Skippy came back and scratched at the screen so Lauren let her in. They went in the house, and Lauren started on her business proposal while Skippy munched on her food.
Lauren was deep in facts and quotas when she heard a knock on the back door. She glanced up and saw Jack leaning there. After checking to make sure she looked modest in her pajamas, she walked to open the back door.
"Jack, it's only 7 o'clock. I told you I had to go to work this morning."
He held up a bag. "I've got blueberry muffins from the bakery by the beach. Besides, I don't have your phone number, and you don't have mine. I wanted to know what time you want to eat. I already put the steaks in a marinade."
Lauren accepted the bribe. "Come in. You know, if you concentrated on your romantic relationships as much as you concentrate on overcoming my problems, you'd probably be married by now." She walked into the kitchen.
Behind her, Jack's mouth gaped yet again. How did she come up with this stuff?
"Do you want coffee or orange juice?"
"Coffee."
"Yep, you're an old man."
He sauntered into the kitchen, carrying Skippy in his arms. "You don't drink coffee?"
Lauren was utterly adorable in her purple and pink flannel pajamas. Come to think of it, he'd never seen her in something that he didn't find completely attractive. A disturbing thought. He gave his attention to the dog in his arms.
"I like coffee all right, but I don't need it to start the day like my parents did." She pulled out the implements for coffee.
Lauren rarely mentioned her parents. Jack quickly scanned her face for any show of regret but found none.
"I don't need coffee to start my day. I just enjoy coffee with muffins, especially on a cool morning."
"You just better not drink it black. Do you drink it black?" She held a steaming mug in her hand.
"No. Load it down with cream and sugar. Are you going to join me?"
"I can't resist a blueberry muffin. I'll even have a cup of coffee. But I can't sit long. Our appointment with this new client is at nine." Lauren fixed both mugs and handed one to Jack. "Let's go sit on the porch. It's cold out there. It will make our coffee even better." She headed to the porch. "Get the muffins. But first put that mutt down and go wash your hands."
Jack acceded to her request then joined Lauren on the porch where she was wrapped up in an afghan. He sat on the next lounge chair and held open the box of muffins.
Jack bowed his head, and Lauren paused with the muffin in mid- flight to her mouth. His brief blessing reminded her there was something they needed to talk about. She scanned his face uneasily.
Jack took a huge bite. "Mmm, try one."
When he smiled at her, Lauren felt her stomach lurch. This kind of moment, she wouldn't mind prolonging. If only Jack couldn't tell what she was thinking. If he knew she was attracted to him, he might not feel comfortable spending time with her. And she wanted more time with him.
But, what about her little secret? Would he be as comfortable in her company if he knew she wasn't a Christian? The temptation to keep that hidden was strong.
They ate in silence for awhile watching the waves break down on the shore. When a small sailboat drifted by, Jack peeked over at Lauren.
"I see it," she said. "Your boat better not be that small or you can forget it."
"It's not. Haven't you seen that large boathouse at the end of my dock? It's got a 25-foot sailboat inside. You'll be quite safe. What time do you think you'll get home tonight?"
"Maybe six, maybe sooner. I could call you when I leave. That would give you time to have the steaks ready."
Jack leaned forward, nodding in agreement. "Sounds good. As soon as you get home, come on over." He pulled out a slip of paper and a pen. "Here's my phone number and my cell. What's yours?"
Lauren gave him her numbers. Jack tore the paper in half and handed part to Lauren then he took his mug in the house. When he came back to the porch, Skippy followed him, dancing around his feet.
"I think she wants out. You sit. I'll take her."
He opened the screen door, and Skippy jumped out to sniff in the grass. Jack watched Lauren through the screen until she felt uncomfortable.
"What?"
"I was just thinking…" He tipped his head slightly. "Of how cute you look in those flannel pajamas."
"You're just lucky I don't traipse around in the nude, knocking on the back door like that at the crack of dawn."
Jack's head jerked back, and he rolled his eyes. "Seven o'clock is hardly the crack of dawn."
"It will be on a Saturday."
Skippy was standing at the screen door, so Jack let her in. "Then why don't you lock the screen door?"
"I've never had peeping toms before. Maybe I will." Lauren stuck out her tongue at him.
"Your age is showing."
"So is yours, Professor Lecture."
"Ooh, I'm going now before you call me something really nasty." He turned and started down the steps.
"Thanks for the muffins!" Lauren called after him. "I really enjoyed it."
She went into the house and locked the back door before dressing for work. She had a feeling Jack would ask later about that lock.
It was harder to concentrate that day than it had been before, Jack's face kept popping into her mind. When she finished relaying the results of Peter's report to Ryan, she went back to her office.
On her desk lay yesterday's note from Peter Wright. She'd been ignoring thoughts of him ever since last night. Last night. What had really happened last night?
Peter was egotistical, pushy, and maybe a little unscrupulous. But would he have forced himself on her? She didn't believe so. She was more inclined to believe that Peter thought any woman would succumb to his charms if he pushed hard enough. Still, the incident would have to be addressed between them, but she wasn't going to say anything to Ryan.
A short while later, a knock sounded at Lauren's door. "Come in."
A bountiful spray of assorted flowers and perfect pink roses sauntered through her door, hiding the woman carrying them.
"Lauren," she said in a sing-song voice, "someone sent you an embarrassing display of flowers. Have you got a new beau?"
Jack. Did she have a new beau?
"No, there's no one, Lilly."
"Open the card and see who it's from." Lilly set the vase on Lauren's desk and pulled out the small envelope. "Here you go."
Lauren bit her lip as she read the card. Peter. Thank goodness he had phrased his words carefully. The last thing they needed was office gossip.
Lauren, I apologize for last night. I really should have gotten that file to you on time. Thank you for your extraordinary help preparing the data for presentation. Sincerely, Peter. PS If there's any way I can make it up to you, let me know.
"Oh, it's just Peter. He felt guilty about forgetting that Luna Vista file. He dropped it off, and I had to finish it at home last night." Her voice was devoid of emotion as she handed off the card to Lilly.
"That's a pretty nice way to thanks."
"Yeah. Could you put them over there on that filing cabinet? I don't really have room on my desk."
"Sure. By the way, Ryan was in a very good mood when he finished with the Luna Vista people this morning. We probably got the account."
"Great!"
Lilly left, shutting the door behind her, and Lauren stared at the flowers. Was Peter genuinely contrite or just afraid of losing his job? The whole office was aware that Ryan attempted to fill the father role in Lauren's life.
She tried to concentrate on the data in front of her, but she found herself reading the same figures over and over. What would it be like to have Jack send her flowers? Was he the type?
She brought herself up short. Why was she daydreaming about someone that was completely different from her and had totally different expectations for life? She forced herself to get back on track and spent the remainder of the day furiously checking and rechecking facts for thei
r next presentation.
It was Lauren's job to research every aspect of a potential client's product. This enabled the design department to come up with the most creative way to sell the product. Lauren also researched similar products in any given market. She researched companies, potential consumers, market trends, and population trends. There was hardly any fact that Lauren couldn't find. She had become adept at her job, finding it much easier to deal with facts and figures than with living, breathing humans.
As Lauren tidied up her desk for the weekend, her phone rang. "Lauren, here."
"It's Peter. Before you hang up, let me apologize. Please forgive me for everything that happened last night. It was presumptuous of me to invite myself over to your house. It was inconsiderate not to have brought that report to you at work. I…I have no excuse that can even begin to defend me." He paused and noticed the total silence on the other end of the line. "Are you still there?"
"Yes."
"I realize I didn't go about it very well, but I honestly would like to spend some time with you." His voice became pleading. "I know I was a jerk. It's so frustrating! I can tell you don't care for me and I am extremely interested in you.
"You know, Ryan warned me off you when he hired me. He told me about your parents and said you needed time. I'm sorry. I've never shown you a good side of me and there is one. Did you get the flowers?"
His voice sounded utterly defeated.
"I did." Lauren didn't quite buy all that speech. "Is this an act? I've noticed you posture a lot."
"I swear...especially after working with you last night. I realize I'm not the boy wonder I thought I was."
"What do you want, Peter, absolution? I give it. Do I trust you, personally or professionally? No, you'd cut our throats if it got you a chance with a national firm."
Silence ensued.
"Are you finished?"
"Quite."
"I've been egotistical. I thought...how could anyone at such a down south, home-style agency have what it takes to be great? I was wrong, and I'm learning." He paused again. "Can you give me another chance?"
"I never gave you a chance the first time…I'll be watching."
"I know what integrity is. I know how to practice it. You'll see a difference."
"Hmm."
"Enjoy your weekend. I'll see you on Monday. By the way, Donna Jones is definitely going to be a valuable asset. Today was profitable."
Lauren hung up and heaved a monumental sigh. "Whew, that's over."
She was ready for the weekend, ready to leave behind office politics and everything that went with it. She grabbed the vase of flowers and walked out. She could call Jack from her car.
Lauren arrived at his house, carrying a bowl of salad. She knocked on the back door. It opened wide, and she stepped inside.
Her breath caught at the sight of Jack in a tight black T- shirt tucked into snug jeans that accented his muscular build. His bangs curled over those smoky gray eyes, alight with welcome.
Before she could say anything, Jack spoke. "How was your day? Did you have to meet with that young man today?"
"Everything was fine. I didn't see him, but he called. He sent flowers."
"Smart move. Did it make a difference?"
"Not yet. How was your day?"
Jack led her to a table that was already set up. "I'm learning my way around. Let's sit down. That salad looks good. I've got two kinds of dressing, which do you prefer?"
They went to work fixing their plates, and then Jack reached for her hand. Lauren looked up at him in surprise.
"Ready for the blessing?"
"Sure."
Lauren closed her eyes while Jack blessed the food. Another reminder that she hadn't told him she wasn't whom he thought.
He dropped her hand the moment the prayer was over, but she had enjoyed the brief contact. She concentrated on her food.
Jack had prepared baked potatoes and grilled mushrooms and onions to go with the steaks. Lauren took several bites of everything before commenting. "This is wonderful. I've never had grilled onions before."
"Never? That's incredible. It's like a mainstay of Texan barbecue. I'm glad you like it. The salad is good, too."
"Rabbit food. That's what my Dad called salad."
"Did he enjoy salads?"
"Not particularly, but my mother never gave up making them. He ate them to please her."
"Well, I enjoy salad. You can make me one whenever you like."
Lauren looked around the cottage. She had come through the back door into the living room which opened into the kitchen and dining area. A bright fire lit the small stone fireplace in the living room. Surprisingly, it was just warm enough.
There was a tan, gold, and taupe sofa with a pair of armchairs in coordinating tones. Soft lighting glowed at either side of the sofa on matching end tables. Some type of music played in the background, but she wasn't familiar with it, probably church music. All-in-all, the cottage was comfortable and attractive. Appropriate for a bachelor.
They were seated at a round table covered with an ivory cloth. Had the table come that way or had Jack thought to get a tablecloth? There was a single yellow rose in a bud vase and two lighted candles. The effort he'd put into their dinner had Lauren wondering again what type of boyfriend he would be. He seemed the thoughtful type that paid attention to details.
Jack allowed Lauren to become at ease with his company instead of forcing conversation. He studied her as she looked about the cottage. He knew the exact moment when she noticed the rose on the table, the candles. He hadn't set out to create a romantic atmosphere, all the lights were on, praise and worship music played in the background, but he had wanted Lauren to feel valuable.
When her eyes eventually came back to him, he smiled. "What are you thinking?"
Lauren blushed.
That certainly wasn't what he expected. Was she thinking about him or the creep from last night?
"I was thinking that different types of men are thoughtful in different ways. What type are you?"
"What are my choices?"
Lauren laughed. "I meant that some men bring flowers or candy, some bring spontaneous gifts, some phone their sweethearts a lot, some men tell their wives repeatedly that they love them...that they're beautiful…"
"I…uh…never thought about it before. I just do what comes naturally. By the way, I would be remiss if I didn't tell you that you're very lovely, looking at you could become addictive. I've never seen you look anything but attractive."
"Thank you. You look nice as well."
It seemed to Lauren they were both finished eating. "Can I wash up?"
"Only if I help."
They stood at the sink, comfortably passing dishes back and forth.
"You know, tomorrow's Saturday. Wanna go sailing?"
"I'm still thinking about it."
"Ok, you keep thinking about it…I'll be ready to go about 10. Do you want to bring a picnic lunch?"
"Sure. But don't think I'm going to let you push me around like this all the time."
Jack dried his hands then popped Lauren with the dishtowel. "Come on. Let's watch a movie."
Lauren leaned back against the sink. "What did you pick this time?"
"Something I thought you'd particularly like."
"I can't wait." She watched him doubtfully.
Jack was already seated, waiting for her. "Come on." He patted the couch beside him.
Lauren kicked off her shoes and settled nearby. She curled her feet under her and leaned back. Jack held up the controls and pushed play.
"You had that ready, didn't you?" asked Lauren.
"You bet. I'm the type that plans ahead. You forgot that one." He winked at her.
Lauren giggled. She laughed even harder when The Major and the Minor came on. "You know, the older man falls in love with the young chick."
"I said you'd like it."
It seemed to Jack that Lauren's eyes were coming back to life.
T
he rest of the evening went by quickly. Jack occasionally jumped up to throw another log on the fire or get Lauren a drink. He was the perfect host. She felt relaxed and at ease.
When the movie finished, she rose and started for the door. "Thanks, Jack. Tonight was just what I needed."
"I enjoyed it too. I'll walk you home."
When they stepped out, a rush of cold air hit them. Lauren immediately shivered.
Jack reached his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close. "It's a beautiful night."
"Yes, it is."
She looked up at the full moon. A beautiful and romantic night, but that wasn't a safe way to think of Jack.
When they reached her back door, Jack reached out to open it.
"It's locked," she said and handed him the key.
"I see you're beginning to take my advice on all sorts of things."
"Maybe."
The frantic yips of Skippy could be heard through the open doorway.
"Sounds like someone wants to go out. I'll take her."
Lauren let Skippy out of the laundry room, and the exuberant dog raced her to the back door. She reached out and grabbed her jacket off the hook by the door before joining Jack on the back porch.
"We didn't get a chance to talk much tonight. Watching movies is fun, but I'd like to get to know the real Lauren Tate."
He wouldn't like her so much if he knew the real her. "You know the important parts."
Skippy came running back to them, and Lauren turned toward the door.
"Well, we can talk tomorrow. We'll have all day. "Night, Lauren."
"Goodnight, Jack." Lauren went inside and locked the door.
Jack waited until he heard the lock turn before going down the steps to the beach.
When Skippy pawed at Lauren's face in the morning, Lauren groaned. "Ugh, you silly, mutt. Don't you know it's my one day to sleep in?"
But Skippy was undeterred. She danced in a circle, barking, until Lauren got up. "Ok, I'm coming."
Thoughts of what the day held popped in her mind as she dressed. It could be fun spending the day with Jack if she didn't dread the sailing so much. Not really the sailing, but the water.
Wind on the Sand (The Winds of God) Page 4
