A car drove up as Barbi walked out. It was Brendan’s silver Lexus, and she loved his sour expression as he looked at her old Chevy. So it wasn’t a Lexus. It was reliable, got decent gas mileage and didn’t cost her a gazillion dollars to insure. Besides, she could do a bunch of the repairs herself. At a guess, Brendan had never looked beneath the hood of his Lexus, much less gotten his hands dirty changing the oil.
“Hiya, Brendan,” she called as he got out. Wonder of wonders, he wasn’t wearing a suit, but his dress pants and long-sleeved shirt weren’t a big improvement.
“Barbi. Are you here to see Hannah?”
There was a whole bunch of criticism in the way he said her name. Usually she didn’t let it bother her, but today it was especially annoying. Maybe it was the difference between Brendan and Jake Hollister. She enjoyed delivering food to Jake. He was sexy and gave humongous tips without being stuck-up about it or flirting with her. Brendan was an okay tipper, but he was so damned snooty she wanted to kick his butt.
“I’m working. What are you doing here?”
A look crossed his face, as if he thought she was being presumptuous. She hoped he’d say something about it so she could point out that he’d asked first.
“I’m taking Hannah and Danny out to dinner and a movie.”
“I hope it’s food a kid would like,” she said. “You know, not stuffed peppers or eggplant.”
A red flush crept up his neck. It was a rotten thing to say, since she knew he’d brought eggplant the night she’d come for her first tutoring session with Hannah. Danny had grumbled about it the entire evening. Poor kid, he didn’t like Brendan any better than he liked eggplant.
“Not that it’s your business, but I’m taking them to a Greek restaurant down in Lower Mahalaton,” he replied stiffly.
“Don’t push those grape-leaf things on him, either,” she warned. “Danny enjoys things like plain cheese pizza and chicken. He wants ordinary salad with bits of carrots and cabbage, not beet greens or other fancy crap.”
God forbid that Brendan ask Danny where he’d like to eat. For that matter, he probably hadn’t talked to Hannah about it, either. Still, Barbi kept getting the feeling that beneath Brendan’s high-and-mighty attitude, he might not be so bad; he might even be sexy with a little help.
Not that it mattered, since she was leaving Mahalaton Lake as soon as she could. Besides, he was hung up on Hannah.
“Children should be encouraged to expand their horizons.” It sounded as if he was quoting something he’d read and she rolled her eyes.
“Give me a break,” she said. “Danny’s horizons are up to Hannah.”
Brendan appeared uncomfortable again. “I’m not trying to step on Hannah’s toes, if that’s what you’re implying.”
“Okay, but what do you know about expanded horizons? You hardly wear anything but those stuffy suits. This is Mahalaton Lake, not Boston or Seattle. Hell, you look as though you just stopped to ask directions back to the city, not like you live here.”
“That’s ridiculous. There’s nothing wrong with having certain standards for dressing and behaving.”
“Standards?” She crossed her arms across her chest and nearly laughed when he focused on her cleavage. “What you really want is to stand out from the local lumberjacks and ski-lift operators. What’s wrong—afraid you’ll be mistaken for an everyday guy who works with his hands?”
His mouth dropped. “I’m not a snob. I respect people employed in those kinds of positions.”
“Could have fooled me.”
“It’s true,” he insisted. “My uncle has worked in the Miami maintenance department his entire life. He’s a great guy.”
“But you became a lawyer.”
“What’s wrong with that? I like the law. We’ve been lawyers for over two hundred years in my father’s family. Townsend & Associates is a prestigious law firm back in Boston.”
“Then why aren’t you in Boston?”
“Because I’m here, that’s why.” His tone plainly said it was none of her business. “But it’s a top firm. One of our ancestors even practiced law with John Adams.”
“I’m not sure I’d brag about that,” Barbi advised. “Didn’t everybody in Boston get mad at John Adams for defending British soldiers on murder charges in 1770?”
Brendon’s eyes widened. “How do you know that?”
“It’s in the history books, or don’t you think I can read?”
“I never said anything of the kind.”
“You implied it. I bet you don’t work for your family because you’re too conservative.”
Brendan scowled. “I happen to be far more liberal than my family.”
“Ooh, that’s scary. You won’t even experiment with pizza. It’s always the same—sausage, olives and onions.”
“I suppose you have better ideas?”
“Pepperoni, mushrooms and artichoke hearts,” she said promptly.
He wrinkled his nose. “Ugh. Artichoke hearts?”
“You don’t know until you’ve tried it, which you obviously won’t. Hell, try anything new. I bet you haven’t even made friends with anyone except Hannah.”
A door opening nearby distracted Barbi, and she saw Jake coming down the steps from the sunroom. He still seemed tired, but at the moment he was grinning broadly.
“Don’t mind me,” he called. “I’m just getting some fresh air.”
“You need fresh air with all those windows?” Brendan gestured toward the sunroom, where most of the windows were wide-open.
Jake shrugged. “I’m used to being outside most of the time.” He came forward and put out his hand. “Hello, I’m Jake Hollister. We weren’t formally introduced when you visited Hannah last week.”
* * *
BRENDAN SHOOK THE newcomer’s hand. “Brendan Townsend, attorney at law,” he returned coolly. “I didn’t realize people were that formal in the places you’ve lived.”
“Every place has its customs. Even the United States, as Hannah has pointed out.”
“Hannah is a very special friend of mine,” Brendan warned, remembering that Hannah wasn’t too happy with her new tenant. “I helped write her lease agreement paperwork and wouldn’t like her to be dissatisfied about how things are working out here.”
Jake smiled. “In some cultures, they don’t waste time with veiled threats—they just say what they think. Others are too polite to say anything, no matter how they feel. I guess you’re somewhere in the middle.”
Brendan glared at Barbi when she laughed. She was impossible. And why had he told her about his family in Boston?
Once he had planned to join the family law practice—it was a Townsend tradition. Both his older sisters were partners, and he had four cousins who were either associates or partners, as well. Everybody had expected him to return, but when a prominent firm in Seattle had recruited him out of Harvard Law School, Brendan had accepted...much to his parents’ dismay. Yet it was his move to Mahalaton Lake that had appalled them the most. Townsends did not take breaks from big-city success—they were expected to die at their desks, not in their beds.
He’d never told anyone, but deep down he’d resented his father’s work habits when he was a kid. Oliver Townsend had never attended a single school event for his children—even their high school and college graduation ceremonies had taken a backseat to the family law firm.
Brendan set his jaw at the memories. He’d been determined not to become like Oliver, yet it had happened anyway. It wasn’t until he’d lost Maria that he’d woken up and seen what he was doing. He still wasn’t sure that moving to Mahalaton Lake was the answer, but it was better than doing nothing.
“I wasn’t making threats, I’m simply protecting Hannah’s interests,” he declared.
Hollister chuckled. “From what I
’ve seen, Hannah can take care of herself.”
“That’s right. Oops, I gotta get back to Luigi’s,” Barbi said when her cell phone beeped. “Thanks again for the tip, Jake. See ya next time. Don’t forget what I said about asking for something from the regular menu.”
Brendan watched as she got into her faded yellow Chevy and drove off. He supposed it didn’t matter where he lived, there would always be people who got on his nerves. It was the same for everyone. Barbi just happened to be one of those people for him.
“Hi, Brendan,” Hannah called as she came out of her house a moment later, her cheeks flushed a healthy pink. “Was that Barbi I heard leaving?”
“Yeah, I ordered pizza,” Jake explained before Brendan could say anything.
“Oh.”
Hannah’s expression when she looked down at Jake Hollister was distinctly wary. “Is there anything you need?” she asked him.
“Nope, I just wondered if you want to use the hot tub later. Danny mentioned you like it.”
Hot tub? Brendan stiffened.
“I wouldn’t dream of imposing,” she said coolly.
“You’re welcome to use it whenever you want.”
Brendan saw an amused gleam in Jake Hollister’s eye and for the first time in his life wanted to land a punch. Instead he grabbed the bouquet of flowers he’d brought and trotted up the steps to Hannah’s porch. Starting a brawl was hardly the way to convince her that he was a decent guy who had nothing in common with her ex-husband. He figured her ex was the reason she was so cautious, wanting their relationship to move slowly.
“I love flowers, but you don’t need to bring them every time,” she said, letting him kiss her on the cheek.
“You deserve the best.” He’d never forgotten his mother’s delight whenever his father brought her a bouquet. Admittedly, that hadn’t been very often, but she’d treated them as rare treasures. Maria had loved them as well, and he was grateful he’d taken the time to get them for her.
“Well, they’re beautiful. Come in while Danny finishes getting ready.”
Brendan followed, and once they were inside where they couldn’t be overheard, cleared his throat. “I...uh, was wondering where you’d like to eat tonight. I made reservations at the Greek café in Lower Mahalaton, but it may not be the kind of food Danny enjoys.”
Hannah blinked. “We’ve eaten there, so it should be fine. But it’s nice of you to ask.”
“Uh, sure.” Yet he squirmed. The only reason he’d asked was because of Barbi’s comments. Oh, he would have said something before they got to the restaurant, but by then, Hannah might have felt she couldn’t object.
At least he’d already asked what movie Danny would like to see. Hannah had suggested they go to an old children’s flick at the Lower Mahalaton Classics Theater. Dating a mother was a new experience for Brendan. Usually he’d avoided women with kids since it made dating more complicated, but that was before he’d moved to Mahalaton Lake and met Hannah.
* * *
“DANNY, HURRY UP. Brendan is here,” Hannah called.
“Awright. Coming,” he called back in a long-suffering tone.
She put the flowers in a vase and filled it with water. She hoped Brendan wouldn’t realize what Danny’s tone of voice meant. She also hoped he wouldn’t realize that she’d forgotten they were going out tonight. When she’d seen him drive into the yard she’d hurriedly changed into something suitable, telling Danny to change, as well. Luckily Barbi and Jake had kept him talking long enough for her to get moderately put together.
Life sure was different now. At sixteen she’d lived for date night, carefully dressing and doing her makeup, always ready on time so Collin wouldn’t have to wait when he arrived.
Collin.
Her mouth turned down. It was the second time she’d thought of him in just a few hours, and it was mostly because of Jake. He seemed casual about taking risks with his life...just the same as her high school sweetheart.
Hannah jumped as Brendan put his hand on her shoulder. “Is everything all right?” he asked. “You seem a million miles away.”
“Yes, fine. Just admiring your flowers.” She smiled, feeling guilty that she’d been thinking about a man other than the one taking her to dinner. “I’ll see what’s keeping Danny.”
She found him playing a PlayStation game in his room.
“Do I hafta go?” he muttered. “Can’t I just visit Jake?”
“No. Jake isn’t a babysitter. Besides, Brendan planned this night for all of us. We’re seeing a movie after we eat.”
“I bet it’s something dorky.”
“It’s a film called Charlotte’s Web. I saw it when I was your age. Now turn the game off. Please.”
Danny sulkily did as she asked and sat silently in the backseat of the car as they drove to Lower Mahalaton. Hannah knew he didn’t like Brendan, but it wasn’t as if they were getting married. They were just dating; they hadn’t even gotten past a good-night kiss.
Unfortunately Danny’s dislike of Brendan had grown stronger since Jake Hollister’s arrival. After all, how could a lawyer compete with an adventuring photographer? And it was no help that Brendan didn’t understand small boys. Not that Jake understood them, either, but he had excitement on his side and the mysterious lure of the unknown.
But it wasn’t just his stories; Jake was exciting. He’d done things most people just dreamed about, and from a feminine perspective, he was the sexiest guy she’d ever met. He also had the wounded-lion thing going for him—the strong warrior, injured in battle but not defeated. She’d have to be dead not to feel a zing around him.
It wasn’t until they were at the theater that Danny cheered up, helped along by the big tub of buttered popcorn, soda and supersize candy bar that Brendan bought him.
“Gee, thanks,” he said, his eyes gleaming.
“You’re welcome. Would you like some, Hannah?”
“Uh, no, thanks, I’m still full from dinner.” She wished Brendan had talked to her before buying the treats. And fate obviously wasn’t on her side, because one of the previews of coming attractions was for the old movie Crocodile Dundee.
“Cool, Mommy. Can we see that?” Danny asked.
“We’ll talk about it. Later,” she said before Brendan could offer to take them.
Crocodile Dundee was rollicking good fun, but she wouldn’t let Danny see it until he was older. For weeks after watching Old Yeller at a friend’s house, he’d jumped in and out of bed for fear a rabid animal was hiding underneath, waiting to bite his feet if he got too close. He hadn’t even wanted Badger to sleep in his room.
All at once, as if in response to her thoughts, Danny frowned. “Mommy, do crocodiles climb stairs?”
“No, they don’t,” Hannah assured, though she couldn’t be positive one way or the other. On the other hand, she was quite certain there weren’t any crocodiles in Mahalaton Lake.
Thankfully, the start of the movie kept Danny from asking anything else. She’d sat in the middle so Brendan wouldn’t be in range of spilled soda pop or chocolate fingerprints, but it was nerve-racking to sit between them. Brendan wanted to hold her hand, which was sweet but inconvenient, and Danny had trouble juggling his bucket of popcorn, candy and soda. By the time the final credits rolled on the movie, she just wanted to crawl into bed, alone, though Brendan had hinted often enough that he’d welcome an invitation to join her there.
She missed sex, but life was a lot more complicated with her son in the next bedroom.
* * *
JAKE SPENT THE evening reading another book on the Cascade Range. He was impressed by the private library in Huckleberry Lodge. It contained a wide array of fiction and nonfiction, including dozens of books on the geology, fauna and plant life of the Cascades. Surely there would be something in one of them that would giv
e him a flash of inspiration. Reading about the mountains wasn’t the same as experiencing them, but his leg wasn’t up to extended hiking yet, even around a place as tame as Washington.
This particular volume was about the volcanic history of the range. The eruption of Mount St. Helens in 1980 was well-known. And there had to be a million pictures of Mount Rainier—which according to his brother’s wife was no longer considered a dormant volcano. Layne was a fount of information as a researcher for the regional magazine The Puget Sound Babbitt, though she was going on maternity leave any day now. Matt had laughed about it, saying that the pregnancy had been the only thing to convince her to take time off since their honeymoon.
Marriage, fatherhood...end of career, Jake thought dismally. But it probably wouldn’t have as big of an impact on Matt, since he’d quit the party circuit a couple of years before getting married. Instead he was running a multibillion-dollar charitable foundation for his maternal grandfather.
Jake turned a page and saw a photo of Mount Rainier. It was part of the Seattle city skyline, and close enough that anyone there could visit for a day’s outing. Maybe one of his own photo captions could be “America’s Mount Vesuvius.” But he dismissed it immediately. Somebody must have used that already, and he didn’t like comparing one part of the world to another.
Jake looked out at the lake, calm now that the recreational boaters had quit for the day. Evergreens grew down to the shoreline, and a lone heron stood in the shallows, hunting for its dinner. Making a face at the pretty sight, he pulled a piece of pizza from the box on the coffee table. It was cold, yet his sour mood faded as he recalled the exchange between Barbi and Brendan Townsend. They were an incongruous pair—Barbi in her sassy clothes and Townsend with his buttoned-down mentality.
Barbi had visited Hannah several times over the past week, staying for an hour or two in the evening before leaving, so she obviously wasn’t delivering meals from Luigi’s. Maybe if she came out to Huckleberry Lodge often enough, there might be more opportunities to watch her and Brendan striking sparks off each other.
Jake's Biggest Risk (Those Hollister Boys) Page 8
