by Ronica Black
“So what are you saying here? You want to switch teams?”
“I don’t know what I’m saying. I just know I’m tired. And that having Jake has made me take a hard look at things.”
“I see,” May said softly.
“Do you realize if Jake didn’t get help, he’d end up sitting across from us one day, knee-deep in charges?”
“You don’t know that—”
“Yes, I do, May. I do. And if my sister lived in this state she would’ve been a client as well. And that’s not okay with me.”
They were silent for a long moment. Then May spoke. “Sounds like you have a lot of thinking to do.”
“Yes.”
“Are you still going to work on the case?”
“Of course.”
“Think we can win it?”
“I don’t know. But I’ll give it my best.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, May. My job, for the time being, is still number one.”
“Phew.” She laughed nervously.
“But I don’t think it always will be.”
Chapter Sixteen
“My chores are done,” Jake said, jogging up to Madison. “What can I do now?”
Madison grunted as she shoved a full wheelbarrow up a small mountain of manure to dump it, adding to the growing pile. Jake stood alongside her, completely at ease with being ankle-deep in manure.
“Your boots are getting dirty,” she said, easing the wheelbarrow back into a stand. She wiped the sweat from her brow as he looked down.
He shrugged. “So?”
“So?” She turned to wheel the cart back to the pens where another load was surely needed. “If I recall, you recently had a fit about getting crap on your shoes.”
He walked with her, trying to keep up with her long strides, something he did every day. “That wasn’t recently. That was, like, days ago.”
“You’ve changed your mind, then?”
He nodded. “I guess. It doesn’t bother me so much now.”
“It shouldn’t,” she said. “Considering you shovel it every day.”
“That doesn’t really bother me either. But I still want better chores. What else can I do today?”
“You’ve been in an eager mood lately,” she said, grinning.
“I just want to help out. Do what you do.”
“Why’s that?”
“I don’t know. It makes me feel good, I guess.” He seemed shy all of sudden, as if realizing just how helpful he’d become.
“It isn’t cool, you know,” she said, laughing. “Doing everything I do.”
He squinted over at her. “Yes, it is. It is to me. You know how to do, like, everything.”
“Well, thanks.”
He looked away, obviously embarrassed. “I just like to learn.”
She returned the cart to the pen, released it, and clapped him on the shoulder. “That’s the best thing you’ve said yet, Jake. Now let’s see how these two are doing.” Pulling the gloves from her hands, she eyed the two boys who were walking around shoveling manure.
They’d been arguing earlier over money. Because they lived in a group home together and were only allowed so much spending money a month, this seemed to be a common theme for trouble between them. Apparently, Alex had already spent his allotted amount, and he wanted J.J. to share his. Lack of money and arguing over what they couldn’t have, she mused, was most likely why they ended up shoplifting in the first place.
“Alex, be sure you’re helping J.J. out,” Madison said, noticing the difference in work amount. J.J. was doing nearly all of the shoveling while Alex merely walked around and poked with his shovel.
“Yeah, I’m doing everything,” J.J. said.
At hearing that, Alex turned and in a split second, his face twisted with rage and he charged at J.J.
Madison lunged forward with two giant strides and caught him with the full force of her body. He continued to push as if she weren’t there, yelling at J.J.
Madison braced herself for the impact of J.J., but it didn’t come. She could hear him scurrying, hear him yelling in return, but he didn’t come. Turning, she braced her arms around Alex and caught sight of J.J. struggling in Jake’s grasp. Jake was in front of him, holding him by the shoulders, trying to talk him down.
“It’s not worth it,” Jake yelled. “J.J., listen. It’s not worth it. You’ll have to run and you’ll have to shovel crap forever.” He shook him. “You’ll have to run!”
J.J. stilled while Alex kept yelling. Madison squeezed him harder and backed him up. When she had him a safe distance away he finally calmed and went limp.
“You done?” she asked, forcing him to look in her eyes.
He nodded.
“What?” she asked.
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Good.” She released him but stood between him and J.J. “You go work in that corner and cool down. We’ll talk after that.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He picked up his shovel and kicked it as he walked.
Madison watched him for a while before heading back to J.J. To her surprise, Jake was shoveling too, encouraging J.J. along the way.
“If I help you, you guys will get done faster,” Jake said. “And then the crap chore will be done.” He worked as best he could with his hurt wrist, which was no longer splinted. And J.J. worked with him, the pair making a good team.
Madison shook her head in pleased disbelief and crossed to the gate where Marv had come to a stand.
“Remember that kid you called hardheaded and spoiled?” she asked with a grin.
“Yeah.”
“Well, that’s him.” She nodded toward Jake, who now had J.J. laughing as they worked. “What do you think now?”
He scratched his five o’clock shadow. “I’d say he’s coming along.”
“Coming along? He’s done his chores the past few days without any trouble. He does extra chores eagerly. And now he’s breaking up arguments and helping the others. He’s like a different kid altogether.”
“We’ve seen it happen before,” he said. “Like a light switch goes off.”
She couldn’t help but grin. “I know, but with this kid it feels really good.”
“That because of his aunt?”
Madison gripped the back of her neck, knowing it was an honest question. “No. I’m just real happy for him. I knew he had it in him.”
“What about his aunt? Does she know?”
“I left her a message this morning. I’ll leave her another one tonight.”
“She won’t talk to you, huh? I tried to warn you.” He breathed deeply and tried to make eye contact with her.
“I better go talk to Alex.” She turned and left him there, leaving his question along with him. Grace wouldn’t talk to her, but that was going to change. It just had to.
Chapter Seventeen
Grace deleted the last message from her phone as she pulled into the garage. Madison had called several times to say how well Jake had been doing at the ranch. He’d been doing as he was told and even doing chores that weren’t asked of him. And he’d helped to break up an argument. He’d been doing well, and she’d suspected as much since all he’d done was talk about Madison and the ranch and all the different things they did each day. It was all he wanted to talk about. Ms. Clark this, Ms. Clark that.
And he was even acting differently at home. He was getting up on time, making his bed, insisting on doing his laundry. He was saying yes, ma’am, no, ma’am, using Madison’s tone of voice when he spoke. It reminded her so much of Madison she had to walk away sometimes. It was hard enough not to think of her without Jake walking around emulating her all the time. While his behavior was a welcome change, it unnerved her all the same.
She just couldn’t seem to shake Madison Clark.
After killing her engine, she exited the Mercedes, closed the garage door, and walked inside the house. The first thing she noticed was the smell of something cooking, something like garlic and tomato
sauce. The second thing she noticed was the darkness, save for a small lamp in the corner of the living room.
Jake was sitting there on the couch with his head slumped. When he raised it and she saw his face, she nearly dropped her briefcase.
“What? What’s wrong?”
He didn’t speak for a moment. Then, “Happy freaking birthday.”
She blinked in confusion. And then she remembered. He’d wanted to have dinner with her.
“Oh God, Jake, I’m so sorry. I totally forgot.” This time she dropped her briefcase and came forward. She tried to touch him, but he jumped up and hurried to the kitchen.
“Forgot? Forgot?” he yelled, switching on the lights. “That’s worse than saying you have to work, Aunt Grace.” He held up plates full of spaghetti. “I made you dinner. I made you dinner. A homemade recipe I got online. I did this for you.” His voice caved as emotion came over him. “But no. You forgot, you’re three hours late, and again I’m all alone in this goddamn house.”
“Jake, I’m so sorry. So very sorry.” She crossed the room and tried to stand next to him, but he moved. She just wanted to hug him so badly.
“Sorry sucks, Aunt Grace. You said you would be here. Who works late on their birthday?”
I do. I always have. God, how could I have forgotten?
“I just—I’m not used to even celebrating my birthday.”
He walked to the kitchen table, clanked down her full plate, slumped into a chair, and tossed her a gift.
“Open it,” he said.
She sat across from him, heart hammering. She’d never seen him so hurt before. It was tearing at her. “Aren’t you going to eat?”
“I’m not hungry,” he said, glaring at her.
With her hands fumbling, she managed to open the small gift. It was a nice ballpoint pen set, heavy and shiny, nestled in a large velvet box.
“I thought you could use it for work. Since that’s all you do,” he said with sarcasm.
“Jake, where did you get this?” She was moved.
“Online. I used one of my gift cards.”
She covered her mouth, trying not to cry, and then rose to hug him. He stiffened beneath her like always, so she squeezed him harder.
“Thank you. This means a lot to me. That you would even think to do this.”
He pushed her away and rose as well. “Yeah, well, it’s more than you do. You don’t think about me.”
She shook her head. “Jake, I…Yes, I do. All the time.”
“No, you don’t. You think about work. That’s it. I wish—I wish I lived with Ms. Clark.”
Grace stepped back, shocked and hurt. “Don’t say that.”
“I do!” Tears formed in his eyes. “She wouldn’t forget. She would care. She does care!”
Grace fought her own tears. “I’m tired of hearing about Ms. Clark!”
“Well, I’m tired of your bullshit!”
“Then you just continue to hang out with Ms. Clark if that’s what makes you happy. I’m sorry I’m not perfect like her!”
“I will!” He shoved the plate of spaghetti to the floor and ran down the hall to his room, where he slammed the door.
She followed quickly and found the door locked. “Jake!” She knocked hard.
“Go away!”
“Jake, please.”
“Leave me alone, Aunt Grace. You’re good at that.”
“Jake.” She rested her forehead against his door.
His stereo came on, drowning her out.
Grace left his room and returned to the kitchen. As she knelt and began picking up the plate and the food, hot tears fell, along with confusion and a profound sense of loss.
*
Grace drove toward the setting sun, contemplating her next move. Had she said too much? Was she just overwhelmed? She wasn’t sure anymore. She wasn’t sure of anything. And right now she was late for Jake’s rugby practice. She’d promised to be there at six, but work had needed her attention, and honestly, she wasn’t looking forward to sitting through this practice. She knew zip about rugby, it was starting to get hotter out, and she really didn’t want to run into Madison.
Avoiding her had been easy. Trying not to think about her, though, not so much. She didn’t know what to say. What to do. Jake already worshipped her while Grace was struggling to do her best just to keep him talking to her. It was like nothing was good enough. She wasn’t Madison, she didn’t have all the time in the world, and she wasn’t Gabby. She was just Aunt Grace, and that wasn’t cutting it. Allowing Jake to ride with Madison to practice had been huge, which seemed to really surprise Madison. But she felt like she was losing him. His behavior had changed, yes. Significantly so. But it was like living with a man now. A grown man obsessed with his job, leaving no room for her.
She pulled up at the park and cut her engine, wishing she could kill her mind. But the thoughts kept coming. Jake was changing and she wasn’t. That left things between them strained. He might as well be living on another planet.
After crawling from the car, she removed her blazer and clutched a small bottle of water. She made her way to the fields and found a spot on the stands. Around her, dozens of boys ran. She found Jake right away, running near the front, his splint gone. She wondered when and why he’d taken it off.
“Hi,” Madison said, coming up on the stands to sit next to her.
Grace felt her mouth fall open and she forced herself to look away. Madison was wearing short shorts and a sports bra. Sweat coated her muscular body.
“Hello.”
“I finally got you cornered.” Madison smiled softly and sipped from her own bottle of water.
“Thanks for giving Jake a ride.” It was the only safe thing she could think to say.
“No problem. Thanks for letting him come. He’s going to love this.”
“I’m sure he will. He loves everything else you two do together.”
Madison grew quiet. “Are you okay?”
Grace met her eyes. “Don’t I look okay?”
“Honestly, no. You look…tired.”
“Tired? Ha. Who’s tired? I haven’t got time to be tired.”
Madison touched her hand. “Really, Grace, you do.”
“Well, thanks. You look sweaty. Hot and sweaty. And gorgeous.”
Madison’s grip tightened. “So do you. You always do.”
“But tired came to your mind first. Guess I must be a sight.” She knew she was. Her eyes were red-rimmed with dark shadows beneath. Her skin was paler than usual.
“I’m just concerned.”
“No need to be.” She forced a smile. “I’m fine.” But she kept her hand still and wished Madison would move hers. She couldn’t think straight around her, and her touch was like fire itself.
“I want to see you. Please have dinner with me. You can bring Jake.”
“I can’t. I have work.”
“What about Saturday? Or Sunday?”
“I don’t think so. I’m really swamped right now.”
“Is everything okay? Jake said you’ve got a heck of a case.”
“I do.” She looked at her. “What else does he tell you? That I’m never around? That he gets no attention? That I suck as his guardian?”
Madison shifted to face her more. “No. Grace, what’s wrong?”
“I don’t know, you tell me. You know my nephew better than anyone.”
“So that’s what’s bothering you. Jake and me. I thought it might.”
“What’s that mean?”
“We’ve been spending a lot of time together.” Her eyes twinkled in the sunlight, but there was seriousness to them. “He’s come a long way in a short amount of time. I thought you’d be pleased.”
“I am in some ways. In other ways…he’s just a miniature you.”
Madison looked away. Then she stood. “I don’t know what that means, but—”
Grace grabbed her hand. “Don’t. Please. I’m sorry. I don’t know what the hell’s wrong with me.”
/> Madison remained standing; her tight jaw showed she was still upset. “I hope you figure it out,” she said. She gave Grace one last long look and headed back down the bleachers. Her strong back shimmered in the setting sun, and more than one head turned to look at her. Grace could still catch her scent. Her clean-smelling cologne mixed with the warmth of salty sweat. God, she looked good. She felt good, she sounded good.
What is wrong with me? I’ve probably just lost her forever now.
She buried her head in her hands. Lost her? Did I ever really have her?
“Hey, where’s Ms. Clark?” It was Jake and he was panting. “I saw her up here.”
“I don’t know.”
“Well, can she take me home? Coach Rob says we’ll be here until the women are done. Says he needs to run our butts all night.”
“I can come get you.”
“Nah, I know you need to work, Aunt Grace.” He pointed to her water. “Mind if I take this?”
“No, go ahead.” She was surprised that he asked. Before he would’ve already downed it. His manners had greatly improved.
“I gotta go,” he said trotting back down the stands. “It’s time for burpees!”
“Burpees?”
“Ah yes, burpees.” Juan slid in next to her. He gave her a hug and said, “Watch and learn.”
Down on the field the boys lined up spread apart. They stood with hands at their sides, and when a whistle blew, down they went onto their chests. Another whistle and they were back up and jumping high in the air, arms raised.
“That’s one burpee,” Juan said.
“Wow.” Down they went again at the next whistle. “I can’t believe he likes this.”
“Most boys do. I’ve always loved getting physical. Makes you feel incredible.” He elbowed her playfully. “You should try it.”
“Riiight.”
“No, seriously. Look back there.”
They turned and faced the women’s field where they were lined up doing the same exercise.
“You could do it.”
Grace stared in disbelief. There were at least twenty muscular women falling to the ground and pushing themselves back up. Most of them were wearing next to nothing.