by Drea Stein
“Look,” Adele said, pointing to Barks and Wags, the new pet boutique.
“What?” he asked suspiciously.
“Puppies,” she said and tugged his hand. Jake suddenly had a bad feeling about this.
There were puppies, all big paws, chubby bellies, and floppy ears. They were some sort of mutt, but Jake was pretty sure they had Labrador in them. Adele was already down on her knees, her hands and face pressing into the wire cage as the puppies swarmed her. She was shrieking with laughter.
“Mama says that I can get a puppy someday.”
The puppies were awfully cute.
“Did you used to have a puppy?” Adele asked and looked up at him, one of the puppies already squirming in her arms as she tried to contain it.
“I did.”
“What was his name?” she asked.
All of a sudden, Jake had the sensation he was being played. “Boomer,” Jake said. He had really liked that dog. He had taken the dog to the beach, on the boat, everywhere. Boomer had loved the water. His mother had tolerated Boomer, who was always wet or sandy or both, but Boomer had been his best friend.
“If I had a puppy, I would name her …”
“What if it’s a boy?”
Jake couldn’t believe he was playing along with this, but he knew how much Adele wanted a dog, and since in his mind she had been through a lot, he was leaning toward that idea that she should have a dog.
“I like this one,” Adele said. She looked up at him. He looked down at the puppy and knew he was a goner.
Chapter 45
“What is that?” Colleen looked at the wiggling heap of soft yellow fur.
“A puppy, Mama.”
“You didn’t,” she began as she looked from the puppy to Jake.
“My puppy,” Jake said carefully, heading off the panic he saw in Colleen’s eyes.
“Her name is Boomer,” Adele said. “Jake used to have a dog named Boomer, so this one is also Boomer. I wanted to name her Chloe, but Jake said that Boomer was fine, so we decided to name her Chloe Boomer Owen.”
“Adorable,” Colleen said, leaning down. The puppy was adorable, a brownish gold color, all soft fur, wrinkled nose, and big eyes. Her paws were entirely too big for her body. She was chewing on something, which turned out to be her leash. She stopped when a leaf crossed her path and looked as if she were going to chase it.
“You got a puppy,” Colleen said. She couldn’t quite look at Jake.
“Well, I’ve sort of been thinking about it,” he said defensively. Somehow, while it was happening he’d had the sense that this was a bad idea. Not because he didn’t want a dog. Already, he was charmed by Boomer, who tended to trip over her own feet, but because he was sure that Colleen would read too much into it. And he could see from her tenseness, the look on her face, the way she watched Adele play with Boomer that she was upset.
“I am sure you were. I mean it’s your life, you have every right to get a dog.”
“Jake said I could play with Boomer anytime I want to.”
“I am sure he did,” Colleen said, feeling the tight lump in her throat. What was Jake thinking? She looked up at him, and his eyes darted away. This was moving too fast for her. She needed to put a stop to this, but then she looked at her daughter who was jabbering at the puppy and at Jake, and she’d never thought she’d seen a guy so happy.
“Mama, Jake has invited us over to dinner. He says that he has a view of the water from his apartment.”
Adele was rubbing the puppy’s belly, and the puppy was wiggling in bliss underneath her touch.
“Oh really?”
“It doesn’t have to be tonight,” he said hastily. “In fact, I was thinking tomorrow night might be better. I thought we’d have steaks and watch a movie. Adele’s given me a list of age-appropriate choices.” He was stumbling over his words, and he ran a hand through his hair. Colleen almost took pity on him, since he looked so guilty, but then she quashed the thought.
She looked at Adele who was telling Boomer not to chase squirrels. Boomer had turned back over on her stomach and was yawning, looking very much like she was ready for a puppy nap.
“Adele, Jake and I are going to talk. We will just be over there,” Colleen said and pointed toward the bench below the spreading leaves of the big oak tree, which was unoccupied and close enough to keep an eye on Adele but far enough away from the attention of the other moms at the playground. Because Colleen could tell that she and Jake might be about to have a scene, and she had no desire to be the subject of gossip around Happy Faces.
Jake stuck his hands in his pockets and followed her over to the tree where he stood, one booted foot kicking defiantly at the ground.
“I didn’t know you were planning on getting a dog.”
“I guess I didn’t know either. You know how some things are just meant to be.”
She shook her head. She didn’t believe in rash decisions any longer, and she couldn’t allow Jake to drag her and, more importantly, Adele, down that sort of path.
“I just want to see you, like a real person,” he said, changing the subject.
“You do realize you invited my daughter over as well. What exactly do you think will happen?”
“I’ll make steaks and baked potatoes, we will pop in a movie, something with princesses and cute talking animals, Adele will probably fall asleep, and then I’ll drive you home.”
“And?”
“What do you think I think will happen? What kind of guy do you think I am?”
The dangerous type, Colleen thought, because Jake knew that exactly nothing would happen between them if Adele was there.
He took a step closer to her, dropped his voice but it was still laced with anger when he said, “If I wanted sex, I would stop by the shop and lock the door. Or I’d ask you out on a date and tell you to get a babysitter. Or I’d pick you up from work in my truck. You seem to have no problem having sex with me, Colleen, but now I’m asking you to dinner.”
“With a five year old,” Colleen pointed out.
“Exactly. And a puppy.”
“Jake, I don’t need to play house,” she said. She’d done that and it had only led to broken dreams. He looked at her, and she could read the look in his eyes. It wouldn’t just be playing with him.
“Adele says you like chocolate chip cookies. It’s just dinner.”
She wanted to say no, wanted to back away but knew that she was sliding, falling far too deep. She glanced over at her daughter, who was waving enthusiastically at them to come back over. She needed to make a decision, and she just didn’t want to feel that it was so fraught with importance.
“Okay, for just a few hours. Adele’s bedtime is eight.”
“So is the puppy’s, so it will work perfectly,” he said and smiled.
She couldn’t help but think that his smile was utterly charming, utterly irresistible, and her heart slid just a little bit further, just a little bit harder over the edge from which she knew there would be no coming back.
Chapter 46
Lydia watched the wheel go around as her fingers shaped the clay, then she stopped and smashed it all together. It wasn’t working. She glanced at the clock. She had an hour before she needed to go pick up Josh, then they’d head to the park with Adele and Colleen. She sighed, absentmindedly wiping her hands on her shirt. It was an oversized flannel that had belonged to an ex-boyfriend. She couldn’t remember which one.
She had on a clean Lady Antebellum t-shirt on underneath. So as long as the clay smears didn’t soak through she should be okay. As far as she was concerned, a clean band t-shirt was totally appropriate to wear to pick up Josh. But then she’d never been overly concerned about fashion.
She got up from her stool, looked out the window. She had to admit that the view was priceless. Her father’s house, which was practically a mansion, was in the Bluffs section of Queensbay on the highlands that ringed the hills with a water view. Not of the harbor; they were too far out of town for t
hat, but of the Sound itself. All she could see was blue meeting the horizon, maybe a long, low-slung dark hump of land that was Long Island.
She’d grown up a country girl, where water had come from creeks and lakes, then she had lived in cities like Savannah and Atlanta, and this was country again to her. Queensbay was quiet, and she could distract herself for hours watching the seagulls wheel and play in the sky.
She stood in the square of light, basking in the warmth. True, it wasn’t exactly cold, but she was a southern girl, and she expected it be much warmer by this time of year. She knew she had needed to get out of Savannah, so when the deal with her dad had presented herself, she leapt at the chance. Plus, she’d felt Josh had deserved better. Her only condition had been that she needed a place to work, when she wasn’t busy with Josh.
Her dad, true to his belief that money could buy the best, had spared no expense. He’d had an outbuilding erected with running water, electricity, and heat. He’d had a kiln installed, of course, along with shelving and plenty of counter space. She couldn’t fault her dad because this was a potter’s dream space, and now that she didn’t have to worry about teaching classes, she should have plenty of time to focus on her work.
More time than she’d had in Georgia, in fact, hours of time to study, shape, and create. Still, it was harder than she had thought it would be. She realized that right now she was thinking about Josh. Had he liked what she packed for lunch? Was he getting in fights with the Wallach twins? Had he thrown the type of temper tantrum that was going to have the school calling her? And it was her they should call. Her dad had made that clear. With Josh’s mom out of the picture and Hailey, the nanny, away in Ibiza, just about everything Josh-related came to her.
At first it had bothered her, but her dad had never been the fatherly type. True, he was generous with his money, but not with his time. And since Josh was her only brother, she wanted better for him. There were worse things than taking him to the park and getting to hang out in a waterfront studio.
At least the cook and housekeeper hadn’t left. She could handle the babysitting part of it, but she was sure everyone was glad she wasn’t supposed to cook or dust. She tended to forget about those things the more absorbed she got in her work. In fact, she smiled as she watched a gull over in the wind current, this gig was sort of like being an artist in residence someplace.
She sighed, pulled out her phone, saw that she only had an hour left before she needed to get Josh. She sat back down, took a deep breath and closed her eyes. Slowly, as the wheel began to turn, she coaxed something to life underneath her hands. She and Josh had been out for a walk yesterday, a winding path along the bluff, and they had been looking in the trees, watching for birds and squirrels. Josh loved being outside, and the great outdoors was just about big enough to absorb his energy.
They had seen a wasp nest high up in the tree, somewhat camouflaged by the brilliant green leaves, but she had been struck by its shape, the conical nature of it. She had a commission from a store out in Seattle to make some vases, but the shapes were eluding her. Her long, delicate fingers kept working, shaping. Maybe Colleen would want some vases too, in that same shade she’d taken to calling Queensbay blue.
Lydia hummed to herself in satisfaction as the form rose up beneath her hands. Inspiration had found her or she had found it. Whichever it was, she wasn’t about to question it.
Chapter 47
“Is Boomer sleeping? I brought her a toy,” Adele said, almost as soon as the door was open. She was about to rush in when Colleen put a restraining arm to hold her back.
“Adele, wait until we are invited in.”
It was no use. Jake had been trying to hold the puppy back with one of his feet, but Boomer broke loose and found Adele. The two of them were happily rolling around on the door mat in no time.
“Boomer, come,” Jake commanded.
The dog’s ear popped up and she paused for the barest of instances. It was enough time for Jake to scoop her up and for Colleen to right Adele.
“Sorry, she’s very excited to see you. Won’t you come in?” he said and stepped back.
Adele walked in, followed by Colleen. Her eyes were guarded, as if she still couldn’t believe she had agreed to this arrangement. He wanted to kiss her, but Boomer wiggled and licked his face.
“Adele, I’m going to put Boomer down. Are you ready?”
“Mais oui,” she declared, and Boomer leapt toward her. She had a toy ready and soon they were playing tug of war.
“Hello,” he said and turned to Colleen.
She was wearing jeans, ones that cropped off near her ankles, and bright red flats. They contrasted with her black and white striped t-shirt. The neck was cut so he could see just enough of her skin to make him want to run his hand gently along it, if only to see her shiver and her eyes flicker with awareness.
“Hello,” she answered and stood there. He wanted to kiss her, but was acutely aware that she was aware that Adele was there. So he leaned in, brushed his lips on her cheek and stepped back.
“For me?” he asked, taking the bag.
“Just a bottle of wine. We were going to make cookies, but Adele assured me that you had everything covered, so we should relax and enjoy what you planned for us.”
“Pretty simple, I’m afraid,” he said. “Steak, baked potatoes, and asparagus. If she won’t eat that I have apple slices. Sources say that works for most kids.”
“She’ll be happy with anything.”
“And I have popcorn for the movie,” he said.
“With butter and salt?”
“Is there any other way?” he assured her.
“Adele, why don’t you take your paper and pencils and see if you can draw a picture of Boomer,” Colleen suggested and handed over a bag that he saw contained a coloring book, some paper, and colored pencils.
“I also have a puzzle for her, but we might have to play Old Maid with her as well.”
“Sure we can’t teach her poker?”
Colleen laughed, and he could sense that she was relaxing just a little bit.
Adele and Boomer found a spot on the floor where Adele started to draw while Boomer chewed on one of her treats.
Jake walked over to the counter, and Colleen followed.
“Have a seat. How about a glass of wine?”
She accepted, and there was silence except for the background music as he poured a glass of wine for her and opened a beer for himself.
“Nervous?” he asked.
She shrugged. “I’ve never really done this before.”
“Had a glass of wine with a guy?”
She glanced over at Adele. “Had a glass of wine with my,” she started to say something, then hesitated, “friend while my daughter is here as well.”
“Well, we’re just two friends having a relaxing dinner together. Would it be weird if it were you and Lydia or you and Ellie?”
“Of course not,” she answered quickly.
“It’s just dinner, Colleen, I promise, nothing weird.”
“It’s a slippery slope, Jake. Especially when there is a child involved.”
“I understand,” he said evenly. He didn’t want to tell her that it was the whole point of having her and Adele here together. The little girl had already won his heart, and now he just needed to make sure Colleen understood his full intentions toward them.
“I don’t want her to think …”
“That a guy should be able to cook?” he asked and was rewarded with a flicker of a smile.
“A false sense of family,” Colleen corrected, her voice low.
“Families come in all shapes and sizes, Colleen, and like I said, it’s just dinner and a movie. So we happen to have a chaperone,” he said and looked at Boomer who was on her back getting a stomach rub from Adele. “Make that two. I think I can keep my hands off of you for one night.”
She nodded and took a sip of her wine.
“So how was your day?” he asked, just when he saw tha
t she was relaxed. Her eyes widened, then she accepted that he was joking.
“Smashing, and how was yours?”
“Got the permits for a new house. Talked to the mayor about the Showhouse. Jax still thinks I’m crazy.”
And so they continued while he made dinner, prepping the asparagus, the potatoes, and the steak. He stepped outside onto his deck to light up the grill, and she came with him. She talked about things, her life working in shops, some things about college. He noticed the holes, or the parts that she carefully skipped around, kept to herself. He knew that they must be about Adele’s father. He let her have her secrets for tonight, aware that Adele kept popping in and out, peppering them with questions.
Adele deemed the steak tres bien. She liked the baked potato and adored the asparagus. The chocolate chip cookies, made from a tube of refrigerated dough, got fine marks, especially once he let her lick the spoon when Colleen wasn’t looking. And then came the popcorn. He made a big bowl, salted and buttered, and they sat down on the couch. Adele sat between them with Boomer on her lap. He had the lights dimmed and the movie all ready.
“What’s this about?”
“A dog and another dog,” he said as the opening credits of Lady and the Tramp came on. He could see the smile on Colleen’s face, and they all settled into the movie.
Colleen had finally relaxed, though she couldn’t quite lose herself in the movie. Her mind was racing. Everything about the night had been perfect, simple, but perfect. Jake’s cooking had been simple but perfect. Not trying to impress her, but she’d barely lifted a finger. So what if cookies came from a tube? Adele had just discovered the timeless appeal of cookie dough. Wait until she found out it came in ice cream. The popcorn, the movie, and the warm, comforting presence of Adele between the two of them was wonderful, too good to be true. Jake’s arm had stretched across the back of the couch, but it hadn’t quite reached her. He didn’t seem upset by it or the fact that somehow Adele’s feet had kept poking at him after she’d fallen asleep. At no point had he seemed upset or bothered by Adele’s questions, the need to cut her steak up into small pieces or any of the hundreds of little complications an evening with a child inevitably included.
