by Wendi Zwaduk
“Oh dear. You’d better help the help before they go rogue!” Judi giggled again. “We need all the hands we can get.”
Jaden rushed into the adjacent room. Logan, Corbin, and Ray Russell stood in the middle of the space holding an enormous oak desk. “What’s going on, guys? It looks great.”
Corbin groaned. “We wanted you to give the okay on this. Is this finally where you want the welcome desk? ‘Cause it’s getting heavy and these two are pansies.”
She pointed to the floor. “Right there is perfect.”
After the men edged the oak desk into place, Logan jabbed Corbin in the arm. “Pansy, my ass. This thing is heavy. Would’ve helped if you’d put your back into it.”
Ray scrubbed a hand over his bald head. “I think you both got soft.” He turned to Jaden. “How many animals are slated to be here?”
“Besides my four, five will be here to start. The nursing home wants to work with us to bring in at least three more. I’m also planning on adopting a couple more cats from the APL to give Unruly and Tantrum someone to play with besides terrorising the dogs.”
Corbin stepped back from the cabinet and blew a puff of air over the end of the drill. “It’s screwed down, nice and tight. So you like?”
She applauded. “I love it. Judi! You have to see this!”
Footsteps echoed on the hardwood floor. A man’s voice rang through the room. “We have the photograph!” Cade and Melanie Nicholson strolled into the foyer. Cade placed the large frame on the now-stable desk. “This is one of Mel’s best pieces.”
Jaden took a deep breath as Cass wheeled Judi and Julian into the room. Time for the good news. “Well, since you’re all here—well, save for Les—I have some things to say and no, Pia didn’t go into labour. If she had, Daddy wouldn’t be here.” She clasped her hands together to keep them from trembling. Marlon should’ve been there. He should’ve helped her. She forced those thoughts aside. No need to dwell on what couldn’t be. “You all know or have some good ideas about where my head was about three years ago. Since then, I found my heart and the woman I was always meant to be.”
Starring at her hands, then at her friends, she continued. “First I want to thank Logan for dumping me like hot lead. I don’t like knowing I slept with an asshole, but I learnt from the experience. Cass, thank you for being that big sister I needed a long time ago. If it weren’t for you, I’d be homeless and friendless right now. I’d thank Bobby, but he’s on patrol. Ray, Corbin, thanks for being my muscle. We’ve had a rocky relationship at times, but I still think you’re the best. Cade, Mel, this photograph and many more of yours will decorate the walls of this shelter, bringing joy to all those who visit. Thanks. I owe you all big time for spending your free time helping me learn to paint and lay hardwood flooring without making a huge mess.”
Nodding to Cade, she helped him stand the paper-covered photo on the floor. “Now this is a bit large for me to hold, but it’ll be great over the desk. Judi, this is thanks to you and Sparks for not giving up on me when no one thought I could do anything.”
Starting from the corner, she ripped the paper aside. The image of Judi and Sparky filled the frame. Judi covered her mouth with both hands. Tears streamed down her cheeks. As if he knew the tears were for him, Sparky threw his head back and howled.
Rubbing the slight swell of her stomach, Jaden crouched next to her friend. “I know you can’t live here, but between Daddy, Cass, and I, we got the permits, equipment, and funding that anyone, regardless of their situation can come in and be with their pets. It’s my way of saying thank you to you and a remembrance for all those who had to say goodbye to their furry friends. My goal is that no more cats, dogs, birds, or other small animals will be abandoned.”
Having said her thank yous, Jaden collapsed into tears. Her father wrapped an arm around her. “I’m proud of you. Even though you took my best elevator operator, I’m proud.”
“Thanks, Daddy.” She brushed her hair from her eyes. “Your scheming helped make this possible, too.”
The room erupted in applause. She blotted her tears with the back of her hand. “You think this was a sob-fest, wait until tonight. Daddy’s throwing a black tie gala in honour of the grand opening. You all have to come as my guests of honour. I’ve even reserved tuxes for Sparks and Riley.”
Logan cleared his throat. “What about Marlon?”
She sighed. The topic of Marlon had to come up sometime. She’d severed ties with him and yet he cropped up in her mind almost every other second. Jaden glanced at her father, who shook his head. Smacking her lips, she nodded. “Crawford PD has agreed to cordon off the street during the event. I even have some of Daddy’s security staff from Delish coming in to provide their services. After the shooting, Marlon and I decided we needed some time to think and decide what we want. I want him here, but if he attends, he attends. If not, then not.” She waved her hands as if to dismiss her crestfallen emotions. “But that’s not important. In less than forty-eight hours, we’re going to open and celebrate and tonight we’ll have a great time.”
Once again, the room erupted in applause. Still, she fought back tears and clutched her belly. Maybe Marlon really didn’t need her any longer. He hadn’t called to convince her she’d made a mistake. For all she knew, he was on-call or still tying up loose ends on the Sutton case. Jaden needed Marlon—not to live, but to make life better.
Judi squeezed Jaden’s hand. “Have some faith. Things don’t always happen the way you want when you want, but good things do come to those who believe.”
Dropping her forehead to the top of Judi’s head, Jaden laughed. The warmth of Judi’s advice wrapped around her like a verbal hug. “Then I’ll believe.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
Twenty-four hours after his meeting with Rexx Weir, Marlon drove down Main Street. If asked, he’d say he was drawn by the searchlights dancing across the darkened sky. In truth, his curiosity had got the better of him—he wanted to see Jaden. He scrubbed a hand over his chin. Jaden could make anything a huge party. He skidded through the light coating of snow on the road. He wondered if she thought about him. According to her father, she missed him. Thinking about the recent past made him cringe.
Marlon parked in the farthest spot in the jam-packed public lot. Across the way, the former Buchanan Building now bore a stylish sign reading, Please Remember Me. Marlon scratched his head and replaced his hat. What a stupid name for a nightclub. The more he stared at the neon blue lettering, the more he realised it was the name on the invitation. What did Rexx Weir aka Rex Haydenweir have to do with anything in Crawford, Ohio? Unless his daughter was behind the remodel. Could Jaden really be there?
Locking the cruiser, he zipped his parka and trudged across the snowy street towards the party. At the door, he nodded to the bouncer and flashed his badge. “Hi. I’m Deputy Cross. What’s going on? Is this the party for Please Remember Me?”
The bouncer, a bald behemoth with a heavy silver hoop in his left earlobe crooked a thick black brow. “Are you on the guest list?”
“I should be. Rexx Weir hand-delivered my invitation.”
“Cross?” He flipped pages on the black clipboard, the sound rustling against the string music filtering out of the building. “You’re name isn’t on my list, but since you’re the law, I’ll let you in.” Stuffing the clipboard under his massive arm, the bouncer unhooked the red velvet rope. “But, if you give anyone trouble because you’re drinking and getting rowdy, I don’t care who you are, you’ll be out on your ass.”
Marlon nodded. The man couldn’t touch him, but still—better to avoid a confrontation. He stepped past the ropes and into the great room of the building. How the hell had Rexx and Jaden planned the shindig without him even getting a murmur?
Streamers of black, red, and silver draped from the ceiling. An eight-piece string orchestra sat in the corner providing mood music, something from the late nineties if he wasn’t mistaken. Glittering lights sparkled on the guests and the hunt
er green walls. The men wore tuxedoes, while the women had donned evening gowns. He groaned. “I don’t belong,” he muttered. “I’ve gotta change.”
“So you did show!”
He whirled around. “Well, hello, Summer. How are you?” Okay, he’d been spotted. Leaving without embarrassing himself wasn’t going to happen.
Summer, decked out in a strapless crimson dress, grinned. “I didn’t think you’d make it. You’ve been kind of grumpy as of late.”
“It happens.” He scoured the crowd. Who else would spot him? About ten feet away, his fellow deputy Bobby Hutchins danced with a redhead whose name he couldn’t recall. Rexx Weir stood on the small platform laughing with a woman Marlon didn’t recognise. Whoever she was, the way Rexx caressed her stomach and smiled, she had to be someone important. Marlon snorted. Rexx didn’t strike him as a decent father figure. Still, the loving gesture made him miss Jaden all the more.
Time to stop missing and start making amends.
Summer rested her hand on his shoulder, pulling him close. “You might as well get comfy. You’re stuck. Sabrina’s here and Jaden’s on the platform with her father and his fiancée, actress Pia Reardon. She looks adorable pregnant. Speaking of adorable, Jaden looks awesome in silver. I should be jealous, but I’m not. She’s quite a lady.”
He focussed on the platform. Sure enough, Jaden strode across the dais arm in arm with a raven-haired man. Her grin spread from ear to ear as she spoke to the new man. Marlon’s heart thumped against his ribcage. Was she involved with him? They appeared rather cosy. Jealousy slid through his veins. He wanted to make her smile. He clenched his fists. The silver gown draped over her creamy shoulder and flowed over her form, clinging to her more ample curves.
He’d waited too long.
“Oh, and I’ll warn you, Sabrina’s ready for a fight. She showed up with that B-list actor, Fallon Stone, but he—like every other man in the county—is interested in Jaden. It’s a big mess.” Summer chewed the corner of her mouth. “You aren’t still involved with Sabrina, are you?”
He shook his head. “She was a mistake. As for Jaden, I see she’s doing well without me.”
Summer snorted. “I think you should ask her to dance, for old time’s sake.”
“You’re kidding?” His mouth gaped open. “I’m in uniform. I stick out in this crowd, not that I belong here to begin with.”
“Then she can’t say she can’t see you coming.” With that, Summer gave him a nudge forwards.
Making his way through the throng of people, Marlon headed for the dais. Summer’s vague words played over and over again in his head. Yes and no. Could Jaden want him forever? He’d never know if he didn’t come right out and ask.
As he neared the fringe of partygoers, Jaden’s voice rose above the others. “What would I do without you? This is as much your doing as mine.” He glanced at her position. Closing her eyes, she leant in to the raven-haired man’s arm and rested her head on his shoulder. Marlon’s heart shrivelled within his chest. She’d moved on.
Another voice caught his attention. “Marlon! Honey!”
He turned. Sabrina, decked out in a black-and-white striped wrap dress strode to him. Cringing, he forced a smile to his lips.
Pressing her breasts against his chest, she wrapped her arms around his neck. “You are so hot in your uniform. It makes me want to yank you out back for a quickie.”
Her alcohol-tinged breath warmed his face. He gagged. When in hell had he found her attractive? When he didn’t have an alternative and his life had been at rock bottom. He might be low, but he wasn’t falling for her crap any longer.
Marlon sneaked a glance at the dais. Rexx and the blonde woman danced and laughed, but Jaden wasn’t in sight.
“You won’t find our former fuck friend up there.” Sabrina wobbled on her stiletto sandals. “She’s right behind you.”
Trying to disengage from Sabrina, Marlon turned. Jaden stood before him. Her smile appeared forced. “I’m glad you could make it, Marlon. I hope you enjoy the rest of the gala. Sabrina, I wish you the best. Thanks for supporting us.”
Before he could stop her, Jaden walked away. The sight of her ass in silver silk made his mouth water. Her practiced, poised response jarred him. Something wasn’t right.
Sabrina cackled. “I do believe you are now back on the market, and I’m ready to take you home.”
With a snort, Marlon wriggled from her grasp. The sight of sadness buried in Jaden’s green eyes felt like a kick to the gut. He caused her sorrow—him and the mess he’d made of the life he had with her. Enough was enough. “Sabrina, I’m not a piece of meat and I’m not on the market. If you want a man in a uniform, why don’t you chase down one of the bouncers? They can handle your strong-arm manoeuvres better than I can. I’m sorry I can’t stay and listen to your lies and stories. I’m going after the woman of my dreams.”
Jaden swallowed past the lump in her throat. In his uniform, he took her breath away. She’d severed the relationship and taken the high road, but it didn’t diminish the urge to forget her pride and admit to the public she loved him. Maybe she’d been wrong to walk away. He made her feel safe, protected her in the clutch, and claimed to love her in return. As she left the great room and headed for the solace of the cuddle room, footsteps echoed on the hardwood floor.
Without looking, she spoke. “Ron, I’m fine. The morning sickness passed. I just wanted some air.”
“Morning sickness?”
She froze. Marlon’s voice slipped over her senses, sending a shimmer through her veins. Although she didn’t turn around, his warmth enveloped her. He deserved the truth. “Yes, morning sickness. I’m fifteen weeks along.”
Behind her, Marlon gasped. Using his large hands, he turned her to face him. His touch warmed her chilled skin. “Does the father know?”
Worry etched his face, crinkling around his eyes. His jaw clenched. Even angry, hurt, and sad, he turned her on. What should she say? You can do the math? Nah. Remember our tryst on the dining room table? Not quite. I still love you and want to raise our child here in Ohio? Nibbling her bottom lip, she found the words. Forget the world around them. Marlon was the only person who mattered.
“You do now.”
His eyes widened and he inched away from her, wobbling a bit. “Me?”
Twining her fingers together to hide the shaking, she nodded. “I wanted to call you so many times, but I wasn’t sure what to say. Whatever I’d have told you would’ve been on the evening gossip shows. I refused to let you find out any way but from me. I’m sorry I waited so long.”
His mouth opened and closed like a fish. “I wish you’d have told me right when you found out.” His shoulders sagged. “I’m gonna be a dad and I had no idea.”
Tears pricked her eyes. The weight of her mistakes pressed down on her heart and tore at her soul. “I tried to be strong and stick to my decisions, but so many other things happened—Daddy and Pia and the baby. I didn’t know what to do and I refused to lose my independence.” The words came out in a blubbering rush. “Things aren’t the same as they were three months ago, and I’m sorry I wasn’t strong enough to deal with it.”
“Start at the beginning.” Smoothing his hands over hers, Marlon helped her to the nearby couch. “I think we have a lot to talk about.”
She mumbled the first thought in her head. “Are you with Sabrina?”
The smile on his lips lit up his eyes. “I haven’t been with anyone else since the day you showed up on my doorstep.”
She reeled. No one else? “But Sabrina insisted—”
He placed a callused finger over her lips. The salt of his touch lingered on her tongue. He leaned in close. “She’s trying to make trouble like a certain former socialite did for someone else we know. If you slept with Sabrina, fine. If not, that’s fine, too. We all have bits and pieces of our lives we’re not proud of, but we learn from them.”
She whimpered. As much as he was right, he was so wrong. “You sound like a psy
chobabble greeting card.” She smoothed away her tears with the pad of her thumb. “I know I’m not the woman who makes your heart beat. I’ll never live up to the memory of Addison and I can’t erase my past. I don’t want to be another reminder of mistakes in your life, so I’ll drop a note in the mail when the baby comes.”
Cupping her jaw, his thumb caressed her cheek. “You’ll do no such thing.”
“What?” He couldn’t want to take the child. She’d fight him tooth and nail. The baby hadn’t arrived, but she loved him or her just the same.
“I love you, Jaden Marie.”
He what? She shook her head. No way he meant what he said. “You can’t. I saw you with Summer and Sabrina. You want your freedom and safety and solace. I’ll tie you down. And what if the media shows? I’ll screw things up.”
“Sweetheart, I’ve had a lot of time to think and be an asshole. Here’s my truth. Tie me down and keep me forever. Addison is a part of my past I’ll never forget, even if it wasn’t my brightest moment. Saying you’re like her was a mistake. Summer is a good friend. Sabrina means nothing to me.” Drawing her close, he rubbed his nose on hers. “But you—you are my future. I want the picket fence, two dogs and two cats, toddler strolling around the house, happily-ever-after life with you. You make my heart beat and my cock throb. I’m glad the farce is through. I missed you too much.”
He nibbled on her lips, tempting her for more. She opened for him and her sigh filled the room. The man addicted her like no drug or drink could. His strong arms tugged her into his lap. She shivered and twined her fingers through his hair. His erection pressed against her bottom, not that she complained. Things were far from perfect, but at least she’d found her home, safe and secure.
When they parted for air, Marlon kept her close. “What’s in your heart, Jaden Marie? Who is in your soul?”
Between gasps, she told him her truth. “You.”
Before he could respond, the door to the cuddle room slammed shut. Jaden jerked in her seat. Sabrina plastered herself against the wooden barrier, a pair of beautician’s shears in her hand. Her eyes blazed. “You can’t have him. He’s mine and I’ll rip your bloody little heart out if you try to challenge me!”