“I know,” Everett said, sipping his coffee. “But I want us to try something different. Plus I want you to see the new location Daddy’s been working on. You all right with that?”
“Sure,” EJ said. “Guess so.”
After he’d finished his coffee, Everett and EJ set off for Lillian’s of Seattle. Traffic was light and they made it to the Denny Triangle section of downtown Seattle in no time. When he opened the door, the bakery was bustling with Sunday visitors getting a snack or picking up a birthday cake. While in line, he could hear patrons commenting about what was going on behind the temporary door they’d hung to keep the construction apart from the customers. He noticed Mariah was remaining mum at the register.
Everett had to admit that even with her honey-blond hair piled in a simple updo and very little makeup on, as usual, she still was the most beautiful woman in the room.
When the crowd began to dissipate, she finally looked up and noticed Everett and EJ in line. “Everett,” she exclaimed, tucking her hair into place and smoothing her apron. “What are you doing here?”
He smiled as he placed his hands on EJ’s shoulders and walked him toward the counter. She was right to be surprised. He hardly ever came in on weekends since he spent most of them with his son. But today was different.
She smiled down at EJ. “And who do you have with you?”
“Mariah, I’d like you to meet my son.”
Chapter 12
Mariah stared back at Everett, dumbfounded. Had she heard him correctly? Had he really said his son? She looked at Everett and then at the young boy at his side and had her answer. He looked exactly like Everett, just a miniature version. With wooden legs, she walked from behind the counter to greet him.
She bent down until she was the boy’s height. “It’s nice to meet you, EJ.” She extended her hand. “Finally.” She glanced up at Everett and could swear she saw him sweating bullets.
“Nice to meet you, too, Miss Mariah.”
Mariah smiled into his endearing brown eyes and melted. He’d called her Miss Mariah. She’d never thought she’d hear a child say her name.
Mariah rose to her feet. “You hungry? We have some blueberry muffins that just came out of the oven.”
EJ wrinkled his nose. “I don’t like blueberries.”
Mariah chuckled at his honesty. “How about chocolate chip? Will that do?”
A broad smile came across his small features as he nodded.
“C’mon.” She held out her hand. “Follow me.”
EJ started toward her and then glanced behind him at his father.
Everett nodded. “It’s okay. Go ahead.”
So EJ grasped her hand and walked with her toward the kitchen. Mariah couldn’t resist a backward scouring look at Everett as they departed.
But once they made it to the kitchen, she was all smiles as she showed EJ around.
“Who do we have here?” Jackson asked as they approached the cooling table bearing a batch of chocolate chip muffins just out of the oven.
“This is EJ.” Mariah lifted the boy onto a stool, then went in search of a plate.
“What’s your full name, little fella?” Jackson inquired.
“EJ Myers.”
“Is that short for Everett Myers Jr.?” Jackson glanced in Mariah’s direction as she returned with a paper plate.
EJ nodded. “Yep, I’m named after my dad.”
“And that’s a very strong name indeed.” Mariah reached for one of the muffins, placed it on the plate and slid it over to EJ.
“Thank you, Miss Mariah,” he said, right before he grabbed the muffin and took a generous bite. Since it was still warm, the chocolate chips inside were a bit gooey and were now all over his face.
Mariah laughed as she walked to the paper towel rack hanging from the wall and ripped off a piece. “Here, wipe your face.”
EJ accepted the paper towel but didn’t use it. Instead, he bit into the muffin again.
“So,” Jackson whispered, coming toward her. “You’re just meeting EJ?”
Mariah didn’t get a chance to answer before EJ did, with a mouthful of muffin. “Yep, my dad said it was time that I meet someone special because we might be spending a lot of time together.”
Mariah’s heart instantly warmed at EJ’s continued honesty. It was so refreshing and revealing. How could she be mad at Everett when he’d told his son that she was someone special and he wanted them to get to know each other? It was clear to her that Everett saw potential in their relationship. Why else would he introduce her to his son? Otherwise, he would have continued to keep EJ’s existence a secret, as he’d done for a month.
Of course, she was still upset with him on that front. Because although she understood his reasoning, he still should have told her he had a son. He hadn’t introduced them because he hadn’t known where their relationship would lead, but to blindside her? That wasn’t cool and she intended to tell him so.
“Jack, can you watch EJ for a moment while I go speak with his father?”
“Absolutely,” her brother said with a smile. He knew what Everett had in store.
“Be right back.” Mariah squeezed EJ’s shoulder before she exited the room. “You’ll be in good hands with my brother.”
“Okay.” EJ was oblivious to her as he continued devouring the muffin.
Mariah passed by Kelsey, who was tending to the front of the house, and found Everett behind the wooden partition, in the café. There was no construction during the weekend, so it was just the two of them. As excited as she was at the prospect of Myers Coffee Roasters café opening and the debut of Lillian’s of Seattle’s Draynut, it was time Mr. Myers got a talking to.
The look on her face must have been a dead giveaway to her mood because Everett instantly stepped back when she entered the small area. He offered her a weak smile.
“Why didn’t you tell me about EJ?” She wasted no time getting to the point.
“I know you’re upset—”
“Darn right, I’m upset,” Mariah said, folding her arms across her chest. “A child? A child? How could you keep something as important as your child to yourself?”
Everett sighed. “It’s precisely for that reason that I did.” Mariah snorted, but he continued. “When I first started visiting, you were adamant that you weren’t interested in getting to know me.”
“That doesn’t make it right.”
“I know that and I agree, but you have to understand my point of view as a parent. The parent of a child who has already experienced more loss than any child should, the loss of his mother. I didn’t want to bring someone into his life who wasn’t going to be sticking around. It wouldn’t be fair. I made the choice and I stand behind it, but I will agree that I should have at least told you about EJ’s existence. I guess I figured when you’d looked me up online that websites would have mentioned him.”
She shook her head. “There’s nothing about EJ online. You’ve done a good job of shielding him from the press, given the circumstances, and that should be commended.”
“Thank you. So I take it you don’t know much about Sara, his mother?”
Mariah shrugged. “I didn’t read up on your deceased wife or the accident. It felt kind of morbid, as well as deeply personal. I didn’t think I had the right. I guess I figured you’d tell me when you were ready.”
Everett was introspective for several long moments, making Mariah wonder if she shouldn’t have mentioned his wife. Were the memories still too painful even after five years? When he finally spoke his voice was soft. “Thank you for your sensitivity. I’d like to talk to you about it one day. But for now, it’s just important that you and EJ get to know each other. He’s never really had a female presence in his life other than my mother and Margaret, our housekeeper.”
&
nbsp; Mariah couldn’t stay mad at Everett, not when he’d done it to protect his son. She walked over to him, pulled him close and hugged him for several long moments. Shifting slightly, she held his face with both hands and stared deep into his dark eyes. “Thank you for thinking me worthy of meeting EJ. I’m honored.”
And without thinking, she kissed him square on the lips, not caring where they were or who might walk in and see them making out. His mouth moved over hers, devouring its softness, and she parted her lips so he could deepen the kiss. Mariah felt spirals of ecstasy radiating through her entire body and knew they’d turned a corner.
“Ahem, ahem.” A knock on the wooden door showed Jackson at the entry with EJ at his knees. “Someone was looking for you. Said he’s still hungry after the chocolate chip muffin.”
Mariah and Everett separated, but he kept his arm wrapped around her waist. “How about some lunch?” he inquired, glancing sideways at her.
Mariah looked down at her watch. She was tempted, but it was just past eleven and she really should stay and work. “It’s a bit early—”
“Don’t worry, sis,” Jackson said from the door. “Kelsey and I can handle the bakery until you get back.”
Her face split into a grin. “All right.” She slid from Everett’s embrace and untied her apron. “What do you say, EJ?” She walked toward him. “Can I come, too?”
EJ looked at his father pleadingly.
“Of course she can come,” Everett said. “C’mon.” And together, the three of them left the bakery.
* * *
They ended up at a restaurant known for its breakfast and brunch offerings. Mariah settled into a booth with EJ and his son. As she sat across from them, she was a bit disconcerted. Everett having a son was an unexpected wrinkle in her agreement to date him. Although not unwelcome, it was certainly a game changer.
“So what would you like to eat?” Mariah asked EJ. It amazed her at how much he looked like Everett. He shared his nose and deep-set eyes.
“Pancakes!”
“Pancakes sound great,” Mariah exclaimed. “And I make the best. Someday I’ll have to fix you some.” She glanced at Everett and he smiled, telling her it was indeed a possibility.
“You do? So does Daddy,” EJ said. “Did you learn from him?”
Mariah chuckled. “No, from my mother.”
“Oh.” EJ frowned as if she’d just said something distasteful.
Mariah glanced up at Everett, her eyes filling with concern.
“I’ll teach you how to make them,” Everett said softly. “And now Miss Mariah can help, too? If she’s interested?”
Mariah saw that Everett was worried after EJ’s response to her mother comment. Did he expect her to run away because he had a child? She’d been hurt that he hadn’t felt he could tell her about EJ from the beginning, but she understood his reasoning and would try to put it behind them.
“Absolutely,” she said with a smile. “And perhaps we’ll have some bacon and eggs with our pancakes. What do you say, EJ?” When the young boy nodded fervently, she looked at his father. “And what about you, Everett?” She hoped her ease with EJ would alleviate his fears.
“Um...I need some protein after my workout this morning.”
Mariah eyed him while he looked at his menu. His personal training would explain his excellent physique. There was no flab on the man, nothing but a lean body. She’d felt his masculine strength every time they’d kissed and it caused sexual tension to prickle inside her.
“Mariah, the waitress was asking you for your order.” Everett interrupted her thoughts. “I already placed mine, of steak and eggs.”
She glanced up and saw the waitress standing at their booth with a notepad. After rattling off her order, Mariah returned her focus to EJ. “So what are you guys doing today?”
“Clothes shopping,” Everett answered. “This boy is growing like a weed. I can’t keep him in clothes. I think he’s going through a growth spurt.”
EJ frowned. “I hate shopping.”
“So do I,” she said.
EJ seemed surprised. “You do? I thought all girls liked shopping.”
Mariah chuckled. “Most do, but I’m with you. It’s rather boring. The best part is when it’s over.”
EJ laughed at her joke and Mariah glanced up to find Everett watching her closely. She hoped he knew that meeting EJ wasn’t a deal breaker, so she said, “I’m so happy to finally meet you, EJ. Maybe we can hang out sometime?”
His son offered her a grin. “I’d like that.”
Mariah’s heart melted on the spot for yet another Myers man.
* * *
When she returned from lunch with Everett and EJ, Mariah was contemplative as she walked into the kitchen.
“Well, how did it go?” Jackson inquired. “Don’t leave me in suspense.”
Mariah grinned. “It went great. Because we were early, we missed the lunch rush.”
“I couldn’t care less about that. I want to know how you fared with EJ.”
Mariah stared up at the ceiling and her mind drifted off to another time. A time when she’d wanted kids so badly she’d have done anything to have one. Tried anything. And she had. She’d quit her job. She’d eaten better. All in her effort to become a mother. And now, when she hadn’t been looking for it, it may just have landed in her lap. “It was wonderful.”
“You sound surprised,” Jackson said. “You’ve always been good with children, Mariah. Even when we were teenagers, you had a way with them. You’d babysit and they’d actually listen to you. It was like you were the child whisperer or something.”
Mariah couldn’t suppress her laughter. “The child whisperer?”
“It’s true. I bet you charmed the pants off Everett’s son.”
She hazarded a glance in her brother’s direction. “I think I did, but I guess I’ll find out, if Everett never calls me again.”
Jackson chuckled drily. “Like that would ever happen. You’ve had that man sprung from the moment he laid eyes on you.”
Mariah blushed. It had been the same for her. She’d thought Everett was attractive at the grand opening, but she’d been too afraid to allow herself to feel anything. Yet she had in time and it was more than she ever could have imagined. Now if their relationship continued to flourish, she had the possibility of a family.
* * *
“So, what did you think of Miss Mariah?” Everett asked EJ on the ride home after their brunch as they drove to the mall.
“I like her,” EJ replied.
“You do?” To say he was happy was an understatement.
“Yeah, she’s really nice and I love her muffins,” EJ said, taking off the light jacket he’d been wearing. “Is that why you always bring back pastries to the house?”
“Partially,” he responded. “Now that I’m going to have a café there, Dad’s going to have to visit often. How do you feel about that?”
“Will we still get a chance to see Miss Amber?”
Everett smiled, remembering how well EJ and the barista had hit it off. “Actually, you will,” he responded. “Amber’s going to be working at the bakery with Miss Mariah.”
“Awesome!” EJ said, and glanced out the window.
Everett stared at him for several seconds before returning his attention to the road. EJ was taking the fact that he was starting to date again really well. He’d always said that he wasn’t dating because of EJ, but his son was just fine. Had Everett been the one too scared to take a risk and meet someone new? Or maybe it had just taken the right woman to open up his heart to the prospect?
That woman was Mariah Drayson. And knowing that she and EJ connected made Everett realize that he was ready to take their relationship to the next level. Every time they were together he’d been reining in his pas
sion and desire for Mariah. Waiting for EJ’s blessing? Perhaps. But now that that hurdle was past them, Everett didn’t see any reason to hold back any longer.
He wanted to be with Mariah in every sense of the word. He wanted to wrap her in his arms, have her legs twine around his waist and lose himself in her sweet heat. To that end, he would arrange a romantic getaway, one that would make it very clear to Mariah exactly what was in store.
* * *
“Yes, that sounds lovely. Can’t wait,” Mariah said, ending the call as she leaned back at her desk in the back of the bakery several days later.
“Is everything all right?” Amber inquired from the doorway. She’d stopped by to see if Mariah had time for lunch because she had a few hours between class and when she was due at the after-school center.
Mariah blinked several times. The conversation she’d just shared with Everett had butterflies jumping around in her stomach. “Yes, yes, I’m fine.”
“You don’t look like it,” Amber replied. “I’ll go grab you a glass of water.”
“No, no.” Mariah didn’t want her nosy brothers checking up on her. She rose from the executive chair and pulled Amber inside her office before closing the door. Chase and Jackson were both too intuitive and could always pick up when something or someone was bothering her. She’d never been able to keep things a secret from them, but in this instance she must, because it was about her personal life and she didn’t want or need their interference.
“What’s going on?” Amber looked at her warily.
Mariah sighed. “I need some advice.”
“What kind of advice?”
“About me and Everett.”
Amber smiled. “Who else?” she she said with a laugh. “What’s going on?”
“Well, he’s asked me to join him for a trip to Bainbridge Island.
“That sounds wonderful,” Amber gushed. “They have the greatest shops and nifty arts and crafts stores. When I go there...” She paused when she saw Mariah’s face. “Sorry, I guess you were talking about you. Go ahead.”
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