Renovations (By Design Book 6)

by J. A. Armstrong

  Candace’s fingers gripped Jameson’s back when Jameson entered her. She could not seem to find her voice. She clung to Jameson as Jameson continued to move against her, taking Candace deliberately higher slowly, gently, lovingly and passionately. Candace felt Jameson’s body quiver against her, sending Candace over the threshold of ecstasy in an instant.

  Jameson fought for control. She was spinning. Her head spun, her heart raced, Candace trembled beneath her, holding onto her firmly and Jameson cried out Candace’s name.

  Candace pulled Jameson down to her and swallowed both their cries in a kiss that set off another series of ripples that swiftly turned to waves, pulling them both under unexpectedly again. Gradually, Candace felt Jameson’s body begin to settle above her and their kiss become gentler.

  Jameson pulled away and rained kisses over Candace’s face. She tasted the saltiness of Candace’s tears and spoke soft endearments in Candace’s ear. “I’m right here,” Jameson promised. She moved to lie beside Candace and pulled Candace into her arms. She stroked Candace’s back lovingly as Candace’s head came to rest on her chest. They stayed silently wrapped in one another’s embrace for what seemed to Jameson like hours before Candace finally spoke.

  “I’m tired of mothers losing their children,” Candace said. Jameson listened, instinctively tightening her hold on Candace. “She’s quite an amazing woman.”

  “Mrs. Jeffries?”

  “Yeah. She asked me if I had lost a child,” Candace said. Jameson waited for Candace to continue. “I told her about him,” Candace said.

  “Rick?” Jameson asked.

  “Lucas,” Candace said softly.

  Jameson fought for a breath. She kissed Candace’s head. “How did that go?” she asked gently.

  The loss of her infant son had been devastating for Candace. It was something that she had great difficulty confiding in Jameson about. It was not something that she discussed—with anyone, not even with Pearl. It was simply too painful even after all the years that had passed. Jameson was sure that she had never seen Candace’s face etched by so much pain as the night that she confided in Jameson about the loss of her second child. It wasn’t something that people talked about. The press left it alone. The family kept quiet about it. Candace had told Jameson that at times she thought her pregnancy with Michelle had saved her life. And, when Jonah had been in crisis as a baby, it had frightened Candace beyond imagining. Rick’s death had served to resurface many memories for Candace. Jameson was sure that all of those memories had lingered. She could not deny that she was surprised that a conversation with Tyrone Jeffries’ mother was the catalyst for Candace to mention Lucas. She waited patiently for Candace to answer her question.

  “It felt good to talk about him,” Candace said. “With someone who understands.” Candace heard Jameson’s slight sigh and pulled herself up to look at her wife. “I don’t mean that you don’t understand.”

  Jameson smiled earnestly. “I know what you mean,” she assured Candace. “I just wish I could help you.”

  “It never really goes away,” Candace admitted.

  “I wouldn’t expect that it would.”

  “You don’t think that’s crazy? I still think about him, Jameson. Today, I found myself wondering why I don’t talk about him more. It’s been so long. I can still see him as if it were yesterday and when I do? I can’t help but wonder who he might have become.”

  Jameson kissed Candace compassionately. “I don’t think it’s crazy at all. He’s your son,” she said. Candace sighed heavily. “What is it?”

  “That little boy I told you about at the shelter?”

  “The one whose mother was struggling?” Jameson asked. Candace nodded. “Yeah, I called Scott this morning about her.”

  Candace’s eyes twinkled with appreciation. Jameson always listened and she always looked for any way that she could to support Candace. Jameson’s cousin Scott ran a successful rehab clinic. It would have been a wonderful solution for the young mother Candace had met just a day ago. She placed a light kiss on Jameson’s lips.

  “You are wonderful,” Candace told Jameson. “Maybe if I’d met her a day earlier.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “She overdosed last night. They took Cooper into state custody early this morning.”

  “Cooper is the little boy?” Jameson asked. Candace nodded. “What does that mean? Took him where?”

  “Right now, he is in a transitional home.”

  “What? Like an orphanage?”

  “Well, not exactly. Not all of the children are like Cooper. Some have suffered through abuse, others have parents who are incarcerated and no family member to accept their care. And, yes—some are like Cooper,” Candace explained.

  “So, what happens to him? He gets adopted?”

  Candace shook her head. “That would be ideal.”

  “But?”

  “But, that isn’t the most likely scenario,” Candace said. She collapsed back into Jameson’s arms. “Hopefully, they will find a good foster home for him quickly.”

  Jameson pulled the covers up over them both and kissed Candace on the head. “Shitty day, huh?”

  Candace nodded. “Mothers should not outlive their sons and babies should not have to lose their mothers.”

  Jameson sighed. “I’m sorry, Candace.”

  Candace snuggled closer to Jameson. “It’s part of life—death. I can’t pretend that I understand the point in it sometimes.”

  Jameson held Candace. She listened as Candace drew in a deep breath and released it. She released one herself and closed her eyes. The day had clearly affected Candace deeply—all of it. “I wish I knew how to make it better,” Jameson muttered.

  “You do,” Candace said sleepily.

  Jameson felt Candace’s breathing even out. She was grateful that Candace had fallen asleep. Candace’s exhaustion had been evident. “Maybe,” Jameson mumbled doubtfully.

  Jameson closed her eyes again thinking about how Candace constantly worked to make things better for everyone around her. Jameson had endured loss as well. In life, Jameson had learned, you carried on. You found joy again. If you dared to love, you were guaranteed to feel grief at some point. She had no doubt that Candace was happy with her life, with their life together, but some losses always lingered.

  “I’d do anything for you,” Jameson whispered to her sleeping wife. “Anything.”

  ***

  “Dana?”

  Dana answered Jameson’s call in a slight panic. “J.D.? Is Candace okay?”

  “She’s all right.”

  “Uh-huh. Why are you calling me at six in the morning then?”

  Jameson couldn’t help but chuckle nervously. “Okay, look, she’s okay. She’s not herself.”

  “Yesterday was not an easy day,” Dana offered.

  “No, for more reasons than one,” Jameson said quietly.

  “What? J.D.?”

  “Nothing. Listen, what’s the deal with this little boy she met the other day?” Jameson wanted to know.

  “Cooper?”

  “Yeah.”

  Dana sighed. “Why? What did she say?”

  “Dana, please. What’s the deal?”

  “He really got to her,” Dana observed.

  “Yeah, I kind of gathered that. What’s the deal?” Jameson repeated her question for the third time.

  “Well, I’m not really surprised. He took to her like honey to a bee.”

  Dana’s statement did not surprise Jameson. Candace loved kids and kids seemed to naturally gravitate to her. “Yeah, well that doesn’t surprise me.”

  “No, but from what the woman at the shelter said it’s pretty unusual for Cooper.”

  “Lots of kids are shy,” Jameson said.

  “I think it’s more than being shy, J.D.”

  “Why, is something wrong with him?”

  Dana chuckled. “Not in the way you are thinking,” she said. Her voice sobered as she continued. “It hasn’t
been easy for him. J.D.—in and out of shelters with his mother. And, really? Who knows what he’s seen in that time? He’s timid.”

  Jameson sipped her coffee and considered Dana’s comments.

  “J.D.? You still there?”

  “Yeah, I’m here.”

  “What did Candy say about Cooper?” Dana asked.

  “Nothing really. I think she’s worried about him.”

  “I’m sure she is. You know her, J.D. She takes more home with her than she lets on.”

  Jameson did know. Somehow, something about this little boy was different. “Yeah. Listen, Dana…What’s her schedule look like today? Do you know?”

  “Jesus. J.D.! It’s Saturday and it’s six a.m.!”

  “And? You were up.”

  Dana laughed. “Yeah, I was. Why so interested in Candy’s schedule? Planning an escape?”

  “Not the kind you are thinking,” Jameson replied. “We have Spence.”

  “Ahh…I forgot. How is the little architect?” Dana asked.

  “Sleeping right now with his Nana.”

  “Missed her, I’ll bet,” Dana said.

  “Understatement. So? Do you know? What her day looks like?”

  “She has a call at eight-thirty with the attorney general, Samuels, and DeGrasso. Shouldn’t be more than an hour—if that. Bill has some luncheon he’s speaking at. He’ll be brief—for once.”

  Jameson chuckled. “That’s it?”

  “Yep, unless the proverbial shit hits the fan again.”

  “Don’t even say it,” Jameson warned. She heard Dana laugh. “In that case, I have a favor to ask.”

  “I’m not sure I want to know. Is this going to get me in trouble with my boss?”

  “I hope not,” Jameson said with a hint of insecurity coloring her voice.

  “Oh, no…What are you up to?”

  “Well….”

  Chapter Five

  “Where on earth are we going?” Candace asked.

  Jameson smiled. “I thought you said you were up for an adventure with Spence and me?”

  “Uh-huh. I am. I just am curious where that adventure might be taking us.”

  “Chicken fingers!” Spencer yelled.

  Jameson laughed. “No, Spence we aren’t going for chicken fingers.” Spencer frowned in the back seat. Jameson caught him in the rearview mirror and snickered. “You two have the same face,” she said to Candace.

  “What are you talking about?” Candace asked.

  “You and Spence. The minute I said no chicken fingers you both frowned.”

  Candace wrinkled her nose and pursed her lips. “Not that I am not grateful for whatever plan you have concocted. But, out of curiosity, why were you on the phone with Dana when I got up this morning?”

  Jameson shrugged. “She is my friend, you know.”

  “Umm. You call your friends at six a.m. often, do you? Friends who happen to be my Press Secretary?”

  “Only when I need to.”

  Candace shook her head and laughed. She leaned over the seat of the sedan and into the ear of their police escort. “Sergeant Evans,” Candace began sweetly.

  “Yes, Governor?” he replied.

  “What is it that my wife has gotten you into? I should warn you, unlike my wife, I do not enjoy ice fishing nor do I care for snowmobiling.”

  Jameson rolled her eyes. “When have I ever taken you ice fishing?”

  “There’s a first time for everything,” Candace said before falling back into her seat next to Spencer. “I do have a cat,” she reminded Jameson. “Spencer, what is Jay Jay up to?” Candace whispered to her grandson.

  Spencer shrugged. “Jay Jay?”

  “Yeah, Spence?”

  “Nana says what are you to?”

  “Up to,” Candace laughed.

  “Up to, Jay Jay!”

  “Nice try,” Jameson said.

  Candace shrugged. “I know how to deploy assets when needed.”

  “I know,” Jameson mumbled.

  “What did you say?” Candace asked.

  “Nothing,” Jameson answered. She turned to Sergeant Evans. “Is that it?” she asked softly, receiving a nod in reply.

  Candace looked out the window as the car slowed and watched as a large white house came into view. “Jameson?”

  Jameson took a deep breath and turned to face Candace in the backseat. “I thought maybe you’d feel better if you could check in on Cooper.” The stunned expression on Candace’s face unsettled Jameson. “If it’s a bad idea just say so.”

  Candace sat completely dumbfounded. Spencer looked at her, puzzled by her silence. “Nana?” he called to her.

  Candace smiled at Spencer and kissed his cheek. She looked back at Jameson and sighed.

  “Candace….If I was out of line….”

  Candace shook her head. “Not at all.”

  “Are you sure?” Jameson asked. Candace nodded again. “Okay,” Jameson said as she stepped out of the car and opened Spencer’s door. “Want to go meet a new friend, Spence?” she asked him. He nodded vigorously.

  Candace grabbed Jameson’s arm before they reached the stairs to the building. “This is why you called Dana,” she said. Jameson smiled. Candace leaned in and kissed Jameson’s cheek. “You certainly are full of surprises.”

  “I hope it’s a good one,” Jameson said. Candace smiled genuinely. Jameson could detect the melancholy in her wife’s mood. “Candace, are you sure this is okay?”

  “I’m positive. I just hate that any of them need to be here,” she said honestly, stealing a glance at Spencer as he reached up for her hand.

  Jameson nodded her understanding and followed Candace up the stairs and through the door. “I hope this was a good idea, J.D.,” she silently mused.

  ***

  “J.D.?” Marianne’s voice came through the phone.

  “Hey,” Jameson replied quietly. Her attention was focused on Candace, who was sitting on the floor with Cooper and Spencer a few feet away.

  “Is Mom there?”

  “Yeah, she’s kind of in the middle of something,” Jameson said, taking a step into the hallway.

  “J.D., why are you whispering?”

  “I just didn’t want to disturb your mom.”

  “Should I head home?” Marianne asked.

  “No, why?” Jameson wondered.

  “Well, I’ve seen the news. I mean, Mom must have her hands full. And, you have things to do. I don’t want to burden you two with Spencer. I know…”

  “Burden us?” Jameson jumped in. “Marianne, Spence is never a burden—a challenge at times, maybe, but that’s only when he hides in cabinets.”

  Marianne giggled. “He didn’t….”

  “Oh, yeah, he did. Yesterday he climbed in one of the cabinets at the firm. Good thing Jonah saw him. I’d have been searching for hours.”

  “You and Mom started that,” Marianne reminded Jameson.

  “Don’t remind me. I’m pretty sure he somehow thinks that if he hides your mom will magically appear and try to find him,” Jameson explained her theory.

  “Or he just likes to tease you.”

  “Or that,” Jameson agreed. “Things are fine here. Honestly. How’s your visit going?” she wondered. Jameson hovered in the doorframe, keeping a close eye on Candace with Cooper and Spencer. She snickered when Spencer took Cooper’s hand and started leading him to a small desk.

  “It’s been fine,” Marianne answered Jameson’s question. “J.D., where are you?”

  “Long story,” Jameson answered.

  “You sure that you don’t want me to cut this short?” Marianne asked.

  Marianne’s offer was genuine. Jameson noted the concern in her voice, but she also noticed something else. Marianne sounded calm and relaxed. Candace had told Jameson that she thought a couple of weeks away might help revitalize Marianne’s spirits. By the tone of Marianne’s voice, Jameson guessed that Candace had been correct. Spencer was never a bother to Jameson. More than that, the last t
hing Jameson wanted to do was contribute to a setback for her step-daughter.

  Jameson had struggled the most to form a bond with Marianne. They had managed to forge a healthy friendship. Jameson guessed that had been brought about largely because she had been close to Rick. That, and the fact that since he could move, Spencer had attached himself to Jameson’s hip. Those realities had forced Marianne to accept Jameson as part of the family. At times, Jameson still wondered if Marianne approved of her marriage to Candace. If she had issues, Marianne kept them to herself.

  “J.D.?”

  “Sorry, I was just…Sorry.”

  “Are you sure everything is okay there?”

  “I promise,” Jameson replied. “Just enjoy your trip. Don’t worry. Okay?”

  “If you say so,” Marianne said skeptically. “Is Spencer there?”

  “Yeah, he’s playing with a new friend. Hold on,” Jameson said. She moved back inside the large playroom and tapped Candace on the shoulder. “It’s Marianne,” she explained.

  Candace took the phone from Jameson’s hand and made her way to her feet. “Marianne?”

  “Mom?”

  “Jameson is trying to round up Spencer,” Candace chuckled. “He’s teaching Cooper how to design a house, I think.”

  “Cooper?” Marianne inquired curiously.

  “Long story,” Candace said.

  “So I heard. How are you?” Marianne wondered.

  “It was a long week.”

  “I saw,” Marianne said. “I didn’t call last night…I figured you would be…”

  “Busy?” Candace finished her daughter’s thought. “That would be one way to describe it,” Candace said. She started laughing at Jameson’s feeble attempts to lure Spencer to the phone.

  “Spence, Mom wants to talk to you,” Jameson told the toddler.

  Spencer looked up at Jameson unappreciatively. “Jay Jay,” he said. “Coop and me is busy.”

  “I can see that. Maybe I could help Cooper for a minute while you talk to Mom,” Jameson suggested.

  Cooper sat beside Spencer scribbling on a large piece of paper intently. Spencer looked at the paper and then at Jameson. He huffed a bit and pursed his small lips in consideration of Jameson’s offer.