The lobster might have looked delicious to someone else, but Zeke winced. Call him a wimp, but shellfish made him gag.
Hunter lowered his chin, said something firmly to Max, then moved the fork even closer. When Max didn’t budge, Hunter’s brows slammed together. Zeke couldn’t hear what he said, but the words or the tone convinced Max to lower his arms and open his mouth. There was no kindness on Hunter’s face, only a look of triumph as he fed Max.
The boy’s spine stiffened and his hands flew back to his mouth. His little shoulders heaved once, twice. By the third time, there was no holding back. The poor kid threw up all over himself.
Hunter leapt to his feet, grabbed a napkin, and swatted at the slime on his own coat. “You wimp!”
Zeke bolted out of the shadows and toward Max. George circled around the table, but Max, still gagging, flung himself at Hunter. “Da-da-daddy!”
The stench of vomit assaulted Zeke’s nostrils from ten feet away, but what burned in his brain was the sight of Hunter pulling back from his own son, glowering at him as if he were disgusting. Which he was, but that wasn’t the point. Max needed help. When he lunged for his daddy again, Hunter snatched him up by his armpits, held him stiff-armed, and set him down so hard that Max’s knees buckled.
“Hey!” Zeke shouted. “That’s enough.”
Max whirled toward Zeke, bolted across half the patio, and flung himself against Zeke’s legs. Scooping him up and into his arms, Zeke tucked Max’s head in the crook of his neck, smelled the vomit, and held him even tighter.
Julia burst through the open slider. Her gaze whipped to the mess and Hunter wiping vomit from his coat with a fresh napkin. Pulling up short, she gasped. “Where’s Max?”
“Over here,” Zeke called.
Her gaze whipped to his, then dropped to Max. Striding forward, she snatched a napkin off a chair and hurried to them. “Poor baby,” she said as she wiped her son’s face. “It was just too much, huh?”
Max’s fingers knotted even harder in Zeke’s coat. Ellen arrived with a glass of water, handed it to Julia, and stepped back to give them room.
While Julia tended to Max, Zeke kept an eye on Hunter easing out of his coat with exquisite care. He folded the soiled garment in two, draped it over a chair, and planted his hands on hips. “I don’t know whose idea it was to feed the kid macaroni and cheese—”
“Hold on.” George’s voice boomed across the table. “You’re the fool who gave a four-year-old a champagne cocktail. Then you shamed him into eating something he didn’t want. No wonder he puked.”
Hunter looked at George as if he were gum on a shoe. “Stay out of it, old man.”
George took a step forward, his fists knotted, but Ellen laid a hand on his arm. Maury said something to Ginger, who whispered to George. He turned to Ellen, who nodded back. The four of them faced Hunter in a solid line, saying nothing. Derek’s parents moved in and stood with them.
Hunter glared at Julia, his gaze razor sharp. “You’re turning my son into a wimp.”
With the soiled napkin in her hand, she turned to Hunter with her chin high. “It’s time for you to leave.”
“You’re ruining him.”
“Like I said,” she repeated, emphasizing each word, “it’s time for you to go. Max is done for the night. I’m taking him home.”
“You—” A foul word spewed from his mouth.
Max heard the ugly word. So did everyone else, including Zeke. One punch to Hunter’s jaw to even the score for Julia . . . just one bloody nose to avenge Max. He burned to take Hunter out in the most primitive way, but if he played Hunter’s game, Hunter won. Caliente Springs was Zeke’s territory, at least for the moment, and he made the rules.
As calm as ice on a winter lake, he spoke to a waiter. “Call Security. Tell them it’s a Code Orange.” An out-of-control guest.
Hunter put on a smirk. “Security? You’re kidding me.”
“No, I’m not.” Zeke handed Max over to George. “Julia asked you to leave. We can do this the easy way, where you say good-night and we’re done. Or we can do it the hard way, where Security escorts you back to your room.”
Hunter chuckled softly, almost purring, then zeroed in on Julia. “I’m sick of this little charade of yours. You’re turning my son into a sniveling brat. Or maybe it’s in his genes—the ones he got from you.”
Julia didn’t say a word or make a sound. There wasn’t a trace of fear on her face, only determination and maybe pity, because Hunter’s taunts were nothing but lies. When she spoke, the words lilted out of her mouth. “I won’t fight with you, Hunter. It’s not good for you, me, or Max.”
He flung out his arms. “You’re ruining him, Julia. Ruining him.”
“This isn’t the time for that discussion,” she said calmly. “You’re a guest at a party, and the party’s over. It’s time for you to leave.”
Zeke had never been more proud of her. He was ready to jump in, but Julia didn’t need him. If Hunter thought he was in control of the situation or this woman, he was dead wrong.
The lights twinkled in the arbor. Crickets chirped in the distance, and somewhere on the patio, a cell phone buzzed with a message. Hunter’s eyes narrowed to slits. His shoulders pulled back, and his lips twisted into a sneer.
Without warning, he lunged at Julia. “You little—”
Zeke thrust himself in front of her. “Back off, Hunter. Now.”
Air hissed from Hunter’s nose. No one said a word. He stood motionless with all eyes on him, including the eyes of his own son nestled in George’s arms. Hunter stared at the bridal party, then at the people standing with George and Ginger. When Julia stepped to Zeke’s side, Hunter let out a snort. “You know what, babe? You’re not worth this much trouble. If you want a wuss of a kid, fine.”
Max let out a whimper, squirmed in George’s arms, and reached out for Zeke. Zeke lifted him to his hip and held him tight. Julia joined them and put her arm around Zeke’s waist. Three uniformed security officers stepped from the house onto the patio, silent but ready to intervene if Zeke gave the signal.
Hunter took in the uniforms and badges, gave a derisive snort, and shrugged. “You know what? I’m done here.” He snatched up his coat and headed for the sliding door.
Zeke let out a relieved breath, but Julia raised her voice. “Hunter. There’s one more thing.”
He stopped at the door and turned. “What?”
“You can leave Max’s backpack at the front desk. I’ll get it tomorrow.”
After the faintest of nods, Hunter Adams gave a shake of his head as if he couldn’t quite believe what was happening. Or maybe he just didn’t want to believe it. Shoulders rounded, he sauntered through the house and into the night.
thirty-one
The ping of a spoon tapping a water goblet called everyone’s attention to Ginger. With her hand light on Zeke’s arm, Julia turned and looked with the others.
Ginger set down the spoon. “Ladies, gentlemen, I think that’s enough drama for one night. Shall we get back to the party?”
“Definitely,” Derek called out.
Conversations erupted, all of them riddled with phrases like poor kid and who was that guy? Julia pitied Hunter, but she knew his mind games would never stop. Tonight, however, the playing field had changed. And it had changed because of Zeke. Turning, she hugged both Zeke and Max as hard as she could. Zeke freed one arm, wrapped it around her waist, and the three of them hugged tight until Max wiggled.
“Mommy, I can’t breathe!”
Laughing, she eased back. Max grinned and dived into her arms for a mommy hug. Julia savored every second of both the hug and Zeke’s hand on the small of her back. Protecting her, not controlling her. Lifting her up, not holding her down.
When her muscles protested against Max’s weight, she lowered him to a chair. Zeke slipped out of his smelly coat, pulled two more chairs around to make a crooked triangle, and they both sat with Max. Her boy needed fresh clothes, but his heart needed att
ention too.
“So,” she said, deliberately matter-of-fact, “how does your tummy feel?”
“Okay,” he mumbled. “But Daddy got mad at me.”
“Yes, honey, he did.” Julia finger-combed his hair. “But what happened wasn’t your fault.”
Zeke rested his forearms on his knees and leaned forward, putting himself on Max’s level. “I can tell you one thing for sure. There’s a reason the Ninja Turtles eat pizza.”
“What?” Max asked him.
“Lobster is gross!”
“Yeah!” Max declared. “It tastes like boogers.”
All three of them busted up. The gentle laughter floated over to George and Ellen, who approached holding hands. Just like Julia, Ellen ran her fingers through Max’s hair. “How’s my boy?”
He patted his tummy. “I feel better, but I made a really big mess.”
“You know what?” Zeke sat tall, taking charge as if he were conducting a staff meeting. “We can clean the mess up easily. Getting sick like that can happen to anyone.”
“Did it ever happen to you?”
“In third grade,” Zeke replied. “A peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Right in the middle of the school cafeteria. I remember that day every time I open a jar of peanut butter.”
Max turned to George. “Did you ever throw up?”
George splayed his big hand over his heart. “Son, I’ve tossed my cookies more times than I can count. I used to call it doing the big spit.”
“How about blowing chunks?” Zeke offered.
“Or—”
“George!” Ellen cut him off. “We get the idea.”
“Ah, come on, darlin’. I was just getting to the good ones.” He gave Max a wink. “I’ll tell ’em to you later.”
Ellen and Julia traded an eye roll while the guys snuck in a few more jokes. They were all laughing, especially Max. Thanks to Zeke and George, he would remember this night with humor instead of shame. And love instead of rejection from his own father.
With Max at ease, Julia turned to Zeke. Her mind cleared, and she realized she didn’t know why he was here. Before she could ask, he gave her hand a squeeze then stood and said something to George.
George nodded then spoke to Ellen, who held her hand out to Max. “Your mommy and Zeke need some grown-up time. Let’s get you cleaned up.”
When Ellen, George, and Max headed for the hallway, Zeke led Julia to George’s den. A single lamp spilled a circle of light from the corner, casting a glow that didn’t quite reach them. Zeke closed the door with a soft click, drew her into his arms, and kissed her so passionately that she melted against him, every thought forgotten and every worry set aside.
She could have kissed him like this all night, but muted voices reached her ears through the closed door. The party was breaking up.
Easing back, Zeke pressed his lips to her temple. “That was quite a scene. I thought Hunter would put up more of a fight.”
“He couldn’t win and he knew it.”
“Smart man. If he’d laid a hand on you, I’d have—”
She kissed him hard and fast. “You were wonderful, Zeke. I’m so glad you were there for Max.”
“Me too.”
They stood in a relaxed embrace, alone with their thoughts and aware of the uncertain future. Twenty-four hours from now, Tiff’s wedding would be over and Julia would go home. She had loved every minute of her time at Caliente Springs—the camaraderie at the office, the fun and challenge of the wedding, and most of all being with Zeke and falling in love.
Telling him good-bye even with the comfort of visits, phone calls, and FaceTime hurt too much to bear right now, so she focused on her best memories. “You and I make a good team.”
Zeke hummed thoughtfully into her ear. “We’re a lot more than a team, Jules. We’re a couple.”
A couple. Two people becoming one flesh for a greater purpose. Two people putting their individual desires second to the needs and desires of the other. Julia’s hands tightened on his shoulders. “I just realized something important.”
“What is it?”
“Hunter and I were never really a couple. We were two self-centered people using each other. I wanted what I wanted, and he felt the same way. I see love differently now. But that doesn’t change the fact that I can’t fully trust him with Max.”
“Champagne and rattlesnakes?”
“It’s deeper than that.” The lamp in the corner persisted against the murky shadows, reminding her that light always trumped darkness. “It’s about a father loving his children—or rejecting them. If Max isn’t perfect, he can’t be Hunter’s mini-me, and that’s all Hunter wants from anyone—a reflection of himself.”
Zeke eased back but kept his hands on her waist. His fingers tensed on the black silk of her dress. “That part about being a reflection is a little too familiar.”
“How?”
“It reminds me of my dad wanting me to be like him. But my dad wasn’t at all like Hunter. Maybe he pushed me too hard, but he cared more about my mom, my sisters, and me than he did about himself. If I’d thrown up like Max did tonight, my dad would have held my head and cleaned me up.”
“That’s what a real father does.” Julia’s vision blurred with the memory of her own dad and the knowledge that he would have liked Zeke a lot. And George too.
“We had our differences.” Zeke gazed at the awards on George’s wall. “But if my dad were still alive, he’d tell me to stay brave, walk tall, and fight a good fight. He pushed me hard, but I never doubted that he loved me.”
Julia didn’t know where Zeke stood with God right now, but she knew what she’d seen. “He’d be proud of you tonight. I know I am. Hunter behaved terribly, and you still treated him with respect. If that’s not turning the other cheek, I don’t know what is. How you handled him tonight came from someplace deep inside. It’s who you are.”
With a glint in his eyes, he tugged her body tight against his. “Don’t give me too much credit. When he went after you, I came close to decking him.”
“That’s how I felt too. The way he went after Max, and the way he’s gone after Caliente Springs—Oh!”
“What?”
“I didn’t expect to see you tonight. Why are you here?”
Zeke eased back from Julia but didn’t release her. “George sent me a text. It didn’t say much, just to be here around ten. Either he and Ginger have reached a decision about selling to Maury, or they want more information.”
“But it’s Friday night—”
“George knows I’d rather get fired tonight than put it off until Monday.”
“Oh, Zeke.”
“Yeah, I know.” His gut clenched at the prospect of starting over somewhere. “Maybe this is for the best. Your job here ends Monday, and we haven’t talked about that at all. Maybe I’ll find a new position in Los Angeles.” Or maybe not. But he didn’t say that.
“Something will work out. We can’t untangle it tonight, but I’m hopeful.”
Zeke wished he felt the same way. With Julia in his arms, he couldn’t bear to think about geography and where a new job might take him. He would have far preferred to plan a marriage proposal, or even to pop the question right this minute. He could hardly stand the compassion in her eyes—or was it pity? His pride roared up, but in the next breath he remembered Hunter slinking away, a man brought down by his own arrogance. Zeke glanced down at his polished shoes, recalled the muddy campground, and swallowed hard. There but for the grace of God go I.
He raised his eyes back to Julia’s face. “I have to tell you what happened with George on Wednesday.”
Surprise lifted her brows. “I’ve been wondering.”
He told her about George preparing him for bad news, the rain, and how he broke down and cried out to God. “I reached the end of my own rope out there, and what I found was God waiting to pick me up when I finally let go. I’ll never be a perfect man, but I love you, Jules. And I love Max. I might not have a job in an hour,
but no matter what the future holds, I want to spend it with you.”
“Oh—” Her eyes lit up.
The future . . . with you. Zeke hadn’t planned to propose. Not at all. If he had, they’d be at Pismo Beach with an engagement ring in his pocket. Did he back down or take a leap of faith? There was no doubt in his mind. God had brought him to this moment, and the choice was plain. Trust himself or trust God.
Tap . . . Tap . . . Crack!
His heart split into two perfect halves, each one beautiful, matching but not identical, just like he and Julia fit together as a couple. Zeke didn’t deserve her love at all. He was a broken-down preacher’s kid. Joe Average who couldn’t play golf worth beans. A general manager about to get canned. Yet the love in her eyes shone with the light of a thousand stars glittering in an endless sky. A gift from God to be cherished, esteemed, and protected. A gift to be treasured as long as they both drew breath.
When her fingers tightened around his, he dropped to one knee and cupped her hand. “The future is uncertain, Jules. But that’s in God’s hands, not mine. All I know is that we belong together as husband and wife. Will you marry me?”
Tears sprang to her eyes. “Yes! Oh yes . . . I’ll marry you.”
Zeke shot to his feet and pulled her against the length of his body, and they shared a kiss of passion, affirmation, and relief. Whatever the future held, God could handle it far better than Zeke. With that weight off his shoulders, he savored the warmth of her until he remembered he’d been summoned for a meeting. Slowly, he lifted his head. “I don’t want to leave you, but it’s after ten o’clock.”
“The meeting—”
“Yes. I have to go.” A walk to a guillotine. But with the promise that God would never leave or forsake him. He gave Julia another long, slow kiss then opened the door.
George called to him from the living room. “It’s about time you opened that door. Zeke, get over here. Julia, you too.”
Someone Like You Page 28