by Annie Seaton
“It’s good to see you smile again, Sienna.” He held her gaze. “There’s something I want to talk to you about.”
No, he sounded way too serious. She ignored his words and the tremble that ran down her back. “You’ll certainly attract some attention on Highway 1.”
“I’ve done worse,” he said with a sexy grin, and the tremble hit her legs.
It was good to have him back around. She liked the happy way he made her feel, but wasn’t so sure about the shaky feeling that went with it. “I don’t think I need to know.”
“Come on. Time to go to the party.” He held his free hand out for the cake box. “And we are going to find time for a talk sometime this afternoon before you leave.”
…
Jack waited beside Sienna’s car as she lifted a red backpack into the trunk. He hated the thought of her leaving and wondered where she was going on her trip—she was traveling light—but he didn’t want to pry. He’d done a lot of thinking over the past few days and he’d decided he was going to back off, but one look at her in that fairy dress and he was smitten again. He had fallen for her, and he didn’t know what to do about it. All he knew was that he didn’t want her to leave. She seemed a lot happier today, and it had been great to hear her laugh ring out. But he was going to tell her how he felt before the day was over.
Once her bag was stowed, he handed her the cake box and she opened the door and placed it carefully on the backseat. “I’ll follow you,” he said. “I don’t quite remember where Blake and Ana live.”
“Okay.” She slipped into her car and Jack walked across to his bike. He pulled his boots on, swung his tights-clad leg over the seat, and waited for Sienna to start her car. After a couple of minutes, she opened the door and stood by the car.
“One, two, three,” she muttered under her breath as he got closer.
“You haven’t had your car fixed yet, have you?” he asked.
“No, I didn’t have time.” She frowned. “Shoot, I didn’t need this today of all days. Four…five…” She finished counting to ten. “It must have something to do with the battery, because if I get out and wait it always starts when I get back in.”
Jack shrugged and waited for her to get back in. “That’s not very logical. Make sure you have it serviced as soon as you get back from your vacation.”
Sienna tried the engine again, but the only sound was a loud click. He waited while she tried again. As she climbed from the car, she shot him a regretful smile.
“I guess I’m going to miss the party after all.”
Jack looked at her. Her brightly painted pink lips were clamped together tightly and her forehead was still wrinkled in a frown.
“Have you got a couple of smaller containers?” He grinned as the solution hit him.
“What for?”
“The cakes. If you’ve got some smaller containers they’ll fit.” He pointed to the panniers on each side of the bike.
“That’s thoughtful of you,” she said. “At least Faith won’t miss out on the cakes. Show them to Thelma and Mitzi before they get eaten. And make sure they know I made them. Oh, I forgot, do you know them?”
Jack grinned at her. “No, I don’t. But you can tell them yourself.”
“I can?”
“Open your trunk.” With a curious look, she did as he asked. He walked over and lifted out her backpack. “You’ve only got the cakes and that bag?”
“You think I’m going to go there on the bike?”
“Yes. You can wear the backpack and we’ll put the cakes in there.” He hoped like hell that she’d agree. “And then you won’t miss out on the party. I’m sure someone will give you a lift to the airport later. And if not, I can take you on the bike.”
His breath caught in his throat as her face broke into a wide grin.
“Serves me right for laughing at the thought of you riding up the highway in your costume. I guess you’d call it poetic justice. But I’ll do it for Faith. I won’t miss her birthday.” She shook her head. “You know what? We’ll both look ridiculous. But that’s just what I need.”
Her laugh tinkled around him and he watched in appreciation as she grabbed the cake container from the car and hurried up the stairs. She wore pink tights beneath the short skirt, and her feet were encased in dainty silver slippers.
“You’ll have to change your shoes,” he called after her, trying to ignore the anticipation that was curling in his gut. Things were going his way.
A couple of minutes later, Sienna pulled the front door shut and ran lightly down the stairs. He waited at the bottom and took the two containers she passed him.
He looked down approvingly at her feet. She’d shed her sparkly slippers, and the pink tights were tucked into a pair of purple Doc Martens boots.
“Nice,” he said. He couldn’t take his eyes from her as she stared at him with a smile.
God, she is so beautiful.
“Take me to the party, Prince Charming.”
Trying to keep his attention on the winding curves of Highway 1 was one of the hardest things Jack had ever done. Sienna’s soft breasts pressed into his back and her hands clung to his waist. Every time a car honked at them, she leaned forward and laughed in his ear, pressing even closer. It got to the point that he prayed no one else honked at them and she’d move back, because he’d be in no state to get off the bike wearing his pink Prince Charming tights. He knew now why they were called tights.
Sienna leaned forward and called out. “Two more driveways and then turn left into the third one. It’s the driveway with the yellow mailbox.”
Thank God, we’re almost there.
Jack focused on the road, the bike, the sky, the trees, and the occasional glimpse of the silvery water of Half Moon Bay—anything to forget the soft swells pressed up against his back. Up until he’d met Sienna, he’d been happy to be a loner. Life by himself had satisfied him. In fact, he’d needed the space. The thought of her leaving wrenched at his heart. If it meant keeping her by his side, he’d give up the gallery, his commissions, and if it was what she wanted of him, hell, he’d even go back into business and take life more seriously. Since he’d been out on the coast, and since he’d fallen, yes, fallen in love with Sienna, he was prepared to change his ways.
Now could he convince her that he could?
Chapter Eighteen
Jack steered the bike slowly to the end of a row of cars parked on the grass in front of Blake and Ana’s cottage. The trip up the coast had been exhilarating, and despite knowing what was waiting for her at the destination, Sienna had enjoyed every mile.
Sitting behind Jack, with her arms around his muscular frame, she’d wished the trip could go forever. But reality intruded as he drove the bike slowly through the gate. A tall, thin man with a craggy face and black hair stood leaning against the fence. He dropped his cigarette and buried it in the soft ground with the toe of his boot. Jack cut the motor and Sienna slid off the back of the bike. She stood beside him as he reached down and unclipped the helmet before lifting it from her head. She dropped her gaze from his and turned away without speaking. Her life was about to change, and she wasn’t sure how she was going to handle this meeting. Conscious that Jack was watching curiously, she gave him a hesitant smile before walking over to the man who was waiting for her.
He stepped toward her and held out his arms. Sienna caught a glimpse of Georgie standing on the porch watching, before the tears blurred her vision.
“Mia figlia.” My daughter. His voice was ragged, and she forgot all about Jack as her father held her close.
“I’m so sorry.” His words hitched as she leaned into him and inhaled the familiar fragrance of this man who’d raised her. Tobacco and Old Spice aftershave mixed together in a familiar fragrance and brought back memories of sitting on his knee when he’d read her stories.
My father.
“I made a promise to Marietta when she gave you to us, and Lucia made me keep it. So many times I wished to tell you, but w
e could see how attached you and Georgie were. I knew if I broke it, Marietta would come back and take Georgie.”
“It’s all right.” Sienna stepped back and looked at her father. “I’m all right. I understand.”
“And so do I,” said Georgie. Sienna moved her gaze from Renzo to Georgie, who was standing beside Aunt Lucia on the porch, and happiness washed though her. Dressed in a similar outfit to Sienna, the pink of the fairy costume clashed ferociously with her tumbling red curls. Renzo held Sienna’s hand tightly as they crossed the small patch of lawn and waited at the bottom of the steps. Aunt Lucia smiled down at them and Sienna could see the sheen of tears in her eyes. Georgie hurried down and jumped off the last step, and stood beside her. Despite the tears in her eyes, she grinned and reached out to hug Sienna.
“Hey, sis.”
Sienna hugged her back. “Hey to you too, sis.”
“Let’s go find the birthday girl,” Sienna said, turning and looking around. “I forgot about Jack.”
Georgie squeezed her fingers. “He went around the back way. Love his costume. So what gives there?”
“I’ll tell you later. You go find Blake and Ana and Faith, and I’ll catch you up.”
Jack was standing next to Blake at the edge of the lawn.
“Jack, did you remember the cakes?”
“No, I didn’t. Sorry. I put your bag on the front porch, but I forgot the cakes.”
“They might be a bit icky by now.” Sienna followed Jack around to the front where the bike was parked. “You and Blake make a fine pair. Did you synchronize your costumes?”
A ripple ran through her at his sexy chuckle.
“No, coincidental.” He looked down at his legs with a grimace. “He was the lucky one. He didn’t have to wear tights. If I’d known he was dressing as Shrek, I could have come as Donkey.”
“Or Princess Fiona.” Sienna couldn’t resist teasing him. “Seriously, Jack. You look gorgeous…and you know it.”
She looked at him, letting her gaze sweep up from his boots. His long, muscular legs looked even bigger in the hot-pink tights, and when her gaze reached the tops of his thighs, she lifted it quickly to his face. He ran his hand through his hair, a gesture she was beginning to recognize when he was unsure of how to read her. She glanced around; no one was following them and she put her hand on his arm. She couldn’t help herself; she had to touch him.
“Thanks for the ride up. I enjoyed it very much.”
“So did I.” His gaze locked with hers and they shared a long look before Sienna dropped her eyes.
She cleared her throat and reached to the clip on the side of the pannier. “It was important that I come today. There was some family stuff I had to deal with. So thank you.”
He put his hand on top of hers as she undid the clip, and a warm tingle ran up her arm.
“No need to thank me. It’s good to see a smile back on your face and…” Sienna waited for him to continue, but he hesitated. He dropped his hand and waited while she unclipped the cover on the top of the compartment and reached in for the container.
“Great driving. All intact.”
“Sienna?” The emotion in his voice sent panic spiraling through her, and she lifted her gaze. His green eyes captured hers and her breath caught.
No. She didn’t want to hear it. She could read his mind before he even spoke.
God, she was acting like a teenager. She’d never let a man affect her like that before, and she wasn’t about to start now. Men had been put in their right place from the minute she’d discovered them in her teens. She swallowed and straightened her shoulders.
“What?”
Jack took the cake container from her. “Once we go around the back and join in the party, you’re going to get lost in the crowd. I want to tell you how I feel before the day ends, and right now is as good as ever.” He reached out and took her shoulders with gentle fingers and Sienna’s breath caught.
No.
“I’ve fallen for you, Sienna.” Jack held her gaze, and the panic swelled in her chest. “I love being with you. I love watching you move. You’re beautiful, you’re talented. Forget the gallery, forget our work relationship…just trust how we feel.”
Her throat closed as he slid his hands down her arms and held her elbows, pulling her closer.
“You do know what I am saying, don’t you?”
She clung to him and his muscles flexed beneath the green Lycra of his shirt. She’d never seen in him anything but jeans and T-shirts, and she didn’t want to think about how devastating he would look in a suit.
“I’m sorry.” Her voice broke as she shook her head, and she saw the instant his face closed to her. “Jack, there’s no such thing as happy ever after.”
No matter what he believed or how he thought he felt, Sienna wasn’t going to be a part of it. She couldn’t trust—even though her heart was screaming at her to listen to him. Marietta had ensured enough hurt to last them all a lifetime, and Sienna didn’t intend to add to it by listening to Jack. She pulled away from his grip and fought the tears that were threatening to fall.
“I’m sorry. I just can’t. It’s got nothing to do with you.” She could give him that much. “It’s not the gallery, it’s not you, it’s me.”
She left him standing there. A beautiful man in a Prince Charming suit. A man she knew she loved, but couldn’t risk listening to.
As far as parties went, it turned into a huge celebration. Faith clapped her little pudgy hands with delight as her mother, Georgie, and Sienna formed a fairy ring around her and sang “Happy Birthday.”
“Goodness, you look more like your daddy every day.” Sienna swung her high and kissed the little girl’s cheek as they finished singing.
“She sure does.” Ana looked on proudly. “How are you, Sienna? Georgie came to me as soon as Marietta left her.” Ana’s voice was quiet as she looped one arm around Sienna’s shoulder. “I didn’t call since it wasn’t something that we could talk about on the phone, and I knew it was something you and Georgie needed to talk about together.”
They moved toward the table where brightly colored presents were piled high. Faith’s cousins ran around the table looking at the presents.
“I’m fine. Really, I am. The last few days have answered a lot of questions about my life and where I’m heading.” Sienna glanced up and heat ran through her as she caught Jack’s intent gaze fixed on her. He was standing on the other side of Blake. She elbowed Ana and giggled. “Look at them…whoever would have thought that? Remember the first day the pair of them came into the shop and the wheelbarrows fell on you?”
Ana smiled. “I do. So what’s happened between you and Jack?”
“You and Georgie are nosy. Remember, I’m the private one who doesn’t share.” She softened her words as she tapped Ana with her fairy wand. “There’s nothing between us. I’ll tell all when I get back.”
But what was there to tell? she wondered. The feelings she had for Jack had overwhelmed her. They were unfamiliar to her and she wasn’t sure she could handle rejecting him. Every time she caught his eye, her heart felt as though it was going to burst out of her chest, and her legs trembled.
They stood together as friends came over to give Faith a birthday kiss. Aldo and Maria, Joe and Magda, and many of the people she’d known all her life. She knew Jack was watching her. She couldn’t stop looking over there—his gaze was fixed on her, and a tremble ran down her back. Renzo kept coming over and putting his arm around her shoulders, and a small measure of happiness filled the empty place in her chest. Knowing the truth had settled her and seemed to have taken away the distance she had always sensed that Renzo kept between them.
What Marietta had done was a good thing. A sharp pang of sadness shot through her; it might have been good if she’d been here and there was forgiveness all around, but Georgie hadn’t heard from her mother again after she’d told her the truth and disappeared with Sienna’s cash. They just had to accept that Marietta had her own prob
lems and they couldn’t do anything about it. She’d have to watch Georgie and make sure she was okay with it.
Mitzi and Thelma came over to say hello, and she was enveloped in a cloud of rose perfume and happy laughter. They were surrounded by children. Blake’s nephews and niece had come to the party and were dressed as fairy-tale characters.
“Is there cakes?” Billy, the second youngest of the five tugged at her leg. “Ana said you had the cakes.”
“Yes Billy, there are lots of cakes. Did you see them?” Sienna turned to the elderly sisters and kissed each of their soft, papery cheeks. “They’re over near the table with the presents.”
Billy ran off and Mitzi grabbed Sienna’s arm. “Yes, and we saw your Prince Charming, too. Are you going to introduce us to your man?”
“My man?” Her stomach dropped. She had to nip this in the bud before Thelma and Mitzi got their hands on Jack and gave him the third degree and told him every detail of her life.
Mitzi pointed to Jack. “Prince Charming.”
“Not my man. Jack gave me a ride up here when my car wouldn’t start.” The two elderly women exchanged a glance, and she knew they didn’t believe a word she was saying.
She escaped before they could ask more.
As the party wound up, Sienna looked around for Jack, but he was nowhere to be seen. A hollow feeling settled in her stomach when she wondered if he’d left without saying good-bye. Maybe all this family stuff had been too much for him? Maybe it wasn’t his scene? It had been something she needed to be a part of, and she was sorry if it had bothered him. Maybe it was too much for his laid-back attitude. When she thought about it, he hadn’t told her much about his family, but she’d sensed there was a problem there.
“Are you going to get changed before you leave for San Francisco?” Blake reached for Faith, and Sienna glanced at her watch.
“We’d better get a move on.”
“Before you do, Jack was wondering if you’d see him before he leaves. He’s out by his bike.” Blake hoisted Faith up onto his shoulders. “Come on, young lady, let’s go check out your new toys.”
