After he shot a three pointer, Baron jogged to her side, looking all delectable and sweaty, and stole a kiss. Kara’s ears grew hot as the women cheered and the men teased Baron. She only felt better when the other men took advantage of the moment and ran to their wives for kisses.
A gorgeous guy with twinkling gray eyes claimed Ashley’s lips, his hand gently rubbing her stomach in a telltale sign. Could Ashley be pregnant? Kara wasn’t the only one watching them. The other women whispered and grinned.
She pulled her gaze away from Ashley and her man to find a tall guy bent over Jade. He was huge. Adoring was the only way Kara could describe the expression on his face before he kissed Jade. He took his time too, causing a few nearby older women to fan their faces. Both men lingered after they were done, until their women shooed them back to the game.
“You guys are making Faith look sad and pathetic,” a woman a few chairs away said. She was stunning, but there was something cruel in her gray eyes. “You should have sat with Mom and Sean,” she added, cocking her brow at Faith. “You could have gotten a kiss too.”
Faith gave a visible shudder and glanced at a distinguished older man seated across the court with Vivian Fitzgerald. Kara hadn’t been introduced to the man, but there was something familiar about him.
“Ignore her,” Ashley whispered.
“Sean was asking for you,” the woman continued, the others beside her looking uneasy. “He specifically came today because of you, Faith.”
Jade muttered something under her breath and turned toward the woman. “Olivia, let’s try to be less bitchy for just one day. You might not have noticed, but we have a guest.” She nodded toward Kara.
“Yeah, Baron’s employee,” Olivia said dismissively. “She’s—”
“Shut up.” Faith whipped around, yanked her sunglasses off, and glared at Olivia with narrowed eyes. “You have the manners of a baboon. Just because you’re miserable doesn’t mean you have to take it out on others. You want to have a go at me, bring it on. We’re next.”
Olivia glared right back.
“And FYI,” Jade added. “You mess with Baron’s girl, you mess with him.”
“The game, Olivia,” Faith said through gritted teeth. “Let’s go.”
“Fine.” Olivia got up and started for the house. Faith threw Kara an apologetic look and followed.
“Sorry you had to hear that, Kara.” Jade’s gaze moved from her cousin’s retreating back to Kara. “Baron said you met Aunt Viv.”
Kara nodded and hoped her grimace didn’t show.
“Olivia is her daughter,” Jade added with a resigned look on her face as if to say, ‘they’re our family skeleton.’
“I can’t believe they dared to invite Sean after what he did,” Jade whispered, her eyes on her fiancé. “Can you believe Aunt Viv went behind my back and asked Vince to convince me to allow Sean to design my wedding dress?”
Ashley’s eyes widened. “No, she didn’t.”
“Faith is designing my gown just like she did yours.” Then, as if remembering Kara’s presence, Jade glanced her way and made a face. “Sorry about the drama. We’re not always this bad.”
“Oh yes, we are,” Ashley contradicted her. “She might as well know what she’s getting herself into. We have a few rotten apples we can’t get rid of.” Her attention shifted to the players.
Kara sighed. Somehow, she had to dissuade them from the idea that what she and Baron had was a serious relationship. Before she could speak, Jade whispered something, got up, and left. Then Ashley visibly tensed and clutched her stomach.
“Are you okay?” Kara asked.
Ashley gave her a radiant smile. “It’s the baby. It kicked.”
“How far along are you?” Her stomach was flat, just like Briana’s.
“Almost sixteen weeks.” She glanced around then leaned closer and whispered, “Other than Aunt Estelle, Faith, Jade, and of course, Ron, no one knows yet.”
She was wrong. The way she kept touching her stomach, the other women had to be blind not to know, or at least guess. Kara couldn’t help comparing Ashley’s glowing face to Briana’s belligerent one of a few days ago. Thank goodness her sister had finally come to her senses.
“You don’t show at all,” Kara said.
“You think so?” Ashley beamed and patted her stomach. “Jade’s wedding is in a few months and I plan to be a bridesmaid. I hope I won’t show too much.”
By then, Kara would no longer be part of Baron’s life. Regret washed over her. As though her thoughts conjured him, Baron flopped on the grass beside her chair. Drenched in sweat, tanned skin glistening in the afternoon light, he looked totally gorgeous and happy.
Without thinking, she swiped at the sweat on his forehead, looked up, and caught a group of older Fitzgerald women watching them. She froze. They grinned. Before she could pull her hand away, Baron caught it and brought it to his lips, pressing a kiss on her wrist. Kara’s entire body flushed.
“Are you done playing?” she asked and gently tugged her hand free.
“Yes, it’s the women’s turn. I’m going to shower and change. You want to join me?” He wiggled his brow.
Ashley chuckled.
Kara, shocked by his boldness, could only gawk.
“Just kidding, baby. Keep a place for me during dinner.” He squeezed her hand and took off only to be replaced by Ashley’s husband.
Ron kissed Ashley again, sat, and spread his hand over her stomach.
“Everything okay?” he whispered.
She covered his hand and whispered back, “We’re fine. He’s proud of his daddy’s mad skills.”
“She had better be. I plan to make her the best ball player this family’s ever had.”
“He,” Ashley insisted, giggling, then pulled his hand from her belly and turned to Kara. “Honey, I want you to meet Kara Michaels, Baron’s girl. Kara, my husband, Ron Noble.”
“Welcome to the family, Kara,” Ron said, his eyes twinkling. “Have you met the Grinch yet?”
“Ron!” Ashley reprimanded him, though her mouth twitched. She gave Kara an apologetic glance. “He means Aunt Viv.”
Kara grimaced. “Yes, Baron introduced us. But I’m just a guest, nothing more.”
Ron exchanged a look with Ashley that clearly said otherwise then he looked at someone over Kara’s shoulder. “Are you looking for Jade?”
“Yes. Where did she go?”
The owner of the deep voice came into view. It was Jade’s fiancé. His penetrating eyes scanned the people in the backyard, vigilance written all over him.
“She went to change for the game,” Ashley said.
“Like hell,” he muttered and took off.
“That,” Ashley explained to Kara with a grin, “is Vince Knight, Jade’s fiancé. She has a heart condition, so he tends to be a bit overprotective. Who do you think will win?” she asked, looking at Ron. “I bet on Jade.”
“I don’t take sides, sweetheart, except when it comes to yours. I need to hit the showers.” He dropped a kiss on her forehead, glanced at Kara, and said, “It was nice to meet you, Kara,” then turned to follow Vince.
Ashley swatted his butt and giggled, causing Ron to throw her a naughty glance. A silent message passed between them, and Ashley’s cheeks turned red. Her eyes still twinkled when her gaze connected with Kara’s.
“Vince is all bark, but he’s a total softy when it comes to Jade. He’s going to watch her like a hawk the entire game. It’s rather cute.”
There was nothing soft about Vince Knight. And calling him cute was like saying a caged tiger was domesticated. He exuded raw power and had a palpable presence. As for Ashley and Ron, Kara had never seen a more perfect and happier couple. She wanted what they had. With Baron. The way he swooped down and flew her to San Diego, he already had the hero thing going.
“So,” Ashley said, drawing Kara’s attention. “Tell me more about your store.”
Kara was in the middle of sharing her vision when the applaus
e drew her attention. The female players walked into the court. Faith and her team, which included Jade, whispered among themselves and grinned. They looked stylish in navy blue pants and blue and white shirts. Olivia and her girls in green and yellow conferred at the other end of the court. Other than Vince, who kept his gaze on Jade, no one else seemed to be aware of the tension among the players. Or if they did, they didn’t show it. That changed when the game started.
At first, their supporters cheered with each score and block. Both Olivia and Faith were good players, but they were so determined to outdo each other the game became about them. The cheering stopped. Head shakes and private conversations followed. Ashley watched the game with a scowl.
“It’s only a game, sweetheart,” Ron said when he joined them, trying to tease her out of annoyance.
“It’s not,” Ashley snapped. “They should take a leaf out of Chase and Baron’s book.”
“Punch it out in the boxing ring?” Ron suggested.
“Don’t remind me.” She sighed then glanced at Kara and made a face. “Your man and his sidekick twin took Ron and Vince to their boxing club for a smack down as soon as they were introduced to the family. According to Chase, Ron and Vince needed to understand what will happen to them if they didn’t treat us right.” She rolled her eyes.
“We were bonding,” Ron corrected.
She caressed his cheek. “You came home covered with bruises.”
He kissed her palm. “We all had battle wounds, sweetheart. It was great. That’s why I’m a member of the club now.”
“I hate that place. But we’re digressing. What I meant to say,” Ashley said and looked at Kara, “is Faith and Olivia should resolve their differences privately. This public display is awful. And just so you know,” she added softly to her husband, “I haven’t forgotten what those two did. They promised to make it up to me and I mean to collect in full.”
“Make them godfathers to our daughter,” Ron teased.
Ashley shuddered. “Our son around those two? No way.”
Kara hid a smile at their exchange. From the way Baron handled her sister in San Diego, he would make an amazing godfather. And father, a voice whispered inside her head. Not liking the direction of her thoughts, Kara shifted her attention to the other Fitzgeralds.
Across the court, Viv and her guest watched the game intently. Kara still couldn’t place the man, yet there was something familiar about him. When Faith threw a three-pointer, he jumped to his feet and cheered, drawing attention.
“Who is he?” Kara finally asked.
Ashley followed the direction of her gaze. “That’s Sean, a designer my aunt took under her wings years ago.”
Recognition filtered in. Sean O’Neal wasn’t just any designer. His haute couture gowns were worn by celebrities and European royalty. From what she knew about him, which was from fashion magazines, his base was in Dublin, Ireland, but he had showrooms in New York and L.A. From the earlier conversation between Faith and Olivia, Sean and Faith had a history.
The shrill whistle of the ref resounded and signaled half-time, yanking Kara back to the game. She had no idea who was winning.
***
Baron wrapped a towel around his waist, paused by the window of his old bedroom, and looked into his family’s backyard. The second half of the women’s game was picking up. It was hard to imagine this was Kara’s first picnic with his family, she looked comfortable.
Kara and his cousin were having a deep conversation. From their animated faces, it had something to do with art. Ron’s attention was on the game, but his arm rested possessively on Ashley’s lap. He had the relaxed look of a happy man. From what his mother told him last night, Ron had every right to be content.
Vince, on the hand, looked like a man sitting on hot coals. Baron followed his gaze to… What the hell was Jade doing playing basketball?
“Done already?” a voice said from behind him.
Baron turned and glanced at Lex. “Do you know Jade is playing?”
Lex nodded, coming to stand by Baron. He watched the players. “She’ll be fine.”
“You sure?”
“Knight will make sure of that. Just like he’ll make sure she comes to no harm when they’re in Sri Lanka.”
Baron frowned. “Sri Lanka?”
“For her sabbatical, Jade decided to join an archeological team after their honeymoon.”
“I had no idea. When did she decide to do this? What does Mom think about this?”
Lex chuckled. “Jade is her own woman, and this is something she’s always wanted to do. Mom’s thoughts don’t matter.”
Baron had to keep reminding himself that Jade had a decent man watching over her. They’d shouldered that responsibility for so long it was hard to let go. On the other hand, his older brother did it with annoying ease. Typical.
“Didn’t see you play. Planning on a later game?” Baron asked.
Lex shook his head. “Nope.”
“Afraid we’d whoop your ass and make you look bad in front of your little brothers?” one of their cousins teased as he headed toward the bathroom Baron just left.
Lex laughed. “Your game is so lame, Eddie, you’d never come close to whooping anything.”
Eddie laughed and disappeared inside the bathroom. Baron studied his brother. With his dimples and black eyes, broad shoulders and tree trunks for legs, Lex favored their father in looks, something Baron and Chase used to envy. Lex was the ultimate big brother: serious, ultra-responsible, and steadfast. Today he looked more aloof than usual.
“You all right, man?”
Lex slanted him a glance and nodded. “Yeah, just a lot on my mind. Is Kara enjoying her visit?”
Baron’s eyes strayed to where Kara sat. “Yes. She’s amazing.”
“I heard about her and Aunt Viv.”
“From who?”
“Aunt Viv herself. She says Kara has backbone, that you’ve picked a winner.”
Baron laughed. His aunt was so unpredictable. “She said that?”
“Yep. I agree with her.” Lex slapped Baron on the back. “I’ll go say hello.”
Baron didn’t leave right away. He waited and watched until Lex joined Kara’s group. His brother said something that caused both women and Ron to laugh. Vince’s gaze didn’t shift from Jade. Kara might not be ready to hear the truth but she belonged here with him and his family. They already love her.
Baron changed and left the room. Voices reached his ears when he reached the upstairs landing. Cocking his head, he followed the sounds to the barely closed upstairs library.
“Are you sure this is how Baron wants to handle this?”
Handle what? He recognized his Uncle Mo’s deep baritone. Morris “Mo” Fitzgerald was a litigator, a tort king whose law firm thrived on class action suits against big companies.
“Not really.” His mother’s voice was unmistakable. “I wanted to wait until after dinner before talking to him. This is the kind of craziness that could spoil anyone’s day.”
Baron pushed the door to find his uncle and his mother seated on a couch, a newspaper opened between them. “What’s going on, Mother?”
Without a word, Estelle picked up the newspaper and offered it to him.
Something clenched inside Baron’s gut when he saw the title. Stu Slugger’s Rival: Valerie Granger’s Secret Lover. He studied the images on the front page. There were three of them, each showing him with Valerie in what appeared to be a close embrace. Flashes of the meeting at the San Diego Airport zipped through his head even before he found the page with the story and more pictures.
“I should have known,” he said after he finished reading. The writer had dredged up old history to sell this poor excuse of a newspaper. His engagement to Valerie, the break-up, her immediate marriage to his friend, and of course, the secret affair he was supposed to be having with her now. Baron grimaced. At least they hadn’t mentioned the pregnancy and the abortion.
Baron looked at his mother and un
cle. They watched him with unreadable expressions. “You do realize these are lies.”
Estelle nodded her head vigorously. “Of course, sweetheart. You’d never have anything to do with that woman, which means the pictures are forgeries.”
Baron dropped the paper on the coffee table and pinched the bridge of his nose. “No they’re not. Yes, the backgrounds on some of them have been altered, but I ran into Valerie Wednesday night at the airport in San Diego. She waylaid me and apologized for her past behavior.” He mentioned how Valerie had looked ill, the clicking sound of a camera when he tried to help her, and seeing her later with Stu. “She must have staged the whole meeting while her accomplice took pictures. Either she’s pressed for cash or she’s running a scam.”
“Not only are we suing the paper, we’re going after whoever sold them the pictures.” Eyes narrowed, Estelle turned to Uncle Mo. “If Valerie is behind this, she must be punished.”
“No. No one is suing anyone, Ma.” Baron shook his head. “Editors, even tabloids newspaper ones, protect the identity of their sources. As for Valerie, I don’t want any part in whatever game she’s playing. Forget about her.”
“But why? Just think what this could do to your relationship with Kara.” Estelle didn’t look happy.
“Kara is too smart to be duped by this.” Baron squatted by his mother’s side and took her hand in his. “I have a chance to win her heart and I’d rather spend days, weeks, even months wooing her than fighting the editors of that tabloid and Valerie in court. Forget about Valerie, Ma. Forget about the pictures. For me and Kara.”
“Okay.” Estelle touched his face and smiled then glanced at Uncle Mo. “Call off your people.”
“We could still have fun putting the fear of God in them,” his uncle suggested.
Estelle shook her head. “I’m sure you have bigger game to catch, Mo.”
Baron kissed her cheek. “Thanks, Ma. You too, Uncle Mo.”
“No problem, son,” his uncle said.
Estelle patted his cheek. “Go. Dinner should be ready any minute.”
Kiss Me Crazy Page 22
