Yours, Mine and Ours (Second Chances)

by Daley, Margaret

  Tess really did try to listen, but all her mind would dwell on was the man sitting next to her. Wearing tan slacks and a black turtleneck shirt, she couldn't believe he could actually look even better than he did in his uniform. She could smell his aftershave lotion that had perfumed her car all the way to Carson's this morning, and her heart began to beat a shade faster.

  The only reason she was attracted to this man was because he was married with two children. Safe. Someone whom she could fantasize about and that was all. Pleased with her self-analysis, she determinedly blocked the man's disturbing presence from her mind.

  "Now, do any of you have any questions?" Mrs. Young asked the audience.

  Tess had several but wasn't about to ask any because she had no idea what the woman had gone over in class before she had arrived. How was a parent supposed to split herself in two and be in both of her children's classes at the same time? It was moments like this that renewed her anger at her ex-husband for leaving her in this situation. He should be a part of his children's lives, but instead he had walked away, not acknowledging they even existed and certainly not paying child support.

  "Lance tells me you want them to read every night to us. Is that all the homework they have?" Officer Smith asked Mrs. Young, bringing Tess's attention back to him.

  "Yes, that's right. I'll start keeping a chart of what they read next month. Second semester the class will also have a weekly spelling test. Studying for that will be homework, too."

  Homework? Wesley hadn't said anything about that. Tess tried to get him to read with her when she put him to bed, but he resisted. She had been so busy the past month with moving to Crystal City and trying to find a job to support her family that she hadn't kept on top of things as she should have. She knew Wesley wasn't happy, but she was beginning to suspect the problem went deeper than needing time to adjust to a new town. Had she been so immersed in her own troubles that she hadn't seen the seriousness of Wesley's? She had thought time would heal her son's feelings of uncertainty since Brad had left. Maybe she was wrong.

  "We'll be having parent conferences in two weeks. Don't forget to sign up before you leave if you haven't already. Please feel free to look around the room. We have work displayed on the walls and each student has a folder on his desk," Mrs. Young announced.

  Realizing she was in her son's desk, Tess flipped open Wesley's folder and found only two papers inside, one of a drawing of their previous house and the other a story copied from the board. The letters were sloppy as if Wesley had raced through the assignment She knew he could write better than this. Glancing about her, she noticed the other students had a lot more pieces for their parents to view.

  Staring at her son's work, Tess tried not to get too upset over another problem developing. She had coped with so many in the past year; she could handle this, too. She had to because there was no one else for Wesley or her other children except her. She was determined to be the best mother and father for them.

  "Did you get the job?"

  Tess blinked, slowly focusing on Officer Smith. "Yes, as a matter of fact, I did." Her gaze riveted to his eyes, gray with hints of silver in them.

  "Then you weren't late?"

  "Only a few minutes and they were running later."

  She stretched out her hand toward the police officer. "My name is Tess Morgan, and I want to thank you again for not giving me a ticket this morning."

  He took her hand within his and shook it. "I'm Zachariah Smith, and you're welcome."

  His smile coupled with the warmth from his touch sent her heartbeat galloping. The look in his compelling gaze robbed her of breath. For a few seconds, she was at a loss for words until he dropped his hand away from hers and she said the first thing that came into her mind, "Not only do we both have two first graders in common, but they're in the same class." She could get an A for her powers of deduction, she realized as the heat of a blush scorched her face.

  "So they are."

  His eyes, like pieces of silver that had caught and held sunshine, glinted with a smile. She would never understand why a man with such beautiful eyes would wear dark sunglasses to conceal them from the world. Definitely his best asset, Tess thought, suddenly realizing she was staring at him. She was doing a lot of that lately.

  "Is your wife here tonight?" Tess almost bit her tongue for asking the question. She was becoming an expert at putting her foot in her mouth when it came to this man.

  "My wife is dead."

  "I'm sorry," Tess automatically murmured, deciding both feet were fitting nicely in her mouth.

  "And Mr. Morgan? Is he in your third grader's class?"

  "No, I have no earthly idea where Mr. Morgan is. We're divorced."

  Zachariah's smile grew, making his eyes sparkle. "Well, now that we have all the important questions out of the way, would you care to join me for a cup of coffee in the library?"

  "I don't drink coffee," was all Tess could manage to say. He wasn't married. Danger signals went off in her brain. There went her safe fantasy.

  "I think they also have cookies and punch." He rose, waiting.

  She wished she could say she didn't drink punch or eat cookies, but that would be a bald-faced lie. Sweets were her weakness or at least one of them. "First, I need to sign up for a conference."

  After she put her name on the list for an evening meeting with Mrs. Young, she left the classroom. Zachariah stood in the hallway outside the door, casually leaning against the wall with his arms folded over his chest. His gaze swept down her length in an appreciative survey that produced a tingling sensation in the pit of her stomach.

  "How do your sons like Will Rogers Elementary School?" he asked, pushing himself away from the wall.

  Tess fell into step beside Zachariah, trusting he knew the way to the library. "Shaun's doing fine. He's met a few friends and has even gone over to several boys' houses. But Wesley, my first grader, is having trouble adjusting."

  "How so?" Zachariah placed his hand at her elbow to guide her toward the door into the library.

  His touch like a brand seared her skin with his mark. For a few seconds, her mind refused to function. He asked her a question. She was sure of it, but for the life of her she couldn't remember what they had been talking about. Oh, my, he was definitely dangerous for her.

  "I'm sorry I didn't mean to pry. First grade can be hard to adjust to for any kid let alone one that has just moved here." He steered her toward the refreshment table before releasing his thought-stealing touch.

  "Oh, no. That's okay. Wesley has always been shy and slow to make friends. All he does is go to school, then come home and play in his room by himself. He won't even have anything to do with his older brother. Now, that's out of character. He used to follow Shaun everywhere. I'm worried." Tess took the punch the woman behind the table held out to her and also two big chocolate chip cookies. She would pay for these tomorrow. After work she would have to run an extra mile for each one.

  "Time will probably take care of the problem. A lot is happening to Wesley with a new town and school." Zachariah sat at a table across from Tess.

  Her stomach knotted with a finely honed tension, and she knew that even if she sat across the room from him she would feel his presence. "I hope you're right," she finally murmured, realizing she had to say something.

  "Of course I am. I'm always right," he said with a laugh.

  "How can I argue with a man who saved me a bunch of money today?"

  "A wise lady. I like that." He took a sip of his coffee. "When do you start work?"

  "Tomorrow eight sharp. I think part of the reason they hired me was because I could start right away. They were desperate. They won't regret it, though."

  "Carson International is a good organization."

  "There are a lot of opportunities for advancement." She shook her head, frowning. "I can't believe I said that. I'd rather be home with the children than craving my niche in the business world." Shrugging, she added, "Oh, well, you have to d
o what you have to do."

  "Children are expensive."

  "You have an eighteen-month-old. Where does she stay when you work?"

  "My next door neighbor keeps several children. Emily adores her. What are you going to do about Katie?"

  "My grandmother will watch her. Granny Kime loves kids. I haven't seen her this excited in a long time." Tess didn't add that she had been the deciding factor in moving to Crystal City. As much as she wanted to go it alone, she also knew when she needed help at least until she got herself established.

  "And your car?"

  "Ah, the police officer in you can't rest. I'll get it fixed as soon as I get my first paycheck. Two weeks." Tess bit into the cookie, savoring the chunks of chocolate that melted in her mouth.

  "I'm not sure fixing something that is dying is good enough. Might be a waste of your hard-earned money."

  "I don't have a choice. Buying even a used car is out of the question for the time being. At least this one is paid for."

  "But will it do the job?" he asked, finishing his coffee.

  "My luck has got to change."

  Chapter Two

  So much for her luck changing, Tess thought as she tried to crank her engine one more time. Dead. Nothing. Nada.

  She watched the cars go around her at the stoplight where hers had died and wished she was any place but here. A few people honked, and she sank deeper into the cushion of her seat, trying to decide what to do about her car stuck in the middle of rush hour traffic, what there was in a town of forty thousand.

  Finally after the fifth person had laid on his horn to demonstrate his impatience, Tess got out of her car and carefully made her way to the front. She lifted the hood and stared at the lifeless piece of junk under it. She might as well be staring at the Rosette Stone; she wouldn't be able to figure out what was wrong. Brad had always taken care of the car.

  She would leave the hood up and call someone to come pick her up. But who? She didn't know anyone in Crystal City except Granny Kime, and she didn't drive anymore. Maybe one of her grandmother's friends? Frustration mixed with panic began to rise in Tess. She had to get to work on time. This was her first day, and being at Carson International at eight was her top priority. After that she would figure out what to do with her car.

  After securing the hood up, she glanced around to see if there was a public phone anywhere nearby. She didn't notice the police car pulling behind her until she heard the door slam close and saw Zachariah Smith striding toward her. Her heart responded with a traitorous beat that had everything to do with the evening before. When he removed his sunglasses and pocketed them, her breath shortened. When he smiled at her, a silver gleam in his eyes, her stomach twisted with electrical tingles.

  "So it finally died," he said, peering down at the engine.

  "Unless you can perform magic, I'm afraid so."

  He went around to the front door and slid into the driver's seat. He tried to start the car but nothing happened. When he poked his head under the hood, probing for answers, he said, "Not here. I don't have the tools, but I think I can get it running with some work."

  "You can?"

  "For starters you'll need a new battery and spark plugs. I suspect there will be other things after I get inside and have a close look."

  "You're a mechanic, too?"

  "Only a hobby. I tinker with my car from time to time."

  "And you will mine?"

  Zachariah straightened, facing her. "Yes."

  "How much?" She thought of her zero bank account balance.

  "Dinner with me."

  "I hope you like McDonald's. About all I can afford is their dollar menu."

  "It's my treat."

  "Let me get this straight. You'll fix my car and take me to dinner, too?"

  "Yes."

  "I won't take charity," Tess said, determined that he realize she had to stand on her own two feet. Her dependency on a man, which had led her to this point in her life, was over.

  "And I'm not giving it. I'll buy the parts and you'll pay me back when you get the money."

  "But why are you doing this for me? We barely know each other."

  "That's just the point. I want us to get to know each other."

  "Oh," she murmured, hearing the danger signals blaring in her mind while her body flushed with warmth. She stared down at the dead engine, wishing she had taken an auto mechanics class in school. She didn't want to owe anyone, especially a man who was interested.

  "What do you want to do, Tess?"

  Run as fast as she could. She looked up into his face. Before it was too late and she was lost in his eyes, she said, "This piece of junk is yours. Do with it what you can." As much as she wished she didn't have to, she had to accept his help. This job was too important to her independence, not to mention her ability to feed and clothe her children.

  "I'll take you to Carson's and then contact a friend who can tow your car to my house." He started walking toward his vehicle.

  Transfixed, Tess felt overwhelmed as though he had breezed into her life and taken over. When he turned at his door, looked at her, one brow arched, and said, "You don't have to go down with the ship. It'll be okay here for an hour or so until I can take care of it," a suffocating panic threatened to cut off her next breath. She needed his help, she reminded herself. She wasn't turning her life over to this man—-just her car. Inhaling deep, calming gulps of air, she began to move toward him.

  "I insist on taking you out to dinner after I get paid. My treat," Tess said as she slipped into the passenger seat.

  His gaze snared hers, and she felt probed as he had done the engine a few minutes before—thoroughly and intensely. "Fine. I won't turn down a free meal. I can even eat at McDonalds. It's an occupational duty as a parent."

  The tightness about her chest eased. She was in control again. "I think by then I'll be able to swing something where you have to wait for the food to be prepared and someone takes your order while you're sitting down."

  "Our McDonald's has a drive through," he quipped and started his engine. "And we could always place a special order."

  Tess laughed and completely relaxed while Zachariah maneuvered around her piece of junk and headed for Carson's. "You know I've never ridden in a police car before."

  "It's always comforting to know you're not on the ten most wanted list."

  "It's so hard to break into the top ten."

  His chuckle was low, warm. "I'll be off this afternoon and will take a look at your car. I might be able to fix it today."

  "If not, I'd better see if someone at work can come by and pick me up tomorrow morning."

  "Will you need a ride home?"

  "No," she said quickly, not wanting to be obliged to him anymore than she already was. "You've extended the welcoming mat beyond the call of duty."

  He slanted a look toward her. "It's okay to accept help, Tess."

  Thankfully they pulled up in front of Carson's, and she didn't have to respond to his comment. Instead while he was still inching forward toward the main doors, she jumped out of the car, murmured her thanks, and rushed into the building. Inside she slowed to a sedate pace and headed for the elevator. But she felt his gaze on her, and when she turned from punching her floor number, she saw him through the bank of windows, watching her, a perplexed expression on his face.

  Chicken, she thought as the doors swished closed. But in high school she hadn't gone out with a lot of boys and had met Brad her senior year. Her experience with men was very limited and the dating scene almost nonexistent in her life. Suddenly she realized she was twenty-nine years old and starting all over. That realization frightened her more than the day Brad had left her.

  * * *

  "Bruce, come back here," Tess shouted, running around the side of the house, the Great Dane lengthening the distance between them with each leap he took. "Just wait until I get my hands on you."

  Bruce raced across the front yard straight toward Zachariah who was getting out of he
r car. He stopped and looked at the huge dog barreling down on him then at her. Before he had a chance to move, Bruce lunged at the man, plopping his big paws on Zachariah's shoulders and licking him all over his face.

  "Stop, Bruce, this instant." Tess rushed forward, praying her Great Dane didn't take Zachariah down with him as he had done the postman.

  When her foot hit the slippery slide and went out from under her, the next thing she felt was the hard impact of the ground as her bottom smacked into the yellow, wet plastic and the breath swooshed from her lungs. For a few seconds she sucked in no air and the world spun before her eyes. Then all of a sudden a tongue laved her face, and she was staring into two brown eyes inches from hers while her dog knocked her backwards. She locked her arms around Bruce's neck and tried to hold him still.