by Dani Wade
* * *
All the emotions and discoveries of the past few days had jumbled up inside of Jacob, creating a desperate need for activity. He’d chosen a doozy. Jacob pulled into the driveway leading to Blackstone Manor just a few feet ahead of the furniture truck from Booties ʼn’ Bunting. Good. He hadn’t wanted to miss the delivery.
By the time Aiden showed up, Jacob had supervised the unloading of all the furniture into the third-floor nursery. Jacob was there, surrounded by the parts of the sleigh-style crib he’d chosen, when his brother found him.
“Why is that the only piece of furniture that didn’t come assembled? You know they have people for that, right?” Aiden picked up a railing and twirled it, testing the weight.
Jacob immediately stole it back. “I wanted to do this part.”
His brother considered the room and all its new contents for a moment before turning back to Jacob. “This baby stuff has really gotten to you,” he said.
Jacob didn’t bother to answer. The evidence lay all around him.
“What about the woman? She get to you, too?”
Jacob really didn’t want to talk about that—or the lack of consensus over the care of their son, though he hoped to remedy that soon. But the few moments he’d spent with Carter—perfection.
Aiden crouched nearby, watching as Jacob finished sorting the parts and then started to assemble the crib. When he spoke again, it was in a more serious tone. “What’s it really like, Jacob?”
Jacob looked up, ready to throw out his usual flippant reply, until he caught sight of Aiden’s intensely curious gaze. A lot had changed about his brother since his forced marriage...or maybe Jacob was just getting to see more of the real Aiden. Either way, there’d been more moments like these in the past year than there’d been their entire lives.
“You mean with Carter?”
Aiden nodded.
“Scary,” he admitted as he tightened a screw. “Exhilarating, fun, messy...” He torqued another.
“Sounds a lot like marriage,” Aiden said with a grin, dropping to the carpet on the other side of the pile of crib parts.
Jacob thought of KC—how exciting it had been to be with her, addictive but unsettling, because she kept him so off balance. Not neat and tidy the way he’d set his life up to be. He’d thought he was the only man who felt that way. “I wouldn’t know,” Jacob said.
“Did I really just hear a man admit that he didn’t have all the answers?” Christina teased as she walked into the room. “Surely that’s a sign of the end times or something.”
She bent over to kiss Aiden, her wealth of deep brown hair sweeping forward. Then she straightened and looked around the room. Jacob followed her gaze, wondering if the medium green walls, light wood furniture and race-car theme would meet with a woman’s approval. His answer came with her smile.
“This is really beautiful, Jacob,” she said. “I’ll admit I couldn’t resist a peek when the painters were here. But this furniture—it all blends so well together.”
Aiden put in his two cents’. “That’s female speak for it matches.”
He ducked away from Christina’s swat, rolling across the soft new carpet with a laugh. Jacob couldn’t help but smile. He’d never seen two people so happy—especially not in this house. Miracles did indeed happen.
He thought he might just want a miracle of his own.
“So when is KC moving in?” Christina asked.
And that stopped the fun right in its tracks. “So far, she’s not.”
Christina and Aiden glanced at each other, sending a jolt through Jacob as he recognized that same form of unspoken communication he and KC were developing. Then Christina waved her hand around the room. “I don’t understand. What’s all this for if she and the baby aren’t going to live here? Is she refusing to give you a chance?”
When Jacob didn’t answer quickly enough, Christina gasped. “Jacob, you aren’t going to try to separate them, are you?”
He didn’t like the thread of panic in her voice any more than the panic rising in his own throat. Especially since he wasn’t sure whether it originated in thoughts of losing KC...or keeping her.
“We haven’t decided what we’re doing in the future,” he said, trying to smooth things over.
“Obviously you have,” she insisted, “or preparing this nursery would be completely pointless.”
“Christina, don’t interfere,” Aiden warned.
“How can I not?” she asked, trembling in her distress. “KC is my friend. I realize she made a tough choice, a wrong choice, but separating her from Carter wouldn’t fix that.”
“I’m not trying to punish KC. Or permanently take Carter from his mother.” Jacob glanced around the room, not able to put his thoughts into coherent words. Commitment with KC wasn’t even on the horizon, but already his love for his son had solidified. At least he could have this special place to start building his own family, even if he didn’t get the girl. “I’m not really sure what I’m doing here. I just...need this. And so will Carter, regardless of whether or not KC and I are together.”
Christina had a warning for him, though. “That may be all it is, Jacob. You may have no intention of doing any harm. You probably don’t want my advice, but there’s something your two testosterone-soaked brains need to realize,” she said, glancing at Aiden. “If KC sees this room, and it doesn’t come with some form of commitment to her, too, she’ll think one thing and one thing only. That her trust in letting you into her life with Carter was sadly misplaced because you planned to take her baby from her all along.”
Five
KC stood near the guard shack leading to the mill factory grounds, waiting for Jacob to make an appearance. It had been a week, and they still hadn’t come to a conclusion about custody arrangements. This couldn’t be put off any longer. While she dreaded the outcome, the wait was killing her. She couldn’t sleep for worry, and the last thing she needed with a baby and full-time job was no sleep.
That could make things very emotional, very messy.
Finally Jacob walked through the gates toward his Tahoe. The frown on his face spoke of deep thought, until he spotted her leaning against a tree near his vehicle. Then his stride turned determined, purposeful. Within a minute or two, he had pulled KC out of sight of the guard shack and urged her into the Tahoe’s front seat. Her door closed just as the bell rang for change of shift.
“Still ashamed of being seen with me?” she asked.
Jacob paused before putting the key in the ignition. “Do you want our former relationship to go public like this?”
Technically, he hadn’t answered her question, but she didn’t argue because he was right. She didn’t want whatever was between them to become public in a rush of twisted gossip. But she couldn’t wait any longer to ease the churning in her stomach. She wouldn’t admit to herself that his use of the word former made it churn that much more.
She didn’t speak as he started to drive. She just fidgeted in the seat of the Tahoe, watching as raindrops started to hit the window as he gained speed.
“What’s wrong?” he asked.
She forced herself to quit moving and speak her fears aloud. “Are you going to sic that lawyer on me?”
“You mean Canton?” He shook his head, his jaw tightening over his thoughts—whatever those might be. “No, KC. If he’s never near my son again, it will be too soon.”
That was promising, at least. “Another lawyer, then?”
“Why? Are you anxious to get it all in writing?”
Fear dried her mouth, postponing her response. After a moment, Jacob pulled over and turned to face her. The distance between them felt like miles instead of a few inches.
“Look. We can do this two ways.” That no-nonsense look on Jake’s face scared her even more. “We can dec
ide between us. Or we can involve a judge and a lawyer.”
And who would lose in that fight? She had a feeling she couldn’t afford the same caliber of lawyer as Jacob.
“Like your mom said, I’m a businessman. I’m used to covering my ass with a contract.” Despite his words, he reached out to push her hair back with his long fingers. The touch disconcerted her, bringing back feelings she’d rather leave buried.
His tone softened. “But this isn’t a company we’re talking about. It’s a person. You’ve already proved that you value Carter more than money.”
Startled, she met his inscrutable eyes.
“You could have had a lot of money and no hassle, but you chose to give birth to my son instead. I don’t agree with how you did it. I’m just grateful that you did.”
Her breath caught in her throat, but she finally murmured, “Thank you.”
For long moments the magic of communion whispered between them. KC’s heart ached for more, but anything more with Jake was just a dream. A dream she should have woken up from long ago.
Finally he turned back to look out the windshield; rain pounded heavily on the glass. “To keep this amicable, I think we can come up with a schedule between the two of us and each have our own time. Don’t you think?”
His words chased the intimacy away like wind against fog. “Wait. What?” she asked, shaking her head. “You want unsupervised visits?”
“No.” He drew the word out. “I want Carter to live with me.”
“Um, no.”
Jacob didn’t show a hint of anger, his face remaining blank. “Why not?”
She hated that he was so calm while she felt white-hot and shaky. “I’ve told you why, Jacob. I don’t know what kind of dad you’ll be.”
“How am I supposed to find out if you won’t let me?”
“We’ll find out first, then talk about you having Carter all alone.” She almost choked on that last bit, but forced it out. “Until then, you can see him at my house. We both can. That way I’ll know he’s okay.” And exactly where I want him to be. But she needed to speak logically, not basing her argument on emotions. “Besides, I have everything a baby needs at my house. You don’t.”
“Are you sure about that?”
Fear trickled over her as she pictured him standing over the beautifully carved crib at Booties ʼn’ Bunting. He sounded way too certain. What kind of plans had he been making while she’d been wallowing in fear?
“Well, Carter and I are a package deal right now. And I’m not moving.” This fight wasn’t one she was going to lose. So much of what she wanted had disappeared, but not Carter. Never Carter.
“Then I’ll come to you.”
That didn’t sound as good as she’d hoped. “What do you mean?” Oh, heck. Was she really starting to fidget again?
“I mean, I’m not settling for a three-hour visit once a week. I want to be with my son 24/7. If I’m not at work or in the shower, we’ll be stuck together like glue.”
She could feel her eyes widen. Seeing Jacob every couple of days was one thing. But constantly? “I don’t think this is the answer.”
He crouched closer, invading her space. “You’re lucky I don’t drag you and Carter to work with me. We are a family. It’s about time we started acting like one.” His eyes were dead serious. “It’s time to decide, KC. One way or the other. I’m either with him or calling a lawyer. Your choice.”
* * *
KC washed down the tables during the midafternoon lull. The bar was open for lunch on Saturday and did a pretty brisk business. She had a few short hours to get caught up on all the cleaning before the wildness of the evening began.
If only all the activity would drown out the worries over Jacob’s ultimatum. He’d given her twenty-four hours to decide. She knew what she wanted—Jake at her house, in her bed, becoming the true family she’d fantasized about. But that wasn’t what he was offering. And moving to Blackstone Manor...
The doorbell chimed as someone came into the bar. KC looked up, surprised to see Christina walking toward her.
KC’s classy friend had looked out of place the few times she’d been here. But she was friendly and always welcome. KC couldn’t think of a single person who didn’t love Christina. She epitomized the picture KC had of a true lady.
Their eyes met, and Christina sent a tentative smile across the distance between them. At least one thing seemed to be working out. If she could just figure out this situation with Jake...
“Hey, girl,” KC said. “You want something to eat or just a drink to cool off?”
“A drink would be nice. Thank you.”
Christina slid onto a bar stool with ease despite her pencil skirt. KC’s mom stayed and chatted for a minute before going back to washing dishes. KC poured up a tall sweet tea, knowing her friend didn’t usually drink alcohol.
“Jacob says you’re in a deadlock,” Christina said after a long swallow.
“Did he?”
That shouldn’t surprise her, but it did. Jacob didn’t seem the type to do the confiding thing.
Christina grinned, looking more than a little sheepish. “Actually, I overheard him telling Aiden, who was grilling him.” Her grin quickly faded. “Why don’t you want Carter at Blackstone Manor?”
“It’s not about keeping him from there, or keeping him from you. It’s about—”
She couldn’t force the words past her lips. This was about her heart, and not being able to trust Jacob with it. Which made it even harder to trust him with their son. The men who’d been a part of her life hadn’t cared a thing about her heart when they’d walked out the door. Would Jacob do the same to Carter once the novelty of being a father wore off?
She looked down to find Christina’s hand covering her own.
“I know,” her friend whispered. “Trust me. I know.”
Christina probably did. From what she’d told KC, she and Aiden had been through their own rough times before deciding they loved each other and wanted to stay married. KC was a little jealous of her friend’s happily-ever-after. Because she had to face reality instead.
“He’s not taking my child.”
KC wished she sounded strong and sure, but knew her voice was a little bit weepy, a little bit pained.
“And why should he?” her mother said, working her way back down the counter to the two of them. “I still say men aren’t to be trusted.”
Christina winced. “Ms. Gatlin, I don’t think Jacob wants to take Carter away. He simply wants a chance to get to know his son.” She spread her fingers wide, studying the ring on her left hand for long moments before looking back up. “Listen, I don’t know Jacob well, but I’ve seen him in action. He’s hands-on with his mother and has been for years. Most men can’t or won’t do that. Not even for family.”
She locked gazes with KC, her sincerity reflected in her expression. “I really think you can trust him.”
With Carter? Or with her heart? What was she thinking? Jacob had already taught her not to trust him with her heart. But Christina was right. All those visits home hadn’t been for KC. They’d been to visit Jacob’s mom, sometimes for doctor’s appointments, because she was sick or just to check in on her. Jacob cared about his family. And he knew how to take care of them. Shouldn’t she give Carter the chance to know his dad that her brother never got? That she’d barely had?
“I can’t risk coming to Blackstone Manor.”
“Why?” Christina asked.
KC threw a sidelong glance at her mother, then turned her gaze down to the bar top. “It would just be uncomfortable. I mean, he would never take me there before. Going there now? It would feel like—”
Her mother leaned in. “Turning into his mistress?”
“Mom!”
Her mother picked up Christina’s emp
ty glass. “Well, that’s what it would look like to everyone else.”
She had a point. “Well, he can come to my house.”
But her mother wasn’t done. “So you’re just going to take him back in your house, in your bed? Hasn’t our life taught you better than that? Don’t you remember how easy it is for them to walk away?”
“No, Mom. I haven’t forgotten. And don’t worry about the bed thing.” She forced the words out, even though she almost choked. “I don’t think I’ll be ready for that in a million years.” Please don’t let me make a liar out of myself. “But it could be fun to watch him squirm on the couch.”
Six
Jacob finished up a conversation with one of the line supervisors, then strode across a portion of the production floor that was down for maintenance. This company grew on him every day. Not because he had a passion for textiles, but because of the hardworking people. Some he’d known for years; some were part of a whole new generation coming to work at Blackstone Mills. For the most part, they were a dedicated bunch of locals who took pride in their product. Getting to know them better had been a privilege and a pleasure.
Now the question haunted him: Who would want to ruin all this?
Not far from him, a tall figure stepped out from a side aisle. Jacob had been so lost in thought, it took him a moment to recognize KC’s brother, Zachary. Jacob halted abruptly, bringing him within inches of the other man. They were about the same height, and Jacob met his challenging stare head-on. Great. Another family supporter. Not.
Jacob didn’t move, standing his ground with a level look. Since he’d moved into KC’s little house two days ago, her family hadn’t come around. Was this his official “talkin’ to”? Zachary studied him with those hazel eyes, so much like KC’s. Just as Jacob thought the tension might crackle in the air, the other man stepped back with a small nod. “Jacob,” he acknowledged.
“Zachary.” Jacob extended his hand for a firm shake. Neither he nor Zachary tried to assert too tight a grip. Just a simple acknowledgment of each other as equals. This might work out better than Jacob had hoped.
