by Tara Mills
“So naturally she wants Kelli to fall flat on her face and find out what it feels like to be wearing the other pair of shoes this time.”
“Exactly. It’s understandable. None of the other women who fooled around with Dad made it so personal for her.” Rob chomped on a piece of asparagus and his forehead bunched. “You’ve been seeing Dad recently. What’s your prognosis for that marriage?”
“Like I have any point of reference.”
Rob looked at him shrewdly. “You have good instincts, always did. Hazard a guess.”
Jackson just about grabbed Rob’s beer but thought better of it. He got up to get his own. It gave him a second to organize his thoughts.
Tossing the bottle cap onto the counter, he went back to the table and reclaimed his chair. After a bracing swallow, he shook his head. “Something tells me Mom’s not going to be happy with the way Dad’s next marriage plays out.”
“Why’s that?” Rob set his fork in the now-empty container and shoved it aside.
“I really think he loves Kelli. He wasn’t shy about telling me, for one thing. He also said that he knew kids would be part of the deal with her but he’s finally ready for them.” Jackson played with his bottle thoughtfully. “He did say something in an offhanded way that I found rather interesting.”
“Oh, yeah?”
Jackson nodded. “He said Kelli loves him too. She doesn’t just put up with him.”
Rob’s eyebrows rose. “That is interesting.”
“I think it’s time to see them together, as a couple. We should accept their dinner invitation.”
“We?”
“You’re not getting out of this too. It’s bad enough you won’t play golf with us.”
“Can’t play golf,” Rob said, correcting him. “Basketball, that’s my sport.”
“You know it’s time.”
“Yeah. Okay, let’s work something out. I’ll call Dad and let him know, and you can buy the flowers.”
“Flowers?”
“Can’t give wine as a hostess gift to a pregnant woman.”
Jackson groaned and rubbed his temple with his thumb. “That’s right. I’ll take care of it. Let me know day and time.”
“You’ll be my first call. Now where’s that recipe you promised me? I have to get going, because I’m meeting someone.”
“You have a date?”
Rob shrugged. “She’s a friend of our receptionist, a speech therapist.”
“Then why did you eat here?”
“It’s just a drink. We’ll see how it feels.”
Jack set the recipe card down in front of his brother along with a blank card and a pen. “Don’t you think it’s odd that at our ages we both seem to be sidestepping serious relationships?”
“No.” Rob didn’t even look up as he copied the card in his own hand.
Jackson saw his brother to the door. Like it or not, he couldn’t agree with Rob.
Chapter 14
“Why are we here again?” Tanya asked, frowning at a strange lamp in the Pier One Imports store.
Sabrina stopped in front of a love seat and gushed, “I love this.” She turned to Tanya. “What do you think?”
“Not a fan of wicker.”
“Hmm.”
“You didn’t answer my question,” she reminded her as they continued down the narrow walkway.
“I just want to find a few things to make my new apartment feel homey.”
“What’s your budget?”
“Meager.”
“Then we should stick to pillows or little accent pieces.”
“How about a tall vase with dried grasses?”
Tanya gave her a pained expression. “Think of the dust.”
“Candles. I love these candlestick holders, and the ambiance will be great if I ever decide to light them.”
Tanya bobbed her head back and forth, contemplating the suggestion. “Candles wouldn’t suck, but me personally, I’d go with the pillows.”
“Grab a couple of these and we’ll go back and look at the damn pillows then, all right?”
Tanya picked up two candlestick holders and followed Sabrina to the back wall. “Ooh, I like the peacock blue and silver.”
“They don’t match my sofa, but the deep ruby and gold would look gorgeous.” Sabrina looked at it more critically and was satisfied. Then she studied the striped fabric in the same jewel tones and mused, “You know, what I really need is a chair.”
“It’s not in your budget.”
“Killjoy.”
“Well, I’m going to get two of these blue ones.” Tanya said, turning one over to find the best of the bunch. She cast her gaze toward the front of the store and frowned. “Why didn’t we grab a basket?”
“I don’t think we were planning on finding anything.”
“Ugh. Wait here, I’ll go get one.”
They left the store weighted down with two large shopping bags apiece. Sabrina didn’t stop at the four pillows—overkill is what Tanya called the extra set—because on their way to the cash register her attention was snagged by a gorgeous shallow glass bowl. Sabrina had to have it, and the decorative glass pebbles to fill it.
She could already visualize these little touches and see how they’d improve her apartment. It didn’t exactly come up to the impossible standard of Jackson’s place, but it was a noticeable step in the right direction as far as decorating went.
“Is it lunchtime yet?” Tanya asked.
“I vote yes whether it is or not.”
“Good.”
“Hey.” Tanya stopped so abruptly Sabrina nearly walked into her. “Isn’t that your man Jackson?”
Sabrina looked closer, and sure enough, Jackson had just walked out of the florist carrying a wrapped bouquet. He looked like an advertisement for LL Bean casual wear.
“Buying flowers,” Tanya said softly. “Wonder who they’re for.”
“Like I care,” Sabrina snorted, trying hard to make it so. Too bad. She did care. It bothered her tremendously that he was buying flowers for another woman, which was ridiculous. They weren’t a thing. They weren’t even flirting with the possibility of being a thing. There was even a strong probability he’d execute an immediate about-face if he ever saw her again. Not that she could blame him. The last time she’d seen him she dove for cover behind a tree. True, she had a good reason, but still, it didn’t exactly bode well for future romance between them.
Is that what she wanted, who she wanted? Talk about a pipe dream.
They walked through the crosswalk and Tanya asked, “So, any suggestions for lunch?”
“Anything,” Sabrina said, watching Jackson until he finally disappeared from view. It felt like the sun had set inside her. “I just have to be at Aaron’s by five.”
“Sucker.”
****
Hal and Kelli’s home was nothing like the house where Jackson and Rob grew up. This one was in a wooded area with architecture that was meant to blend in with the less fussy landscaping outside. From the quiet shady street, most of the houses were hidden by continuous fencing or privacy hedges. Over half the driveways had security gates to close out the rest of the world. Because he was expected, Jackson found the gate was open when he turned onto the winding drive.
He parked behind Rob’s little Triumph on the paved circle in front of the house.
The doorbell was a deep musical chime, and Kelli herself opened the door. It was awkward as they hesitantly bobbed at each other, not sure whether to hug or not. Finally Jackson laughed and held out the flowers and leaned forward, giving her a hasty peck on the cheek.
“Thank you.” She laughed in surprise and moved aside so he could come in. Peeling the paper back to see the flowers, she smiled. “These are beautiful. Your dad and Rob are out back. Let me show you the way.”
She took him through the open living room with its second-floor balcony leading to the upper bedrooms. A large slate fireplace dominated the far wall. The room was striking and beautiful, a co
mpelling mix of glowing wood, stone, and metal. The windows followed the pitch of the ceiling, ending in interesting geometric angles at the top.
The stone floor in the large European-style kitchen flowed outside and carried across the patio and around the modest pool, the interior and exterior spaces in perfect harmony, uninterrupted at present because the large expanse of glass was wide open and the voices of the two men carried inside from the patio.
It took Jackson by surprise that he couldn’t tell at first whether it was Rob or his father’s voice he heard. They sounded exactly the same. He wondered if he sounded like his dad too.
“Look who’s here,” Kelli said. Hal and Rob looked up and greeted Jackson. “I’ll leave you three alone while I put these flowers in some water. Honey, can you play host?” Kelli asked her husband.
“Of course.” He rose from his chair. “Name your poison, Jack.”
“What are you guys drinking?” he asked, looking at their glasses.
“Gin and tonic,” said Rob.
“Scotch and soda,” said Hal. He smiled at Jackson’s indecision. “Or there’s beer.”
Jackson perked up. “That sounds good.”
“Come on, you can pick your own.”
They went to the mid-sized refrigerator in the kitchen, where Hal threw open the door and Jackson stared. It was filled with all kinds of exotic beers, mixes, tonics, and sodas, everything a self-respecting bartender would need on hand.
“What, no wine?” Jackson joked.
Hal pointed at the island counter and Jack went around and looked. A wine cooler was built into the cabinets underneath and well stocked.
“Tell me you don’t drink all this by yourself.”
“Kelli likes to entertain.”
“Good.” Jackson chose a bottle of German beer and Hal closed the fridge. “This is some house.”
Then it hit Hal. “That’s right, you’ve never been here before. Come on, I’ll give you the dime tour.” He called over Jackson’s shoulder, “Rob, we’re taking a walk. Are you coming?”
“Might as well.” Rob heaved himself out of the comfortable chair.
Hal proudly showed off the kitchen first, with its commercial-grade gas cooktop, stacked dual-wall ovens, and the enormous refrigerator/freezer combination. There was no mistaking his personal favorite, the gorgeous indoor grill built right into the island countertop.
“I haven’t had a chance to use it yet. Weather’s been too nice, but I’m breaking this puppy in as soon as I can.” He gave the pristine stainless surface a loving stroke.
Jackson grinned at his father’s odd affection. “It’s beautiful.”
Rob nodded, agreeing.
They found Kelli in the living room setting the vase of flowers in the center of the large square coffee table. She looked up as they walked through.
Hal grinned at her. “The boys haven’t been here before.”
“Well, there’s not much to it, but we like it.” She smiled and returned to the kitchen.
They climbed the open staircase to the balcony overlooking the stunning living room. There were three doors upstairs, and the first opened to a bright home office. The second door was a standard bedroom in the process of being transformed into a nursery. A full bath sat between the two smaller rooms and was accessible only through either room. The door on the end led to the large master suite. The woodwork was natural and light, the carpet rich and creamy, and the large bed and the set of coordinated chairs in front of the windows were in varying shades of yellow, from the palest butter cream to the deepest gold. The sun coming directly in the windows made the room intensely bright and uncomfortably warm.
Hal walked over and turned the blinds closed, and they all breathed a sigh of relief. He shrugged. “Southern exposure. What can I say?”
Rob admired the contoured ceiling. “This place is beautiful.”
“Thanks. Well, this is it unless you want to see the garage or the basement.”
Rob chuckled. “Not necessary.”
“Very nice,” said Jackson.
“We like it. Kelli’s worked damned hard to bring this place back from the brink.”
Jackson looked at him in surprise. “Is that right?”
Hal nodded. “It was vacant for years before we found it. The previous owners went to Australia for some sort of medical exchange program. They didn’t expect to be gone more than a year but ended up accepting a better offer and staying. In the meantime, the old roof went to hell and every time it rained, water ran inside, rotting the walls and floors. The structure itself was still sound, but the rest had to be gutted.”
“Wow. I had no idea,” said Jackson.
Rob nodded.
“How could you? We weren’t exactly talking, were we? You were both pretty upset with me—rightfully so. I understood. So anyway, this has been a project of love for us.” He perked up. “The kitchen is probably our biggest accomplishment. Squirrels had the run of it. They were into everything. You wouldn’t believe how much damage those little bastards can do. It all had to go.” He looked around, still amazed at the transformation. “The house was an absolute wreck, but Kelli fell in love with the old place anyway. She saw the potential in the ruin and set to work to bring it back to life.” He laughed softly. “Kind of the way she’s taken me on. She’s amazing.”
“So you’re a project too,” Jackson said with a smile.
“And I wouldn’t have it any other way,” said the old man agreeably.
“Well, it’s certainly different from our last house.” Rob said what Jackson was thinking.
Hal snorted softly. “I never really liked that house. It didn’t suit me. It was always Helen’s. Maybe it was just too My Three Sons or Eight is Enough for me.”
“Say again?” said Jackson. Rob shrugged, looking just as confused.
Hal chuckled. “Oh, those were just a couple of old television shows you probably never watched. They had the standard two-story white box with shutters, door in the center, perfectly trimmed bushes and green lawn—very traditional—exactly like our old house.” He screwed up his face in distaste. “Don’t get me wrong. It was nice enough, just not my style.”
Traditional wasn’t exactly a word Jackson would use to describe his father, so it figured Hal never felt comfortable there. Now here, he looked right at home. He was relaxed, happy, and perhaps contented for the first time in his life.
They went back downstairs and took a slow walk around the pool.
“Do you use this?” Jackson asked, watching the water lap lazily against the tiled sides.
“Every morning, unless it’s raining. Kelli and I both like to swim laps. She used to be on a swim team back in school, you know. ’Course that was years ago. I can’t wait until she’s big and pregnant, because then I’m going to finally win a few races. Just imagine the drag that belly will give her.” Hal laughed and turned, his expression softening as soon as he saw his lovely wife walking out from the kitchen.
“Gentlemen, I’ve got hors d’oeuvres if anyone’s hungry,” she called, setting a platter in the center of the table. The guys wandered over to partake.
“Honey,” Hal said, drawing out a chair. “Sit down and relax. We don’t expect you to wait on us hand and foot.”
“I don’t mind.”
“Kel,” his tone was more insistent now, “sit down and tell me what I can bring you to drink.”
Jackson was amazed, and from the look on Rob’s face, so was he. They couldn’t remember their father ever offering to cater to their mother. Maybe he never did.
“Could you make me a little cranberry juice spritzer?” she asked, easing onto the chair.
“Twist of lime in that?”
“Sounds nice.”
Hal grinned at his boys. “Sit down. I’ll be right back.”
Rob pulled out a chair and set his drink down. “So, Kelli, how’ve you been feeling?”
“A little tired, but that’s normal.”
“Any morning sickness?
”
“Not too bad. I’ve been lucky.” She reached for a prosciutto-wrapped asparagus spear and nibbled on the end of it.
Jackson knew he should be holding up his part of the conversation, but for the life of him he didn’t know what to say. Awkward. He took a thin disk of bread instead and dragged it through the dip and groaned at the excellent crab concoction in his mouth.
“Did you make this?” he asked with growing appreciation as soon as he could speak.
“Yes.”
“This asparagus is terrific,” Rob told her and took another bite. “I collect recipes. You wouldn’t share this one with me, would you?”
“Oh, sure,” she said with a modest smile.
“Try the crab dip,” Jackson directed his brother.
Rob leaned forward and took a liberal scoop with the bread. His eyes widened and he nodded. You could almost see his grief when he had to swallow it down. “Oh, yeah, this one too. I have to have this recipe.”
Hal wandered out and set a tall glass in front of his wife. He gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze, then took the chair beside her.
“Thank you.” She gave him a sweet smile and patted his thigh affectionately.
“My pleasure.” He looked at his sons and beamed proudly. “She’s a hell of a cook, isn’t she?”
“Incredible,” Rob agreed, trying a pinwheel of some kind. His eyes fluttered, then closed, and he leaned back and sighed as he enjoyed his latest mouthful.
Hal turned to Kelli. “I think you’re a hit.”
“Don’t tease,” she chastised with a blush.
Jackson had to admit Kelli wasn’t the vamp type he’d expected. She was surprisingly bashful for such a pretty woman, and her modesty was refreshingly genuine. Something else he couldn’t mistake was the way his dad felt about her. Hal was in love, with a capital L. Her feelings weren’t as easy to ascertain, because this was the first opportunity he had to observe them together since he got here.
“I’m sorry to inform you that I’ll be cooking the steaks,” Hal was saying. “But Kelli made her famous pasta salad, and I know you’ll love it.”
“I’m sure I will,” Rob agreed, no doubt already won over by her culinary skills. He was so easy.