From Temptation to Twins

by Barbara Dunlop

  * * *

  Caleb was certain he couldn’t have heard Noah right. “She’ll sell?”

  “I just finished talking to her,” Noah said as he followed Caleb into his living room.

  Matt and TJ were already visiting. They were out on the deck with the barbecue warming up. Caleb had sought them out as a distraction. He hadn’t wanted to be alone with his thoughts.

  “Why?” he asked Noah, blown away by the statement. “What could have changed her mind?”

  He was thrilled, of course. But the turn of events was completely unexpected. They had a court date in the morning.

  “Reality, I think,” Noah said.

  Could it be as simple as that? Had the impending court date made her see reason? Finally? Caleb wanted to believe it, but something didn’t quite fit.

  “What did she say?” he asked. “How did she phrase it?”

  “Just that she thought I was right.”

  “I have you to thank?” Caleb asked.

  “Melissa agreed with me. So did her father, and it made me points with him, big-time.”

  Caleb had to smile at that. He was genuinely pleased for Noah. At least Noah was having success on the romance front.

  Caleb was having success on the business front. He should be thrilled. He really ought to be thrilled. He dragged open the glass door.

  “Hey, Noah,” Matt said as the two men stepped outside.

  “Hi,” TJ echoed.

  “Jules agreed to sell,” Caleb told them both.

  Matt grinned at the news. “Fantastic. Should I break out the single malt?”

  Caleb wasn’t ready to celebrate yet. “I can’t figure out why she did it.”

  “Because of her dad?” Noah speculated.

  “Her dad?” Matt asked.

  “He showed up today,” Caleb said, checking the temperature gauge on the barbecue then turning the knob.

  “Seriously?” TJ asked.

  “Did you see him?” Matt asked.

  “For a minute,” Caleb said.

  “What happened?”

  “We had words.”

  Matt gave a cold laugh. “I can only imagine. He hates you with a passion.”

  “He hates my father and grandfather,” Caleb said. “It’s not the same thing.” He paused. “It shouldn’t be the same thing.”

  “Close enough,” TJ said. “Beer’s in the fridge,” he said to Noah.

  “How much?” Matt asked.

  “Who cares?” TJ said.

  Caleb was inclined to agree. He’d pay any price she asked. He’d give her anything she asked. He wondered if there was any hope he could use his generosity to make peace with her. He was sure going to try.

  He opened the lid to the barbecue and began brushing the grills.

  “What are their plans?” Matt asked Noah as Noah returned to the deck.

  “Move back to Portland.”

  Caleb stopped brushing. “What?” He turned to look at Noah. “I offered them jobs.”

  Noah gave a shrug. “Jules was adamant.”

  “What about Melissa?” Caleb had been certain Melissa would want an opportunity at Neo.

  “She’s staying with Jules.”

  “What about you?” Matt asked Noah.

  “About the job offer...” Noah began.

  Matt gave a knowing grin and lifted his beer in a toast. “You’re going to Portland.”

  Noah gave a sheepish smile. “There are construction jobs in Portland. And her father doesn’t hate me.”

  “I’ll hire them both,” Caleb said.

  “You can offer,” Noah said, taking a seat. “But I wouldn’t put money on it happening.”

  “It’s the perfect solution.” Caleb looked to his friends, expecting their concurrence. “Their money problems are solved. They can stay in Whiskey Bay. They love Whiskey Bay.” Caleb was itching to go talk to Jules.

  Noah seemed to consider. “I’m not sure it’s about the money. I think the Crab Shack was Jules’s dream for an awfully long time.”

  “But...” Caleb tried to come up with a counter-argument. But unfortunately, he understood.

  The Whiskey Bay Neo location had never been about money for him, either. If it had only been about money, he’d have found another location in Olympia. For years, he’d pictured the exact restaurant in that exact location. It was the thing he’d built toward from the very beginning.

  He dropped into the fourth chair.

  Jules was abandoning her dream. A month ago, he’d have been celebrating. But now that was unacceptable. Sure, it was important to save Neo. But it was equally important to support Jules.

  “Caleb?” Matt prompted.

  Caleb looked up. “This can’t happen.”

  TJ cocked his head. “Since you just got everything you wanted on the business front, I’m assuming you mean Jules.”

  “I mean Jules.” Caleb saw no point in denying it.

  “You mean because you’re in love with her?” Noah asked. “Complicates things, doesn’t it.”

  “I’m not... Yes,” Caleb said to Noah, giving in to what could be the only truth to the situation. He loved Jules. “It does complicate things.”

  “What are you going to do?” Matt asked.

  Funny, when it came down to it, the question wasn’t even hard for Caleb. “I guess I’m going to lose a million dollars.”

  “Ouch,” TJ said.

  Matt laughed.

  “It’s about time,” Noah said.

  “What do you know about love?” Matt asked Noah.

  “Nothing yet,” Noah said. “But I’m trying hard to find out.”

  “I can still get you some new investors,” TJ said.

  “I don’t need them,” Caleb replied.

  For now, seventeen Neo locations were enough. His immediate plans had a whole lot more to do with his personal life than with his business.

  He realized he could lose the Whiskey Bay Neo and still not win Jules. She might not love him back. She might already hate him, and his eleventh-hour gesture might mean nothing to her. But he was still going to do it. If nothing else, she’d have her dream. She’d be here, and she’d be happy, and that would have to be enough for him.

  * * *

  Jules was beyond numb. It had been three days, and her mind still couldn’t comprehend the truth. The ocean roared in her ears as she made her way down the stairs from the driveway to her grandfather’s house. Or maybe it was panic roaring in her ears.

  She’d wanted medical confirmation. And a tiny part of her had still held out hope the test had been wrong. It wasn’t wrong. In fact, her hormone levels were so high the doctor had done an ultrasound.

  Jules was pregnant all right. She was very pregnant. She was twins pregnant, and she had no idea how she was going to explain it to her family. She could never tell her father this was Caleb’s baby. Babies. The knowledge would kill him.

  She should have listened to Melissa a long time ago and given up on the Crab Shack. She’d put her sister through so much unnecessary work, so many wasted expenses. Now Jules was going away forever, and Caleb was sure to bulldoze the place.

  “You got what you wanted.” Melissa’s voice carried from the porch up the stairs. “You won. You don’t need to rub it in her face.”

  “I’m not rubbing it in her face.” The sound of Caleb’s voice stopped Jules cold.

  “Our lawyer sent you our price,” Melissa said. “It’s nonnegotiable.”

  “I’m not here to negotiate, Melissa. I’m here to give you what you want.”

  Jules knew she should leave, but she couldn’t make herself move. She stared at Caleb’s handsome profile, unable to look away.

  “What we wanted,” Melissa
said, her voice going louder, “What Jules wanted was the Crab Shack.”

  “I know,” he answered. “And I’m here to give Jules what she wants. You can have the easement. You can build the Crab Shack. I’ll give up on Neo.”

  Jules let out a gasp.

  Caleb turned.

  He saw her, and his dark gaze pinned her down.

  “Jules?” Melissa peeked around the corner.

  “Jules.” There was a sigh of relief in Caleb’s voice, and he started up the stairs.

  Jules struggled to keep her voice even. She had to hold it together. “No.”

  His brow furrowed, clearly confused.

  “No,” she repeated, calling on her strength. “We don’t want the easement. The decision’s been made.”

  He drew closer. “Change the decision. You won. You win. I’m giving you everything you asked for.”

  He was clearly baffled, and he was annoyed. And she was in love with him. And she was never going to see him again.

  Melissa started up the staircase. “Jules?”

  “It’s not just about you,” Jules told Caleb. “It’s about my dad, and Melissa and me.”

  “But—”

  “Go away,” she told him as she leaned against the railing, trying to make herself as narrow as possible on the staircase. The last thing she wanted was for him to touch her on the way past. “Just leave me alone. I don’t ever want to see you again.”

  He stopped beside her. “Listen, Jules. I know I’ve been unreasonable.”

  “Didn’t you hear me?” Her heart was breaking, and she needed this to be over with.

  He stared at her in silence.

  Melissa’s voice was hesitant. “Jules? Are you okay?”

  “I’m fine. Completely fine. And I want to be alone.”

  She moved past Caleb, and she moved past Melissa.

  Caleb stayed put, but Melissa followed her down the stairs and into the house.

  “Jules?” Melissa closed the door behind them and touched Jules’s shoulder.

  Jules flinched.

  “What on earth?” Melissa asked. “Dad will get over it. This is our chance.”

  Jules knew she had to come clean.

  Tears threatened, and she sniffed.

  “Jules?” There was worry in Melissa’s voice as she came around to face Jules.

  “I’m pregnant,” Jules whispered.

  Melissa froze.

  Jules nodded, oddly relieved to speak the truth. “I’m pregnant with Caleb’s baby.”

  “That makes no sense.”

  “It happened in San Francisco.”

  “You made love with Caleb?”

  “He can’t know,” Jules said. “And Dad can never know. I’ll come up with a story, say it was a one-night stand with some other guy. He’ll be disappointed, of course.”

  “What?” Melissa was obviously astonished.

  “But he’ll believe me. He’ll have no reason not to believe me.”

  “Forget Dad. What about Caleb?”

  “He thought I was on birth control. I was. The hormone shots. But, I got mixed up.” She put a hand to her forehead. “I can’t believe I got mixed up.”

  “You’re going to lie to Caleb.” Melissa’s gaze went to Jules’s stomach. “You’re going to lie to him about his own child?”

  Children. It was children. Caleb’s children.

  Jules’s chest swelled with emotion that she couldn’t seem to make go away.

  “I’m not going to lie to him,” she managed. “I’m simply going to stay silent.”

  “You have to tell him, Jules.”

  “No.” Jules shook her head. She knew she was making the right decision. “I won’t. I can’t.” The only way this worked was if she disappeared from Caleb’s life and kept the secret forever.

  Melissa took Jules’s hand. She walked backward, leading her into the living room. Her voice went softer. “You’re not thinking straight, Jules. You’re in a panic. How long have you known? When did you find out?”

  “Three days. The day Dad got here.”

  “Sit down.”

  “You won’t change my mind.”

  “I won’t try to change your mind. For now, I’m just trying to calm you down. Being this upset can’t be good for the baby. Sit.” Melissa sat on the sofa and waited for Jules to follow suit.

  The baby. The babies. Melissa was right. Being this upset couldn’t be good for them.

  Jules’s legs were shaking. She sat down.

  * * *

  It took Caleb less than an hour to figure out his next move.

  It took him three more to make it to Portland and Roland Parker’s front door.

  When Roland recognized Caleb, he looked fully capable of murder.

  “Hear me out,” Caleb called as Roland started to slam the door in his face. “Please, just hear me out. For Jules’s sake, for Melissa’s and for yours.”

  “I’m not interested in a thing you have to say.” But Roland didn’t immediately shut the door.

  “I’m sorry,” Caleb said, speaking swiftly, knowing he had only one chance at this. “What my father did to you was unforgivable. My grandfather, too, for all I know. But that’s behind us. My grandfather’s dead, and my father is far away. I’m not them, and I want to make things right.”

  “There’s no way to make things right.”

  “Will you let me try? Will you give me ten minutes of your time? Ten minutes for me to make up for six decades?”

  Roland hesitated.

  “If you don’t like what I have to say, you can throw me out.”

  “I can throw you out anytime I want.”

  “That’s true, but I’m asking anyway.”

  Roland glared a moment longer.

  Caleb waited, edgy as the seconds ticked off. But then, to his relief, Roland’s expression softened the slightest degree and he stepped back.

  Caleb took the silent invitation and entered the town house. It was small, modest, with a slightly close musty scent. The furnishings were aged, and the carpets were dated. He couldn’t help thinking that Jules had grown up here. She’d grown up just shy of poverty, while Caleb had grown up with every advantage. A whole new kind of guilt weighed down on him.

  Roland didn’t ask him to sit down, so Caleb remained standing in the small foyer. He was relieved enough just to be inside.

  “I know there’s no way to make up for the past,” he opened.

  Roland grunted his agreement.

  “But I have a proposal for you.” Caleb found himself nervous.

  He’d negotiated dozens of high-cost business deals, managed countless crises, but this situation had him second-guessing every syllable that came out of his mouth.

  “It’s a partnership,” he told Roland. “A business partnership involving the Crab Shack.”

  Roland’s gaze narrowed and his lips pursed.

  “I know the restaurant belongs to Jules and Melissa. But I’m looking for your blessing.”

  “You won’t be getting anything from—”

  “Please.” Caleb held up a hand. “Fifty-fifty. Like it was before. Like it should be again. I’ll work hard. I promise you. I’ll work hard, and I’ll be fair to your daughters. I’ll be respectful and honest in everything I do.”

  “There’s no way I will ever trust you,” Roland spat out. “There’s no amount of money in the world that will put me back into bed with snakes like the Watfords. Is your father behind this?”

  Caleb could feel the plan slipping away from him. “My father has no idea that I’m here. He has nothing to do with my business. And he no longer has anything to do with Whiskey Bay. This is me and only me. May I finish my offer?”

  Roland c
ompressed his lips even tighter together.

  “I’m not proposing cash. I’m proposing a trade. Fifty percent of the Crab Shack for fifty percent of the Whiskey Bay Neo location. Both restaurants can thrive. Jules doesn’t believe me. She thinks Neo will take customers from the Crab Shack. I disagree, and I’m willing to back my belief.” Caleb stopped talking.

  Roland didn’t respond.

  Caleb was tempted to keep selling. But he’d made his pitch. More wouldn’t help. More might simply annoy Roland further. Caleb forced himself to let the silence stretch.

  Roland finally broke it. “What’s the catch?”

  “There’s no catch.”

  “You’re a Watford. There’s always a catch.”

  The catch was that Caleb was in love with Jules, and he intended to use their business partnership to romance her for as long as it took. But that was the future. That was his business. And he didn’t think Roland was anywhere near ready to hear news like that.

  “I brought the building plans for Neo,” he said instead. “If you’ll let me, I’d like to show them to you. And, if you’ll let me, I’d like to write you a check to hire a lawyer, any lawyer you want, to review the deal and make sure it’s fair to you and your family.”

  Roland’s expression went from suspicious to perplexed, and he braced a hand against the wall. “Why would you do all that?”

  “Because it’s right, and it’s fair, and it takes a lose-lose situation and turns it into a win-win. And because Jules told me a few things, about the past, about the Watfords.” Caleb paused, framing his next words. “As you might imagine, my father wasn’t completely honest with me about what happened. And though I have no proof either way, I believe Jules’s version, your version.” He paused again, giving his briefcase a little lift. “My father destroyed your dream. Let me give your daughter hers.”

  Roland’s gaze locked on the briefcase.

  Caleb took a chance, moving to the nearby kitchen table and opening the case.

  Roland didn’t stop him, so Caleb pulled out the plans, unfolding them over the woven place mats.

  “We’ve already done some work preparing the ground,” he said. “It’s bedrock under the building, but we’ll need to sink piles for the deck.”

  Roland came up beside him to look.

  “It’s two stories,” Caleb continued. “I don’t know if you’ve ever seen a Neo location, but the front windows are the signature feature. Well, along with the seafood.”