by Marin Thomas
“Is there something I can do for you?” She shifted under the old woman’s silent scrutiny.
“Where is the young hombre who bring me buñuelo?”
“You mean Aaron Smith?”
Fingers, twisted with arthritis, lifted the dirty mutt to her shoulder, where she cuddled the mop of tangled fur like an infant. “He no eat for dos dlas. Maybe young hombre make him to eat.”
Mrs. Padrón thought Aaron could make her dog eat. Jennifer’s eyes burned and she had to glance away as she fought new tears. In the brief time Aaron had worked for Barrio Amigo, he’d unknowingly—because that was the way he was—touched the lives of those around him. He’d won over her crew, delighted Juan’s boys, suggested Antonio seek an internship, brought an old woman a doughnut and paid attention to her filthy dog, and had convinced Louisa, the company secretary, to enroll in an acting class. “I’m sorry, Mrs. Padrón, but Aaron—”
“He no parado?”
“No, he didn’t quit.”
“He good worker. I watch from window and see him help otros.” She leaned in and whispered, “Los hombres make him hop like a conejo.”
A rabbit?
Bouncing two fingers in front of her, Mrs. Padrón added, “Hop, hop, hop. All day he do what los hombres ask.” She squinted, the folds of wrinkled skin concealing her eyes from view.
“When Aaron arrives, I’ll have him stop by your house.”
A bony hand, crisscrossed with bumpy veins, clasped her arm. “No worry. Everything bien.” Without another word, the elderly woman carried the fluff ball across the street and into her house.
Mrs. Padrón’s reassuring words wrapped around Jennifer like a warm winter coat, calming the panic inside her.
“AARON, WHERE ARE YOU?”
“In the bedroom, Pop. Be right out.” He set his suitcase inside the closet, then hung up his sport coat and removed his tie. Leave it to his grandfather to show up on his doorstep the moment he arrived back in town. The trip to Belize and Costa Rica had been exhausting, nerve-racking and exhilarating all at once. What he wished most right now was twelve hours of sleep and Jenny—not necessarily in that order.
He’d missed Jenny like crazy these past four days, but being away from her had given him the time to think about the future…their future. Before he’d left the country, he’d understood only that he’d wanted Jennifer to give them a chance to see where their relationship could lead.
But once the plane had lifted off the runway, doubts had assailed him. He’d admitted that what he felt for Jennifer was deep, but a part of him had remained uncertain that those feelings were strong enough to survive a life with her. He’d understood that loving Jennifer would not be easy. Until she dealt with her past—if she ever did—their relationship would suffer periods of doubt…mistrust.
He’d questioned whether his feelings for her were strong enough to survive those times. Jennifer had been through enough sadness in her short life and the last thing Aaron wished for her was to suffer more because he walked away when the going got tough.
It wasn’t until the middle of a meeting with hotel executives that Aaron realized he couldn’t walk away from Jennifer—ever. She’d wiggled her way into his heart and that was that. Whether she agreed to give their relationship a chance was irrelevant—he loved her. The kind of love that didn’t disappear when the other person was no longer there. The forever kind.
He’d wanted to phone her from the hotel and shout “I love you,” but Jenny deserved to hear the words in person. And he’d wanted to watch her face, gaze into her eyes when he explained that he’d always be there for her.
“Hurry up, son.”
“Hold on, Pop.” His grandfather had already waited five hours. What did another ten minutes matter?
After Aaron and Antonio had landed at LAX, Aaron had hired one limo to take Antonio home and another to take him to his apartment. Arriving shortly after 10:00 p.m., he’d entered the lobby, intending to check his mailbox. That was when he’d spotted his grandfather, playing chess with Harry, the bellman. In the middle of a third game, Pop had waved him off, promising to come up to the apartment as soon as he’d won.
“Why didn’t you tell me you were flying into L.A. today?” Aaron passed through the living room and headed for the refrigerator in the kitchen.
“I didn’t know for sure until this morning.” Pop followed him through the apartment. “Nelson called. Quite upset, I might add.”
Aaron’s grip on the fridge handle tightened before he shut the door, empty-handed. Instead of drinking a beer, he’d make a pot of coffee. He had a hunch both he and his grandfather would appreciate the caffeine before the night officially ended. He removed two mugs from the cupboard and set them on the counter. While the coffeepot hissed, sputtered and gurgled, he motioned for his grandfather to sit, then joined him at the breakfast bar. “What has twisted big brother’s pants now?”
“The knot in Nelson’s drawers has your name on it.” His grandfather’s eyes twinkled. “He got wind of your trip to Latin America.”
“Let me guess…Martha leaked the news.”
“She means well.”
Steve was no match for Aaron’s executive secretary. At five-foot-two and one hundred-forty pounds of pure, tenacious, pit-bull personality, the woman gave no man in the office a chance at keeping a secret from her.
“This is my business deal. I refuse to listen to anyone’s advice.”
“I assume you worked the details out to your satisfaction?”
“The meeting with the hotel executives went far better than I’d hoped. We wined and dined the managers until they were convinced that an ongoing relationship with manufacturers Westgate and Fleming was in their best interest.”
“No hitches?”
Thinking back on the meetings, Aaron admitted there had been a few tense moments. As if sensing the deal could go either way, Antonio had stepped in and used his knowledge of Latin American culture and customs to put the hotel executives at ease. The more Aaron thought about Antonio, the more he decided that the young man would be a great asset to McKade Import-Export—on a permanent basis.
“No problems. I imagine Nelson believes he could have done better.”
“Actually, your brother said you impressed him with your agenda.”
So Aaron had finally done something to make big brother stand up and take notice. “Antonio, the company intern, handled most of the negotiations. I was just a figurehead.” The coffeepot stopped brewing and Aaron went to fill the mugs, then returned to the table.
“You should have seen the kid, Pop. He has the same cunning business brain Nelson has. Understands when to back off and when to go in for the kill. Observing him close the deal was like viewing a skilled driver during the last lap of a NASCAR race.”
His grandfather stared into his coffee mug and Aaron sensed there was more on his mind. “Spit it out, Pop.”
“I’ve thought for a long while now that you haven’t been happy working in the company.”
“That’s not true. I—”
His grandfather held up a hand, stalling the words in Aaron’s mouth. “You don’t have to pretend with me. You deserved the same opportunities your brothers had and that’s why I opened the West Coast office. But a moment ago when you described your intern, you had more excitement in your voice than I’ve heard in a very long time.” His brow furrowed. “I expect nothing but the truth from you, son. Do you or do you not enjoy your job?”
Unconditional acceptance and love glowed in the old man’s eyes, lending Aaron the courage to confess. “Yes and no.”
“I’m listening.”
“I enjoy working with the people in my office, but the job itself doesn’t inspire me.”
“Inspire. Interesting choice of word.”
Embarrassed, Aaron swirled the black liquid in his cup. “At first I’d believed you’d come down with a delusional disease when you demanded I work for Barrio Amigo.”
A burst of laughter erupted
from his grandfather.
Smiling, Aaron insisted, “This construction gig is the best thing that could have happened to me, Pop. I’ve changed these past weeks. I want more out of life than eight-to-five behind a desk.” He thudded his fist against his chest. “I feel it here. A desire to help others. To make a difference in the world. There’s more to being happy than earning money.” Jenny showed me that.
“Your mother would be proud of you, Aaron. Of all her children you have the biggest heart. You’ll keep me informed of your plans, I hope.”
“Of course, Pop. I’m not jumping the McKade ship, just expanding the fleet.”
“Did your boss understand when you didn’t report to work this week?”
“I hope so. I had to leave a message on her answering machine. I guess I’ll find out when I show up tomorrow.”
A frown marred his grandfather’s forehead. “You didn’t attempt to contact her once you arrived in Belize?”
Not sure how much he wished his grandfather to learn, he hedged. “Things between me and Jennifer are…what I mean is…I’m sort of dating her.”
“As in steady?”
“Kind of.”
“Sleeping with your boss is unethical, Aaron.”
“I’m not sleep—” He couldn’t lie.
One gray, bushy eyebrow rose an inch. “Are you hoping to get fired?”
“No!”
“We agreed that you’d stay on the job for ninety days.”
“I remember. The crew I’m currently assigned to has finished the home they began.” Depending on how his talk with Jennifer went, Aaron had a fifty-fifty chance of being kept on her crew or being transferred to another.
“What project will you work on next?”
Aaron shrugged. “I don’t know.” Although he hated the idea of not working with Jennifer, he’d given his grandfather his word and would finish the time remaining in his now-not-so-seemingly-ridiculous quest to learn a life lesson.
“Aaron, does this need to help others have anything to do with your boss?”
“Jennifer?”
His grandfather nodded.
“Yes.” Jennifer had had a huge impact on him. “She’s shown me that a lot of good people in the world deserve more than life has dealt them.”
“This Jennifer. You care about her a great deal?”
“I do.”
“And she has the same feelings for you?”
“She does.” Aaron grinned. “Although she won’t admit it yet.”
He couldn’t be wrong, could he? As much as she tried to be tough and not show her feelings, he’d noticed the way her eyes had softened, darkened, turned loving when she’d gazed up at him while they made love. Deep in his gut he believed she loved him. Knew she yearned to be with him. She needed a man to show her that she deserved to be happy, to be loved. Only time would reveal if he had what it took to be that man.
“Well, if there’s anyone who can convince a woman she’s in love with him, that would be you, son.”
Pleased by his grandfather’s compliment, Aaron added, “I plan to do my best.”
“That’s my boy.” His grandfather rose from his seat. “Past my bedtime.”
“Hey, Pop.”
“Yes?”
“The ribbon-cutting ceremony for Mrs. Benitos’s new home is tomorrow afternoon. Will you come?”
“Thank you, Aaron. I would enjoy tagging along.”
“Good. I have plans in the morning, but I’ll swing by and pick you up around noon.”
“I’ll be ready. Good night, son.”
“’Night, Pop.”
Chapter Twelve
“I expected to find you here bright and early.”
Jennifer’s hand froze as she reached for a candy wrapper lying next to the front porch of Mrs. Benitos’s home. Aaron?
No. Couldn’t be. He’d been AWOL since Monday.
No surprise her mind was playing tricks on her. She’d waited all week for Aaron to show, only to be greeted by disappointment each day.
“I don’t blame you for being angry with me. I’m sure you could have used the extra hand this week to ready the house for the ceremony today.”
Oh, Lord, he was back. Joy raced through her, sending her thumping heart into overdrive. But on the heels of joy dangled dread and fear. Schooling her features, she snatched the trash off the ground and faced him.
Tall, strong, tanned, he stood in his jeans, T-shirt and work boots, with that silly half grin on his face. She fought the urge to launch herself at him. “Aaron.” She winced at the catch in her voice. Clearing her throat, she added, “I’d assumed you’d quit.”
The cute half smile faltered. “Didn’t you get my message? I called Sunday to inform you that I had to leave town and I—”
“I got the message.”
“Then—”
“The message didn’t tell me anything. Not where you were going. Why you went or when you’d return.” If she could keep the conversation on his lack of communication and not allow him to bring up his desire to talk to her, as he’d stated in his message, maybe she’d escape this confrontation with her heart intact.
He toed the grass with the tip of his boot. “I should have left more details, but—”
“Why didn’t you phone me after you left town? When I didn’t hear from you all week, I assumed you’d walked off the job.”
“You’re right. But I planned to tell you this face-to-face. Not over the phone.”
The quiet intensity with which he studied her, threatened Jennifer’s composure. What Aaron wished to tell her had nothing to do with the reasons he’d missed a week of work. He intended to talk about the future. Their future. Jennifer didn’t want to have that talk.
Ah, Aaron, leave well enough alone. Why do you need more…something I can’t give you? “I’m not in a listening mood.” She frantically searched the lawn for other garbage. Finding none, she walked around the side of the house and grabbed the watering can near the picnic table.
“I didn’t realize you could be this stubborn,” he grumbled, his footsteps thundering behind her.
If she had to, she could outlast a mule in a game of wills.
“C’mon, Jenny. Please?” he cajoled.
Jenny. When he used the shortened version of her name, the affectionate tone in his voice tempted her to believe they had a chance at forever. She turned on the outside tap and shoved the can under the spigot. A masculine hand wrapped around hers and pulled the can away, then shut off the water.
He grasped her by the shoulders and rotated her to face him. Eyes trained on the front of his shirt, she breathed deeply, half of her yearning to move closer as she caught his scent—a combination of pure Aaron and musky aftershave—the other half wanting to shove him away and run from all that was good—him.
Tipping her chin, he made eye contact with her. “I understand that I hurt you. But after what we shared…how much it meant to both of us…please listen to what I have to say.”
“You don’t fight fair.” She refused to recall the night at his apartment. She’d already shoved the memories of their lovemaking into the far reaches of her heart. Reexamining them would only tarnish the experience. But the sincerity in his deep blue eyes chipped away at her strength.
Breaking free of his hold, she insisted, “You’ll have to talk while I work. The media arrive this afternoon.”
“Where’s the rest of the crew?”
“They have the day off, but they’ll attend the ceremony.”
“There’s no one to help you?”
“Juan is on his way.”
“Tell me what to do.”
She didn’t care for Aaron hanging around and pestering her. Funny, how she’d yearned all week to have him here, missing him like crazy, yet now she couldn’t wait to send him packing. How was that for being irrational?
She finished filling the watering can, then lugged it to the front yard, Aaron hot on her tail. Stopping next to the first flower box, she dumped all the
water inside. Five seconds later, an ominous groan, followed by a forbidding creak, vibrated in the air. Bam! One side of the box broke away from the house.
“Damn,” she swore, horrified when her eyes filled with tears. She’d lost the bet with her crew that the boxes would stay attached to the house. She should have listened to Juan when he’d offered to replace the nails with screws. But agreeing to allow Juan to fix the boxes meant abandoning the belief that Aaron would return—she hadn’t had the courage to do that.
“Aw, babe, don’t cry.” He slid a hand across her shoulder and tried to pull her near, but she moved away.
The muscle along his jaw tightened—the only clue that her actions had hurt him. After checking all sides of the box with a thorough examination, he pronounced, “Nothing another nail won’t fix.”
Nail? Jennifer wanted to laugh. Instead, she swiped furiously at the fresh tears leaking from her eyes and sniffled. “You should have used screws not nails.”
This time when he attempted to pull her near, she caved in to the longing to feel his arms around her. To hug him back and pretend for a moment that everything was okay. After five seconds, she shoved at his chest, but his arms contracted like steel bands and held her firm.
“I guess I screwed up.” He chuckled at his lame joke, his chest vibrating against her ear.
“Not funny,” she mumbled into his shirt, hiding her smile. Lord, she loved his wacky sense of humor.
He tugged the ponytail holder out of her hair and threaded his fingers through the locks. “I missed you, Jenny.”
Aaron’s sudden disappearance had provided the perfect excuse to end things between them—before her heart shattered. So why was she stalling?
Maybe it was the way he held her. The tenderness in his gaze. How he’d treated her family—respecting her father, encouraging Antonio to seek an internship, complimenting Delia’s cooking. Or maybe she couldn’t ignore the hope building inside her that Aaron might be the one man to help her forgive herself and convince her that she deserved more from life than what she allowed herself.
She lifted her face, then sighed when his mouth captured hers. She forgot that they stood in the middle of Mrs. Benitos’s front yard. Didn’t care that a broken flower box needed repair. Aaron and his kiss, how he made her soul sing, were all that mattered.