by Lyn Cote
Chapter Two
“The man doesn’t waste time when he wants something,” Elizabeth told Hannah two days later. She’d stopped by Hannah’s bed and breakfast to have a quick lunch. And to complain about Jake Clark. The man who was renting a room in this very house, but she’d checked first to make sure he wasn’t actually at Mimosa Manor right now.
“So that lazy attitude is just an act?” Hannah asked as she poured Elizabeth a fresh glass of mint ice tea.
“No, no. He told me it’s real. And I believe him. But I think Jake is the kind of man who only gets in a hurry when he feels like it. And he seems in a mighty big hurry to take me to dinner.”
“Maybe he just wants to talk about that land he came to look at,” Hannah pointed out. “Bram convinced Jake it would be a good investment, and rumor has it Jake has lots of cash to invest. You might get a big commission out of this. He’s certainly been tipping my help very nicely since he settled into the Library Suite.”
“A big spender, huh?” That brought Elizabeth’s head up. “I’d sure like that. A few more good, strong sales and I’ll be up for Salesperson of the Year for the entire state of Arkansas. That surely wouldn’t hurt.”
“That’s my Elizabeth, ever the ambitious career woman,” Hannah said, her lips set in a firm line.
Elizabeth tapped her baby-pink-painted fingernails on the table. “I guess it wouldn’t hurt just to talk to the man.”
“No, not one bit.”
“Oh, stop it,” she said, seeing the teasing light in Hannah’s eyes. “Okay, I’ll admit he’s a tall drink of water.”
“Easy on the eye.”
“Definitely that, but I’m only interested in his checkbook and how it can help me. And if that means having to spend time with the hunk, then I’ll do it.”
“You are ruthless to a fault.”
Elizabeth looked across at her friend. Hannah seemed tired, but she’d never admit that. Running a bed and breakfast and catering weddings and other romantic events demanded Hannah’s time almost twenty-four/seven, but Hannah loved it, just as Elizabeth loved selling houses and just as Jo loved creating beautiful flower arrangements.
They all loved their work, because they lived for their work, Elizabeth reckoned. Work was fulfilling, shutting out the loneliness and the bitterness that had held them all for so very long. But there was always that shard of hope mixed in with their longing, too. Which was why Elizabeth couldn’t begrudge Jo and Bram falling in love. She just prayed it would last.
There was always that hope in the back of Elizabeth’s mind each time she sold a house, of course, that this one would take. But she’d seen too many houses around here going back on the market after a few months or a couple of years, because that happily-ever-after everyone dreamed about really didn’t exist. And she’d sure seen that firsthand with her own parents.
“Do you miss Jo?” she asked Hannah now.
“Yes, I do.” Hannah stopped folding the colorful linen napkins she’d washed earlier. “It’s so amazing that one of us got married. After all we’ve been through.”
“Yes, it sure is. And Jo, of all people. She’s younger than us. That’s a sad statement on you and me, isn’t it, kiddo?”
Hannah nodded. “Well, we’ve made our bed—”
“Might as well lie in it, as Aunt Becky would say.”
Hannah’s smile was bittersweet. “Aunt Becky would also tell us to trust in the Lord and try different attitudes.”
“Tried that, didn’t work,” Elizabeth said, getting up to go back to work. “We both know that we have two things to count on in this world—each other and our jobs. And speaking of that, I’d better get back to mine. I have a very important phone call to make.”
“Are you sure about that?” Hannah asked, genuine concern clouding her eyes.
“Oh, now, don’t go get all worried about me, honey. Jake Clark will be here and gone before the ink dries on his big, fat check. And I’ll be laughing all the way to the bank.”
“Sure,” Hannah said, but she didn’t seem convinced.
As Elizabeth backed her white convertible out of the long flower-bordered drive of Mimosa Manor, she had to wonder if she was doing the right thing, getting tied up with a man like Jake Clark.
A man who could easily cause her to take Aunt Becky’s sage advice and change her attitude.
Completely.
He was completely smitten with her.
Jake watched as Elizabeth whirled her purring sportscar into the parking space in front of the Sinclair Realty Company. After taking off her dark sunshades, she tossed them in a black briefcase, then slid out of the car, her slender legs bare, her feet encased in high-heeled brown leather sandals that matched her brown-and-white floral dress.
She pranced toward the office door, then stopped like a deer caught in the headlights as she spotted him sitting on a wooden bench nearby.
“Hello there,” Jake said, standing to meet her. “I’ve been waiting for you.”
“Hi,” she replied, nervous energy bouncing around her. “What are you doing here?”
Jake opened the door she’d just unlocked, and waited till she entered the storefront office. “I wanted to talk to you about that dinner I promised you and about the land I’m interested in.”
“I’m not so sure I want to help you with your land deal,” she said as she dropped her keys and her briefcase on an antique walnut desk centered in the big office.
Even as she said it, he could see the sparks of interest in her eyes. If she was the hotshot everyone said she was, she was interested. Very interested. Apparently, she just wasn’t ready to admit that.
“And what about dinner?” he asked.
“Not real sure about that either.”
“I don’t bite.”
She gave him a look that suggested he might do just that. “No, but you could strike. You’re one of those kind, I think.”
“Oh, and what kind might that be?”
“The kind that sits back and waits to make the right move at the right time. I think you like to throw people off guard.”
He chuckled, thinking he’d been trying to do that very thing. He’d have to watch his step with this one. “You sure got me figured out, don’t you?”
“Not really.” She waved a hand around. “And I really don’t have time to do a thorough study.”
Jake waited for her to sit down, then leaned over her, his hands on the desk. “Well, I’ve got all the time in the world. And I’m not leaving here until you agree to at least have dinner with me, so we can get to know each other.”
She became immediately flustered, her cheeks turning a becoming pink, her hazel eyes flashing golden fire. “Jake, I have so much to do. I have to meet with a client at two, and I have contracts to go over.”
“Don’t you have any help?”
She pointed to the small desk in the outer office, near the entrance. “Yes, but Brandy is out to lunch right now.”
“I’ll need a house, too, you know.”
“What?”
“I need help with buying a house here.”
“Here, in Prescott?”
Her voice had actually squeaked just a tad. She was as nervous as a cornered bobcat. But so adorable.
“Yes, here, in Prescott,” he repeated, enjoying the flush that had now moved down her slender neck. “I don’t want to wear out my welcome at Hannah’s place. I was hoping you’d have some suggestions.”
“Oh, I’ve got a few. But they don’t really have anything to do with houses or land.”
Jake let out a hoot of laughter, causing her to jump in her chair. “You don’t mince words, do you?”
“I don’t have time to beat around the bush.” She sank back in her chair and stared up at him, her eyes so golden-green, he thought of deep lakes in high mountains. He saw so much in those eyes—doubt, regret, wonder, fear, and a sadness that made him think she’d been through some rough times. But then, hadn’t everyone?
Not wanting to
dwell in self-pity, Jake stood straight up. “I can always find someone else to help me, if I make you that uncomfortable.”
She brushed a hand through her layered curls, her whole attitude changing. “Tell me your plans for this land by the river.”
“It’s a ways from here. It’s a tract just north of where the Caddo empties into DeGray Lake.” Jake relaxed, then settled into a floral-patterned chair across from her desk. “I want to build nice cabins out there. A nice, cozy neighborhood for family retreats and retirees.”
“That land along the river could use some development,” she said, nodding her head. Her gold earrings glistened, and so did her eyes. “It’s pretty land. And the locals will want to keep it that way. It’s a favorite for floating and rafting. You’d better have a solid plan that keeps nature in mind.”
“Oh, believe me, I’m an outdoorsman. I intend to keep things scenic and environmentally sound. Do you know any of the property owners?”
“Mostly corporations, but some privately held tracts. Corporations use the land for hunting and fishing. And some might be interested in letting go, if the right offer is put on the table. So who’s your seller?”
“Not a corporation. An individual I’ve met through business contacts. I deal in ranching and have other interests on the side, commercial real estate mostly. He’s ready to deal and so am I,” Jake said. “Bram’s seen the land, but he wasn’t sure how to go about arranging the negotiations. He suggested you.”
“Remind me to thank him when he gets back from his honeymoon,” she said, the sweet sarcasm in her tone belying the keen interest in her eyes.
“Okay, so…are you in?”
She stood up, extended her hand. “I’m in.”
Jake stood, too. “And what about a house?”
“Rent or buy?”
“Buy, I think. I just might decide to settle here for a very long time.”
The wariness came back into her eyes, in spite of her chirpy encouragement. “Prescott is always open to new business.”
“That’s good to hear.”
She whirled, glancing at the pictures of houses located on a bulletin board behind her desk. “It’s slim pickings right now, house-wise. But I might have something.”
“Okay. When can I see it?”
“Tomorrow.” She turned back around. “Tell you what. You come by here right after lunch tomorrow, and we’ll ride up to the river. Then we should be able to make it by a house or two before dark.”
Jake’s heart did a dance. “And then you’ll have dinner with me?”
“I’ll probably be hungry by then, sure.”
He grinned, tipped his hand to his head in a salute. “I’ll see you tomorrow, then.”
“It’s a date.” She stopped, shook her head. “Not a real date, understand. Just business.”
“I understand completely,” Jake replied. “I’ll meet you here tomorrow afternoon.”
“I’ll be here,” she said. Then she became very interested in some files on her desk.
Jake got the impression she wanted him gone.
But he’d be back. He was in no hurry. No hurry at all.
Chapter Three
“He’s late.”
Elizabeth glanced at the grandfather clock ticking away in the corner of her office, then ran a hand through the tousled bangs that constantly fluttered around her eyes.
“Maybe he got busy with something else,” her assistant, Brandy Kendrick said.
“Yeah, right.” Elizabeth flipped through her Rolodex to hide the disappointment coursing through her. “Well, I need to get busy, too. If the man’s going to keep me waiting, I’ll just move on to something else.”
“You could just take a breath and relax,” Brandy offered, grinning. “Want me to get us a soda or some of that flavored coffee you like?”
“No, I don’t need any more caffeine,” Elizabeth replied. Frowning, she listened to the ringing at the other end of the line, rolled her eyes at the answering machine, left a curt message, then hung up the phone. “Apparently nobody in this town is working this afternoon but us.”
“Well, it is a gorgeous day out there,” Brandy replied, the wistful sound in her voice grating on Elizabeth’s hyped-up nerve endings. “Hot, but a nice breeze. Good day to go to the lake.”
“You can take the afternoon off,” Elizabeth said, giving up. “If Mr. Clark isn’t going to show up, I have plenty to keep me busy, but I don’t think I’ll need you.”
“I wouldn’t do that to you, boss. But you and I could go for a walk or something.”
“A walk or something?” Elizabeth looked at her cute assistant as if she’d grown two heads. “I don’t do walks, Brandy. You know that.”
“Right. You do the treadmill—at five in the morning.”
“It’s the perfect time for me to listen to the stock reports and the news on the real estate market—you know, interest rates and the cost of housing, what’s happening in the business world.”
“I get it,” Brandy said, shaking her head. “You eat, sleep and drink work. But you need to learn to relax, too.”
“Thanks for the sage advice,” Elizabeth said, her fingers tapping impatiently on the glass top of her desk. “But you know what they say—you snooze, you lose. And Mr. Jake Clark—”
“Is here,” Brandy finished for her. “He just pulled up in the biggest, blackest truck I’ve ever seen. I bet that thing has a Hemi.”
“I’m going to give Mr. Clark a Hemi,” Elizabeth replied, wondering what in the world a Hemi was. But when Jake opened the door and walked in, his decidedly male presence filled the office and caused her to suck in the breath full of anger she’d planned on letting out.
He was wearing a black Stetson, to match the truck, no doubt. And he smelled like a fresh forest after a rain. How was she supposed to tell him off when he looked good enough to…the word kiss came to her mind. But Elizabeth quickly pushed it away, annoyed that she’d even thought such a thing.
Getting up, she grabbed her briefcase and hurried through the wide door to the reception area. “Let’s go.”
“And hello to you, too,” Jake said, giving her an appraising look before grinning over at her gawking assistant. “You must be Brandy.”
“Yes, I am.” Brandy stood to offer him a timid handshake, clearly smitten with the tall, dark-haired Texan. “Nice to meet you, Mr. Clark.”
“It’s Jake,” he replied, his amused eyes skimming over Elizabeth. “I think your boss is ready to get going.”
“I’ve been ready for fifteen minutes,” Elizabeth said as she adjusted the sleeves of her prim white cotton blouse. “The afternoon is half gone, and I’ve got miles to go before I sleep.”
“Robert Frost,” Jake said, nodding. “I didn’t know you liked poetry, Lizzie.”
Brandy let out a yelp of laughter. “Poetry? Her? Oh, that’s a good one.”
“I have no idea what on earth you two are talking about,” Elizabeth retorted as she breezed past him. “I only know that I’ve heard that particular quote somewhere, and I agree. I don’t like wasting my time. Are we going to drive out to your land or not, Jake?”
“We are,” he said, tipping his hat to Brandy. “Ornery little thing, isn’t she?”
Brandy’s grin was impish and full of innocence. Elizabeth would deal with her later. Giving Jake a smile, she said, “I’ll be even more ornery if you don’t get it in gear, cowboy.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Jake swept his hand toward her, then opened the door. “See you around, Brandy.”
“You shouldn’t flirt with her that way,” Elizabeth said once they were outside. “She’s young and impressionable.”
“Not like her mature and unimpressed boss, huh?”
“Exactly.” She turned to open the truck door, but Jake’s hand over hers stopped her.
“Let me,” he said, taking her hand away, the warmth from his strong fingers moving through her system. Warning bells, she told herself. And loud whistles—like a train coming t
oo fast.
Elizabeth pulled her hand away and waited with a sigh for him to open the door. Then came her next problem. Her tight floral casual skirt wouldn’t budge enough for her to put one leg inside the oversized vehicle. She tried a couple of times to be ladylike, then finally groaned and took a running hop.
Just in time for Jake to literally lift her by her waist up into the offending truck. He sat her down on the smooth, cool tan leather with a soft thud, then smiled down at her. “Don’t forget to buckle up.”
Mortified, Elizabeth childishly stuck out her tongue at his retreating back, then yanked the seat belt around and snapped it in place. She’d changed from her high-heeled sandals into sneakers and socks since they’d be traipsing around in the wilderness, so her feet barely touched the floor of the big Dodge.
“How does anybody actually drive one of these?” she asked after Jake got in and cranked the truck, his long, blue-jean-encased legs stretching comfortably. The big engine roared to life, causing her to put her hands over her ears.
“It’s easy to maneuver,” Jake said, that teasing light in his eyes. “Handles like a dream.”
Elizabeth could believe that. And Jake was a dream, too. Stop that, she told herself as she pulled her eyes back inside her head. Think client. Think big commission. Don’t think at all. Better that way.
“So what do you think?” Jake asked.
Gulping, she held on for dear life. “About what?”
“About this land? Did you get a chance to pull it up online?”
“I researched it some, yes. It’s a good tract, prime and ready for development. The Caddo is surrounded by a lot of private property.”
“I agree. That’s why I want to get going on this. And a house since I’ll be here for a while overseeing things.”
“Right.” She didn’t know how she’d put up with him being around all the time, but maybe once he got involved in his project, he’d steer clear of her. “Why don’t you just rent a house?” she asked, curiosity making her cut her eyes toward him.
“I looked around. There’s not much to rent around here. And I need to get away from Fort Worth for a while.”