Practice Makes Perfect (16 page)

“Don’t play Ms. Coy and Innocent with me. You said you’d call me.”

“I did.”

“Thursday. I had three deliveries, and by the time I got back to you, all I could get was your goddamned machine.”

“Um...” She bit her lip. “Jade came. We talked practically all night.”

“You couldn’t take one little break?” He shook his head. “I sat by the phone waiting for you to call.”

“I doubt that, Ian.”

His temper flared. “What’s with you? You’re acting like Wednesday night never even happened.”

She just looked at him

“And you didn’t even take the time to call and find out how Scalpel was.”

Her shoulders sagged. “I’m sorry. How is he?”

“Ornery. Cranky.”

She gave him a half-smile. “Like his master.”

“Both of us have reason to be.”

“Is his leg healing?”

“Yeah, but he’s having nightmares—the doggy version of post-traumatic stress syndrome. He bit me during one.” Ian held up his arm; Lynne had doctored the beefy part of his palm this morning.

Paige touched his hand with her slender fingers. “I’m sure you’re taking good care of him” He didn’t respond. She rubbed the bandage sensuously. “I’m sorry.”

“About the bite?”

He saw her swallow hard. “No, about not calling to check on Scalpel.”

His heart clutched. She didn’t say anything about him. Again he wondered why he was letting this get to him

“And for ignoring your calls. It’s been an emotional weekend.” The catch in her voice alerted him.

“Because of Jade.”

She nodded. “And my newly discovered niece.”

“You didn’t know about her?”

Shaking her head, Paige gazed out at the pond. Ian tracked her line of vision to see Jewel and Jade feeding the ducks. With the morning sun glistening around them, their dresses blending in with the green of the lawn and the blue of the sky, they looked like part of an impressionist painting.

“Jewel was the reason Jade didn’t come home for three years.”

“Tell me.”

Right before his eyes, she withdrew. “I can’t.”

He straightened. His pride urged him to forget it. To forget her. He didn’t need this. But acting on his ego had never served him well in the past. Besides, there was something about this woman... “Paige, you agreed to see me. To give us a chance.”

“I know I did.”

“Withholding isn’t getting off on the right foot.”

“I know.” She clenched her hands in her lap. “But bullying me and yelling at me isn’t, either.”

He raked a hand through his hair. “I...I’m not used to having my calls ignored.”

That brought a chuckle from her. “No, I don’t imagine Dr. Hot and Hunky is.”

He snorted. “Don’t tease. I’ve been dying all weekend. I want to see you, Paige.”

“We said we’d take it slow.”

“Honey, this speed would wear on a tortoise. Can’t we pick it up a little?”

“What did you have in mind?”

“Go out with me tonight.”

“What about Jade?”

“She can get along by herself. Just for a few hours. I need to be with you.”

He raised his hand and ran his knuckles down her cheek. It was smooth and silky, and just touching her made him ache. “Please. I want to talk to you, hold you for a little while. We’ll take a drive over to Hyde Point Hill.”

“And neck there like teenagers?”

“Sounds good to me.” He added, “We’ll bring Scalpel along as a chaperon.”

“I guess Jade won’t mind.”

He stiffened; he couldn’t help it. Damn it, he needed more than a simple concession from her. Angry again, he drew back and went to stand by the railing of the lower deck. Bracing his arms on it, staring out over the course, he wondered not for the first time if he was going to be able to break down her walls.

He heard her come up behind him. She slid her arm through his and leaned into him. “I wore your T-shirt to bed last night.” She whispered the words against his shoulder. “I haven’t washed it. It smells like you.”

The band of pain around his chest loosened a bit. “That helps.”

“I’m sorry. This is hard for me.”

“I scare you.”

She nodded.

“I’ll try not to be so pushy. But I have to have some crumbs, Paige.”

“Who are you kidding? You’ll insist on the whole banquet.”

He grinned wryly. “Tell you what. I’ll start tonight with an appetizer. We’ll go from there.” He raised his hand and ran the pad of his thumb over her lips. “I’ve thought about kissing you again. For days.”

“I’ve thought about more.”

Good.
He brushed his lips over hers. “Hmm.” Her eyes were slumberous. “That’s pretty tasty, Dr. Kendrick.”

“Yeah, Dr. Chandler, it is.”

“I’ll pick you up at eight.”

“All right.”

Turning, he slid his hand into hers and they headed back to their respective families.

o0o

PAIGE FROWNED at her image in the mirror. “How did I let you talk me into this?”

Jade glanced up from where she sat on the bed braiding flowers into Jewel’s hair. “You look dynamite in that dress.”

“It’s too small. I’m taller than you are, and bigger on top.”

“Quit bragging.”

Biting back a chuckle, she met her sister’s eyes in the glass. It was so much fun sharing things the way they used to. “It’s not me, Jade.”

“Live a little, sis. The halter top will give him easy access to your neck.”

Jewel, who sat quietly, dressed in a gorgeous white eyelet bathing suit coverup, asked, “Who, Mommy?”

“Oh, now you’ve done it.” Paige shook her head.

Jade didn’t even blink “Aunt Paige’s boyfriend.”

“Yuck.” Jewel stuck her fingers in her mouth. “Don’t like boys.”

Paige chuckled. Eyeing Jewel, she said, “Do my hair that way, Jade?”

“Not on your life. Men like it down and fluffy. I put those curlers in it for effect. A braid would ruin it.” Jade nodded to the dressing table built into the side wall. “Now sit. I’ll comb you out.”

Ten minutes later Paige was still frowning at herself. Her hair was a mass of waves around her face. The ice-pink dress made her cheeks rosy. And handcrafted black earrings with pink flowers—ones Jade had given her for a birthday—dangled from her ears.

Inspecting her, Jade smiled. “Ian will freak when he sees you.”

“He doesn’t need encouragement.” Paige’s frown turned into a scowl. “He was too angry yesterday, considering the circumstances. I don’t get it. On Wednesday night, all I said was I’d go out with him. Not calling him back wasn’t that big a deal.”

“You’re pathetic,” Jade said from behind her.

“What do you mean?”

“Sis, the guy’s hot for you.” She spritzed Paige’s hair once more. “He ate you up with his eyes.”

I’ll start with an appetizer.

“He said we’d take it slow.”

Jade’s lovely green eyes shadowed. Tonight she wore a top in a kaleidoscope of colors with low-slung white shorts that bared her navel. “They really did a job on you, didn’t they?”

“Who?”

“Mom and Dad. Ronny.”

Paige searched for her lipstick. “As a doctor, I can tell you a child’s upbringing affects her forever.”

“Well, I’m not as smart as you. But I think—”

Paige whirled around. “Don’t do that. Don’t put yourself down like that. You’re very bright, as well as perceptive and knowledgeable about people.”

Stark vulnerability crossed her tough sister’s face. “God, I need you back in my life, Paige. Nobody else ever believed in me like you.”

Warmed by the compliment, Paige said, “It’s all true.”

“We go to the pool?” Jewel asked from the bed where she was looking at a picture book.

“Sure, sweetie.” Jade squeezed Paige’s shoulder. “As soon as I finish Aunt Paige’s new hairdo, we’ll go wait at the pool for Prince Charming.”

The comment bothered Paige. Though she’d meant everything she’d told her sister that first night, the fact that Jade had allowed a man to support her for three years, that she had depended on a man for her survival, for God’s sake, was anathema to Paige. No Prince Charmings for Paige Kendrick.

They’d just settled into chairs on the deck, with Jewel in the water—she could swim like a fish already—when the gate creaked.

“Hi.” It was Darcy.

Before Paige could respond, Meli burst in with Claire following more demurely. “I just got home,” Darcy said. “It’s so hot. The kids were driving me nuts. Is it okay if...” Her words died off when she caught sight of Paige’s company. “Oh, my God, is that you, Jade?”

“Yeah, Red, it’s me.”

Darcy scowled at the nickname she’d hated as a teenager. Then she smiled. “Some things never change.” She crossed the patio area.

Jade shook her head. “I wouldn’t say that. When did you turn into Wall Street?” She gestured at Darcy’s prim white suit and turquoise blouse that did indeed make her look like an executive.

“Somewhere along the road to nowhere,” Darcy said glibly.

Jade nodded as if she understood.

Darcy turned to Paige. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know you had company.” Claire had remained by her side, but Meli had gone to the edge of the pool and was gazing down at Jewel, who was doing a pretty good back crawl. “Come on Mel, let’s go.”

“No need to leave.” Jade stood and crossed to Meli. “Hi, I’m Jade.”

“Dr. Kendrick’s sister,” Darcy said, coming closer. “This is my daughter Melanie. And this is Claire.”

Jade smiled at Claire and winked at Meli. “That little fish is my daughter, Jewel.”

“Pretty name,” Claire said.

Jade straightened. “Paige, here, has a hot date, Darce. Why don’t you stay and keep Jewel and me company?”

“Are you sure?” Darcy asked.

“Absolutely.”

Facing Paige, Darcy smiled. “Who’s the lucky guy?”

“Hel-lo.”

“See for yourself.” Paige’s heartbeat was already escalating at the deep rumble of Ian’s voice. Jeez.

The gate opened and in skittered Scalpel. The cast on his right front leg slowed him down, but he made a beeline for Paige. She knelt and rubbed his ears, allowing him to lick her carefully made-up face. “Hi, guy. You feeling better?”

Scalpel lifted his injured leg.

“Oh, I know.” She kissed the cast, on which Ian had written, “No roads for you.”

Scalpel whimpered, nuzzled her some more, and glanced longingly at the pool, then at Ian. Ian’s face was stern. “No swimming, Scalpel. Like we talked about. I mean it.”

Paige could swear that the dog sighed. Then his ears twitched and he crossed to the pool where Jewel hung on to the ledge. He watched her for a long time and finally moved his head to look at Paige. Then he turned back to Jewel.

“Yeah, buddy, she’s a miniature Paige.” Ian’s tone was that of an amused father. “Guess you like that, don’t you.”

Scalpel barked enthusiastically.

Paige studied Ian. He’d obviously taken time with his appearance, too. His long hair was shiny clean and subtle waves framed his face. His steel-blue shirt was rolled up at the sleeves, revealing powerful arms, and opened at the throat, revealing dark chest hair. White shorts and sandals completed the outfit.

Jade came up behind Paige and whispered, “You’re dead meat, sis.” Her eyes sparkled at Ian. “Nice to see you again, Ian.”

As he came closer, his gaze locked on Paige. He barely glanced at Jade. “You, too.” Remembering his manners, he looked past them. “Hi, Darce. Meli.” He cocked his head. “And who is this?”

Claire backed away. She grabbed her mother’s hand.

“This is Claire.” Darcy’s voice was soft.

“She’s a bit shy,” Paige said.
Especially around men
.

Scalpel gave a long-suffering whine and everybody turned to him. He’d lain down on the deck and was nose to nose with Jewel. The little girl was petting him and mumbling to him. He seemed to respond. “Uh-oh. I think you’ve been usurped,” Ian told Paige.

She laughed.

After some small talk, Ian asked, “Ready to go?”

Paige picked up a beaded purse. Her hands weren’t quite steady. “Yes.” She looked at the dog. “Come on, Scalpel.”

Scalpel raised his head. He glanced from Paige to Jewel. Damned if he didn’t seem torn.

Ian chuckled. “He wants to stay with his new girl.”

Paige grinned. “Just like a man.”

“You can leave him with us,” Jade said.

Ian was amused. “Paige thinks we need a chaperon.”

“Ian—”

“All the more reason for him to stay. Meli, Claire and Jewel can swim and Scalpel can watch. Darcy and I will get reacquainted.”

Ian said, “It’s fine by me.”

“Sure.” Paige looked at the dog. “Whatever.”

Taking her by the hand, Ian linked their fingers. “Good night, ladies.” As they started to the gate, he said, “Behave yourself, Scalpel. And
no swimming
.”

The dog whined but settled down.

At the car Ian stopped. He angled Paige toward him and scanned her dress, brushed a hand down her hair “You take my breath away.”

“Figures you’d like Jade’s clothes.”

He ran fingers across her collarbone, raising gooseflesh. “I like what’s in Jade’s clothes.”

She smiled at him. His eyes moved to her lips, then he drew back. “How about some ice cream first?”

First? “I’d love some.”

The ride in his convertible was fun. Her curls flew helter-skelter, but the feeling of freedom was just what the doctor ordered. When they arrived at Abbott’s, Ian vaulted out of the car and circled around to open her door. Escorting her to the counter, he scanned the offerings. “Man, Scalpel will have a fit when he finds out they have black raspberry.”

“His favorite?”

“And mine. You’ll love it.”

“I don’t want black raspberry, Ian. I like chocolate.”

“Chocolate’s good. But you have to try this.” He ordered them both black raspberries.

Too stunned to protest, Paige accepted the cone.

He licked his. “Hmm.” He nodded to hers. “Try it.” When she just stared at him, he gave her an exasperated, I-know-best look. “If you don’t like it, I’ll buy you chocolate.”

She took a bite. It
was
good. “It’s okay.”

He raised his brows. “I’d love to hear you say I’m right.”

She took another bite.

Lifting his arm, he brushed a drop off the corner of her mouth. The small gesture made her stomach knot. His lips parted.