by Kay Stockham
He hit his palm against the steering wheel. Screwed. He. Was. Screwed. No job. No best friend once Jocelyn went running to Garret, desperate to save her own neck in case he told Garret that she’d made the first move. Did it matter who’d crossed the line when all he’d wanted to do was have her up against the wall?
Maybe it was a good time to contact that headhunter, he thought, shoving the vehicle into gear. A job in Siberia might come in handy right now.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
“I JUST WANTED to let you know I received the flowers. They’re beautiful, Garret. Thank you.”
A slow smile spread across his face at the sound of Joss’s voice on the other end of the line. “I’m glad you like them. Joss, about today—”
“I’m sorry. Garret, I had no right to go off on you like that and—I love you. You know that, right?”
“I love you, too.” He frowned at her tone, the thready, anxious pitch so unlike her. “Is something wrong?” He thought he heard a sniffle. “Joss?”
“Garret, I—I need to tell you something.”
“What?” He listened carefully, but didn’t hear anything that sounded like she was crying. It was winter, a sniffle could mean anything.
“I—I…” She inhaled shakily. “I’m going to Montana.”
“What? Why? When?”
“Tomorrow morning. Early. An artist I want to showcase isn’t returning my messages, so I’ve decided to fly out and talk to him in person.”
“What about the gallery? Won’t this throw you even more behind schedule?”
“A little.”
“It’s only one guy. Can’t you find someone else to display?”
“No. I want this artwork. And things will move more quickly than I’d thought. It’s just a matter of hiring some help. I’m sure I can get an art student to come work for a good recommendation. I won’t be gone long. A few days at most.”
“I’d love to see Montana. If I could get away, I’d come with you. We could spend a little quality time together.”
“That would be nice, but I know now isn’t a good time with the buyout, and this is a business trip. I won’t be sightseeing.”
“You’ll be careful?”
“Yes. But I’d better go. I have a lot to get done before my flight in the morning…. Garret? I’m sorry about today. Really.”
“We just had a spat, Joss. It’s okay. When you get back, we’ll go out to dinner and you can tell me all about your trip. We’ll make a special date of it. Maybe go to Biltmore and spend the weekend.”
“That sounds lovely. Good night, Garret. Don’t work too hard while I’m gone, and remember I love you.”
“I love you, too.” Hanging up, Garret frowned down at the phone and sighed. Joss had sounded tired and stressed and upset, so maybe taking off and getting out of town for a few days would do her some good. And in the meantime?
He glanced at his watch and groaned. It was late; he was dead tired; and he still had to drop by Gram’s and check on Darcy. How much longer could he go on like this? He could feel the candle slowly burning out, but too many people depended on him and he couldn’t let them down. Grabbing his briefcase, he headed out the door.
Exactly twelve minutes later he shoved his thoughts about his job aside and drank in the sight of Darcy’s smiling face on the other side of the condo’s threshold. The mountainous tension inside him eased. “I take it things are going well?”
Her smile widened, her brown eyes warm and sparkling with welcome. “She’s fantastic as you well know. Garret, it seems all I ever do is thank you, but thank you. Again.”
“You’re very welcome.” He waited for her to step back before entering the condo and closing the door, noting immediately that Darcy’s suitcase was no longer in sight. “You’ve unpacked?”
“Are you kidding? The moment I agreed to stay, Rosetta wheeled my suitcase down the hall herself.”
He chuckled, able to picture the scene. “I knew she’d convince you.” He looked around but neither saw nor heard Gram. “Where is she?”
“Taking a bath. She should be out soon.” Darcy led the way to the living room and dropped onto the couch. “Have you had dinner? We made stew.”
“I ate at my desk around six. I should’ve called but it’s been one of those days. Are you tired? I could go and let you get some rest.”
Darcy hugged a pillow to her side as though trying to disguise her stomach. The move was automatic and reeked of her being self-conscious around him, but he thought her beautiful in her pregnancy, not awkward or ungainly. He had to fight hard not to stare at her full breasts.
“Actually, Rosetta insisted I lie down this afternoon. I did it to humor her and wound up falling asleep for three hours.”
“You’re still recovering from your adventure. Spike must’ve needed more rest.” He’d referred to the baby as Spike several times now, but for some reason it seemed to fit. Darcy’s child would be feisty and independent—just like its mother.
“Maybe, but now I’m not sleepy at all. I’ve been sitting here playing solitaire.” She raised an eyebrow and gave him a cheeky grin. “You’re not a card player are you? Blackjack? Gin?”
A quick game until Gram emerged might be just the thing to help him relax before heading home. He needed something to take the edge off. “Black Jack.”
She shuffled the cards with the expertise of a cardshark.
“I think I’ve been had.”
A soft, sexy laugh was his answer.
“YOU CAN’T DO THIS. Jocelyn, have you lost your mind? You leave now and that woman will have Garret to herself. You’ll be history.”
Jocelyn stalked into her bathroom carrying the bag she’d retrieved from the closet and began packing her toiletries. Of all times for her father to feel the need to talk to her about Garret, why did it have to be now when she already felt so bad? “Daddy, please. We’re fine. For pity’s sake, she’s pregnant.”
“People are talking.”
“Then let them talk! You know as well as I do that if the baby were his, he’d have married her already.”
“You should never have started that monstrosity. It’s ruining your relationship with Garret. Your future!”
That monstrosity would be her saving grace one day, that much she knew. “Oh? What am I supposed to do while Garret works eighty hour weeks? Sit home and twiddle my thumbs?”
“Your mother gave up this nonsense when she married me.”
Which is why her mother was downstairs on her third glass of wine instead of in a studio creating. “Thank God Garret would never ask me to do that.” Her cell phone rang, and she left the bag to hurry and dig it out of her purse.
“Let it ring.”
“I’m waiting on a business call.”
“At this hour?”
“Overseas,” she muttered, uncaring who it was so long as it ended the conversation. “Hello?”
“Garret hasn’t come after me and tried to kill me. You didn’t tell him?”
Tobias. Oh, what next? “Yes, I have been waiting on your call. Please hold for a moment.” She pressed the phone to her chest. “I have to take this.”
Her father glared at her. “You’ll do well to remember what I said, Jocelyn.” He stalked out of her bedroom and slammed the door behind him.
Joss took a deep breath and reluctantly raised the phone back to her ear. “What do you want?”
Toby made a tsking sound. “Using me to get rid of Daddy? Whatever should I think?”
“Tobias—”
“You didn’t tell Garret.”
What could she have said? Oh, Garret, of course we’re getting married when or if you ever ask, but I kissed your best friend and that’s okay, right?
“No, I didn’t say anything. And I’m sorry. I don’t know what came over me. But it’s done and it won’t happen again. I was upset and—You must think I’m a horrible person, but I regret it and I am sorry.”
“I’m not.”
“You don’t mea
n that. I’d appreciate it if you’d keep the matter between us, too. Garret doesn’t need to know. It would only hurt him.”
Silence. What was he thinking? Would he tell Garret anyway? Had he already? No, no, Garret would’ve been upset when she’d talked to him.
“Have you seen him? Has he kissed you since then?”
She’d thought about going to say goodbye to Garret in person but couldn’t bring herself to do it. She needed space, time to process and deal with whatever had made her behave the way she had.
It won’t happen again. No, it wouldn’t. Passion couldn’t be trusted, couldn’t be controlled, and she valued control. Needed it. This afternoon was an example of that and why it was all wrong. She’d allowed her body to lead her astray once, how could she have succumbed again?
No, she wanted a normal life with a normal man, not one who made her do things she’d never otherwise consider.
“Answer me, Jocelyn. Have you seen him? Did he kiss you?”
“That’s none of your business. Good—”
“Don’t hang up, we need to talk about this.”
“No, we don’t. What is there to say? I’m sorry. It shouldn’t have happened. It was a horrible mistake.”
“Then why didn’t it feel like one?”
She couldn’t answer that, not even privately to herself. If she did, she feared her entire life would unravel. “It never happened. Do you hear me? It never happened and it will never happen again. Please, Tobias, don’t tell Garret. I want to marry him. I love him. Don’t ruin our future together because of one moment of insanity.”
“Was it—”
“I have to go. Goodbye, Tobias.”
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
GARRET WHISTLED as he waited outside Gram’s condo. The sun was setting outside, and for the first time in ages he’d exited the hospital when it was technically still daylight.
The door opened and even though he hadn’t been to The Village to visit much in at least two years, Gram didn’t seem surprised to see him for the fourth night in a row. He and Darcy had played cards, watched movies, talked about everything from UFC Fighting to deep-sea fishing and helped with Bingo night downstairs. It was the most fun he’d had in years.
“Well, don’t just stand there, come in,” Gram ordered.
A burst of laughter filled the air and he frowned. Nick? Garret crossed the threshold and sure enough there sat Nick and his son, Matt, with Darcy around a table full of food.
“Garret, you’re just in time.” Darcy’s cheeks colored with a pretty blush. “Are you hungry?” She scooted back her chair to stand.
“No, dear, you sit. I’ll get my grandson a plate and something to drink.” Gram pulled out the chair opposite Nick on her way to the kitchen.
“Thanks, Gram.” Garret nodded at Nick and turned his attention to his nephew. “Hey, Matt. Wow, look at you. You’ve grown two feet since I saw you last.”
“You saw me at Christmas.”
“Has it been that long?”
Matt grinned, his mouth missing a few teeth. “Dad says I’m the bottomless pit. Maybe that’s why.” A third-grader, Matt had taken a growing spell this past year and no longer looked like a little kid. He was tall for his age, lanky, growing into that awkward stage. Something all the boys in the family had suffered through.
He felt bad that Matt was growing up and none of them were getting to see it happen.
Garret seated himself and smiled at Darcy. “What’s going on here?”
Darcy fussed with her napkin and unleashed one of her amazing smiles on Nick. “Your brother came by so we could celebrate our deal. He finished the estimate on the repairs and he’s going to let me work off the cost at the gym. I’m his temporary massage therapist. Isn’t that sweet of him?”
Nick shrugged like it wasn’t a big deal. “I’ve been looking for someone and already had a massage table on order. This benefits us both.”
Darcy turned her cocoa eyes back to Garret, excitement etched on her features, and his gut pinched in response. How could he ever have thought she wasn’t beautiful?
“It’s more than that. He’s already talked to some of his members and lined up clients for me. I start Saturday.”
Jerking into the present, he frowned. “Are you sure you’re up for it?”
“I’m fine.”
“I’ll keep an eye on her,” Nick promised. “She won’t overdo it.” He settled back in his chair and palmed his coffee cup, raising it to his lips to drink.
Garret knew he ought to be reassured by Nick’s words, but was Nick helping Darcy to be nice—or because he was interested in her? And what if he was?
Garret rubbed his chin. The fatigue was getting to him. He hadn’t slept more than a few hours each night since Darcy left. Maybe he should get a massage? Help her out financially? Remembering what happened last time, he quickly decided against it.
“Something wrong?” Nick asked.
Gram returned from the kitchen. “Matt, be a dear and carry in the dessert for us?”
“Yes, ma’am.” The kid took off like a shot, eager to please. “Gram, you made my favorite!” Matt returned with a broad smile on his face, the heaping plate of chocolate chip cookies balanced precariously in his hands. “Can I take some and go watch cartoons since I already ate?”
“Yes, sweetheart. Just take a napkin and try not to spill, all right?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“I didn’t expect to see you tonight, Garret. Joss hasn’t made it home yet?”
He glanced at Darcy, noticed her gaze focused on her plate. “She’ll be back tomorrow afternoon. Her persistence paid off. She handpicked some pieces and is bringing them with her.”
There was a lull in the conversation and he glanced at Nick, found his brother’s gaze on Darcy. Not good. With her belly hidden and the light shining through the window behind her, it was all too easy to find Darcy attractive. Any man would.
A jab of anger slid through him that smacked of jealousy. Nick and Darcy might understand each other because of the similarities in their lives, but Nick needed to keep his distance. She didn’t need the complication of a temporary romance at the moment.
Of course, she was strong enough to take care of herself—she’d proven it time and again. So why was he worried about Nick? Why was he feeling so protective?
Over the next half hour he didn’t come up with any answers. The talk continued and eventually made its way down memory lane, thanks to Darcy asking questions about what it was like growing up in a large family. He and Nick talked about the good times they’d had, keeping Darcy and Gram laughing while they told on themselves and relived the pranks they’d pulled. It took him a while to realize Darcy worded her questions so that he and Nick remembered the good times and not the arguments over school and the split Nick had made from the family.
“I need more coffee. I’ll be right back.” Gram excused herself, wiping tears of laughter from her eyes, but Garret saw her linger at the door and smile in Darcy’s direction. The sight was a punch to his gut. Gram loved Joss, but he’d never once seen her look at Joss that way.
“So, Darcy, you all settled in?” Nick asked.
“Yes, I am. The spare bedroom is beautiful, and Rosetta’s—”
“Somebody’s cell phone is ringing!” Matt called from the other room.
Darcy gasped. “That must be my mom. Excuse me.”
And that’s when he knew he was in deep.
He was protective because after knowing her only a week, he hated the thought of her leaving.
IN THE BEDROOM Darcy grabbed the phone from the bedside table where it charged. “Hello?”
“Darcy? Baby, are you all right?”
Relief poured through her. “I’m fine now. Mom, where have you been? I’ve left messages every day.”
“Well—” her mother laughed “—I didn’t check them because we took a little vacation to Vegas.”
We? She knew that tone. “Mom, I told you I was on my way. Please
tell me you didn’t—”
“Things happen fast around here. You know that.”
“What things? Mom, what did you do?”
“I got married! Now, I know what you’re thinkin’, but he’s a good man, Darcy. It’s sudden, but I think he’s got sticking power.”
For how long? Before she could ask, she heard the distinct sound of her mother lighting up a cigarette. “I thought you quit.”
“I did, but Arnie smokes, too, and I got started back. You know how it is.”
“Mom, you know how I was with my allergies as a kid. It won’t be good for the baby to be around smoke.” A long pause sounded on the other end and with every second that went by, Darcy’s dread grew. “Mom? You are still planning on helping me with the baby, aren’t you?”
“Darcy, I was, honest. But I’ve been thinking about that a lot and I’ve decided you can’t expect me to pitch in and take care of your problems.”
Take care of her problems? “Mom, please. Don’t do this. I only asked you to help until I could get back on my feet. Until I can find a job and an apartment. Day care I can trust. I make good money, it won’t take long.”
“You don’t know that. We’re not the big city here and it could take a while before you find something. Which made me think—Darcy, you’re plenty old enough to handle things on your own.”
“But right after the baby is born—”
“You’ll do fine. Why, women used to have babies and go out into the fields to work. Some still do. Having a baby is nothing these days. I’m sorry, honey, but I’ve changed my mind.”
“Mom, you said you would help me. You promised. I packed up and moved.”
“Don’t take that tone with me. Beggars are beggars and I’ve got enough stacked against me without you being here with a squalling brat and—Look, don’t take this personal and get all upset like you always do, but I never told Arnie I had a daughter, much less that I’m going to be a grand- mother, and I’m certainly not going to tell him now that we’re married.”