“Good morning, Lilly,” he said when he reached her.
“Hi, Jake.”
“Are you all right?”
“I’m fine.”
She didn’t appear fine. Fatigue shadowed her eyes and when she first caught sight of him, her cheeks had paled. Shock at seeing him? He supposed he should have called first. But the family trust attorney’s office was only a few minutes away, and since a signature was required on the contract, Jake had decided to stop in and deliver it in person.
His self-appointed security detail crowded in around them. Jake shifted, resisting the urge to tug on his suddenly tight shirt collar. If Lilly noticed, she gave no indication.
“Is there somewhere we can talk?” Glancing around, he added, “Alone.”
“Come with me.” She motioned for him to follow. His security detail came, too. Once he and Lilly had crossed the threshold into her office, she informed the group to “Wait here” and shut the door on their unhappy faces. “Sorry,” she told Jake. “New visitors always create a stir. They weren’t intentionally ganging up on you.”
“No problem.” When she didn’t stop scrutinizing him, he added, “Really.”
“Don’t be embarrassed. Special-needs individuals often make people feel ill at ease.”
“I’m not ill at ease.”
She didn’t believe him. He could tell by her narrowed eyes.
Could it be true? Jake didn’t consider himself a snob but the fact was, he’d had little interaction with “special-needs” people other than his grandfather. Jake had been away at college during most of Grandpa Walter’s decline and, as a result, missed the worst of it.
“I’m—” he started to say ignorant then changed it to “—inexperienced.”
“You’re not alone.” She didn’t act offended at his remark. Quite the contrary. “Would you like a tour of the facility?” Pride rang in her voice. “You’re our landlord, after all, and I don’t think you’ve seen the place since I took over.”
What she said was true. With the exception of his aunt’s antique store located in the same plaza, Jake rarely dropped by his tenants’ businesses. Not unless there was a problem, which wasn’t the case here. And during the short time he and Lilly had dated he had always picked her up at her house rather than work. He’d told himself it was a matter of convenience for both of them, as most of their outings took place in town. Now he wondered if he hadn’t been unconsciously keeping their relationship from progressing by avoiding her work and the ranch.
“Thanks, but I can’t.” He hated disappointing Lilly. She obviously loved the center and showing it off. “I’m meeting someone for lunch, and I only have a few minutes.” As if a switch had been flicked, she sobered, and Jake didn’t know why. Had he insulted her by declining her offer of a tour? He certainly hadn’t meant to.
“Please, sit.” Lilly gestured at the visitor’s chair facing her desk.
“I’d rather stand if you don’t mind. I’ve been sitting all morning and will be again all afternoon.”
Her office had a glass window opening out to the main room. He turned to face it, and a dozen heads swivelled to stare at him. The young man who’d smiled earlier waved exuberantly. Without thinking, Jake raised his hand in return.
“Did you get the insurance certificate we faxed over?” Lilly asked.
“Yes. It’s exactly what we needed.” He stepped away from the window and held out the envelope he’d been carrying. “Our attorney also suggested we draw up a contract.”
“Does that mean…” She took the envelope and turned it over in her hands. “Has the family agreed?”
“For once, we were completely unanimous.” Jake hadn’t needed to twist one arm or press a single point. “I didn’t tell you earlier because I couldn’t meet with our attorney until this morning.”
“Oh, wow.” Lilly’s face, always so expressive, lit up. “I can’t believe it.”
Her delight was contagious, and he chuckled. “There are one or two conditions you should know about.”
“Oh?”
Jake sobered. He hadn’t yet determined how he felt about the stipulations the attorney had insisted on putting in the contract. “As you can imagine, liability is our main concern. Our attorney suggested that someone in charge, specifically you or the owner, accompany the clients on their visits. At least for the first several months until we determine how well the program is going.”
“I doubt Dave can go. He and his wife commute regularly to Apache Junction where they just opened a second center.”
“Then I guess it’ll have to be you.”
He could see the uncertainty in her eyes and wondered if she harbored the same doubts he did about the prospect of them constantly running into each other at the ranch.
“Okay.” She nodded resignedly. “Whatever it takes.”
“You sure?”
“Positive.” She relaxed. “I’m not about to let a few scheduling conflicts get in the way of this program.”
“I’m glad.”
“Thank you, Jake.” Setting the envelope on her desk, she took a step toward him, and hesitated. Then, evidently going with her first instincts, she closed the distance between them. “Thank you so much.”
Before he could say anything, she linked her arms around his shoulders. He automatically returned the hug and was instantly lost when she laid her head in the crook of his neck. They had, after all, done this before. Often.
He might have gone on holding her, might have let himself enjoy the memories her nearness evoked, if not for a loud bang on the window. Lilly gasped and sprang back. Jake swung around to see what had caused the noise.
One—no, make that two dozen—of the center’s clients and staff stood crowded outside the window, some with their noses or fingertips against the glass.
“Are we getting the mule?” The young man’s muffled shout barely penetrated the insulated window.
Lilly nodded, fidgeting nervously. Her previously pale cheeks shone a vivid red.
Their audience cheered. Lilly motioned for them to go on about their business. Her order went unheeded. “Now,” she mouthed, and still no one moved.
Jake couldn’t help himself and laughed.
“This isn’t funny,” Lilly scolded and retreated behind her desk.
He could see her point, though for a moment or two, it had been nice holding her.
“What next?” she asked him and glowered at the window. Some of their audience had fortunately dispersed. The rest ignored her silent warning and remained glued to the spot.
“You and Dave review the contract. If it meets with your approval, sign it and send it to my office.”
“What about the mule?”
“I’ll arrange to have him picked up, unless you have access to a truck and horse trailer.”
“We don’t.”
“Is tomorrow early enough? I remember you said you were in a hurry.”
“Tomorrow’s perfect. I’ll let the Malcovitches know.”
The reference to his ex-wife’s fiancé’s family didn’t generate nearly the anger it usually did. If anything, Jake felt good. Damn good. His charitable deed accounted for some of his elevated mood. He suspected Lilly’s hug was responsible for the rest.
“I have to leave. I’m late for my meeting.”
“I’ll walk you out.” She came around from behind the shelter of her desk.
At the entrance to the center, he got another hug. This one, however, was from the young man who’d waved. Not Lilly.
JAKE WATCHED Lilly’s long legs emerge from the open car door. Her delicate shoes were sexy as hell and completely inappropriate for traipsing around a stable. Her wool slacks weren’t much better. At least she’d had the sense to wear a warm coat. She must have flown out the door and sped the entire drive from Payson, considering what good time she’d made.
“Is that him?” she asked. Breathless and eager, she tentatively approached the mule tied to the hitching post in front of the barn.
Her long black hair, usually twisted in a braid or gathered in a ponytail, fell loose around her shoulders, framing her face and emphasizing her large brown eyes.
“It is.” Jake couldn’t look away. Only after he’d stared his fill did he invite her to come and stand by him. Together, they turned their attention to the ranch’s newest boarder and the man standing beside him. “That’s Doc Mosby. He’s giving the mule a quick examination.”
“He’s not sick?”
“Just a precaution.” Jake stooped to pick up an empty feed bucket and set it on one of the grain barrels. “Our attorney suggested the mule be vet-checked on arrival and regularly after that, since he’s lame.”
“Oh.” Lilly observed the vet at work, her brow knitted with worry. “Did you receive the contract?”
“Our attorney’s still reviewing the changes your boss made.”
“Oh,” she said regretfully. “I was hoping to get started by Friday.”
“Even if the contract’s not finalized, you can bring a small group on Friday morning to see the mule and tour the stables.”
“Not to sound ungrateful because I truly appreciate this, but how big is small?”
“No more than six clients at a time.”
“Another of your attorney’s suggestions?”
“Don’t be mad. It’s his job to watch out for the family and the ranch.”
“I’m not mad. If six is our limit, then that’s what we’ll bring.”
The vet was bent over, one of the mule’s hooves braced between his legs. Using a pick, he dug around inside the hoof. Jake and Gary had their own suspicions about what had caused the animal’s lameness. It would be interesting to see if the vet also concluded it was a deformity.
“Doc Mosby was out here anyway to examine one of our pregnant mares,” Jake explained to Lilly. “I’ll just have him add the charge for Big Ben to his bill. Your clients can work it off, along with the other expenses.”
“Big Ben?”
“That’s the mule’s name.”
A smile touched the corners of Lilly’s mouth. “It fits.”
Jake agreed. The mule stood as tall as any of his horses and was considerably wider than most. “My guess is his mother was a draft horse.”
“What kind?”
“A Belgian. They’re similar to the Budweiser Clydesdales you see in the TV commercials, only sorrel.”
“And sorrel is?”
“The color of his coat. A kind of red like Big Ben. Clydesdales are usually a darker shade of brown.”
She sighed miserably and shook her head. “I think I might’ve gotten myself in over my head. Everything I know about horses and mules could fit into a thimble.”
“You’ll do fine.” He smiled encouragingly. “And we have plenty of experienced ranch hands around to help.”
“I hope it wasn’t too much of an inconvenience to pick up Big Ben today,” she said, changing the subject to a safer one.
“Not at all. I sent Little José.”
“Make sure you add that expense to the others.” She gave a small laugh. “At this rate, we’ll be here every day for a year working off our bill.”
Against his better judgment, Jake was liking their arrangement more and more. He seized the chance to study her while her attention was on Doc Mosby and the mule.
At the time of their breakup, Jake had been completely positive that continuing their relationship was a mistake. He liked Lilly and hadn’t wanted to string her along when there was no hope whatsoever for a future together.
That hadn’t been his initial feeling, though. In the beginning, their dating arrangement had been exactly the enjoyable distraction he’d needed to take his mind off his ex-wife’s engagement and help him move on. But things had quickly become complicated, in large part because of his daughters, although they weren’t the only obstacle.
Once he and Lilly became intimate, the complications increased. Not because there was anything wrong with the sex. Quite the opposite, in fact. But Lilly didn’t give herself to just anyone. Sex came with a commitment from her and him.
Jake had held her in his arms after they made love that last time, stared into those gorgeous brown eyes that brimmed with hope and expectation and realized, with a sinking heart, that he couldn’t offer her what she wanted, what she needed. Not anytime soon. To continue as they were would have been unfair to Lilly. So, instead of postponing the inevitable, he had broken up with her the following day, telling himself he’d done it for her sake.
But after their meeting in his office last week, it had occurred to him that his actions weren’t entirely noble and were calculated to spare him grief, not her.
“Good boy.” Doc Mosby dropped Big Ben’s hoof and patted his round rump, then came over to chat with Jake and Lilly.
“Lilly, this is our vet, Dr. Greg Mosby,” Jake said. “Lilly Russo is the administrator of the adult day care center that owns the mule.”
“Nice to meet you.” Doc Mosby pulled a handkerchief from his back pocket and wiped his hands before shaking Lilly’s.
“What do you think?” Jake asked.
“Well, I’d say he’s in pretty good shape overall. A little fat—” Doc Mosby patted his protruding stomach “—but aren’t we all? I suspect he’s been standing in a pen too long. Exercise should shave off a few of those extra pounds.”
“How lame is he?”
“Some. Corrective shoeing will help. He was born with a slight deformity to his right front hoof, and it’s gotten worse with age. It causes his foot to turn in.” Doc Mosby demonstrated with his hand.
“A birth defect?” Lilly’s interest was visibly piqued, which, in turn, piqued Jake’s.
Doc Mosby grinned. “I reckon you could call it that.”
“If you want to return him to the Malcovitches—”
“No, no!” Lilly cut Jake short. “He’s perfect for us. A mule with a birth defect helping people who are themselves physically challenged.”
“Have your farrier insert a leather wedge between the shoe and the hoof,” Doc Mosby explained. “It should straighten the hoof and reduce the pain.”
“Can he be ridden before then?”
“I wouldn’t recommend it.”
Lilly’s smile dimmed.
Jake touched her arm. “I’ll call the farrier, have him come out here Friday morning. That way, the people in your program can watch Big Ben being shoed firsthand.”
She instantly brightened. “Oh, that would be wonderful!”
Clapping the vet on the shoulder, Jake gestured at Gary with his other hand. “You ready to look at that mare?”
“Sure.”
Gary, who’d been standing nearby, took charge of the vet, leaving Jake alone with Lilly.
“Is it all right for me to pet Big Ben?” she asked.
“Would you like to walk him to his stall?”
“Yes!”
Jake went over and untied the mule’s lead rope. Big Ben ambled obediently alongside Jake, his large feet clip-clopping in the dirt.
“Here.”
She took the rope. Bunching it in her fingers, she gazed up at Jake. “What now?”
“You walk, he follows.”
“Just like that?”
“With him. Not so with all horses or mules. But this guy’s a teddy bear.”
“I walk.” She took a tentative step.
“That’s it.”
“He’s not following.”
“Keep going.”
She did. The heels of her completely inappropriate shoes wobbled and dust coated her expensive slacks. Big Ben finally extended one foot and lifted his huge head to snuffle her hair.
“Hey! That tickles.” Lilly raised her hand, not to push the animal away but to stroke his nose.
Big Ben snorted and nuzzled her cheek, clearly enamored.
He wasn’t the only one.
Jake found himself attracted to Lilly all over again.
He would have to watch himself closely in the coming weeks
and months. Lilly deserved more than he could give her. She deserved a man ready, willing and able to commit.
Chapter Three
“Put your seat belt back on, Jimmy Bob.”
“But we’re here.”
Lilly turned around and gave the young man a hard stare. She sat in the front passenger seat of the center’s specially modified van. Beside her, driving the van, was Georgina. The student volunteer accompanying them sat in the rear.
“Not yet,” Lilly told Jimmy Bob. “We just pulled in to the ranch entrance. The stable is another mile from here.”
Jimmy Bob rarely rebelled but he did so today, his normally cherubic face set in stone, his arms folded. Lilly attributed his stubbornness to excitement. Since he’d learned yesterday morning that he’d be one of the six people accompanying Lilly on the center’s first trip to see Big Ben, he’d been bouncing off the walls. His high-strung behavior earned him frequent reprimands from the staff members and his family. This morning, he’d reached emotional overload, becoming surly and rebellious. Not uncommon behavior for individuals with Down’s syndrome.
Lilly couldn’t allow Jimmy Bob to ignore the rules, today or any other day. Anyone riding in the van obeyed them or wasn’t permitted to go on the next outing.
“Pull over,” she said.
Georgina slowed and eased the vehicle safely to the side of the bumpy dirt road. She knew the drill, and once they were stopped, she put the van in Park and shut off the ignition.
“Damn it to hell, Jimmy Bob,” the woman sitting beside him shrieked. “Put your freakin’ seat belt on.”
“Don’t swear, Miranda,” Lilly scolded.
“He’s screwin’ it up for everybody.” Jimmy Bob’s seatmate clutched the sides of her head in an exaggerated display of theatrics. A lock of wildly curly hair had come loose from her ponytail and stuck up like a rooster’s comb.
Waiting for Baby Page 3