Want You Back (4 page)

Barbecues and baby swings, a huge shaggy dog and a cat or two. This porch was made for families . . . for love. Since such a fate was never to be his, not now, he would put tables out here, cozy little tables covered in soft white linen. Maybe another couple, while eating here at his restaurant, would be able to experience the magic of this porch.

That would have to be enough.

He unrolled the morning newspaper and saw it, right on the front page like it was a major event. Jenny’s ad—or message or whatever it could be called. Shocked and surprised, he read it. Not once, not twice, but three times, trying to make sense of it and coming up empty.

What had caused her abrupt about-face?

She’d said it was too late for them to be friends.

He read the ad again. Coolly professional, it sounded like the Jenny she had become, not like the Jenny he remembered. It said nothing about them being friends, yet it gave him cause to hope.
So she was willing to maintain a professional relationship with him now, was she? He’d take it in a heartbeat. It sure was better than what she’d told him before— that she wanted nothing to do with him.

A professional relationship would be a good start
ing point. He could build on that, learning what made Jenny tick now. From there he could figure out how he might best help her; how he might atone for the necessary hurt he’d caused her in the past.

By his best estimate, the restaurant would be ready to open in six weeks. He needed to get everything set up with the IRS, set up his payroll, open accounts with suppliers, and various other bookwork. And needed to start as soon as possible.

Energized, he drained his tea in one swallow. He would call Jenny’s office as soon as it opened and set up an appointment Then he could see if she really meant what she’d written in her advertisement.

When the workmen showed up at eight, he’d just finished laying the last ceramic tile in the upstairs bath. He preferred handling all the restoration for his living area upstairs, letting the crew he’d hired take care of the downstairs restaurant area.

Stepping back and surveying his work, he was pleased with the effect of the forest green tile. He and Jenny had talked about putting in the identical tile back when they’d planned on buying the house. He wondered what she’d think if she knew he was renovating the upstairs exactly the way they’d planned it together two years ago.

Pushing away the thought, he grabbed the cordless phone and punched in her number from memory.

Her secretary was cool and courteous, though he could have sworn amusement
vibrated in the woman’s East Texas drawl. She booked him an appointment that afternoon at three.

After that he found he couldn’t concentrate. Noth
ing held his interest, even though he’d planned on installing an antique oak cabinet in the upstairs bath
room. He felt like a kid at Christmas, even caught himself wondering if he should wear jeans or dress up a little in Dockers slacks and a button-down shirt.

He settled for his faded work jeans and a clean T-shirt

Three o’clock seemed to take forever to arrive. Waiting outside, he paced his covered patio, and forced himself to have a second mug of tea.

He drove the workmen crazy, watching and making suggestions, until the foreman bluntly asked him if he had finished his own work upstairs.

A couple of roast beef sandwiches served as lunch, along with some fresh peaches he’d gotten at a road
side stand.

Then finally at half past two, dressed and ready, he got into his truck for the short drive to Jenny’s office. He’d actually backed out of his driveway before he realized he’d forgotten his ledgers and his notes.

Shaking his head wryly, Jake wondered at himself. He, considered by some to be one of the best trained men in the field, fumbling about like an untried schoolboy.

When he pulled up in front of her office, he didn’t feel much better. Because the humidity outside was already oppressive, he kept the engine and air condi
tioning running while he practiced some of the relax
ation techniques he’d learned over the years. Finally when he had focused, his breathing steady and his heartbeat regular, he felt relaxed and confident enough to face Jenny.

Until she came to the door of her office and he saw her.

Instead of the severe suit that he’d seen her in twice, she wore a linen sheath today, the pale green color of it complimenting her skin and glorious red hair.

Jake’s mouth went dry. Reminding himself to take deep, steady breaths, he moved forward and held out his hand.

She clasped it briefly, her touch cool as she inclined her head in greeting. “Good afternoon. You’re a
little
early. Monica had to run to the store for a minute. Come on in and have a seat.”

He took a seat where she indicated, in one of the overstuffed chairs in the reception area. Bemused, he couldn’t keep from staring as she went to the reception desk and shuffled some papers. God, she was beautiful. Even more so than the memories he’d treasured for so long.

Belatedly he looked down at his ledgers. Though it would be difficult, he’s have to project only a friendly interest. Nothing more, nothing less. He ought to be good at it by now—after all, he’d done nothing but act while undercover these last two years. He’d done what he had to.

“Come on in.” Though she gave him a friendly smile, her beautiful jade eyes held no sparkle. Com
posed, she looked the part of the competent CPA as she led him into her office and took a seat on the other side of the antique oak desk.

“Thank you for reconsidering.” If she wanted to act the part of the consummate professional, then so could he. Maybe if they established a solid footing in that arena, they could move on to friendship with time. “I have quite a bit to go over.”

Her eyes widened, but that was the only sign she gave that she was surprised at his tone. With a nod, she glanced at her watch. It was a very elegant, very ladylike Rolex, he noted. Jenny, who had never even worn a watch when he first knew her, apparently now had expensive tastes.

Handing her the ledger, Jake began explaining what he needed. She listened and took notes. If it weren’t for the pulse rapidly beating in the hollow of her throat, he would have believed her studied indifference to be real.

A light tap sounded on the door. “Hey, y’all.” Monica poked her carefully coiffed head in the door. “I’m going home now.”

Surprised, Jake glanced at his own watch, a service
able Timex, and realized it was after five o’clock.

“Fine.” Jenny stood and stretched, the movement pulling the linen dress tight around her breasts. Then, as she saw him looking, she folded her arms like a shield. “I think we’re about finished here, aren’t
we?” About to nod in agreement, he noted Monica’s barely hidden curiosity. “Actually, I have a bit more to explain. Would you like to finish this discussion over dinner?”

Having dinner with an important client couldn’t be that unusual. Yet Monica’s perfectly painted mouth formed into a silent o and Jenny flushed red.

“I’m having dinner with Howard,’’
Jenny told him, not quite able to look him in the eye.

Monica, on the other hand, looked truly disap
pointed.

“Howard.” Jake said the name slowly, as if he couldn’t quite place the man. In fact, he remembered the stocky banker quite well. Howard was one of his biggest supporters.

“Her boyfriend,” Monica put in helpfully.

He glanced at Jenny quickly enough to catch her rolling her eyes at her secretary. She flashed him an insincere smile. “Maybe you’d like to come with us.” There was enough sarcasm in her tone to tell Jake she didn’t believe even he would be quite that rude. Grinning, he decided to prove her wrong.

“I’d love to. Just tell me where and what time.”

Jenny’s mouth fell open before she collected her
self and closed it. He intended to go just to spite her, she could see that now. What she couldn’t believe was that she’d been stupid enough to issue that challenge. From his smug grin, no doubt he found the whole thing amusing. Now she was stuck with not only call
ing Howard and insisting he take her out to eat, but with spending the evening with Jake as well.

She didn’t know which was worse. With the way her luck
seemed to be running, Howard would refuse to go. He didn’t like to eat out during the week, reserving that only for weekends. Even then he tried to find the least expensive restaurant and ordered the least expensive thing on the menu. Privately, she considered Howard a bit, well, cheap. He saw it as being frugal.

No, Howard was not going to like this at all. She rubbed her aching temples.

After she’d mumbled something to Jake, Jenny watched as Monica escorted him out. They both lis
tened for the sound of his vehicle starting, then Mon
ica raced back to her office.

“What are you going to do?”

Jenny shook her head at her own stupidity. “Call Howard, of course.”

Monica patted her shoulder in sympathy. “It won’t be that bad. Remember, this is a business thing, not personal.”

Right. Like she could look at
J
ake, with his chiseled features and azure eyes and not help comparing him to Howard.

For the first time since she’d thought of it, she could see her plan backfiring on her. When she’d envisioned a professional, working relationship, it hadn’t including socializing with Jake.

Fine. This
would
be a business dinner. She’d make sure of Howard’s compliance by paying for the entire thing. Then, for good measure, she’d write it off on her taxes. She would select a local restaurant with bright lights—no flickering candles or soft, romantic music. They would talk about business and only busi
ness and she would not let herself notice how impossi
bly broad Jake’s shoulders were, nor the corded muscles of his arms.

Hand under her chin, she plotted further. She would sit close to Howard. Really close. She would make certain to bestow several looks of ardent long
ing—she nearly snorted out loud then—on him. If anyone, namely Jake, tried to turn the conversation to personal matters, she would gush on and on about how wonderful Howard was. How steady and good. “Jenny?”

Becoming aware that Monica was repeating her name, Jenny blinked. “I’m sorry. I was thinking.”

“I could tell,” Monica drawled. “Do you want me to put through a call to Howard for you before I go?” Startled, Jenny glanced at the clock. Though it was nearly five-thirty, she knew Howard would still be at the bank. And, though he preferred her to have Mon
ica call his secretary rather than Jenny dialing direct, she doubted his secretary was still at work.

“No, that’s all right.” She waved the younger woman away.
“Go on home. I’ll get this worked out.” “Promise you’ll tell me all about it first thing in the morning?”

Jenny chuckled. “Bless you, Monica. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

With a laugh and a flip of her hand, Monica left.

Because it was growing late and she’d told Jake they’d pick him up at seven, Jenny made herself dial Howard’s direct number.

He answered on the third ring.

She
outlined
the scenario, telling him that it would be great for business. After he’d learned she was foot
ing the bill, Howard was delighted.

“Good move, Jennifer,” he enthused. “This will be excellent for business. Will you be driving?”

Glancing once more at the clock, Jenny bit back a snide comment about how much more roomy his Mercedes was than her Honda and answered in the affirmative. Replacing the receiver, she rushed around collecting her things and shutting down the office. She now had less than an hour to get ready for dinner.

At home, she washed her face, reapplied her makeup, and brushed her hair. About to twist it back up in the neat coil she normally wore, Jenny hesitated. She never used to wear it up. Back when Jake .. . No. Jenny closed her eyes. She wouldn’t think of that Couldn’t think of that.

If she wore it down, it would be for herself only.

The linen sheath she’d worn to work on impulse that morning was fine for a business dinner. So were any of her tailored suits. But for some reason, a reason that she refused to acknowledge or admit even to herself, Jenny wanted to wear something different Something
fun.

She didn’t stop to examine this whim, just began rummaging through her closet. There, in the back, hidden behind the well-made skirts and severe blouses, were the dresses she hadn’t worn in two years. Several she had bought for her honeymoon and never worn. She hadn’t had the heart to return them so they’d stayed, the tags still on them, relegated to the back of the closet

Tonight she would wear one.

The one Jenny chose was her favorite, a dress of midnight blue, the exact color of Jake’s eyes. Made of silk, it clung lovingly to her figure. It was the dress she’d planned to wear immediately after the recep
tion, after she’d changed out of the wedding gown.

Pushing away unhappy thoughts, Jenny spritzed on a light perfume, changed her diamond ear studs for a pair of shiny silver hoops, and grabbed her car keys. She took a deep breath and headed out. Though Malvoran House—what Jake was now calling the place, according to Howard—was closer. It would be more sensible to pick up Jake first, but she didn’t want to be alone with him. Not tonight not in this dress.