More? Fine. She’d give him more. So much more that he’d jump back in his truck and go back to where he came from. At least that way she’d have a chance for self-preservation. She took a deep, cleansing breath. “My job begins next Tuesday. It’s full time, plus I’ve been told there may be occasional overtime. I need someone to be here in the morning before I leave, stay all day with my kids, cook and feed them meals, and keep them entertained and supervised without resorting to all-day TV and video games.” She finished the recitation with a slow exhale. The description sounded clinical, but she had repeated the speech countless times in the last few days to innumerable applicants. And it had successfully chased away most of them. Actually, the words “three energetic boys” probably did that.
He nodded his head, completely mellow despite the fact that they hadn’t seen each other in ten years. “I’m good with kids—I’ve got lots of experience—and I have the summer free. Perfect match.”
Seriously?
Her cell phone chirped, indicating a new text message. “I need to check this.” She read the display. Sorry, Ms. C. Can’t take the babysitting job. Parents are making me go to summer school. :( Her shoulders slumped in defeat. There went her last hope.
He handed her a manila envelope before she could protest. “I have my credentials in here along with references, past work experience, my health history, and just about any other information you might need. Feel free to take a look, ask any questions.”
Ughh. There was that grin again. She accepted the offered envelope. So this one package contained every detail she could possibly want to know about him? Could be a best-seller. But right about now, she was hearing the Twilight Zone theme song in her head. Crap like this was more unbelievable than reality TV.
He ran a hand through his thick dark hair. Her mind flashed to a moment in the past when she’d used her own hand to brush his hair off his forehead. But then she grabbed a hold of herself. Idiotic thoughts like that meant trouble. Trouble she didn’t want or need.
He cleared his throat. “Did you have many people apply for the job?”
Ummm… “A fair amount of women were interested but…” She shrugged her shoulders. “They were either too old, too young, or just didn’t appeal to me. One teenage girl seemed more interested in whether her boyfriend could come along than what her responsibilities would involve. Another seemed close to eighty. Somehow, I couldn’t imagine how she could keep up with the boys without collapsing. Dani, the friend who got me the job, has a son and is pregnant. She said she’d watch my boys, but I don’t know how in the world she would be able to handle it all.”
“Doesn’t my mom help you out with them sometimes?”
“Yes. She’s been amazing. She has them over every Saturday night. But one night a week is a whole lot different than a forty-hour workweek. I couldn’t ask her to do that—they’d run her ragged.”
“I can take care of them until school starts in the fall.”
“No!” The word came out almost as a shout, and she made a conscious effort to quash the panic in her voice. She played with a loose thread on her shorts. “We don’t even know each other anymore.”
“I disagree. And we’ll talk about the past, Rach.”
She shook her head. “No, I really don’t want to. What’s the point? It was a long time ago. It doesn’t matter anymore.”
He leaned forward in his chair, placed an index finger under her chin to lift her face to his. And heaven help her, she just sat there and let him. “It does matter, babe. I know a few years have passed. There are things we need to talk about. Things that should have been said years ago.” He used his thumb to caress her cheek. “I’ve never forgotten you. Not even for a day did I go without thinking about you. Can you say the same?”
Ten. It’d been ten years since they’d seen each other. She broke eye contact and ignored his question. “Where are you staying?”
“For now, I’m at my mom’s. I’d like to rent a cottage here. Maybe we could be neighbors for the summer.”
She set her glass down on a small table next to her chair. Her mind raced through her options. There weren’t many. More like none. So even though this was awkward and weird and brain boggling, she found herself saying, “Let’s talk about what you get out of this arrangement.”
Chapter Two
Did Rachel have any idea how gorgeous she was when she smiled? Probably not. She never had. Her beautiful chocolate-brown eyes had a way of sucking you in and holding tight. Her sexy-as-hell body suddenly had John’s throat thick and dry while he struggled for breath. He’d thought it might be nice to see her again after all this time. He hadn’t expected the beauty of her to hit him in the face like an iron mallet.
He sat up and crossed his ankle over his opposite knee, hoping it made him look casual and not like a nervous teenager. “Remember my grandfather?”
She nodded. “Henry. I first met him at one of your football games.” John eyed her mouth, watching her sweet smile emerge. “Every time he ogled the cheerleaders, your grandmother would smack him on the arm.”
“That would be him.” He shifted in his chair. “Grandpa recently made me an interesting proposition.”
Her body perked up in curiosity just like it had when she’d waited for John to share his latest math or English test scores during their high school tutoring sessions.
“He’s providing me the funds to build a kids’ center here in Lake Bliss. If it’s successful—if I’m successful—he’ll put up the money for other centers around the country.” The old man had a boatload of cash that he wanted to put toward creating something worthwhile. And unlike John’s father, who thought John’s only future was playing football, his grandfather had faith that John could accomplish much in life. He was eager to prove his father wrong.
“Like a sports place?”
“More like a youth activity club. A place kids can go after school so the hours before parents get home don’t lead to trouble.” Or like when he was a child and always came home to an empty house. His father had paid off someone to get full custody after his divorce from John’s mother, but once his retribution had been enacted, he’d lost interest in actually being a father—until John had started showing promise on the football field, that is. And John had learned early on that it was best if he didn’t go to his mom’s after school. It always led to his parents fighting, and he’d wanted to spare his mom the turmoil.
She scooted out of her chair, then picked up the skimmer net, snagging a few bugs. “Sounds like a great idea.”
“After we assess the needs of the kids, see what interests them, what activities they like, we’ll create an activities program.”
The humid breeze blew, and he caught the scent of some kind of flower that reminded him of the bouquet he’d given her on their last night together. The night she’d shattered his dreams.
“Why here? Of all the places in the country, why did your grandfather pick Lake Bliss?”
A lie or the truth? He closed his eyes as he mentally replayed past events—the cheer of the crowd as he’d run onto the football field, the pride that had shown on Rachel’s face when he aced a difficult test, and the sweetness of her lips the first time they’d kissed.
The truth.
“My grandfather knew my years in Lake Bliss were the happiest of my life.” And even though he wouldn’t be in Lake Bliss for long, John wanted to reconnect with the past and make peace with the people he’d let down—his coach who’d been his mentor, the townspeople who’d supported him, and Rachel, who’d spent hours drilling algebra equations and geometry theorems into his head so he’d qualify academically to stay on the football team.
“I need your help, if you’re willing,” he said.
She raised her eyebrows. “Can’t wait to hear this.”
He chuckled. “I’ve been in town a few days. I’ve talked with some townspeople about my plans. While they seem thrilled with the idea of the center, they’re still turning a cold shoulder to
me.”
After an expression that shouted “duh,” she said, “You killed the first and only chance Lake Bliss ever had to go to state. They believed in you, and you let them down when you chose to move away.” She crossed her arms over her chest.
Yeah, he’d let them down. But Rachel had told him to go. Told him that her feelings weren’t strong enough for him to bother staying. Weren’t strong enough for him to consider playing for the University of Michigan so he could remain close to her. With his father convincing John that he wasn’t good at anything but football—and certainly not good enough for Rachel—he’d eagerly agreed to spend his senior year of high school in Los Angeles, attending intense football camps conducted by retired NFL players, hoping to earn a scholarship to play for the University of Southern California. But the town never had all the facts. All they’d seen was a young, talented quarterback whom they’d backed with love and respect and pride. Who they felt thumbed his nose at them when he’d left town early, and in the process destroyed their hopes for the first-ever Lake Bliss state championship. To some, a state title might seem petty, but for Lake Bliss it would have been a testament to the idea of working hard as a group to earn something that was deserved.
“Why is this so important to you, John?”
“I promised myself if I ever had the opportunity to give back to the town, I would. But if the parents don’t get behind my project and sign their kids up for the programs we offer, the center won’t thrive.” And in order to prove to his father that he could build a successful career that didn’t have a damn thing to do with football, it was crucial that John succeed.
When it’d become obvious that his skill level was no match for some of the best players in the country—the All-State, All-American players—he had to face the fact that he was second string and barely got on the field. He wasn’t—and never would be—the next Peyton Manning. His father had reverted back to type, lashing out in his disappointment and telling him he’d never succeed at anything. And truth be told, John had floundered for a while until his grandfather had approached him to build a center in Lake Bliss, even though John’s father had been adamant that the town would never rally around him after their letdown.
Rachel was his last hope. And she was also the last loose end in his life. The one who got away. The one he still thought about. If he could make peace with her, exorcise her from his brain, he could leave Lake Bliss behind once and for all, without ever again torturing himself with the what-ifs.
She leaned forward in her seat, jarring him out of his thoughts. “And what, I’m supposed to be your cheerleader?”
“Yeah, something like that.” He scrubbed a hand down his face. Offering a desperate single mom low-cost, reliable child care in exchange for a few good words with the locals was turning out to be a harder negotiation than he’d thought. “Look, the town loves you—they always have. If they feel I’ve gotten back into your good graces, they’ll give me a second chance. The chance I need to get the center up and running. That’s a plus for the town and even your kids. You can work this summer knowing they’re well cared for. Who better to watch them then a big ol’ jock like me?”
She sighed and closed her eyes. “How will you have the time?”
“Construction will begin immediately. I’ll be overseeing the project, but still have enough time on my hands to care for your boys.” He inched to the edge of his seat, hands on his knees. “Let me help you this summer, Rach. Please, help me give back to the town that meant so much to me growing up.” Help me get this beautiful woman who still haunts my dreams out of my system, once and for all. “When the building’s up and running the first part of September, I’ll move on somewhere else.”
…
Rachel winced. He’d already done that once in her life; could she handle another round? Would she ever move on? Was she strong enough to let him into her life and watch him walk away again?
John glanced around the yard and the woods that bordered the lot. “Are the boys around? I’d like to meet them.”
Pretty damn presumptuous of him asking to meet her kids. But her job started in four days, and she was desperate. She needed this position, and it was perfect for her. When she’d interviewed, she’d been told after two years it might be possible to work from home. How could she pass up that chance? And right now he was the only person available she could leave her kids with and have peace of mind. Just for a little while. Just until she found someone else. Who was strong. And safe. And amazing with children.
She reluctantly pointed toward the eastern part of the acre-sized lot where a mini baseball diamond was located. A dozen boys of various ages appeared to be choosing sides for teams. What would it hurt for John to meet her sons? She was curious about their gut reaction.
“Let’s walk out back, and I’ll introduce you,” she said, standing. As they approached the kids, she raised two fingers to her mouth and delivered an ear-splitting whistle. At the shrill blare, a dozen heads turned in her direction. She raised an arm and gestured for her boys.
Without delay, three little dirt-covered bodies darted away from the group to join the adults. As the boys approached, they averted their gazes from their mother to the giant of a man at her side.
Her seven-year-old twins, Aaron and Andrew, jogged the rest of the way, smiles plastered on their faces. “Hi, Mac!”
She blinked in surprise. “You know Mr. MacDonald?”
They nodded. “Sure, he helped our gym teacher yesterday.” The older two leaned toward her and lowered their voices, which was comical, because everyone within a ten-foot radius could still hear them. “He’s awesome, Mom.” Now that they mentioned it, she did remember the boys praising “Mac,” the gym teacher’s assistant. She turned to her five-year-old son, who hadn’t started school yet. “Zak, I’d like you to meet Mr. MacDonald. John, this is my son, Zak.”
Zak bent his little head back to look up at John. After a quick swipe on his shorts, Zak extended his hand. “Hi.”
John shook the tiny hand and replied, “It’s nice to meet you. If you’d like, you can call me Mac.” Zak’s head bobbed in agreement.
“How come you’re here?” Zak asked.
John chuckled. “I like a guy who gets right to the point.” He glanced at Rachel, obviously uncertain what she wanted to tell her young sons.
“Guys, Mac and I are discussing the possibility of him taking care of you this summer.” What would her sons think of the idea? As if she didn’t know. Of course they would be thrilled to have a man who liked to play with them around.
They shrieked their delight with a mixture of “cool” and “yes!” Zak’s eyebrows shot together. “You mean he’ll be our daddy for the summer?”
Her smile froze. Little Zak, while being her youngest, could sometimes be far more insightful than his two older brothers, and he had surprised her on more than one occasion with his in-depth questions and perceptiveness. “Uh, no, sweetie, not like that at all. He’ll take care of you while I’m at work.” She ran her fingers through his wayward mass of curly hair, the exact blond shade as her own.
“Like a babysitter,” John added, “only a whole lot more fun than most.” He extended his fist for a knuckle-bump with the boys.
Her two older sons had a few ideas of their own. “Will you play ball with us and stuff?” Aaron asked, directing his question to John.
“And maybe take us fishing?” piped in Andrew.
“Sure, I love baseball. Swimming and fishing, too. We could do all sorts of fun things, but we’d also have some chores. I’m sure your Mom already has duties she expects you to do, right?” They nodded their agreement, and each named his assigned tasks.
John’s willingness to even entertain enforcing chores impressed her. After mentioning all the “guy things” they could do together, the huge difference between having him care for them versus the bored teenagers, frail elderly ladies, and barely interested people who’d applied for the job became apparent. Imagine, this man around her
house all summer. Whoa.
“Okay, guys, I’ll let you get back to your game now. Say bye to Mac,” she instructed. They uttered a good-bye, then ran toward the baseball diamond.
She turned and headed back toward the house, silently hoping that a really energetic Mary Poppins would swoop down from the sky and keep her from having her onetime lover in her face all summer long. But she hadn’t, and now Rachel was stuck with her ex. It was crazy that now she’d all but hired him as a nanny for the next few months.
“They seem like terrific kids, Rachel. I think we’d have a great summer. I’d like to think I could be a positive influence in their lives,” John stated.
She continued to walk toward the lawn chairs. “Aaron needs more than I can give him.”
“I can only imagine that you’re a great mom.”
She stopped and looked toward the ball field. “He says he doesn’t want a girl babysitting him. As he’s repeatedly told me, ‘some girls have cooties.’”
He laughed. “Just wait. It won’t be long before he changes his mind.”
“Yeah, well, I can’t even begin to think about those years.” They stopped walking when they reached the pool. Focusing on the water, she asked, “Can I ask a few personal questions?”
“No problem,” John said. “Ask away.”
“So, you’re not married?” She cringed at the sound of her words. Why did that have to be the first question that popped out of her big mouth? Embarrassed, she stammered some meaningless words. “I mean, well—”
“I’ve been divorced for several years,” he offered. “It’s no big deal, Einstein.”
She nodded as she tried to ignore the simultaneous feelings of disappointment that he’d married and euphoria that he was divorced. “Yes, but…” She cleared her suddenly dry throat. “What about dating? I hate to be intrusive, but I need a good role model. I need someone dependable to be here every morning without fail. Of course you can date whomever you want, but if you’re out late and don’t show…”
Just for Appearances Page 2