To Jeff's knowledge, this was the first time Hank had shown interest in another woman. Since his wife's death four years earlier, he'd become a hermit. Except for working ridiculously long hours, Hank retreated to his farm each evening. Alone. "I think you're describing Annie. She practically lives here. But I should warn you— she's not much for small talk. Even my legendary Traynor charm hasn't worked."
He rolled his eyes. "I'm just askin'— she seems nice, that's all. I've been eating lunch here every day— not because 'a her," he hastily added. "There's no sense in packing my lunch or taking the time to run offsite when they've got great food here."
"Makes sense to me." At least Hank had a legitimate reason for being there. He'd been spending way too much time at New Beginnings himself lately. Jake hadn't lectured him yet over his disappearing act, but Jeff knew he was on borrowed time.
Hank shrugged. "I feel a little guilty— like I'm taking food from someone who really needs it."
"I think the kitchen is open to everyone. Mari says they get lots of regulars."
He looked relieved. "Well, I make sure to stuff money in the jar on the counter. I don't want them to think I'm mooching."
Jeff retrieved his briefcase. "You want me to say something to Mari or Sharon? Maybe find out what Annie's story is?"
Hank thought about it for several seconds then finally shook his head. "Nah. I'll handle it. I need to take it real slow because I'm twenty-two years out of practice." He jerked his head down the hall. "Besides, you'd better concentrate on your own situation. It appears you've got your hands full."
***
Hector was wiggling with excitement. Mari couldn't contain her smile as she tried to zip his jacket. "Hold still, pequena."
"Hurry, Mari." He paused to frown at her. "If I'm not ready Jeff might change his mind."
Her heart sank. After all this time, that's what everything boiled down to with Hector. Disappointment. His young life had been filled with empty promises— that his mother would stay. When she appeared sporadically, she promised the moon. Then withdrawal would kick in and she'd disappear again, the need for drugs trumping everything else. Weeks later, she'd return, acting as though it had only been hours she'd missed— instead of days— unaware her son had spent hours each day . . . waiting. For his mother to return. For her to keep the promises he'd held close to his heart as though each was a talisman. Promises she'd never intended to keep. As Mari's journey with Hector had progressed, his mother's visits became less frequent. But they were no less destabilizing to him when she did show up. Each visit renewed hope that maybe this time, she'd stay.
Blinking back the burn of tears, Mari squatted to the ground, pretending to work on his zipper so she could see his eyes. "Has Jeff made a promise he hasn't kept?"
Hector cast his worried gaze to the ground. "No. But he might . . . get sick 'a me— or he might have work stuff."
"He is not sick of you."
"But I'm annoyin'-"
"Who would dare call you annoying? They will answer to me." She forced a smile into her voice as she made a production of smooching his cheek.
"Stop, Maaari— that tickles."
His reluctant giggles made her feel marginally better. Not for the first time, Marisol wondered how long it would take before the ugly voices of doubt in his head would clam up and go away.
She tipped his chin up. "I spoke with Jeff just a little while ago. He'll be here soon. And he has a special present for you." Her spirits lifted when she read the excitement in his eyes.
"What is it?"
"She can't tell you— because it's a three-part surprise."
They both turned at the sound of Jeff's voice. She wondered how long he'd been standing there. Though he wore his usual smile, his eyes were somber, making her suspect he’d overheard them.
Racing over, Hector gave him a hug. She slowly stood, watching Jeff's expression change— from the guarded glance he shot over Hector's head to his delight over the little boy's exuberant hug. Mari smiled— knowing exactly how it felt to experience both despair over his innocent comments and the swelling of love each time he made new strides away from his former life.
"Dude— you're getting strong. You practically knocked me over." When he winked at her, she felt the telltale blush stealing into her face. The expression in his eyes had heat igniting in the pit of her stomach. How could a mere glance make her heartbeat accelerate?
"A three part surprise? That sounds complicated." She knew about the hard hat, but he'd obviously cooked up something else to surprise Hector.
"Yeah— what's my surprise, Jeff?"
"First is this." He showed Hector his own hard hat, before reaching inside and revealing the little one he'd brought for him.
"Cool— is this mine?"
Jeff set the hat on his head, testing the fit. "Yup. See here? It's got your name on it. Whenever you step outside you have to wear your hardhat. It's a rule."
"Like if a buildin' tipped over on me? This would keep me safe?"
He shuddered over Hector's bloodthirsty imagination. "Let's hope there will be no buildings tipping over."
Hector’s eyes were huge. "This is— like one of the coolest thing I ever got." He shook his head, testing the tightness. "I can't wait to show Tommy and Jason."
"You ready? Because the next surprise is outside with Hank." Jeff checked his watch before he caught her gaze. "We'll be back in about twenty minutes. And the third part of my surprise includes you— so you'd better stick around."
"C'mon— let's go." Hector was pulling Jeff's hand toward the door.
"Alright. I'll be waiting." Mari acknowledged the flutter of excitement dancing through her. It grew increasingly difficult to reign in her feelings when Jeff was casting a spell over both of them.
If she didn't watch out, she could get her heart broken. And this time, it would affect Hector as well. She shivered as they walked out side by side, a growing sense of unease encroaching on the starry-eyed feeling. What would she do when he grew tired of them?
***
"That was awesome. I can't believe I got to ride the steamroller with Lefty. Is that really his name? Can we do that again?"
"We'll have to check with Hank. We might be pouring concrete by next week. We have to get your new addition up fast." Jeff scooped Hector into his arms to cross the mud pit that the newly excavated foundation had morphed into as a result of an overnight thunderstorm. Sharon probably wouldn't appreciate them tracking mud back into the building. The site crew was already afraid of incurring her wrath. They'd laid down an intricate series of mats outside the door so they could scrape their feet off before entering her building— something of a rarity on a project this size.
He nodded to Big Pete, who was still standing sentry duty, despite it being after four o'clock. Usually he was gone by now. "Got a status report for me?"
Pete's gaze remained rooted to the street beyond the construction area. "Been watching a red pickup. He's been out there since lunch time. Keeps circling the block."
"Maybe it's one of the crew?"
"Maybe." Pete didn't sound convinced. "I'll keep my eye on him for a little while longer."
Jeff patted his beefy arm. "Thanks, Buddy. But don't work too late. We need you bright and early tomorrow."
"I got your six when you and Miss Ortega leave. I don't want any incidents like last night."
Jeff froze in his tracks. With Mari and Hector. Her explanation had lacked detail. He’d gotten the sense she was hesitant to discuss it with him. But asking in front of the little guy was not cool.
Nodding to Hector squirming against his shoulder, he signaled Pete that he didn't want to discuss the incident in front of him. "How about I meet you here for coffee tomorrow morning? We can talk then?"
Catching the look in his eyes, the giant nodded. "Affirmative. See you at 0700." He held the door for them before closing it behind them.
"Can I ask you something?" The muffled question came from his shoulder.
"I gots a question about bullies."
Damn— his first real test and it might be a difficult one. Though he could have set Hector down, Jeff continued to hold him as they passed through the quiet corridors leading to the cafeteria. "Okay. Lay it on me."
Hector lifted his head to stare at him. "Well— it's sorta for my friend. He needs to know what to do when someone bullies him."
"My advice depends on where the bullying happens. Can you tell me more about it?"
When they reached the cafeteria, Jeff could see it filling with the dinner crowd. Not only that, but he was surprised to see Hank— making time with Annie at the counter. Even more shocking— she was smiling. Though her face was flushed crimson from the attention, there was a spark in her eyes he hadn't ever seen before. Way to go, Hank.
"What do you mean?" Hector stretched away from him to stare into his eyes.
"Like— is it happening at school?" Not wanting to derail his conversation with Hector, he turned down the hallway to the conference room. Once there, he set him on the edge of the table and closed the door. "Because if that's the case then I would say your friend should talk to his teacher first. And his mom. Then she could work with the school to fix-"
He shook his head. "It's not happenin' at school."
The worry visible in the little boy's knowing brown eyes sent a frisson of warning through his system. "What is it, Hec? An older brother? A playground thing?"
"He might— get in trouble-"
Jeff squatted before the little boy, his heart sinking over his troubled expression. "I promise he won't."
"He's worried 'cuz . . ." Hector glanced over his shoulder at the door, then dropped his voice to a whisper. "He's worried because it's . . . his daddy."
Jeff rocked back on his heels, his mind reeling. Sweet God— he was five. Hector was five friggin' years old. He should be worrying about his baseball card collection— or what healthy snack he had to trade from his lunchbox to get something good. But he sure as hell shouldn't be worried about child abuse. Taking a deep breath, Jeff released it slowly.
He chose his words cautiously, making sure his voice betrayed none of the fury coursing through him. Stay calm. "His dad . . . is . . . hurting your friend?"
When Hector nodded matter-of-factly, Jeff's gut clenched as though blindsided with a sucker punch. Between the conversation he'd overheard earlier with Mari and now this— he was suddenly at a loss. Hell— the more he thought about it, he was in way over his head— with both of them. He had no more business pretending he knew how to help this sweet kid— than he did getting involved with Marisol.
Because she was different. From anyone he'd ever met. Not that he would have acknowledged it to Hank, but she was special— in a way he grew more sharply aware each day. And he— was a flight risk. Increasingly, he didn't want to risk taking advantage of her.
"And their mommy. So— he wants to protec' her— but he's sorta . . . not big enough."
And their mommy. Their. It was more than one friend. Brothers? His ears roared with the surreal buzz of shock over what he was hearing. "Does your friend live here? At the shelter?"
Hector paused, his sad, puppy eyes gauging whether he could trust him. "Yes."
"Then— aren't they safe here? At least for now?"
His eyes filled with tears then, his brave, sweet face crumpling under the weight of a worry too big for his slender shoulders to carry. "He k-keeps f-findin' them. And I h-heard Mama Sharon tell Mari they might have to m-move again. But . . . they're my friends."
Hector's sobs tore at him— exposing a gaping wound in himself that Jeff didn't know how to fix. How the hell did Mari and the staff do this job? How did they not allow anger and sadness to win? He scooped him up again, needing to hold the little boy probably as much as Hector needed to be held. "It's okay, buddy. We're going to fix it. We'll help him. I promise-"
"You promise?" Hector's tear-stained face pulled back from his shoulder to stare at him.
Oh God. What was he doing? The little guy had a thing about promises. And now, here he was— guaranteeing something he had absolutely no idea he could deliver. What the sweet hell was he doing? What if he screwed up? "I want you to promise me something, Hector."
"What?" The little guy was stoic as he dried his eyes on his sleeve.
"I've made you a promise— that I will do everything I can to help. Now you have to promise me you won't worry about this anymore. Do we have a deal?"
Marisol. He could discuss the issue with her. She knew what she was doing. She had parenting skills. She'd know best. Together, they would develop a plan. Hector trusted her. And he did, too, Jeff realized. She would help him keep the promise he'd just made. Releasing the breath he didn't realize he'd been holding, Jeff forced himself to calm.
"You really mean it?" Hector's mouth slowly lifted in a smile as the worry cleared from his eyes. He stuck out a sturdy, little hand. "It's a deal."
***
Mari found them in the conference room, deep in discussion. She cracked the door open with a smile. "Are you boys lost?"
Hector glanced up, his eyes brimming with excitement. "Mari— guess what?"
"What, carino?"
"The third surprise— Jeff's takin' us out for supper. And I get to pick where."
She raised an eyebrow in question and Jeff shrugged. "If you don't already have plans."
"I picked tacos." Hector's expression was jubilant.
She smiled as a wave of eager expectation washed over her. "We don't have plans."
She was giddy, damn it. This crazy attraction had to stop. She could not go on feeling so ridiculously happy over spending time with him. It was dangerous to feel this way. So lighthearted. So— hopeful. Because feeling this good meant the only way left to go was down. Mari didn't want to take that plunge. And she sure as hell didn't want to take a soul-sucking dive with Hector in tow.
"Are you ready?" Jeff’s appealing voice broke into her thoughts— dispelling all those resembling rational ones. Was she ready? Not really. Falling in love was not on her agenda. Now— or a year from now. She had— plans. For herself and Hector. In half a year's time, with any luck— with the gods shining down on her, he would be legally hers. She had real-life decisions to make. Jefferson was a distraction— a gorgeous, sexy distraction. But the timing-
Aware he awaited her answer, Mari nodded. Even if Jefferson turned out to be only a distraction— she had to deal with it. She couldn't continue avoiding decisions just because it was easier. Eventually, everything either blew up or worked out. And winging it just wasn't her style. She could face her fears head-on or she could be burdened with them subconsciously. Either way— her feelings for Jeff weren't going away.
"Great. I know the perfect place."
One way or another, she would have to give him a test drive. "I'm ready."
***
"Do you have a few minutes to talk?"
Mari turned her key in the lock and pushed the door open. Hector stampeded past her in his rush to get to the bathroom, leaving Jeff standing in his wake behind her on the porch. "Sure— I have to get Hector squared away. It's a school night and he still needs a bath."
"I'm sorry. I forgot about that. It can wait until tomorrow."
She sensed his hesitation . . . had sensed all evening he was only partially with them. Jeff had been brooding about something. If he was contemplating dumping them, it would be better to get it over with— before she made the mistake of letting him get too close. "No— please come in. I could tell there was something on your mind."
He frowned as he stepped into her foyer. "How'd you know?"
"I guess I picked up on the vibe." There'd been a wariness to his eyes all evening. Probably because after near
ly eight weeks, he'd concluded she was too much damned effort. Perhaps he'd finally realized what the term 'single mother' entailed. She and Hector were a package deal which meant Jeff was probably getting bored. They were never alone for long— not the way they would be if they were really dating.
There was certainly no way Jeff could have failed to pick up on the stares he'd received from virtually every female in the restaurant. Single, beautiful women who didn't have children to bathe— who could linger over margaritas before taking him home for wild, uncomplicated sex. Mari dropped her keys in the bowl and hung her jacket in the closet. "What's on your mind?"
He followed her into the living room. "This should probably wait until Hector goes to bed. I don't want him to overhear us."
"Okay." Great— he was definitely dumping them. Her heart dropped to the pit of her stomach. She'd known it couldn't last. So, why the hell had she allowed herself to hope? Why had she let down her guard? Damn it— she knew better. Guys like Jeff didn't end up with women like her.
Steeling herself against the pain knotting her chest, Mari prayed her expression was more serene than her churning stomach felt. This time around, she may not leave the relationship battered— but the time she'd spent with Jefferson would certainly leave her bruised.
"That won't be for an hour or so." She sighed. Why couldn't he have just left her alone? "I don't want to hold you here. Why don't we talk on the porch?"
"I'm not in a hurry. I mean— it's no rush." Confusion flashed in his eyes. "Is something wrong?"
Clearly she wasn't delivering on the calm, collected expression she'd been striving for. Getting dumped was one thing— but she still had to work with the guy for the next several months. There was no way in hell she'd leave him with the impression that she was broken up over losing him to some sexy, tequila-shooting twenty-year-old.
"No— but I get the feeling this is important." Mari moved quickly for the safety of the kitchen. "I'll just make sure Hector's cartoon is on and then meet you there in a minute."
Chasing Marisol (Blueprint to Love Book 3) Page 9
