by Dena Blake
“He married her out of loyalty to his brother.” The words bounced from side to side in her head until she needed more. “Isn’t that kind of old-fashioned?”
“Don’t get me wrong, I think he’s enjoyed her, but she’s a little too wild for him. She likes the bad boys.”
Jillian looked out to see Amelia with her hands up, shaking her head as she walked away. She glanced up and caught Jillian’s gaze, then took a hard left toward the garage.
“What in the world is he doing?” Coop’s voice rose. “We’ll never get rid of her now.” Suzie was whispering something in Blake’s ear, and he was grinning. “I can’t watch this anymore.” Coop shifted her attention from the show outside to Jillian. “I don’t know what your story is, young lady.” Coop took her hand and squeezed it. “I’m sure you’ll let me know when you’re ready.”
Jillian looked at the heavy-set woman with her dark-red hair pulled up into a bun and didn’t know what to say. Amelia was wrong about Coop. She wasn’t frightening at all, and her hands were much too soft to be used for cleaning.
“Why don’t you take that basket of clothes upstairs and fold them before Amelia comes back in here and gets herself into real trouble.”
Jillian carried the basket of clothes up to her room and closed the door. Bleached-blond hair, oodles of makeup. How could he marry someone like that? She was so unlike Jamie, it was ridiculous.
* * *
Kelly passed the house twice before coming up with a plan to park at the end of the street and walk by the house to the park. It was a perfectly normal route for anyone who lived in the neighborhood. She just wished she had a dog to make herself inconspicuous. Careful not to look suspicious, she pulled the stocking cap low on her forehead and headed down the sidewalk. She would’ve never figured out where Jillian had gone if it weren’t for one of the researchers at the news network where Jillian worked. It had taken a few drinks and a fair amount of sweet talk, but she’d been able to find out everything she needed in one night.
As she got closer to the house, Kelly slowed her pace and dropped down to the concrete to tie her shoe. She glanced up carefully and saw there wasn’t anyone on the porch, so she walked past the driveway and then by the house, noting the position of the door and windows. The headlights of a car shined on the shrubs that bordered the yard, and she looked over her shoulder. A car had pulled up at the curb. She passed the shrubs that bordered the yard and turned back to watch as a woman she didn’t recognize got out of the passenger seat and went to the door. Kelly looked to her left and smiled. Jackpot. She’d spotted a pathway next to the house that would make it much easier for her to get a full view.
* * *
Jillian watched from the slight opening in the kitchen doorway as Suzie handed Blake David’s baseball uniform. “His game tomorrow is at eleven. He already has his hat.”
“You want to come in and have some dinner with us?” Blake asked.
Suzie looked over her shoulder toward the car at the curb. “Thanks, but I already have plans. I’ll pick him up tomorrow afternoon.”
Blake stood in the front entry watching as she went down the walk to the car and got in. Jillian crossed the living room and stood in the doorway next to him.
“Who is she?” Jillian already knew Amelia and Coop’s opinion of Suzie, but she wanted Blake’s as well. She had a huge decision to make about Abby, and Suzie was becoming an integral factor.
“She’s David’s mother.” He hesitated.
“The two of you must have had David when you were very young.”
“It’s complicated.” He continued to stare straight ahead, watching Suzie. “David is my brother’s son.”
“Oh.” She feigned surprise. “So you’re not married?”
“We’re married.”
“Was she married to your brother before you?”
“No. Tyler was pretty messed up. He never took responsibility for David.”
“Then why did you marry her?” she said in a whisper.
“Every child needs a father.” He shifted his gaze to Jillian. “I wasn’t a very good husband. We were young and it was difficult.”
“Do you love her?”
“It didn’t start out that way.”
“But you do now.” Jillian could see it clearly in his actions. She’d watched him earlier. The excitement in his eyes when she’d arrived, the clenching of his jaw as he’d watched her rush to the car waiting at the curb.
“It doesn’t matter.” He shook his head. “I’ll never be the kind of guy she likes.” He motioned to the shaggy dude in the leather jacket waiting for her in the car.
Jillian could see the disappointment in his face as the car drove away. “Well, how about I help you out with that.”
His brows drew together. “How?”
“Why don’t we start with this?” She reached up and mussed his hair, then rubbed her fingers across his cheek and gave him a light pat on the face. “You need to invest in an electric shaver, so you can leave a little stubble on that baby face of yours.” She smiled and cocked her head. “If you don’t have anything else going, I’m up for a little shopping.”
* * *
Kelly stood just on the other side of the fence and looked through a knothole in the wood. The back of the house was lined with a screened-in porch, and on the other side was a detached garage where the driveway led. She waited for the sun to go down before she pulled herself up and peeked over the fence. Through the kitchen windows, she could see a man and a woman who seemed to be cooking together. It was difficult to make out through the screened-in porch, but the woman looked to be about the same size as Jillian, yet her hair and clothes were all wrong. She scanned the second floor, noticing a trellis to each window on the side, no lights on upstairs. Either they were the only two home or everyone was downstairs. She saw headlights across the yard, and a car pulled into the garage. She could tell by the leaded exhaust fumes that it was an old one. She ducked down while the person came across the yard and went inside. Another man.
She strolled back to her car, watching through the windows as she walked. She saw boys in the living room, and she stopped when the girl caught her eye. Abby. She crossed the yard to the side of the porch and peeked through the window. Jillian must be here somewhere. All she saw were kids. She sprinted back to her car and looked at the documents she’d printed before she left New York. The house, previously owned by Jillian’s parents, had been donated to social services. It had been up and running for close to a year now. Why would Jillian come back here to do a story she could just as easily do in New York? She fired the engine, threw the car into gear, and sped off to the motel she would make her home until she figured all this out.
Chapter Twelve
Faded jeans. Check. Plain gray T-shirt. Check. Black work boots. Check. Leather jacket. Check. The transition was amazing. Blake had changed from the all-American boy to a laid-back, cool dude overnight. Now he would just have to get Suzie to notice. It was her weekend to have David, so Jillian knew she’d be here soon to pick him up.
“Okay, give me the jacket.” He took it off, and she hung it on the old oak hall tree by the door. “Sit on the couch and relax.” He sat in the middle, sitting straight up with his hands on his legs. “No, over here.” She pointed to the corner. “Lean back, put your arm on the back, and spread your legs.”
Jillian heard the engine as the car drove up and looked out the window. “Okay, now I’m going upstairs. I’ll be back down in a few minutes.”
“Okay. What do I do?”
“Just sit there. Don’t get up when she comes through the door, and when I come back, go with whatever I say.” Blake pulled his brows together, skepticism in his eyes. “Okay?”
He nodded, and Jillian climbed the stairs and sat on the step just past the landing. She heard the door open and then Suzie’s voice in the foyer. She waited, listening to their conversation.
“What’s with the hair?” Suzie asked.
“Thought I’d try something ne
w.”
Jillian peeked around the steps and watched as Suzie let her gaze rake over Blake. Mission one accomplished.
“Looks good. You should keep it that way.”
“Thanks.”
“What are you doing tonight? You want to get something to eat with David and me? We’re going to the new Mexican place downtown.”
That was her cue. Jillian popped up and headed down the stairs. “Hey, baby. I’m ready.” She went to the couch and gave Blake a soft kiss on the mouth. “Sorry I took so long. Did you make the reservation?”
“I uh…yeah.” He pushed up off the couch.
She went to the hall tree, pulled their leather jackets from the hook, and handed them to Blake. Blake helped her on with hers and then slid into his own.
There they were, right on cue. Daggers coming straight out of Suzie’s eyes at Jillian. Mission two on schedule. Jillian pushed further. “Thanks for letting David stay with you tonight. We haven’t had a night alone in weeks.” She locked her arm with his, looked up, and gave Blake one of her sexiest smiles.
“Yeah, thanks,” Blake said and opened the door for Jillian. “We’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Yes, you will. Bright and early. David, let’s go,” Suzie shouted up the stairs.
Jillian leaned into him and giggled, trying to hold her laughter in until they got in the car.
“Wow, did you see the look in her eyes?” Blake said.
“I did. She hates me. Now we know she’s not over you.”
“You certainly know how to stir it up, don’t you?”
“It’s a gift.” She pulled her lips into a smile. “Where’s this new Mexican place you’re taking me for dinner?”
“I guess I owe you, don’t I?”
“Yep, and to cement this in her head, she needs to see us together.”
The host seated them at a table for four, and Jillian opted to sit next to Blake rather than across from him. The waiter brought the menus and took their drink order. They had been there for only a few minutes when Suzie walked into the restaurant with David. As soon as Jillian spotted them, she snuggled up close to Blake and whispered in his ear. “Don’t look now, but they’re here. Just pay attention to me like we’re actually dating.”
They continued to chitchat and look at each other until they heard David’s voice. “Hey, Dad. I didn’t know you were coming here tonight.”
“We weren’t,” Jillian said. “Blake said your mom mentioned it.” She looked over at Blake and smiled. “It sounded good. Right, honey?” She looked back up to see Suzie’s eyes widen. Bam! Mission number three accomplished. “Do you two want to join us?”
“Sure.” David pulled out a chair and sat before Suzie could get a word out.
Blake started to get up, and Jillian planted a hand firmly on his thigh, reminding him he was here with her. “What do you think I should order?” Jillian leaned over and looked at Blake’s menu.
“Why don’t we get the fajitas for two?”
Good boy. “That sounds great.” She gazed into his eyes. “You know just what I like.”
“Blake and I usually split those,” Suzie grumbled from across the table.
“Oh.” Jillian pulled her brows together. “Maybe you can split an order with David.”
“Uh-uh. I’m having the mucho burrito with double beans,” David said.
“Oh well. I think they have single orders.” Jillian reached across the table and pointed to them on Suzie’s menu.
Suzie narrowed her eyes. “Yes. I see that.”
The waiter came with their drinks. He put a strawberry margarita in front of Jillian and a bottle of beer in front of Blake.
Suzie pointed at the drinks and crisscrossed her hands. “You’ve got those orders wrong. He doesn’t drink beer.”
“No, that’s right,” Jillian said, picking up the margarita and taking a sip from the straw.
“Yep. JJ convinced me to try one of these the last time we were here, and I have to admit, it’s pretty good.” Blake squeezed the wedge of lime into the beer bottle and took a long pull.
Suzie’s mouth dropped open as she watched Blake drink the beer, and Jillian fought to hold back a grin.
They made it through dinner, Blake filling Jillian’s corn tortillas with chicken for her and feeding them to her once in a while. It would’ve been a very romantic date for anyone who had the slightest interest in Blake. On the flip side, it was clearly torture for Suzie, who couldn’t get through her meal quickly enough and had left Blake with the check.
“I don’t have to drink any more of this beer now, do I?” Blake said as he picked it up and looked at the small amount left in the bottle.
“No.” Jillian lifted a brow. “But you need to learn to like it if you want to hook that woman. She’s got some deep-seated stereotypical ideas about men.”
* * *
Amelia sat on her couch flipping the TV from channel to channel. When she’d stopped on her way home to pick up her take-out chicken-enchilada dinner, she was shocked to see Blake and JJ together at the restaurant, his arm across the back of her chair, her leaning into him. She had no idea her brother was dating JJ. Amelia would’ve never kissed her if she’d known. She replayed the kiss in her head, just as she had over and over for the past few weeks. She kissed me back. She hit the power button and slapped the remote onto the coffee table. Now she’s all cozied up with my brother, having dinner. She knew it was too good to be true. She’d finally found someone who made her feel something, and now she was messing with him. What the hell kind of game is JJ playing? She picked up her cell phone and hit the favorite button for Julie.
Julie answered on the second ring. “Hey, what’s up?”
“You want to get a drink?”
“I would, but I’m kind of already settled in here. I’ve got a bottle of chardonnay. You want to come over?”
“I’ve got cold chicken enchiladas.”
“Sour-cream sauce?”
“Always.”
“Sounds great. Come on.”
The door was unlocked when Amelia arrived, and Julie met her at the entrance to the kitchen. “The wine is on the counter.” She took the enchiladas into the kitchen and slid them into the oven. Amelia followed her in, poured herself a glass, and drank it down.
Julie eyed her. “Are we going to require two bottles tonight?”
“Why is it when I finally find someone I click with, she’s taken?” Amelia pushed herself up and slid onto the counter.
“My luck is rubbing off on you.” Julie picked up her glass and clinked it against Amelia’s.
“Luck.” She pulled her lip up slightly. “Is that what you call it?”
“You know me. I don’t like attachments. I didn’t think you did either.” Julie moved closer and put her hands on Amelia’s thighs. “Isn’t that why we’re so good together now?” She leaned in and kissed Amelia softly.
Amelia felt nothing—no spark, no tingle, nothing. Not at all like the kiss she’d shared with JJ. “I’ve been rethinking that lately. I don’t know if I want to be alone forever.”
“Oh.” Julie backed up, took a sip of wine, and set it back on the counter. “Because of this someone you click with, whom you can’t have?”
“Something like that.”
“So, does that mean no more friends-with-benefits for us?” She traced her finger along the neckline of Amelia’s shirt.
“I didn’t say that.” She slid off the counter, captured Julie’s mouth with hers, and kissed her hard. Maybe a good round of sex with Julie would get JJ out of her mind.
Later, Amelia sat up and tucked the sheet under her arms as she and Julie shared the pan of chicken enchiladas. “These are a little dryer than usual.”
“That’s probably because they spent an extra two hours in the oven.” Julie shoveled a spoonful of rice into her mouth.
Amelia frowned. “Sorry. It takes me a while.”
“I know. This isn’t my first rodeo, cowgirl. You know I never give up a
challenge.” Julie winked. “Seeing as how this may be our last time, I gave it my all.”
“That you did.” She gave her a soft smile. “I’m sorry, Jules.”
“Stop. We both know what this is. Just promise me you’ve never faked it.”
“Never.” She threw up three fingers. “Scout’s honor.”
“So what are you going to do about click-girl?”
“I honestly don’t know.” Amelia slipped her T-shirt over her head and slid out of bed. She took the empty pan of food into the kitchen, then came back and put on her jeans.
“You don’t have to go, you know.”
“Yeah, I do.” She leaned over and gave Julie a kiss on the forehead. “I’ll see you tomorrow.” Amelia knew the encounters she and Julie had had still meant more than just sex to Julie, and the only way to squash those feelings was to stop having them.
Chapter Thirteen
Jillian drove past the brick pillars and down the long gravel road to where her parents resided. She parked the car and sat for a few minutes staring out the windshield, steeling herself for the visit. It had been almost fifteen years since she’d been here. Jillian got out of the car, made the short walk across the perfectly groomed lawn, and stood quietly gazing at the granite stones in front of her. The last time she’d been here, there were only two mounds of dirt. She took a few steps closer and dropped to her knees. She couldn’t stop the burning ache within, and her body heaved as she sobbed. She missed them so much.
She looked at the marble headstone. A flash of nausea swept through her as she read the name below her mother’s. Emily McIntyre. The date below was the same day her mother died. “You were pregnant?” she whispered, swiping at her cheeks. How could her grandmother keep that from her all these years? She traced the name with her fingers before noticing the single red rose that had been placed at the base of the headstone. She looked around to see if any others had red roses at the base for Mother’s Day but saw none. She picked up the flower, held it to her nose, and took in its sweet scent. It was a welcome change from the cold, metallic stench that filled her memory. She didn’t know blood had a scent until the day she’d found her parents dead on their bedroom floor. That was all she could remember from that day, and it haunted her.