by Jan Hinds
“Hey, I told you I’m going to pay for them.”
She flashed him a sassy grin. “Until you do, I’m going to continue to refer to them as stolen.”
“Fair enough. Come on. I want you to see the rest of the house. The offices and the kitchen are all I’ve furnished on this floor. Most of my grandmother’s furniture was too worn out to keep, except for the dining room.” He motioned to the open space beyond his office. “I thought we’d use this informal living room as a waiting area and display center. We can put a reception desk here near the foyer.”
He ushered her to the front foyer. The exterior door boasted stained glass windows and opened to a generous enclosed vestibule, which held a coat closet and was separated from the foyer by another set of insulated glass and mahogany doors. “Over on the other side of the stairs we have a formal living room and beyond that is the formal dining room and another entrance to the kitchen. There’s a half bath across from the offices. The chair lift was put in for my Gram. I thought I’d keep it until my leg is healed.”
He started to climb the stairs with his crutch.
“Hang on, why aren’t you using the lift?”
His brow wrinkled in a frown. “Because...”
“Not good enough. Are you permitted to climb stairs?”
He frowned down at his shoes. “I have to be careful climbing. If I can avoid them, I’m supposed to use an elevator or escalator.”
“If you want me on board, you have to accept that I won’t tolerate you taking needless risks that might hamper your recovery. Take the lift.”
Cooper’s face lit up with a lopsided grin. “Yes, ma’am.” He sat in the chair and started the glide to the top of the stairs.
Midway to the top it stopped, made a grinding noise and shook. Paige rushed to Cooper. She slid her arms around him, bracing her feet in case the chair gave way. Instead, the chair resumed the climb to the top.
Paige still held him tight as they reached the top. “What was that?” she asked as she loosened her grip, but kept her hands on him, ready to support him if he needed her.
Cooper chuckled. “I think it was calibrated to my ninety-pound grandmother. It tends to protest the added weight half way to the top.”
Once Cooper was safely on his feet at the top of the stairs, Paige took out her phone and began typing.
“What are you doing?” he asked.
“I’m making a note to contact someone to evaluate the lift for safety. I’ll also want to be included in your care instructions from your doctor so I know what kind of care you need and what you are allowed and not allowed to do.”
He couldn’t hide the hope in his voice. “So you’ll move in?”
“That’s all part of the PA job. Show me the rooms up here and I’ll decide about moving in.”
Cooper motioned to the hallway off the landing. An open banister overlooked the foyer. “Over here to the left we have the kitchen and laundry area. The bedrooms and living area are to the right.”
Paige checked out the kitchen and laundry. She wrinkled her nose at the open banister. “Not much privacy here from the public entrance.”
Cooper ran his hands over the carved banister. “I know. I used to climb up here and dangle my feet through the rails when I was little. I love this entryway and if I ever want to sell the house, I think this open landing will be more appealing to buyers.”
He led her to the first room on the right past the stairs and opened the door. “This is the workout room. I’ve had the construction crew build a small therapy table like they have at the Physical Therapy center at the Parkview Regional Medical Center.” He motioned to the treadmill, elliptical, bicycle and weight bench. “I’m anxious to get cleared to use all of these. Of course you’ll be welcome to use all of this anytime you want.”
He crossed the hall and slid open double pocket doors. “This is the living room. I took out the wall between two bedrooms to enlarge it.” He frowned at the empty room. “You can help me select furniture you like if you decide to stay here.”
He moved on down the hall. “This is my room,” he said, indicating the next room on the right.
“May I?” Paige asked.
“Sure, go ahead.” He followed Paige into the room, trying to imagine seeing it from her perspective. His brow wrinkled as she wandered the room, taking in the wall color, carpeting, the comforter, and style of furniture. Maybe he should have put more thought into the décor.
“Hmm. It’s kind of depressing in here—hello!” She walked into the bathroom. “That is one serious whirlpool tub and I love the shower. Very nice.”
Cooper grinned. “You’re welcome to use it anytime.”
Paige poked her head around the door frame and frowned at him. “I thought this was strictly business.”
Hoping his smile didn’t betray the allure her flushed face had on him, he said, “Strictly business. We can set up a schedule if you want. That is, if you don’t like your own accommodations.”
He followed Paige back out into the hallway. “There’s an unfurnished bedroom here on the left and a full bath on the right. Your room is at the end of the hall.”
Paige pushed the door to her room open and turned on the light switch. She took two steps into the room and her knees buckled.
“Paige? Are you okay? What’s wrong?”
“How did you—how did you get my design? I never turned this in.”
Breathing a sigh of relief that he’d guessed right about how much she liked the design, he leaned on his crutch and reached down to help her up. “You left sketches in the back of one of the notebooks you loaned me.”
She stood in the center of the room, turning in a circle. “I can’t believe you even finished the turret window seats with cushions to match the bedding. It’s exactly like I imagined it, even down to the Monet prints on the walls. I don’t understand. Why me? I’m no one special. Why do something like this for me? It had to cost a fortune to decorate this.”
Her awed expression made his breath catch. He wiped at her escaped tear with the pad of his thumb. “My whole life, aside from my family, no one has ever done anything kind for me unless they had an angle or wanted something in return,” he said. “With girls, it was usually the status of dating the football captain. With guys, it often was to gain access to the girls vying for my attention. But not you. You were just kind because that’s who you are.”
He slipped his hand into hers. “You make me feel happy just being around you. And I haven’t had a lot to feel happy about lately. When I realized I was suffocating at my parent’s house, you were the first one I thought of to ask to help me. That’s not true. You were the only one I thought to ask. I know this isn’t much incentive, but I thought if you were comfortable it might help persuade you to accept my offer. Please stay here with me. I promise I will give you all the space you need and I won’t abuse your friendship. I know I’m being selfish. I want to be as independent as possible, but I recognize I can’t live on my own during my recovery. And I can’t think of anyone I trust to help me build my business as much as I do you. So what do you think? Will you come share this house with me rent free? Work with me and help me launch Jennings Design Services?”
Paige looked around the room again. She walked over to the bathroom and looked inside. She folded her arms. “Wait a minute. This is exactly like your bathroom. Why did you offer me yours?”
Cooper grinned and crooked up one eyebrow. “You’re not the only one who can tease.” He laughed and stuck out his hand. “I promise I’ll be good. Do we have a deal?”
She shook his hand and rolled her eyes to the ceiling. “Deal. You still have to pay me for the stolen designs. And, this is my room. When you want me to move out, I get to take this room with me.”
Why did he feel such a pang of discontent that before she even moved in, she was thinking about leaving?
Paige followed him back down the hallway, turning off lights and closing doors as she went. “When do you want me to move in
?”
He stopped at the top of the stairs, afraid to push too hard, yet anxious to finalize their arrangement before she changed her mind. “How about tonight? We can go over to my parent’s house and pick up enough to get me through tonight and since tomorrow is Saturday, we can finish moving then.”
“I must be crazy to agree to this. After we get your things we can stop by my apartment to pick up my basics. Tina’s friend, Zach owns a van. He has his own landscaping business. We might be able to get him to help us move in tomorrow.”
Cooper stopped by the lift chair. “Who is Tina?”
“Tina Pruitt is my friend who I share an apartment with. I hope you’re paying me enough that I can still pay my part of the rent. I wouldn’t feel right stiffing her on the rent with only two months left on our lease. And I’d like to keep my options open in case this doesn’t work out and I need to move again.”
“I’ll take care of the rent.” A shadow of sadness clouded his mood. “I wish I was fit enough to help you move.”
She quirked an adorable grin. “If you were fit, I wouldn’t need to move in.”
The lift stuttered again half-way down and Paige threw her arms around him and side-stepped down the rest of the way.
Cooper held her arms and looked into her eyes. “I want you to be comfortable with this Paige. I know this helps me more than it does you. I don’t want you to feel forced into anything.”
She frowned at him. “There is one thing that’s bothering me. You’ve obviously been planning this for a long time. Why did you wait until today to spring this on me?”
His chin dropped. “It took me a while to get the house done and I didn’t want to approach you until I was ready to launch my business. I also hoped if I had your designs complete, that it would give you incentive to join me.”
She lifted his chin until he gazed into the depths of her blue eyes. “What if I said no?”
He gave a little shrug and traced the soft skin of her jaw with the back of his thumb. “I would have had to continue to depend on my parents and probably sell the house to cover the renovation costs. And then when I saw you so upset at the library...”
“You figured if I was desperate enough, I might agree.”
He stood, using her soft shoulders to steady himself. “So do you want to change your mind?”
He held his breath when she didn’t answer right away.
With a frustrated groan, she said, “I might if I didn’t want to live in that bedroom so badly.” She poked him in the chest. “No more surprises. You talk to me if you want something. Don’t set up a situation you think I can’t refuse. And if I say no you accept no as my answer.”
Cooper grabbed the finger spearing his chest. “Deal. I’m sorry you’re angry.”
“I’m not angry. I just feel kind of superficial, like I’ve been bought by a Monet inspired bedroom and a whirlpool bathtub.”
He leaned down and looked into her eyes. “You can be mean to me if it helps you feel better.”
Paige headed toward the kitchen and threw an ornery grin over her shoulder. “Don’t tempt me.”
Cooper followed her down the hallway, not even trying to fight the smile on his face. For the first time in as long as he could remember, he felt completely happy.
Chapter Three
Paige parked in the driveway of Cooper’s parents’ home and turned off the engine. Cooper made no move to get out. Instead he took her hand and held it in both of his. “There’s something I need to tell you.”
The tone of his voice and the way he didn’t look into her eyes sent a chill down her spine. “What?” she asked, dragging out the word.
Paige’s mind raced through different scenarios of what he might be afraid to tell her. Did he have a criminal record? Was he a drug addict? Was he violent? In seconds Plan B formulated. As soon as she got him out of her car, she’d jump back in and take off without him.
Cooper looked into her eyes. “My parents think we’re dating.”
“Oh?” That didn’t sound too bad. Granted it was a lie and she wasn’t thrilled, but was there any real harm?
Light flooded the front porch of the two-story house when the door opened. A petite woman with chin-length silver hair waved from the open doorway.
Cooper leaned toward Paige. “You wanted a warning the next time I planned to kiss you. Consider yourself warned. We need to convince them we’re a couple.”
Paige pushed on his chest with her palms and wondered if his chest was made out of granite. “Did you not hear me tell you not to spring things on me? And I won’t lie to your parents.”
He cupped her face with his palms. His long fingers plunged into her hair. Her lips parted in surprise as he captured them in a kiss that sent a warm current through her.
Her hesitation lasted a nanosecond before she surrendered to the intensity and passion of his kiss. It was hands down the best kiss of her life and she shuddered thinking what his kisses would be like for someone he was attracted to. When their lips parted, his sweater tangled in her fingers again. “Cooper, you can’t keep doing that. You’re not even attracted to me. How am I supposed to go back to kissing Ted after you kiss me like that?”
His flash of irritation puzzled her. “Just what is so great about this Ted character?”
Where did he get off being angry with her? “Who said there was anything great about him? That doesn’t mean I should abuse his trust. Just knock off the PDA.”
He was out of the car and standing on one leg by the time she got his crutch out for him. He pulled her into his arms and she staggered under his weight. “Paige, I’m sorry. Please follow my lead. I don’t expect you to lie, but please, I’m begging you, help me convince my parents that we’re a couple. It’s the only way they’ll let me go without worrying.”
“Fine. Just no more monkey business.”
Her feet felt like lead weights were strapped around her ankles as she followed him to the porch.
Cooper’s mother hugged Paige when she reached the porch. “Oh, my dear Paige. I’m so happy to finally meet you. Cooper has told us so much about you. You’re just as adorable as he described you.”
Paige found herself in the awkward position of lying by omission. Cooper was going to pay for this. “I’m pleased to meet you too, Mrs. Jennings.”
“Sylvia. Please call me Sylvia. Or Mom, if you don’t feel it’s too soon. Come in both of you. Have you had dinner yet? I saved some leftovers that I can reheat for you.”
“No, thank you. We already ate.” Lie number two. Neither of them ate much and she for one was starving. Or at least she had been until Cooper’s mother invited her to call her Mom. Now her stomach was doing somersaults.
An older, less muscular version of Cooper looked her up and down and at first she thought he’d see right through the lies. His stern face broke into a wide grin. “So you’re the young woman who finally captured my son’s fickle heart. I’m pleased to meet you Paige.” He disregarded her extended hand and pulled her into a bear hug.
When he released her she stammered, “It’s nice to meet you, sir.”
Everything about Matt Jennings’ personality was amplified, including his voice. “Sir? None of that. Welcome to the family. You can call me Matt, or Dad, whichever you prefer. I don’t understand why Cooper hasn’t brought you around sooner. He talks about you all the time.” He cast an accusing glare at his son.
Paige didn’t know why she felt compelled to toss Cooper a lifeline. “That’s my fault. I didn’t want to involve our families until we were more secure in our relationship.” Lie number three. She was on a roll.
Cooper put an arm around her. She looked up at him and he gave her a tender kiss. “Can you blame me for wanting to keep her to myself?”
Sylvia sighed. “You are the perfect couple.”
Paige wondered what she was seeing and remembered her current wardrobe. “I’m sorry I’m not more presentable this evening. Had I realized I’d be meeting you tonight, I’d have trie
d to create a better first impression. You know Cooper. He’s full of surprises.”
Sylvia dismissed her appearance with a wave of her hand. “You look darling, dear. And I do know my son. I’ve never seen him look happier.”
Paige looked at Cooper and wondered if he had a natural talent for acting, because he did look at her with happy affection. If she didn’t know otherwise from his own admission, even she would be fooled.
Matt grinned and motioned to the living room. “Come in and sit down. Let’s get to know each other.”
Cooper’s arm around her shoulder held her in place. “Dad, it’s late and we wanted to move into the house tonight.”
Paige couldn’t resist a little revenge. She put her arm around Cooper’s waist and dug her fingers into his side. To his credit, he didn’t even flinch. “We have enough time to get acquainted, sweetheart.”
Cooper looked down at her. “All right, honey.” He pressed his mouth close to her ear and whispered, “Just remember, you asked for this.”
When they were all seated in the living room, with Cooper and her next to each other on the sofa, Matt asked, “So tell us about yourself, Paige. Are you from Fort Wayne?”
“No. I’m from Creston, Ohio. It’s a small town northeast of Wooster.”
Sylvia leaned forward. “What about your family? Do you have siblings?”
Paige gave Cooper a deer in the headlights look and he let her know with that blasted raised eyebrow that she was on her own. “My sister Joni is the oldest and I have a brother named Brent. They’re both married. Brent lives in Virginia and Joni is in Texas.”
Sylvia’s eyes sparkled. “Do they have children?”
“Brent has three boys and Joni has a boy and a girl and is expecting another girl in February.” She felt Cooper’s arm tighten around her shoulder.
Sylvia gave her a hopeful grin. “Do you want children?”
Paige coughed and looked at Cooper. He obviously was letting her pay for agreeing to get to know his parents. “Cooper and I haven’t talked about children.” Technically, not a lie, though it inferred a relationship—so lie number four. “But to answer your question, yes. I love children and always wanted a large family.” Her mischievous side took over and she added, “I’d love to have six children.”