An Unexpected Arrangement

by Heidi McCahan

  Chapter Twelve

  He was packing.

  Laramie couldn’t believe it. Jack was really going through with moving. Did he even have a job offer yet? She was afraid to ask. Good thing she’d brought Connor along as a distraction today. Then she didn’t have to think about how much it hurt to see the boxes stacking up in the woodshop.

  She was supposed to be proud of Jack for finally going into the building. She’d been so excited when Connor discovered the beautiful rocking horse, and she’d hoped the little boy’s enthusiasm for something Jack had made might boost his confidence.

  But apparently, she was wrong, because he’d looked irritated instead. When she’d complimented him, the doubts lingering in his eyes were impossible to ignore.

  “Connor, are you finished eating?” Laramie tapped the edge of his plate with her finger. She’d fixed his favorite—apple slices with peanut butter, cheese cubes and crackers.

  “Uh-huh.” He shoved his plate away and grabbed his sippy cup.

  “Would you like anything else to eat?” Jack stacked his empty plate on top of Connor’s, then reached for hers.

  “No, thank you.” She handed him her plate. “Thanks again for lunch.”

  “You’re welcome.” He carried their plates to the sink while Connor noisily gulped down his water.

  “I can’t believe Macey and Charlotte are still sleeping.” She glanced at the time on her phone. It was almost one o’clock. Skye wanted Connor home by two for his quiet time.

  “Must be all that fresh air,” Jack said.

  “Wet’s go.” Connor slid from his chair and darted past Laramie toward the plastic box of toys Skye had sent with them.

  Laramie smiled and followed him to the living room. While she was probably supposed to help him pronounce his letters correctly, she secretly hoped he kept messing up his L’s for a little while longer. He was so adorable.

  “What’s in the box?” She sat in the middle of Jack’s carpet. “Any dinosaurs or crocodiles in there?”

  “No.” Connor laughed and sank to his knees beside her.

  “How about a sailboat or a kitten?”

  More contagious little-boy laughter bubbled up. Laramie’s heart squeezed. Connor had tons of energy and kept his parents on their toes, but he was also so sweet and curious, and she loved seeing the world from his perspective. Kids were the best. Would she ever have any of her own?

  Jack came and sat down beside her on the floor. His knee bumped against hers as he reached in and pulled out Connor’s plastic dump truck and cement mixer.

  “Connor, what are we building today?”

  Oh. She wasn’t emotionally prepared for this very domestic setting. “Don’t you have to work this afternoon?”

  “Are you trying to get rid of me?”

  “No, of course not.”

  Jack leaned back and grabbed a stack of hardcover books from his bookshelf.

  Laramie couldn’t help but stare as his T-shirt stretched taut across his broad shoulders.

  He turned back around, and she pretended to be extremely interested in the rest of Connor’s toys.

  Connor was busy pressing every button on Macey and Charlotte’s baby toy, watching intently as the lights blinked and corresponding musical notes played.

  “I have a conference call at two thirty.” Jack built a simple ramp for the trucks. “And I’m waiting for an update from one of my project managers.”

  “I can hang with Connor.” Laramie shifted slightly to create space between them. “I’m supposed to take him home for his n-a-p by two o’clock.”

  “I know.” Jack met her gaze. “That’s why I’m taking advantage of the opportunity to hang with two of my favorite people.”

  Her skin flushed and she looked away. “Connor is pretty fun.”

  “You have your moments, too.”

  Laramie arranged Connor’s matchbox cars in a neat row and ignored Jack’s comment. He was flirting again. Wasn’t he? They’d been friends for so long, and the time she’d spent with him while caring for his girls had smashed her resolve to avoid falling for a guy who’d behaved so recklessly. If she was one of his favorite people, why was it so easy for him to uproot and leave? And was she willing to hear the answer if she asked?

  Before she could formulate the question, someone knocked on Jack’s front door.

  “Are you expecting a visitor?”

  Jack shook his head and stood.

  “Who is outside?” Connor followed Jack toward the door. “Can I answer it?”

  Jack peeked out the window. “It’s Grandma and her...friend.”

  Connor gasped. “Grandma and Mr. James are here?”

  Laramie smiled, but she didn’t miss the muscle knotting tight in Jack’s jaw or the stiffness in his shoulders as he opened the door.

  “Hi, Grandma. Hi, Mr. James.” Connor bounced up and down in the entryway. “What are you doing here?”

  Mrs. Tomlinson’s eyes widened. “Well, Connor, hello. This is a fun surprise.”

  “What’s in the box?” Connor stopped bouncing long enough to crane his neck to see what his grandmother held in her hands.

  “Hello, Mother. James.” Jack’s tone was as frigid as a mid-December morning. “Come on in.”

  “Thank you.” Mrs. Tomlinson stepped inside, smiling when she saw Laramie. “Hi, sweetie. James and I thought we’d stop by and bring dinner.”

  “It’s only one thirty.” Jack gently closed the door. “We just finished lunch.”

  Mrs. Tomlinson’s smile wobbled. “It’s enchilada casserole. You can bake it whenever you’re ready. Forty-five minutes at 375 degrees.”

  “That sounds amazing.” Laramie’s mouth watered. Mrs. Tomlinson’s enchilada casserole was delicious and much more appetizing than the boring salad she’d planned on eating for dinner by herself.

  “Here’s chips, salsa and your mother’s fabulous chocolate chip cookies,” James said, gesturing to the brown grocery bag in his arms. “Nice to see you again, Jack. We didn’t get to talk much at your birthday party.”

  Jack quickly shook James’s outstretched hand, then crossed his arms over his chest. “Yeah, it was a busy night.”

  Laramie shot him a meaningful look. Be nice. He was clearly irritated and doing a lousy job of hiding it.

  “What did you bring me, Grandma?” Connor tugged on her arm.

  “Sweetie, I didn’t know you were here.” Mrs. Tomlinson frowned. “Want to help me take this food into the kitchen?”

  “Nope.” Connor eyed James. “Did you bring me anything?”

  “Connor,” Laramie warned. Skye and Gage wouldn’t be pleased with his manners right now.

  “As a matter of fact, I did.” James reached into his grocery bag and pulled out a book with a dump truck, fire engine and police car splashed across the front.

  “Wow, look at that.” Jack’s tone was borderline snarky. “Do you like sticker books, Connor?”

  “Yep.” Connor clutched the book and examined the cover.

  “What do you say?” Laramie prompted.

  “Thank you.” Connor grinned up at James.

  “You’re welcome, buddy.” James ruffled Connor’s hair.

  Laramie checked the time on her phone. While she was tempted to stick around and ease the friction simmering between Jack, his mother and James, she’d promised Skye she’d have Connor home in time for his nap.

  “Connor, grab your water cup and let’s go show your mom that awesome new book.” Laramie quickly packed his toys and shouldered the small backpack he’d brought along.

  “Wait. You’re leaving?” Jack’s brows sailed upward. “The girls are about to wake up and they’ll need to eat.”

  “Your mom and James are here, I’m sure they’d be happy to help with Macey and Charlotte.”

  “Of course we
would.” Mrs. Tomlinson stood next to James and slipped her arm around his waist. “Show us what to do.”

  “But I have a meeting,” Jack said.

  “And I promised Skye I’d bring Connor home.” Laramie slung her purse onto her other shoulder. “He needs his quiet time.”

  “We understand.” Mrs. Tomlinson smiled at Laramie. “Connor, give Grandma a kiss.”

  He ran into her outstretched arms, still clutching the sticker book.

  “See you next time, pal,” James called after them as Laramie strode toward the door with Connor at her heels.

  “I’ll be back soon.” She felt the weight of Jack’s hard stare as she left. Normally, she’d cave to his not-so-subtle hints to stick around and help. Especially since he got upset when she left to help her grandparents the other day. Not this time, though. Jack’s inability to cope with his mother’s new boyfriend was not her problem to solve.

  * * *

  She’d left him. Again.

  Jack stared at the door as it closed gently behind Laramie and Connor. He was irritated that she’d left. And angry with himself for being irritated. Laramie didn’t owe him a thing. After all, he wouldn’t have weathered these first weeks of parenthood without her by his side. Sure, he could’ve hired a stranger to be a nanny, but it wouldn’t have been the same. His feelings for Laramie had morphed from friendship to something much deeper, and he was running out of time to convince her that a relationship with him was not a mistake.

  “Jack, how’s the internet security business?” James clapped him on the shoulder.

  The contact yanked Jack back to reality, and he glanced at James. “Good. Really good. That’s why I need to get back to work while the girls are still asleep.”

  “Not so fast,” his mother said. “I hear them waking up.”

  “No.” Jack strode toward the kitchen counter to check the monitor for himself. Macey’s and Charlotte’s eyes were both open and they were wiggling around in their crib. He should’ve known their extra-long nap would end as soon as Laramie left. It was almost like they knew he needed them to sleep longer and refused to comply.

  “Show me your usual lunch routine and I can help you,” his mom said.

  Jack pulled the can of formula out of the cabinet along with baby food, spoons and plastic bowls.

  James followed them into the kitchen and stood on the opposite side of the counter. “You know, my son is interested in the industry. He’s a—”

  The spoon slipped from Jack’s hand and clattered against the granite countertop. “You have a son?”

  James smiled proudly. “I do. A daughter, as well. They both live in Boise, Idaho. Maybe we can all get together soon and introduce you.”

  Jack’s mother smiled at James. “That would be wonderful.”

  No, it would not, Jack wanted to argue. Instead, he clamped his mouth shut and carefully filled both bottles with warm water. He wasn’t naive. If he ever married, his daughters might be part of a blended family. But somehow that seemed different than meeting his mother’s boyfriend’s adult children now. Jack wasn’t prepared for this new season in his mother’s life.

  “Remember how to make formula?” He popped the lid off the container and fished the scoop out of the powder.

  “I think so.” Mom lifted her glasses from the top of her head and slid them into place. “You make the first bottle and I’ll make the second.”

  Macey and Charlotte were both crying now. Anxiety hummed in Jack’s veins. He really wished Laramie was here. She was so good at multitasking.

  “Your mom told me you work for a small firm. Do you prefer that over being self-employed?” James asked.

  Jack shook the bottle of formula with a vengeance while Macey’s wailing grew louder. He didn’t want to be rude. He really didn’t. But did this guy not have a clue how hard it was when two hungry babies were both crying?

  “You know, I’d love to talk with you and your son about this but—”

  “Sweetheart,” his mom interrupted. “Would you mind going and picking up one of those sweet babies? You don’t have to change a diaper. Just pick her up and hold her. Either one, it doesn’t matter.”

  His mom couched her instructions with a gentle smile. James’s gaze toggled between Jack, Jack’s mother, the baby monitor on the counter, then back to Jack’s mom.

  “No problem,” James said. “I’m happy to help.”

  “Thank you,” Mom said sweetly.

  “A little-known fact. I’m great at helping crying babies,” James called over his shoulder as he strode down the hall toward Charlotte and Macey’s room.

  Jack’s mother shot him a nervous glance. “Are you all right?”

  He set the bottle on the counter, then unscrewed the caps on the jars of baby food. “I’m great. Never better.”

  “He’s irritating you, isn’t he?”

  “No, what gave you that idea?”

  “You seem agitated. I mean, you became a father of twins recently, so I understand your anxiety and frustration, but you seem out of sorts. More so than usual.”

  Jack gripped the edge of the counter with both hands, trying to draw a deep, calming breath.

  “You’re doing a great job, by the way.” His mom’s gentle hand on his arm did little to soothe him. “The babies are thriving. This would be hard for anybody and you have handled the transition so well.”

  “Laramie has handled it really well. I’m a total screwup as usual.”

  Mom hesitated. “Now, why would you say that? Both girls are healthy and growing. They seem like they’ve adjusted to all the upheaval. And I know I’m biased because I’m your mother, but you are not a total screwup.”

  He didn’t want to get into this. Not right now. Maybe not ever, but he couldn’t keep sidestepping this conversation with his mother, especially since he’d already talked to Drew about it. “Mom, you know Dad and I had a terrible disagreement the day he died. I never wanted to be like him. I said I never wanted any part of the furniture business. Then hours later he was dead.”

  Mom’s eyes widened. “Of a heart attack, honey. Your dad died of a heart attack while he was driving, which caused an accident. Not because of anything you said or did or didn’t do.”

  “I’m a hundred percent certain our argument contributed to his stress.”

  “And I’m a hundred percent certain that he swindled your uncle out of thousands of dollars. He was on his way to the furniture market to try to sell everything in his truck to pay back loans that he owed creditors. Your disagreement was a terrible situation, and I hate that those were your last words to your father, but you are not responsible.”

  Jack’s breathing grew shallow. He couldn’t do this. Not with the babies crying and his mom and James here. “I appreciate you saying that, but I don’t think I’ll ever be able to forgive myself for what happened.”

  “Then stop trying to handle it on your own and ask the Lord to help you,” she said.

  Jack pushed away from the counter and faced her. “What I mean is I think it would be best if the girls and I moved away. If my next interview goes well and I get an offer, I’m taking a job in Utah.”

  She stared at him in stunned silence. “If that’s what you think is best.”

  He studied her for a long moment, unsure of what to say. Was it really that easy? She wasn’t going to argue with him or try to talk him out of leaving?

  “I’d better go help James change those diapers.” He brushed past his mom and strode down the hall toward the girls’ room. While he felt relieved that he’d shared some of his emotional anguish, his mother’s reaction had done nothing to ease his guilt. He’d been a fool to think talking about his feelings might finally set him free. Would he ever be able to escape the grief and regret?

  * * *

  The fragrance of lavender-scented baby shampoo filled the warm bathro
om as Laramie finished bathing Charlotte. Across the hall in the girls’ bedroom, she heard Macey babbling as Jack—hopefully—was putting her into her pajamas.

  “Come on, cutie patootie.” Laramie lifted Charlotte from the bath and gently wrapped her in the fuzzy green towel with the frog face on the hood.

  “Ba-ba-ba,” Charlotte cooed as Laramie placed her on the striped throw rug on the bathroom floor. Water droplets still clung to her eyelashes and she kicked one chubby leg free from the towel while Laramie reached for the bottle of baby lotion. She smiled and Charlotte grinned back, sending a warm rush of affection straight through Laramie’s heart.

  “You are so adorable.” Laramie put on Charlotte’s clean diaper, then walked her fingers across her bare tummy and gently tickled her under the chin. Charlotte’s blue eyes gleamed and she giggled, an infectious sound that prompted Laramie to repeat the delightful interaction.

  She walked her fingers across Charlotte’s tummy again, this time deliberately going slow. The baby’s eyes grew wide and she squealed with anticipation. Laramie chuckled, too.

  “What’s going on in here?” Jack stood in the doorway with Macey in his arms and a smile curving one side of his mouth.

  “Check this out.” Laramie tickled Charlotte again, provoking more squeals and bubbly laughter. Macey giggled, too, then shoved her finger in her mouth, kicking her leg against Jack’s stomach as she watched.

  “Thanks for staying longer and helping with their baths.” Jack shifted Macey in his arms. “I appreciate the extra set of hands.”

  “No problem.” Laramie slathered lotion on Charlotte’s skin. “Especially when I get baby giggles as my reward.”

  “I’ll fix their bottles.” Jack’s footsteps echoed on the hardwood floor in the hallway as he strode into the kitchen.

  Laramie stared after him. He’d been unusually quiet since she came back from taking Connor home. Was he still aggravated about his mother and her boyfriend stopping by unannounced? Had they said something to upset him? She didn’t want to pry, but his melancholy mood was evident in the slump of his shoulders and the perma-crease in his brow. She missed his usual good-natured teasing.