by AliyahBurke
She slowly broke the kiss. “Let’s go. We’ve got a lunch date.”
His brow furrowed but he didn’t argue, just released her and climbed in. “We do?”
She nodded and started her vehicle. Derek watched her face while she drove. The terseness faded and she became excited. They pulled into a restaurant parking lot, and to Derek it seemed she’d barely shut off the engine before she jumped out and was running towards a black Envoy, the fact she was in three inch heels not deterring her at all.
A black woman slipped from the driver’s side and met her halfway. Derek got out slowly as they embraced. Ambling slowly toward them, Jacey’s purse in his hand, he stared at the other woman who still bounced around as much as Jacey. His gaze snapped to a tall man who walked around the front of the Envoy. A low growl erupted when Jacey jumped into his arms with easy familiarity. Derek calmed some when the woman opened the back door and helped out not one, but two children. A boy and a girl.
“Derek,” Jacey said when he approached. “I’d like you to meet my good friends, Gavin and Sanura Rawlins and their children, Shemar and Alyson.” Jacey pulled him closer. “Y’all this is Derek Moser, Caleb’s father.”
Derek almost dropped his jaw with the ease with which she said that. Gavin grinned and reached out a hand toward him. “A pleasure to meet you. I see now where Caleb gets his eyes.”
“Nice to meet you.” Derek shook his hand then turned to the attractive black woman. At the base of her neck sat a silver Celtic cross and a green shamrock. On her wrist he noticed a bracelet identical to Jacey’s.
“I’m so glad to meet you.” She winked and nudged Jacey. “He’s even better looking than you said, Jace.”
“Shut it,” Jacey retorted before hugging each of the kids. “Let’s eat.”
Derek walked with Gavin, his gaze fixed on Jacey’s ass in that cute skirt. A small hand tucked into his. Looking down, he saw Alyson staring up at him.
“Caleb can play?”
He smiled at her. “I’m sorry, sweetie. Caleb didn’t come this time.”
Her bottom lip poked out. “Next time,” she sighed.
She held onto his hand the rest of the way in and wanted to sit beside him as well. Throughout the meal, Derek chatted easily with Gavin, who obviously doted on his family, and watched Jacey. Her happiness and her cheer touched him. After lunch the kids hugged him, he shook Gavin’s hand, then he faced Sanura while Gavin loaded the children.
She stared at him and took his hand. Pressing a kiss to his cheek she whispered, “It was great to meet you, Derek.”
“And you, Sanura.”
The women hugged one more time before Sanura climbed in the passenger seat and they drove away.
He slid an arm around her middle. “I had a lot of fun. Thank you, Jacey.”
“Come on, you have things waiting for you.”
“That I do.”
Hand in hand, they went to her Jeep.
* * * *
Jacey dropped Derek off at his house. He was going to change and come over later to get Caleb. Letting her Rubicon idle, she waited for him to get out. He did then stopped by her door.
“Get out here, Jace,” he ordered.
Setting the brake, she put the vehicle in neutral and did as he’d said. The second she was clear, Derek had her in his arms and backed against the driver’s side. His mouth covered hers without preamble.
Jacey squirmed, the warm side of the Jeep felt cold compared to the heat coming from the man before her. Breathing became difficult. She wanted to purr and rub against him like a cat. She wanted to be petted. Derek made her crazy with lust. Yet, he kept the kiss gentle.
“See you soon, princess,” he murmured, breaking their contact. Then he turned and ran up the steps to the house.
Jacey was still aroused when she made it back home. Caleb waited on the top step, Shadow right beside him. And on the other side, she saw his bag. A smile turned up one side of her mouth. He’s so excited about spending time with Derek.
“Hey, Marine,” she said, climbing the steps to his side.
“Hi, Mama. Will Papa be here soon?”
“I ’spect so. You ready?”
“Yes. I wanna go fishing.” He grinned. “Do you think he’ll take me?”
“I don’t know. You can always ask.”
“I like him as my Papa.”
Tears pricked her eyes and she willed them not to fall. “Stay on the porch until he comes, okay?” Jacey moved to the door and opened it.
“’Kay, Mama.”
She shook as the door closed behind her.
“You okay, baby girl?” her father questioned.
Jacey smiled and ran a hand over her face. “I don’t really have a choice.”
He pulled her close and rubbed her back. “I’m proud of you, Jacey. I know this hasn’t been easy for you.”
“I want to hide and cry.”
“You’re making the right decision. And those aren’t always easy.”
“I know, Papa.”
Squeezing him back, Jacey released him and walked to the kitchen. A plate of freshly made lemon bars stared at her. Snagging one, she ate it in two bites, closing her eyes in ecstasy.
Jacey was in her room when she heard Caleb’s squeal of joy. Derek. She looked at herself in the mirror and sighed heavily before pasting a smile on her face. I can do this. She nodded and left the room and headed to the porch. Derek sat on the top step with Caleb, their heads bent together. Caleb had an face-splitting grin on his face while he spoke to his father.
Derek was right. Caleb needs his father in his life. The knowledge of what she had to do made her blink back more tears. Forcing cheer back onto her face, she pushed through the screen door. Both of them turned and stared at her with their identical eyes.
Jacey looked at Derek and asked, “Where’s your car?”
“Home. I walked. Figured we could walk back along the path you and Honey used so much.”
His eyes were filled with love and Jacey tore her gaze away, putting it on her son. “You ready, Marine?”
“Ready, Mama,” he said, getting up.
Jacey stared at her son. His eyes filled with excitement. “Well, come give me a hug so you two can get going.” She kept her tone light. He did and Jacey didn’t want to let go. Past her son, she saw Derek watching her. Releasing Caleb, Jacey stood. “Have fun, Caleb.”
“I will, Mama.”
Derek shouldered the bag and reached out for his son’s hand. The men walked down the steps together. “Bye, Mama. Come on, Shadow.”
“Bye, Caleb.” One arm across her midsection, Jacey had her other hand over her mouth. Yet she smiled and waved when Caleb looked back one final time. Sagging against a pillar, Jacey battled back tears.
“Come inside, Jacey,” her mother said.
She did and went back up to her room. Sitting on the bed, Jacey stared at the comforter. “I need to stay busy.”
Jacey got up and grabbed the packet of information on the Turners. Spreading it out, she began poring over it. Honey arrived a bit later and joined her on the bed, helping her search for something.
“What do you think, Jace?” Honey asked, leaning against the wall.
“I can’t figure it out, Honey. You’ve got prime land but these two are strip miners. There’s no unique mineral or anything like that in the core samples I had tested. I’m at a loss.”
“Carson said they spend a lot of time in Red’s office. Maybe what we need is in there.”
Jacey met Honey’s blue gaze and she grinned widely. “That, Blanche Honoria Moser, is all kinds of wrong.”
Honey winked. “Ain’t gonna stop you, is it?”
She laughed. “Of course not. Just wanted you to know how wrong such a thing was.”
“It’ll be great fun. When do we go?”
“Let’s head in after dark. We can go to the bar, then see what else we can dig up.”
Honey grabbed her hand. “Thanks for not keeping me out of this.”
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“Hey. I need someone I trust at my back.”
Knock. Knock. Knock.
Jacey and Honey rushed to hide the papers and were laughing when Etta Mae opened the door. She shook her head at them.
“Y’all come down and keep me company while I finish dinner.”
“We’ll be right there, Mama,” Jacey said.
Her mom looked between them and left shaking her head. Honey and Jacey burst out laughing.
“That look I haven’t seen in a while,” Jacey chortled.
“Not since before you moved.”
Nodding, Jacey wiped her eyes. “Thanks for helping me have such a great childhood, Honey.”
“Likewise.” They got off the bed. “Did you ever imagine things would end up like this?”
“Nawh. Not for a second.”
“I mean, you’re the mom of Derek’s son. After all these years, the fates made sure to bind y’all.”
“Life does give interesting curves in its road.”
The women headed downstairs. Once in the kitchen, Jacey was soon lost in the joy of being with family and friends. Even so, her eyes continually drifted to where Caleb would have been had he been there. She tried to view it as a simple sleepover but she couldn’t. For the closer Caleb and Derek became, the harder it would be for her to take him away.
Later that evening Jacey and Honey pushed through the doors to the bar and sought out a table. Low whistles reached them as they walked. They never made it to a table when Jacey felt a large hand on her arm. Turning, she came face to face with one of the guys she’d grown up with. Brian Kristal, a big country boy.
“Come dance, Jacey,” he drawled.
With a quick glance to Honey, who sent her an encouraging grin, Jacey allowed Brian to tug her back onto the dance floor. The music was loud, fast, and fun. As she spun around she caught glimpses of Honey on the floor as well. Jacey lost track of time until familiar arms closed around her at the start of slower music.
Carson.
She smiled up at him. “Hey, stranger.”
“You know Derek would kill you for wearing this and dancing with other men.”
“Lucky for me then he isn’t my keeper.”
Carson sighed. “You look great, Jacey. So what trouble are y’all getting into?”
“No trouble.”
He scoffed. She laughed. After the dance was over, they grabbed a table and watched Honey dance with David.
“What’s up, Jace?” Carson asked.
Sipping her beer, Jacey shrugged easily. “Not here, Carson. Honey and I are just out having fun. What about you?” She arched a brow. “No date? Dates?”
“I’m supposed to meet Cindy here.”
“That’s the Carson I know,” she said, laughing softly.
He grinned and shrugged without shame.
Honey and David walked over and Jacey smiled at them. “Evening, David. How’s it going?”
“Great, now that I found my fiancée. Been hiding her from me?”
“Yes. I stole her for dinner.”
David seemed appeased by that. He sat by Honey and draped his arm over her chair. Jacey could see the anger in Honey’s expression but either David couldn’t or didn’t care.
Jacey finished the rest of her beer. “Ready, Honey?”
“Where are you two going?” David asked.
“I have things to do and I need to go see RJ.”
“It’s late. I didn’t know the garage was open.”
“It’s not.” She pushed to her feet, winked at Carson, and headed for the door. Honey met her at the Rubicon. “Let’s do this.”
The women drove to RJ’s Garage, parked, and walked inside. The scruffy mechanic was buried under a truck hood. He popped his head out and grinned. “Hey, ladies.”
“Hi, RJ. We’re here if anyone comes looking. Honey, stay here.”
“Jacey,” she protested.
“No, Honey. You stay here. I’ll be right back, okay?”
“Fine,” she grumbled. “You be careful.”
Jacey heard the reluctance in her tone but in her mind there would be no discussion on this. This was her element. And she could pull it off faster alone. Lifting one leg, then the other, Jacey undid her high heels and placed them down.
“I’ll be back soon,” she said before jogging quickly up to the room above the shop. Peering out the window, Jacey scanned the darkened streets. Moving to the rafters, she jumped and swung up easily before moving the small window. Carefully, she slid out and rolled out onto the roof, staying low.
At least my clothes are dark. Pushing to her feet, Jacey began skipping rooftops, her bare feet making no sound as she made her way to Red’s again. Jeez, I’m breaking into a police station. Griz is gonna kill me if I get caught.
Silent, she opened another window and dropped to the floor, landing in a couch in the office. Thankfully small towns didn’t have a lot of security. Senses alert, Jacey listened before moving slowly to the desk. Reaching into her bra, Jacey withdrew a penlight and turned it on, the small shaft of light piercing the dark. Methodically but quickly, she searched.
Under a bunch of tan manila folders sat a gray one and she pulled it out. Flipping it open, she began to read and when she finished, Jacey put the file back. A loud noise outside the door kicked her into motion. Dousing her light, she moved toward her exit. When the door opened and the light exposed Red and David, Sr., Jacey was quietly closing the window before dashing back across the roofs to RJ’s.
David, Jr.’s voice reached her upon entering the small room. Little bastard weasel. Jacey listened to him ask where she was. Brushing any dirt off her clothes, Jacey trotted down the stairs.
“Hi, David,” she said easily.
“Jacey,” he blubbered. “I just stopped by to see…if…you two were okay.”
“I’m good, just had to adjust my clothes.” She tugged on her skirt, then looked back at RJ. “What can I do now, RJ?”
Jacey joined RJ at the truck and sent him a smile of thanks when he told her.
“Glad you’re okay. I…I should get going.”
“’Night, David. See you tomorrow at the rehearsal,” Jacey called. Her fist clenched by the engine block as she tried to rein in her emotions.
Soon Honey joined them and her eyes asked the question. Jacey sighed. “Red’s making a deal to sell it to them. The Turners apparently dabble in real estate development now. They are going to try and make it a golf course community. According to the papers they’ve already sold some houses by proposal only. These are quarter of a million dollar homes.”
“How can they?”
“Easy. Red owns most of the loans and so all he has to do is call them in early. It’ll be a force out for most.” And death for you, Honey.
“Bastard,” Honey seethed.
“He…they won’t get away with it. We’ll stop them, Honey.”
“Should I call off the wedding?”
“I don’t think so, no. We need to let them think no one knows. And if you break off the wedding, I’m pretty sure they’ll panic.”
“Okay. I play the part.”
“Let me get you home, Honey. Rehearsal is tomorrow.”
“I know.”
Her friend sounded so despondent. Jacey grabbed her shoes, kissed RJ, and headed to her vehicle. The ride back to the Moser Farm was quiet, each woman lost in her own thoughts. Jacey had to force herself not to get out of the Jeep knowing her son was in there.
“’Night, Honey.”
“’Night, Jace. See you in the morning.”
It was hard to leave but Jacey did. Carrying her shoes, Jacey walked barefoot through the house to her room. A note waited for her on the door and she opened it with a groan. The words which leaped off the sheet of paper had her clamping her lips together to keep in the litany of cruses which waited. Angry, she got ready for bed. Walking to it with a yawn, Jacey turned off the light and fell face first on the bed.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Derek s
at beside his son as they fished. The morning was, to him, perfect. Caleb had come in a few minutes before six and woke him. They’d gone jogging then had a big breakfast. Now they were up by Owl Lake fishing.
“Papa?”
“What is it, Caleb?”
“W…why don’t you and Mama live together?”
Derek dropped the fishing pole. Shit! What the hell am I supposed to say to that? He stared at his son, who looked back at him with guileless blue eyes.
“I…I…Is it because of m…my stutter?”
Derek jumped to his feet, moved closer to his son, and sat before him. “No, Caleb. That’s not it. Not at all. I’m so proud that you are my son.”
“Then why?”
The pain in his innocent voice shredded his heart. “Come here, Caleb.” He lifted his son into his lap. “Jacey and I are working some things out. In no way does this mean either of us loves you any less. And no matter what happens, I will always be here for you.”
“Mama’s s…sad.”
Resting his cheek against Caleb’s thick black hair, Derek asked, “What do you mean?”
“She cries at night. When she thinks I’m sleeping. S…she will stay in the room and s…she cries.”
“For how long?”
“Since we came here. I d…don’t like her sad. But I never tell her I know.”
“I don’t like her sad either.” Derek stared out over the lake. Jacey.
“Is S…Shelby why you and Mama aren’t together?”
Derek frowned. “Why do you think that?”
“She’s by your car.”
His head snapped around. Sure enough, Shelby leaned against the yellow hood of his GTO. Her short shorts showed off long, tanned legs. She wore a skimpy halter top. A growl of anger grew in the pit of his belly.
“You keep fishing. I’ll see what she wants.” Derek lifted Caleb off his lap.
“Okay.” The voice was hushed.
“Hey.” Derek looked his son in the eyes. “This day is about you and me only, sport. I’ll be right back.” Walking toward Shelby, his expression wiped away.
“Hello, Derek,” she cooed.
“What do you want?” He stood so he could keep an eye on his son along the bank of the lake.