by Marie Force
He was a nice guy, and he’d be fine. It wasn’t like she’d gone out with him and made promises that she was now reneging on. It wasn’t like that at all.
Still, the lingering sense of having done the wrong thing stayed with her all morning as she worked side by side with Alex’s brother at the store until he felt she was adequately prepared to handle things on her own.
Paul was getting ready to head out to a job site when Blaine Taylor came into the store.
“Tell me you have good news for us,” Paul said to the police chief.
“In fact, I do. Your friend Sharon was apprehended in Massachusetts, and when she was told she faced malicious mischief charges as well as a potential civil suit, garnishment of wages and other unpleasant things thrown in to ensure her cooperation, she ponied up the password.” Blaine laid a slip of paper on the counter.
“Yes!” Paul said as he picked up the paper.
Standing next to him, Jenny laughed when she saw the password Sharon had chosen: AlexMartinezIsADick.
“Well, shit,” Paul said. “Why didn’t I think of that?”
The three of them shared a laugh that was interrupted when Adam McCarthy came into the store. “What’s so funny?”
When they filled him in, Adam joined in the laughter. “So much for my code-cracking skills. We should’ve started with that.”
“I can’t wait to tell my brother this one,” Paul said. “Please oh please don’t anyone tell him so I can fully enjoy it.”
“It’s all yours,” Jenny said.
“So I guess my services are no longer required?” Adam asked.
“If you could figure out if my laptop is salvageable, that would be a huge help,” Paul said. “I’d hate to buy a new one if I don’t need to.”
“Sure thing. Is it up at the house?”
“Yeah, I’ll take you up there.” To Jenny, Paul said, “Ready to fly solo?”
“I assume one of the others can show me the system.”
“Hey, Carly,” Paul called to one of the young women who was watering plants. “Can you please come give Jenny the 411 on the system for me?”
“Sure,” Carly said. “No problem.”
“All right, then.” Paul wrote something on a piece of paper and handed it to Jenny. “My cell number. Call me if you need anything.”
“I will. Don’t worry. We can handle things here.”
“Thanks again for this. You’re saving our lives.”
“Happy to do it.” And she was, Jenny realized. It felt good to be putting her skills and experience to work for people who truly needed the help. Not to mention, it felt doubly good to be doing something that would relieve just a tiny bit of the burden Alex carried. She knew he felt responsible for the debacle with Sharon, even if it wasn’t his fault. He’d done the right thing getting rid of her, and now Jenny would ensure this portion of their business was in good hands while they took care of the rest.
The morning flew by as Jenny familiarized herself with the routine at the store and got to know the young but enthusiastic employees. She took a break in the office and discovered a message light flashing on the phone. After debating for a minute about whether listening to their messages fell under her purview as the temporary store manager, she pushed the button and discovered thirty-six new messages.
Grabbing a pad and pen, she recorded every one of them, and then called Paul to update him on four of the more urgent messages, including the woman on Shore Point Road who had a family reunion this coming weekend and was still waiting for someone from Martinez Lawn & Garden to do the early-season cleanup of her yard that she’d scheduled in May.
“Shit,” Paul muttered. “I can’t remember the last time I listened to those messages. I’ll get someone out there.”
“We need to triage the rest of these,” Jenny said. “You’ve got a few more irate customers to deal with.”
Over the next thirty minutes, they worked together to come up with a plan to deal with all of the most urgent jobs.
“Can you please call Alex about the situation at the Gregory house?” Paul asked. “He can leave the Chesterfield place for another day, since no one lives there.”
Jenny’s skin tingled at the mention of Alex’s name and the anticipation that came with knowing she’d get to talk to him soon. “Sure. I’ll tell him. Would you like me to return the other calls and let them know we’ve got them on the schedule for the next week or so?”
“That’d be awesome. Thanks, Jenny.”
“Sure, no problem.” She programmed Paul’s number into her phone in recognition that she’d be talking to him frequently. And then she hit Alex’s number and waited for him to pick up.
“Hey, baby. How are you?”
She wanted to sigh with pleasure at the sound of his gruff, sexy voice. “I’m very busy at my new job. How are you?”
“I’m hoping you’re going to visit my secret garden again today.”
“No such luck, I’m afraid.” She told him about the call from Mrs. Gregory and Paul’s request that Alex get over there today to get their yard ready for the family reunion. “Be prepared for them to be pretty pissed. They’ve been waiting since May.”
“Shit,” Alex said with a groan. “Well, at least I’ve got tonight to look forward to and last night to think about while I work.”
“Are you thinking about last night?” Jenny asked as a smile spread across her face.
“Nonstop. I think about you all the time.”
She’d never been with a man who was so free about how he felt. Even Toby had been less forthcoming at the beginning of their relationship, to the point that she had to drag everything out of him. Not Alex. If he thought it or felt it, he said it, which she appreciated. That quality made it easy for her to know where she stood with him.
“Still there?”
“Yes.”
“Am I overwhelming you with my bluntness?”
“Not at all. I was just thinking that I rather like knowing where I stand with you.”
“You’re right up at the top of my list, babe. We’re good for tonight?”
“We’re good.”
“I’m literally counting the minutes.”
“So am I. I’ll see you at seven.”
“See you then, and tell Paul I’ll take care of the Gregorys.”
“I will.” Jenny waited for him to end the call. “You’re supposed to hang up now.”
“I don’t want to.”
He made her melt when he said things like that. “You have work to do, and so do I.”
“I know.” Still he didn’t hang up.
“I’m going now.”
“Not yet.”
“Alex…”
“Jenny…”
She sighed with pleasure and exasperation and anticipation—so many things she hadn’t felt in such a long time. “The store phone is ringing. I’ve got to go, or I’ll get in trouble with my bosses.”
“All right. If you’re going to be that way about it. Talk to you later.”
“Yes, you will.” Jenny ended the call with him and grabbed the ringing phone on the desk. “Martinez Lawn & Garden.”
“Finally, a person answers the phone there.”
That was the first of many calls she handled from disgruntled customers. She apologized to each of them for the delay in hearing back from the company, assured them they were on the schedule and promised to call in the next couple of days with more definite times to expect the landscapers.
She talked to Paul at least six times about some of the more unhappy situations and helped him to come up with a schedule for their work force that addressed the angriest customers first. By the time Paul arrived at six to help her close the store, Jenny had a splitting headache and was in bad need of a drink, but at least she felt she’d made a worthwhile contribution.
“Did you have a good day, dear?” Paul asked with a smile and eye roll.
“It was positively awesome.”
“Sorry you got hit wit
h a pile of shit on your first official day. I’ve been avoiding the voice mail for a while now.”
“No, really?” Jenny said, grinning. “I never would’ve guessed that.”
“You were a very good sport, and I greatly appreciate it.”
“No problem. But you offer hazardous duty pay, right?”
“Does beer count as hazardous duty pay?”
“Tonight it does.”
“Stand by.” Paul went out to the greenhouse and returned with two cold bottles. He opened them and handed one to Jenny. “Here’s to shit days.”
“I’ll drink to that. So you’ve got a secret stash, huh?”
“Shhh, the college kids haven’t found it yet.” He walked her through the procedure for closing the store, accounting for the money and preparing for the next morning.
At six-thirty, Alex came in looking filthy and worn out and annoyed to find her alone in the store with his brother, or at least that was how it seemed to her.
“What’re you still doing here?” Alex asked her.
“Finishing a couple of things.”
“Let her go home, Paul. She’s got plans.”
“We’re almost done.”
“She’s done now.”
As the brothers engaged in a visual standoff, Jenny held up her hands, hoping to diffuse the tension. “Alex, go take a shower. Paul, finish your sentence, and then I’ll go home.”
“It’s okay,” Paul said. “He’s right. It’ll keep until the morning. Thanks again for everything today. You moved mountains, and I appreciate it.”
“I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“I’ll be shocked if you show up.”
“I’ll be here just so I can shock you.”
Paul smiled and downed the rest of his beer. “I’ll look forward to that.”
To Alex, Jenny said, “I’ll be ready at seven.”
His face set in an angry-looking expression, he nodded but didn’t say anything. He kept his gaze fixed firmly on his brother.
As she drove out of the parking lot, thinking about the stormy way he’d looked at his brother, she hoped she hadn’t done more harm than good.
***
“What the hell was that all about?” Alex asked Paul the minute they were alone.
“What was what about?”
“You and Jenny and a cozy after-work beverage while you breathe down her neck.”
“What the fuck are you talking about? We were working! And if you’ll recall, it was your big idea for her to work here. Am I not allowed to talk to her because you’re banging her on the side?”
Alex saw red and moved before he took a moment to consider what he was about to do. He grabbed his brother by the T-shirt and jacked him up against the wall, smashing two vases in the process.
“What the fuck is wrong with you?” Paul asked as he twisted his way out of Alex’s grasp. The bastard was a lot stronger than he used to be.
“She is mine. You got me? Mine.”
“I never said otherwise! You’ve lost your mind if you think there was anything more to what you saw than two colleagues enjoying a beer after a particularly hideous day.”
“You were standing right next to her.”
“Because I was helping her with the fucking computer, you asshole.”
“That’s not how it looked to me.”
“Are you listening to how ridiculous you sound? I never laid a hand on her, and I wouldn’t, because I know you’re into her.” Paul ran both hands through his hair. “I don’t need this shit after the day I’ve had. You can take your accusations and go straight to hell.”
Oblivious to the mess they’d made with their brief altercation, Paul headed for the door.
“Wait,” Alex said.
Paul slowed, but he didn’t stop.
“Paul, wait.”
His brother stopped at the door but kept his back to Alex.
“I’m sorry. I was out of line. I saw you standing next to her, joking around and drinking beers, and I fucking lost it. I should’ve known you’d never do that to me.”
“You’re goddamned right I wouldn’t.”
“I’m really sorry,” Alex said again, hoping this time his brother would believe him.
Paul turned to face him. “So you’re in love with her, huh?”
Alex felt like his brother had gut-punched him. “No, it’s not that.”
“Isn’t it?”
Alex sagged against the counter. “I don’t know. It might be.”
Paul, that bastard, cracked up laughing. “You’re such a jackass, you know that?”
“Yeah, I know. I already said I was sorry. Twice.”
“For what it’s worth, I think she’s awesome. You should’ve seen what she got done around here in one day. It’s more than Sharon did in two months.”
“I’m not surprised.” Alex glanced at his watch. “I’m supposed to pick her up in like twenty minutes. Are you going to be home tonight? I should’ve checked with you before now.”
“Yeah, I’m home. No worries.”
“I owe you for all the time I’ve been spending with her.”
Paul waved him off. “No, you don’t. I’d never begrudge you the chance for some happiness in the midst of all the chaos. Just don’t forget we’ve got that meeting with Hope tomorrow at noon.”
“I haven’t forgotten. You’re meeting her boat?”
“Yeah.” Paul straightened out of the slouch he’d slipped into as he leaned against the door. “Oh my God, I almost forgot. The cops found Sharon and got the password. You’ll never guess what it was.”
“Do I want to hear this?”
Paul laughed—hard. “Probably not as much as I want to tell you. It’s AlexMartinezIsADick.”
Alex tossed his head back and laughed. “You gotta be fucking kidding me.”
“Nope, not kidding. I only wish I’d thought to try that. Should’ve been my first attempt.”
“You’re enjoying this a little too much.”
“I gotta get my jollies where I can.”
“Glad I was able to help.” Alex went behind the desk, grabbed a broom from the corner and started sweeping up the broken glass. He couldn’t believe the way he’d reacted to seeing Paul alone with Jenny.
“Hey, Al?”
“Yeah?”
“If you love this girl, don’t let her get away. She’s special.”
“I know.” While it pleased him that his brother could see that Jenny was special, it also infuriated him. However, he wisely kept that last part to himself. “Do you think it’s fair of me to be getting so involved with her?”
“What do you mean?”
“Mom and everything. It’s a lot to ask of anyone.”
“If she were the kind of person who couldn’t handle what you’ve got going on, you wouldn’t care about her as much as you do.”
“That’s true, but still…”
“I get where you’re coming from, but how long are we expected to put our lives on hold? For the rest of Mom’s life? There’s no right or wrong answer here. For what it’s worth, I say go for it. We’ll figure it out the way we have already.” Paul pushed open the door. “See you back at the ranch?”
“I’ll be right there.”
“Don’t forget to lock up.”
“Yes, Dad.”
Paul’s raised middle finger was the only indication that he’d heard Alex’s snide comment.
Alex swept up the glass, turned off the lights, shut down the computer and locked the main door. As he walked up the hill to the house, he thought about what Paul had said about timing and also tried to figure out why he’d gone so ballistic on his brother. He was about halfway home when it dawned on him. He was jealous—jealous of his own brother and the easy rapport he’d found with the woman Alex considered his.
“When was the last time you were jealous because of a woman?” If he were being truthful with himself, he’d never experienced that particular emotion before. He’d felt the same way the other night
when he heard her invite her old friend Jared James to visit her at the lighthouse. Alex had felt then like someone was peeling back his skin to reveal a rather ugly interior.
Jealous.
As he showered off the grime of the day and shaved, he thought about the other thing his brother had said, the part about Alex being in love with Jenny. Was that even possible so soon after meeting her? Yes, it was more than possible, he decided. That realization had him questioning whether she felt the same way and what he’d do if she didn’t.
“Christ, you’ve got it so bad for her,” he whispered as the water cascaded down upon him. Was it too soon to tell her how he felt? Probably. The last thing he wanted was to scare her off by pushing her for more than she was ready to give. But maybe she was ready, too.
He had no earthly idea how to approach this latest dilemma as he wrapped a towel around his waist and reached for his phone to text her.
Running a little late. Will be there soon.
No worries, she replied. I’m running late, too.
No worries, he thought. That was an apt description of their relationship. It was easy and peaceful and calming and somewhat effortless. All of those things were exactly what he needed when he had so much else to contend with. Since the heat had finally broken, he pulled on faded jeans and a cotton button-down shirt that could use some time with an iron. Hopefully, Jenny wouldn’t care that he hadn’t taken the time to iron his shirt for her. He could always say he was in too big of a rush to get to her to bother ironing, which wasn’t far from the truth.
Alex combed his hair, brushed his teeth and splashed on a bit of cologne. Then he went out to the living room to spend a few minutes with his mother before he left.
When she looked him over from top to bottom, he could tell she was in one of her more lucid periods. “You look nice.”
