by Judy Kentrus
Jennie thought she’d made it home free, but decided to answer truthfully. When the woman leaned into her cart for a quart of strawberry ice cream, Jennie deliberately reached for the half-gallon of milk the woman had purchased so she could whisper, “He’s a really, really great kisser.”
It was a little after one in the afternoon when she got home and started on the Storm Trooper marshmallows. Her menu included a lot of junk food, but she planned to put out hamburgers and hotdogs before they had birthday cake.
After a dinner of meatloaf and mashed potatoes, Jennie cleaned up and started icing the cake with deep blue and white icing. The edible cake topper depicted all of the characters from the latest movie. She also iced three dozen cupcakes with white icing and placed a light saber pick across the fluffy mound.
“And she can bake, too,” Grayson said, coming up in back of her. He caged her body with his long arms and nudged her ponytail out of the way with his chin so he could place little kisses on her exposed neck.
Jennie quickly turned around. “Where’s Mathew ?”
“He just went outside to check on Tiger and then he was going to pet the horses next door. Don’t worry. I would never do anything to compromise my guest in front of a ten-year-old child. You caused quite a stir in Fort Mavis.”
“Why am I not surprised you know what happened when I went into town?”
“I had some business with the manager of the bank this afternoon, and he happened to mention Ms. Reynolds was in this morning, and she’s lovely and gracious.” Gray reached around Jennie’s shoulder and dipped his finger into the bowl of leftover white icing. “So, I’m a really great kisser,” he teased.
“Jeez, I only said that to one nice old lady.”
“You met Larry’s grandmother. She thinks we are a sweet couple.”
He dabbed icing on each cheek and smoothed a layer across her bottom lip. “I kept it to myself that you are very a tempting treat.” He licked the fluffy mounds from each of her cheeks. “And you taste delicious.” He lowered his head again and concentrated on nibbling away the layer of icing on her lips.
“You are a devil, seducing me in the middle of the kitchen.” She laughed.
When the back door slammed, they both jumped. Jennie quickly turned around and wiped her cheeks with a towel just in case Gray hadn’t eaten away all of the evidence.
“Uncle Gray, Tiger is missing!” Panic filled Matt’s young voice, and tears filled his eyes.
Jennie drew him into her arms to offer motherly comfort, and lowered her cheek to the top of his head. “He was there this morning when I changed his water and put fresh food in his bowl.”
“His blanket and everything is gone.” Matt pulled out of Jennie’s arms and reached in the pocket of his jeans to take out a crumpled envelope. “I found this on the floor and it has your name on it.”
Grayson took the envelope from Matt’s hand. “Stay with Jennie till I see what this is all about,” he said, and walked toward his office for privacy. Anger boiled in his body, and he wanted to strangle the person with his bare hands for putting the frightened look on Matt’s face.
You’ll never get that kid no matter what you do. You’re dipping your wick into a backstabbing slut. Revenge is so sweet. The cat is in a carrier in your shed.
Gray knew who’d sent the note, but none of it made sense. Right now he didn’t have time to think about the implications of the message. Rescuing Tiger came first.
He hurried into the kitchen and gave his very worried nephew a big smile. “Come on, buddy. Tiger is in the shed.”
“Can you—” Jennie said, but a quick shake of Grayson’s head indicated he’d tell her later.
“Who put him in there?” Matt asked, hurrying out the back door with his uncle and Jennie.
“Remember when we were talking the other night about people being mean? Well, I recently had to fire an employee because he didn’t do his job. He’s angry and is trying to hurt me.” Gray got to the door first, and they were greeted by Tiger’s meowing.
“Tiger!” Matt squealed, kneeling down to open the cage door. He reached inside and lifted the cat to his arms.
“I think it’s time the cat got used to sleeping in the house.” Gray slipped a protective arm around boy and cat. “What do you say?”
“I say all right! Come on, Tiger! Wait until you see my room.”
Jennie walked beside Grayson when they returned to the house. Mathew was far ahead, so her question couldn’t be overheard. “What did the note say?”
“He implied I would never get Mathew, and told me where to find the cat.” Gray decided to keep the rest of the missive to himself, since it was so uncomplimentary toward Jennie.
“Why would he say something like that?”
“Burt Springer is a sick bastard and thinks his plan to damage my reputation will work, but I believe people have a lot more faith in me.”
Jennie got the feeling there was something he wasn’t telling her, but she wasn’t about to press the issue. “I know it’s too late to close the barn door after the cow got out, but maybe you should consider putting an alarm system in the house.”
“That is something you don’t think about when you live off a country road surrounded by horse farms. Monday I’m going to call the sheriff to let him know about Burt. My next call will be to Adams Security, the company that handles the alarm system on the Roadhouse and the brewery. They are very well known and also handle home protection.”
Jennie inwardly blanched when he mentioned the name of the company her brother worked for. She took Gray’s hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. “Let’s put that troublemaker from our minds. We’ve got a very big weekend ahead of us.”
“This may sound crazy, but I’m really looking forward to this party.”
“Me too!” She kept it to herself that she was worried, very worried.
Chapter 7
They’d finished setting up for the party by six o’clock Saturday evening. All that remained was to put out the hot foods. The couches had been pushed to the side to make room for the kids to sleep. The temperature was seventy degrees, so they could play their games outside and have their scavenger hunt.
Loretta came early to help Jennie. Her fiancé, Boomer, would help Grayson with the boys, and her son Manuel was playing with Mathew in his bedroom. She stood back to admire the table and the cute signs Jennie had placed in front of the snacks and drinks to add more Star Wars authenticity to the food.
“Wookie cookies? Yoda soda? You did a fantastic job.” Loretta lined up the theme plates and napkins beside the condiments on another small table. “Where did you get that big Star Wars banner?”
Jennie placed the cake in the center of the table. “Online. Haven’t you heard? The UPS man has become my best friend.”
“He’s my brother-in-law.” Loretta laughed with a smile.
“Everyone knows everyone around here.” Jennie looked around to make sure they were alone. Grayson and Boomer were making sure the shed and barn were secured because they didn’t want the kids venturing inside and getting into trouble.
“Let’s keep this between us. I don’t want Gray to worry. What can you tell me about Burt Springer?”
“He’s been working at the Roadhouse for about a year. Lives by himself in a trailer park in Kerryville. He did his job, but could be a flake.”
“Flake?”
“You know, unreliable, came in late. He tells you he’s going to do one thing and doesn’t keep his word, a procrastinator. I’m surprised Gray didn’t fire him sooner. Why are you asking me about him?”
“He’s been hassling Gray. The scum is the one responsible for spreading those vicious rumors about me, trying to blacken Gray’s reputation so he can’t formalize his adoption of Mathew.”
“Gray approached a couple of us to be interviewed as character references. That was over six months ago. I so admire you trying to protect the man you love.”
“What!” Heat gathered around the back o
f Jennie’s neck. “Where would you get that crazy idea? I’ve only been here a week.”
“Jennie, I’m not blind. I’ve been in this house for an hour and need a fan from all the sexual tension. You two are hot for each other and very much in love. He finds any excuse to touch you in some tender way, and his eyes have a homing device that zeroes in wherever you are. His face lights up when he sees you. The man wants to eat you alive.”
“That’s just your imagination.” It wasn’t true. Grayson didn’t love her. She didn’t love Grayson Wolff!
“Really! And you didn’t take on the entire town to protect his reputation.” It wasn’t Loretta’s imagination that a look of panic filled her friend’s eyes as a new thought came to mind. “It’s true! You haven’t slept with him!”
Jennie couldn’t face Loretta, and concentrated on rearranging the goodies on the table. She just shook her head.
“Damn! What’s with you, girl? Jump his bones!”
“I would love to, but we need the right time and place.”
“You need the right time and place for what?” Grayson asked, coming up behind Jennie. He placed a possessive arm around her waist and kissed her temple.
“For me to jump your bones,” she calmly answered, and watched his cheeks turn red in front of his employees.
“Gray, she’s got your number.” Loretta laughed.
Jennie checked her watch. “In about twenty minutes, we will be invaded by seven more boys. It’s time to get into our costumes.”
She smiled at Grayson’s bouncer, a former semipro football player. He was in his early thirties and didn’t need shoulder pads to exaggerate his broad build. Rowdy customers refrained from giving him a hard time or challenging his authority. “You have the honor of dressing up as Chewbacca.”
“He’s my favorite.”
“Loretta, you will be Rey, the female scavenger.”
“I love it!”
“I’m almost afraid to ask who I’m supposed to be.” Skepticism filled Gray’s voice.
“Your costume is on your bed.”
“Who will you be?” Gray asked her.
“Guess.”
At seven o’clock the rest of the children arrived. Grayson opened the door dressed up as Darth Vader. Princess Leia stood beside him. As a courtesy, Gray invited the parents in to see the decorations in the backyard. He also wanted them to be aware of the other chaperones that would be there during the party. He wasn’t leaving anything to chance.
Mathew couldn’t contain his excitement and gave each boy a t-shirt that was the same as he wore, with all the Star Wars characters. All eight immediately put them on. Their favorite game was the scavenger hunt. The kids were given a list of ten items and clues that would eventually lead them to the piñata.
Gray had set up torches in the yard so the kids could play outside in the dark. At nine o’clock, Melanie arrived to pick up Jace. He pleaded for another hour, declaring it was the best party ever. She caved and enjoyed visiting with her old friend.
Darth Vader called timeout by ten thirty and had the kids unroll their sleeping bags in the living room. The two men would sleep near the boys.
Rey and Princess Leia gratefully escaped to Jennie’s bedroom. As soon as they changed into their nightgowns, Jennie went to the bedroom closet to retrieve the bottle of wine and two glasses she’d stashed there earlier. They sat cross-legged on the bed and laughed at the ruckus going on in the other room.
“So tell me, what does it feel like to ride a bull?” Jennie asked, and suddenly realized the question could be taken two ways, since Boomer was such a big man.
“The two-legged one is a hunk and the four-legged one is a challenge. I’m only going to take a sip of wine.” Loretta patted her stomach and offered a tender smile. “I won’t be doing any drinking or bull riding for a while. Boomer and I are going to have a baby.”
“That is so fantastic. I’m so happy for you.”
“At least Boomer will be around for this baby. Manuel’s father got me pregnant and then took off. I heard he was killed in a head-on collision four years ago. He was driving under the influence. The couple in the other car was also killed. Supposedly there was a child in the back seat, but he survived, thank God.
“Manuel is crazy about Boomer and vice versa. We’re getting married next month. Will you still be here?”
“No, I can’t stay. I have a new job and a new life waiting for me in Pennsylvania.”
“That’s a shame, because you and Grayson are perfect together. It’s obvious that Mathew loves you, too. How are you going to walk away from the man you love?”
“I don’t know.” Jennie looked at her reflection in the glass of wine. She still had Princess Leia buns on either side of her head. “I really don’t know.”
Neither man had ever heard of a sugar high, and worked hard to corral the boys, who wanted to re-enact scenes from the movie with their pretend bubble lasers that were supposed to be handed out as a thank-you gift when they went home after breakfast. Gray and Boomer were beside themselves when the boys had a bubble fight in the living room. The kids were far from intimidated by Boomer’s large size or Gray’s authoritative commands to settle down. The bouncer announced he’d take on the customers at the Roadhouse anytime. By three a.m., the last kid finally fell asleep, and so did the two exhausted chaperones.
Mathew was up at seven and went into his room to get Tiger. He wasn’t exactly quiet, and one by one, the boys started waking up and drifted into Matt’s bedroom to play with all the cool toys.
Grayson sat up, feeling like death warmed over. He wasn’t accustomed to sleeping on a hard floor, and his back was killing him, despite the thickness of the sleeping bag. He looked around the room. All the sleeping bags were empty. Immediate panic set in as he wondered if the rabble-rousers had been carried off by aliens, until he heard the noise of Mathew’s remote control helicopter. He looked up and immediately ducked when a pair of rotary blades whizzed by, almost clipping him in the head. Damn kids.
The commotion woke up Boomer, and he opened his eyes to see a remote control Hummer headed for his face. He jumped up and away from the fast-moving toy. Damn kids.
Gray’s foggy, awakening brain heard female giggling and knew it wasn’t mischievous boys. He untangled his legs from the sleeping bag and pushed himself up from the floor. Jennie and Loretta were on the other side of the counter, laughing. Both held remote controls in their hands.
“Boomer, get yours! I’m getting mine!”
Neither man ducked when the remotes flew toward their heads.
Jennie squealed when Grayson took her in his arms, swung her around, and planted a quick, punishing kiss on her lips. All laughter died when he lifted his mouth away and she saw what she didn’t want to see. When his mouth slowly lowered again with a much deeper kiss, she felt what she didn’t want to feel, but it was there. It was there and very real.
Her heart was breaking and crying silent tears because she had to leave. She couldn’t stay to love him. But this was here and now. She’d let herself enjoy this beautiful fantasy till she had to walk away. Jennie wrapped her arms around his neck. She poured her heart into his loving kiss.
Two throats being cleared drew them back to reality.
“You better find that time and place, real quick,” Loretta said.
Monday morning, Gray met with his brewmaster at the Roadhouse to discuss a new beer he’d like to introduce this summer. He loved this part of the business, but hated the endless paperwork and continuous marketing to introduce his new brews. With one phone call, all his headaches would go away. His father’s company produced beers throughout the United States and had a great marketing team at Gray’s disposal, considering he was on the board and held a great deal of stock in the parent company. But he didn’t need his father. The microbreweries were Gray’s babies. He had one more to set up, in Laurel Heights, Pennsylvania. Mathew had stayed with Loretta and Boomer while he spent three weeks there in December, and liked what
he saw. The town was quaint, the people very friendly, and Matt would love the four seasons, especially snow. First he had to make the adoption permanent.
When his cell phone rang, he answered it immediately, recognizing the caller ID for Mathew’s caseworker.
“Ms. Dimple, tell me you have a date for my final visitation.”
“That’s exactly why I’m calling, Mr. Wolff. The agency got a disturbing phone call regarding a woman with loose morals living at your home.”
“I beg to differ with you, Ms. Dimple, but the only woman living at my home is my housekeeper.” Grayson silently cursed Burt Springer’s soul to hell.
“That is why I have scheduled your final visitation on Thursday. We will be there at ten in the morning. Please make yourself available. I will also need to interview your housekeeper.”
“She’ll be available. It won’t be just you?”
“No. Your father has requested two of his lawyers be present.”
“What kind of bullshit is this? My father has nothing to do with this adoption!”
“Mr. Grayson, I don’t appreciate you using foul language. After all, we’re dealing with a great deal of money if this adoption becomes final.”
“What do you mean if? How do you know how much money is involved?”
“According to your father, he’s been getting reports firsthand from an undisclosed female about your loose behavior and what is actually going on in your home.”
“Now I know he’s blowing smoke. Ms. Dimple, come hell or high water, this adoption will be finalized this week. See you Thursday.”
Gray was furious. Who the hell was reporting back to his father? Then he recalled the note from Springer: You’re dipping your wick into a backstabbing slut. Jennie would never betray him. She had nothing to gain. Besides, they hadn’t done anything wrong, other than to steal kisses and make love with their clothes on. They’d never put Mathew at risk, and had a house full of chaperones during his birthday party weekend.