by Ivy James
“You’re right. Cold feet. What else could it be, right? I love her, why shouldn’t I marry her?”
Toby opened the door. “I can’t think of a single reason.”
Not one he could say out loud, that is.
GARRET STARED out the window a long time after Toby left. Once his engagement to Joss became official, his mother and Joss’s would go off the deep end planning the wedding. It would be the first in the family and sure to create a fuss. He’d be asked to discuss parties and seating arrangements, colors and flowers. Stuff he didn’t have the time or desire to mess with. This was exactly why people eloped.
A soft knock sounded on his door. “Come in.”
“Hey, what’s going on?” Joss asked as she stepped into his office wearing a sleek blue pantsuit that matched her eyes. “I saw Tobias getting in one of the elevators. He looked angry.”
Maybe he needed a little reminder of the spark between them. Maybe it had been so long since they’d had sex that he was forgetting the way they connected. He crossed the room and pulled her into his arms, lowering his head for a kiss. Their lips brushed, but when he tried to deepen the caress, she pulled away.
“Where’s Daddy?”
“Not due in for another hour.” He stepped close once more and kissed her cheek, nuzzled his way toward her mouth, but sighed when he felt her straight-arming him.
“Garret, come on.”
“I’m trying to.”
She shook her head at him and wouldn’t meet his gaze. “You know how Daddy feels about public affection and appearances.”
“We’re in my office.” He reached behind her and shut the door. “Private. Kiss me.”
Glancing over her shoulder toward the door one last time, she obediently raised herself on tiptoe and pressed her mouth to his, her lips parting, but after a quick, chaste taste, she broke contact.
“How’s the woman you rescued?”
Garret fought his frustration with her lack of response and tried not to think about precisely how long it had been. “She’s fine. She’s here in the hospital, actually. She has a follow-up this morning.”
“Good.”
Joss started to move away but he snuggled her deeper into the embrace. “Why don’t I take an early lunch? We can lock the door—”
“And have Daddy barge in and interrupt us?”
Good point. “I’ll take a break and come by the gallery instead.”
“I have deliveries scheduled this afternoon.”
“The house?”
“Mother’s home and neither one of us has time to drive to your place.”
He stared down at her. “Are you sure that’s it?”
“What do you mean?”
“You won’t stay with me because you feel uncomfortable at the house with Ethan, don’t want to risk the gallery or here. Joss—”
She stiffened. “Don’t get that look. I came by to say hello, not to argue or have a quickie. Does everything always come have down to sex?”
“We’re not talking about sex, we’re talking about us.”
“But you’re making it about sex.” She backed away from him.
“Joss—”
“Forget it. I’m PMSing, all right? I didn’t want to be blunt, but I’m moody and there it is. I’ve got to go.”
“Don’t leave angry.”
A knock sounded on the other side of the door. What now? “I want to finish this,” he told her. “Don’t leave. Whoever it is can wait.”
“I don’t want to be late.” She opened the door so abruptly she surprised his father on the other side. Alan Tulane took a step back, his gaze moving between the two of them. “Am I interrupting?”
“No, not at all. Goodbye, Garret.”
“Joss—”
She gave his father a strained smile before she headed out the door, the sharp click of her heels loud on the tiled floor.
His father’s eyebrows rose. “Bad time?”
“Depends on the perspective.”
“Could it have something to do with this woman I’m hearing you rescued?”
Garret sighed. “Maybe. Probably. Joss said she wasn’t mad about her staying, but—”
“I wondered about that. I heard on the news that the hotels were overflowing. She spent the weekend at the house with you?”
“And Ethan. Don’t look at me like that, Dad. She’s almost eight months pregnant. What else was I supposed to do? I couldn’t leave her in the lobby.”
“No, I suppose not.” Alan made a face. “Unfortunately, I’ve learned women can get upset over innocent situations, and I have a feeling you’re going to have to make up for this with Joss. Send her some flowers, take her to dinner. A little romance will go a long way.”
Garret nodded his agreement. “I’ll do that. We’ve both been working a lot lately and haven’t seen much of each other.”
“Then that’s probably it. She’s feeling neglected. Everything else all right?”
“Yeah.” He indicated the brown paper sack his father carried. “Are those my cookies Mom promised?”
His dad tossed the sack to him with a smile. “Don’t eat them all at once,” he said, like he always had when they were kids.
“I know.” He pulled out one and consumed half of it in a single bite.
Chuckling, his father headed out. “I’ve got patients to see, much to your mother’s upset.”
“Still wanting you to retire, huh?”
“I’m considering cutting my time down. I don’t have the energy I used to.”
“Are you feeling okay?”
“Fine, fine. Oh, and son?”
Garret tucked the cookie into the side of his mouth. “What?”
“If the girl is trustworthy and safe—”
“She is,” he said, knowing exactly who his father referred to. “I’d stake my life on it.”
“That’s high praise coming from you.”
“It’s true. She pitched in all weekend, trying to make up for us taking her in. The dad’s out of the picture, too. She didn’t say much about her finances but she’s worried about getting her car fixed and getting settled in Indiana before she gives birth. I took it to mean things are tight.”
A medical doctor for nearly forty years, his father sighed. “Always sad when that’s the case. Expectant mothers shouldn’t be stressed, especially so close to delivery. You call Nick?”
“Yeah.” He saw the question in his father’s eyes and wished things were different. “He sounded good. He said Matt was excited about the snow and they were getting ready to go sledding.”
“He’s a good dad.”
“So are you.”
His father shoved a hand into his pocket. “I’ve made more than my share of mistakes. Still, I’m sure Nick appreciates the business.”
“Dad—”
“You’re a good judge of character, Garret. Always have been. If you think this woman is safe and she needs a place to stay while her car is fixed, why don’t you try your grandmother? Gram could probably use the company. It might also get Joss off your back—and your mother off mine when she hears what’s going on.”
That was the best idea he’d heard all day. Darcy would be safe; he wouldn’t worry about her or wonder why he’d reacted so strongly to her. And neither Joss, Harry or his mother could complain. “I can’t believe I didn’t think of that. Great idea.”
His father tapped his temple with a finger. “Marriage smarts. Don’t forget to call the florist,” he said as a parting shot.
Rounding the desk, Garret dialed the local florist and requested a bouquet be delivered that afternoon. After that he punched in the garage’s number.
“Make it quick,” Nick said. “Business is good at the moment.”
“Hello to you, too, little brother. Did you have a chance to tow the VW I called about Saturday?”
“Just got it in. The driver did a number on the passenger side. The fender collapsed into the wheel, but I don’t know yet if it damaged the axle.”<
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“How long and how much?” He could practically see Nick running the numbers through his head. The guy was a whiz at math. “Depends on parts. If that piece is damaged, it’ll be expensive regardless. She a friend of yours?”
“You could say that. Pregnant, too. She’s alone and in between jobs.”
Nick whistled softly. “That’s rough.” A pause came over the line. “Let me see what I can do. Maybe I can find some junker parts. If I can, that’ll cut the cost down considerably. I won’t put anything substandard on there, but it might take longer to get it since I’m not ordering it straight from the factory.”
“I’d appreciate whatever you can do to help.” Garret hesitated. He and Nick talked as though they were strangers or business acquaintances. Not family. He hated the distance between them. How had things deteriorated to this point? “Give me a call when you hear something?”
“Why don’t I just contact her?”
“I, uh, don’t have a number for her offhand.”
“You can call and leave it with Sara when you get it.”
So Nick wouldn’t have to talk to him? “Okay, sure. Nick, listen, thanks for the help. Maybe we can get together for dinner sometime at the Grille?”
“Maybe. See you around.”
Garret hung up the phone, angry with his parents and Nick for being so stubborn. And angry with himself for letting anything come between family members. His disagreement with Joss and his resentment toward Harry with his frequent absences that tripled Garret’s already overwhelming workload piled in along with Toby’s censure to create a mountain of dissatisfaction with his life. He just needed a break.
His thoughts strayed to Darcy’s massage Saturday night and how relaxing it had been. Well, relaxing until his body had gone into hyperdrive at her proximity and touch.
Had Darcy had her appointment? Was the baby okay? He glanced at his watch, then stood. His guilt pricked at him but he shrugged it off. His own girlfriend wasn’t concerned about Darcy, so why should he worry about wanting to see her again? That’s what friends did.
Chapter 13
DARCY SMOOTHED her shirt over her stomach and waited impatiently for Garret’s brother to pick up the phone.
“This is Nick. Can I help you?”
She twisted the wire phone cord around her finger. “Hi, Nick, my name is Darcy Rhodes. I believe your brother Garret talked to you about my car? A Volkswagen? I was wondering if you could give me an estimate on the repair cost and timetable?”
“I just got off the phone with Garret. We’re looking at two weeks or more. I’ll have to get back with you on the estimate. I’m going to call around to see if I can get a better price. Do you have rental coverage?”
“No.” She groaned, then winced at her manners. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to sound ungrateful. It’s just—Don’t worry that I won’t pay you or anything. I will, I promise. But if I’m going to be here that long waiting on my car to be repaired, I’ll have to find a part-time job.”
“What do you do?”
She hesitated, then told him and waited for the snarky comment that sometimes began with “Oh, yeah?” and ended with “Well, maybe for a little extra you’ll massage my—”
“Oh, yeah?”
Don’t say it!
“You’re certified?”
The question stumped her. “Uh, yes. Yes, I am.”
“I’ve been looking for a massage therapist for my gym. Maybe we could work out something that way. You interested?”
Another white knight? “Seriously? That would be—” She fumbled for a word to express her gratitude. “That would be great. Thank you.” After everything Garret had told her about Nick, she had no qualms working for him. And Nick had already proven himself by not degrading her profession.
“I’ll get back with you later today and we’ll see if we can’t work out a deal. Sound good?”
She closed her eyes in relief. The women in this town were crazy for not scarfing the Tulane men up. “It sounds perfect but—My cell phone is in my car and I’m not sure where I’ll be later. Perhaps I could call you when I’m settled?”
“Great. Talk to you soon.”
Darcy murmured goodbye and hung up, relieved and worried at the same time. Her back ached, and she pressed her hands against the base, rubbing.
“You okay?” Garret asked, walking toward her where she stood at a pay phone.
She’d asked about his schedule this morning on the way to the hospital, so she knew he’d ducked out of a series of meetings to come see her. “I’m fine. What are you doing here?”
Garret stopped in front of her and, the way it had every time he stood so near, her heart picked up its pace. He was so handsome. Especially when he looked at her with that expression of tender concern and—No, he wasn’t interested. Not any more than the average guy would be interested in a very rounded, pregnant woman. Sex appeal? Yeah, right. Somehow she’d managed to stumble upon a genuinely nice man.
“The meeting ended early and the other one was canceled. I came to find you and let you know you’re not going to a motel.”
“I’m not?”
“No, come on. You can tell me what the doc said on the way.”
Minutes later Darcy was seated in the Escalade beside Garret getting grilled on the ob-gyn’s every word.
They left the hospital parking lot and drove around the outer belt of road surrounding the area. Lined with bare trees and snowbanks, the houses had been made commercial. Now they were quaint-looking doctor’s offices, a law firm, three florists and a health food store.
And there it was again. That flash of a smile, the look, and—a firm nod? “Why are you nodding?”
“Because it makes me feel even stronger about you not staying alone while you’re here.”
“Dr. Clyde said I’m fine. I just need to take it easy for a few days and then I can get back to work. My blood pressure is up, but she thinks it’ll go down once things are settled.”
He turned and traveled down a quiet street. On the right was a large sign. The Village. Garret slowed and turned again just in front of it, waving at the guard at the gate. They passed small, two-family homes with one-car garages on either side of the houses, then several buildings two and three stories tall.
“You brought me to stay at a nursing home?”
Still going, Garret chuckled and parked in front of one of the three-story buildings. “That’s only one section. You’re staying in the condos.”
“Weren’t those condos back there?”
“Those are townhomes. They require more maintenance. The condos are maintenance free.”
“Garret, I appreciate the gesture, honestly, but this looks out of my price range. Would you mind taking me to the motel?”
Garret stretched one hand across the interior of the SUV and gave her palm a reassuring squeeze. “Trust me. This is better than any motel room, and it’ll ease my mind knowing you’re safe.”
She stared into his dark, moss-colored eyes and found herself wishing the impossible. It was scary how easily he reassured her. She was aware of him on so many levels.
Overactive hormones. They’d brought more than one woman low over the years.
“Don’t move. I’ll grab your suitcase and come get you. It’s still icy.” Her hand tingled long seconds after he’d released it.
Inside the building, Garret removed his warm palm from her elbow and knocked on a door. Someone else was in there? Absurdly nervous, she tugged at her maternity blouse, fluffed her hair where her coat had crushed it and tried to hide her misgivings.
The door opened. “Garret.” An older woman greeted them. Seventy-something, she had jet-black hair streaked with silver and cut in a sleek style. She wore black pants and a black sweater with dangling earrings Darcy knew had to be diamonds. The only other splash of color came in the intricately woven silver wrap the woman had tied loosely around her shoulders.
Darcy watched as Garret bent to drop a kiss on the woman’s wrinkled cheek. W
hoever she was she’d aged well.
“You look beautiful as always.”
“And you’re overcompensating for the fact that you work so much you never come see me even though I’m practically right next door.”
Garret looked embarrassed by the chiding statement. “I’m here now, aren’t I? And I brought the company I promised you.”
Darcy bit back a gulping moan when the woman turned her shrewd gaze on her.
“You must be Darcy. Garret’s told me all about you, dear.”
She wished she could say the same. “It’s nice to meet you…” She looked toward Garret for help.
Garret appeared boyish as he wrapped his arm around the woman’s shoulders and grinned. “Darcy, allow me to introduce you to Gram, otherwise known as Rosetta Tulane, my grandmother. Gram, Darcy Rhodes.”
He’d brought her to stay with his grandmother? She pasted a smile on her lips. “It’s very nice to meet you.”
The woman’s gaze seemed to take her measure, hesitating only briefly on her stomach. “Likewise, dear. Why are we standing here? Come in out of the drafty hall.”
The temperature in the building was anything but drafty. Garret prodded her inside with a hand at her back, and Darcy followed his grandmother into the condo, waiting while Garret brought in her suitcase.
“I’ll get us something to drink. Garret, take Darcy’s coat and make her comfortable.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
As soon as Rosetta was out of sight, Darcy rounded on him. “How could you?”
“How could I what?”
“Not warn me.” Darcy made sure to keep her voice low. “Your grandmother? You should’ve told me I was going to meet her. I would’ve—” What?
He tilted his head to one side, amusement lighting his features. “You look fine. What does it matter?”