“I’d have a better one if we called Tony—”
“Emma!”
Someone knocked on the door. Natasha winced. She was sure that Thomas had heard her shout through the door. She shot Emma a look of warning, then opened the door.
“Hi, Thomas.” She smiled at him.
“Hi.” He smiled back, then looked down at Emma. “Hello there, Emma. Do you remember me?”
“Yes.” She sulked and hung on her mother’s hand. “Do you have a sunroof?”
“No. I’m afraid I don’t.”
She sighed. “Mommy, I don’t want to go.”
“I’m so sorry, Thomas. She’s just not herself today.”
“It’s okay. I had a rough morning too. Emma, do you know what happened to me this morning?”
“What?”
“I walked out of the house with two different shoes on.”
“No you didn’t!” She looked down at his feet.
“Well, I went back in and changed them. Imagine how silly I felt? I was so excited to meet you I didn’t pay attention to my shoes.”
“You were excited to meet me?” Emma smiled.
“I am. I’m very excited about our day together too. I heard that your mother has kites. But, I’m not sure that I know how to fly one very well. Have you ever flown a kite before?”
“Oh yes, lots of times.” Emma grinned.
“Do you think you could show me how to fly one?” His eyes widened. “I could really use the help.”
“Sure!” She grabbed his hand and pulled him out through the door. “Let’s go.”
“Wait for me!” Natasha laughed as she grabbed the picnic basket and a bag of toys.
Thomas took the picnic basket from her hands and smiled. “I’m not going anywhere without you, Natasha.”
She took a moment to steal a kiss while Emma’s back was turned. Despite the fact that Thomas’s car not only didn’t have a sunroof, it didn’t have a radio, Emma chattered the entire way to the park about everything she knew about kites.
Natasha glanced over at Thomas to see if he was worn out already.
But every time Emma took a breath, Thomas launched another question at her about kites. By the time they got to the park Emma was quiet.
“You have a way with kids, you know?” Natasha smiled over at him as she reached out to touch his hand.
“Hm, try a classroom full.” He winked at her. “Kids just want to be heard, in my experience, and now I know a lot more than I ever imagined I needed to know about kites. Win-win.”
Natasha’s heart swelled. The fact that Thomas valued Emma already so much meant the world to her.
While she set up the blanket and the picnic, Emma took off across the field with Thomas. The two soon had their kites soaring high in the sky. As Natasha watched the man she loved and the child she adored play together, she was certain that no cruise, no island, no place else on earth could be better than where she was right at that moment.
Thomas waved her over with a grin. “Hold this for a moment, will you?”
“Yes.” She took the kite from him and kept it soaring in the air.
He scooped Emma up onto his shoulders so that her kite could fly even higher. By the time they were done, Emma was exhausted and so was Thomas.
“Let’s eat.” Natasha kissed his cheek.
Emma grabbed one of each of their hands as they walked back to the blanket. Just before they sat down, Emma looked up at Thomas. “I’m so glad Mommy found you. She’s been waiting a long time.”
“I’m glad too, Emma.” He laughed and ruffled her hair.
Natasha laughed as well, but deep down, she knew that her daughter was right.
Maybe it had taken longer than she’d expected, but it certainly did look like her dreams were finally coming true.
Forty and Free
(Book 7)
To Feel Again
A Sweet Romance
By
Lillianna Blake
& Maci Grant
Copyright © 2016 Lillianna Blake
Cover design by Beetiful Book Covers
All rights reserved.
Chapter 1
The new message icon flashed red above the white envelope on her computer screen. Michelle bit into her bottom lip and stared at it. Just the night before, she promised herself that she’d take a little break from the chat room on the singles website she belonged to. Her private conversations with a certain single were getting a bit too intense.
But when she logged on first thing that morning, she just couldn’t resist.
Over the past few months she’d been chatting with a man on the site. It started out as friendly banter but then progressed as she guessed it was supposed to do on a singles site. At first it seemed good practice for her to get into the dating scene again. Since her husband’s death two years prior, she’d not been able to go on a date.
Just the night before, Jack had asked to meet her and it had made her entire world spin. It was easy to talk to him, to confide in him her true emotions when he was just text on a screen, but could she really meet him in person? They had seen pictures of one another once they’d become friends on the website, but it wasn’t the same as actually being in the same room together, face-to-face.
Though Jack had asked to speak with her on the phone before, she’d always dismissed the idea. With two rambunctious boys in her home there was rarely a quiet time. As they’d chatted online the night before, first he’d asked to call her. When she’d declined, claiming that it might wake the kids, he’d asked to meet her in person.
She hadn’t answered him. In fact, she’d logged right out of their chat.
The entire idea terrified her and yet thrilled her at the same time. She’d built this highly intimate relationship with a man without ever even hearing his voice. He knew things about her that not even her closest friends knew, all because the anonymity of chatting made it seem as if they’d never meet in person.
What could it hurt to be completely honest about the nights she stayed awake weeping over her deceased spouse? She’d even confessed to Jack that she had no idea what it would be like to kiss another man, to hold someone’s hand again. All of this was under the assumption that they were just friends and that their relationship would remain virtual.
Jack had changed all that when he started pushing for a meeting.
So Michelle had promised herself she wouldn’t log in. She’d give herself a few days to think about it.
Yet here she sat, staring at the icon that told her she had a message from him. She knew there was no point in resisting. She was going to read it.
She clicked on the icon and held her breath. Would he tell her that he didn’t want to speak to her any more? Would he give her an ultimatum?
To her surprise, it wasn’t Jack’s typical written message. It was a video that was sitting in her inbox waiting to be opened. Her heart raced at the thought of seeing his face and hearing his voice. The excitement drove her to click open the file. She kept the volume low, as her sons still had a half hour before they had to be up for school.
“Hi, Michelle.” He smiled into the camera. “Sorry if the angle is off. I’m not really sure how to work this thing. I know we haven’t done video messages before, but what I have to say I wanted to say in a more personal way.”
She braced herself. He was going to end things. She didn’t blame him.
“You disappeared last night after I asked if we could meet. I didn’t mean to spook you like that. I thought about it for a while before I decided to send you this message. I feel like we have a very strong connection. I’d like to meet you, but I also understand if you’re not sure if you’re ready. I think you are. I think I am. I want us to have the chance to see how this goes. The most important thing to me is that you remain a part of my life. So if you don’t want to meet, that’s fine. I’d really like to be able to look into your eyes. Maybe we could start out with a video chat? I understand how hard it is. You know I do. But
at some point we have to begin to move forward. I just want you to know that I’m ready for that whenever you are.” He stared into the camera so intently that she thought he might actually be looking right at her. “Just say the word, Michelle.”
She closed the video message and stared at the space on her screen where his face had been. There was a lot to be said for being able to witness his mannerisms and expression as he spoke.
She glanced at the clock and confirmed that she still had a bit of time before she needed to get the boys up. She thought about sending back a video message, but her hair was in a messy bun on the top of her head, her lips were chapped, and she wasn’t even dressed yet.
Instead, she typed a message back to him. Her fingers hovered over the keys as she chose each word carefully.
Jack,
It was so nice to see your smile and hear your voice. I know that you’ve been very patient with me. I hope that you can be patient just a little while longer. If I’m honest, it’s just that I don’t want to lose you. What if we meet and it doesn’t go well? You’ve been such a great friend to me. It is time to move forward, but how fast and how far, I’m just not sure yet. I understand if you can’t be patient any longer. If you’d like to talk, you can call me.
She added her number to the end of the e-mail. Then she deleted it. Then she added it again. She stared at the digits on the screen. A few simple numbers and yet they caused her such uncertainty. She closed her eyes and pushed send before she could change her mind again.
The moment the e-mail was gone her forehead broke out in beads of sweat. What was she thinking?
“Great job, Michelle—just great. Now you’re going to have to answer when he calls. And he might be an ax murderer. If he is, then he’ll be able to find your address and—”
“Who’s an ax murderer?” Her son rubbed one eye as he leaned against the computer desk.
“Oh, Miles, I thought you were still sleeping.”
He yawned and shook his head. “I’m hungry.”
“Okay, let’s get this morning started. Can you wake Austin for me?”
She stood up from the desk, relieved that she would be too busy to think about whether she’d made a mistake or not.
Chapter 2
Jack glanced at the coffee pot. It seemed like it took much longer to brew these days—or maybe other things were making him impatient. He closed his eyes and rested his hands against the counter.
It was difficult to make any headway with a woman who refused to speak to him or see him. He was starting to think that sending the video message had been a mistake. Michelle obviously didn’t want what he did, and he probably needed to not be pushy with her. But when Jack wanted something, he didn’t usually give up on it—especially when that something was as wonderful as Michelle appeared to be.
When they chatted late into the night, he yearned to be there beside her, to put an arm around her. He thought she might want the same thing, but yet again she’d avoided the subject.
The sharp beep of the coffee maker made him jump, even though he’d been expecting it. He shook his head and poured himself a cup of coffee. While he sipped it he looked over at his computer on the kitchen table. There was no indication that she’d responded to his message.
He finished his coffee, closed his computer, and tucked it into his briefcase. During the entire drive to the office, his thoughts flipped back and forth between irritation and remorse—irritation that she couldn’t just give him a chance and remorse that he’d pushed her too hard.
By the time he parked in front of the towering office building, his entire body was tense and his nerves were on edge. He rode the elevator up to the top floor and made his way toward the back office. When he reached it the secretary seated at the desk looked up at him with a smile.
“Morning, Mr. Larson. Mr. Collier is inside.”
“Great. Thanks, Betty.”
He walked past her to the tall door and pulled it open. Inside, Wes Collier stood beside a window that took up nearly the entire wall.
“Late?”
“Thirty seconds.”
“Still late.” He turned to face Jack.
Jack noticed his grim expression.
“What is it?”
“Michigan.”
“Again?”
“Yes. I just can’t seem to keep a good manager in that state. Maybe it’s all of the snow.”
“Maybe.” Jack chuckled. “Try not to worry. Everyone and their brother are looking for jobs right now.”
“I know that, but I don’t need just anybody. I need someone who is going to be reliable. I want you to go check on things and oversee the hiring.”
“To Michigan?”
“It’s only about a four-hour drive, and you’d only need to stay for a few days. We’ve already selected candidates, I just want you to evaluate them. Do you think you can handle it?”
“Yes.” Jack crossed his arms. “Is there anything else I should know?”
“Just find someone I can trust. I can’t handle all of this stress.” Wes sighed and looked out through the window. “I thought being wealthy was supposed to be relaxing.”
“Oh no, that’s only when you inherit your wealth. When you build it from the ground up, you’re too sore to ever really enjoy it.” Jack laughed.
“I guess you’re right about that. Anyway, I’ve arranged a plane ticket and a hotel room. You’ll leave on Monday.”
“So this was never actually a request?”
“Does it matter?” Wes met his eyes. “You’re going.”
“Yes, I am.”
As he walked out of the office his excitement mounted. If he remembered correctly, Michelle lived in Michigan. This was it, the perfect chance to meet her for the first time. But would she accept an invitation from him?
When he settled in behind his desk he checked his e-mail. He found the note from Michelle along with her phone number. Although he was disappointed that she still wanted more time, he was thrilled at the thought of hearing her voice. Still, he had a lot of work on his plate and wanted to review the potential applicants for the position in Michigan. Every time he thought about going to Michigan he also thought about seeing Michelle.
By the time lunch rolled around, he’d decided that he would meet her. He wasn’t going to take no for an answer.
He turned the lock on his office door so that he wouldn’t be interrupted, turned the ringer off on his desk phone, then dialed her number. With each ring he anticipated hearing her answer. After the fourth ring he heard her voice, but a split second later he realized it was her voicemail. Of course. She was at work. He knew that.
He sighed and glanced at his watch. She wouldn’t be done working until three. Then she’d pick up the boys from school and spend the afternoon ferrying them between their sports activities. He knew so many details about her life, and yet he couldn’t even get her to answer her phone.
“Hi, Michelle, it’s Jack. I’d love for us to talk when you have some free time. I know your afternoons are busy. Feel free to text me with a good time to call.” He hung up before he could ramble on.
For the rest of the afternoon he tried to focus on his work but he kept waiting for her to text or call. By the time he headed across the parking lot to his car he was filled with pent-up frustration.
He dialed the number as he unlocked the door to his car. After the fourth ring, he got the voicemail again. Aggravated, he wondered if she’d given him the number just to appease him. Was she not answering on purpose?
He drove back to his house with an abundant amount of frustration. Once he parked and stepped inside, he decided to give it one more try, then he’d be done. If she couldn’t even text him back, then that was a problem.
He dialed the number and stood in the living room as he waited for her to answer. One, two, three…
Chapter 3
“Would you please stop hitting your brother with that pillow!” Michelle growled out her words as she snatched her phone up fr
om the kitchen counter.
The rice was about to burn in the pot on the stove, the video game on the television in the living room repeated the same shrill shriek over and over again, and she’d just spilled a puddle of orange juice on the kitchen table. She heard a loud thud followed by an angry shout, punctuated by the slam of a bedroom door.
“Don’t slam the door!” She didn’t realize she’d answered the phone when she’d grabbed it until she heard a voice through the speaker.
“Michelle?”
She froze and stared down at the lit up-screen. No. She’d hit ignore, not accept. She knew she had.
“Hello? Michelle?”
She recognized his voice right away from the video. Her heart dropped. He’d heard her shout at the tops of her lungs and the chaos she lived in. How was she going to explain that? Did she want to explain that? Hesitantly she put the phone to her ear.
“Jack?”
“Yes, it’s me.”
Her mouth hung open as she tried to process how to react. “Sorry, it’s a little crazy here right now.”
“I understand. I’m just glad you answered.”
She cringed as she wondered if she should tell him that she hadn’t meant to. It was too late to avoid a conversation with him now.
“I just don’t have a lot of time.”
“All I need to know is if you’ll talk to me again. That’s all.”
The smoke alarm began to beep as the pot on the stove smoked.
“Oh no, darn it all!” She grabbed the pot without an oven mitt and yelped as the metal handle singed her skin. Her cheeks flushed hot as she realized that she’d just yelled right into Jack’s ear. “This really isn’t going to work.”
“Don’t say that. We’ve shared too much for you to say that.”
“Oh no, I just meant the rice.” She sighed and closed her eyes as the smoke alarm continued to blare.
Austin ran into the kitchen. “Fire! Fire! Mom, there’s a fire!”
“There’s no fire!”
“What? Do you mean there’s no rush?” Jack sounded confused.
“But Mom, the alarm is going off. Are you sure there’s no fire?”
Forty and Free: A Sweet Romance Series Bundle - Books 5 - 8 Page 26