The girl’s eyes were wide and horrified. She glanced quickly at Lottie and swallowed hard. “Lottie Steele. I follow you too. You’re amazing, all the things you do with your charity.”
“Thank you,” Lottie said benevolently.
“I’m so sorry I …” Her voice lowered. “Said that bad word about you. I …” She looked like she wanted to make some excuse, but really, what excuse was there? “I’m very sorry.” She looked at Jex and he thought she might ask him for a selfie again, but thankfully she gave them both one more apologetic smile and pushed out the door.
Nobody said much as the hostess gathered menus and took them to a table. Jex was acutely aware of his awkward gait—step with his left foot, drag his right—as it seemed the entire restaurant was staring at them. He held his head high and his back straight and mulled over the epiphany of the last few minutes. That girl had treated Lottie horribly, treated her as if she didn’t have value because she had a disability. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Jex knew that about Lottie. Could he believe it about himself? It made him think of what Ally had said last night. She thought she wasn’t the perfect model, so she discounted her own value. Jex knew in theory that he didn’t have to be perfect to have value, but over these past four months he’d lost his identity and forgotten that. Bless Lottie for once again teaching him the most important lessons in life.
They made it to the table and Jex sank into a chair, thankful to not be walking, but grateful he could be in public and keep his head held high. It would be hard, probably for a long time, but he could do it.
The hostess handed them menus and a waitress came to take their drink orders, then left. Jex turned to Lottie and said, “I’m very sorry that girl was so rude. You know that’s not true, right?”
Lottie nodded seriously. “Some people are dumb. It’s okay. She learn.”
Jex pressed his lips together, suddenly emotional. He’d been dumb too, but Lottie would tell him it was okay. Everybody had things to learn, everybody made mistakes, and it was past time he learned and rectified some of his mistakes. Silence fell at the table as they looked at the menu, but Jex’s mind was far from breakfast.
When the waitress came with his orange juice, he ordered a supreme omelet.
As soon as the waitress left, Lottie said impatiently, “The plan.”
Jex’s stomach tightened, but it wasn’t fear this time; it was excitement. Drawing from the strength he felt from Lottie, he focused on his ideas. “I have some ideas, but I need a little help brainstorming it all out.”
Lottie waved him on. “Spit it out, bro.”
Jex smiled. “After last night, I struggled sleeping. All these ideas were churning.” He looked at his hands, then gestured to his leg. “After my accident, there were a lot of people sending ideas to Pearl for me to teach seminars or teach my tricks and stunts. I shot them all down. I guess in the back of my mind I thought my leg would heal and I’d be back doing tricks—maybe altered tricks, but still. I’ve been working out for hours twice a day the past few months, doing everything the physical therapist and exercise scientists recommended and more.” He shook his head, hating to admit this even to his family, but he said, “I’m doing well. I can stand on both feet, but you’ve seen me walk. It’s going to be a long time before it heals completely, if it even does.”
Preston and Ally nodded. Lottie leaned against him and muttered, “Sorry, bro.”
Jex wrapped his arm around her, giving her a side hug. “Thanks. It’s been rough and I’m sure it’ll still be rough, but you were right. I’ve been selfish, and it’s time to move on.” He didn’t get into the epiphany he’d just had with Lottie. If she could be as brave and filled with light as she was with her disability, then he would be strong enough to move forward, even with a weaker right leg.
A few beats passed with Preston and Ally giving him encouraging looks, but Lottie was not that patient. “So …?”
“I want to teach.”
They all smiled and nodded.
“But I don’t want to only teach those who can afford it. I want to set up extreme-sports camps around the world, some for kids who have mental or physical impairments.” His throat caught, and he cleared it. Preston and Ally graciously pretended not to notice.
“You okay?” Lottie asked.
Jex smiled and nodded. “I’d also like to do some for kids who need financial help and even refugees’ children.”
Preston nodded his encouragement, and Ally glanced at Lottie, her eyes bright. “It’s very fitting, Jex, and I can help with the marketing.”
“Thanks. Luckily, I have plenty of money and a whole slew of followers and sponsors who I think are waiting for me to do something.”
“The whole world’s been waiting for you to do something, bro,” Preston said.
“But what about Pearl?” Lottie demanded.
Jex splayed his hands. “That’s where I need some help and advice. This all came to me, and I love the ideas, the direction, and I think I’ll be really happy and busy, able to not stew about my leg or miss doing my tricks so much. But I don’t know where Pearl fits in or what kind of play I need to make to get her back. Plus, I want to be physically and mentally strong—know I’m worthy of her.”
“Just ask her,” Lottie instructed.
“Ah, Lottie-love, sometimes it’s not that easy. I have to do something huge.”
Lottie jutted out her chin. She was the most determined person Jex knew sometimes. “Sometimes it is easy.”
Preston shrugged his shoulders, and Ally smiled.
“Maybe,” Ally said. “Maybe Pearl is just waiting for him, but maybe not.”
The “maybe not” dug at Jex. It was his own fault. He’d pushed her away. What if she’d moved on? He’d wanted her to move on with work and her life. He still wanted her to be happy, but the thought of her moving on to another man … He cringed and frowned.
“It’s okay, bro.” Ally winked as she stole the siblings’ pet name. “I’ve got a plan.”
Jex sat up straighter. Ally was a smart and savvy lady. Last night, he hadn’t wanted to hear anything about plans; right now, he was more than open to them.
“But you might not get her back tomorrow. It’s going to take some patience.”
Preston chortled at that. “Patience, my boy, patience.”
Ally tilted her head in confusion.
“It used to be one of my signature lines,” Jex explained.
“Oh, good.” Ally looked him over as if he were a test subject and she wasn’t sure how he’d respond to the torture she was going to inflict. “That patience is about to be tested.”
Jex thought his patience had already been tested to the limits, but if it would get him Pearl back, he’d have patience. He’d do anything.
Chapter Fifteen
Pearl wandered the beach near her Miami condo. It was a beautiful early summer evening, the choking heat of the day finally dissipating. She loved walking along the sandy coastline, listening to the children’s laughter and the seagulls’ squawks, watching boats speed by and people frolic in the warm ocean. She liked where she lived right now. She hated being alone. She missed Jex more every day.
Go visit your mom or your brother. Have a good trip. Say hi to your mom for me. What a lame kiss-off Jex had handed her. Over four lonely months had passed. Tracy had been true to her word, and now Pearl worked a demanding and interesting job with Personal Best Marketing. They represented a wide variety of clients, and she enjoyed most of her work experiences. She even traveled a fair amount, which she’d always loved with Jex. It was admittedly not as fun by herself, without her charming daredevil. Not that Jex was a daredevil anymore.
She wished she could claim that she had no clue where he was, but that would be a lie. She and Lottie texted sometimes, and lately his sister had been sending Pearl pictures of her and Jex. Jex looked unreal in every one, but even more important, he looked happy and fulfilled. Though he was standing up in some of the
pictures with greenery in the background, she hadn’t been able to tell how his leg was healing or where he was, and she was leery of asking Lottie too many questions and revealing how interested she was.
It hurt to see him obviously moving on and happy. She had imagined that eventually Jex would return to himself, get over the disappointment and pity, and rise to be the irrepressible Jex Steele again, but she’d assumed he knew her devotion to him and he’d at least give them a chance again. Would a text be too much to ask for?
Kicking at a rock, she stopped and faced the ocean. Closing her eyes, she breathed in the salty, humid air and said a prayer for strength and determination to somehow move on with her life. She was busy and fulfilled, but she missed him. She missed him so bad it hurt. Many times she’d daydreamed about simply showing up at his house, but she couldn’t face another rejection from him. Tracy kept telling her to dump her devotion to Jex Steele, said it was too extreme. But how did you tell your heart to shut down?
Her phone rang, jolting her from her thoughts and her prayers. The display said Tracy.
“Hey, girl. I have a new job for you.” Tracy was always upbeat, but there was something extra happy in her voice today. She was ultra-excited about this job.
“Okay, what is it?”
“I need you to travel to Costa Rica. The client is putting together a camp for the children of the refugees there. It’s so brilliant and they requested you. James Lillywhite referred them to us. I’ll send you all the details through email. You okay to fly out in the morning?”
James Lillywhite was a recent client who owned dozens of health spas throughout the southeast. “Um, sure. You’re the boss. I have some other files that need my attention, though.”
“Klein will do a fabulous job with them. Don’t worry, we’ll take care of everything here. Costa Rica, baby! Ooh, I’m so excited for you. Hugs!” She hung up before Pearl could even respond.
Pearl held on to her phone and started back toward her condo. She’d need to pack. Costa Rica. She’d gone there with Jex several times. It was a decent-sized country, though, so she probably wouldn’t end up in a familiar spot. Her stomach heated up as she remembered being in La Fortuna, Costa Rica, with Jex. It had been paradise, and not just because of the unreal landscape. Jex had flirted with her and every day tried to get her to change her last name or give him a kiss for good luck. She hadn’t done either, but they’d spent some fun days there. She had so many wonderful memories of him that sometimes it felt like he lived in her mind.
Squaring her shoulders, she marched toward her condo. It was time to pack, and way past time to live in the present. Maybe she’d meet someone amazing. Maybe this client was a charming guy who would sweep her off her feet. And maybe the beach would run out of sand, adorable children, and seagulls.
Chapter Sixteen
Pearl waited to check into the luxurious resort in La Fortuna, staring out the floor-to-ceiling windows near the front desk at the view of the Arenal Volcano. There were misty clouds at the top, but for the most part it was clear and green. Beautiful. Too bad her thoughts weren’t so clear. Why did this job have to be right where she’d been with Jex before?
“This is a rare day, to see such beauty,” a deep voice said next to her.
Pearl whirled and stared at a handsome, dark-haired man in a navy-blue suit. He looked like he could be a native. She gestured out at the volcano. “It’s breathtaking.”
“Yes, it is.” He was staring at her almost too intently, especially for not knowing her. He followed her gaze through the window. “It’s rare to get a clear view of our volcano. Usually the clouds obscure the beauty.” He turned back to her. “I’m sure no clouds obscure your beauty.”
“You’re local?” she asked, ignoring the compliment. He had no clue how cloudy she was inside. She was complimented often, but nobody could compliment her like Jex could. She didn’t want anybody to. What a mess she was. A handsome man was trying to hit on her, and she didn’t even know how to respond anymore.
“Yes, I could show you all the sights.”
Pearl stood there, frozen. She wasn’t sure what to do.
“Pearl Jacobsen-Davenport?” an upbeat male voice said from behind her.
Pearl whirled around. A young man with dark skin and hair was grinning widely at her.
“Yes?” she questioned.
“Whew, that name is a mouthful. Have you ever thought about changing it to something shorter?” He winked at her.
Pearl blinked. Had he watched her and Jex’s videos and was teasing her? Or maybe there was there a different underlying meaning? Or maybe was he flirting with her?
Both men were watching her expectantly. “I’ve thought about it a few times,” she finally admitted. She’d thought about it more than a few times—every day when she used to be with Jex.
“Well, maybe somebody could help you with that name change,” he suggested with another wink.
“How do you know me?” she demanded. This was feeling like a setup.
“I’m supposed to pick you up, ma’am. Take you to the camp. If you’ll come with me.”
“Oh.” That made sense. “I haven’t checked in yet.” She gestured to the front desk. The line had dwindled. Her suitcases were sitting right next to her.
“No problem, ma’am.” He spoke English extremely well. Was he local also? He gestured with his hand to the front desk staff. “Please check Miss Davenport-Jacobsen in and get her suitcases to her room.” He looked back to her. “Would you like to freshen up first, or are you ready to see the facility? The owner is waiting to meet with you to discuss marketing ideas.”
Pearl took a long breath. Tracy had sent her information, but not nearly enough. Basically, it was a retreat of sorts for refugees’ children. The children came to the camp during the day while their parents worked or looked for jobs. The owner was a Dirk Miller. She hadn’t been able to find any information about him online, but Tracy promised it was all on the up-and-up.
“That’s fine.” She’d freshened up her makeup when she landed at the airport in San Jose. It had been a couple hours’ drive, but she was fine. She already had the job, and she didn’t need to impress anybody. The only man she cared about impressing had told her to “go” and hadn’t contacted her in over four months.
She rode with the young man down a semi-paved street and toward the east. The mountains surrounded them and Arenal Volcano towered behind them. They approached a gated area with large trees surrounding it. Another mountainside rose next to the beautiful spot. The young man, Alfonso, spoke to the guard, and they drove along a gravel road with a river on their right side.
“Why the security?” Pearl asked.
“The refugees are a prime target for trafficking. The children must be protected while their parents are working.”
Trafficking. It was such an ugly reality that seemed to be a never-ending battle. She nodded her understanding and looked out the window. She saw kayaks going down the river, carrying both children and adults. They were all laughing and having a great time.
Alfonso parked the Land Rover next to a large pavilion. There were numerous tables and chairs in the middle, and a buffet of food and drinks lingered on the edge. More children were congregated here, scarfing down an evening meal. Pearl’s heart twisted. They were adorable, and they looked much more neglected than any child she’d seen in America, or even in her travels with Jex.
Alfonso ran around and got her door. She thanked him and drank in her surroundings. On the right, a trail was winding up the wooded mountainside; horseback riders exited it as she watched.
He gestured to the trees on the left, and as they walked that way, Pearl heard children’s peals of laughter and some screams. Looking up, she saw children zip-lining through the trees, going from platform to platform. Workers were waiting at each platform to help them transition either to another zip line or to walking across a hanging bridge or another obstacle. They looked like they were having a fabulous time. Pearl found hers
elf smiling as she watched.
A muscular man swooped out of the trees like Tarzan. He swung from rope to rope as the children screamed in delight and cheered for him. Pearl’s jaw dropped open. She couldn’t tear her eyes from the man’s handsome face. “Jex,” she said breathlessly. She wanted him to see her, to come to her, but she couldn’t find her voice to call to him.
He was grinning in delight at the children. He did a somersault through the air before grabbing another rope, swinging wildly a few times and then sliding to the ground. Everyone let up a cheer and he waved in acknowledgment, still holding on to the rope as if to brace himself; she noticed he was balancing pretty well on both legs, only slightly favoring the left. A few of the children rushed to him and gave him fist bumps or a quick hug before running off again.
Pearl stood rooted to the grassy earth, stunned. His eyes swung to her, and his smile changed to a look of awe. She saw his mouth form her name. Pearl.
Then he started moving toward her. It was not the determined stride she remembered, more of a determined limp as he pushed off with his left foot and dragged his right foot along. But he was walking, and without any brace or crutches.
She wanted to run to him, knock him off his feet, and tell him exactly how much she’d missed him and how she loved him, but she held back. If he still felt the same about her, he would have contacted her. She had no clue how to respond to seeing him again.
Jex crossed the distance and stopped right in front of her. He looked amazing, strong and tall, his dark skin glowing with health and his deep brown eyes clear and bright. His gaze traveled over her, and he said, “Ah, Pearl, I’ve missed you.”
“Then why haven’t you called me?” she demanded, suddenly confused and upset. “Why are you here? Who’s Dirk Miller?”
Steele Family Romance Collection Page 47