Harlequin Superromance January 2014 - Bundle 1 of 2: Everywhere She Goes\A Promise for the Baby\That Summer at the Shore (72 page)

She nodded. “Thank you.”

“If you agree, I could refurbish the trailer to make it a little less...startling. And I could have other signs painted that are visible, but not so colorful.”

“You suggested that before.”

“I thought I'd mention it again. The other option is new. I've bought a piece of land near the highway, a couple of miles from here. My architect has sent me several different plans and I could have an attractive building put up, one with running water and a restroom, maybe even a kitchenette.”

“That isn't new, either.”

“Yes, but the rest of the idea really
is
different. In return, I won't develop the rest of the land your grandfather sold me. You'll keep your section and it will all be left in its natural state. People can hike there, go horseback riding, have picnics and swim at the beach, but I won't build, or put anything else on my sections. I'll put it in writing so the land will be protected, no matter what.”

Zack could tell he'd surprised her.

“You don't have to answer right away,” he said. “Think about it.”

Jamie nodded slowly.

“In the meantime, the Clam Shell has a dance floor, too. It would be a shame for your dress to miss its chance to shine.”

“I thought this was a business dinner, not a date.”

“Honey, you changed all the rules when you left that shoulder bare.”

“Whatever you say.” Jamie stood and they passed the server as he arrived with their salads.

“We'll be back,” Zack told him. “Can you hold the main course?”

“Of course, sir.”

The dance floor was similar to the one at the Grotto—the third wall of the triangular aquarium gave it atmosphere, though the lighting was brighter and more casual. Zack pulled her into his arms and they danced for several minutes.

“Zack, old buddy,” a voice interrupted. “You can't keep the wealth to yourself.” It was a bachelor guest from New England wealth who had frequented the resort Zack had managed prior to building Mar Vista. “How about it?” he prompted, holding his arms out for Jamie.

“Trent,” Zack said, “no one is that generous.”

His laugh followed them across the floor.

* * *

J
AMIE
TILTED
HER
head back and looked up at Zack. “You didn't ask if I wanted to dance with him.”

“Did you?”

She waved her arm with the bare shoulder. “Not really.”

“That's good. He's a wolf.” Zack pulled her closer and she decided to drift with the moment. Part of her brain wanted to think about Zack's offer, but it could wait. Tonight was probably the last time she'd dance with him; she didn't want her memory of it to be about real estate.

The meal slipped by with small talk. They watched the daylight fade over the cove and ate the excellent food from Gordon's kitchen. They danced again and Zack persuaded her to share a slice of tiramisu.

“Mmm,” she said as the delicate whipped cream swirled across her tongue. “This is good.”

He reached out and brushed the corner of her mouth with his thumb. She lifted an eyebrow at him.

“I thought I detected a bit there.”

“Really?” Jamie licked her lips and saw perspiration break out on his forehead.
One more night,
she thought. One more night together, then she'd resist.

“How about a walk on the beach?” Zack asked as they left the restaurant.

“That sounds nice.”

Instead of the public beach, he drove down and parked behind the fruit stand. She kicked off her shoes and he held her hand as they climbed over the dune. It was a magically silver night, not that different from the evening when he'd kissed her and she'd repulsed him. Strange how things changed.

When they were on the firm sand, he tugged her close and began a slow dance to the rhythm of the waves. After a while, she stumbled.

“Your feet must be cold,” he whispered. “Come on.”

They climbed back over the dunes, and with a laugh, he picked her up and carried her toward the trailer.

“Are you nuts?” she said. “I haven't replaced the mattress yet.”

“I told you I was fond of that mattress. You threw some sheets and blankets over it, didn't you?”

“Yes, but—”

He cut off her words with a long, slow kiss.

All right, so tonight would be really memorable.

* * *

Z
ACK
HADN
'
T
PLANNED
to coax Jamie into the trailer. Romantically sharing George and Leah's beach had seemed right, but once there, the trailer was too good an opportunity to miss.

Inside, with only the safety light for illumination, he eased the zipper down on Jamie's dress and the silky fabric fell to her waist. As he'd suspected, no bra.... She'd felt too soft and natural against him. He kissed and nibbled his way down her neck to her shoulder and...

His cell phone rang.

“Hell,”
he growled, groping in his pocket to turn it off. The cell flipped out of his hands and Jamie deftly caught it.

“Trudy Lopez?” she murmured, reading the lit caller ID. “Isn't she the woman who answers at the Mar Vista business office?”

“Sorry,” Zack muttered in frustration. If it was Trudy, it had to be important. “I should get that.”

Jamie returned the phone and sat on the bunk, slowly pulling her dress back up. He groaned and hit the button.

“Hey, Trudy. What's wrong?”

“Zack, I'm sorry to call, but there's been a car accident—a couple of our employees on their way to work. I don't know how badly they were hurt.”

In the small space, Jamie could hear the words as well, and she leaned forward, her brow creased with concern.

“Where are they?” he asked.

“At the local hospital. I don't have the address. The highway patrol reached me on my way home. I'll go, but I'm still an hour away.”

That was right. She'd gone into the nearest city to shop for the baby. He put his finger over the cell for privacy and looked at Jamie.

“I can show you where the hospital is,” she said softly.

“I don't know how long I'll have to be there.”

“It doesn't matter.”

He uncovered the speaker. “Don't worry, Trudy,” he said. “I'm going there now. You need to get home and rest. Don't forget the doctor's orders.”

“Yes, boss.”

Jamie finished pulling her dress on, but he reached behind to help with the zipper, unable to resist bending to kiss the curve of her neck. They stepped out of the trailer and he looked at her feet.

“Where are your shoes?”

“They should be next to the truck.”

He lifted her again and strode to the SUV.

“I can walk,” she protested.

“This is faster.”

He helped her into the seat and found her sandals, slipping them onto her feet. On the road, he pushed the speed limit toward town until Jamie told him to turn at a crossing beyond the resort.

“Isn't it in Warrington?”

“No, we share a hospital with another community. This is the fastest route. What was that about doctor's orders?”

“Trudy's pregnant. She's supposed to get extra rest.”

“Is everything okay?”

“Sure, but she's thirty-seven and a first-time mother, so they're taking extra precautions. I...uh, knew she wouldn't have phoned unless it was urgent,” he said awkwardly.

Jamie continued to give him directions, and he marveled at her ability to recognize a number of badly marked turns in the dark. They arrived at the emergency room in less than ten minutes.

“Go on,” she said. “I'll follow.”

* * *

W
ATCHING
Z
ACK
SPRINT
to the emergency-room entrance, Jamie pressed her arms to her stomach. He was obviously concerned and she didn't want to see that side of him.

Groping for her shawl, she draped it over her arm and swung her legs down from the SUV's cab. The emergency entrance hadn't changed much since she was a kid. When she was sixteen, Granddad had cut his hand and she'd driven him here for stitches. The responsibility had scared her spitless, but he'd encouraged her, and the experience had given her confidence.

The man at the security desk glanced at her, then gave her a much longer look. “Hello. May I help you?” he asked.

“I'm with Zack Denning, who just came in. He's checking on two of his employees from Mar Vista.”

“Oh, he's over there.” The man pointed to a corner of the waiting room.

Zack sat with a disheveled man. To her relief, they were both chuckling, albeit feebly, so the injuries from the accident couldn't be too severe. Zack saw Jamie and came over.

“Everything should be fine,” he said softly. “I'd like to stay awhile, though. Frank's wife is inside and he's alone.”

“Stay as long as you need. I'll take a nap in the SUV.”

“Are you sure? I can give you the keys so you can go home. I'll call Brad to give me a lift—”

“No, it's okay. You do what you need to do. Besides, the seats in your SUV are quite comfortable.”

“Well, okay. Thanks.” He gave her a quick kiss and walked back to the middle-aged man, whose face sagged in forlorn fatigue. She could imagine how he felt. It didn't matter if the doctor said your loved one would be all right; part of you didn't believe it until you saw them for yourself. Having someone wait with him would help.

Jamie smiled at the security guard and went back to the car. It was nice that Zack wanted to be with his employee. But Mar Vista was everything to him, and she reminded herself that taking care of the staff was also good business. It didn't mean he'd suddenly turned into a humanitarian.

She knew she wasn't being fair, but she also needed to keep her sanity. Falling in love with Zack Denning was a sure road to heartbreak.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

W
HILE
Z
ACK
WAS
sitting with Frank, a highway patrolman came in and explained the accident had been caused by a bus driver who'd lost control while texting someone on his cell phone.

“Unbelievable,” Frank muttered. He glanced at the treatment room where the doctor was still working with his wife.

“Yes, sir. The district attorney will decide what charges should be filed against him.”

“That won't help Edna.”

“I know,” the young officer said awkwardly. “I hope your wife will be all right.”

“She'll be fine,” the doctor announced, coming out. “Mrs. Irving has several cuts we stitched up, a broken rib and a mild concussion. We did a CAT scan to be sure and we'll hold her a couple days for observation, but everything looks good. We're taking her to a room and you can see her once she's settled.”

Frank sagged into his chair. “Thank God.”

Zack clasped the other man's shoulder, still feeling somewhat awkward. He was skilled at light conversation with guests at the resort, but this was different. He and Frank had talked for nearly two hours and he'd learned the couple's fortieth anniversary was approaching. They had four children and two grandchildren...and were devoted to each other. They'd even taken the jobs at Mar Vista because they could work the same shift and commute together. The Irvings reminded Zack of his parents—the romance in their marriage was still strong despite the years they'd been together.

“I was really afraid she'd never get that trip to Italy,” Frank muttered. “Edna so wants to ride the gondolas in Venice and see the Pope. We've been saving up. It's supposed to be our greatest trip ever.”

“You'll get there,” Zack assured him. “How about a ride home, after you see your wife?”

“Thanks, Mr. Denning, but I need to stay with her.”

Zack waited until Frank was sitting at Edna's bedside before hurrying downstairs. He checked his watch as he went through the double doors to the emergency area. 2:00 a.m. The parking-lot lights shone on Jamie through the windows of the SUV. She'd put the seat back and was asleep, her head pillowed on her shawl; he hated to wake her, but she roused as he unlocked the driver's-side door.

“Hi.” She yawned and raised her seat. “How's Frank's wife?”

“She'll be fine. Sorry to make you wait so long.”

Jamie didn't answer and he saw she'd dropped off again. He reached over and gently fastened her seat belt before starting the car.

At the hospital exit, Zack tried to recall the twists and turns they'd made getting there. In the dark and with the poorly marked roads, he was probably safest using the GPS, so he punched in the resort's address and followed the directions until he came to the turn for Jamie's house. She woke up again as the car bumped over the rough driveway.

Jamie got out of the SUV and stumbled toward her front door, reminding him of a drowsy child. So he put an arm around her waist to guide her through the front door and into the bedroom. He left to lock up before returning to lie next to her.

Good God, she was beautiful. What would happen once the real-estate issue was resolved and her ex-husband's hash was settled? They'd traveled a long way in the past few weeks and it was hard to imagine becoming merely neighbors again.

* * *

J
AMIE
WOKE
IN
the gray predawn. As usual, Zack was on his side, his arm around her, with Marlin happily snuggled between them. The growing familiarity scared her. Familiar, that was, aside from the ache left by the previous night's unfinished business.

Almost as if he'd heard and responded to the thought, Zack stirred and pulled her closer, mumbling, “Good morning.”

His hands began exploring. Marlin meowed and scooted off the bed, disturbed by their shifting bodies. Jamie considered saying no...for about three seconds, then let rationality drift away.

* * *

“A
VERY
GOOD
MORNING
,” Zack said, a trifle smugly, as Jamie was coming back into herself. She was too relaxed to poke holes in his arrogance.

Marlin landed on the mattress a few seconds later.

“Do you suppose he watches us?” Zack asked curiously.

“No. I saw him in the mirror. He went for a snack.”

“Hmm.”

Zack dropped back asleep and Jamie tried to drowse as well, but she had too much to think about. Zack's second suggestion about the land had surprised her. It was a generous compromise. He had everything he owned at stake and was also trying to protect the investment his parents had made. Building rooms or cottages with a private beach would have been a profitable move, yet he was willing to forego it.

Granddad would have preferred keeping the entire section in its natural state, but he'd also wanted to leave a bequest to both her and her brother. If she accepted Zack's compromise, she'd never be able to sell fruits and vegetables there again, but preserving the land would have been Granddad's first wish.

After stewing on the subject for an hour, she slipped out of bed and went to make coffee and breakfast. Reluctant to talk with Zack just yet, she left a note by the coffeepot and drove to the fruit stand to do more thinking.

It would be best to accept the offer. She wouldn't enjoy running the stand if it wasn't by the beach, but she could hire a manager. It would still earn her a living, maybe almost as much, since she could keep it open year-round on a limited basis. And Zack was right that she'd get more business on the highway—by increasing her daily stock, she could partially make up for what she paid to an employee.

Beyond that, once the issue with Tim was resolved, Zack wouldn't have a reason to come around. That would be best for both of them. She couldn't start counting on him and forget how to take care of herself. Eventually, he'd move on and she'd be alone, picking up the pieces.

* * *

Z
ACK
WAS
DISAPPOINTED
when he woke again and found Jamie gone; from the silence in the house, he guessed she'd already left for the fruit stand. Marlin lay next to him and he petted the cat, marveling at the untamed wildness in the animal's eyes. The line between domestic and primal nature seemed thin, but it was that way for humans, too. They simply disguised it better.

He snorted.

A fine moment to get philosophical.

Right now he should get to the office and see if Trudy needed him.

“Hey, boss,” Trudy greeted him as he walked in. “Any news?”

“Frank Irving is okay, just bruised, and he insists on coming to work tonight,” Zack explained. “Edna has a broken rib and will be out for a while, but nothing critical.”

“That's a relief. I hope I didn't interrupt anything important last night.”

“Don't worry about it,” he said, thinking how painful the interruption had been, though he couldn't explain to Trudy. “You know what a real emergency is, so never hesitate to call.”

The day zoomed by. He ordered flowers for Mrs. Irving and finally played golf with Greg Cole. They discussed Mar Vista hosting a tournament in greater detail. Greg was a noted sportsman and obscenely wealthy; he would love to have his name on a major event. And if it made the PGA Tour, he'd be ecstatic.

Zack met Brad for lunch at the Clam Shell and he seemed moody, but wouldn't say what was on his mind. Zack could make an educated guess—he'd checked the reservations and seen that Kim hadn't yet made one for the weekend. He was tempted to interfere, but figured there were times when a brother had to butt out.

In the early afternoon Zack left a message on Jamie's phone saying he'd bring dinner again that night—one of Gordon's new recipes. The chef had been using them as guinea pigs.

At seven he arrived and Jamie let him in.

“Something wrong?” he asked, noticing how pale she was.

“No, of course not.”

“Jamie.”

“Okay, there was a rosebush run down in the yard. Maybe it happened when we were at the hospital, or during the day when I was at the stand. I didn't see it until I got home tonight.”

He reached out for her, but she ducked away. “I'm okay and I'm not falling apart,” she insisted. “It's only a rose. I put in a support post and it might even survive.”

They ate together in the kitchen and Zack jotted down their comments about the meal for Gordon's benefit. Afterward they sat in the living room and Marlin jumped up to lie next to Zack.

“I've decided to accept your offer,” said Jamie abruptly. “The one to move the fruit stand and leave the land undeveloped. It comes closest to Granddad's wishes.”

“That's terrific.” Zack longed to touch her, but she was too reserved and distant. Unbelievably he found himself asking, “Are you sure?”

She focused on him. “Yes. I'll hire someone to run it and that will give me more freedom to work on my jewelry. I can use the solitude.”

Zack sighed. He wasn't sure where the walls between them had come from, but they'd been erected since that morning. There'd be no snuggling tonight...or anything else.

Jamie picked up a calendar. “How long do you think it will take to build the stand?”

“A week or two. I can get a crew on it right away, if you're in a hurry.”

“It'll be best to get things settled.”

Having the Little Blue Fruit Stand gone was exactly what Zack had wanted, so it was strange that she was now the one pushing for speed. Or was she trying to get rid of him?

“We can probably have it done by the week after the Fourth of July holiday.”

“Sounds good,” she said, pausing before going on. “You know, I need an early night.”

“Alone?” he couldn't resist asking.

“Yeah, I'm not in the mood for company. There's a clean bed in the room down from mine.”

“I'll try the couch by the fire. That way I can hear anything from the front of the house better.”

“Suit yourself.”

She disappeared down the hall into her bedroom.

Perhaps it was for the best. It would give them both space to think. Yet a few minutes later, he groaned when he heard the shower running. One evening they'd showered together in the generous walk-in stall and made love in the splashing water.
Made love.
He didn't know what else to call it, though Jamie didn't seem to like the phrase.
That
was clear from their discussion the morning following their first night together. Yet
sex
seemed a cold description of what they'd shared.

Damnation. He didn't know what was happening to him. Ever since he was a kid, he'd had one goal. Yet while Mar Vista had been his focus for so long and he was proud of what he'd accomplished, it wasn't what he'd started out to do.

When did over-the-top luxury and five-star ratings become essential to his vision? Jamie had suggested more than once that he cared so much for his ambition that he'd lost sight of people. She could be right, though he was trying to correct that, even start planning something closer to his original idea.

He stuck a pillow under his head, pulled a quilt over him and tried to sleep.

* * *

J
AMIE
LAY
IN
her bed trying not to sniff for the scent of Zack's aftershave. Finding the rosebush flattened hadn't scared her; it had made her angry. Tim knew she loved roses and was trying to use the destruction to make her feel vulnerable. Fat chance. He'd taught her the pitfalls of feeling helpless and sooner or later he'd find out she was no longer a pushover.

But it
had
pushed her to settle the matter of the fruit stand with Zack. He'd grown far too important for a temporary lover; there was too much danger she'd fall in love with him, strange though that would have seemed a few weeks ago.

Stubbornly, Jamie rolled to the side of the mattress where Zack had slept the past few nights. She refused to pretend he was there or to imagine his arm lay around her. After a while, Marlin slunk in, meowing plaintively, as if complaining about having to choose between bed partners.

“Don't get used to him being around,” she advised the cat. “He's only an interval.”

It took a while, but she finally drifted off to sleep.

* * *

C
RASH
.

Jamie bolted upright as Marlin scrambled away. Even from her bedroom she heard the sound of splintering glass and crunching metal. Grabbing her robe, she dashed into the living room, where a large rock lay on the floor among shards of glass from the front window.

“Watch the bare feet,” Zack growled and bolted outside to face the intruder.

“It's not worth it,” Jamie called after him.

There was a screech of tires as a vehicle sped away.

She went to the door and in the security light saw Zack checking the crumpled fender on his Mercedes SUV. That was going to cost plenty. Why hadn't she told him to put it in the garage, where it would have been more protected?

Wearily, she went back to her bedroom, got changed and slipped shoes on her feet, renewed anger sweeping through her. It was like Tim to throw rocks in the night; at heart he was a coward and no different than a school-yard bully.

“I've called the sheriff's office,” Zack said as she returned. “They should see the damage first.”

They waited as the deputy snapped pictures and took information for his report. The officer was very happy to accept the recordings from the video cameras that Jamie had set up after finding the flattened rosebush. Hopefully, they would be as illuminating as the ones she'd gotten at the trailer.

“It's going to be all right,” Zack said once they were alone again.