Reluctant Housemates

by Linda Barrett

  Pearl’s glance slowly traveled from Rachel to Jack and back again, a curious expression on her face. Dear God! Her mother was putting two and two together and getting five.

  “This house has had an interesting history recently,” Pearl said slowly, looking toward Lou.

  “Sure has,” he confirmed. “And the ROMEOs were in on all of it right from the beginning.”

  Pearl rolled her eyes. “The ROMEOs want to take credit for everything that happens in this town!”

  “Not everything, dear. Almost everything. And definitely the Laura McCloud and Matt Parker story.” He turned to Jack. “We knew her parents when she was young, and when her mom died recently, Laura returned here. She needed to heal. We didn’t know until later that she was dealing with breast cancer, too.”

  “She rented Sea View House,” continued Pearl, “this very apartment, and Matt Parker fell in love with her. And the rest, as they say, is history.”

  She beamed at everyone around the table, looking as proud and happy as if she’d arranged the entire affair. “They got married right here on the beach behind Sea View House.”

  Rachel had a sinking feeling that her mom had no intention of stopping her tale. She was right.

  “And when Laura moved out,” Pearl said, “Shelley Anderson and her two little children moved right into the Captain’s Quarters.”

  Jack nodded. “I met them.”

  “And the professor—Daniel Stone—moved in upstairs with Jesse!” Jennifer chimed in and looked at Jack, who seemed genuinely interested in the story. “Jesse’s his beautiful dog,” explained Jennifer. “A golden retriever.”

  “And Shelley and Dan had a time of it, with her ex-husband showing up and making her miserable.” Pearl continued as though she hadn’t been interrupted. “But now, their wedding’s set for Christmastime, and they’ll be spending their summers in Pilgrim Cove.” She clapped her hands, her delight obvious. “Two Sea View House weddings in six months. I’m telling you, people,” she said, looking from Rachel to Jack, “this house is hot!”

  A steam shovel couldn’t have dug a hole big enough for Rachel to fall through. “Not as hot as my face,” she mumbled, jumping up from her chair, looking anywhere but at Jack. “Dad,” she beseeched as she passed her father on her way to the kitchen, “take your wife home.”

  Rachel leaned over the sink, shaking her head. How was she ever going to look her neighbor in the eye?

  She heard plates knocking against one another, footsteps coming toward her. “Mom! How could you?” she said before turning around.

  “Uh, not your mom here.” Jack’s voice.

  Rachel groaned and pointed to the sink. “Just put them right in the hot water. And I’ll jump in after them.”

  “Aren’t mothers wonderful?” he asked, eyes twinkling. “Hard to train them, though. It took me years before mine stopped setting me up with dates. Every time I went home, it seemed that someone’s niece was visiting. Or daughter. Or cousin’s cousin. You get the picture.”

  “And I don’t believe a word. But, thanks.”

  “I’ll knock on your door at seven.”

  “You don’t have to, Jack. My mother may not have given you much choice, but she’s not really your boss.”

  “I know,” he said, a grin appearing. “That position is reserved for her daughter!” He started walking toward the door, then turned around. “I’ll be here on time.” He stared at her, his eyes roving from her head to her toes, then suddenly, he was gone.

  So he liked her body. She couldn’t find too much fault with that considering she found him attractive, too. But how inappropriate. She was his boss, for goodness’ sake! And anyway, they didn’t know each other at all. She shrugged her shoulders. She had lots of other things to think about besides her upstairs neighbor.

  Her family poured into the kitchen to say goodbye and remind her about the race. One by one they left the house until only Susan remained. “I’ll be right there, Alex,” she called after her husband.

  Rachel waited for what her sister-in-law had to say.

  “I’ll talk to your mother, tell her to lay off,” said Susan. “Frankly, I don’t quite know what happened in there. She’s usually so level-headed.”

  “Great. I come home and she has a personality change.”

  “No-o-o. She’s got a beautiful single daughter. And Jack’s a real hunk. Pearl’s got a few years on her, but she’s not dead!”

  “So, she’s having fantasies about being with a young stud?”

  Susan’s laughter bubbled up. “No, no. Her fantasies are for you, and they just got out of hand!”

  “I’m not…”

  Susan kissed Rachel on the cheek and raced out the door.

  “…beautiful.”

  But a shiver ran through Rachel as she created her own fantasy about the man upstairs. Those twinkling green eyes…those broad shoulders…the laughter that came so easily…oh, he had some fine qualities. Very fine qualities.

  She looked into the sink. The dishwater had almost filled the basin, and her arms were submerged to her elbows. She shut the spigots off quickly and opened the drain. If she daydreamed any more, she’d flood the house.

  Unexpectedly, her thoughts drifted back to Round Rock, Kansas. Had her sojourn there been a fantasy, too? Or merely a lifetime ago? Pilgrim Cove was absorbing her so completely, that her time spent in the Midwest seemed almost to have happened to someone else.

  THE NEXT MORNING, RACHEL dressed in a plain white tank top, white shorts and a white terry-cloth sweatband around her head. She was lacing up her running shoes in the kitchen when a knock sounded at the door. She glanced at the clock. The man was right on time.

  “I’m ready,” she said as she opened the door. But she wasn’t ready for a black muscle shirt outlining his broad shoulders and powerfully built chest. She wasn’t ready for a man big enough to block the sunshine in her doorway. She wasn’t ready for his whistle of admiration.

  “Cool it, bud,” she said, trying to keep cool herself. “The day’s just started.” She grabbed a blank check for her entry fee and put it into the inside pocket of her shorts. “Let’s go.” She stepped to the door.

  He didn’t move. “Hold on a sec. Like you said, the day’s just started. Save your energy for the race.”

  “But we’ll be late.”

  “So what? It’s not the Olympics! It’s for charity and having fun.”

  “Which is exactly what I intend to do without being late.” She brushed past him and pulled the door closed. “Coming?”

  “Wouldn’t miss it.”

  She led the way through the backyard and onto the beach, joining the many other participants who were making their way to the starting line. Men, women, children, even babies attached to their parents in carry-all holders made the morning come alive with noise and excitement.

  By the time they’d walked the half mile south of Sea View House, the registration area was swarming with people.

  “Would you look at Bart Quinn and Sam Parker holding up those signs, and Chief O’Brien in the middle of them trying to direct the crowd,” said Rachel. “The chief actually looks like a cop today. Even has a whistle in his mouth.”

  Just then the whistle sounded. The crowd slowed and looked at the retired officer, listening as he directed late registrants to one side and preregistered runners to the other.

  “I’ve got to register,” said Jack. “See you at the starting line.”

  Rachel nodded and went to get her number.

  “Rachel Goodman? Is that you? My dad said you were home.”

  Rachel looked into the familiar face of Matt Parker. “It is. How’s the married man?” she teased.

  “He’d better give the right answer,” said the pretty blonde next to him.

  Rachel smiled. “You must be Laura. I’ve heard all about you. Congratulations.” She held out her hand and Laura took it.

  “And we’ve heard about you living in Sea View House and your new job,” said Laura.
“We’re hoping the good luck holds for you, too.”

  Rachel murmured noncommittally. “Right now, I’m looking forward to a good run and raising some money. In fact, how about if I double the 5K and double my entrance fee?”

  “I don’t know…” began Laura.

  “If you’re up to it,” interrupted Matt. “We don’t turn down donations.”

  “It’s still less than six-and-a-half miles,” Rachel replied. “I bet others will do it, too.”

  “Maybe, but so far no one’s mentioned it.”

  “Then I’ll start a trend.” She gave her check to Laura. “I promise not to ask for a refund if I change my mind,” she joked. She took her number and pinned it on her shirt. “See you later.”

  “Good luck. And thanks.”

  She waved and jogged toward the starting line, nodded and said hello to a number of people she recognized. But there were many she didn’t know. The tide was out, the beach wide, but still the starting line stretched almost the entire width of the sand—from the sea wall to the water. This event had certainly grown over the years. Participants must have come in from the neighboring towns.

  Rachel scanned the crowd for Jack but didn’t see him immediately. She found some space and started stretching. A minute later, however, she heard Jack’s laughter. Heard other voices. Female voices laughing with him.

  Rachel jogged slowly in place, continuing her warm-up. When she finally looked around, she spotted her neighbor nearby chatting with a group of teachers. Her staff. They looked as if they were having fun.

  But the happy group reminded her that Jack liked being surrounded by women. He’d enjoyed their attention at the staff meeting, and they knew it. Now they were gravitating to him again, and he did nothing to discourage them. And why should he? He was single, unattached, and obviously wanted to meet new people in his new town. She couldn’t really fault him. Could she?

  She could. The only time she’d ever seen him have a serious discussion was when he’d joined in with her family around the dinner table. He’d probably been on his best behavior then. She pictured him at school, making his grand entrance at the meeting, mixing comfortably with every person in the room afterward. A regular social butterfly—if men could be categorized as such.

  She sighed with disappointment and hoped he had a brain in his head. College degrees didn’t guarantee good teaching skills or common sense. The kids at Pilgrim Cove Regional needed instructors who had both.

  And she needed to use her own brains. She’d never been a groupie and she wasn’t going to start now. No more fantasies about Jack Levine!

  “Rachel. Over here.” Jack’s voice.

  She looked at where he stood, and reluctantly jogged over with a pasted smile on her face.

  “Of course you know Julie, Karen and Mallory,” said Jack, with an ease that Rachel could only envy. Not that she was awkward with people anymore, but Jack was in a class by himself.

  “Hi, ladies. Good morning.”

  The teachers’ smiles became as polite as hers, their greetings stilted. “It’s nice that you’ve come out for such a good cause,” said Rachel, trying to reduce the awkwardness. She knew, however, that the best thing she could do was leave. Of course the women felt inhibited. Rachel was their boss. Their new boss. And today was a holiday.

  “Well, I’m off to find my family. Have a good run.” Rachel waved and left, ignoring Jack’s “Hang on a minute….”

  Men were so dense sometimes.

  “Hey, Aunt Rachel!”

  “Hi, David. Want to keep me company?”

  “I’m with a couple of buddies, but Mom and Dad are here. They’re going to walk it.”

  “Well, I’m looking to burn muscle today, kiddo. So, they’ll have to walk without me. Have fun with your friends.”

  “Where’s Jack?” her nephew asked. “I thought you were coming here together.”

  She waved toward the crowd. “He’s in there somewhere. We did walk over together, but we’re not together. If you know what I mean. We’re strictly neighbors.”

  “Oh. Too bad. I like him.”

  He’s easy to like.

  “Uh…Aunt Rachel, one more thing…”

  “What, hon?” She wasn’t happy about the anxious expression that suddenly appeared on his face.

  “No offense, but when school starts tomorrow, could you…ah…just ignore me in the halls? Guys don’t like their families hanging around when they’re with their buddies.”

  “Is that all? No problemo, David. I know exactly how you feel. Grandpa was the librarian when I was in school. Remember?”

  His expression cleared up instantly. “Yo!” He gave her a high five and ran off. Rachel followed his progress as he made his way through large groups of people. If only every problem could be solved as easily.

  The crowd started to quiet down, an air of expectation permeating the throng. The event was about to start. Rachel listened to the announcements and acknowledgments, and waited for the signal to “Go.” When it came, the throng moved in waves, a messy pack of humans. Within a very few minutes, however, the runners pulled to the front and left the socializing walkers behind.

  The nip in the morning air, the pale fingers of sunlight and the blue Atlantic provided perfect conditions as well as a beautiful setting for the run. Rachel inhaled deeply, exhaled and started to jog forward. She needed a half mile to establish her rhythm, another half mile to establish her place among the more serious runners. And there were a number of them who were now starting to increase the pace from slow jog to slow run. She allowed them to overtake her.

  “I can’t believe you’re holding back. We’re almost at the halfway point.”

  She turned slightly to see Jack pulling up next to her. Then she looked ahead and saw a water station and volunteers at the edge of the sand. The halfway point.

  “Not for a 10K.”

  “I might have known,” he said with a sigh. “Do you always have to prove something? Can’t you just take it easy and enjoy the day?”

  “I was enjoying it! Until now. So, go away and have your own fun.”

  “Not a chance.”

  She ignored him, focused on the pacing, only stopping for a small paper cup of water before continuing the race. When she picked up speed, Jack shadowed her. It was hard to ignore his steady presence over her right shoulder.

  “Don’t let me hold you back,” she said, waving her hand ahead of them. After all, he was taller, larger and probably in as good a physical shape as she was. He could set a faster pace for himself.

  “I’m happy right where I am, sweetheart.”

  The endearment stung her as sharply as the bite of a jellyfish. “Save your breath. I’m not interested.” She raced ahead, but the finish line was only a football field length away. The five kilometers had served as a good warm-up for her.

  Groups of people were milling about in the area. She swerved toward the officials’ table. Max and Marsha Rosen were checking off runners as they returned. Doc waved her in.

  “I’m going out again,” she said between breaths, motioning her intention with her arms.

  Someone handed her a cup of water. She gulped it down.

  “Pace it, Rachel,” said Doc Rosen. “You know better. Don’t be the first one to faint on me today. Or throw up.”

  Of course she knew better and was annoyed at herself for getting distracted. Legs were the tools. Her mind did the planning.

  “I’m putting an extra ten bucks per kilometer on you for the second round,” Doc added, standing up. He cupped his hands around his mouth. “Anyone else want to back Rachel Goodman for another 5K? Let’s raise some extra dollars and get rid of this disease once and for all.”

  “I’m putting ten dollars on the new science teacher,” said Marsha with a laugh, her eyes focusing over Rachel’s shoulder. “More my type.”

  Science teacher? Rachel jerked her head around. Jack Levine was right behind her, his frown turning to a smile when he looked at Marsha Rosen.
“I won’t let you down, Mrs. Rosen.”

  Then he turned to Rachel and his frown returned. “We need to talk, Ms. Goodman.”

  Rachel smiled to herself. He’d gotten her message.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  SHE WAS EITHER MAD AT HIM or she couldn’t breathe. Jack had no idea what was going on in Rachel’s head. All he knew was that she hadn’t spoken a word to him for the first third of the course out again. Which might not mean a thing. After all, who could talk after running almost five kilometers? He was having a hard time himself. He was used to buoyancy, used to the support of an ocean or lake. He could swim forever without breathing hard, but here on land, his effort was beginning to tax him.

  He wouldn’t complain, however, as long as he could watch Rachel. Watching her was the best part of the race. Her legs never stopped, and her cute bottom shimmied with just enough bounce to make his palm itch. The way it itched right now. And if he continued to run behind her, he’d continue to be aroused. Maybe that was the cause of his running troubles!

  He’d been happy to get a warm reception from his three co-workers earlier that morning. All attractive, bright and attentive. Interested. He knew how to pick up signals in the mating game—he’d been playing it long enough. Ordinarily, he would have schmoozed with the women and gotten to know who the party girls were.

  Today, however, he’d been distracted. His attention span seemed nonexistent. None of the friendly women intrigued him the way Rachel did.

  He couldn’t understand it, and he wasn’t happy about it. Sure, he found Rachel pretty enough, but she was certainly not a raving beauty like some of his previous girlfriends had been. She wasn’t soft and cuddly, didn’t have sexy long hair for a man to play with. In fact, her hair was almost as short as his. But somehow, he still wanted to play…

  Obviously, Rachel didn’t.

  The water station was coming up again. Hallelujah! He needed that water more than he’d ever needed a cocktail in his entire life. They both paused for a cup. Rachel sipped. He gulped the liquid down. Then poured another cup over his head. He reached for a third cup and raised it to his mouth.