“With you being a terrific lady and me being one scared jerk.”
This was not a scenario that had been covered by any soap opera her grandmother had quoted philosophy from, or a situation that any friend had relayed to her. She thought of her best source of expertise on love and relationships. However, like everyone else these days, her friend Valerie Kincaid had made Jenny conscious of the fragility in the male-female cycle of bonding. Valerie and Lucas had been married for several years and of all people, Jenny had believed they had the “forever after” thing down pat. However, a few weeks ago Valerie had admitted that even she and Lucas were not quite the picture of harmony people thought. With a black cloud like that hanging over romance’s head, who had a right to hope for anything from this confusing situation?
“Look, McCord,” she began with a self-conscious laugh, “you don’t have to do this. We’re neighbors. I think your baby is adorable. And despite my behavior earlier, I am willing and able to help you. That’s all we need to cover if you like.”
“But what if I’m confused about what I like?”
Oh, brother.
Jenny drew a long breath and wished she had time to call Val. “Then take a few days to think about it.” She began edging toward the door, escape sounding particularly good to her. “Why don’t you call me when you come to at least one or two tentative solutions about Mary and we’ll discuss them.”
Before she got to the door, Mitch had circled her and was blocking her path. To her amazement, he took hold of her upper arms and gazed deeply into her eyes.
“Maybe we should discuss one or two things now.”
Then he kissed her.
Unprepared, for several seconds Jenny stared into the face so close to hers before realizing this was really happening. After all these years of wishing and dreaming.... And wasn’t it just like her, she thought, closing her eyes with chagrin, that her slow-witted response was to simply stand there like a piece of plywood?
No, you don’t, Jenny Stevens. You’ve waited too long for this!
With a happy sigh, she wrapped her arms around his neck and began kissing him back.
How strong he felt, and how warm and solid. She was almost tempted to open her eyes again to fully savor the moment, except that Mitch was moving his hands into her hair and slanting his mouth over hers for a more determined claiming. His hungrier kiss made it all but impossible for her to think, let alone rationalize clearly. Within seconds, every other kiss she’d ever experienced was reduced to being as stimulating as an obligatory handshake.
Before long her stomach clenched from a craving that had nothing to do with food. Yet she resisted yielding to necessity, wanting the moment to last for fear it might never happen again. In the end it was Mitch who saved her by tearing his mouth from hers to explore her cheek, her temple, and her chin.
“Sweet heaven, you taste good,” he whispered against her feverish skin.
His praise thrilled her almost as much as his caresses did. “So do you.”
That had him seeking her mouth again, and this time he nibbled at her, coaxing her to give him full access. With the blood rushing to her head, she yielded gladly, knowing she couldn’t have resisted if she wanted to. Then the kiss became a seduction, more gentle nips, sexy strokes of his tongue, and suckling kisses.
By the time he lifted his head, they were both breathing as if they’d sprinted around the New Hope High School track—and more than a few times!
“Man, oh, man...”
“What?”
“This is exactly what I was afraid of.”
Unwilling to be anything less than honest, Jenny replied, “I’m not sorry. I don’t want you to be, either.” She touched his strong, slightly whisker-rough chin with her index finger. “You’re a good kisser.”
“You’re the one.” But that comment came with a frown. “Who taught you?”
Now that was amusing—New Hope’s own Casanova being jealous of her limited experience. Smiling, she leaned back to bat her lashes at him. “McCord, I do believe it is ungallant to ask a lady such a question.”
“Especially when it’s me doing the asking,” he muttered, gathering her close again. “But damn, Jen, did what just happened affect you the way it did me?”
She knew she was being greedy, but she loved watching him as he dealt with his emotions. Besides, a woman would have to be crazy to grow tired of listening to him say lovely things to her. “What did you feel?”
“Blown away. Breathless. Perfect.”
“It was...something.”
“Yeah, something else. Now you know why I’ve been trying to stay away from you.”
“You couldn’t have known.”
“I knew. Suspected. Chemistry’s a weird thing.”
As his eyes grew almost smoky with renewed interest, Jenny moistened her lips. “So now what?”
“I don’t know. It would be a lie to pretend I don’t want you in my life, Jenny. I want you in Mary’s, as well.”
“Why do I hear a but?”
Concern added lines between his dark blond eyebrows. “You know why. It’s shades of the same old argument. We’re neighbors, and I’m not the kind of guy you should be getting involved with.”
“I don’t care how many women you’ve dated.”
“That’s only part of the issue. You’re too good a person to be trifled with.”
Her humor took on a wicked twist and she smiled impishly at him. “Are you thinking about trifling with me?”
“Dammit, you know what I mean. You deserve promises. I’m not about to make any.”
“I don’t recall asking you for a commitment,” she replied with a lift of her chin.
He ignored that. “It wouldn’t be fair to you. And on top of everything else, I haven’t even had a chance to get used to the idea that I may be raising a child.”
He needed time, that’s all. And considering the depth of the passion that had exploded between them, she was more than willing to give it to him, to give things a chance to evolve at a natural pace. “You haven’t succeeded in scaring me away yet, Mitch McCord, and you aren’t going to now. So why don’t you just try not worrying so much and take each day as it comes.”
He stroked her lower lip with his thumb. “God, forgive me for being a selfish lug, but I’m going to do that. And take advantage of your generosity. With one stipelation.”
“What’s that?” she asked, wishing he would stop talking and kiss her again.
“Let’s make a pact to take things really slowly. Kissing is good, but anything more is definitely off-limits. If I get...carried away, I want you to help me cool things down pronto. Agreed?”
“And if I get carried away?” she asked, indulging in the luxury of exploring the golden hair sprinkled across the broad expanse of his tanned chest.
He sucked in a sharp breath. “Jen...honey, I didn’t last six months in the Boy Scouts, so you’ll just have to be the disciplinarian for both of us, okay?”
If he thought she had that kind of endurance, he had one big surprise coming. Fortunately, before she could tell him so, he kissed her again.
Chapter Five
“There she is. Get the pew behind them.”
“She doesn’t look any different, Aggie.”
“Of course she doesn’t look any different, you ninny. It’s not her baby!”
For her part, Jenny found the awkward shuffling and whispers going on behind her amusing, but seated beside her, her grandmother bristled with indignation.
“You’d think some people would have a little more respect for being in a house of worship,” she whispered loudly out of the side of her mouth.
Jenny knew the comment was really for the three busybodies behind her, and held back a grin by bowing her head over the baby. Mary slept peacefully in her arms, despite the spirited psalm being played by the organist.
When Jenny had offered to keep the baby overnight because Mitch had been scheduled to participate in a charity tennis tournament in
Dallas today, she’d known appearing at church with Mary would raise eyebrows, especially since news always spread quickly through the small North Texas community. But Minny, Agnes and Ethel were ever on the search for new or expanded news. Jenny thought of them as the Three Musketeers of Gossip.
“They’re just curious,” she whispered back to her grandmother. “And I don’t mind.”
What concerned her more was that she could see Valerie entering the church, and despite waving, Jenny couldn’t get her attention. Val was dressed as lovely as ever, but she was very much alone in her pew on the far side of the church. Did that mean she and Lucas had quarreled again? Jenny willed her friend to look her way, but once settled, Val opened her bible and didn’t glance up until Reverend Borden took his place behind the podium.
That wasn’t to say that church didn’t prove a pleasant and rejuvenating experience. Reverend Borden’s sermon was on virtues and the need for more patience in this stressful day and age. But as Jenny suspected, she didn’t need to reach for much patience with Mary—the baby proved a perfect angel throughout the service. By the time they rose to leave, Jenny’s heart couldn’t have been more filled with pride for the infant if she’d given birth to the child herself.
Of course, Jenny knew better than to hope she could get out of the church without a confrontation with the eager ladies behind her. Her grandmother muttered as much as she followed Jenny out into the aisle.
“Why, Jenny Stevens,” Agnes gushed, placing a crocheted gloved hand to her flat bosom. She was always the leader and instigator of the group. “What precious tidbit do you have there?”
“Since when did your eyesight go bad, Agnes?” Jenny’s grandmother snapped, glaring at the taller woman.
“I was only making polite conversation, Fiona. Since when did you get so sensitive? You have nothing to be ashamed of—that is, if rumor proves accurate.”
“Humph,” Fiona muttered. “And just who started those rumors?”
Knowing that if she didn’t do something, her grandmother could happily butt heads with the Three Musketeers all day, Jenny spoke up. “This is Mary McCord, ladies. She’s Mitch McCord’s daughter and we’re baby-sitting while he participates in a charity function.”
“That’s just like you, Jenny,” Ethel said, beaming. “You’re always doing such nice things for other people.”
“When did little Mitchell McCord marry?” sweet, but slightly daffy Minny piped in.
Agnes elbowed the dainty woman. “Little Mitchell hasn’t, Min. That’s the point!” She then reached out to clasp Jenny by the wrist. “So how did all this come about, and who’s the mother?”
Although she couldn’t keep her eyes from twinkling with mischief, Jenny replied, “Oh, I imagine it happened the usual way, Agnes. Mitch isn’t quite the type to frequent the town sperm bank. Isn’t Mary adorable? Gran and I are always saying she has to be the most well-behaved baby in the history of babies.”
“It sounds as if you’re quite smitten, dear,” Ethel piped in, as sharp-eyed and smooth as Agnes.
“Oh, I am. No doubt about it.”
“But I don’t believe I heard what you said about the mother, dear,” Agnes interjected.
“That’s because I didn’t mention her, Agnes. It’s Mitch’s place to do that. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’d really like to say hello to a friend before she leaves.”
Confident that her grandmother could handle the trio, Jenny hurried across the church just in time to intercept Valerie as she tried to make her escape through a side door. Jenny caught hold of the shoulder strap on her friend’s bag.
“Hey, stranger? What gives?”
“Jen...hi.”
The weak response and overbright eyes confirmed Jenny’s suspicions that all was not right. “Is something wrong?”
“Oh...no. How’s it going?” Then her gaze focused on the small bundle in Jenny’s arms. “My goodness, what’s this?”
Had her friend been so out of it that she hadn’t listened to any of the phone messages Jenny had left her? “This is Mary McCord.”
“McCord... As in your neighbor, Mitch?”
Jenny nodded. “None other.” She quickly capsulized the story for her friend.
“You poor thing,” Valerie murmured, reaching across the baby to give her a belated but careful hug. “Are you okay with all this? Heaven knows, you look absolutely... glowing.”
Because it was Val who asked, Jenny found it easier to be direct. “Surprisingly, I’m okay. Granted, I’d have been a good deal happier if this was my baby, but seeing how torn Mitch has been over the situation—”
“You and your Mitch.” Valerie sighed, her expression gentling and yet growing more sad than ever. “This goes above and beyond the call of good-neighborliness or unrequited love, Jen.”
“But he cares,” Jenny insisted. “This shock has really spawned a change in him.”
“You think so?”
“Anyone can see it. He has a clarity and sensitivity that either wasn’t there before or that he’d denied. Oh, I’m not pretending he’s changed completely. I wouldn’t want that even if it was possible. But, Val, do you know what? He admitted the other day that he’s always had feelings for me.”
“I never doubted that. He worked too hard to deflect your attention. But he has an odd way of exposing his feelings now—not to mention pretty bad timing.”
This was nothing Jenny hadn’t heard before. “He’s admitted as much, Val. And he hasn’t tried to underplay the seriousness about anything that’s happened.”
“Then why the years of being so standoffish, even rude?”
“You know what I told you about his background. His parents’ ugly divorce, the way they used him as a pawn to control and hurt each other, as if he had no feelings and needs of his own. He doesn’t trust in his ability to overcome his past fear and resentment to be a fair and whole partner to someone.”
“Marriage is difficult enough without taking on those handicaps. You deserve more, Jenny.”
“No. In any case, I want Mitch. What’s more, I believe I can help him, because I’ve seen and understand what he’s been through. I know what he needs.”
Valerie’s smile was forced. “I wish I could agree, but I’m afraid you might be setting yourself up for major disappointment. At least promise me you’ll take your time, Jen. Make sure you two are truly on the same wavelength before you risk your heart completely.”
Once again Jenny felt an overwhelming sadness underscoring her friend’s words. “Why are you acting like this? Don’t tell me it’s simply about me and my dreams, either. It’s you. Where’s Lucas these days? And why haven’t you returned my calls? What’s going on, Val?”
Valerie looked away, a flash of poignant pain making her eyes bright with tears. “Explaining that would take more than a thirty-second sound bite, pal of mine. Can I take a rain check? I really do have to go.”
As Valerie left, Jenny stood there, amazed. Val had never been one to cut any conversation short, usually enjoying their chats as much as she did. In fact until recently they were known to touch base by phone or in person nearly every day.
Jenny reunited with her grandmother and as they were settling into the van they used as a delivery vehicle and to pick up supplies, she voiced her concern. “I’m worried about Valerie.”
“Everyone has problems these days.” Fiona reached over to pat her on the shoulder. “I’m more concerned with the gossip going on around town about Mitch. Well, you and Mitch. You just make sure to ignore those female barracudas, especially that Agnes. That woman’s always taking two and two and getting five out of things. I told her just because we don’t want to discuss the baby’s maternity, doesn’t mean Mitch got the child as a result of some sperm bank foolery or something more outlandish.”
“Oh, my. I didn’t know the stories were getting that creative.” But as Jenny thought about the congregation’s general attitude, she decided that despite her grandmother’s fretting, most people had been r
ather nice, once she’d explained she was just baby-sitting and didn’t know many details herself.
She drove home with the mid-August sun illuminating a rejuvenated North Texas countryside. It had rained again in the past few days, and the ripe-wheat color that had been taking over the landscape due to the heat and dryness was yielding to a greener tint. Jenny hoped things would stay moist enough for them to enjoy a little fall color. They could never compete with the golden aspens in Colorado or the yellow and orange maples and oaks in New England; but when nature was benevolent, the flowering pear trees resembled Olympic torches lining streets and surrounding homes and office buildings, while the maples and sweet gum trees provided seasonal accent in rural areas.
As Jenny drove, her grandmother chattered aimlessly, not expecting a response, but merely venting her thoughts. That allowed Jenny to follow her own musings... so much so that she was slow to realize, upon their return home, that a strange car stood in Mitch’s driveway.
She pulled into her driveway, her heart leaping into her throat out of concern. “Who could that be?”
“Where’s Mitch’s car?” her grandmother asked right afterward.
Jenny was about to tell her that surely Mitch had already left for the tournament when he emerged from his house and walked over to open the driver’s door for her.
“Well, hi,” she began. “Aren’t you supposed to be gone by now? And what’s happened to your car?”
Beneath his ever-neatly-trimmed mustache, his mouth twisted into a grimace. “Would you believe the water pump broke as I pulled out of the driveway?”
“Oh, no!”
“Don’t I always say those fancy cars are nothing more than expensive toys?” Her grandmother pointed at Mitch, her silver charm bracelet tinkling. “You tell me I’m wrong now, Friendly Skies!”
Mitch gave Jenny a look that said he wouldn’t consider it. Then he added, “The good news is that the dealership was great about picking it up and bringing over a sedan.”
“Well, you are a devoted customer.” She didn’t think he kept any one car for more than sixteen months before turning it in for a newer model. She followed him around the van and watched him unstrap Mary from her car seat. “Wait a minute, what are you doing? If you’re late, you should be—”
Baby In A Basket Page 7
