by Leah Vale
She caught Nathan on one of his circular passes and herded him back up the path. Harrison followed along beside her in silence.
Trying desperately to think of something to take her attention off his warm, muscular arm occasionally bumping against her own, Juliet asked the first question that popped into her head. "How old is this place, anyway?"
"About forty years old. My grandfather had it built. He wanted all of his family close to him."
She looked up at the big house coming into sight and raised her brows. "He must have had a huge family."
Harrison finally laughed, and she felt its nimbly warmth clear to her toes. "No, my father was an only child, as was his father."
"Is that why your company is named Two Rivers? Because it was run by your dad and grandpa?"
"No. They built the plant near where the McKenzie flows into the Willamette."
"Ah. Two rivers. Gotcha."
He laughed again, and his shoulder brushed firmly against hers. Juliet nearly cried with wanting more. More of his touch. More of him. She couldn't have either.
"Grandfather built the house so big because he wanted my dad to continue living here after he married and had a family of his own."
"Which consists of you and your sister." "Yes. Now it's just me and my sister." His tone hinted at a pain she knew all too well. She still missed her grandfather so much, especially now, when she could use a strong, sympathetic shoulder to lean on. A shoulder that didn't belong to a glorious man she could never have. "I'm sorry about your mother, Harrison."
He merely grunted in response. Apparently, he didn't want to talk about her. Juliet could understand that, too. A confident, rule-the-world kind of guy like Harrison probably couldn't handle being brought down by something like grief, the one thing in the world he truly could not control.
She kept her gaze on the fine gravel of the path, afraid to look at him and risk losing the battle she had to wage to keep from throwing her arms around him and comfort him until he healed. She should be worrying about healing herself, not him.
Thinking it wise to change the subject to something she knew made him happy, she asked, "So, what's running a huge company like?"
"A lot of hard work, but worth the effort." "Worth the effort because it makes you the big bucks?" She noticed he stopped tapping the twig against his leg. Bringing up money probably wasn't the best idea. Good Lord, what if he thought she was as money-grubbing as her mom, after all?
He continued walking for a step or two before he answered. "Worth it because it's challenging. Exhilarating. And did I mention a lot of hard work?"
She could hear the smile in his voice and couldn't keep from looking up and meeting his grin with one of her own, her relief intense because he hadn't taken her comment the wrong way. "So you like hard work. I suppose that explains why the door didn't hit you in the rear the second you found out about Nathan."
He stopped and looked at her. "Accepting Nathan into my life was the right thing to do."
Meeting his gaze dead-on, she asked, "And that's the only reason? Because it's the right thing?"
He watched Nathan playing on a stone bench next to the path ahead ofthem for a moment, then shook his head. "No, not at all. Nathan makes my heart soar. He did from the very second I realized he was mine, I think about him all the time and I want to be with him." He turned and looked her in the eye again. His voice thick, he whispered, "I want him in my life."
Overwhelmed by the familiar drowning sensation, she had to work hard to breathe, unsure if it was from desperation or joy for her child.
Making a mother's sacrifice by putting her son first, she whispered back, "I won't ever keep you from him, Harrison. He deserves to have you in his life."
His green eyes darkened with emotion. "I'm glad to hear that, Juliet. Very, very glad." He reached out and tucked a blowing strand of hair that had escaped her ponytail behind her ear, his finger trailing along her cheek the entire way.
Juliet closed her eyes against the heat and yearningleft behind. Two emotions she apparently would be bosom buddies with from now on.
His fingers lingering in the hair behind her ear, he asked, "Will you accept the scholarship?"
She groaned and pulled away. She couldn't do this, couldn't play this torturous game. "I don't want your charity, Harrison. Why can't you understand that?"
He blew out a noisy breath. "The only thing I can't understand is why you're being so stubborn. Why won't you let me help you?"
"Because then I would just be something else you were the boss of. Something else you controlled."
"Good God, Juliet. Controlling you is the last thing I could ever do."
He tossed away the twig. "How can I control you when I can't even control my feelings for you?"
Stunned, Juliet met his gaze. The heat in his eyes made her knees weak and the air too thick to breathe. She wanted to step closer and let that warmth invade her body and fill all the empty spaces she endured, the biggest one in her heart.
She swayed toward him, pulled by the same unseen force that always drew her to him. Despite all their differences, she felt such a strong connection to him.
Woman to man.
Soul to soul.
He bent his head and she met his kiss halfway. His mouth moved gently over hers, coaxing her to open for him with a sweetness that battered her heart even more. The instant she parted her lips he made a rumbling sound and settled his mouth firmly on hers. Heat flooded her and she reached up to grab the front of his shirt to further anchor herself to him. He responded by running his hands from her bare elbows to the tops of her arms, then gripped her there as if he couldn't decide whether to pull her closer or push her away.
Nothing else mattered when Harrison looked at her, touched her, kissed her. Nothing but moving close enough to feel a part of him. She wanted to climb right inside and live in his skin.
But to be a part of him she would have to be a part of his world, and that wasn't possible.
Anger surged through her again and gave strength to her limbs. He had no business doing this to her, to them. She made the decision for him and stepped back, breaking the kiss and leaving her heart in the gravel at his feet.
She glared at him as she struggled to regain her breath. "So you can't control your feelings for me? Well, it's past time for you to try."
Harrison fought to calm his pounding heart as he watched Juliet and Nathan walk back to the house, the gentle breeze sabotaging his efforts by forming the thin material of her dress to her slender hips and thighs. He cursed and scooped up the stick he'd played with to keep his hands off her. Fat lot of good that'd done. He had been trying to control his feelings for her.
Trying damn hard.
Nothing he'd tried so far worked, and it wasn't simply because she wouldn't accept his charity. He just couldn't shake the pull she had on him, both physical and-damn it-emotional. And the fact that she continued to kiss him back only muddied the water further. Maybe he wasn't the only one fighting something. Did she still feel the connection after all?
"I do not need this right now," he grumbled, and headed off in Juliet and Nathan's wake.
His son's exuberant hopping and Juliet's angry pace forced Harrison to lengthen his stride so it wouldn't look like she had stormed away from him to the curious observers on the veranda. Though he hung back enough to give her and himself space. What the hell could he say to her, anyhow? She was right. He just didn't know what to do about his crazy, conflicting feelings.
When they reached the veranda, Juliet, without looking at Harrison, picked Nathan up to keep him from escaping back toward the oak tree, then made her way to his grandmother who stood chatting with two women next to the French doors to the house. He took his time climbing the steps.
She stood quietly off to the side of the small group until his grandmother was able to acknowledge her. "I'm sorry, Dorothy, but it's getting close to nap-time-"
"No nap!" Nathan exclaimed to the immense amusement of the
older ladies.
Juliet ignored him and continued, "So we need to get going."
"You could put him down here," Grandmother offered with undisguised hope.
Juliet's eyes darted to Harrison as he approached, then back to his grandmother. "I think I'd better get him home to his crib."
"Oh, certainly, dear." She patted Nathan on his little back. Turning to
the other women, she said, "Ladies, if you'll excuse me for a moment.
I'd like to walk Juliet to the door." She looked at him and extended a hand. "Harrison, you'll join me, of course."
"Of course, Grandmother."
Juliet again only gave him the barest glance as he moved toward them, but her annoyance wasn't obvious. He hoped his annoyance with himself didn't show, either. He didn't want to explain his lack of control to his grandmother any more than he wanted to explain it to Juliet. Or himself.
He followed a step behind as his grandmother escorted Juliet and Nathan toward the front of the house, praising Juliet for her efforts in winning contributions to the scholarship fund the entire way. He found his chest filling with the swell of pride again. Damn. He really was out of control.
The sound of the front door slamming and his father's voice reached them just before they entered the foyer. "Donavon! My putter was not in my bag or at the club. Are you sure it isn't in my study?"
Harrison instinctively made a grab for Juliet to steer her in another direction, since she'd been through enough today without having to meet his father on top of everything, but his grandmother looped her arm through Juliet's and hailed his dad at the same instant.
Harrison could do nothing but follow them into the foyer where his father stood, having returned from his Saturday-morning golf game early and yelling at an employee who was nowhere in sight. Normally his father went on a golf marathon and played two rounds on Saturdays, so it hadn't occurred to Harrison that Juliet might have to face George Rivers today.
"George, dear," his grandmother said again, though it was clear by the frown on his father's face that they already had his attention. "I have two some-ones here I'd like you to meet."
Juliet glanced over her shoulder at Harrison, her apprehension plain on her lovely face and in the way his grandmother had to practically pull her forward. An urge to protect her from his grouchy father seized Harrison and he strode to her other side, placing what he hoped to be a reassuring hand on the small of her back.
His father planted his hands on his hips as they approached him. "Good Go-"
"George," his grandmother cut him off, though her tone remained pleasant. "This is your grandson, Nathan, and his mother, Juliet Jones."
She indicated to his father and stated the obvious, "Juliet, this is Harrison's father, George Rivers."
Her hands full holding Nathan, Juliet simply said, "Hi," in a soft voice and nodded to his father, who in turn eyed her through narrowed lids.
Anger rose in Harrison for his father being anything less than civil. "Dad-" he started to warn, but his father shifted his attention to Harrison's son.
"So this is him?" He inclined his head at Nathan, who returned his regard with the classic Rivers raised brow. George quirked his mouth, obviously seeing the family resemblance, then looked to Harrison. "Doesn't look anything like you. You're positive he's yours?"
Harrison glared at him. How could his father ask such a thing when the proof stared him straight in the face?
Juliet answered for him. "Nathan is Harrison's son, Rivers."
Grandmother patted her on the arm. "Oh, do call him George, dear."
Juliet gave his grandmother a weak smile but it was clear she was thinking, Yeah, right.
His father's fists slid off his hips and he heaved a sigh. "Fabulous. Just fabulous," he muttered.
Harrison lowered his chin. If the man said another word-
His grandmother cut off the thought. "Juliet was good enough to come and speak with some of the ladies about a scholarship program we've-"
One of said ladies chose that moment to enter the foyer from the hall.
"George!" Jacobson called out, her arms spread wide. His father complied by going to her and allowing her to hug him and kiss him on the cheek. "My, but you look more and more like your father. Doesn't he, Dorothy?"
"Yes, he does. Just as our little Nathan so closely resembles Harrison."
Harrison looked at the child who had burst into his life and his heart. His throat closed up. Despite all the turmoil, he was so thankful he'd found his son. He reached out and smoothed the angel-fine hair from Nathan's forehead. His son responded with a sweet smile before nuzzling his face against Juliet's neck. He was indeed growing sleepy in his mother's arms.
Harrison raised his gaze to Juliet's and let her see what he felt. Hopefully she would be reassured by his love for the child they had created. What he felt for her was an entirely different matter. One he didn't care to analyze.
Her beautiful brown eyes clouded with emotion before she looked away, and he was pretty damn sure she wasn't feeling reassured. He sighed. Emotions run amok caused nothing but problems.
Jacobson released his father and wagged a finger at Harrison. "Potent genes, I'm thinking."
Feeling the embarrassment roll off Juliet in waves, Harrison changed the subject. "Was there something you needed from your car, Jacobson? I'd be happy to get it for you."
She waved him off and started for the door. "You dear boy. No, I'm afraid I must be going. Thank you for inviting me, Dorothy. Good works, as usual, my dear. Good works. I will see you later, I'm sure. Tuesday, to be exact."
Grandmother laughed and nodded. "That's right. Tuesday at the museum."
Donavon emerged from his small office at the back of the foyer and reached the door at the perfect time to open it for Jacobson. She paused on the threshold and turned back to look at them. "And George, congratulations on the two wonderful additions to your family." She pointed at Nathan and Juliet. "You must be so proud. Good day to you all,"
Harrison thought he heard his father make a rude noise, but he refused to acknowledge him as he watched Donavon close the door behind Jacobson. His father would just have to find a way to deal with the situation.
Next to him, Juliet shifted, then stepped toward Donavon and whispered, "Um, could you please get the diaper bag for me?"
Donavon smiled at her, obviously charmed by her tentativeness. "Certainly. I'll be but a moment."
"Thanks tons." Juliet stayed by the door with her gaze diverted, lulling Nathan asleep by swaying back and forth.
His grandmother cleared her throat. "Well, I should return to the rest of my guests." But first she went to Juliet. "Thank you for coming, dear. You did wonderfully."
Juliet shrugged, but a shy smile lifted the corners of her lush mouth.
The older woman patted her arm. "I'm sure I'll speak with you soon." She leaned forward and kissed Nathan on the back of his head. He barely stirred. "Goodbye, my precious angel."
Harrison watched Juliet as her gaze remained on his grandmother's retreating back, then she glanced from his father to Harrison, her expression guarded. Harrison looked at his father and found suspicion plain on his face. Damn him for not even trying to be civil.
Donavon reemerged with the diaper bag in one hand and Juliet's keys and his father's putter in the other. He paused in front of George. "It was out back on the practice green," Donavon said evenly, his patience legendary. He handed his father the putter, who was slow taking it, his attention for some reason on the keys.
When he was free of the golf club, Donavon brought the bag and keys to Juliet. Harrison reached for the diaper bag, intending to walk her to her car and say...something, but his father's voice stopped him.
"Harrison, I need to speak with you for a moment."
"As soon as I help Juliet get Nathan into his car seat."
Juliet finally spoke. "No, I'm fine. Really. You go talk to your dad. I don't need any help." She hoisted Nathan higher on her hip to free a ha
nd, and allowed Donavon to slip the bag's long strap onto her shoulder.
Harrison let out an exasperated breath. "But I want to help you."
His father butted in. "She said she was fine. I need to speak with you before I have to leave for my next foursome. I can't delay it because of a banquet I have to attend tonight."
"Go ahead, Harrison," Juliet insisted. "I'm a pro at this."
"I'll assist her," Donavon offered as he opened the front door.
His father said, "There, she's taken care of. Now, come with me." He turned and went into his study, obviously assuming Harrison would comply.
Harrison wasn't in the mood. He started to follow Juliet out the door, but she stopped and gave him a pleading look. She whispered, "You should go talk to him."
"I don't need to talk to him. He has his opinions, and I don't agree with them. No amount of talking will change that."
She closed her eyes for a moment and took a deep breath. When she opened them she met his gaze directly. "Then you should try to change his opinions. For Nathan's sake." Without waiting for a reply, she turned and hurried down the steps.
He wanted to talk about their kiss, but seeing her wisdom, he said, "I'll call you later." Frustration made his tone curt.
She didn't acknowledge him or stop on her way to Willie's old truck, looking sorely out of place amongst the luxury sedans."Harrison," his dad yelled from the study, and for Nathan's sake he decided to heed the call.
George Rivers had taken up his position of power behind the huge desk, but it'd been a long time since Harrison had been intimidated by the image his father presented. He knew too well how the man's mind worked.
Harrison came to a stop right in front of the desk, crossed his arms over his chest and returned his father's glare. He absolutely refused to compromise over anything involving Nathan.
"Just how well do you know your child's mother?"
Harrison blinked. He'd expected his dad to start out berating him for parading his illegitimate child in front of such an influential crowd. He hadn't expected Juliet to come up first. Had his father seen them kissing?