Catch of a Lifetime: A Cricket Creek Novel (21 page)

She lowered her gaze. “I apologize. I shouldn’t have said that.”

“Hey, don’t be sorry. I want you to feel as if you can tell me or ask me anything. Okay?” When he tucked a finger beneath her chin, she nodded.

“I’ll try.”

“Good.”

She reached over and placed her palm on his chest. “I know you’ll be a great coach and the players will respect and look up to you.”

“Thank you,” he said, and meant it. He really wanted her to believe in him, and her comment felt good. “One of the things Noah and I have talked about was bringing some pride and integrity back to the game. We’ve told these kids that they’re representing the Cougars and this town and should carry themselves as examples to this community.”

“Good for you, Ty.”

“And as much as we want to have a winning season, we won’t do it at the expense of the health of any player.” He inhaled and blew out a slow breath. “There are some parents and coaches who don’t get that concept. Look, I want to win as much as the next guy, but it blows my mind when coaches or even parents put a kid at risk.”

“I guess Logan Lannigan is a prime example.”

“You’re right, Jessica. And to me he’s still just a kid. I hope we can bring him back even better than he was before his surgery. I just hope he can keep his head screwed on straight. I did have a good talk with him, and I was impressed. He might act all big, bad, and cocky, but I’ve got his number.”

She gave him a slow smile. “Ah. I bet he reminds you of yourself.”

Ty chuckled. “You got that right.” He was pleased that she was beginning to know him so well. “But, hey, you know as well as I do that success at this level doesn’t come without cost. Most restaurants don’t survive. Most players never make it to the big leagues. But to have a shot, you have to work your tail off.” He smiled. “And you certainly do.”

“Yes, but most of the time I love it.” She got a faraway look in her eye and then added, “Funny, but my mother loved to cook.”

“Did you learn from her?” Ty asked casually, listening closely. This was the first time Jessica had ever mentioned anything this personal about her mother.

“Yes, a little bit.” Jessica lowered her eyes and toyed with the sheet once again. “My mother didn’t get the chance to cook very often, since we had a chef on staff at the house.” She paused, and a small smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. “But every little once in a while, when my father would be out of town on business, Mom would send Chef James home, and together we’d make something simple but fun, like grilled cheese, a BLT, or meat loaf. Those foods became a comfort to me, and I treasured those nights.”

“I understand. It was an altogether different atmosphere when my dad was out of town or at spring training. My mom and I had nights just like those when I was a little kid. Those meals we shared in easy companionship were special to me too.” He smiled at the memory. “Wow, I never thought about it until now that my love of food stemmed from those happy nights. Jessica, we have a lot more in common than I realized.”

“Yeah, I guess we do.”

Ty nodded. “We were both only children that were meant to feel as if we had to be perfect by overbearing fathers. God, I would never be that way to my own kid.” He shuddered. “Ugh. I hate to admit it, but I’m glad that my
mother finally had the courage to leave the jackass. Hearing her cry was the worst.” He looked at Jessica and thought to himself that he couldn’t imagine ever doing or saying anything that would bring her to tears. He’d rather chew glass. “So, when did you decide you wanted to go to culinary school?” he asked, and unable to keep his hands off her, he picked up a lock of her hair and rubbed the softness between his fingers.

“I used to sit at the kitchen table and do my homework when I was a kid. I loved watching Chef James prepare meals. After I begged and pouted, he started letting me help. First it was simple stuff like tearing lettuce and snapping beans, but then suddenly I was learning to whisk sauces and season soups. I was hooked. And then it all came together at Aunt Myra’s diner. I combined Chef James’s sophistication with my mother’s down-home cooking. Aunt Myra recognized my talent and pushed me to go on.”

“So Wine and Diner is the perfect combination.”

“It was a big risk in this economy, but Cricket Creek embraced Madison and me when we needed it the most. I’m happy to be living here and giving back. Not only was it the right decision, but it has given my beloved aunt the ability to enjoy Owen and still keep the diner open. She has worked so hard.”

“And so have you.”

“I’m not the only one.” Jessica smoothed a hand over his shoulder and down his arm. “Cricket Creek needed the stadium to revive downtown. Noah has gotten some well-deserved props, Ty, but you deserve lots of credit too. And give that silent partner a hug from me when you see him.”

“Thanks. I will,” Ty promised. Mitch Monroe was going to come to town for opening day, but his investment in the venture was going to be kept a secret. Ty wasn’t quite sure why, but he and Noah were told to keep it on the down low. “I admit that I can’t wait for the season to begin.”

“Me too.” Jessica moved her hand back and forth over his chest, and he had to swallow a groan. Her touch wasn’t meant to be sexual, but comforting, and damn if it didn’t make it all the more enticing. She could be a little spitfire, but Jessica was a loving, caring woman. Ty wondered if she knew what her gentle touch was doing to him.

“Will you go away with me when the season is over? The beach . . . or anywhere you want to go. Hell, I don’t care as long as you’re with me.” When her eyes widened slightly, Ty could have kicked himself in the ass. He was going too damned fast!

“I would love that,” she floored him by saying. “Madison has been bugging me to get out of the kitchen more often and to stop hovering over the staff. It’s hard for me to do, but I’m determined to try.”

“Smart girl,” Ty said causally, even though his heart was pounding. “And she loves you. That goes without question. But even better, Madison appreciates and respects you. That tells me again that you’ve been an amazing mother.”

“There might have been some divine intervention, because I sure prayed for help. Like I said, I was terrified!” Jessica shook her head slowly. “Aunt Myra had never had children either, and we both found out that babies don’t come with instructions.”

Although Jessica smiled, she couldn’t hide the pain in her amber eyes. “I’m surprised your parents didn’t come after you and drag you back home,” Ty said.

“Ha!” Jessica chuckled without real mirth. “My father was glad to be ride of his shameful daughter, and my mother was afraid to stand up for me.”

“Oh, baby, I’m so sorry.”

“Thank you,” Jessica said with a little catch in her voice. “I gave up hope that my mother would one day just show up on my doorstep. We haven’t spoken since the day I called to tell them I was moving in with Aunt Myra.”

“Such a sad loss for everyone.” Ty traced a fingertip over
her bare shoulder. “So, I’m guessing that your father and Myra don’t speak?”

Jessica nodded. “Aunt Myra said that they had grown up poor and that my father was always obsessed with making money. They lost their own parents in a car accident, so you would think that my father would want to remain close to his only sister. But he didn’t approve of Aunt Myra. And when Aunt Myra and my mother became close, my father suddenly cut all ties with her. But I always remembered her visits, and I just knew that she would take me in.”

Ty could feel the tension in her shoulder and gave her a reassuring squeeze.

“At any rate, Madison was raised on love and determination by a town full of people who watched over her while I worked in the diner. I told her that the saying
It takes a village
was coined for her. I think she still believes it.”

Ty leaned back against the pillows and laughed. “Like I said, Madison lights up a room. I understand why Jason fell head over heels for your daughter. Even though, I have to say, that boy has his hands full.”

“Ya think?” Jessica asked with raised eyebrows, and then chuckled softly. “So does poor Owen with Aunt Myra.”

“Believe me, I don’t think either of them minds one bit. And they’re both good, hard workers. The landscaping at the stadium is amazing, and Jason sure has some talent.” Ty could tell she was getting emotional and wanted to change the subject. Still, he was so glad that she had opened up and shared some of her past with him.

“Oh, I know. And they work well together. The patio at the diner is going to be gorgeous.” She glanced at the digital clock on the nightstand. “I’d better get over there soon.” She put her fingertips back to her cheeks. “I’m going to have to sneak up the back way to my apartment over the diner. Oh, the walk of shame . . .”

While her tone was teasing, Ty had to ask, “Are you worried about that?”

Jessica scooted up to a sitting position and lifted one shoulder slightly, a shoulder that he wanted to lean over and kiss. “It’s a small town, so you have to get used to everyone knowing your business,” she said, but Ty suddenly understood. She had learned to weather guilt and shame at a tender age. The wound might have healed, but there were still deep scars. “I just hate gossip.”

“Believe me, I know what you mean.”

“Really?” She angled her head in question. “Care to elaborate?”

“Actually, I do. Listen, do you have a little while so we can share a pot of coffee and maybe some breakfast?”

“I’m not really needed for the breakfast crowd. I have a capable cook for that,” she admitted.

“Hot damn!” Ty leaned over and gave her a high five. “Now, was that so hard?”

“No.” Jessica nibbled on the inside of her lip. “Maybe a little,” she acknowledged, and then her eyebrows shot up. “Hey, so are
you
doing the cooking?”

Ty winced. “I’m a little intimidated to prepare a meal for you, but, yeah, I’ll do the cooking and clean up too. How’s that?”

“You keep making me offers I can’t refuse.”

“Good. And I intend to continue doing it.”

“Wow! See, there you go again.” She laughed, and her smile was suddenly back.

And he fully intended to keep it there.

Ty scooted from the bed before he ended up pulling her into his arms again. He reached down and tugged on his sweatpants. “I’ll go get breakfast started. You’re welcome to shower or whatever you want to do.”

“Thanks.” The smile remained, but rosy color blossomed in her cheeks.

“You’re more than welcome to anything you need.” Ty reminded himself that she was unsure, vulnerable, and he should tread softly, but, damn, it was difficult, especially
seeing her sleep tousled and tangled in his bedsheets. He took a deep breath and paused at the doorway. “Oh, and if you want to lounge in one of my shirts, feel free to grab anything you want.”

“Grab anything I want? Those offers just keep right on coming,” she said, and gave him a throaty giggle. “I can’t believe I just said that.” She put a hand over her mouth and shook her head slowly. Her cheeks flushed a deeper rose, making Ty take long strides back to the bed.

He sat down on the mattress and gently pulled her hand from her mouth. “Quit hiding your beautiful face from me.”

“You’re bringing out a side of me I never knew I possessed. Maybe there is more of Aunt Myra in me than I ever realized.”

“Whatever you’re afraid of that’s making you hold back . . . let it go and set yourself free.”

“It’s not easy, but I’m trying.”

“That’s all I can ask.” He leaned over and kissed her cheek and then stood up. “Do you have any special requests for breakfast?”

“Eggs Benedict?”

“You’ve got to me kidding me,” he said in a low voice.

“Yeah, I was. How about cooking some good, old-fashioned scrambled eggs?”

He pointed at her and snapped his fingers. “Now you’re talking. Scrambling eggs and grilling are about the extent of my abilities.”

“Maybe you need some lessons.”

“I would love that.”

“Good. I can teach both you and Madison. . . . Oh, my goodness.” She looked at him with a big smile and bright eyes. “Cooking classes at the diner. Wine tasting too! This could be so much fun in the dead winter season.”

“Excellent idea!” He shook his head. “You are amazing.” His eyes met hers and locked. He didn’t know how much longer he could keep from telling her how much he
loved her. He swallowed the words on his tongue. “Okay, I’m off to scramble eggs.”

“Don’t overcook them!” she called after him. “And make the coffee strong!”

“Oh, God. The pressure is on!” He smiled when he heard her laughter, but then had to pause at the kitchen counter to catch his breath. He could really get used to waking up to Jessica in his bed, but more important, in his life.

J
essica caught her bottom lip between her teeth as she scooted from the bed. It suddenly felt deliciously wicked to be naked, but for some reason she felt the need to tiptoe over to his walk-in closet. She flipped on the light and then put her fingertips to her lips when she spotted the rack of neckties. “Oh, my God,” she whispered in a high-pitched squeak. Had she really tied the man to his bed? When that vision popped into Jessica’s head, a delicious, hot shiver snaked down her spine. Yes, she certainly had! She stared at the ties and tilted her head. “And guess what. I loved it,” she whispered with a sense of wonder.

Jessica stood there for a long moment, but then she smiled. For such a long time, she had suppressed her true self. Her father’s stern disapproval and her mother’s nervous fear had sucked her personality right out of her body, leaving her an empty shell. As an adult, she had come to the realization that sex at such a young age had been her way of seeking love and attention, and an act of rebellion. But the hot shame of the pregnancy had been crushing, causing Jessica to walk a straight line from that day forward, never giving anyone the least little reason to attach any kind of scandal or gossip to her name.

And she was sick and tired of walking on eggshells. Ty was right. She needed to let go—give herself the freedom to live, love, and laugh! “It’s about damned time,” she said, and then looked around the big closet for a T-shirt. She tugged a black baseball-cut shirt from a hanger and smiled at the Cougars logo in the center. She thought about searching for her bra and panties, but shook her head. “Who needs ’em?” she said brazenly, and when the soft cotton shirt slid against her bare skin, she closed her eyes and inhaled deeply. The masculine scent of leather, starched shirts, and spicy aftershave filled her head and curled her toes. She suddenly wanted a long, hot kiss but first she needed to brush her teeth.