He regarded her with delight. “Sounds promising.”
“Just go get the boys,” she said. “I have work to do. I need an hour, okay?”
“Do you also need help?”
She regarded him with surprise. “From you?”
“Who else?”
“Since when do you help in the kitchen doing women’s work?” she inquired tartly.
He winced at the too-accurate description of the way he’d been a few years ago, leaving everything connected to running their household to her. Fending for himself in recent years had changed all that. If he didn’t cook these days, he didn’t eat. Not at home, anyway.
“You’d be surprised at the things I’ve learned to do since you dumped me.”
The claim seemed to fascinate her. “Then by all means join me back here and demonstrate,” she said.
“Some of them will have to wait till we’re alone in the house,” he taunted, thoroughly enjoying the quick rise of color in her cheeks.
“I’ll…” Her voice trailed off before she could complete the thought.
“You’ll what?” he asked. “Look forward to it? Is that what you were about to say, Grace?”
“No, absolutely not,” she denied unconvincingly. “I was about to say I’ll be frosting this cake. The first batch of caramel sort of burned in the pan, but I think the second batch looks pretty good.”
He peered at the gooey, golden concoction. “If you say so.”
“I do.”
He gave her one last, skeptical look, then went off to shoo Jamie and Josh upstairs.
“Why can’t we see what’s going on?” Josh asked.
“Because Grace said so,” Jamie told him. “It’s a surprise, remember?”
“You’re the one who said it probably wasn’t a real surprise,” Josh countered.
“Doesn’t matter if it is or it isn’t, we gotta do what Grace says. Now hurry up, and don’t use all the hot water, either.”
“It’s not me,” Josh protested. “You’re the one who uses it all up.”
Michael stood at the foot of the stairs listening to the bickering until it finally faded away. Once he’d expected to have sons of his own, expected to fill a house with laughter and sibling controversy, just like this. How had he lost sight of that part of his dream? Had it gone with the departure of Grace from his life, or even before, when he’d buried himself in work at Delacourt Oil just to prove himself?
Did it really matter when or how it had slipped away? he asked himself. Maybe what really mattered was whether it was too late to get it back….
Chapter Eight
Grace took one last look around the dining room and gave a satisfied sigh. Balloons floated everywhere. The table had been set with Trish’s best china and the gaily wrapped presents had been piled high at Josh’s place.
“It looks terrific, darlin’,” Michael said, coming up behind her to rest his hands on her shoulders. “Every little boy’s dream birthday party.”
“Do you think he’ll mind that it’s late?”
“No, something tells me that Josh will be over the moon that you thought to do it for him.”
“I wonder how many birthday parties he’s ever really had,” Grace said, feeling sad for him. Her mom had always struggled to make birthdays special, even when they hadn’t had much money to spend or when she hadn’t had energy for anything else.
“My guess is not a lot,” Michael replied. “Not if that was when Jamie always came for him.”
“Will all this fuss over Josh bother Jamie?” she asked worriedly. “We don’t even know when his birthday is.”
“We’ll find out and do something special for him, too,” Michael reassured her.
“What if it’s months from now?”
“We’ll do it whenever it is,” Michael insisted. “Wherever he is.”
Grace sighed. “I hate to think of him being anywhere but here.”
“I know. So do I. But let’s be realistic. This isn’t even our home. No matter what happens, he won’t be here. Neither will we.”
“But he’s been so happy here the last couple of days. They both have.”
“Then we’ll look into finding them a home close by,” Michael said.
He spoke so confidently as if it were as simple as choosing a place and having the kids move in. Maybe the matter-of-fact tone came from controlling a business empire. He was probably too used to people falling in with his plans. This time it might not be that simple, Grace thought.
“How?” Grace asked. “It’s not like placing a puppy.”
When he realized she wasn’t going to be pacified by glib answers, he paused, his expression thoughtful. “Maybe Dylan’s wife can help,” he said eventually. “She’s a pediatrician. She may know people who would be willing to take in a couple of boys. Let’s not talk about this tonight, though. Let’s just have a party. I’ll go call the boys, okay?”
Grace took one last survey, then nodded. “Go get them.”
She waited with her heart in her throat until the two boys thundered down the stairs, then skidded to a stop in the entrance to the dining room.
“Oh, wow,” Josh whispered, his gaze locked on the stack of presents. “Is this for me?”
Grace nodded. “I know it’s a few days late, but I wanted you to have a celebration,” she said.
“This is so cool.” Josh raced across the room and threw his arms around her, all but knocking the breath out of her.
“I wish you were my mom,” he whispered tearfully.
Grace felt her heart crack in two. “I wish I were, too,” she whispered, her gaze seeking Michael’s. “I wish I were, too.”
She blinked back tears, then glanced toward Jamie, who was standing perfectly still, his expression shuttered.
“Jamie?”
He met her gaze. “What?”
“When is your birthday? Michael and I have already been talking about what we’ll do then.”
The disbelief in Jamie’s eyes shifted slowly to hope. “You guys really talked about that?”
“Yes.”
He shrugged. “We probably won’t be around then. It’s not till fall. September fifth. Sometimes I end up having to go back to school on my birthday. That really sucks.”
Grace gave him a commiserating look. “I know. My birthday is September seventh.”
“Looks like we’ll be having a joint celebration this fall,” Michael said, meeting Jamie’s gaze evenly. “Sound okay to you?”
“Sure. I guess,” Jamie said, clearly struggling still not to get his hopes up.
Michael nodded. “That’s good then. Now how about sitting down before all this food gets cold?”
“When do I get to open my presents?” Josh asked.
“After we eat,” Michael said firmly.
Grace shook her head. “No way. You can open them whenever you want to. It’s your party.”
Josh looked from her to Michael and back again, clearly wanting to please both of them. “I say I open one now and the rest after we eat.”
“Good compromise,” Michael praised. “You’ll be a terrific businessman some day.”
“Like you?” Josh asked.
“Probably better than him,” Grace teased. “Michael’s lousy at compromise.”
“But I’m learning,” he declared, winking at her. “I just need the proper incentive.”
Clearly impatient, Josh interrupted them. “Can I open one now? Any one I want?”
“Yep,” Grace said, then leaned closer. “But if I were you I’d pick that one.” She pointed to the biggest box.
Josh grabbed it eagerly and began stripping away the paper. He tugged open the top without even glancing at the markings on the box, then stared, openmouthed, when he saw what was inside.
“What is it?” Jamie demanded. “You look like it’s a snake or something.”
“It’s boots,” Josh said, sounding awestruck. “Real cowboy boots.”
“No way.” Jamie stood up to peer o
ver his shoulder. “I’ll bet they’re going to be too big.”
“Are not,” Josh said, taking one out of the box and holding it up next to his sneaker-clad foot.
Grace saw then that she had guessed wrong. The boot was definitely too big, but Josh was clearly undaunted. He kicked off his shoes and pulled the boots on.
“They’re perfect,” he declared. “See?” He clomped around the room.
“I think Jamie might be right,” Michael said. “A cowboy doesn’t want a boot that’s not a perfect fit.”
“But I love these,” Josh said, near tears.
“We’ll exchange them first thing tomorrow,” Grace said, then glanced at Jamie who was eyeing the boots with longing. “I don’t suppose these would fit you, would they, Jamie?”
Josh looked horrified. “He can’t have my boots.”
“If we’re taking them back anyway, what difference does it make?” Grace asked reasonably. “You’ll get new ones that are the perfect size for you tomorrow.”
“Promise?” Josh asked.
“Of course, but you have to let him try them on so we know whether to trade these back in or just get you your own pair,” Grace said.
“Can’t I wear them for a little while?” Josh pleaded.
“No,” Grace said firmly. “If we have to take them back, they can’t be worn out.”
Looking crestfallen, Josh sat back down and tugged off the boots, tossing them angrily at his big brother. Jamie threw them right back. “I don’t want your old boots.”
Grace saw the entire celebration falling apart. “That’s enough,” she said sternly. “No more presents till after we’ve eaten and if you two don’t apologize to each other right now, there won’t be any then either.”
“It’s just that I never had something that wasn’t a hand-me-down before,” Josh said to her.
Grace fought the sting of tears to remain firm. “That still doesn’t mean you get to take out your disappointment on your brother. It’s not his fault the boots might fit him instead of you. I’m the one who picked them out and bought the wrong size. Are you going to yell at me?”
Josh looked shocked by the suggestion. “Never.”
“Okay, then, how about telling Jamie you’re sorry?”
“I’m sorry,” he said at once. “I hope they fit you.”
Jamie shrugged. “I’m sorry, too.”
Grace beamed at them. “That’s better.”
“Now can we eat?” Michael pleaded, breaking the tension. “I don’t know about you guys, but I’m starving.”
Grace sat back and watched as all three of them fell on the meal as if it were the best one they’d ever tasted. Heartfelt praise was uttered between mouthfuls.
“You guys are making me blush,” she said eventually, but she couldn’t help being pleased that the dinner was a bigger hit than the ill-fitting boots.
As soon as they’d eaten every last bite of pot roast, warm rolls and savory vegetables, she stood up and cleared the table. Jamie and Josh jumped up without being asked to help her take the dishes into the kitchen. Even Michael pitched in to get everything rinsed and into the dishwasher.
“Okay, everybody back to their places,” she instructed. “I’ll bring in the dessert.”
Once they were gone, she stood for a moment alone, eyes closed as she savored the sensations that had washed through her over the last hour. She had felt as if she were finally, at long last, part of a real family. It didn’t seem to matter that it was an illusion that could be shattered at any time. For now, all that counted was the fact that she was with a man she had once loved more than life itself and with two little boys who desperately needed a mother and father to love them. She would do anything necessary to spin out this perfect time for as long as possible…for all their sakes.
The cake, with its eight flickering candles and thick caramel frosting, was a huge hit. So were the rest of the presents Grace had brought back from town.
While Grace watched Josh’s reaction, Michael kept his gaze focused on her. There was so much love shining in her eyes that it worried him. As if he could read her mind, he knew that she was starting to make plans for these two boys, thinking ahead to a future that was more than likely built on quicksand. She needed a harsh reality check, but he didn’t want to be the one to give it to her. How could he, when he was the one who’d dragged her into this? And yet he knew he had no choice.
Later, when she had tucked the boys into bed—not even Jamie had protested that tonight—Michael was waiting for her in the living room with every light blazing. He’d resisted the temptation to spend the rest of the evening on the deck, under the stars. There were too many possible distractions in such a romantic setting. His body was sending too many demanding messages every time he and Grace were alone.
Here, with bright lights to chase away the shadows, they could engage in some straight talk, make realistic, practical plans. In this lighting, maybe he wouldn’t get lost in the fantasy himself.
He spent the time while she was gone ticking off all of the rational reasons for putting an end to this situation here and now, not the least of which was the legal tightrope they were walking.
But when Grace walked into the room, looking sad and vulnerable—desirable—every rational thought in his head fled. He realized with stunned amazement that he wanted her, not just for tonight, but for all time. He knew with absolute certainty that he couldn’t let her get away again, that if he did he would regret it for the rest of his days.
Unfortunately, he also knew she wasn’t ready to hear such a declaration. She wouldn’t trust it any more now than she had six years ago. Actions, not words, were the only way to convince her that he was ready to bring some balance in his life. Wouldn’t Tyler find it a hoot that in sending his big brother here to get away from it all, to gain a little perspective in his life, he had actually accomplished his goal in a thoroughly unexpected way?
Of course, there was one little problem. He could hardly start out proving his love to Grace by telling her that she had to turn her back on those two boys. Once those words were out of his mouth, she was going to hate him.
He felt her gaze settle on him, saw worry pucker her brow.
“Michael, is something wrong?”
“Of course not,” he lied. “Why?”
“You look so sad. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you look like that before.”
“Not sad, just concerned,” he said, broaching the unavoidable topic of Jamie and Josh cautiously, hoping to minimize the damage to their future.
“About?”
“Your attachment to Jamie and Josh.”
“I just threw a little party,” she insisted staunchly. “What’s the big deal?”
“We both know the answer to that,” he chided. “Grace, my bringing you here was a mistake. You’re a professional. It never occurred to me that you would get this emotionally involved. It should have, but it didn’t.”
She regarded him with obvious impatience. “We’ve been all through that. I’m here now. I’m right in the thick of this.”
“But at what cost?”
“Dammit, Michael, I’m a big girl. You worry about your heart and I’ll worry about mine.”
He regarded her with regret. “If only it were that easy.”
“It’s as easy as you let it be.”
“No, Grace, it’s not. I’ve already been responsible for one heartbreak in your life. I won’t be responsible for another.” He drew in a deep breath. “We can’t put it off any longer. We have to deal with this tomorrow.”
She stared at him with what could only be interpreted as panic in her eyes. “Deal with it how?”
“Call the authorities. Let them know Jamie and Josh are safe.”
She was on her feet at once. “No. They’ll take them away,” she said, voicing what was clearly her greatest fear.
“They might,” he agreed.
“I won’t let you do it, Michael.” Tears streaked down her cheeks. “I can�
�t. It’s wrong. You know it’s wrong.”
“I don’t know that. Neither do you. If anything, you know the law better than I do. You have to see that we can’t postpone this. We’re heading for disaster as it is.”
For a moment she looked as if she might argue some more, but then a shudder shook her body, even as the tears continued to track silently down her cheeks. He’d seen her like this only one other time, the day she had told him that she didn’t want to see him ever again. Since then, she had never let him see any sign of weakness. If anything, she was tough as nails whenever she had to confront him.
He swore under his breath, cursing himself for calling her in the first place, for not finding some other way to deal with the two runaways now sleeping upstairs.
“Dammit, Grace, don’t do this,” he pleaded.
“Do what?” she asked without meeting his gaze.
“Make me feel like a jerk.”
“As if I could,” she shot back, showing a little more spirit.
But even then the tears didn’t let up. Michael went to her then and pulled her into his arms, let her tears soak his shirt. She didn’t resist. In fact, she probably took perverse pleasure in ruining the pristine condition of his silk-blend shirt. She could ruin a hundred of them, as far as he was concerned, if only she would forgive him for what he was insisting they do.
Oh, he knew that in the end she would come around, do what had to be done, because she was too wise not to see that it was the only way. In the meantime, though, he could hold her close, maybe let her see by his actions that even after Jamie and Josh were gone, he would still be here for her.
Sadly, though, he suspected that after this, she might not consider him a fit substitute, might not want him at all.
Grace was too numb after Michael’s announcement to even try to break away from his attempt to console her. Eventually, though, she retreated upstairs, angrily tugged on her nightgown, tried to settle in bed, then gave up in frustration as she thought of all the arguments she should have flung at him.
What was wrong with her? She didn’t fall apart in a crisis. She got tougher, especially if Michael Delacourt was involved. She had vowed six years ago that he would never see her cry again. Now here she was blubbering, instead of doing what she did best, instead of fighting tooth and nail for what she believed.
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