Ali’s gaze locked with his in challenge. “Who says you have to have music to hold me?”
Jake’s heart did a couple of skips, then began to pound as he reached for her and pulled her between his legs. “That’s right. I can hum.”
He began to hum a deep baritone sound and placed a kiss on her forehead. Then he carefully cradled her against him, causing his body to react immediately. But he wouldn’t go any further. It was enough to enjoy the feel of her in his arms.
Ali’s arms moved to circle his waist over his heavy jacket. “Jake, I want to thank you for tonight. I had a nice time.”
“That sounded awfully polite. Are you giving me the brush-off?”
She pulled back and looked at him. “No. I’m just saying I had fun.”
“Good, because I want to make sure I still get my good-night kiss.”
Ali smiled and something tightened in his gut. Without giving her a chance to back away, he cupped her face and kissed her gently. “I’ve been thinking about doing that all night. Ever since Thanksgiving, I’ve been thinking about doing more than just kissing you, Ali.”
She tensed.
“But I’m not going to push you into anything that you’re not ready for. I want us to spend time together. I want you to care about me…to trust me.” His mouth closed over hers, and Ali released a soft moan. She leaned into him as his tongue delved into her mouth, tasting her sweetness, letting her know how much he wanted her. He broke off the kiss and moved to her ear and breathed, “You make me crazy, Ali.”
A shiver ran down his spine as he used his arms to pull her tight against him and just held her for a moment. Then finally he released her, but he didn’t let her go far.
“I better get you inside.”
“I’m not cold. I like to be outside in this weather.” She went to the railing. “Can you believe Christmas will be here soon?”
“Yeah, our daughter’s first.” Jake smiled, remembering how they’d shared Joanie’s first Thanksgiving just days ago. “I’m really looking forward to being with her.” His hand touched her cheek. “And you.”
Ali went all tingly inside. She wanted that, too. She wanted them to be a family. “I can’t wait until Joanie sees all the decorations and Christmas lights. I wonder how she’ll react to Santa Claus?”
Jake smiled. “Why don’t we find out together?” He drew Ali back into his arms.
“Jake—” Her words were cut off by his mouth covering hers.
The kiss began slow and easy as Ali’s arms circled his neck. Then he added some heat, and Ali purred with pleasure as his tongue pushed into her mouth, driving her passion higher. Finally Jake released her. Their eyes locked, and silently they made their way into the house. Once inside, Jake leaned against the closed door and drew Ali to him again. He took her mouth in another kiss, then another.
“Oh, Ali. I want you,” he whispered. “I want you so much.”
She felt the proof of his words and moved closer, hungry for him, too. Time stopped when Jake was kissing her. She couldn’t think clearly when he touched her—Joanie was evidence of that. But Ali knew where things were headed, and somehow she managed to pull away.
“Jake, we have to stop.”
Jake was breathing hard and refused to release her. “I hate it when you say my name and the word stop in the same sentence.”
“You know it’s the wise thing to do.”
“I’m in pain, woman,” he growled.
“Is it your leg?” she asked.
He grinned. “You’re not even close.”
Ali felt herself blush and buried her face against his chest. She inhaled his wonderful scent and almost changed her mind. “I think it’s best if we officially end our first date.”
“Not until you promise to go out with me again,” he said, holding her tight against him.
Enjoying their closeness, Ali took her time in answering. “I’d love to. But I think we need a chaperone.”
Jake pulled back. “A chaperone. Who?”
“I was thinking we’d take Joanie out to see the Christmas lights.”
Jake wiggled his eyebrow. “Wow, a date with my two favorite women. What else could a man ask for?”
Chapter Nine
For as long as Ali could remember, the tree-lighting ceremony had been the official start of the Christmas season in Webster.
At the downtown circle, a decorated fifty-foot fir stood high above the crowd that gathered, waiting patiently for Mayor Anderson to plug in the lights.
The weather had cooperated, too. Although there was only a small amount of snow on the ground from the last storm, it was enough to set a perfect backdrop for the Christmas festivities. In fact, the mild temperature enabled Jake and Ali to camp out for a good spot behind the ropes. Joanie was bundled up warm and snug in her stroller, drinking her bottle, as the First Community Church choir sang Christmas carols.
Ali pulled her wool scarf around her neck as she watched the white cloud of her breath. “They’d better hurry, or Joanie will fall asleep.”
Jake shifted his weight against his new cane. Today was his first attempt at walking without crutches. “I doubt she’ll sleep much with all this commotion.”
Ali glanced over her shoulder at him. “Is the standing too much for you? I should have brought a folding chair.”
“I’m fine,” he assured her. “What about you? Are you warm enough?” He came up behind her and pulled her close to him.
Ali leaned her head back against his shoulder and smiled. “I’m very warm, thank you.”
“Well, I wouldn’t want you to catch cold,” he teased.
“I don’t think there is much chance of that. Your body throws off plenty of heat.” That wasn’t a lie, either, Ali thought, remembering their past few days together. Jake had stolen every chance he could to touch her…to kiss her. He’d stirred up enough heat between them to ignite flames. But was that enough?
Jake bent down and whispered, “You do unbelievable things to me, Ali Pierce.”
His breath tickled her ear, and Ali shivered. With Jake’s arms around her, she looked down at her contented daughter. Could life get any better than this?
Ali smiled as she watched people milling around, exchanging greetings with friends and neighbors. One of the reasons she loved living in this town was the friendly people. Even when she couldn’t make it on her own, and had to return to Gran June’s with a baby—and without a husband—they’d welcomed her home, though she’d feared they would not. There were a few people who hadn’t, she thought, as she glanced around the circle and found Mrs. Tillson and Mrs. Ellis whispering, then looking in her direction. Ali knew those two ladies were notorious for being the town gossips.
Ali’s pulse began to pound as her protective instincts took over. She moved out of Jake’s embrace. “If they don’t start soon, we’re going to have to leave. I don’t want Joanie to catch a cold.”
Jake looked concerned. “Ali, what’s wrong?”
“I just don’t want my child out too long in this weather.”
Jake frowned at Ali’s sudden mood change. He reached for her hand and made her look at him. “Tell me why you suddenly want to leave?”
She blinked at the tears pooling in her eyes. “It’s silly.”
“Nothing that makes you unhappy is silly, so tell me.”
Ali pulled away. “People are talking about us.”
Jake stiffened as his gaze combed the crowded town circle. “Who’s talking?”
“It’s just that Mrs. Tillson and Mrs. Ellis are over there. I know they are saying things about us.”
Jake slowly began to relax. “Honey, those two old ladies have been finding something to gossip about since we were kids. No one listens to them.” He drew her close, desperately needing to hold her. “Our friends—the people who care about us—have greeted us warmly. Do you really care,” he nodded to the women “what those two say?”
Ali shook her head. “I guess not. I just don’t want Joanie
to ever be hurt.”
Just then the two elderly ladies made their way across the circle, greeting people along the way, then finally they reached her.
“Hello, Darcie,” Mrs. Ellis said, smiling. “Are you home for the holidays?”
“I’m Ali, Mrs. Ellis.”
The woman’s gloved hands covered her mouth momentarily. “Oh, my. I am sorry, dear. I just took for granted that since you were with Jake…” Then both women seemed to notice Joanie sitting in her stroller. “So this is your little girl.”
Ali nodded, feeling her heart sink into her stomach.
Mrs. Ellis looked at Mrs. Tillson. “Isn’t she just adorable, sister?”
“Just as sweet as can be,” Mrs. Tillson said.
The choir stopped and Ali noticed the mayor starting for the podium.
“Where is your grandmother?” Mrs. Tillson asked, looking around.
“She has a cold and decided to stay home.”
“Well, would you tell her we said hello and wish her a speedy recovery?”
Ali nodded; the rest of her was numb. Who did she think she was, trying to take Darcie’s place in Jake’s heart? Was she dreaming? All she could do was just watch the two ladies walk away.
Something tugged at Jake’s heart when he saw Ali’s pain. “I should have said something.”
“No, Jake. The only one I care about is Joanie.”
Angry with himself for not putting those two old biddies in their place, he said, “I swear I won’t let anyone hurt you or my daughter. I care so much about both of you.”
Ali’s eyes lowered.
“Ali Pierce, I may have to take drastic steps here and prove it to you in front of the whole town. Then the gossips will have plenty to talk about.”
She looked up, her eyes wide. “I believe you,” she whispered.
Jake refused to let her go, and took the opportunity to press a quick kiss on her mouth. He pulled back in time to see her face redden.
She gasped. “Jake, you promised…”
“Sometimes, Ali-cat, you test a man’s sanity. Count yourself lucky. If I did what I really wanted to, we’d get arrested.”
Before Ali could react, the mayor reached the podium and the crowd became silent. Jake lifted Joanie from the stroller and held her up so she could see the tree.
“My fellow townspeople,” the mayor began. “It’s my pleasure to officially open the holiday season.” As the high-school band played a drumroll, he picked up the extension cord and plugged in the lights.
There was a renewed hush over the group, then a loud burst of cheers and applause as the tree came to life glittering with colorful lights. Even Joanie seemed mesmerized. She pointed and began chattering away.
Jake was in awe, too, and a sudden rush of emotion swept through him. Holding his daughter in his arms, with Ali at his side—what more could he want? This was going to be the best Christmas ever. The first Christmas with his family.
Jake arrived at Hawk Industries on Monday morning. He paused as he stepped inside the huge double doors of the plant, feeling the assault of his painful past. It nearly staggered him.
For twenty years, Jake had been haunted by the memories of being an eight-year-old pawn in his parents’ game.
For years, Carol Hawkins had never seemed happy unless she was drinking. Jake’s stomach turned over. He could still remember the rancid smell of bourbon on her breath. He recalled the night his mother came into his room and woke him with her sobs. As usual, his father wasn’t home, so Jake tried to help her into bed, but she fought him, insisting she had to see her husband. She had to tell him that she was sorry, and that she loved him. She needed Jake to go with her to the plant. Jake didn’t want to go anywhere, especially to listen to another one of his parents’ fights. He’d hoped she would just lie down and pass out, which was often how things went. But his mother ordered him to get dressed. Jake did as he was told and was ready when the taxi pulled up in front of the house.
At the plant, the security guard stopped them, but even though she was drunk, Carol Hawkins managed to persuade the man, insisting she wanted to surprise Mr. Hawkins for his birthday. Little did Jake know that night would change his life forever.
That was the last time Jake had been inside the plant until today. Jake glanced up to the second floor of the large warehouse to where his father’s office was and shuddered. But he wasn’t here today to see Cliff Hawkins. Jake had an appointment with the plant supervisor, Dave Keller. Reluctantly Jake ascended the metal stairs, then walked along the catwalk just above the main machine floor, wondering all the way if this was a good idea.
When he reached the supervisor’s office, it was empty so Jake waited outside. Taking a breath, he gripped the catwalk railing, and looked down at the activity on the floor below. Once again, the haunting memories clouded his vision.
All he saw was an eight-year-old kid coming off the elevator into the deserted hall. Everything was dark, and a little scary. He sensed something wrong, and tried to talk his mother into leaving. She ignored him and like a woman possessed, grabbed his hand and pulled him along until they reached the reception area.
That was when they heard the voices coming from his father’s office. His mother pushed Jake behind the open door, into the shadows, and hushed him. The office door opened, and two people walked into the room, laughing. Through the crack in the doorjamb came a sliver of light. Jake recognized his father with his tie gone and his shirt unbuttoned. The blond woman was Cindy, his dad’s secretary. They were holding hands and whispering, then his father pushed Cindy against the desk and kissed her. His hands moved over her, sliding over her leg and under her skirt.
His mother gasped, and Jake’s heart was pounding so loud, he thought they’d be discovered in their hiding place. Finally his dad and Cindy went back into the office and closed the door.
With a trembling hand, Carol dragged her son out of there. Instead of waiting for the elevator, they ran for the stairs, then stole out the same doors that Jake had walked through today.
In the cold darkness of the cab, his mother remained silent. When they reached the house, Jake ran to his room. His anger refused to be contained, and he punched at his pillow in fury. Now he knew why his father never came home, why his mother was so lonely. Why she drank. Finally the tears came until he fell asleep, exhausted.
Later that night, Jake heard a crashing sound. He jumped out of bed and ran downstairs to the living room. He found his mother throwing things. Pieces of crystal that had been gifts from his father were being thrown against the fireplace. Finally she fell to the floor sobbing.
Trembling, Jake went to his mother. Bravely he reached out and touched her. When she didn’t respond, he got scared. He called her name and said he loved her, that he would take care of her. She shrugged his hand away, and Jake remembered Carol Hawkins didn’t like to be touched. Not even by her son.
She pulled her drunken body up. “Jake.” She grabbed his arm. “You love me, don’t you?”
“Yes, Mom. I love you.” He did.
“Then you’ve got to swear to me…swear you’ll never tell anyone about tonight.”
Jake nodded as he fought his tears.
“I mean it. I never want your father to know we were there.”
“I won’t tell anybody, Mom. I promise.” He couldn’t help himself and flung himself at her, wrapping his arms around her. He felt her go weak and knew she was close to passing out. He guided her into the master bedroom, then helped her into bed. He stayed with her until she stopped mumbling her apologies and fell asleep, then he returned to the living room to clean up the mess. The broken glass was just the remains of a little boy’s shattered family.
At the sound of his name, Jake shook away the memories and came back to the present. When he turned around, he found Dave Keller.
The gray-haired man in his fifties smiled. “Glad to see you made it.” He offered his hand.
Jake reached out and shook the man’s hand. “I need a job.”
“Well, let’s go see what we can do.”
Grabbing his cane, Jake followed Dave inside his office. “I hope my coming by isn’t an inconvenience to you,” he said.
“No problem. Have a seat.” Dave shut the door, muffling the loud machine noise from the floor below. “It’s nice to see you’re recovering so quickly.”
Jake sat in a chair, then placed his cane against the wall. “The surgeries are over, but the cast will be around for a while, and I’ll need physical therapy.”
Dave sat down on the edge of the desk. “So you want to come to work here.”
Jake nodded as his insides churned. It was the last thing he wanted, but his choices were limited. “Only if there is something available. I won’t take a job away from anyone.”
“Nor would I offer you another person’s job. I have something else in mind. As you probably already know, we’re going to branch out in a new direction after the first of the year. We were awarded a contract from a Japanese company to build electronic circuit boards. We’ve already brought in several experienced people to train the employees.”
“Is Hawk Industries going out of the computer components business?” Jake asked.
Dave shook his head. “No. We’re expanding our assembly to accommodate the times. Assembling electronic circuitry requires a lot of growth, but it should be good for all of us.”
“Dad’s always been interested in making money,” Jake murmured. How much did the man need, anyway?
Dave frowned. “We’re not going to be making much money the first quarter. But this new contract means we’ll be hiring more people, and more importantly, not laying off any of the current ones.”
That didn’t sound like the Cliff Hawkins he knew. Could it be that his father had changed? Layoffs were a common occurrence at the plant. Jake shook away the thought and looked back at Dave. “What is it you want me to do?”
Dave folded his arms over his chest. “I want you to be supervisor for the new assembly crew.”
Baby, Our Baby! Page 13