Dating A Saint (22 page)

“I gave up all the dreams I had about being a mother when I gave up men seven years ago,” Lauren said sadly. “At forty-two, I thought it was too late to even think about the possibility.”

“I keep telling you it’s never too late,” Regina said, trying to stifle the laughter.

Lauren and Jim might be a lot older than Seth and Jenna in chronological years, but they were both as innocent about the world. Regina knew James Gallagher was going to be the happiest man on earth if it turned out Lauren was carrying his baby, but she couldn’t tell Lauren. She’d already shared more than she felt comfortable sharing.

“Yeah, you keep saying it’s never too late,” Lauren agreed. “But now I’m finally starting to believe it. One of these days, I’m going to stop wondering if you’re right and just do what you tell me to do.”

“Great,” Regina said, letting the laughter escape. “So lure Jim back to your bed, have your wicked way with him until you’re completely sated, and then tell him you might be pregnant. Think of it as a hazing ritual for permanent membership in the notorious club.”

“Regina, you are truly incorrigible,” Lauren said, amusement all but choking her.

“No, that was Alexa, and it was years ago. I have bad sex skills. Doesn’t anyone read my press anymore?” Regina shook her head and sipped her martini as Lauren continued to laugh. “I swear Ben Kaiser has ruined my notorious reputation. He’s just lucky he’s so good in bed that I have to keep him.”

“Yeah, so you keep bragging. Why don’t you tell me what Ben’s like in bed so I can go home and fantasize? Then we’ll be even,” Lauren said wickedly. She had to work really hard to put a dare in her eyes, but did remember to lift her chin as she smiled. Lauren knew she was in trouble when Regina only lifted one eyebrow.

“Tell you what Ben’s like in bed? Not on your life, sister,” Regina said loudly, laughing. “You just keep that inner bitch of yours on a leash until your own man shows up. Besides—Ben is for advanced women only. You would need several years of James Gallagher just to be able to handle a single time with Benjamin Kaiser. The man is a sex god—
my
sex god to be precise.”

“
Regina
—“ Lauren sputtered, practically squealing. “You can’t possibly know Ben is better than Jim in bed—
oh, shut up
. You’re not tricking me into telling you what Jim does.”

Lauren rolled her eyes as Regina’s wicked laughter finally brought a blush to her face.

“I’m truly sorry, Jim,” Barrett said, his voice full of sincere regret. “I wish I had better news.”

Jim rose from the polished conference table in Barrett’s office and walked to the window. It was close to four, and rush hour traffic was starting to pick up. Despite his natural inclination to go lick his wounds somewhere private, he was in no hurry to join the late-day madness.

Besides, it wouldn’t be a good idea for him to get behind the wheel of his vehicle when he felt like driving off the nearest cliff.

“So even if Cassandra’s parents name me custodian in their wills, you’re saying the court will likely still overrule it,” Jim repeated, wanting to make sure he completely understood the brick wall before he starting flailing against it.

“It’s not a forgone conclusion, but it’s likely. There are good reasons for it, Jim. The courts tend to look at a divorce as a conflict of interest to the ex-spouse’s well-being. Normally, it is. It definitely wouldn’t have been wise for me to have control over my ex-wife. If I told you what I wanted to do to her for the two years she held off settling our affairs to keep me from marrying Jane, you’d probably want to find another attorney,” Barrett said on a desperate laugh.

Today was the first day he’d hated his job in a long time, Barrett decided. He’d not seen Jim this defeated since Cassandra had announced he was her brother.

“So this is the end of trying—there is really no way to divorce Cassandra and still be able to take care of her,” Jim said, finally resigned to it.

“You can divorce her, but once her parents die, you’ll have to deal with the state. The best her parents can do is name you trustee of her inheritance. Even then, when the estate is settled, the judge could see that as a problem too.” Barrett got up and walked over to where Jim stood. “If I think of anything else, I’ll let you know. I’m truly sorry I wasn’t able to do more.”

Jim shook his head and put his hands in his pockets. “I guess a part of me was prepared for this conclusion. It’s just—Lauren is the only woman I want to be my wife. I didn’t even remember what a real marriage was supposed to be like until Lauren came long.”

“Have you told Lauren about the situation?” Barrett asked.

“I told her about Cassandra, but not specifically about trying to get a divorce. I didn’t want to get her hopes up. It was bad enough I kept thinking it might work out. Looks like it was a good thing I kept quiet about it now,” Jim said sarcastically.

“I think you should tell her everything anyway,” Barrett said lightly, not deterred by the sarcasm in Jim’s tone. He’d known him too long. “Sometimes it really is the thought that counts, no matter how bleak the situation. Your intentions have always been in the right place, Jim. If you ever want to go forward with the divorce, I’ll hand-carry it to everyone and make sure it gets done in record time.”

Jim shook his head. “I won’t be seeking a divorce. I can’t hurt one woman just to make things more okay for the other,” he said sadly. “It’s up to Hector now.”

“
Hector?
What’s Sam’s son got to do with your divorce?” Barrett asked, confused.

Jim laughed at the question. Hector’s prayers for a miracle were no more far-fetched to him now than sending Barrett out looking for a legal one.

“Did I tell you Hector offered me half of the payoff money for Margaret Simpson? When I refused the money, he promised to help me take care of Sam and Cassandra for the rest of their lives. Then as if all those promises weren’t enough, Hector said he believed in God and was going to pray for a miracle for me,” Jim said.

He looked back out the window at the traffic. Now he was going to have to think about what he could offer Lauren, knowing whatever it was—it was never going to be the wedding band he wanted to give her.

“I’d take a miracle over more money any day,” Jim said. “You can’t buy a miracle.”

“Well, I don’t know about that, Jim. You bought one for Samuel Simpson. Does Hector have any idea how wealthy you are?” Barrett asked.

Jim shook his head. “No, but I don’t think it would have mattered to him. He sees Sam as his responsibility now. He’s practically a kid still—can’t be more than twenty-six or seven, but his landscaping business is lucrative. He’d have a little trouble scraping up the cash, but probably would give it to me if I wanted it. It shocked the hell out of me when he offered me money. It shocked me more when I realized he was serious.”

“You inspire people to be good, Jim—when you let them get to know you,” Barrett said easily. “You’ve let more people in your life these last few months than you have in years. It’s like letting yourself fall in love with Lauren kicked down all your defenses.”

When Jim laughed loudly, Barrett noticed his whole face crinkling even around the disappointment still evident in his direct gaze. James Gallagher was a hell of a guy and deserved a lot more than Barrett was able to give him.

“What’s so funny?” Barrett asked, wondering what had caused the amusement.

“It was what you said about Lauren kicking down my defenses. She’s studied martial arts and has a couple black belts. Someday when I’m in a better mood I’ll tell you about the time I made her mad and she put me on her kitchen floor. I limped for days,” Jim said, grinning. “I can’t even tell you how much I love and respect that woman.”

“Can’t wait to hear the story. Maybe we can go out to dinner soon,” Barrett said, returning Jim’s smile.

“Sounds good, but I don’t know yet if Lauren’s going to want to be open about our relationship,” Jim told him. “I have to let her decide. I’ve already ruined most of her reputation. Her mother and I even had a fight about it. Lauren took my side when I told Lydia I belonged to her daughter and was the only man in her life.”

“Good for you both. Lydia still trying to get Lauren to go back to the cheating asshole?” Barrett asked. It was public knowledge Lydia McCarthy favored her former son-in-law despite the fact he went through women like water.

“Yes, but it’s never going to happen—with or without me in the picture. However, if Jared Smith insults Lauren again about her relationship to me, you may be posting bail for assault, because I’m going to beat him to hell and back,” Jim said.

Barrett laughed, admiring the seriousness of Jim’s gaze. “Unless Lauren does it first, you mean?” Barrett teased.

“Doubtful Lauren would hurt him no matter what he said. She restrained me from doing anything last time. I think she’s too polite to ever be ugly in public. So far I’m one of the few people who even knows about her dark side,” Jim said, mostly proud of the fact.

“Yeah, I can tell how distressed you seem to be about having the inside scoop,” Barrett told him, grinning at the glint in Jim’s eyes. “I don’t think Jane has a dark side. You’ll have to tell me what that’s like sometime.”

Jim laughed. “Let’s just say it’s a challenge to kiss a woman who has proven she can kick your ass,” he told Barrett as he started toward the door. “You have to ask permission and not make any sudden physical moves.”

Barrett’s laughter followed Jim out the door.

The man had to be exaggerating, Barrett concluded, trying to settle back into work. He knew Lauren McCarthy. The woman was the sweetest, most polite woman he’d ever met. Jane adored her. Jim was just completely out of touch with the full range of women in the world if he was intimidated by a woman as nice as Lauren.

*** *** ***

“Hey, Sydney,” Lauren called cheerfully as she walked into the office. “Here.” She handed him two of the three coffee drinks she had in her hands. “Is she in yet?”

“Hi, cutie. Oh, our girl got here on time this morning even if she was still humming and acting goofy. I don’t know if we’re going to get much business done today though. It’s still
Casey this
and
Casey that
,” Sydney said, imitating Alexa’s hair flip mannerism, making Lauren giggle. “I swear I knew she’d be bad, but I liked it better when they were fighting now and then. At least she was able to focus on work.”

“I’m sure the novelty of being married will wear off soon,” Lauren said, full of envy.

“Lauren, are you using a new foundation?” Sydney asked.

Lauren laughed at the question. “No. I almost never wear face makeup. I did put a little mascara on this morning. My lashes and eyebrows are starting to disappear as I get older. If I don’t at least do that, I have no face.”

“Well, you’re doing
something
good for yourself. You’re practically glowing. You finally sleeping with tall, dark, and mysterious,” Sydney asked, studying her face. Something was up. His instincts were buzzing when he looked at the woman. “And if you are sleeping with him, when are you bringing him by so I can check him out.”

“Well, we’re not technically sleeping together yet,” Lauren said, then frowned at how much she sounded like Jim.

“Could have fooled me,” Sydney said lightly, teasing. “You have the same look Alexa had right after Casey nailed her in the office.”

“In the office?” Lauren squeaked. “Seriously?”

Sydney shook his head rapidly up and down. “It was so obvious. She was blushing and he was gloating. I don’t know what happened, but I’ve never seen anyone look as guilty as she did that day. It’s been so much fun to watch Casey unravel her.”

“Well, Jim and I are not really
together-together
yet. We’re just fooling around a little bit,” Lauren said, deciding a partial truth was the easiest way to forestall more of Sydney’s teasing.

“Honey, nobody as interested as you are is a little bit anything. That’s just stalling. It’s like a woman saying she’s a little bit pregnant,” Sydney said, turning back to gather up folders and missing the horrified look on Lauren’s face. “There’s no such thing, girlfriend. If you’re interested in the guy, just go for it. Drag him to the floor and do your worst. I hear you have the skills for that sort of thing.”

Lauren took a deep breath, fighting not to blush. “I am so not cut out for a notorious life,” she said out loud.

“Maybe you just need more practice,” Sydney said, handing her the folders and picking up the coffees. “But I have to say, it really agrees with both you and Ben Kaiser. Honey, you look good enough to eat today. I bet Alexa even notices.”

No one else would notice if she could help it, thought Lauren.

And she was buying an early pregnancy detection test on the way home. She was tired of not knowing.

Jim looked down at his denim-covered legs as he ran the doorbell. He’d finally gone shopping alone and relied on a sales clerk to help him pick out jeans. They felt uncomfortable and unnatural, but he was trying to communicate to Lauren a willingness to make some changes in his life.

Jim rang her doorbell and sighed at his own trepidation. He hadn’t even brought a change of clothes, so he was stuck in the stiff denim for the next few hours no matter how uncomfortable it felt.

Lauren opened the door with smile, happy to see the man there. When he wasn’t wearing his usual dress clothes, her gaze dropped to the blue polo covering his chest and to a pair of black jeans that fit him like a second skin. It came back up to his dark hair and dark eyes she could happily drown in.

She had to clear her throat and words still wouldn’t come out. Maybe she was even drooling a bit. Finally—unable to speak, she motioned for him to enter. When he walked past her, she got a look at the back of him, his narrow hips and waist, his broad shoulders. It was simply more than her libido could take.

“Hi—hey,” Jim said, catching her as Lauren launched herself into his arms. Her mouth was on his and the heat was extraordinary.

“I like your jeans,” she told him against his mouth. “Can I take them off you? Can I do it now?”