“I’d love staying with you in the house, but I’m going to be here for almost three weeks. If I stay in the pool house, we won’t have to tiptoe around if one of us is sleeping.”
“Pool house it is. Are you too tired to hang out with Jess and Nick tonight? I could invite them over for dinner.”
“Are you cooking?”
“Ordering barbeque.”
“Then sure.” Jill gave her a lopsided grin. “Hmm, I slept on the plane. If I rest for an hour, I think I can manage dinner with your friends.” Her eyes pinned Sarah Beth. “You’re not very subtle, though. You know that, right?”
Sarah Beth snickered. “My, how I’ve missed you. I don’t think I realized how much until just now. You know me so well.”
A high-pitched howl traveled from the back of the house.
Jill covered her ears. “What in the world is that horrible sound?”
“I did tell you about my dog, right?”
~~~
Jess took a quick look in the mirror. Time for dinner at Sarah Beth’s. Maybe she was right. Maybe Nick and Jill could be a good match. Nick hadn’t put up much of a fight about going to dinner, and he’d actually looked nervous. But he’d agreed.
It would be a relief to find a nice girl for his best friend—and a mother for Katie. If Jill was a nice girl. He didn’t know much about her.
As Jess scooped up his keys and exited the back door, a red Mazda pulled in behind his truck.
Sam stepped out. “Where you headed?”
“Sarah Beth has a friend in town and invited us to dinner.”
The tall blond sank his hands into his pockets. “Us?”
“Nick and Katie. You can tag along. She’s picking up barbecue. Nothing formal. She probably figured you had plans.”
“I don’t want to horn in.” From the sour look on Sam’s face, he must’ve been having a bad day.
Jess motioned toward his truck. “I’m inviting you. You want to drive yourself or ride with me? Or did you come by for a reason?”
“Thought you might want to shoot some hoops or something at the gym. And I wanted to tell you I’ve tried to get Dad to lay off with the recruit. Don’t know that he’ll listen. Dad seems tight with the kid’s father. He’s a distant cousin or something—not from the good side of the family either. I’m trying to keep a handle on him the best I can, but he’s never been this bad.” Sam threw his chin back and smirked. “I’ll take my car in case I get a better offer later. I know where she lives.” Once he’d slid back behind the wheel and shut the door, Sam punched into reverse.
Jess scoffed. “Great. Teddy out of control.” He watched on as Sam sped away before getting into his truck. “And Sam needs to slow down.”
~~~
Another round of giggles erupted from Sarah Beth as she played one of the comedy acts she’d downloaded. She’d picked up the food, ladled it into china serving dishes, and set the table while Jill rested. Would the night go as planned? If so, Jill and Nick would hit it off and spend the next three weeks getting to know each other better.
“Hello,” Jill called from the back door.
Sarah Beth grasped her stomach, laughing. “Oh, hey, you’re up.”
“Are you all right? I knocked, but you didn’t answer, then I heard that cackling and thought your dog was killing a chicken.”
“Ha-ha. I was listening to a comedian. One of Nick’s suggestions. Laughter really is great medicine—and please, you never have to knock. Come on in from now on.”
Jill studied her. “I’m happy to see you laughing. We went through some dark times together.”
True, and hopefully they were done with dark for a while. “Those days seem more distant now. I’m thankful I had friends like you to pull me through.” Her smile faded. “Let’s talk about something upbeat. How about some mood music?”
Jill gave her a suspicious look. “What kind of mood?”
“All my music is contemporary Christian now, so whatever mood that puts you in.”
“Just checking—I’m keeping an eye on you and your matchmaking.”
The front doorbell chimed, and Gingie tore across the floor, tripped over the new rug in the entrance hall, and smacked into the wall. Again.
Crazy dog. Sarah Beth followed and swung the door open. Nick and Jess stood with hands over their mouths, shaking. Trying not to laugh. Nice. Katie smiled up at her while holding Nick’s hand.
“Hey, come in.” She pointed at the floor. “I bought a rug so Gingie wouldn’t crash land like she did the other night.” She sighed. “But she tripped on it.”
A laugh escaped Jess’s throat. “And still crashed.”
Sarah Beth folded her arms at her chest. “Thank you, Captain Obvious. Y’all come on in.”
Gingie let out a guttural growl and arched her back, hair raised.
“What in the world?” Nick pulled Katie up to his chest.
Down the sidewalk ambled Sam.
Jess pointed with his thumb. “Oh, Gingie saw Sam. Hope you don’t mind. He dropped by as I was leaving, so I invited him. You did say the dog was a good judge of character. She didn’t like that Dylan Conner either.”
Katie jumped out of Nick’s arms and ran. “Ms. Jill.”
Jill scooped Katie into her arms. “Hey, Katie-bug.”
With a scowl, Nick nodded. “Dog’s got good instincts. Heard the actor took off with that Sophia. Good riddance to them both.”
Sarah Beth shot him a look. “We need to pray for Dylan. We’re all sinners, saved by grace.”
Nicks lips turned down further. “I’m commanded to love, but maybe not like. I don’t know Dylan, but I can’t stand Sophia.”
Gingie broke into ear-piercing barks and snarls as Sam got closer to the house. Sarah Beth yelled over the barking. “I’m going to kennel her.”
They all answered in unison. “Good idea.”
Nick raised a hand. “I’ll do it if you point me in the right direction.”
Hands over his ears, Sam entered. “Sounded like a pack of beagles and a wolf. I never heard anything like it.”
Jess slapped him on the back. “Sarah Beth’s little pet finds you dangerous.”
Sam’s gaze traveled over Jill. “Her little pet might be right.” He extended his hand. “I’m Sam Conrad. I don’t think we’ve met.”
No way. Why had Sam had to come? “This is my friend Jill from L.A. Let’s move out of the entrance hall. I think I saw a present in the living room for Katie from Ms. Jill.”
Nick rejoined them. “A present?”
“Thank you.” Katie kissed Jill’s cheek. “What is it, Ms. Jill?”
“Open it and find out.”
Slipping down, Katie ran to the coffee table where a large silver bow adorned a package wrapped in pink. “It’s so big.” She took her time opening the paper, one piece of tape at a time.
What child took this long to open a gift? Sarah Beth made ripping motions. “Tear into it, Katie. I wanna see what she got you.”
Jill shook her head. “You open it any way you like. Sarah Beth can wait.”
Katie’s eyes widened as she opened the box. She jumped up, her arms full of shiny fabric. “Look, Daddy. Princess costumes. Three of them.”
Nick’s eyes gleamed. “You didn’t have to buy her anything.”
“When you were in L.A., I saw her eying them. She’s a girl after my own heart. I couldn’t decide which princess she’d like best, so I bought three.”
“I hope she isn’t too much a girl after your own heart. Daddy may go broke.”
Katie hugged her dad and gave him a pleading look. “Can I go put them on?”
“Of course, my princess, but you should put on one at a time.”
“Oh, Daddy, you’re so silly.”
As she ran out of the room, Nick’s hazel eyes met Jill’s. “Thanks. I mean it. Daddies sometimes don’t realize what little girls dream about.”
“Almost all little girls want to be a princess. She knows she’s Daddy’s prince
ss, though. She’s lucky.”
Minutes later, baby blue satin and organza swished as Katie trotted back in and twirled. “Look at me.”
They admired and complimented her until Sarah Beth led them to sit down to dinner in the formal dining room.
Sam stayed close to Jill, and Sarah Beth steamed. Could her blood actually boil? It sure felt like it.
After dinner, Sam moved closer and put his hand on the small of Jill’s back as they cleared the table. “Jill, I grew up in Oxford, and I’d love to take you on a tour. I know this county like the back of my hand.”
Sarah Beth clenched her teeth. She could give Sam the back of her hand. He wasn’t getting close to her Jill. That was not the plan. “Jill and I have a ton of work to do, as you can see by the stacks of papers around the house. I don’t know when she’ll be free.”
“Are you really such a slave driver?”
Sarah Beth gave him her best menacing look. “She’s only going to be here a short time. I’m sure you and your father are busy managing my favorite bank all day. If we have time for a tour, I’ll have Jess let you know.”
Jess came alongside of Sarah Beth and nudged her. “If you ladies get a break, we’ll go out on the boat. Do you ski, Jill?”
“I’ve surfed a lot, but never tried skiing.”
Nick waved her off. “If you can surf, you’ll be a natural at skiing.”
Sam bobbed his head. “I’ve taught many people to ski. I’ll be happy to offer my assistance.”
Blood boiling over now. From the back room, the low guttural growl echoed down the hall.
“Was that thunder?” Sam looked out the window.
Sarah Beth glanced at Jess. “Maybe I should unleash the guard dog?”
Jess smiled. “What were you saying earlier about grace?”
Sometimes grace was awesome, and sometimes it was the most difficult task in the world.
Chapter 34
Jess checked the ball and hitch once more on the back of his truck. With the boat secure, he took off toward the lake. No traffic. Surprising, considering the good weather. Sam and Nick followed in their vehicles. Now he’d head into what promised to be an interesting afternoon with those two falling all over Jill. And Sarah Beth freaking out about it.
Summer football camps in the heat this week had been grueling, but he hadn’t let that stop him from visiting Sarah Beth after work every day to strategize fundraising plans for the Honduras church. He’d found Nick puttering around the backyard training Gingie while Jill gave swimming lessons to Katie. Every day. A likely story. Nick looked happier than Jess had seen him in years. Both he and Katie glowed.
Nick had invited Jill to church the day before, and she’d agreed. Funny, Sam kept coming up with excuses to drop by Sarah Beth’s, too. He’d even attended church for the first time in a long time—obviously for the wrong reason, but at least he went.
The picture of Sarah Beth frowning when Sam dropped by the house... That was too funny. And cute. She’d had the same frown when he elbowed her in church today. The minister spoke on grace, and he couldn’t resist. Even her frown was adorable though. The speedometer took a forward bounce. He needed to slow down with the boat hitched to the back. But he couldn’t wait to see that sweet face again.
Ten minutes later, he unhitched the boat into the lake. The weather cooperated nicely, and the water shone smooth as glass. A perfect day for skiing.
Sam and Nick drank in the view as Jill took off her cover-up. While Sam gawked without shame, Nick only allowed sidelong-glances. Sarah Beth rolled her eyes. Winking, Jess motioned to the water. “Sarah Beth, why don’t you ski first today? You need to blow off some stress and have fun.”
“You’re getting to know me too well.”
If only he knew what she was thinking.
They made four runs down a quiet section of the lake. Sarah Beth didn’t let go of the rope. She must really be stressing over Sam hanging around so much. He took a quick glance back to see her jump the wake. What fun to watch. The girl was good.
After another run, she let go.
“She’s down,” Nick shouted.
Jess circled, then cut the motor.
Nearing the ladder, she extended her hand. “I’m gonna need some help getting in. I wore myself out.”
After Nick pulled her up, she plodded to the open bow and sank with a sigh. Right in front of Jess’s side of the windshield. Her tan hands squeezed the water from her dark hair and twisted it into a ponytail holder—her long perfect neck and shoulders in front of him. He should force his eyes away. Now.
Jill reached across from the other cushioned seat on the bow and tapped her arm. “That was impressive.”
“I love the water. You want to try?” Sarah Beth’s lips twisted before she spoke. “Nick can show you how.”
“I’ll try after I ride with Katie on the tube. I promised.”
Sam and Nick jumped up, offering help as Jill slipped the ski vest over her shoulders.
A few rides on the tube, and Katie climbed back into the boat. Jill fumbled with the skis they’d thrown her until she had them adjusted and positioned out in front. She pulled up on the first try, but signaled she was ready to stop after one run. They circled back to her.
“That was a blast. I would’ve kept going, but my hands are killing me.”
Nick edged in front of Sam to give her a hand up. “I have gloves you can wear next time. You were fantastic—not that I expected anything less than perfection.”
Sarah Beth chuckled. “You noticed that Jill’s a perfectionist already?”
Jill jammed her hands to her hips. “Just because I do my makeup and nails doesn’t make me a perfectionist.”
“Are not the canned foods in your apartment in alphabetical order?”
She giggled and looked away. “I admit it. I have a problem.”
Nick handed Jill a bottle of water. “Bring that problem to my condo anytime.”
Jill gave him a wide grin. “I enjoy putting things in order. I know it’s kind of weird.”
“In a good way.” Nick smiled at her. “You’re hired.”
“You’d have to get used to the new system.”
Nick narrowed his eyes. “I think I can handle it.”
“Hey, me, too.” The first chance Sam got, he jumped into the conversation.
Sarah Beth stomped one foot. “My place first.” She blew out a long sigh. “But the magnificent thing about Jill is that she works so quickly. Nick can be next in line.” She turned to Jill. “How do you manage to be so organized?”
Jess dropped anchor, kicked his feet up, and savored the flawless sky. And tried not to stare at Sarah Beth. Discipline.
Jill dried her hair with her towel. “My parents were hippie wannabees. There weren’t many rules in our house. When I started kindergarten, I fell in love with the structure and schedule. I’d never had a routine before that. At school, things made sense—felt safe. That’s why I majored in elementary education.
“When I joined a sorority, you would’ve thought I’d stabbed my father. He said it went against everything he stood for. Kind of ironic coming from someone who said there was no right or wrong.” Her cheek rested on her hand. “My parents are atheists.”
Sarah Beth threw her hands in the air. “If there were no right or wrong, and we’re like animals, why is it universally agreed upon that it’s wrong to steal or kill?”
Nick inched closer to Jill. “I can relate. Mine wouldn’t win any father-of-the-year awards. He’s sitting in the Florida state penitentiary for selling methamphetamines, along with my brother. He would’ve pulled me into the family business if it hadn’t been for God and Katie’s mom.”
A serious expression covered Jill’s face. “She must have been one great lady. I’m so glad she found you.”
Jess nodded. “She was. I’ll always be indebted to Paige for saving my best friend. I tried to keep him out of that mess, but he wouldn’t listen. She came along, and boom, he left that life and n
ever looked back.”
Nick fixed his gaze on Jill. “I believe God puts people in our lives to point us in the right way. Sometimes we choose to ignore His messengers. Sometimes we’re wise and listen.”
~~~
The large canvas bag on Sarah Beth’s arm weighed more than ever. Of course, her whole body felt like it weighed a ton. She’d skied too long, but the stress of watching Sam flirt with Jill had lessened. For a minute or two.
Nick hitched the boat to Jess’s truck while Sam lingered with Jill and Katie. Why wouldn’t he get the hint and leave?
Sam slid his hand behind Jill’s elbow. “Jill, I would love to give you a ride home. There’s another route that’s more scenic than the way we came.”
Whining, Katie threw her arms around Jill’s legs. “I want Ms. Jill to ride home with me. I want her to come to my house and play princesses.”
Yay for Katie.
Nick scooped his daughter up. “Katie, you need to say ‘sorry.’ That’s not how we act.”
Katie rubbed her eyes. “Sorry.”
He brushed her hair back and kissed her forehead. “My girl’s tired.”
Sarah Beth nudged him from behind. He glanced at her and fumbled with his keys. “Jill, it might help if you rode with us and kept her awake so I can bathe her before bed.”
Reaching out, Jill ruffled her fingers through Katie’s hair. “Of course, I’d love to.”
Yes. Sam can leave now. “Jill, do you have your key? I may get Jess to take me to look at the interstate before I go home.”
Grunting, Sam waved them off. “I don’t know what that’s code for, but I’m outta here.”
After opening the truck door for Sarah Beth, Jess got in the other side and shook his head. “Poor Sam. Since his broken engagement, he’s floundered in the dating world. Swears off women for months, then tries again every once and a while. Has the worst luck. I kind of feel sorry for the guy.”
There it was. A twinge of guilt bit at Sarah Beth. But just a small one. “I guess I do, too. But I want him away from Jill.”
Leaving Oxford Page 21