"I'll start in the bedroom,” Zack told her.
"Okay.” Justine clutched the cabinet doors and tried not to think about Zack in her bedroom. Her fingers trembled as she began removing canned goods from the shelves. Why hadn't she just told him a plain and straightforward no? Because you couldn't say it, because you didn't want him to stop.
"Yes, I did,” Justine grumbled defensively beneath her breath. “Besides, there's nothing wrong with wanting him. It's the loving him I have to fight."
The cabinet was empty. No pretty rainbow boa in sight. With a sigh, Justine began replacing the cans.
In the bedroom, Zack, with Dennis firmly attached, had completed a thorough search of the bed. He'd looked under the mattress, scooted on his back to inspect the springs beneath, and had emptied the pillows of their casings.
No sign of Squeeze.
"Looks like the closet is our next destination,” Zack told Dennis. The monkey chattered something and tightened his arms around Zack's neck. Zack absently stroked the monkey's back as he opened the closet doors and began to push the hangers aside one by one. He paused when he came to a little black dress, his brow swooping upward. What he wouldn't give to see that on Justine! With a wistful sigh, he shoved the dress aside. His hand closed over a hanger draped with scarves in a rainbow of colors.
Something crackled beneath his fingers.
Zack jerked his hand away, frowning at the scarves. Cautiously, he reached out and fingered the material. To his amazement, a portion of the scarf fell apart in his hands.
Either Justine had a serious moth infestation, or it wasn't a scarf after all. “Justine!” he bellowed, startling Dennis.
She came at a run, skidding to a stop in the doorway. “What is it?” she demanded breathlessly. “You scared the daylights out of me!"
"I think I've found something.” He motioned her over, taking her hand and placing it on the scarf. Justine's eyes went wide.
"This is her skin! No wonder she's been hiding.” She pulled the skin from her scarves and held the gruesome sight in the air as if it were a trophy.
Zack wasn't particularly intrigued. “Why did she hide?"
"Because for a bit—while the skin is sliding over their eyes—snakes are almost blind,” Justine explained. “It frightens them when they can't see.” With growing excitement, she began to flip through her clothes. “She's probably close by."
Trying to appear casual, Zack took a prudent step away from the closet. A tame snake was one thing; a frightened one was quite another. Besides, he didn't want to scare Dennis if Justine happened to pull a squirming snake from the closet.
When she came upon a garment bag, her fingers stilled. She slid it to the left, then to the right as if to test its weight. Smiling triumphantly, she lifted the bag from the rod and set it gently on the floor. Zack noted that the zipper running the length of the garment bag was partially open.
"This was empty, I'm sure of it. She probably crawled in and couldn't get back out."
Zack swallowed hard and tightened his arms around Dennis—to comfort the monkey, of course. “I'll bet she's hungry.” To his surprise—and relief—Justine shook her head.
"Snakes can go for weeks without eating, and I fed her just before she disappeared.” Gently, she unzipped the bag and lifted the boa. Squeeze undulated in her hands, apparently anxious to stretch after her confinement. “My, you've got a shiny new skin, don't you girl?"
Her crooning voice was like an aphrodisiac to Zack. He shifted and tried to steer his mind away from the seductive, compelling sound. They were in her bedroom, but she was holding a snake and he was holding a monkey. Any sane, normal guy would be thinking of how he could extract himself without losing face.
The bizarreness of the scene and his own acceptance made Zack laugh. Thomas would never believe him.
Hell, he found it hard to believe.
"What's so funny?” Justine inquired.
She gave Squeeze her freedom.
Zack watched as the snake made for the dark safety of the bed, effectively placing the bed off limits. He shook his head, unwilling to share the nature of his amusement with Justine. Somehow, he didn't think she would find it funny, and he didn't want her to think he was laughing at her expense. She owned a pet store, and days like today were probably ordinary for her.
For the first time, Zack realized that if he succeeded in winning Justine's heart again, his life would be peppered with bizarre days like today. Some perhaps even more bizarre.
Today they had rescued a monkey from the roof, and a snake from a garment bag. Somewhere in the apartment lurked a giant toe-loving lizard and a fierce cat, both a part of Justine's misfit family that he hoped someday would be his own.
But at the heart of the jungle lived the woman he loved.
The knowledge made him smile.
"Are you hungry?"
Justine's query startled him from his pleasant fantasies.
His mouth watered.
Sliding a slow, deliberate gaze over her, he drawled softly, “Oh, yeah. I'm definitely hungry."
She blushed.
[Back to Table of Contents]
Chapter Twenty-Two
It wasn't yet seven o'clock Wednesday morning when Zack heard a knock at his door. Since he'd just stepped out of the shower—a blissfully hot shower—he envisioned a glowering Fowler standing in the hall wearing his Henry the Eighth robe.
"You promised,” Zack mimicked in a whiny, nasal voice as he opened the door. But it wasn't Fowler, it was Jordan Diamond.
"Surprised to see me?” Jordan queried with a cheeky grin.
Zack closed his mouth. “As a matter of fact, I didn't expect to see you until the last minute."
Jordan bounced by him, leaving Zack standing in the doorway wearing nothing but a damp towel. Zack slammed the door. “Come on in,” he muttered sarcastically. “You'll have to excuse me while I get dressed."
"Don't let me stop you. Mind if I help myself to a glass of milk? I skipped breakfast so I'd have time to stop by here on the way to school."
"Help yourself, and pour me one while you're at it."
When Zack emerged from the bedroom a few moments later, the jug of milk was empty and Jordan sported a thick white mustache. He reminded Zack of those “Got Milk?” advertisements.
Jordan handed a glass to Zack. “I saved you one. By the way, where's the monkey?"
He pointed to the ceiling fan above Jordan's head. “Asleep, so I'd appreciate it if you would keep your voice down.” Zack tipped the glass and drained half the milk. He set the glass on the counter and folded his arms. “So, you've come to your senses?"
"I have. You didn't think I would?"
Zack shook his head. “I figured you would, but I didn't think you would this soon. The other guys have already contacted me."
Jordan made a face. “Yeah, well, those dudes don't have Clay Diamond for a dad. He'd kill me if he knew."
"Don't you mean he will kill you? That is part of the bargain, Jordan,” Zack reminded him. “You have to tell your folks."
"Yeah, I know, I know.” Jordan stuck his hands in his pockets and hung his head. “I just dread it. Dad's gonna hit the roof."
Zack was careful not to show his sympathy. “I think he'll be more disappointed about the fact that you lied to him."
"Yeah, and Mom, too.” He fished a wad of bills from his pocket and handed them to Zack. “It's all there. Aunt Justine gave me an advance."
"There's another one that will be disappointed. You know that she blames me, don't you?"
Jordan flushed. “Yeah, that was pretty cool of you not to tell her.” He darted a quick, sly glance at Zack. “Why don't you ask her to dinner and explain everything?"
For the second time in less than fifteen minutes, Zack's mouth fell open. “Are you matchmaking, Jordan? I thought you hated me."
"I did, but I don't anymore. Mini said—” He broke off, his face turning a darker shade of red.
Zack straightened, a
quick flash of alarm skirting down his spine. “Mini, the lovebird? You're saying she spoke to you?” Maybe Justine hadn't been overreacting. Maybe the kid was experimenting with drugs. Despite what he'd told her, sixteen was a little too old for imaginative friends, wasn't it?
"Forget it. You wouldn't believe me anyway.” Jordan scuffed his shoe across the floor, lowering his voice to a conspiratorial whisper, “I'm not sure I believe it sometimes."
"Why are you whispering?"
Jordan glanced around furtively, then leaned forward. “They watch you guys on Mini's crystal ball."
"Uh-huh. Right.” Zack gulped the rest of his milk, deciding to go along with Jordan's strange behavior until he could talk to Justine. “About the game Friday night—"
"Yeah, I can't wait!” Jordan clamped his hand over his mouth and looked up at the sleeping monkey. He lowered his voice. “We're gonna stomp those Wild Cats this time, aren't we?"
Zack hesitated, but he knew what he had to do. “I believe we'll beat the Wild Cats, but I'm afraid you won't be playing Friday night."
"Aw, Coach! Why not? I gave you the money, and I'm going to tell my folks tonight—"
"I'm sorry.” Zack was sorry. The kid showed a lot of enthusiasm for the game, which was probably why each and every team member looked up to him. “But it wouldn't be fair to pull Avery from the game just because you decided to admit you were wrong.” For a moment, he thought Jordan would continue to argue. He was immensely pleased when he didn't. Perhaps Jordan had learned his lesson.
"You're right again,” Jordan admitted. “Belly's good, too. If I could pick someone to take my place, I'd pick Belly."
Hoping to ease the moment, Zack clapped him on the back. “Look on the bright side; you'll have more time to practice your apology.” He walked him to the door. “And thanks for the tip about inviting Justine to dinner. I think I will."
Jordan smiled. “It wasn't my idea, but I'll give Mini the message. And don't worry about Aunt Justine finding out from mom first. My dad doesn't get home till late, and believe me, I don't want to tell the story twice."
"Good thinking."
"How do you think Aunt Justine will take it?” he asked, hovering anxiously by the door.
"She might be disappointed at first, but I think she'll forgive you.” Zack glanced at his watch and saw that he had fifteen minutes to get dressed. He was due at the school for a faculty meeting at seven-forty-five, but Jordan still lingered.
"Don't you wish she'd forgive you, too?"
Zack stiffened. “What do you mean?"
"You know,” Jordan chided, punching him playfully in the arm and nearly knocking the empty glass from Zack's hand. “For dumping her when you guys went on that cruise."
"I didn't dump her,” Zack said, still at a loss to Jordan's meaning. “I left a message for her—along with my phone number. She never called."
Jordan's youthful brows disappeared behind a lock of dark hair. “That's not what she told Mom. She said you left the ship without a word. Well, gotta go. Good luck tonight."
With a wink and a friendly wave, Jordan slipped out the door, leaving Zack reeling with a stunning realization.
Justine never received his message.
The hostility, the mistrust...yes, even the fear he'd glimpsed in her eyes. It all made sense to Zack now, and he wondered why he hadn't considered the possibility.
Justine believed he'd wooed her into his bed, convinced her that he loved her, and then walked away without a word.
Yes, it all made perfect sense.
She probably believed he'd come to Cannon Bay to trample her heart a second time. No wonder she fought him at every turn. No wonder she shied when he mentioned the cruise. No wonder she didn't believe a single solitary word he said.
Jordan's innocent remark opened Zack's eyes, but it also gladdened his heart. Justine must love him, or she wouldn't be so angry.
Zack prayed he was right.
Justine was late opening the shop, but she had a good reason; her bottom was black and blue, and there was a tender lump on the back of her head where she had hit the railing yesterday.
She didn't notice the bumps and bruises until she got out of bed this morning. Stiff and sore, she'd literally crawled into the shower. The jet-stream of hot water had helped, but the stairs leading to the street might as well have been a gauntlet.
After making coffee in her office, Justine emerged with a cup of the strong brew. She stopped so suddenly the hot coffee sloshed onto her hand, adding to her aches and pains.
There was a note taped to the outside of the bird cage on the counter.
Slowly, she approached the covered cage, chilled to the bone when she recognized Jordan's bold scrawl.
Aunt Justine: I stopped by this morning to check on the lovebirds and noticed Mini had built a nest. The book says they need a nesting box and a quiet place to raise their young. I found a nesting box in the storage room, but they still need to be in a quiet place. Love, Your Nephew.
Dazed, Justine read the p.s. at the bottom of the note out loud. “Don't worry, I didn't bust in. Mini was kind enough to open the door.” Justine quickly turned the paper over, praying she would find Ha ha written on the back. Just one of Jordan's practical jokes...
The page was blank.
Her stomach did a sickening flip-flop. She dropped the note and pulled aside one half of the cover. Reuben squawked and flapped his wings as if to protest her intrusion. Justine could see the bold white ring around Mini's eye as the bird peered at her through a small hole in the nesting box.
Jordan was right about one thing; Mini was nesting.
In the next hour as Justine fed and watered her critters, her concern continued to edge into the panic zone. She kept thinking about the note and its ramifications. Her instincts urged her to move the birds so Jordan could not continue his dangerous fantasy.
After all, the lovebirds did need peace and quiet.
Kneeling on the floor, Justine cuddled a beautiful black and white kitten, finding comfort in its soft fur and rumbling purr as she searched for a solution. She couldn't take them up to her apartment. Rogue, Thor, and Squeeze could not be trusted around the lovebirds, and their presence would agitate the nesting female.
What to do? She had to get them out of the store—away from Jordan—which meant her brother's house was also out of the question.
She let the puppies out of their kennels for their daily exercise, automatically mopping up puddles and steering them out of trouble while her mind remained focused on the problem. The storeroom might do temporarily, but she hated to put them in such a dark, dreary place, and while it might solve the problem of the lovebird's privacy, it wouldn't keep them away from Jordan.
Chris... Chris lived in a small apartment and owned two rambunctious German shepherds he'd purchased from her last year.
Jennifer, the beautician, was a avid cat lover.
No, the birds needed a place completely free of other animals, a place where they would be left alone for the most part. A place where Jordan couldn't reach them.
The ringing phone put Justine's frenzied plotting on hold. With a pain-filled groan, she gathered the puppies and returned them to their kennels before answering the phone. “Little Shop of Critters, Justine speaking."
"You're in pain,” Zack guessed immediately.
The sound of his voice triggered an idea and made her forget his shrewd observation. Justine nearly whooped with joy. Zack's apartment would be a perfect place for the lovebirds. It would take some skillful persuading, but surely he knew birds were far less trouble than a monkey?
"Justine?"
"Just a little sore,” she said. “Nothing to worry about."
"Are you certain?"
"I'm certain. Any particular reason you called?"
"I just wanted to tell you thanks for dinner last night."
Justine laughed—gently. “You're thanking me for sticky pasta and lumpy clam sauce?” She hardly remembered eating, but she woul
d never forget his goodnight kiss. Thank God she'd managed to retain enough sanity to break away before things became too hot! Not that Dennis had allowed too much contact, much to her relief and chagrin.
"I'll admit, I wasn't paying much attention to the food,” he said huskily, echoing her thoughts. “Any word from Dennis's owner?"
"Not yet, but I'm expecting him anytime. Where can I reach you when he arrives?"
He gave her his cell number and instructed her to simply text the word Dennis. “Another reason I'm calling is to see if you'll let me cook dinner for you tonight. I owe you."
Justine stopped breathing. Finally, the words tumbled out in a rush. “I don't think that would be a good idea.” When the silence grew, she had to bite her lip to keep from changing her mind. He had been on his very best behavior last night, but they'd had the monkey.
Tonight they wouldn't have the monkey.
"I need to talk to you about Jordan."
Her earlier chill returned. He sounded very serious, and considering what she had learned this morning, she didn't think it was a coincidence; Zack must have information about Jordan.
"Okay."
"About seven-thirty? My place?"
"No funny stuff,” she warned him.
"I can't make any promises, but I'll try. You're hard to resist."
Justine's hand shook as she hung up the phone.
She knew exactly how he felt.
Dennis's owner arrived shortly after noon. Late fifties, tall, well-dressed, and sporting an enchanting Australian accent, he was nothing like she imagined.
"I left my organ grinder in the car,” he teased, apparently recognizing her surprise.
Justine immediately liked him. She smiled into his twinkling eyes. “I confess, I was expecting a short, rotund man with an organ grinder slung over his shoulder...” She trailed away, blushing when he threw back his head and laughed at her candid comment.
"You wouldn't be the first. Actually, I'm Banjo's agent, Reno Web."
"Justine Diamond.” She took his proffered, well-manicured hand, blushing when he brushed a light kiss across her knuckles. He might have thought twice about his flirtatious move if he'd known what she'd been handling before he arrived, Justine thought, hiding a smile as she tugged her hand away.
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