My trepidation over seeing Candy dissipated into happiness for Jay and the blessing he'd had to raise this fine handsome son. Clearly, the young man was one hundred percent his father's — biologically and every other way that mattered — and I could only imagine the immense pride Jay must feel. Granted, the fact he'd named the child Jess was incredibly disarming. I hadn't known that teensy little fact. Thinking how Candy must have hated it, I smiled at the young man.
"Well, my mom's in Phoenix with my oldest sister who's having a baby next week. But my dad's coming in tonight from up Mendocino way to meet me for a Meatsa. And since he's the one buying, I'm just thumb-twiddlin' here waitin' on him." Jess turned toward the door, his eyes searching the crowd.
"You like the Meatsa?" Kyna laughed, her golden face alight.
"Best pizza on the planet," Jess smiled. "You too?"
"Absolutely. My mom and I both love it."
"My dad loves the Meatsa too, You know what they say... birds of a feather... 'Bout time! There he is coming through the door now. Hang tight while I grab him. I'd like to introduce you. " Jess looked at Kyna, his eyes searching her lovely face. "That is, if you don't mind...."
"Um. Sure." Kyna shrugged and watched Jess walk away, her eyes fixed on the view of his rather nice backside.
Behind me, Rita grabbed my elbow. "Who the hell is that kid? He looks exactly like—"
"Jay." I finished my friend's sentence. Then I locked eyes with a muscular man standing alone in the restaurant foyer. I stopped breathing then, stopped hearing the sound of the crowd, stopped wondering whether my daughter would ever break her own rule and date a football player.
I simply stood in the moment and waited for whatever was going to happen next.
Across the room, Jay's sky blue eyes studied me, his face shining with an incredulous joyful expression. Paying no attention whatsoever to the golden-haired son gesturing beside him, he didn't wave, didn't move, didn't blink, until the young man impatiently shook him by the shoulder. Then he nodded and smiled and I discovered I could breathe again.
Turning to Rita, I smiled too. "He looks exactly like Jay."
Excerpt: Never Say No to Love
Sonoma Summers Novella Series (Book 2)
Artist Jacqueline Carmichael never expects to be accosted, insulted, and oddly flattered by the infamous Carl Jacobs Martin when he steps into her booth at the local Arts Fair. After she puts him in his place and vows never to speak to the man again, he reappears. But this time to ask her out to discuss a business proposition.
The problem is he's brooding, demanding, and downright sexy. It becomes nearly impossible to stay focused on business with the man.
Which is fine by Carl because from the moment he bumped into Jacqueline, he hasn't been able to think of anything else. She's genuine and direct — not to mention beautiful.
Unfortunately, his complicated past could rip them apart before they're even together.
Excerpt
"Thank God," the dark-haired man sputtered, his gray eyes relieved. "Thank God you found her." He set the smaller child down and squatted to hug Hannah. "I was so worried, punkin. What happened?"
"I dunno," the five-year old said, her eyes downcast. "I went to hear the guitar men playing and then I found Jacks."
"You found Jack's, yes. This nice lady was helping you." He peered up at me. "I can't thank you enough, I—"
"No," Hannah interrupted. She reached out her hand and prodded my leg. "I found Jacks."
"Jacks. That's me." I smiled at the handsome man squatting in front of me.
"I see. You found Jacks. Good job, baby."
The man stood then, his lithe frame moving with a dancer's balanced grace. "Carl Martin," he said, but did not offer his manicured hand. "I want to thank you for your time and trouble, Miss Jacks." He removed his wallet from his back pants pocket and flipped through the bills until he came to the hundreds. Grabbing one hundred, then a second, he pushed the money toward me.
I stared at the cash in disbelief, then gazed up at him. "That's really unnecessary."
Nodding, he removed an additional hundred from the wallet. "I insist. And not a word to anyone about Hannah getting lost today." He nudged the money in the direction of my hand still resting beside my leg.
I squinted at him, trying to figure out his gig. Carl Martin was quite an attractive man, but treating me as if I were some servant looking for a payout was blatantly rude. I wanted absolutely nothing to do with him. Or his money.
Sighing impatiently, he lowered his voice. "I am buying your silence, Miss Jacks. I don't need this incident getting any publicity. If the tabloids pick it up..." His voice sounded suddenly wretched, his eyes darting in all directions. "I could lose visitation with my children...."
Head shaking, I took one giant step backward. "Keep your money, Mr. Martin. I don't expect to be paid for a simple act of kindness."
"Then perhaps we could purchase something from you. One of these paintings?" Carl peered around, studying my small gallery booth.
In the neighborhood where I grew up, a payoff was a payoff, regardless of the trappings. I wasn't interested. I refused to accept money for helping a lost child. Grabbing my red Closed sign, I plunked it on my table. "Unfortunately, I'm closed , Mr. Martin."
I smiled at Carl’s freckled blonde daughters. "Nice to meet you, Hannah. You guys have a nice day." What I wanted to say to the man was "fuck off," but I wouldn't curse in front of his children. Instead I walked away. It was the only way I could think of to get rid of the rich jackass.
About the Author
Jesse Devyn Crowe lives in the beautiful Pacific Northwest with her fisherman husband and two adventurous Labrador Retrievers. Originally born and raised in New England, Jesse had the distinct pleasure of living seven years in both California and Alaska, two great lands that left a distinct mark on her writing. The rest, as they say, is herstory — a tale of a girl who grew into a woman and a mother and a waitress and a writer and lots of other hats in between. An introvert by nature, Jesse enjoys living off the beaten path at the very edge of the grid (her preference being hot showers, not to mention electricity to power her laptop). She enjoys gardening, bird-watching, and hiking, as well as the occasional weekend gathering of wild women friends. She is currently finishing a novel series.
jessedevyncrowe.com
Never Say Never (Sonoma Summers Series Book 1) Page 7
