“You’re going to be a wonderful father.”
“Then marry me? Please?”
She knocked him over onto the bed again.
“Yes!”
Epilogue
Rick stepped out onto the porch and breathed in. It was October, but true autumn was months away. It was still warm, but in his cotton shirt and khaki shorts he was comfortable. He settled on the swing suspended from the porch ceiling and looked out over the park toward the lake, letting the breeze cool him as he sipped his coffee. He had about an hour before he had to show up at the Welcome Center. He was in charge of the Sales Office, and loved showing prospective residents and investors the benefits of living in a place like this.
Four years had passed since he first came to Cypress Corners, and the development still puzzled him. Pristine natural beauty and all the modern comforts blended together into a perfect place to make his life. His real life, not the one he’d left behind in Boston.
“Good morning!”
He turned to find Harmony walking up the sidewalk toward him. Wearing shorts and a tank top, her hair in a fat curly ponytail, she still made his mouth go dry. Talk about pristine natural beauty. Damn.
“Morning,” he said. He put the coffee cup down on a side table and held out his arms. She came willingly, her and the little guy bounding along beside her. Their three-year-old son Nick.
Harmony sat beside him and held Nick on her lap. The boy was a looker, with black curls and hazel eyes. More than that, the kid knew Rick loved him.
“Daddy!”
Rick shifted and held his son close. He kissed the top of his head, feeling his soft curls with his cheek. “Hey, big guy. You and Mommy have a nice walk?”
Nick nodded. “We saw a lizard and Mommy said it was supposed to be eating that bug, so we didn’t touch it. Over in the park there were three cranes as big as me!”
“Really? Cool.”
“Miss Lettie gave me a seed pod.” He held his hand out to show a slightly-crushed husk. “Mommy says we’ll plant the seeds up near the café.”
Harmony smiled. “Grandpa Max will enjoy those beans next summer.”
Nick nodded and gave Harmony the seed husk. “I’m gonna play with my trucks.”
And just like that he switched from nature boy to rough-and-ready little man as he hopped down. He hurried over to one corner of the wraparound porch and started to play with the oversized toy trucks and SUV’s parked there. Rick watched him for a minute, shaking his head. Expensive gifts from Bill. The man would never learn.
He put his arm over Harmony’s shoulders and they leaned back together on the swing. “I heard from Jake.”
Harmony clicked her tongue. “I don’t know why he’s still at Chapman.”
He shrugged. “He’s still in grad school, too. Maybe he just can’t figure out what he wants.”
“It’s a shame what your father did to all of you.”
He just waved a hand. He wouldn’t waste any time talking about Bill. His father was firmly in his past until he could come to terms with Rick’s choices. With Rick’s life.
“Jake’s coming down next week,” he went on. “Something about an extreme training camp.”
She nodded. “I heard something about that at the Welcome Center. He’s going to plan the project. Maybe that will give him some focus.”
He was quiet for a moment. “Maybe he’ll finally find what I have.”
She turned and smiled up at him. “And what’s that, Rick Chapman?”
He grinned. “You know damn well, Harmony. I found you.”
They shared a sweet kiss and she settled against his side once more. He thought about what he’d really found at Cypress Corners. Yes, he’d found the love of his life. The mother of his son. But he’d found an understanding, too. Life was full of contradictions, of choices. You had to know what was important and what wasn’t. His life was like that. It was a life that needed balance.
He’d found his with Harmony.
Taming Jake
by
JoMarie DeGioia
PUBLISHED BY:
Bailey Park Publishing
Copyright © JoMarie DeGioia 2014
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without the written permission of the publisher, except where permitted by law.
Chapter 1
Chapman Financial, Boston
“Pick a lane.”
Jake Chapman turned from the wide window framing the gray fall day to face his father across the plush office. “What?”
“Pick a lane, damn it,” Bill Chapman said.
Jake shook his head. “Who’s Elaine?”
Bill slammed the door and stalked closer. “A lane, Jake. Make a decision for once in your life.”
Jake swallowed a grin. This again. He settled into the big leather chair behind the desk and placed his hands behind his head. As he toyed with the small gold ring on his left earlobe, he watched his father’s face turn red.
“Is this about grad school?” he asked.
Bill threw up his hands, wrinkling the sleeves of his expensive suit jacket. “Yes, it’s about grad school. It’s about work. It’s about everything, for Christ’s sake. You never finish anything.”
Jake shrugged. “So I only work at Chapman Financial a few months out of the year. What do you care? I bring in more money with my projects than any other exec.”
“It’s not about…” Bill’s gaze slid to one corner of the room as his words trailed off.
“Ha! Don’t say it’s not about the money, Dad.” Jake straightened, placing his palms flat on the desk. “It’s always about the money and you know it.”
Jake thought he saw a flicker of something in the old man’s eyes, gone in an instant. It had to be nothing. Bill Chapman didn’t do emotion and even he admitted to worshipping at the altar of the almighty dollar.
“Look.” Bill took a breath and blew it out. “You’re almost thirty. School isn’t doing it for you. Chapman obviously isn’t doing it for you. You need to decide what you want.”
“Why?”
Bill looked as perplexed with Jake’s question as Jake was with his statement. Why pick a lane, as his father put it? He should make a choice and then live with the consequences? No friggin’ way.
Bill settled across from him and wiped his hand over his face. His father was built like both Jake and his brother Rick. Tall and broad and athletic. The years had been good to Bill, too. Years Jake and his siblings had been without their mother while Bill dedicated his every waking moment to making money.
Jake could read his father and knew the conversation would soon turn. He folded his hands as he waited and fingered a callous on his thumb, the result of the past weekend’s climb upstate. Another challenge, another rush. Maybe it was time to try something new. He’d been at Chapman for two months now, and that was about as long as he could stand being cooped up in an office.
“I want you to go to Cypress,” Bill said.
“Cypress?” Jake felt the familiar tingle of anticipation go through him. “The courses are a go?”
Bill nodded. Jake had pitched his idea to the investors last month, detailing his plan for adventure trails in the middle of a wild, lush property set in Central Florida. Cypress Corners—pricey homes, championship golf course and secluded resort—was the perfect setting for his “Adventure Excursions.” Bike trails, rock walls, lake obstacles, rope bridges. The place would have it all and bring in a ton of money for the developers and Chapman Financial’s investors.
As part of the deal Jake would be the one to design it, then he would test it so that the out-of-shape executives it was made for wouldn’t hurt themselves while they enjoyed their managed thrills and careful excitement. But man, would Jake have a blast testing it himself. To its, and his, limits.
“The investors gave it a go,�
�� Bill said. “And they agree that you’re the one to spearhead the project. God knows you can use some direction over the next couple of months setting it up.”
Jake ignored that last dig and took the faith of the investors at face value. “They won’t regret it. And I’ll get to see Rick and his family.”
Bill’s lips thinned but he said nothing. Jake’s big brother Rick hadn’t talked to the old man for almost four years now. Not since he told Bill to take his job at Chapman and shove it. Bill should be relieved in that respect. At least Rick had made a choice.
Rick and his wife Harmony lived in Cypress Corners with their son, and Jake couldn’t wait to see them again. Jake wouldn’t let Rick’s choice to stay out of the family business drive a wedge between the brothers.
Jake stood. “When do you want me there?”
***
Cypress Corners, Florida
Claire Callahan’s fingers danced over the keyboard as the numbers popped onto the screen in front of her. The budget, the input of numbers that represented more money than she’d ever touch in her lifetime, was her responsibility. She gladly took it on. She was always the responsible one. The one who stayed the course, took the steady road. It had brought her the CPA controller position at Cypress Corners at the age of twenty-six. It paid her a salary that let her put a steady amount toward her student loans and still put aside enough to gain some security in her life. Security she sorely craved.
Another Friday afternoon drew to a close. Some of the offices around her were already dark, their occupants off to start their weekends a little early. Claire didn’t begrudge them. At least they had something to do. Somewhere to go.
“Hey, are you still here?”
Claire turned to nod at Tammy. Tammy was one of the sales reps for the property, and she was all smiles and promises. Truth be told, she was also one of the reasons Claire had such big numbers to input. While separate custom builders and contractors worked on the property, the development itself earned a hefty percentage on land and home sales.
“Yes,” Claire answered. “I don’t want this waiting for me on Monday.”
Tammy tossed her head in answer, her shining black hair sliding over one shoulder of her expensive silk blouse. Claire knew the cost of things, since she had to balance her personal budget down to the penny. She’d like to be able to wear clothes like Tammy’s, but as much of her salary as she could manage went directly into her savings.
“Well, I’m off to the beach.” Tammy grinned. “Love this time of year. No kids around.”
Claire just smiled. Tammy took off, bound for her little convertible and her escape less than an hour away to the east. As for Claire, she’d had enough of the beach when she’d lived with her family on the east coast of Florida. It might still be pretty but it held more bad memories than good. So there was no escape for Claire.
An hour later, Claire shut down the computer and stood. She stretched her arms toward the coffered ceiling and let out a groan. She had to allow that her office was decorated beautifully, a nod to the developers who made Cypress Corners the successful project it was. Claire lived right here at Cypress too, in a modest house nestled in one of the more densely-populated villages that dotted the sprawling property. It was a two-bedroom bungalow with deep moldings and hardwood floors and the bare minimum of furniture.
“Hey, Claire.”
Claire picked up her bag and turned. Rick Chapman, Sales Director for Cypress, looked at her expectantly.
“Hi, Rick.” She snapped off the light and shut her office door. “I’m surprised to see you back here.”
Rick shrugged and gave her that handsome grin of his. He held up a soda can. “Harmony wanted a diet cola with lime and we’re out at home.”
Claire smiled. “Harmony’s a woman with very specific wants.”
Rick laughed. “Yeah. Good thing she still wants me.”
Claire couldn’t be surprised at that, really. He was gorgeous, big and strong and clearly devoted to his wife. And he was just as lucky to have her friend Harmony in his life.
Rick walked beside her as she left the building for the small parking lot set beside it. She listened to the sand crunch beneath their feet, ticking off the seconds before he made his move. She knew he’d ask. He’d asked every day this week despite her continued refusal. Tonight he waited until she reached her car.
“Are you coming on Sunday?”
Claire’s shoulders slumped. The barbeque. It’s all he and Harmony had talked about all week, and always conspicuously within her earshot. She had only her Sunday free, as usual. Tomorrow she’d be tied up with Cally like she was every Saturday. Her father took all of her energy on their days together. That was for sure. But Sunday? Oh, what the heck. What was she going to do instead? Stay in and watch movies on Lifetime?
“Yes, I’m coming. What do you want me to bring?”
Rick’s smile widened.
***
Sunday couldn’t have come quickly enough for Claire. Yesterday Cally had been alternately pouty and cheerful. Something was definitely up with her father. She’d taken him out and they’d shared a meal at their favorite hotdog stand, and she’d listened as he’d reminisced about her mom and the life they had before she died five years ago. If only their life had really been as Cally described it. She’d worry about him later, though. God knew he would still be there later. He always was.
Rick and Harmony’s house faced the lakeside park, and was wrapped by a wide brick porch which held wicker furniture and wooden rockers. Claire felt the tension of Saturday evaporate as she climbed the few steps up to the front door. She could hear a child’s laughter from behind the house, and the sound was light and sweet and carried on the temperate breeze. Her belly clenched, as it always did when she thought of the child she’d love to have. Someday.
She shifted the plastic box in her hands and rapped on the wooden frame of the screen door.
“Hey!” Harmony held the screen door open for Claire. “I’m so glad you could make it. Come in, come in.”
Claire’s friend had her curly golden hair up in a ponytail, looking half her age as a smile curved her lips. Claire felt a tingle of apprehension mixing with the happiness at seeing her friend. Uh oh. She’d seen that smile before. Harmony was up to something.
“Rick didn’t make it easy to keep saying no,” Claire said.
She handed Harmony the container of home-baked cookies. Baking was one of Claire’s few escapes. She bought ingredients in bulk and searched out new recipes to try. Following the recipes to the letter and presenting the perfect treats gave her a useful application of the math she adored.
Harmony lifted the box to peer through the plastic. She gave a little moan. “God, I love your chocolate-chocolate chip.”
Claire smiled at the compliment and followed her into the house. Pitchers of iced tea and lemonade along with plastic cups were set on the granite counter closest to the French doors leading out to the patio. Harmony stole a cookie before setting the box beside a plastic tray of obviously store-bought brightly-colored and heavily-frosted cupcakes.
Claire regarded the supermarket treats. “What’s with all the sugar?”
Harmony shook her head. “Those are Rick’s brother’s idea of the perfect treat for a three-year old boy. If Nick eats one of those I’ll never get him to sleep tonight.”
Claire honed in on one thing Harmony said. Rick’s brother was here. The elusive Jake she’d heard about. Thrill-seeking, globe-hopping Jake Chapman. Claire now knew what Harmony’s smile had meant. She smelled a set up. Wasn’t that just great?
There was a gilt-framed mirror hanging beside the French doors, and Claire couldn’t resist taking a quick glance in it as she went outside. She was no Tammy, but she was no slouch, either. Her strawberry-blond hair was thick and wavy, her skin clear if dotted with more than a few freckles. She looked tired, though. And certainly not as young as Harmony did even though Claire was a few years younger. Oh, well.
She st
epped out onto the patio and froze as she glimpsed the finest butt she’d seen in a long time. With a strong back above and long legs beneath, this guy had a body Claire could look at for hours. He wore his dark hair a little long but it looked thick and glossy.
“Jake!” Harmony called.
The guy straightened and turned. Claire’s belly clenched again. God. He was a god! The tan on his face and a dusting of dark stubble on his square jaw made his blue eyes sparkle like the small gold hoop in his left ear. Ooh, he looked like a sexy pirate. He was tall like his brother, but Jake Chapman was a bit leaner, his muscles more defined beneath his soft-looking t-shirt. Claire stumbled over her Keds as she stepped off the patio onto the grass.
“Hey, watch out,” Jake said. He picked up a large toy truck on the grass right in front of her, one of several parked on the lawn. “Nick’s got himself a whole fleet out here.”
Claire swallowed as he stepped closer and held out his hand.
“I’m Jake.”
She shook his hand and quickly released it. His touch was perfect. Firm and warm and sure. He smelled fresh and hot, like a day at the lake on a summer afternoon.
“Claire Callahan,” she managed to say.
His brows shot up. “You’re Claire?”
Was that disappointment in his voice? Or interest? Claire wasn’t going to try to guess right now.
“Rick and Harmony told me about you.” Jake winked. “You’re the money mind of Cypress.”
She inwardly winced. God, how boring that sounded.
“Yeah,” she said, forcing a smile. “That’s me.”
She turned and sat on a lawn chair. Any second now the hot Jake Chapman would turn his attention from the boring “money mind.”
“Lemonade, Claire?” Harmony asked from inside.
“Yes, thanks.”
Jake stared at her a little longer, and Claire shifted uncomfortably. She fingered the collar of her pretty embroidered camp shirt, an end-of-season splurge she’d picked up at the outlet center in Orlando. She crossed her legs, and her khaki shorts suddenly felt a little too short as he dropped his gaze slowly to her feet. Then Jake let out a shout as Nick grabbed his legs from behind.
Cypress Corners Boxed Set (Books 1-3) Page 17