He’d wanted to take her to bed so badly he ached. And he couldn’t forget the question on her face when she was so obviously willing to take their relationship to another level. But he wouldn’t go there.
Hugs started to bark excitedly and Drake went out to see what was wrong.
Marsha and Kelly were walking their two dogs along the road. Then Drake’s cell phone rang. It was Steven. He let it go to voice mail. Steven had been making a pest out of himself lately.
Hugs no longer used the cage. She was still a little sore and wasn’t up to her normal energy level.
“Oh, there’s Hugs,” Kelly said, running toward them.
“She’s a lot better,” Drake said.
“Can I pet her?”
“Sure you can.”
The little girl reached out and Hugs, a definite people lover, snuggled up to her.
Drake leaned against the car as the two played. Marsha approached him holding the leashes of their two champion show dogs. Two golden retrievers bouncing around wanting to play, too, but Marsha barked out an order and they obeyed like the well-trained beasts they were.
“Take Hugs around the side, honey, so these two will calm down.” Marsha reached down and patted them as they sat on the ground.
“Do you need a ride to work?” she asked.
“Sure, thanks.”
“I’m going that way anyway. I wanted to talk to you about a fund-raising event for the animals you keep. It occurred to me that you’re building quite a menagerie in that old barn. And upkeep costs money.”
“That’s for sure.”
“Are you able to find homes for many of them?”
Drake shook his head. “We have a few birds that can’t fly. They’ll be here permanently unless we can find a home for them. And an assorted group of dogs, cats, birds and stray wild animals.”
Thinking of the school loans he was still paying off, a little aid in that department would be a tremendous help. So far the expenses were all out of his pocket. He was grateful the techs and Floyd gave their time off the clock.
“Well, I’m the fund-raising queen. I’ll write up a proposal and show it to you. And also there are plenty of people who wouldn’t mind volunteering their time to help you.”
“I appreciate that, Marsha.”
“Mom, Hugs is a lot better,” Kelly said. “Can we take her home now?”
“No, sweetheart. We have all we can handle right here.”
Jasmine couldn’t help thinking that shopping with Noelle was a whole new experience. Most of Jasmine’s friends had been like her. They weren’t shopaholics. They always found other things to occupy their time.
Noelle hopped out of the truck. Slowly, Jasmine followed. They were half sisters. She and her sister were spending the afternoon together. How many times had she wanted this as a teenager? Suddenly shopping wasn’t so bad after all. Not bad at all.
“Hey, what’s your favorite color?” Noelle asked.
“Red.”
“So we’ll do something in the red family for your bedroom. How does that sound?”
“Just a little red. Or else I’ll be in a fighting mood.”
“How about red and green. Green’s relaxing. We’ll just have a touch of red.”
Earlier Noelle had dragged her to the paint store for paint samples to help choose colors. She had them in her hand now.
“Maybe something calming for the guest room. Something in the blue family?”
“Sounds good.”
“We’re going to make the guest room a retreat with candles, pretty pillows.”
“My mother would love that.” As much as Jasmine fought with her mother, she didn’t dislike her. She loved her. It was the baggage that came with her that drove Jasmine crazy. Her mother did so much for everyone that she took little time for herself and usually little time for her daughter. She needed a retreat. She should have left Norman at home.
By the time they finished in one store, Jasmine was sure they’d bought the place out. They had pillows, pictures and candles.
“If you were more of a shopper, I would have shopped several stores for things, but knowing you, I’d never get you out again.”
“That’s the truth,” Jasmine said, wondering if they shared any genetic traits at all.
“And we still have a few more things to purchase for the guest room.”
“I have one more afternoon off and I’m not spending it shopping.”
“Lord forbid. I’ll do it on my own. It’ll be easier anyway. Is that okay with you?”
“Fine, fine.”
Noelle shook her head.
Jasmine started to sling the bags in the back, but stopped when she remembered the cost and precious time it took to purchase them.
They had even added some things for the bathroom, such as candles, pretty linens and towels.
“It shouldn’t take long to get your room set up,” Noelle said.
“I hope not.”
“Drake will appreciate it.”
“He hasn’t made it past the family room.”
“Honey, eventually he’s going to make it upstairs and I’m going to make sure you dazzle him.”
Jasmine rolled her eyes and laughed. “You’re too much.” But the idea of Drake coming upstairs had been on her mind lately.
“Honestly, Jasmine, I don’t know how anyone your age coming out of L.A. is so clueless about fashion.” Her tone was rife with exasperation.
“Fashion wasn’t exactly at the top of my list when I lived there.”
Noelle snorted delicately. “That’s obvious.”
Chapter 6
During the couple of minutes Drake took for lunch the next day, he headed to the makeshift home for the animals. He was surprised to see Floyd already there checking one of the injured ones.
Drake eased his hands into his pockets. “I thought you were out on your calls.”
“Had one close by so I decided to take my lunch break here,” Floyd said.
The older man rarely spent time in the office, especially this time of day.
“Looks like this one will be flying again soon,” he said of the bird.
“Coming along nicely.”
“I’ve known you for how many months now?” Floyd asked, sparing a brief glance at Drake before he focused on the bird again.
Drake chuckled, wondering where Floyd was going with this. “Almost a year.”
“You’re not the same easygoing person I’m accustomed to seeing. You look stressed out. I recognized the signs a few weeks ago, but I thought it was just something you had to work through.”
Did it show that much? His problem had been weighing heavily on his mind, but he didn’t want the whole damn world to know. And he certainly didn’t want to talk about it.
“I know you were sick a couple of months ago, but that’s all over now.”
Drake nodded. “I’m fine.”
“So what could it be?” Hugs sidled up to Floyd and he reached out to ruffle the dog’s fur. “I’m a good listener, Drake. If you feel you need to talk, I’m here. I know in some respects you’re new, but you’re not alone.”
“Just had some bad news I have to learn to live with, that’s all.”
“Sometimes it’s easier when you share. Whatever you say stays with me.”
The chuckle that Drake emitted was dry and uneasy. “I’ve said the same thing to someone else lately with the hopes that person would trust me.”
“Two-way street,” Floyd said, then deliberately paused. “Maybe you need to trust someone, too.”
“I discovered I’m sterile from the mumps.” Drake couldn’t believe he’d blurted it right out.
“I’m sorry, man.”
“I wasn’t even thinking about having children, just figured it would happen one day when I married. Now…”
“There are many more options now. There’s artificial insemination.”
“Except that might be a problem with the woman I’m interested in. I haven’t told
her and I don’t know what will happen to the relationship when I do.”
“Those kinds of secrets aren’t good. If your relationship is meant to be, she’ll understand,” he said. “Are the two of you serious?”
He shook his head. “Not formally, at least not yet, but I want it to go there.”
“Before it goes too far you should tell her. And it’s not the end of the world. Medical science has progressed a lot with fertility research in the past few years. There are other options.”
Drake nodded.
“Look, I won’t brush your feelings aside as if they don’t matter, because they do. But I wouldn’t give up on a relationship for that reason. Finding the right fit is tough. When you come down to it, it’s you and her. Sure you want kids, but the hard part is just getting the two of you to work. So try concentrating on that right now. Worry about the children later.”
Floyd glanced at his watch. “Call me when you need to talk, okay? You don’t have to wait for me to read your mind.”
Drake nodded.
“I’m serious. It’s not good keeping pain all bottled up.”
“I will, and thanks.”
Drake called Hugs and started to the office.
“Drake?” Floyd called out.
“Yes?” Drake turned to face the older man.
“Is she worth fighting for?”
As prickly as the feisty Jasmine could be, he could definitely be content with her. The question was easy to answer. “Yes.”
“Then I guess you have your answer.”
It was easy saying the words, but convincing Jasmine that he was worth taking a chance on was a totally different thing.
If she were any other woman, he’d have a chance. But Jasmine had a host of problems of her own that would not be easy to overcome.
Floyd was walking toward the door when he faced Drake. “You’re still a great man,” he said. “You’ve got heart and that hasn’t changed.”
Heart. Was heart enough? Drake wondered as he walked back toward the office. He was sure Jasmine’s father had plenty of heart in the beginning until it all started eating away at him. What did it do to a man to know his wife wanted children and he was incapable of providing her with them?
What was the measure of a man?
Jasmine could not believe she’d let Noelle talk her into shopping again. If it wasn’t for the fact her mother’s arrival loomed, she’d tell Noelle to forget it, sister or not. She’d gotten her truck out of the shop last evening. She was grateful for her own transportation, though she liked Drake’s ride better.
“So what are you looking for?” Noelle asked.
“Let’s see. Drake and I picked out the living room couch and bedroom set over the weekend. They’re delivering them this week.”
She’d worked seven hours and had eaten a late lunch at the Avery place. Mr. Avery came back from his trip in time to join them.
“Why don’t you all take my truck just in case you want to bring back larger items that won’t fit comfortably in yours,” Mr. Avery said. “Some of the men here can lift heavy things for you. I don’t want you girls lifting anything.”
“Thanks,” Jasmine said.
“Sorry we can’t help you with furniture. We gave away all our old things when Leila decided to redecorate. Buying furniture is a real chore.”
Jasmine shook her head. “You can say that again, but I have the pieces I need.”
“Shopping is fun, Granddad.”
He placed an arm around Noelle’s shoulder. “You all enjoy yourselves. You’ve got a real shopper with Noelle. Woman loves it.”
“I’m glad somebody does,” Jasmine said.
“You take after me, then, because I can’t think of a worse way to spend the day. You all have fun.”
Jasmine’s eyes strayed to Mr. Avery. You take after me. Did she?
“We’ll have plenty of fun,” Noelle said, and the two of them left. “So tell me where were you thinking of going?” They piled into a farm truck with both the front and backseat.
“We still have lots of shopping to do before the entire house is fully decorated. Do we need to shop for clothes, too?”
“I can’t believe I let you talk me into buying all those clothes.”
“I’d like to get a look at your wardrobe.”
“I bet you would,” Jasmine mumbled, determined to keep Noelle away from her closet.
“You’re a high-powered vet who handles multi-million-dollar animals. You should dress the part.”
“I do. I won’t wear silk to wrestle in a stall.”
Noelle merely shook her head. “Your entire life isn’t spent in the stall. You have to do something so Drake will think of you as more of a woman and less of a vet.”
“He’s a vet, too. He understands.”
“Honey, he’s a man.”
Jasmine didn’t have a rebuttal. He certainly was a man.
“Remember when the furniture is delivered you have to check and make sure there are no scrapes on the legs or anywhere. Any particular way you want it set up?”
“Only one way for it to fit in the bedroom. There are a couple of options for the living area.”
“Mind if I take a look?”
“Knock yourself out,” Jasmine said.
“Do you have a bedspread for your bedroom?”
“No. Only the blankets my mother sent for the other place but I haven’t taken the time to shop for anything else.”
“We should pass a home store in the next block. We can take a quick look at spreads and pillows.”
It was just too much bother working fifteen-and sixteen-hour days and having to worry about decorating. What a way to spend an afternoon.
Quickly, Jasmine exited the car. The quicker they chose what she needed, the quicker she’d go home. She stopped in midstep.
She and her sister—sister—were spending more time together. She smiled. Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad.
Drake didn’t have a clue what to expect when he picked Jasmine up. He hoped she wore one of those sexy little numbers like the day before. He’d planned the evening well. Nothing to make her feel on edge. They were two friends spending the evening together.
Yeah, and he could talk himself into believing the sky was falling. Friendship didn’t touch what he felt for Jasmine.
When he met her at her door, she was dressed in a knockout royal-blue top. She looked nothing like the vet in baggy clothing. And the aroma of her perfume made him want to lift her into his arms and climb the stairs to her bedroom. Not a spec of horse smell on her.
“How am I going to keep my mind on the play with you wearing this?”
She chuckled. “I can change if it bothers you.”
He shook his head. “Don’t do that. This is fabulous.” What he didn’t say was these new outfits revealed curves he didn’t know existed on her and they were doing a number on his libido.
“You sure?”
“Baby, if I were any more positive we’d spend the evening here.”
“Then I guess we better go,” she said. Noelle had cautioned her not to wear her serviceable jacket, but it was cool in the city at night.
Honey, Drake will keep you warm, trust me. Noelle had said.
And like a simpleton, she wore a shawl with her slacks and top. With an obvious V, the top was a little more revealing than Jasmine was accustomed to. Noelle assured her it was just right.
Drake pulled off his jacket and put it in the backseat before he got in behind the wheel. He turned the heat up and soon Jasmine was roasting so much she had to take the shawl off.
Jasmine glanced at him. He was sweating over there. She shook her head and reached over to turn the heat down.
“Hot?” he asked.
“You certainly are.”
He chuckled. “Just didn’t want you to strangle yourself with that shawl.”
They were traveling against the traffic. The aroma of Jasmine’s perfume floated in the air.
“Did you get a chance
to catch up on your rest?”
“Shopping with Noelle? Please. She should be a professional shopper.”
“Two days of shopping?”
“Can you believe it?”
They started out at a Mongolian restaurant in Chinatown. “It’s not much for atmosphere, but the food here is delicious.”
It was a create your own stir-fry where guests chose their own ingredients from a variety of meats, vegetables, salads, sauces and spices. The food was prepared by a master griller on a huge seven-foot grill. They chose their selections and handed the bowl to the chef to be cooked.
“This is delicious,” Jasmine said once they were seated at their table. “I’m going to have to check out the restaurants in this city.”
“I’ll be happy to take you anytime you want to go,” Drake said.
“You’re so smooth. Always were. You always know the right thing to say.”
“You don’t think I’m for real?”
Jasmine shrugged. “I’m not touching that one.”
“I’m wounded.” But there was a mischievous twinkle in his eyes. Jasmine’s heart skipped a beat. He was good, one of Steven’s better friends.
“Have you heard from Steven lately?” Jasmine asked.
“He called not too long ago. Wondered how you were.”
She scoffed. “I’m sure he’s worried about me.”
Drake merely shrugged. “Are you happy working here?”
Jasmine thought a moment. “Yes. I love what I do.”
“Were you one of those kids who took wounded animals home to heal?”
“No. My mom wouldn’t let me. She was always afraid of me catching rabies or some other disease. I sneaked some in and cared for them anyway, but one of my steps always told.”
“Annoying.”
“What about you? Did your parents let you bring wounded animals home?”
“Actually, no. My mother would run both of us away if I so much as thought of bringing a stray animal in the house.”
Then Comes Love Page 8