware that she had fallen asleep. “How long was I…?”

  “About an hour now,” he answered so nobody but Jan could hear. “You were zonked.”

  Without thinking, she buried her face in his neck and moaned. “I’m so embarrassed. Why didn’t you wake me up?”

  She felt his chuckle rumble through his chest. “You were tired. The other women have all gone home or in the house. Nobody even noticed you were asleep. They just thought you were comfortable.”

  A woman spending an hour on a man’s lap, not saying a word to another soul—somehow, Jan didn’t believe nobody noticed. She straightened up. “What time is it?”

  “Time to get you home to bed. You’re already exhausted, and I know you have to be at work in the morning.” He started to shift her around on his lap.

  She was finally able to stand up. Maybe he had told the truth, after all. Nobody seemed to be paying any particular attention to them.

  “We’re hittin’ the road,” Bo announced. “I’ll see you at work in the morning.”

  Jan had forgotten Bo was returning to work the next day. He needed to get home, too. She still wondered why he chose to take two weeks off out of the blue.

  “Thanks for puttin’ up with Big Bo all evening,” Logan told her, ambling over to shake Bo’s hand. “You’re welcome here anytime you want.”

  “Thank you for inviting me. Please tell Emily thank you.” Bo already had her hand and was leading her away.

  “See you tomorrow, Bo!” one of the other men called.

  Bo lifted his free hand and waved.

  During the short ride back to Jan’s house, she couldn’t remember what she had been so determined to talk to him about.

  Bo was uncharacteristically silent.

  They had just walked onto the porch when her mother and Seth pulled into the driveway.

  “Showtime,” Bo said.

  He pulled her to him and slowly kissed her lips, pulling her up so he could deepen it.

  She found herself breathing hard when he released her.

  “Come on, Seth. Let your aunt and Bo have some privacy.” Jan saw her mother escort a grinning Seth past them into the house.

  She groaned. “What are we doing to Seth? Now he thinks we’re together. You know how he feels about you. It’ll break his heart when he finds out the truth.”

  Bo pulled her around to face him. “What if the truth only makes things better for him? I’m thinking there might be something you and I could do to make all of this better for him…permanently.”

  “WH…what do you mean?”

  He lowered his head and kissed her again. He was mighty good at this kissing business; Jan could get used to it. A small smile played on his lips when he slowly lifted his face from hers. “Just think about it.”

  With no further explanation, he turned and left her standing there, shocked to the core. What could he be talking about doing that would make things permanently better for Seth?

  “Well, Bo Daniels, you’re laying shingles in the right direction! Will wonders never cease?” Mason Wright climbed off the ladder onto the roof.

  “Shut up, Wright,” Bo growled. The smile he hadn’t been able to keep off his face all day was going to ruin his reputation as a perpetual grouch. “This bites.” There. He’d throw that in for good measure. He didn’t want anybody thinking he wasn’t himself.

  Mason pulled the hammer from his belt and started on the other end of the roof.

  “How’s Spencer doing?” Bo was referring to Mason’s little brother. “Does he still think he’s God’s fourteen-year-old gift to women of all ages?”

  Mason snorted. “He’s not as bad as he used to be, but I’ll tell you the truth. I’ve been to a few school functions with him and his mom, and those girls are all over the boy. He might have exaggerated about the older women goin’ after him, but he wasn’t kidding about girls.”

  “So, he’s a teenage Mason Wright,” Bo observed. Mason was the most womanizing player on the Slammers, followed closely by Jake Landon. Mason, the fool, had even been drunk enough one night to try and talk Logan into cheating on Emily. She threatened to put Mason in a full body cast and parade naked women in front of him for hours. If Bo recalled correctly, it had taken months, dozens of bouquets of flowers, and a ton of heartfelt apologies before Emily finally forgave Mason. And Bo wasn’t too sure if she still really had.

  “His mom will make sure he doesn’t end up like me,” Mason surprised him by admitting.

  “What do you mean?”

  “She’s a single parent, you know—never been married. I think Spencer’s dad got her pregnant and flew the coop. Claire has let me know in no uncertain terms that she doesn’t approve of my lifestyle, and if I ever show that side of my life to her son, I’ll no longer be allowed to see him.”

  Bo could understand why Spencer’s mother would feel the way she did. “I hope you don’t mess it up, Mason. That boy needs you.”

  “Speaking of messing things up, Bo, how is this thing between you and Jan affecting Seth? I mean, does he know you’re not really together? Because, I bet it would be a dream come true for the boy if you were.”

  Bo didn’t know what to say for a minute. He’d been rolling an idea around ever since Vanessa Tate’s unexpected visit, but Mason sure wasn’t going to be the first person he discussed it with. So he settled for, “Weirder things have happened.”

  “Are you saying you have feelings for Jan?” Mason stopped laying out shingles and looked at Bo.

  Bo steadily returned his gaze. “I’m saying my feelings are none of your business.”

  “Oh, for the love of Johnny Bench, you’re fixin’ to do something stupid just so you two can keep that boy, aren’t you?”

  Bo returned to the shingles. “I’m not discussing my personal life with you. No offense, Wright, but you’re just about the last man on the planet I’d go to for romantic advice.”

  “Romantic advice?” Mason plopped over onto his seat end. “You’re talking about romance and Jan? What are you doing? Please tell me you’re not making a decision about something like…forever…based on keeping Seth with you. I may not be an expert, but even I can tell you that’s no reason for settling down with a woman.”

  “Just shut up, Wright,” Bo ordered. “I told you it isn’t any of your business.”

  Mason sadly shook his head. “You’re what? Twenty-six years old? And Jan is…what have I heard? Twenty-two or three? What kind of parents will the two of you be to a boy already half your age? What will you be tying yourself to? Think, Bo.”

  Bo didn’t say a word. He just put more force behind his hammer. After a few minutes, Mason silently rose to his knees and resumed laying shingles.


  Mason might be the foreman, and technically Bo’s boss at work, but Bo would jump in a cement mixer before he’d listen to any of Mason’s advice. If there was one thing for sure, it was that when it came to women—unless it was just a roll in the hay and a swinging door the next morning—Mason Wright didn’t know what he was talking about.

  However, thanks to Mason’s attitude, Bo’s idea had evolved into a plan. He was more determined than ever that it would work. It had to.

  “I’ve really enjoyed this,” Patsy Edwards declared, sliding her plate away from the edge of the table. “Bo, you are a wonderful storyteller.”

  Bo, sitting at the head of the table, grinned at her. “I play ball with a lot of windy fellows. It’s not too hard to pick up some tales to share.”

  “Jan, let Seth and me take care of the dishes,” her mother said, as Jan stood and started collecting empty plates. “You worked all day and cooked this wonderful meal. It’s only fair that Seth and I clean up. You and Bo can relax in the living room. We’ll join you in a few minutes.”

  It had been a manic Monday at work for Jan, and Bo, as entertaining and lively as he’d been, looked tired after his first day back on the job.

  “Thank you, Mom. I think I’ll take you up on that.” She started to step away, but then froze when she saw her mother’s tears. “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing. You…you just called me mom. It’s the first time you’ve called me that since I’ve…” She walked around the table to Jan. “May I hug you?”

  Jan turned and let her mom embrace her. Suddenly, she let go of the years of humiliation and frustration. That mother had been a sick woman. This mom, although still an alcoholic, had conquered her demons and seemed determined to keep them at bay. Jan didn’t have the strength to resist the mother’s love she had always craved and so much wanted to return. She put her arms around her mom and let go. The healing tears started flowing.

  She was vaguely aware of Bo shepherding Seth out of the house, leaving her and Patsy crying in each other’s arms. This wasn’t the twenty-three year old adult Janet Sellers. This was the little girl so desperately needing her mom—and finally receiving her. She had no idea how long the two of them stood there.

  “I love you so much, Janet Marie,” her mom said as they finally pulled apart. “Thank you for finally letting me tell you that.”

  “I…I love you too, Mom.” And Jan knew it was true. No matter what, she loved her mom.

  They looked at each other for a few more minutes, both of them smiling through their tears.

  “I’d better get these dishes done or this lasagna will be dried on,” Patsy said, patting Jan’s back and stepping away.

  “I’ll help.” Jan turned and picked up the spatula so she could scrape the dishes.

  The two women cleaned up the kitchen in companionable silence, stopping to smile or just look at each other from time to time.

  They were just finishing up when Bo let himself in through the back door.

  “Everything okay?” he asked in a soft voice.

  “Perfect,” Patsy told him.

  “Where’s Seth?” Jan asked, having realized Bo was alone.

  “Mrs. Harper saw us outside, and she asked if he could go over and help her for a few minutes. She needed some more boxes brought down from the attic or something. He won’t be long.” He gestured to the door. “Do you want me to leave? I can give you some more time…”

  “No.” It was Patsy who answered him. “I need to discuss something with Janet, and I believe it will help her if you’re here.”

  “Okay.”

  “Let’s sit down,” she suggested, then sat back in her seat at the table.

  Bo sat back down where he’d been before, but Jan pulled her chair next to his. For some reason, she felt the need to be near him.

  Her mother began speaking.

  “I know you love Seth, Janet. But you’re only twenty-three years old. You’ve got a whole life ahead of you. You’re too young to be mother to a teenager.”

  Jan’s heart went cold. Her greatest fears were following one of the happiest moments in her life.

  “I am a wealthy woman,” her mom continued. “I can give Seth a good home and everything he needs or could want. I can also be at home with him. He won’t have to stay with a neighbor when he’s not in school. I know you provide him with a good home, but I can give him so much more—things you can’t.”

  Before Jan could say anything, Bo spoke.

  “We can give him something you can’t though, Patsy. Jan and I can give him a mom and dad. We’re getting married, and then we’ll be a real family. Can you give that to Seth?”

  Jan was speechless. They were getting married? Since when? Her mother was looking at her, disbelief in her eyes. Then she realized what Bo was giving her—the only chance she had to keep Seth. She knew what she had to say.

  “I’m sorry we haven’t already told you. We’re not planning a big wedding, and we haven’t shared our plans with many people yet.” Like nobody—not even each other.

  Patsy’s eyes went from Jan’s face to Bo’s, and then back to Jan’s. Bo, who had taken Jan’s hand in his, smiled at Patsy. “I can’t tell you how happy I was when your daughter agreed to be my wife. Seth just makes our family complete. I hope you’re happy for the three of us.”

  Jan’s mother slowly smiled. “Of course I am. The two of you are getting married!”

  “You and Bo are getting married?” Seth, who had just walked in through the back door, asked Jan. She looked at the huge grin on his face. “You’re going to be my mom and dad, and we’re going to be a real family!”

  Obviously forgetting he was thirteen and therefore too “cool” to hug another man, he ran over and threw his arms around Bo’s neck. “I always wanted you to be my dad!”

  Jan saw the look in Bo’s eyes. It was too late for either of them to back out of this now. It would destroy Seth.

  Even so, she knew Bo spoke the truth when he told Seth, “I’ve always wanted you to be my son, too.”

  Seth reached over with one of his arms and grabbed Jan around the neck. “Can I call you mom and dad after you’re married?”

  Jan’s eyes met Bo’s. He grinned at her and nodded. What could she say? “Yes.”

  Seth then turned to his grandmother.

  “Didja hear that, Grandma? I’m gonna have a real mom and dad! And I have a real grandma, too. I’ll be like the other kids at school!” Jan was afraid he was going to knock her mom off her chair with his exuberant hug.

  “I’m very happy for all of you,” his grandmother’s muffled voice said.

  “Let your grandma breathe, Seth,” Bo admonished. “You’re suffocating her.”

  Seth, still laughing with joy, released his grandmother.

  “When are you gettin’ married?” he asked.

  Jan saw the interest in her mother’s eyes. She looked at Bo, waiting for his response.

  “Two weeks from this Saturday.” It was a good thing Jan was sitting down because there was no way her legs would have held her up.

  “So soon?” Patsy asked. “But Janet doesn’t even have an engagement ring.”

  “I haven’t had t—” Bo started.

  “An engagement ring really isn’t a good idea for me at work,” Jan told her mom. “I might scratch some of the residents, or a couple of them might get upset if they see it.” She was lying, but she didn’t want Bo to be the only one telling tales.

  “So, you’re just getting wedding bands?” her mother asked.

  “That’s right.” It was Bo who answered. “I’m taking her tomorrow after work to pick them out. That’ll give them enough time to be sized. With Jan’s fingers being so small, I know they’ll have to cut it down for her.”

  “Where are you getting married?”

  “In my…our friends’ backyard,” Bo answered. “Logan and Emily insisted.”

  “And your dress?” Patsy asked Jan.

  Jan’s mind went blank. “I...I’ll
have to find one.”

  “Let me buy it for you,” her mother said. “I want to pay for everything—your dress, the cake, and flowers. It’s traditional for the bride’s family to take care of all that anyway. I want to. Will you let me?”

  “Y…yes.” Jan felt hysterical laughter building inside her. She needed to get out of there for a few minutes to regain control of herself. “Bo, can we have a few minutes outside?”

  Bo smiled at her mom and Seth. “Jan and I have some private things to talk about. We’ll just go out back for a few minutes. Seth, why don’t you see if there’s something you and your grandma can watch on television for a while?”

  If Patsy had known Bo at all, she’d have realized something was one-hundred percent off. Normally, the likelihood of Bo Daniels suggesting Seth watch television was equivalent to that of a herd of cows putting on skirts and taking up tap-dancing.

  Bo waited until Seth and Patsy were on their way into the living room before he ushered Jan out the back door and to the picnic table. She plopped down, too stunned to speak.

  “I know it’s a little late, but will you marry me?” Bo asked, grinning.

  “A little…Bo, this isn’t funny. Do you realize Seth thinks we’re getting married? If we back out now, he’ll be crushed.” She put her head in her hands. “What have we done?”

  Bo sat down beside her. “Listen, Jan. Vanessa came to see me last weekend. It was strictly off the record.”

  Jan looked up. “What was strictly off the record? What haven’t you told me?”

  “I didn’t want to upset you, and I had a plan.”

  “What would upset me?” she demanded, remembering at the last moment to keep her voice down.

  “She could get fired for telling me this, but your mom actually made inquiries about obtaining custody of Seth. Patsy was worried because you’re so young, and we weren’t in a committed relationship. If you and I broke up, Seth would have been worse off than ever. Vanessa said there was a really good chance your mom would get him.”