Almost Home

by Macomber, Debbie; Duarte, Judy; Lamb, Cathy; Mary Carter

  “You know,” she said, lowering her menu again and peering at him over the top, “getting back to the interview, I’m really impressed with the goals of your scholarship foundation. And I’m curious about your selection process. How will you choose the recipients?”

  “They’ll have to fill out applications. And they’ll be required to provide letters of recommendation. There’s also going to be an interview.”

  “You’d said you’d want to meet with them personally.”

  “The applicants will have to meet Elena, too. I’d like for her to have a say in who gets a scholarship and who doesn’t.”

  Jenn lowered her menu, set it on the table, leaned forward, and cast him a warm smile. “I think it’s nice that you’re including her by letting her sit in on the process.”

  “Oh, it’s not as a courtesy to her. It’s just that she…” Marc paused, unsure whether he wanted to explain or not.

  “Off the record?” he asked.

  “Sure.”

  “It’s that…gift…of hers that I mentioned.”

  “Her psychic ability?”

  “No, it’s not that.”

  Jenn furrowed her brow. “Then what is it?”

  “I’m not sure what you’d call it. Some people might consider her a psychic, but she says she’s not.”

  “You believe her?”

  “She, more than anyone, ought to know what to call it. I suppose you could say that when she prays, she seems to have some kind of hotline to Heaven, a communication that goes both ways.”

  At least, it sure seemed that way to Marc.

  He wished that he could say he shared her unwavering faith, but he didn’t. Yet he still came to respect her divine connection—or whatever it was.

  “She’s got a way of just knowing things,” he added. “Knowing people. It’s hard to explain, but let’s just say that I’ve grown to appreciate her foresight, even if I don’t always end up taking her advice. So I definitely want her to meet the scholarship applicants.”

  Jenn graced him with a smile that caused his heart to lurch. “Elena sounds like a special lady.”

  “She is.”

  The deeply religious widow was generous, too. Taking in an extra mouth hadn’t been easy on a limited income, but she’d never complained. She also gave regularly to the church, even when money was scarce and she’d had no idea how they’d pay the rent. “Don’t worry,” she would tell Marc time and again. “The Lord will provide.” And, inevitably, the money would show up somehow, either with an unexpected side job someone offered her or when a check came out of the blue.

  Fortunately, the waiter stopped by at that time to take their orders, and the conversation hit a lull.

  Yet that didn’t mean the pheromones had stopped swirling overhead. Or that Marc’s heart rate had returned to normal.

  Nor did it mean that he would make an attempt to pursue anything more than a professional relationship with Jenn. After all, he still had some of the old geek pride, and she’d had her chance.

  The problem was, he was still attracted to her. And even if he did want to gloat and let her know what she’d missed out on, he didn’t want to get involved with a woman who couldn’t appreciate the man he really was—the inner man who had nothing to do with the status he’d achieved and the money he’d earned.

  Over the past ten years, Marc had convinced himself there wasn’t anything more to Jenn Kramer than met the eye.

  But as he watched her reach across the table, pick up a fallen daisy petal and study it almost reverently, he couldn’t help wondering if maybe he’d been wrong.

  As much as he’d like to let Jenn and the past go, he wasn’t quite ready to wrap up their interview, eat dinner, and send her on her way. Yet he couldn’t for the life of him decide on a reason to stretch things out—not one that made any sense. Nor could he explain why he found himself suggesting that she get involved in something that would keep them in contact.

  “You know,” he said, “I haven’t been back in town for ages and don’t have a lot of contacts right now. But both my attorney and my accountant suggested I get at least the skeleton of a board of directors chosen.”

  She let the daisy petal drop to the table and looked at him as though wondering where he was going with that.

  To be honest, he wasn’t entirely sure. But the words slid out before he could reel them back in and give them more consideration. “Would you be interested in serving on the board?”

  Her lips parted even more. “Me?”

  “Why not?”

  “I…uh…” She cleared her throat. “Actually, while I hate to admit this to anyone, I don’t even have a college degree. It seems both wild and bogus for me to take on a position with a scholarship foundation.”

  And it was wild and bogus for him to try and drag her into his life, yet he had. Shaking off his reservations, he leaned back in his seat. “You’re actually a good choice. You’ve got connections with the newspaper. And you’d be helpful in creating brochures and writing letters.”

  She seemed to actually contemplate his suggestion, and when she finally looked up, her gaze burrowed into his. “I’ve never been offered a board position before, and it’s an honor to be asked. It’s also a cause I could easily champion…”

  “I get the idea there’s a big ‘but’ coming.”

  Jenn took a deliberate breath, then slowly let it out. “All right. Since I’m only working part-time right now, I don’t mind helping out, but I don’t want to get caught up in volunteer work when I’m seriously seeking full-time employment.”

  She hadn’t come right out and said it, but she hadn’t needed to. Marc could read between the lines. Jason’s gambling addiction had taken a toll on her finances. It wasn’t so much that she wanted a full-time job; she needed one.

  Again, a response rolled off his tongue before he had the chance to stop it. “I also have some brochures and news releases that need to be written for Alvarado Technologies. So if you’re interested in working for me in that respect, I could hire you to do both jobs.”

  She waited a beat before responding, and he watched her brow form a V in concentration—much like it had when he’d tutored her in algebra.

  “Of course, it’s only a temporary position,” he added.

  “That’s fine. Although, to be honest, I’ve never created brochures before. But I’m willing to give it a try. And I can definitely write press releases. So, yes, I’d like to work for you. I’ll have to file my story first, but I should be able to do that in the morning. When do you want me to start?”

  He couldn’t very well backpedal and take back his offer now. “How about tomorrow at ten? I have a meeting first thing and want to be sure I’m at the office when you arrive.”

  “Won’t Elena be there?”

  Yes, she’d be there. But all he needed was for his aunt to get some crazy idea about playing matchmaker.

  Jenn might consider Marc Alvarado an eligible bachelor now, but he already knew how she felt about Marcos “The Brain” Taylor.

  And Marc didn’t want to go down that path again.

  Chapter Five

  The next morning, Marc stopped by Fairbrook High and talked to both guidance counselors, as well as Mr. Sturgis, the principal.

  At the end of their meeting, Bob Sturgis stood and shook Marc’s hand. “It’s always nice to have our students come back to visit. But we really appreciate seeing those who return and try to pay it forward. You’re doing a wonderful thing with that scholarship foundation, Marc. But correct me if I’m wrong. Wasn’t your last name Taylor when you were in school?”

  “Yes, but neither of my parents played a part in my life. So when I was in college, as a tribute to my aunt, I legally changed my surname to hers.”

  “I’m sure that pleased her.”

  Bowled over and touched beyond measure had been more like it. Elena hadn’t known what he’d done until they’d called “Marcos Ramon Alvarado” at the commencement ceremonies. And afterward,
when she’d looked over his diploma, her tears had started anew.

  As Marc and Bob walked together down the corridor that led to the administrative secretary’s desk, the older man said, “I remember your aunt. She was a member of our parents’ group.”

  Marc nodded. Even though Elena’s work schedule hadn’t allowed for much free time, she’d managed to bake cookies whenever they were needed and to go to a couple of meetings.

  “My wife taught adult-education classes,” Bob added, “and she told me that your aunt attended school at nights to get her high-school diploma.”

  “It took her several years, but she finally made it. I’m proud of her.”

  “Which, I’m sure, is why you named the foundation after her.”

  Marc nodded, although that had been only one of many reasons.

  When they reached the secretary’s desk, Bob slowed to a stop. “Eileen? Can you please give me one of those yellow fliers?”

  “Of course.” The woman took one from the top of the stack and handed it to the principal, who then offered it to Marc.

  “Your class is having a ten-year reunion,” Bob added. “This has all the details.”

  Marc only gave the flier a cursory glance, since he had no intention of attending. For the most part, high school had been a real pain for him and the other kids who’d never found a place for themselves. But there was no need to mention that to Bob. “Thanks. I’ll have to check my schedule to see if I’m free that night.”

  Either way, Marc wasn’t going.

  After leaving the high-school administrative building, he opened the driver’s door of his vehicle. As he climbed behind the wheel, he tossed the flier onto the passenger seat, where it would remain until he got a chance to throw it out at home. Then he drove back to the office, hoping to arrive before Jenn did.

  In the lobby of the building, he glanced at his wristwatch, realizing he still had a couple of minutes to spare. So he stopped at Mug Shots, a coffee cart located near the elevators, and picked up a cup of decaf for Elena. He usually had to remind her to take a break, to have lunch, or to clock out for the day.

  He’d never expected her to be so industrious, so determined to run his office efficiently.

  Over the past five years, he’d tried time and again to subsidize her income, but she’d always refused his money. “Don’t worry about me,” she would say. “I’ve been blessed and have everything I need.”

  But while she might believe she’d been blessed, she deserved so much more than what she had. So Marc had done the next best thing. He’d asked her to work for him, telling her he hadn’t been able to find an office manager who was discreet or who had a sixth sense about people.

  “Stick with me until I can hire a competent staff,” he’d told her.

  Fortunately for him, Elena had jumped on the offer and was doing an amazing job organizing the new office and setting up interviews. She also took great pride in looking after her boss.

  Marc entered the office with an insulated cup of decaffeinated coffee and two packets of sugar. “Ready for a break?”

  His aunt looked up from her desk and smiled. With silver-gray hair pulled back into a twist and a sparkle in her dark brown eyes, she looked ten years younger than a woman who’d turned seventy last month.

  She saved the work she’d completed on an Excel spreadsheet, then spun her chair to face him. “How did your meeting at the school go?”

  “Great.” He handed her the coffee and sugar. “They have several kids who fit our parameters. So as soon as I can develop the application forms, I’ll forward them to the school administrative assistant. How are things going here?”

  “I coordinated and scheduled that meeting with the accountant and the attorney, and unless you’ve made any appointments I’m not aware of, they’ll be here tomorrow at three-thirty.”

  “That’s fine.” Marc glanced at the clock. It was almost ten, so Jenn would be arriving soon.

  Elena moved a file and repositioned one of several potted plants on her desk that had added warmth and a homey feel to the office. “Do you have time to pull up a chair and join me?”

  There was an official break room down the hall, but until Marc hired more staff, there was no one to answer the telephone or greet clients, so Elena rarely strayed far from her desk or ventured into the kitchenette to brew a pot of coffee.

  Before he could take a seat, Elena glanced toward the glass door that opened to the elevators. “It looks like your new hire is here.”

  “Temporary hire,” he corrected.

  “I didn’t realize that your new office employee was the same woman who interviewed you yesterday. And I left to meet my bridge group before I got a chance to tell you that Ms. Kramer looks a lot like the Jennifer Kramer who broke your heart in high school.”

  Marc took a sip of coffee, not wanting to have this conversation now. Not while Jenn was approaching the glass door to the office.

  “Why didn’t you tell me what you had in mind?” Elena asked.

  “I didn’t see any reason to. Besides, she doesn’t even recognize me. So what difference does it make? She has no idea there’s any kind of connection. And I’d like to keep it that way.”

  As Jenn swung open the door and entered the office, he could have sworn Elena uttered something under her breath. But his focus was on Jenn, whose breezy smile turned his heart on end. She wasn’t wearing anything special today, just slacks and a blouse, yet it took some concentrated effort not to gape at her in awe.

  “Good morning,” she said, her brow furrowing, her gaze searching his expression. “Is something wrong?”

  Oh, for Pete’s sake. He must have been gawking at her in spite of himself. Morphing out of geek mode, which seemed to be his default, he sobered. “Nothing’s wrong. Would you like a cup of coffee?” He could go back downstairs and get her one.

  “No, thanks. I’m a tea drinker. And I’ve already had plenty this morning.”

  “Then let’s get started.” He made the mistake of glancing at Elena, who was sporting a Cheshire-cat grin. Something told him he’d better steer Jenn away from his aunt.

  As Marc led Jenn to the office she would use while she was here, he realized he was going to have to set Elena straight. He might have had a major crush on Jenn as a teenager, but that didn’t mean he had feelings for her now. At least not the kind that insisted no other woman would do.

  He wasn’t in high school anymore and pining over the only girl who’d interested him.

  Back then, his aunt had picked up on his infatuation and advised him to be patient. “Love takes time to develop,” she’d said. “One day, Jennifer will see you for who you really are, and then love will blossom. I’m sure of it.”

  That was the only thing Marc could ever remember his aunt saying that didn’t eventually come to pass. But so what if it hadn’t? Other things far more important than that had happened just the way she’d said they would—like her insistence that he would not only be accepted at Stanford, but that finances wouldn’t be an issue.

  “That scholarship will come through, mijo. Just wait and see.” And as if her words had drifted straight up to the Almighty’s throne, Marc had received a full-ride academic scholarship and moved to northern California that fall.

  But that was then.

  Things were much different now.

  As Marc opened the door to Jenn’s office and waited for her to enter, he caught the alluring scent of her shampoo—something springtime fresh and laced with citrus—which compelled him to take a second whiff.

  As she stepped inside, she surveyed the room, which wasn’t nearly as large as his.

  “This is great,” she said, her eyes brightening as though she really meant it.

  “I’m glad you like it.” He nodded toward the small mahogany desk with the new computer that was already up and running. “The drawers are fully stocked with supplies, but if you need anything else, just let me know.”

  “What would you like me to do first?”
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  He approached the desk, where he’d left his notes and files for her to go over. “If you’ll read through these papers, you’ll get an idea of what I envisioned for the brochures and what I hope to accomplish with them. I left instructions for the artwork and details that need to be included. You’ll also find a couple of samples to use as a model. Why don’t you work on a rough draft? Then we can go over it together.”

  “All right.” She placed her hands on the top of the chair’s backrest, but she didn’t sit. She merely looked at him as though waiting for him to leave her alone.

  Or was there something else going on?

  He tried to read her expression, but the geek in him kept getting in the way.

  “Well, then,” he said, taking a step back. “I guess I’d better let you get busy.”

  When her gaze locked on his, he was struck by the sincerity in her eyes.

  “Thanks, Marc.”

  For getting out of her hair? For providing her with a job and an office?

  Rather than ask, he tossed her an unaffected smile and accepted her appreciation. “You’re welcome.”

  Then, true to his word, he left her to her work.

  But returning to his own office wasn’t nearly as easy as he’d thought it would be. Knowing she was just down the hall did a real number on his ability to focus, and it was nearly twelve-thirty by the time he finally threw up his hands and decided to check in on her.

  He found her seated at the desk, studying his notes, then glancing at the computer screen, where the mock layout she’d created was displayed. But instead of looking over her shoulder at what she’d done, he felt compelled to watch her, noting the way her hair brushed against her cheek. The way she nibbled on her bottom lip.

  Finally, he knocked lightly on the doorjamb.

  She looked up from her work and, upon seeing him, broke into a pretty smile. “Oh, hi. Come on in.”

  He remained rooted in the doorway. “It’s lunchtime.”

  She checked the clock on the wall as though questioning his comment. “I can’t believe it. I was so involved in what I was doing that the morning whizzed by.”