"And just so we're clear-" He turned back to face her. "I'm serious about the invitation but not the way I said it."
"What do you mean?"
"As much as I really want to go out with you— I was joking when I said I would use Hector." He released her hand reluctantly. "I love kids. I have three nieces and a nephew who's only a little older than Hector. I would sincerely like to take you both out for pizza. Why don't you check your schedule for tomorrow night? I'll give you a call and you can let me know."
Mari watched him round the building to the parking lot before she finally took a step toward the front door. Could Sharon be right about her? Maybe she was too cynical. It was growing increasingly difficult to resist the magnetic pull of his smile— to resist that can-do attitude. Or his thoughtful way of interacting with the shelter staff. She recalled how he'd dealt with the horde of women taking such a ridiculous amount of time to make decisions; never once had he shown signs of impatience. She liked and appreciated how he always made time to discuss things with Big Pete.
Startled, she realized maybe she didn't want to scare Jefferson away after all.
Chapter 3
"Jake—it’s one damned addition. What the hell is taking Jeff so long?" Harrison Traynor leaned forward in his chair, his expression disgruntled.
"Chill, Harry. It's a little more complicated than that. The shelter has funding issues. We have to squeeze every dime or they won't have enough money to start— let alone finish." Jake leaned back in the old, leather chair, wincing when the springs squealed in protest. One of these days, he'd lean back and the damn thing was gonna keep on going. "In his defense— this project was dumped into his lap when Linc decided to take a month off without warning any of us. What's Jeffie late on now?"
Harry sighed. "It's his billings again."
"Anything I need to worry about?"
"No— it's more annoying than anything," he admitted. "Instead of waiting on Jeff, I've just been going around him and getting the numbers from the project managers. What's the deal with him lately?"
Jake stared at his cousin. He'd been wondering the same thing. His brother was distracted. Big time distracted. And there was no way a relatively small project like the homeless shelter could be the reason. "It's probably a woman."
Harry's eyes narrowed. "Get serious. He's never let his women get in the way of Specialty business before. How many girlfriends cycle through Jeff's revolving doors each year?"
"Maybe this one is different."
"You're kidding, right? He doesn't have to do anything and they fall into his lap."
He shrugged. "Maybe this girl is making him work for it."
Harry shook his head. "It's gotta be something else. Maybe the project?"
"Hank says everything is on schedule. They've got enough money to get rolling. He's starting out there next week with the sitework." The more Jake thought it over, the more certain he became. His brother's behavior suddenly made sense. The absentmindedness— the disappearing act. The homeless shelter did not require his presence on site three days a week. "No— it's a woman."
"How can you be sure?"
"Don't you remember how you were? C'mon Harry, it was only a year ago."
"I'm not following you." He frowned. "Who was Jeff seeing back then?"
"Not Jeff, dummy." Jake worked to contain his smile. Harry was so damned focused all the time. "I seem to remember you doing a pretty good impression of Jeff. You were distracted. You disappeared for days at a time." He ticked off the evidence. "You were completely focused on a certain site contractor. Does Adams and Rey ring any bells?"
"Okay— I get it." His cousin reluctantly smiled. "Although I don't think 'disappearing' is quite an accurate description. I was protecting our investment."
"And trying to score with that cute girl from A & R. What was her name again?"
"Kendall was not the sole reason I was distracted-"
Jake held up a hand. "Yeah— whatever. How's she feeling, by the way?"
"Pretty queasy the past few weeks but I think it's easing up. The past two days I haven't had to run downstairs at dawn for crackers." He smiled. "And Ken's a little less cranky."
"Dude— consider yourself lucky. Jen hurled every day for three months with the twins." Mention of his wife made Jake smile. No way could he have predicted how great his life would turn out. In a year's time he'd gone from being completely alone to landing his beautiful wife and her two kids. Two months earlier, they'd been gifted with the twins. His life had been truly blessed.
When someone tapped on the office door, Harry rose from his chair, using it as his signal to leave. "So— I assume we're cutting Jeff some slack until his love life is back in order?"
Not too much slack. Specialty was getting busy. He couldn't afford to let projects stack up in estimating. Jake sighed. "I'll talk to him."
Jenna's head appeared around the door. "Whose love life are we discussing?"
"Hey Jen! When are you coming back to work?" Harry leaned in to brush her cheek. "We miss you around here. Your husband is making Mrs. Reilly crazy."
Jenna smiled. "That started long before my time here."
"You realize I'm sitting right here?" Jake tried for a solemn expression. "I used to command respect around here."
After Harry left, she crossed the room to his desk. "So— whose love life are we discussing?"
Jake pulled her into his arms. "Ours. When are those babies going to sleep through the night?"
She dropped a kiss on his chin, laughing over his disgruntled expression. "They're only eight weeks, Jackson. Give it some time."
"It feels like forever since we've been alone," he confessed as he drew in a satisfying breath of her scent. "I miss us."
Jen pulled back to stare at him. "Well— I have this idea I wanted to run past you."
His pulse notched higher over her secretive expression. Something was up. Please God, let it involve some alone time. "I'm all ears."
Her shoulders shook with laughter. "Judging by your hold on me, I can feel there's a great deal more to you than just ears."
He hauled her back against him. "That's entirely your fault. Tell me this idea."
"Well— your mom is already babysitting the kids. I thought maybe— we could have dinner somewhere romantic."
His beautiful wife was blushing crimson. There had to be more to her plan— and he was dying to hear it. "Is there something you're not telling me?" When Jenna leaned in to whisper in his ear and he had to fight the urge to kiss her senseless.
"I had my doctor's appointment today and she said— you know . . . we could-"
Relief and lust roared through him. "Thank God."
Jen suddenly looked troubled. "I still have seventeen pounds to-"
"Don't even go there," he warned, cutting her off. "You're beautiful. You're the sexiest woman in the world to me."
Despite his assurance, her expression didn't change. "This body is not beautiful. Stretch marks. No sleep. Nursing every two hours . . ."
"Listen to me." He pulled her against him, loving the feel of her in his arms. "This body has given me everything I'll ever want." She stilled against him, waiting for his next words. He dropped a kiss along her ear. "This amazing body gave me a family."
"Jake-"
He kissed her again. "Think about it, Jen. You gave me Megan and Alex. And now you've given me the twins. Everything important in my life . . . you created."
Her eyes suddenly glistening, she nodded.
"Do you know how long it's been?"
"Well, yeah. It's-"
He trailed a kiss along her jaw, interrupting the math in her head. Making her shiver. "Ten weeks, three days-" He checked his watch. "Fourteen hours and nine minutes."
Her eyes widened, her reluctant smile telling him he'd said the right thing . "You've kept track?"
"Hell, yes."
"Just to let you know, you had me at 'you're beautiful'." Shifting in his arms, amusement shimmered in her eyes. "I j
ust wanted to see what you'd do with a challenge."
Nearly groaning in anticipation, Jake released her carefully. When he groped for the desk phone, his hand was unsteady. "Mrs. Reilly— please cancel my appointments for the rest of the day." He hung up with a smile. "I'm ready to leave now."
"Jake! It's only two," she stammered. "The only dinner we could have now is at a drive-thru." She rested her hands against his chest. "I feel guilty. You shouldn't cancel-"
"You like a challenge? How's this?" He leaned in, bewitched by her expressive eyes. "There aren't enough hours left in the day for what I'm planning." If it were possible, her fiery blush deepened as she stared at him. "Trust me, love. I'll find a hotel that serves very romantic room service."
***
Mona had just settled Rosie for her nap when she heard a tap at the front door. Hoisting Rosie's still alert twin to her shoulder, she wandered through her son's expansive home to see who was waiting. Smiling when she recognized her former husband through the frosted glass, she opened the door. "Linc— what are you doing here?
"Thought I'd drop by for a visit." He smiled as he leaned in to kiss her cheek in greeting. "I stopped at the office to see Jackson earlier today and he mentioned you were babysitting for Jen's appointment."
She smiled. "Actually, I'm here for the evening now. Jake just called. He wants a child-free dinner date with his wife, so they won't be home until nine."
"You need some help?"
Pleasure heated her smile. "I'd love your company. Megan and Alex will be home from school soon. Maybe we can order pizza."
"Sounds good. If you'd like, I'll walk down to the bus stop."
Mona shifted the baby on her shoulder. "How have you been? I haven't seen you in a few weeks. You must be busy."
"Which one is this? Roosevelt or Madison?" Linc made a funny face at the infant and was rewarded with a wide-eyed stare. He opened his arms in a wordless offer to take the baby from her.
Mona inhaled his outdoorsy cologne and bit back a sigh when she transferred Maddie to his arms. Damn the man. He still smelled great. "When are you going to learn to tell them apart, Grampa? This is Madison. Rosie just went down for a nap."
Linc chuckled. "When they're together I can sorta tell. Maddie's got a little heft to her." He gazed at Madison, a smile on his face. "How about you two beauties grow some hair? That would help your old gramps tell you apart."
"Want a cup of tea?" Mona drifted into the kitchen. "I was just about to put the kettle on."
He followed her, taking a chair at the table. The baby's eyes had started to droop, so he hoisted her to his shoulder, gently stroking her back. "Make mine with a splash of Jameson and I'm in."
"I thought Jefferson said you were out of town?" Mona moved briskly around the airy kitchen. "We had dinner two nights ago."
"Yeah— that's what I told him. I needed a reasonable excuse to get him involved on the New Beginnings Shelter." Linc grinned when she paused at the counter. "Now, I'm just trying to stay out of the way for another couple weeks."
"Uh-oh. I know that expression. What are you scheming now?"
"Nothing— not much, anyway," he backpedalled. "I'm testing a theory."
She set a mug of steaming tea on the table before him, ignoring his request for whiskey. "And what would that theory be?"
"That the beautiful woman managing the homeless shelter fundraising campaign would be absolutely perfect for him."
"Who— Omigosh— not Marisol?" Her mouth dropped open. "Linc— are you crazy? How can you— of all people— think about matchmaking?" Mona bit her lip to keep from laughing. "You have a new girlfriend every month."
"Which makes me somewhat of an expert— wouldn't you say?"
The sparkle in his eyes was the very same she'd fallen for nearly thirty-five years earlier. His zest for living, his boundless enthusiasm. His glass-half-full outlook on life. She'd often noticed similar qualities in their youngest son. For as serious as Jake was— Jefferson was the complete opposite. Mona shook her head. "Well, you've certainly got my attention. What's your plan?"
"Well - you know how involved I've been in designing the new wing, right?" He waited for her nod. "I've really gotten to know Marisol. She's smart and tough and sassy. She's kind and giving. What's not to like, right?"
Mona didn't disagree with his assessment. She was a passionate, committed woman who gave of herself to benefit others. But Jefferson? Her youngest son was a wonderful man— but he wasn't ready for any sort of serious relationship. "Linc— you know Jeff. He's more love 'em and leave 'em at this stage of his life. He falls in love with someone new about as often as you do."
Linc cracked up. "I won't argue the point, Moe. But people change. I can already see subtle signs of maturity in our Jeffie."
"Does Marisol have anything to say about this? Has Jeff figured out what you're doing?"
"Hell no! All I've done is set it up so he's taking responsibility for the addition. As far as he's concerned— she's just another client— an incredibly attractive client. He's probably feelin' like the luckiest guy on earth."
"Mmm." She set her spoon on the table. "This project is on deadline, right? Is he going to step up to the plate and make the job happen— or is he going to spend all his time trying to score with her?"
"That's the beauty of it," Linc crowed. His voice startled Madison who released a faint whimper of protest. "That's the beauty," he whispered. "Marisol is all business. She wants that shelter done and she wants it now. He'll tow the line— or he'll face her wrath."
"And exactly where do you fit into the scheme?"
"I'm staying out of the picture for another week or two. The rest is up to him. I've just thrown them together— two people I believe could have a strong relationship— with a great deal of sparks."
"Sparks also cause wildfires," Mona muttered. "I think you're way over your head, darling."
"He wants more responsibility," he reminded. "Jeff sees what Jackson has— and now Harry. They're both happy— in love. And he loves kids. Between Jenna's kids and the twins— he adores all of them. Now Harry and Kendall are having a baby-"
"It doesn't mean Jeff is ready for all that," she protested. "He may want it— and someday he'll make a wonderful husband. But that doesn't mean he'd make a good husband right now."
"But Marisol is perfect for him," he insisted. "She'd balance him out— make him stronger and more grounded."
Staring at him, Mona wondered where this sudden interest in Jeff's life was coming from. Linc had never been one to meddle in his kids’ lives. In fact— he'd been so busy building his business, he'd barely had time for their children while they were growing up. Too many times to count, she'd played the role of both mother and father. And she— more than anyone, knew the cost of marrying someone who was more enamored with his work than his wife or family. "What’s this really about, Linc?"
He hesitated. "I see what a wonderful girl Mari is— and I want that for Jeff. Good women don't come along every day. Guys always think they will— hell— we assume they will. We assume if we lose one— it's not a huge deal. The next one's around the corner. When you're young, you think you have all the time in the world." He paused— suddenly seeming to choose his words carefully. "But then you round that corner— and she's not there. So you round the next corner— still hopeful. I mean— how hard can it be, really?"
Her heart pounding, Mona's hand shook when she raised the teacup to her lips. Linc was talking about her— about them— their life together. She wondered if he even realized what he was saying. She cradled the cup in both hands so she wouldn't drop it.
"By the time you realize your mistake— you've trudged twenty blocks in the wrong direction." He swallowed hard. "Even if you go back to that first corner— everything's changed. The traffic pattern is different. That girl you were crazy for— she's moved on. She found someone else— someone who was ready. Someone who wanted the same things. And the worst part— the very worst part is— you've finally re
alized you wanted those same things all along— and you wanted them with her. But you're too late."
His voice trailed off and the silence lengthened— a ribbon of guilt. Regret. Pain. Swirling around them. Mona couldn't speak— couldn't breathe. For perhaps the first time in her adult life— she had absolutely no clue what to say. Little Madison's snuffly breathing broke the awkward silence and they both smiled. Linc's shoulders shook with silent laughter as he glanced at the angel sleeping on his shoulder. Mona finally summoned the courage to meet his gaze.
"I understand, Linc." Releasing a shuddering breath, she reached across the table to squeeze his hand. "But relationships don't always work out the way we choose. Sometimes you can do everything right— and it still doesn't work. People make decisions based on the information available at a given moment. It's impossible to see around that next corner."
Her silver-haired husband smiled awkwardly, realizing he'd revealed far more than he'd perhaps intended. "I don't want that for Jefferson. He really likes her— and I think she likes him. If I can somehow help it along-"
"Liking and loving are very different emotions, dear."
He shrugged, his smile impish. Linc was back on solid emotional ground. "I'm banking on Jeffie. My boys go after what they want."
She raised an eyebrow in mocking disapproval. "Does Mari have any say in this matter?"
"If she puts him through the ringer— even better. Jeff's had it too easy with women for too long. He needs to suffer."
"You make her sound like a battle you're strategizing. It's a little insulting."
"He'll appreciate the reward because he had to fight for it," Linc defended, the smile on his face one of merriment. "Jeff is a man who likes a challenge. You can't fault him for that."
Sitting there, plotting strategy— it was hard to believe they'd been divorced for a decade. She leaned forward in her chair. "Okay— you've convinced me. What can I do to help?"
***
"Take it easy, Sport. If you eat too fast, you'll get sick." Jeff eyed Hector as he inhaled a third slice of pizza. He still couldn't believe he'd managed to pull it off.
Chasing Marisol (Blueprint to Love Book 3) Page 4
