She was clearly not telling the whole story. He and Andrea knew from Melody there was more happening at the school than a simple disagreement between friends, and being too tired for volleyball. “Andrea, I suggest you call the guidance counselor and set up a meeting as soon as possible.”
“What? You don’t believe me?” Shannon demanded.
“That’s the whole point. I do believe you. We both do. We need to hear your side of the story,” he said.
“Whose side are you on?” Andrea asked, turning her attention to him.
Seeing the anxiety in her eyes made him wish he hadn’t decided to stay. Shannon might accept his help, but Andrea still didn’t trust him. “I’m not on anybody’s side. I simply believe there are issues here that need to be addressed.”
“Jake, this isn’t fair. We need to—”
“To do what? Let this continue?” he demanded, impatient with both mother and daughter. “We can either talk this out with Mrs. Chapman and help Shannon get her life back on track, or we can watch Shannon’s marks get worse and her drop out of more school activities.”
Shannon glanced from one to the other. “I don’t really see the problem. Every kid in my class has had an argument with Stuart. Arguing is his favorite thing to do.” She turned to her mother. “I told you I’d handle this.”
“Then why is the school calling me?”
“I don’t know,” Shannon said, her head bowed.
“I’ll call the school,” Andrea said, resignation in her voice. “Maybe Melody can see me today.”
Watching Andrea, Jake was concerned that she never seemed to be able to get information from her daughter. Once again Andrea’s anger and her daughter’s evasiveness had blocked any real communication. Andrea was clearly unable to really confront her daughter, and each time Shannon got into a difficult situation she didn’t confide in her mother.
Melody agreed to see Andrea, and Jake insisted on joining her. Being with her at the meeting meant she wouldn’t doubt who he was supporting.
* * *
THEY LEFT SHANNON at home and drove to the school in separate cars. That disappointed Andrea. She would have liked to travel with him, to express her appreciation for his help. He could have walked away as he had before, but he’d stayed and put up a fight to get her to see things the way they were. He was right about her approach to Shannon. Each time she came close to getting answers, she let her daughter off the hook instead of pushing.
“I’m so pleased to see you, Andrea,” Melody said once they arrived at her office. She indicated they should sit on the sofa near the window. “Okay, I’ll get right to the point. There is something going on between your daughter and Stuart Jameson. I think it has to do with Chloe Ferguson, but I’m not sure.”
“Shannon says that she and Stuart had an argument, that Stuart argues with everyone.”
“That could be true.”
Andrea shifted in her seat, her agitation growing. “What do I do?” She turned to Jake. “You saw how evasive she is when I ask her about anything.”
“Has this evasiveness been going on for long?” Melody asked.
“No. Just the past few weeks.” She glanced from Melody to Jake. “I want you to understand that Shannon is not like this. She has always been truthful with me. She and I have always been able to talk, until recently.”
“I believe you,” Jake said, turning to Melody. “Shannon has not said anything, other than she wants to deal with Stuart on her own. To me, this suggests she’s afraid to seek help from the school, afraid of what her friends will say or do.”
Jake articulated what Andrea wanted to say, and so much better than she would have managed in her agitated state. “Thank you,” she said to him. Two words she meant with all her heart.
Melody directed her attention to Andrea. “Okay. Here’s what we’re going to do. I’ll talk to her homeroom teacher. I’ll speak to Stuart and Chloe, and then I’ll get in touch with the school psychologist, who is due back next week. I think the best way to proceed is for you, Shannon and I to talk about this. Get Shannon to understand that she’s not alone, but that she has to tell someone what’s going on.”
Relief flowed through her. “Kyle Donahue may know, but he’s very loyal to Shannon. I’m sure he wouldn’t tell me anything without asking Shannon first.”
They talked a little longer, and Andrea found herself watching Jake as he spoke in such clear terms about his concern for Shannon. Regardless of how she had first felt about him, it was clear that the man really cared about children, especially Shannon.
As they walked out of the building, he turned to her and asked, “Would you like to go out to dinner sometime?”
“I—I don’t know. Are you sure?” she asked.
“It would only be dinner. I’ll tell you about my home life.”
“Your home life?”
“I share my condo with a couple of cats.”
“Cats? You?”
“Why not me?” he asked, his eyes crinkling in a smile.
“Do you practice your psychology techniques on your cats?” she asked.
“If I had, they might be much better behaved,” he said, touching her arm to lead the way across the parking lot.
She walked beside him to her car intensely aware of how good she felt with Jake by her side.
He opened the car door for her. “I meant what I said about dinner.”
If she’d been a cat, she would have purred in happiness.
CHAPTER TWELVE
A WEEK LATER, Andrea entered the office, her feet hurting in her high heels, her back aching, but she didn’t care. She had just sold a million-dollar home to a young couple who had moved to Portage as part of the city’s plans to encourage new industry. They owned a computer-software company, and she had spent a full day looking at three carefully selected houses in their price range. All her planning and work had paid off in the biggest sale she’d ever made. And after what she’d been through with Shannon these past few weeks, she was happier than she’d been for long time.
Life was back on track. She’d had a call from Melody saying that Shannon was doing better but that she still wanted to meet. They’d set up a meeting between the three of them for Monday, which meant that she had tomorrow and the weekend to enjoy.
Andrea believed that Butch had something to do with the change in her daughter, as she’d been spending every minute she could with the puppy. Shannon insisted on going to Carrie’s house each night after volleyball practice. Shannon seemed so much happier and was spending less time with Kyle. Although Chloe hadn’t reappeared in Shannon’s life, Andrea had begun to believe that the worst was over. She was almost looking forward to the meeting with Melody.
Gina glanced up when she entered the office. “You did it. I can tell by the look on your face.”
“The look of someone who can now afford to take her daughter on a nice vacation. Are you talking about that look?” Andrea asked playfully.
“You bet.”
Andrea kicked off her shoes and put her feet up on the desk. “I could really get to like this lifestyle.”
“Couldn’t we all? So does this mean a celebration?”
“I haven’t had time to think about a celebration. I’m still back there watching the couple’s enthusiasm over the house. The closing is next Monday—that’s how much they want it.”
The phone rang. Andrea leaned forward. “I’ve got it.” She had already worked over seven hours today but was ready to keep going. “Town and Country Realty, how may I help you?”
“You sneaky bitch! Why won’t you let Shannon come here?”
When had Shannon talked to Scott? The last conversation Andrea was aware of had taken place over a week ago, and Shannon had been in tears afterward. “Scott, you’re yelling at me.”
&nbs
p; “I just called Shannon, and she says she isn’t coming.”
“I didn’t know that.”
“Like hell you didn’t,” he yelled, forcing Andrea to hold the phone away from her ear.
“Scott?” Gina mouthed.
Andrea nodded.
“Are you there?” Scott yelled again.
“Stop shouting, Scott.” She recalled the therapist recommending not engaging with his accusations until he calmed. She’d suggested Andrea draw attention to his behavior, stating what she wanted him to change, until he listened.
“I will when you tell me how you’re going fix this.”
He had lowered his voice, so she decided to talk to him. “You didn’t want Shannon to visit you and Cindy last time she talked to you. What changed?”
“My wife and I would like to take her to a resort for a few days.”
“You mean you want her to babysit while you and Cindy play golf,” Andrea replied.
“Yeah, leave it to you to take Shannon’s side on this,” he said, his voice low and calculating.
“Well, whose side would I be—”
The line went dead in her ear. “He hung up.”
“Great. You don’t need that bully ruining your day. What’d he want this time?”
She sighed, took an elastic band from a drawer and tied her hair off her face. “You were right all along. He’d promised Shannon a vacation, failing to mention she’d be babysitting most of the time. All I can say is thank you, Butch.”
“Should we call this the Butch effect?” Gina asked, closing her computer.
“Absolutely. Who would have thought a dog, of all things, could change so much in my life? Whatever it takes to keep peace at my house, I’m doing,” she said, giving a double thumbs-up to her friend. She stretched her neck. “I could stand a break from all the parenting stuff.”
Gina sighed. “How well I remember.”
The phone rang again. Andrea held up her hand. “I’ll take it. It might be Scott.” She picked up the receiver. “Town and Country Realty, how may I help you?”
“Hi, Andrea, it’s Jake.”
“Hi, Jake.” She hadn’t heard from him since they’d parted company in the school parking lot the week before. She’d expected him to call, and hearing his voice now thrilled her. “How are you?”
“I’m fine. What’s new with you?”
“I just made a big sale.”
“Congratulations. That means that what I’m calling about will fit right in.”
She held her breath and exchanged glances with Gina. “Which is?”
“I want to take you out to dinner this evening.”
His deep voice played straight to her eager heart, making her pulse pick up speed. “I’d love to go out. Will your cats be there?”
He laughed. “No. That’s for another dinner date. Where would you like to go?”
“Anywhere is fine as long as I don’t have to cook.”
His chuckle made her feel happy and pleased. “When should I pick you up?”
She glanced at her watch, saw the mess her nails were in and did a rough calculation. “How about eight?”
“I’ll be at your door by eight.”
Andrea put the phone down gently, her head still swimming with the excitement of an evening with a man she was seriously attracted to. “I’ve just been handed the perfect way to finish off a successful day.”
Gina grinned. “Don’t tell me. You’re going out on a date?”
“With Jake Polegato.”
Gina stepped forward to hug Andrea. “How long has this been going on?”
“I’m not sure anything is going on, but I’m about to find out.”
“This is a great chance for you to celebrate.”
“And go out with a normal man.” She pulled her ponytail tighter. “It would seem there are a few of them out there, and one of them wants to take me out to dinner.” She propped her chin on her hands, enjoying her first real moment of excitement in weeks.
“What are you going to wear?” Gina asked. “And please don’t tell me you’re not going to buy something new. Out celebrating with a handsome man you like is huge.”
“It is, isn’t it?” Andrea smiled as feelings of excitement rushed through her.
“Then, what are you waiting for? Go shopping and make a night of it. You deserve a little fun. On one condition, of course.”
“That would be?”
“That you give me all the details tomorrow morning. If Jake turns out to be someone special, it will be my turn to celebrate.”
“I’ve got a better idea—why don’t you come downtown with me and help me find something?”
“I’d love that.” Gina continued to make plans as they left the office and drove through the afternoon traffic. Her enthusiasm added to Andrea’s excitement.
Wasn’t it funny how when her life seemed to be falling apart in one area, it was getting so much better in another?
* * *
LATER THAT EVENING, goose bumps danced up her arms as she entered Bogart’s with Jake at her side. She felt beautiful and sexy in the peach silk blouse and chocolate-brown pants. She’d smudged her nail polish in her rush to get ready, but walking beside him now, somehow a messy manicure didn’t matter.
As the waiter led them to their table, Jake’s fingers pressed ever so gently into her spine, sparking a mix of surprise and pleasure within her. As he leaned closer, his musky scent wafted around her, enveloping her. She glanced at him, admiring the way his blond hair curled around the collar of his white shirt. How was it possible he could be unattached?
When they reached the table, he held the chair out for her. Watching the grace with which Jake moved to the other side of the table and sat down, she considered herself lucky. She just happened to be sitting across the table from the handsomest man in the room, a man who commanded the attention of every other woman in the restaurant.
He smiled at her as he rested his arms on the table, his sleeves rolled neatly, showing off his tanned forearms. She hadn’t noticed the muscles before, probably because the last time she’d seen his arms she’d been busy figuring out how a fishing rod worked.
She was suddenly aware of how brown his eyes were, so focused on her she could barely breathe...and those lips. The memory of his mouth on hers left her scrambling for control.
“How was your day?” Jake asked.
“I sold a house—my biggest deal yet. The commission will allow me to take Shannon on a vacation somewhere nice.”
“That’s fantastic. And a vacation sounds like a great idea. Where would you go?”
“We’ve never been to Disney, so we may go there. We also talked about Arizona, so I’ll have to talk to her.”
The waiter took their orders and Jake asked for a bottle of merlot. After the waiter uncorked the bottle and poured two glasses, Jake settled back in his chair. “So, tell me about your big sale.”
* * *
JAKE WATCHED, MESMERIZED by the way Andrea’s fingers caressed the stem of her wineglass. If someone had told him a few weeks ago that he’d be having dinner with Andrea Taylor, the woman he’d dubbed Ms. Angry, he would have laughed. He wasn’t laughing now. He was intrigued. No, make that charmed by her attention, her eagerness as she described her day.
Yet, as pleased as he was for her success, he had a hard time keeping his gaze away the way her hair traced along the edge of her chin, the swell of her breasts under the smooth fabric of her blouse, the pouty softness of her lips.
He tried to focus on her story about the couple who had hit it big in the software business and were setting up their offices here and needed a home. Instead he imagined what it would be like to kiss her, undress her, make love to her.
You’ve been celibate way too lon
g, Polegato.
“I’ve been talking about me. Now it’s your turn. Do you like being a psychologist?” she asked.
“Do I like it?” he repeated, struggling to pull his brain away from the fantasy pathway he’d been following. “Being a child psychologist is...difficult at times, but extremely rewarding, as well. My problem is that I tend to take my job too seriously, which has created problems for me in the past.”
Her gaze was direct, her interest evident. “I can’t imagine what it would be like to work with teenagers all the time. But I admire anyone who can. Why did you become a psychologist?”
“I loved children. I went to college to become a psychologist. My wife was a psychologist.” Why had he brought Maria into the conversation? Not a classy way to make an impression. He wished he could change the subject without sounding like a total idiot.
“Tell me about her,” Andrea said gently.
“My wife died giving birth to our daughter five years ago,” he said, his tone flat, without emotion. This topic—and the associations he’d made between Maria and Andrea—was a minefield for him. And now he’d completely messed up the evening he’d been looking forward to.
She reached across the table and took his hand, her face showing compassion. “I’m so sorry. That must have been awful.”
Jake laced his fingers through hers. “It was. But time has helped me get past the worst of the pain.” He raised his gaze to hers. “I’d rather not talk about it tonight. I don’t want to ruin our first date with my sad story. This is a time for celebration.”
“You told me you had cats, and I’ve been waiting to hear about them,” she said with a smile.
He kept her hand in his, unable to let go. “Growing up, we always had cats. Mom wanted us to have pets, and cats are low maintenance. Jericho and Lazarus are SPCA graduates, brothers, and the best estimate of age the vet could come up with was that they’re almost three years old.”
“How did you pick the names?”
He shook his head slowly at the memory. “I’m a creature of habit. This is the third pair of cats named Jericho and Lazarus.”
Her laughter was musical. He felt crazy happy to be able to make her laugh.
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