by Erika Rose
“I’ll have it ready.” Mia said softly, realizing he had made his play.
“If you need to get new furniture or linen, I’ll leave a credit card for you on the kitchen counter in the morning.”
“Thank you.”
“Don’t bother with dinner tonight, I’ll throw something together myself.”
Mia nodded as Jason turned and walked away from her and all they had.
Chapter 13
“Mom, Dad,” Jason exclaimed as he pulled both his parents into a bear hug. “I’m so glad you’re here.” The past two days had been horrible. Mia had treated him with cool stares and short sentences, when his body all but ached for her. He had refused to phone Angelique, and strange enough she hadn’t even tried to phone him once. The purchase of the publishing company had gone smooth, and he was now the proud owner of Publishing House. It was hard to believe he had done the whole deal from Hawaii. He took in the soft floral scent his mother always wore and reveled in his father’s strong hug. If there was one thing the Pike’s had never had a problem with was hugging. His family was big huggers, and right now he needed nothing more. His father slapped his back a few times before pulling away.
“Well somehow the plane was overbooked and we were upgraded to first class.” His father sounded chuffed.
“Yes, it was lovely.” His mother crooned, but winked at Jason behind her husband’s back. When Jason had asked she had provided him with their ticket details, so he could arrange for the upgrade, of course his father was never to know about it. “Oh look dear, do you mind if I pop into the curio shop?”
“Sure, sure, you go on ahead, Jason and I will get the bags,” His father assured her.
“Bags? As in plural? You’re only staying for a few nights?” Jason asked confused.
“Oh come on son, don’t tell me you haven’t noticed. Women always pack for the unexpected. You know, funeral attire, wedding attire, meet-the-president attire, comfortable attire, dining-out attire, and between all that they forget to actually pack something they’ll wear, which means they have to go shopping anyhow.”
Jason laughed at his father’s description. As they approached the baggage carousel, Jason’s father leaned in. “So how’s the situation with the caretaker?” He whispered conspiratorially.
Jason looked at his father in surprise. He thought he had handled this. “There is no situation, dad.”
“That,” his father pointed a finger at his face, “Just that look, tells me there is a situation and you have no idea what to do about it.”
“Dad, don’t. Please don’t interfere, just leave it. I’m engaged to Angelique, there’s nothing else to discuss.”
“Discuss my ass, in my day we showed a woman how we felt.”
“Right, and did they also call it infidelity in your day?”
His father pondered on the thought for a moment, “Actually, no. Once you were married, yes. But come on, it was the seventies. We were wild and young.”
Jason couldn’t help but laugh. His father had always boasted about his wild seventies and yet Jason couldn’t imagine his father being young and carefree. He had always been the kind and caring old soul Jason had come to know.
Mia was finishing off the last touches for dinner when she heard the front door open. She had hoped to be finished before Jason’s parents arrived, but of course her luck had run out right about the same time she had let Jason walk away from her. She had lost her own credit card, her jeep had needed a new tire and just this morning she had burned herself with hot water in the shower. She knew the universe was trying to tell her something. It was simple. Ever since Jason had declared his love for her on the beach and she had shied away, she had been distracted. When an older version of Jason, tall and strong with graying hair and the same ice blue eyes walked into the kitchen, she wiped her hands on her apron and held out her hand in greeting. “Mia.”
A broad smile covered his face, “You take care of my son, you’re family. Put that hand away.” Before Mia could protest, he pulled her into a strong hug. Mia smelled the faint scent of Old Spice, and found the hug comforting. She had never known her father and for some reason being hugged by Jason’s father just made her realize all over just what she had lost. She swallowed back the emotion as he pulled away. “I’m Ted.”
“Pleased to make your acquaintance.”
“Oh Teddy, don’t overwhelm the poor girl.” A small woman softly slapped him on the shoulder. “She barely knows us.” Her hair was graying through the blonde, but it made her look even more sophisticated. She wore a bold red flowing dress with a lei hanging around her neck. “I’m Sandra, dear.” She took both of Mia’s hands in hers before continuing. “Don’t you mind Ted one bit, he always wanted a daughter. Luckily we’re getting one in a few months.”
Sandra caught the hurt that quickly flashed in Mia’s eyes, but preferred not say anything about here. Ted had never been impulsive and he was too set on coming to visit Jason, suddenly it all made sense.
Mia stepped away from Sandra and turned back to the salad she was busy with when Jason smiled at her. She turned away from his ice blue gaze, finding the whole situation impossible. “Jason, why don’t you show your parents to their room, I’m sure they’d like to freshen up. Then I’ll finish up down here, and get out of your way.”
Ted and Sandra both spoke simultaneously, “No join us for dinner.”
“Please do stay. You’ve gone through all this trouble.”
“Actually, mom…” Jason started.
“Honestly, we’d love to hear more about Hawaii from a local.” Sandra sent Jason a stern look, which he knew meant he was to keep quiet round about now.
He turned to Mia with a pleading look, “Will you please join us for dinner?”
Mia wanted to refuse, to tell him it wasn’t her place. But for some reason she heard herself answering, “I’d love to.”
Jason saw a look pass between his parents and suddenly it dawned on him, they didn’t miss him. They were here to see what was going on with Mia. He wanted to put them on the first plane back to the mainland, but on second thought, maybe they’d actually have some concrete advice for him, not that he’d ever accepted unsolicited advice in the first place.
“Mia, I could swear you’re a famous chef hiding out in Hawaii.” The compliment came from Ted as he finished off the last bite of his pulled pork.
Sandra laughed and put her hand on top of Mia’s as if she’d known her for years, “Actually, dear, the same goes for interior decorating. Mia dear, that bedroom…” She trailed off, and took a sip of her wine. “I only wish I had an eye for colors and textures like you do.”
Mia smiled basking in the compliments. She had never dined with her clients before, but somehow having dinner with the Pikes was comfortable. In a couple of hours they felt more like friends than family of a client. But then she hadn’t thought of Jason as a client since the first time he had kissed her.
“Actually, Mia’s a writer, and the caretaking job is more of a sideline.” Jason said as he looked at Mia with pride shining in his eyes.
“I don’t think it’ll amount to anything but I do enjoy it. I’m glad you enjoyed dinner. My last foster family taught me how to make pulled pork and I must say it’s always been one of my favorites.”
“It’s the first time you cooked it for me,” Jason complained with a teasing grin.
Mia wanted to come back with a witty answer, but kept quiet.
“Actually Jason’s latest acquisition was a…” Ted began.
“Dad, let’s not talk business around the table.” Jason shot a warning glance in his father’s direction. Ted caught on quickly, Jason didn’t want Mia to know about the publishing house; maybe he was afraid she would try to abuse his influence.
“Yes, please. Let’s don’t.” Sandra smiled and her eyes travelled back to the house as they were dining al fresco. “Jason, I can’t believe how much you’ve done with the house in such a short time. When you sent us the initial photo
s, your father and I were both worried you were in over your head.”
“Yes, I must say you’ve done me proud, son. Your ideas about basically demolishing half of it and rebuilding had me sleeping poor for weeks. It’s such a beautiful place, but you’ve done it proud.” Ted raised his glass to Jason.
“Actually, you should raise your glass to Mia,” Jason picked up his and raised it to her. “My initial plans were at best amateur. If she hadn’t all but scared away the first contractor I would’ve gone through with it.”
“I didn’t scare him away,” Mia protested.
“Yes you did.” He smiled fondly at Mia before turning to his parents, “I came home one day to find Mia in the living room shouting at the contractor. She was about to climb into the fireplace to protest it being broken down.”
“Well it didn’t go that far,” Mia laughed at the memory and her eyes found Jason’s.
Both Ted and Sandra realized that their son’s relationship with his caretaker was a lot more than professional. They were teasing and telling stories together like a couple comfortable with one another.
“What happened then?” Sandra pressed.
“She told me to buy another house since I wanted to pry the dignity from this one.” Jason pressed his lips together.
Ted laughed, a burly sound coming from deep in his body. He wasn’t laughing at the story his son told, but because he could see why Jason had fell in love with Mia. No one had ever told his son no.
“Well it was true,” Mia smiled as she took another sip of her wine.
Chapter 14
“Eventually the only way she would let me keep the house was if she went over the plans and made some changes.”
“You asked me to go over the plans.” Mia corrected.
“Tut-Tut-Tut, you basically held a gun to my head.” He turned back to his parents, “She basically gutted my plans and negotiated for other changes, including the kitchen remodel that’s the last on the list.”
“Well it sounds like quite the story,” Sandra said, amused.
“It’s been quite the few weeks,” Jason said easily, as he stood to refill the glasses. Mia placed her hand over hers indicating she was finished.
“So what should still be done before you can come home?” Ted asked.
“Just the kitchen,” Mia and Jason answered at the same time. Their eyes met, and the tension between them was palpable. Knowing she was standing on the edge of a cliff, Mia stood. “I think I’ll leave you to it, and head on to bed.”
“Don’t go Mia, we still want to hear more about growing up on the island,” Sandra protested.
“Maybe tomorrow, I’m feeling a little tired, probably from the wine.”
Everyone at the table knew she was lying, everyone including Jason knew the real reason she was heading to bed. The evening had started to become too comfortable. It was turning out to be a ‘meet the parents’ evening, only Jason was already engaged.
“Well, thank you for a lovely dinner dear,” Sandra said sensing Mia was uncomfortable.
“It was a pleasure.” After bidding everyone a good night, she strode off towards the cottage, wishing she had parents like Ted and Sandra.
As soon as Mia was out of earshot Ted and Sandra turned to Jason, Sandra spoke first. “Jason Pike, what the hell is going here?”
“Nothing.” Jason raised his brows and threw up his arms in defense.
“Don’t you ‘nothing’ me young man. You might be too old for a hiding, but I can still punish you.” Her eyes narrowed and even though Jason knew he was an independent man, he felt cornered.
“It’s complicated.” Jason said resigned.
Ted had kept quiet until now, he slammed his fist on the table with a loud thud, “Complicated my ass. That girl is absolutely wonderful, you can’t keep your eyes off each other and you want to tell us nothing is going on.”
“Dad, don’t.”
“Don’t what? Don’t be the voice of reason, don’t be your father, don’t tell you to wipe the hair from your eyes and to see what’s in front of you?”
“I’m engaged. The wedding’s in a few weeks.” Jason protested.
Sandra patted his hand, “That does complicate things, dear. I understand, but I also understand you don’t want to go through with a wedding you’ll regret.”
“Not to mention the amount of money you’re spending on this circus.”
“Dad, it’s not a damn circus, it’s my wedding. It’s what Angelique wants.”
“And where is Angelique?” His mother softly probed. “Jason, she doesn’t even want to meet us? I’m not saying who you should love, you’re old enough to make that decision yourself. I’m just asking you to fast forward ten or twenty years and see where you see yourself. Do you still see yourself throwing parties for people you don’t know and chasing deals for money you don’t need?”
A simple question, and yet it enraged Jason, maybe because it was flirting the truth he had come to realize but refused to admit. “I’m done talking about this.” Jason said as he stood up.
“The hell you are. Don’t run away from this, Jason. You might just regret it.”
“I already regret it.” Jason said on shout, whirling back he turned to his parents. His voice thick with emotion, “But she won’t tell me how she feels. She refuses to admit she feels anything for me. Do you want me to throw away everything I’ve planned for with Angelique, including my word, for a girl who can’t even admit she has feelings for me?”
Sandra sighed and shook her head, “You men are sometimes so thick headed, I wonder how you tie your shoes in the morning.” She stood up and threw both Ted and Jason a withering look over her shoulder before heading inside.
Ted poured the last of the wine in their glasses and turned to Jason, “Women, can’t live with ‘em, can’t live without ‘em, and God help us if we actually understood ‘em.”
Jason drank deep, clearing the glass before setting it down on the table. “Think I’ll head up myself.” His emotions raw, his heart aching Jason turned and walked into the house Mia had helped him redesign.
The following morning when Mia walked into the kitchen to start clearing up after their dinner the previous evening, she didn’t expect to find Sandra there.
“Good morning Mia,” Sandra said as she filled a cup with coffee and handed it to Mia.
Confused to find Sandra in the kitchen so early, yet grateful for the coffee Mia took it, “Thank you.” Her eyes scanned the kitchen only to find it sparkling clean. It was just before seven and apparently too late to clean the kitchen. “You cleaned the kitchen?”
“Oh, yes. Well the room is lovely and the bed is wonderful, but I can sleep at home. So I got up early, watched the sunrise on the beach and thought I’d help you out a bit.”
Amazed and appreciative Mia smiled at Sandra, “You really didn’t have to, it’s part of my job description.”
“Well actually,” Sandra leaned closer to Mia, “I was hoping I could ask you something today that isn’t in your job description.” Sandra winked and looked years younger than she was.
Mia couldn’t help but laugh, “Sure, what can I do for you?”
“Well, when on holiday, I shop,” she confided in a secretive tone. “Only I know there is no way Jason and Ted are going to take me shopping, and if I nag them into doing it, they’ll be whining the whole time.”
Mia laughed thinking back on her own shopping experience with Jason, and that was shopping for his own home, never mind mindless shopping. “I’ll just have to check if Jason doesn’t have anything else planned for me, otherwise I’d like that.”
Sandra clapped her hands together, “I’ve already checked with him, he said it’s fine if you’re willing.”
“He’s already up?” Mia asked surprised.
“A mother always have the right to wake up her children. It doesn’t matter how old they are,” Sandra said in a self-explanatory tone. Mia laughed at the older woman, finding her refreshingly honest.
/> “Well then, let me just fix some breakfast and then we can leave.”
“Perfect. I’ll tell the boys to get ready for breakfast.”
Mia smiled as she opened up the fridge, and gathered the makings for breakfast.
“I hope you don’t mind the Jeep, it’s old but I like it.” Mia said by way of explanation as she approached her car with Sandra following shortly behind her.
“It’s lovely dear, of course I don’t mind.” Sandra said tapping her hair that had been taken up with a banana clip.
“If you want I could rather ask Jason for his car?” Mia offered.
“No, don’t. I’m going to untie this clip, and feel the wind in my hair for a change.” Even as she spoke, the banana clip came out and Sandra placed it in her bag.
Mia smiled, she enjoyed being around Sandra. She would’ve never guessed the billionaire Jason Pike’s mother would be so down-to-earth and laid back.
As she pulled onto the highway, Sandra switched on the radio and an old beach boys tune starting softly playing through the speakers. “I love this song,” Sandra shouted as she turned it up full blast. “Wouldn’t it be nice if we were older.”
Mia threw back her head and laughed carefree. She would’ve loved to have Sandra as a mother-in-law. Angelique had really struck the jackpot with this family. She kept her thoughts to herself as she focused on the road with Sandra singing next to her.
They browsed a local strip mall, before Mia took Sandra down to Waikiki beach to browse the tourist shops. Sandra had loved every minute of it. Her hair was windblown, and she had changed out of her khaki pants and light weight white cotton shirt and into a newly bought floral print Hawaiian dress. She had even bought matching flower earrings. She was truly in the holiday spirit, and even though it was a workday for Mia, the holiday spirit was catching. Mia had tagged along all morning and had even bought herself a pair of white sandals, Sandra’s shopping spree was rubbing off on her. They were standing in a small boutique on Waikiki beach when Sandra called her. Mia walked to her noticing the short red dress she held in her hand. She hoped Sandra didn’t want her opinion. The dress was way too short and a bit too small for her.
