Inherited: One Baby!
Inherited: One Baby!
Laura Marie Altom
Needed: One Wife!A quick, convenient marriage was the only way Jake Peterson could keep custody of the adorable orphaned baby left in his care. The only woman suitable as the bride-to-be was Candy Jacobshis ex-wife. Though circumstances had forced them to part long ago, the sizzle between them was stronger than ever. But would the price of marriage cost love-wary Jake more than he bargained for?No matter how hard she tried to resist, Candy was soon roped in by baby Bonnie's little hugs and Jake's toe-curling kisses. But before she would agree to become this bachelor dad's wife, Jake needed to understand that Candy wanted his heart first
Candy had wanted that kiss from the moment Jake strolled through the door on Monday afternoon
She suspected it had something to do with that sexy grin, maybe a little more with his delicious masculine scent. But more and more she was suspecting it was the way he cared for baby Bonnie. Walking in on the two of them sleeping in that recliner flip-flopped her heart in a thousand tiny ways.
For all these years, shed blamed him for breaking her heart, but had he been the one responsible? Or had she done the breaking all by herself?
Because as tough as Jake came across on the outside, those moments when she caught him smoothing Bonnies hair, fixing the collars on one of her tiny dresses or planting a kiss on top of her head, spoke louder than any words he ever could have spoken. Jake was no heartbreaker, for in taking orphaned Bonnie into his home and arms he was a heart mender.
Dear Reader,
What a spectacular lineup of love stories Harlequin American Romance has for you this month as we continue to celebrate our 20th anniversary. Start off with another wonderful title in Cathy Gillen Thackers DEVERAUX LEGACY series, Taking Over the Tycoon. Sexy millionaire Connor Templeton is used to getting whateverwhomeverhe wants! But has he finally met his match in one beguiling single mother?
Next, Fortunes Twins by Kara Lennox is the latest installment in the MILLIONAIRE, MONTANA continuity series. In this book, a night of passion leaves a Main Street Millionaire expecting twinsand has the whole town wondering Whos the daddy? After catching a bridal bouquet and opening an heirloom hope chest, a shy virgin dreams about asking her secret crush to father the baby she yearns for, in Have Bouquet, Need Boyfriend, part of Rita Herrons HARTWELL HOPE CHESTS series. And dont miss Inherited: One Baby! by Laura Marie Altom, in which a handsome bachelor must convince his ex-wife to remarry him in order to keep custody of the adorable orphaned baby left in his care.
Enjoy this months offerings, and be sure to return each and every month to Harlequin American Romance!
Melissa Jeglinski
Associate Senior Editor
Harlequin American Romance
Inherited: One Baby!
Laura Marie Altom
www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)
This ones for grandparents. Those I dearly miss: Joe and Lu Jachim, Shirley Jeanne Alisch and Doris Altom. And those Im still fortunate enough to have with me: Fred Alisch, Sylvia Altom-Shelton and my honorary grandparents, Katie and Paul Sage. I love you all very much.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
After college (Go Hogs!), Laura Marie Altom did a brief stint as an interior designer before becoming a stay-at-home mom to boy/girl twins. Always an avid romance reader, Laura knew it was time to try her hand at writing when she found herself replotting the afternoon soaps. She has written three romances for another publisher.
When not immersed in her next story, Laura enjoys a glamorous lifestyle of lounging by a pool thats always in need of cleaning, zipping around in a convertible while trying to keep her dog from leaping out and she is constantly striving to reach the bottom of the laundry basketa feat she may never accomplish! For real fun, Lauras content to read, do needlepoint and cuddle with her handsome hubby.
Laura loves hearing from readers at either P.O. Box 2074, Tulsa, OK 74101, or via e-mail: BaliPalm@aol.com (mailto:BaliPalm@aol.com).
Books by Laura Marie Altom
HARLEQUIN AMERICAN ROMANCE
940BLIND LUCK BRIDE
976INHERITED: ONE BABY!
Contents
Prologue (#ue17ea3fc-cb0c-5aba-8194-8b4e96cd1b1d)
Chapter One (#u4fa5c819-5b5a-5aba-81b5-8c21ac4feced)
Chapter Two (#u58ac8d1a-a37b-5560-8408-be4af18b7fe5)
Chapter Three (#u91942b11-0cf5-53af-abe0-9fd1c3c4d0ee)
Chapter Four (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Five (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Six (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Seven (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Eight (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Nine (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Ten (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Eleven (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Twelve (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Thirteen (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Fourteen (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Fifteen (#litres_trial_promo)
Epilogue (#litres_trial_promo)
Prologue
Come again? Jake Peterson said to the silver-haired dynamo in charge of his infant daughters adoption case. The metal desk she sat at had probably once been painted a color, but over the years it had become a crazy quilt of smiling faces. Childrens faces captured in photos. Hundreds of themmaybe even thousands. Mrs. Starling had made all of these children happy. Why couldnt she do the same for his baby girl?
Youre telling me that just because this Elizabeth Mannford is related by blood to Bonnie that that makes her a better parent? Having me raise their daughter was my friends dying wish. You cant take Bonnie away from methe only family she knows!
Mr. Peterson, please, theres no need for raised voices. Butterscotch? She gestured toward a lumpy clay dish brimming with gold-wrapped candies. I find butterscotch to be the most soothing of flavors, dont you?
Jake hardened his jaw.
He didnt want to come down on this grandma. Really, he didnt, but what else could he do?
He wouldnt break his promise to Cal and Jenny who had been killed six weeks earlier by a drunk driver. He wouldnt lose this chance in a million to make good on a dream hed long since had for himself. The dream to somehow, some way become a fatherjust as long as that way didnt include having a wife.
Look, he said, taking a calming breath. I love Bonnie. And as CEO of Galaxy Sports, I make much more than an adequate living.
Miss Manning doesnt dispute either of those things.
Then whats her problem? Why is she doing this?
In a nutshell, Mrs. Starling said, lacing her fingers atop a stack of manila folders. After speaking with her at length this past Tuesday, its my opinion that shes just plain lonely. Bitter about the way her life has turned outand is now wanting to make amends, but not quite sure how to best go about it.
From what youve told me about her relationship within her great-nieces family, she was an outcast. The black sheep, if you will. Her niece, Jenny, was all she had left in the worldand, of course, Bonnie. As such, I can see where she wouldnt want her last remaining link to familyeven if it is a family she previously wanted nothing to do withbeing signed away to a virtual stranger.
But thats just it, Jake said, leaning forward in his chair. Im not the stranger hereat least not to Bonnie.
Mrs. Starling lowered her gaze, making a slight clucking sound before once again glancing his way. Im so sorry about all of this. Ive seen you and the infant together. The way the child seems so at peace when she rests her little cheek on your shoulder. Precious. Just precious. Believe me, she said, gesturing to all of her pictures. No one likes happy endings more than me. These photos, they arent just snapshots, theyre my life. My successes. Tangible proof that Ive turned healing broken hearts into my lifes work. Again lowering her gaze, she added, Unfortunately, for all of these smiling faces, Ive seen an awful lot of tears.
On the edge of his seat, proverbial hat in his hands, Jake swallowed hard.
Yeah, well, if I have anything to say about it, tears youll never see are mine or my babys.
To anyone else, it might sound selfish, but what this woman didnt realize was that it wasnt just Bonnies future at stake, but his.
Growing up, hed had an idyllic childhood. His parents were the bestespecially his dad. Which was probably one of the reasons Jake had always wanted to be a dad. To do the Little League and birthday party routine. To help with homework and to tuck freshly scrubbed rug rats into bed.
After marrying Candy, his high school sweetheart, Jake had thought all of those dreams were finally within reach. But that was before shed become obsessed with her business and started spouting nonsense about never wanting to be a mom.
He thought hed die from the pain when, after five years of marriage, Candy had filed for divorce. But ten years after signing the papers, here he was, still going strong without heror any woman. Here he was, holding steadfast to his vow to never again fall victim to love, and to his conviction that if it took a wife to have children, then hed just have to suffer through life without them.
When Cal and Jenny died, fate had given Jake his dream after all. Finally, finally, he was a dad, and no matter what it took, there was no way in hell he was giving up his precious baby girl.
Look, he said, softening his voice. I can do this. The diaper changing, bottle washing, shopping for prom dressesnone of its a problem. Besides which, Im all Bonnies got. Her parents werent just friends, but family.
In a strictly nonrelated way. You must understand, Mr. Peterson, I cant hand out babies to anyone who asks. There are procedures to follow, all of which center around not just the current well-being of this infant, but her future, as well. Please dont think for a minute that I dont believe youd make an excellent father. All Im saying is that sometimes judgeswell, they tend to side with the law, which all too often sees these matters as being neatly tied with a bow when the man or woman appointed custody also happen to be a blood relative.
But thats not rightor fair. In Elizabeth Mannfords case, her being a member of Bonnies family is nothing more than semantics.
Lips pursed, Mrs. Starling said, Im afraid youre right. Now, if you were married, I could maybe
What?
She scrunched her nose. Excuse me?
That last part, he said, making a hurry-up gesture. Come again on that last part.
I was only pointing out that if you had a wife, thenOh, my. A wife. Thats it. Why didnt I think of that? Her gray eyes sparkled in direct proportion to the lifting in his heart. Mr. Peterson? Where are you going?
Leaving the office, Jake let out a whoop. Where do you think Im going? To my country club. Surely theres a blonde lounging around the pool wholl temporarily marry me.
Not so fast! Mrs. Starling shouted.
Stopping dead in his tracks, Jake groaned. Now what?
Come back here. I see where youre headed with this and while I must admit to being wholeheartedly in favor of your plan, you cant marry a stranger. Any family judge worth his or her salt will see right through that old trick. No, what you need is an honest-to-goodness relationship. A loving relationship in which you share not just a future with a woman, but a past. She paused, flashing him a hopeful smile. Youve got to have known this woman for a lifetime. Long enough to trust with every fiber of your being that shed make a loving mother and wife. Long enough to know shell stand by you through a long, and quite possibly nasty, legal battle.
Popping another butterscotch into her mouth, she said, There now. Finding a wonderful woman like that doesnt sound too terribly difficult, does it?
Jakes stomach fell the three flights of stairs hed climbed to get to Mrs. Starlings office.
Was the woman nuts?
Because from where he was sitting, he could only think of one woman in his life whod ever even remotely fit such a lofty bill. Candy. In his minds eye, he clearly recalled her pretty smile and eyes so deliciously brown, that just meeting her gaze was akin to sinking in a vat of sinfully rich melted chocolate.
Unfortunately, the last time hed been looking into those eyes, his ex-wife hadnt been smiling. Shed been crying. And the sight of those tears hadnt just ripped his heart in two, but made him adhere to a strict vow to never, ever get married again.
So now, here he was being told the only possible way he could keep baby Bonnie was to not only marry again, but to marry the one woman on the planet whod torn his life apart?
In a perfect world, hed oh-so-politely tell Mrs. Starling right where she could put her ludicrous suggestion. Problem was, his world was nowhere close to perfect, and if he didnt go along with her suggestion, he wouldnt even have a worldthat was how strong his bond to Bonnie had become.
Steeling his jaw, Jake reached an inevitable conclusion. As unpalatablehell, as downright unthinkableas it sounded, if he was to have even a prayer of keeping Bonnie, hed have to once again marry Candy. Fast!
Chapter One
Three days later
In super-stealth mode, Jake Peterson stepped onto the brick step of the Candy Kisses Confectioners Shop and Ice Cream Parlor. But just as he was about to launch the most important merger meeting of his life, his cell phone rang.
Cursing himself for not leaving the stupid thing in his rental car, he answered, Yeah?
Did you do it?
Hell, no, I didnt do it. He ducked out of the unseasonably hot Missouri May sun and into the shade of a bush trimmed into the shape of aWas that a giant cat? On the branches of the cats belly, a flock of starlings bickered like toddlers vying for the teachers last animal cracker. Covering his left ear, Jake said, I thought I told you to wait for me to call you.
I know, but Ive got a baby question.
What?
Bonnies poops lookin a little off.
What do you mean?
I dont know, man, its kind of purple. Something about it just isnt right. And it smells a little like catfish bait.
Jake sighed before asking Rick, his best friend from high school and now the manager of the original Galaxy Sports Store, located a few doors down from where he now stood, What did you guys feed her? Ive only been gone fifteen minutes.
Creamed chicken and some leftover noodle stuffoh, and Dietz let her have a grape Popsicle. Man, you shouldve seen that little gal sucking away. Ohand right after you left, she gummed a cherry Pop-Tart.
And did that make her poop red?
Come to think of it
Jake brushed his left hand over his face. Having grown up and later worked with most of the guys now manning the store, hed thought they were all capable of watching Bonnie for a few hours. But maybe hed been wrong. Come to think of it, maybe he was wrong to have even thought about setting foot back in this town. Wheres Warren? he asked.
He got a call from his kids school. Millicent got knocked in the front tooth during gym class and he had to take her to the dentist.
Great. So the only guy in the store with practical parenting skills was gone. Look, Rick, baby poop is literally a fluid situation. Changes all the time. Dont worry about it unlesswell, hell, just dont worry. And dont call me for at least the next thirty minutes. Im going in.
LETS SEEIll take two Coco Locos, a Dino Bar, and a chocolate-covered strawberry.
Mmm, I like your style. Without looking up, Candy Jacobs-Peterson opened the glass storage case and gave the confections housed inside an appreciative whiff. Even after all her years in the candy business, she still loved the rich smell of her creations.
She reached for a piece of tissue, then snatched a couple of her most celebrated masterpieces. The milk chocolate, almond and toasted coconut Coco Loco blend outsold her other candies three to one. At Mondays closing, shed have to remind Candy Kisses new owners to make extra for the weekend rush.
Hard to believe that a week from today, the business that had become her family would be sold. For all practical purposes, shed never had a mother. After her dad had died when she was eleven, shed been raised by her grandfather right here in this store. Her brief marriage to Jake had started out as a blessing, but ultimately, as shed feared it would, fallen victim to her curse.
After her divorce, Candy had returned to the store and her grandfather, believing that hard work would be the cure for whatever ailed her. For a while, it had been enough. But when he died and, over the year since hed been gone, despite receiving comfort from many dear friends, the loneliness had consumed her.
Shed felt lost. Adrift.
And now
Now, she needed more. Of what, she had no clue.
Yes, you do.
Candy ignored her consciences nudge toward unthinkable directions. Truly, something was missing from her life. But whatever that elusive something was, shed had no luck finding it here in Lonesome, the only town where shed ever lived. Which was why, first thing next Monday morning, she planned to sign the sale papers for Candy Kisses, close up her house, then leave Lonesome for however long it would take to find peace.
She swallowed a fresh batch of jitters to hand the customer his distinctive pink box that had her kindergarten picture right on the front, lips puckered for a kiss. Can I get you anything el
The box, along with its contents, tumbled to the floor, hitting glowing hardwood with a soft thwack. Candy fluttered her hands to her mouth. Oh, my goshJake.
He matched her shock with a wry smile. That happy to see me, huh?
Its not thatwell, its just that I Pull yourself together, she admonished. So what if its been ten years? So what if hes grown taller, darker and infinitely more handsome? Just treat him like any other customer.
Easily enough said, but how many other customers broke your heart?
In town for the reunion? she asked, trying to play it cool while kneeling to clean up the mess.
Yep. I thought I wasnt going to make it, but at the last minute She stood in time to see him shrug. You know how plans change.
Yes, well No one knew that better than her. Its good that you could make it after all. I know the guys down at the store must be glad to see you.
What about you, Candy? Are you glad to see me? Jake reminded himself to breathe.
His ex had always been a knockout, but now
He swallowed hard, forcing himself to look past her whiskey-brown eyes, honeyed complexion and too-damned-sexy, sable-toned hair. In the millisecond it took to blink, he pictured her lounging in bed, wearing that ivory-silk negligee shed bought him for their first wedding anniversary. Fine lace played hide-and-seek with her breasts while from behind her half curtain of sleek, dark waves, she grinned, beckoning him closer, inviting him to unwrap his gift.
Jake released a sharp breath.
Focus, man. Remember, youre in town to find a temporary mom for Bonnienot a playmate for you.
Besides, Jake reminded himself, being burned once by Candys particularly painful brand of rejection had been more than enough to scar his lifetime.
So, he said with a light clap, rubbing his palms together. The guys told me youre about to start a new project.
I suppose thats one way of putting it, she said, straightening the already-perfectly-aligned jars of her signature ice-cream toppings.
So? Whatre you doing? Finally launching a new store? Some hot new candy youre taking nationwide?
Shifting two jars to a higher shelf, she stood on her tiptoes, raising her arms high enough for her breasts to strain the buttons of her white silk blouse. Finished, she said, You were the only one around here with global dreams, Jake. Mine have always been simple. A ghostly smile playing about her lips, she shook her head. I cant believe the guys didnt tell you.
Tell me what? That youre hotter than ever?
He gulped. How come Im feeling like Im the only one in town who doesnt know?
In case youve forgotten, Jake, were kind of divorced.
Touch.
Averting her gaze, she said, Wow. I cant get over the fact that youre really here. The last person I expected to see today was you. When she again looked his way, shed captured long strands of her hair between her fingers, intently twirling it as if the action would fix whatever was causing the sadness in her eyes.
The last time Jake had seen her twirl her hair was the day shed signed their divorce papers.
Candy, he said, stepping closer to the counter. Is something wrong? I mean, besides seeing me? He flashed her a weak grin, which she answered with one of her own.
No. Its just that this is a pretty strange day.
How so? Its just another Monday, isnt it?
Her nod was followed by a tiny hiccup, which was in turn followed by a gasping sob. Oh, Jake, I know Im making the right decision, but
In a heartbeat he stormed behind the counter and pulled her close. Shh he said, stroking her hair while at the same time denying a strange sense of dj? vu. Whatevers going on with you, Candy, Im sure everythings going to be okay.
As if only just now realizing that he held her in his arms, she stepped back, gazing up at him with a teary-eyed wonder that quickly turned to distrust. Look at me, she said, wiping her cheeks with the backs of her hands. She took another step back and straightened her hair. Here I am, on the threshold of the biggest adventure of my life, and acting as if its some kind of jail sentence.
Jake scratched his head. Mind explaining all that for those of us who showed up late to the party?
Oops, she said with a brave smile. I forgot that you dont know. Today is my last Monday standing behind this counter. She washed her fingers over the timeworn white marble. A week from today Im selling Candy Kisses and leaving Lonesome.
Temporarily, right?
No. Thats the most exciting part. First, Im crossing the Andeson a llama! Its one of those adventure/eco trips. And then theres my Amazon cruise, and from there, the Galapagos, and
But wh-what about your grandfather? Dear Lord, what was she thinking? Candy Kisses had been in her family for more than fifty years. Candy Kisses was her family. She couldnt just sell it.
You didnt know that, either? Grandpa died last spring.
Jake washed his face with his hands, released a deep-throated groan. Jeez, Im so sorryBut that makes your wanting to sell all the more baffling. Woman, have you lost your mind?
Excuse me?
Youre selling the only thing in your life youve ever really loved in exchange for riding some hairy beast through the Andes? What is this? Some kind of harebrained attempt to find yourself?
YesI mean, no. And what if it is? What gives you the right to question anything I do? And you dont have to make it sound as if my trip is some whacked-out, New Age spiritual thing. Its just a vacation. A chance to see new things. Meet new people. A chance to figure out what I want to do with the rest of my life.
Candy brushed past Jake, ignoring the icy-hot tingles where the cramped space forced their arms and hips to touch.
Where are you going?
Without looking back, she answered, Home. I have a lot of packing to do. From out of the cabinet at the end of the counter, she snatched her purse.
Youre just going to leave the store? I thought you stayed open late every night of the week?
Only Thursday through Sunday.
Yeah, but what about todays customers?
Theyll come back tomorrow.
What kind of business plan is that? Youve got to seize the market. Be ready to close the deal on even the smallest sale.
Heading for the front entrance, she said, At the moment, Jake, the only thing Im closing is the door. Last warning or youll be spending the night.
In one of those grandiose moves only her ex would even think about pulling off, he braced his hands on the short counter and swung his legs over. Sure enough, he beat her to the door and now stood, arms crossed, blocking it.
You havent grown an emotional inch, have you?
Oh, like you have? Hiding from whatevers eating you by cutting it out of your life?
Im not hiding. Im going home to pack.
Packing for your trip to run off and hide.
Tears welled at the backs of Candys eyes and she stubbornly forced them away. It had taken years to stop crying herself to sleep over this man. No way would she give him the satisfaction of crying over him now. Had he forgotten what he put her through? Had he forgotten what kind of pain shed put aside just in trusting him enough to marry him?
Hed known what kind of rotten family shed come from. Hed known, and yet he hadnt cared. For if he had cared, he wouldnt have pressured her for so much more than she would have ever been able to give.
If were talking about running, Jake, she said, taking a deep, calming breath, Im not the one who left the only home hes ever known to whoop it up on Floridas beaches.
Were not talking about me, Candy, were talking about you, still avoiding your problems.
What problems? she asked a little too shrilly. Until you, the Official Playboy of the Entire Eastern Seaboard, showed up, life was looking good.
There you go, blaming your troubles on me.
Argh, I guess some things never change. Add the two of us mixing like oil and water to that list. I thought your showing up out of the blue for the reunion was some kind of sign. You know, that you had finally put the past behind you and we could at least act civilized toward each other. But I guess I was wrong.
Fumbling through her purse for her keys, she was again fighting back tears, telling herself that it was saying farewell to her store that had her in such a dither. You never understood me. Understood what I gave up for you. And who are you to lecture me about my faults, when there you are, day after day, throwing it all away.
Throwing what away?
Your big chance, Jake. Your chance to be the one thing you could never be with me. The one thing I know you wanted above anything elseespecially me. The chance to become a father. Keys in hand, Candy pressed her lips tight.
Answer me. Gripping her shoulders, he gave her a light squeeze. What was that last comment supposed to mean?
Nothing. I dont know.
Bull! Jake released her along with a wall of pent-up air. His back to her, he raked his fingers through his hair. This whole scene was out of control. Hed intended this to be a clean-cut mission. In, propose, out. One, two, three. So where had he gone wrong?
Funny how that was the same question hed faced the last time theyd fought.
If he knew what was good for him, hed leave right now and take his chances with hiring a woman to play the role of his wife. Maybe he could even answer one of those mysterious ads in the backs of magazines that promised to create false IDs and personal histories in thirty days or less.
Yeah right, and maybe donkeys fly south for the winter.
Face it, bud, the only shot youve got at keeping Bonnie is standing right in front of you, staring you down as though shed just as soon spit on you than look at you.
Jake, she said in an uncharacteristically small voice. Why are you really here? And dont give me that line about being in town for the reunion, because Page Watson told me six weeks ago that you wrote Return to Sender on the outside of your invitation.
Six weeks ago, Cal and Jenny had still been alive.
And Candy was right. Ordinarily, Jake wouldnt have shown up at their class reunion for all the beer in St. Louis. Sure, he wouldve loved hanging out with the guys, but given the very good chance that hed also run into Candythank you very much, but hed have more fun in bankruptcy court.
That being the case, again, why not walk away? Hop the next flight for Palm Breeze and never look back?
Bonnie, thats why.
Flashes of cute chubby cheeks, heart-melting toothless grins, silky-soft tufts of hair and the scent of freshly washed and lotioned baby tummy not only steeled his resolve, but took the decision out of his hands and put it squarely in the hands of fate.
Hardening his jaw, he said, Youre right. The reunion was an excuse. Im really here to talk to you.
About what?
Marriage. Or to be more specificour marriage. And the question of whether or not youd be amenable to starting it back up?
Jake couldnt tell whether Candy had parted her ripe lips to speak or was caught in a gasp. Either way, he wasnt sure he wanted to know. Hed meant to thaw her a little before popping the mother of all questions, but dammit, given his time crunchnot to mention her travel plansthere wasnt a whole helluva lot else he could do.
I-IIm sorry, she said, her voice breathy, as if his suggestion had knocked the wind from her lungs. I dont know what to say.
Say youll have dinner with me tonight and instead of fighting, well talkeven better, say youll cook dinner for me.
B-but
Great, he said with a wide grin. Ill be at your place at seven.
Chapter Two
Whats with the corn dogs? Candys best friend and neighbor, Kelly Foster, asked at six forty-five that night.
You think I shouldve made Jake a standing rib roast?
From her perch on one of the tall stools lining the burgundy-tiled counter, Kelly made a face. At least spaghetti and a salad would have been nice. I mean, come on, corn dogs? The guy asked you to marry him again, not scrub his toilets.
True, Candy said, pulling open the oven door and sliding in the tray of dogs. And, hey, at least this time around hes loaded. He can afford a dozen housekeepers to do all the dirty work. Think they clean up broken hearts?
For a brief second, she squeezed her eyes shut while forcing back tears. Sarcasm wasnt like her, which proved that the sooner Jake returned to Florida, the better off her moodnot to mention, lifewould be. Sorry to be so testy, Candy said. Its just that where Jake Peterson is concerned, one marriage was way more than enough.
Kelly rolled her eyes. From your first bizarre date spent picnicking on the Lonesome High football field, you two were made for each other. Everyone knows it. Why do you think Jake never married again?
How should I know? We havent exactly stayed close. And for your information, our first date wasnt bizarre, it was romantic. Candy threw extra force into whacking a freezer-burned bag of French fries against the butcher-block cutting board.
Eww, Kelly said. How old are those?
Judging by the ice packs density, Id make a conservative guess that I bought them around the time I broke up with Chad. Remember that grease phase I went through? Candy shuddered. My skin breaks out just thinking about it. At least one good thing is coming out of this dinner.
Whats that?
Im cleaning out the freezer.
Grinning, Kelly shook her pretty blond head. Youre hopeless. Back to the subject of Jake, what do you think hes up to?
You mean, besides no good? Ba-bum ching. While tapping the high hat on her imaginary drums, Candy flashed her friend a smile.
Youre not fooling me, you know.
Reaching into the fridge for mustard and ketchup, Candy said, I wasnt trying to.
Youre scared to death, arent you?
About what? This is just dinner. I do it every night of the week, every week of the yearexcept during our annual cruise, and then I do it two times a night. Ba-bum ching. Using the ketchup bottle as a microphone, she said in a deep Elvis voice, Thank you, thank you very much. You can catch my act nightly at the Lonesome Lounge.
This is bad. Very bad. Leaning her right elbow on the counter, Kelly cupped her chin in her hand. Tapping her cheek with her index finger, she said, I havent seen you this un-funny since the night you heard Jake was leaving for Florida.
What are you talking about? Candy said, filling two glasses with iced tea. We celebrated that night. Remember? I sprung for all of us girls to eat the Holiday Motels seafood buffet. It was a lot of fun.
Of course, how could I forget a thrill-a-minute evening of culinary delights like crab-flavored chicken wingsnot to mention the fact that you mustve told enough cornball jokes to keep Laffy Taffy in business for the next hundred years. Come on, Kelly said with a sigh. Its me youre talking to. You can tell me how you really feel.
How many times do I have to say this, Candy said, putting the mustard and ketchup in the dishwasher. I feel fine. Im not the least bit upset about Jake being back in town. One by one, she started to unload mugs from the top rack and slide them onto the brass hooks beneath the cabinets.
Is it because youre on such an emotional high that youve decided to unload the dishes before even washing them?
Candy gazed at the assorted dribbles of coffee, tea, and cocoa pooling on the counter. Crap.
What was that? Miss Sunshine isnt actually a tad on edge is she?
No, Candy all but growled.
Good, then when you finish reloading all those dirty mugs, you might want to unload the ketchup and mustard.
A squeal of pure panic escaped Candys lips. Oh, God. I am a wreck, arent I? Kelly, youve got to stay through dinner. What am I going to do? Say? I cant be alone with him. You know what just looking at Jake does to me. I mean, I despise him, but that doesnt mean I dont still think hes the hottest guy on the planet. I mean, you shouldve seen him at the store today, his hair all mussed and that disgustingly handsome chiseled jawline of his all freshly shaven and tanned. And his boddont even get me started on what ten years have done for the mans physique. When Candys shoulders slumped, her best friend hopped off her stool to enfold her in a hug.
Trust me, Kelly said, youre going to be fine. You two were high school sweethearts. Youve known each other forever. Maybe, just maybe, she said, brushing away one of Candys tears, he misses you, and that proposal was more real than you think.
Fat chance, Candy said through one last sniffle. Even if I wanted to get back together with himwhich I dontyou werent here the morning he came home to pick up the last of his stuff. I handed him the shoe box he kept my love letters in, but he told me to keep it, Kel. He told me he didnt want a single thing in his new life to remind him of me. After that, he walked out. He didnt even say goodbye.
Thanks, Kelly said, using a paper towel to blot at her own tears. Now youve got me all choked up, tooand Im supposed to be the strong one. She pulled Candy into a fierce hug.
Please stay for dinner, Candy whined. Ill make you a steakoh, and those twice-baked potatoes you love. A sharp metallic noise called her gaze to the window. Oh, no, was that a car door?
See ya, Kelly said, pulling back with a wave of her paper hanky.
What about your steak? You love my steaks.
Kelly blew her a kiss on her way out the back door. I also love you, which is why I think itd be best for you to handle this one on your own. Besides which, not only do I have a watercolor class tonight, but I happen to know for a fact you have nothing in that fridge of yours besides moldy cheese and three-year-old pickles. Bye.
Deserter, Candy mumbled, watching her only link to sanity fairly skip across the backyard.
The doorbell rang.
The screen door creaked open. Candy? You in there?
She crossed through the living room on her way to the front door.
Hi, was all she could think to say when, just like when shed been a new bride watching her groom saunter into the house, Jakes lopsided grin tumbled her heart.
Something smells good, he said. Whats for dinner?
Corn dogs.
Yum. My favorite.
Had he always been so tall? The room never used to feel cramped when he was in it. And why was she suddenly wishing shed taken Kellys advice and at least made a quick batch of spaghetti? Sorry I didnt fix a more substantial meal. Im basically running low on everything.
Whos complaining? he said, gazing around the comfortable room with what she hoped was appreciation.
Theyd bought the once-nearly-condemned Queen Anne not long after their wedding because the payments had been cheaper than rent. The rambling home sat atop a forested hill overlooking Lonesome Lake. Over the years shed restored the place to its former glory, and though she couldnt fathom why, it meant a lot to her that Jake liked what shed done.
Licking her lips, she said, A lots changed around here since you left.
Ill say. He let loose with a low whistle. It actually looks cozy instead of like the poorest frat house on campus. What happened to the cement-block bookshelves and Goldilocksthat old gold sofa we had to prop up with leftover bathroom tiles?
They died. Theyre now at the city dump, resting in peace beside a lovely retired couple. You might know them. The Kenmores? Adorable pair of washer and dryers. Used to live over on Pecan Lane in a yellow ranch.
Jakes chuckle caught Candy off guard, filling her with velvety images of the past. Breakfasts and dinners shared upon a wobbly sawhorse table. Saturday night candlelit bubble baths, exchanging off-color jokes as to why the hot water pipes groaned. For a second, Candys world felt right again, the way it used to. Back in the days when if only she could make Jake laugh, everything would be okay.
A pang shot through her at the realization of just how not okay those old days had turned out to be.
Since the last thing she wanted Jake knowing was how topsy-turvy his presence made her feel, she played tour guide. On the left, youll see my sort-of-new sofa. Note the soft floral chintz. Always a big hit during the occasional bridal shower I get wheedled into hosting. And to the right, we have a real, live bookshelf/entertainment unitIm still working on the entertainment part.
Nice, Jake said with a slow nod. But how do you see whats on TV? Its awfully small. I didnt even know they made that size for home use.
Well, now you do. Besides, it suits me just fine since now that the house is done, my nights are usually spent reading or doing the shops books.
Thats all well and good, Candy, but if you want a big screen TV, all you have to do is
Thank you, but I dont want your money, Jake.
Its our money.
You formed the current-day Galaxy Sports after our divorce.
Yeah, but in the divorce papers, it states quite clearly that youre a half owner.
But I dont want to be.
Tough. You are.
Argh! she said, ducking her gaze from his intense dark one. Ten years certainly hasnt put a dent in your pride.
They stood only three feet apart but, in that instant, they might as well have been on separate planets. What was it about him that after all this time still turned her legs to taffy? Part of her wanted nothing more than to drop the pretense of not-so-polite chitchat and get to the reasons for his suddennot to mention ludicrousproposal. But another part of her, the part fighting a bizarre desire to drag the man back into her life, to lock him up and throw away the key, felt that the more casual they kept this meeting, the better.
I know thisll sound strange, he said, but once I tell you why Im here, youll see just how little pride I have left.
Im all ears. She mimed bunny ears at the sides of her head, wiggling her fingers in a feeble attempt to disguise a nervous giggle.
Okay, well He sniffed, looked toward the kitchen. Is that smoke? Jeez, Candy, from the looks of it, your whole damned kitchens on fire!
A FEW MINUTES LATER Jake had extinguished supper, but a thick, not to mention, smelly, gray cloud still clung to the ceiling. On the scary meter, the oven flame-up had been nothing compared to the white-hot terror stuck in his throat at the mere possibility of Candy being in danger. Now that he knew shed be okay, he felt even worse.
Because really, he had no business worrying about her.
For a minute there, hed felt as though they were married again, as though she was still his responsibility.
Well, that oughtta do it, he said, setting the extinguisher on the counter before adding, in what he hoped was a carefree tone, Good thing I carry that model in all of my stores. If I hadnt been familiar with how it works, your kitchen might be toast.
Yeah, Candy said from beside the sink. Already having opened the windows and turned on the fan, she now wielded the faucets spray attachmentjust in case. Guess Id better start keeping a closer eye on those rascally corn dogs, huh?
Might be a good ideaespecially when you set the oven on broil.
Oops. I thought Id set it on three-fifty. Guess before you got here I was sort of wound up.
A charming blush pinkened her cheeks, but it did little to quench his frustration with her for being so careless. Didnt she know how much she meant to him?
Whoa, buddy. Shouldnt that be how much she used to mean? Because now, a reunion with Candy only meant one thing: keeping Bonnie.
Leaning against the counter, he turned serious. Im afraid youre going to need a new oven.
You think?
He nodded and crossed to where she stood. Hands on her shoulders, in his best manly fireman voice, he said, Its okay, maam. Fires out. You can safely put down the hose. Easily enough said, but the jolt zinging through his arms from just touching her made him think he was the one in danger from fire. The flames leaping from her!
He must not have been the only one affected by their touch. Candy not only popped the spray nozzle back into its hole, she scooted a good two feet down the counter.
In all the excitement, shed earned a black smudge of courage across her left cheek. Years of watching out for her leaned him forward, where, with the pad of his thumb, he brushed away the soot.
Whatre you She tensed until she realized what he was doing.
Sorry, you had some
Its okay. Her dusky gaze darted to the floor, then back to him. Thanks. For the cleanup job and for saving ourI mean, my house.
No problem. Had he only imagined it, or was the Ice Queen starting to thaw? Glad I was here to help.
Yeah. Me, too. Candy gave herself a mental thwack on the head. Yeah. Me, too? What was wrong with her? For a second there, shed actually enjoyed his company.
Time for a reality check. And the lonely reality was that no matter how right Jakes being back in their kitchen might feel, his presence was only temporary.
Which was good.
Because, really, she was far better off without him.
How could she have forgotten how relieved shed been when hed left? How great it had felt knowing shed never hear him ask those tired old questions again?
When do you want to start our family? hed asked morning, noon and night. Youre gorgeous. Only in my dreams can I imagine how adorable our kids are going to be. Nuzzling her neck, hed follow up with, Any idea how soon we can expect to be expecting? And toward the end of their marriage, Come on, Candy Cane. Im just asking for a couple of kids. How bad could they be?
Candy swallowed hard, watching through watery eyes as the only man shed ever loved sauntered to the fridge.
Head inside, giving her an entirely too attractive view of his tight, jeans-clad derriere, he said, Im hungry, woman. Whats to eat around here besides he pulled out a jar, squinting at the label mini-gherkins?
Hurriedly wiping at a stray tear, she said, Ketchup or mustard. Take your pick.
You need to go to the store. This is no way to live.
Ordinarily, Id say youre right, but in case you forgot, Im leaving for Peru in six days, so theres not much need for stocking up.
He closed the fridge, eyed the now soggy bag of fries. Wanna order a pizza?
Nah, lets save money and play food scavenger hunt.
Why? Theres no need to save money.
For you, maybe.
Candy, Jake said, softening his tone. Half of everything Galaxy Sports has ever made is sitting in an account with your name on it. Why wont you use it?
Simple, because I dont want your money.
Its our money. Dad gave that business to me and you on our first anniversary. Remember? The divorce papers say all profits are to be split fifty/fifty.
For the last time, Jake, please listen. Thank you for the offer. Its sweetbeyond sweet. But really, I dont want or need it. Give the money to charity. Send a few kids to college. She turned her back on him, knotting her arms across her chest.
More than a few kids. Were talking millions of dollars, Candy.
Oh, so is that the going rate for a womans heart?
Whats that supposed to mean?
She spun around to face him. What do you think it means? Sure, we fought a lot about how you wanted kids, but beyond that, Galaxy Sports also contributed to our marriage falling apart. Because you started caring more about proving to your dad how good you were at selling everything from footballs to fishing poles than you ever cared about being my husband.
Wrong. If memory serves me correctly, you spent an awful lot of time at Candy Kisses, too. What was I supposed to do, turn caveman and drag you home? The more I thought about it, the more I realized maybe youd never wanted to be my wife.
Thats not true, she said, her voice a raspy whisper. She swallowed hard, fighting still more tears clinging to the corners of her eyes. You know why I asked for a divorce. It was about kids, Jake. Your obsessive need for them. I told you I couldnt have them, but you wouldnt listen. You knew I could never be a mom. You knew it, yet you kept bringing up the subjectdespite the fact that you also knew how much it hurt me to let you go.
Let me go? He laughed. More like booted me out the door.
Argh, this is just like you, you stubbornNever mind. Evidently my reasons dont matter any more now than they did ten years ago.
What reasons? Thats just it. You never gave me any. I could live without having kids, what I couldnt live without was love, Candy. And lets face it, when that last year went by with us living like strangers, what was I supposed to think? And when you filed for divorceWell, I know I can be thick-headed, but it wouldnt have taken a jackhammer to pound the fact into me that at that point you pretty much didnt give a damn about me or our marriage.
Thats where youre wrong. She aimed her index finger in the direction of his chest, ignoring the release of ten years worth of hot tears. II would have done anything for you. Thats how much I used to love you, Jake. I loved you so much that I set you free. I couldnt give you kids, so I set you free to have them with another woman. Thats how much I loved younot Candy Kissesyou.
Jeez. He slashed his fingers through his hair and haltingly approached her before going for broke and crushing her in a hug. Oh, man, Candy. What a mess we made of things, huh?
She nodded against his warm, oh-so-solid chest. Being back in his arms felt so good, so right, as if shed finally come home. Too bad that home was just a dream. The fairy tale the two of them once shared could never be recreated.
Those once-idyllic days had been back when they were lovesick teens. Married at eighteen, only a month after their high school graduation, their marriage lasted a whole five years. At first, itd been idyllic. With both of them working long hours in their respective family businesses, they hadnt given a thought to the future aside from what time theyd next make love. For nearly twelve months, that had been enough, but then Jake had wanted more.
The total packagemeaning kids.
He knew what kind of mother shed had. The whole town knew the sad clich of poor little Candy Jacobss mother running offnever to be seen againwith a traveling carpet company rep shed met at the interior design shop where she worked.
Even before that, though, Valerie Jacobs could hardly have been nominated for mother of the year. She didnt bake cookies, read bedtime stories or attend school plays. She never cooed over scribbled drawings or A-plus spelling tests, and she certainly never braided her daughters hair or shopped hand in hand for the perfect Easter dress. Not that any of that would have even mattered to Candy had she provided the one thing every child craved above all elselove.
No, the worst thing about Valerie Jacobs was that shed been devoid of feelings for anyone but herselfoh, and of course, for her lovers.
Candys dad had tried making up for her mothers shortcomings with occasional pats on the head and hugs, but he was always busy at work, trying to keep her mother in the finery that only occasionally made her smile.
Years after the fact, Candy had learned that the man her mom had finally run off with hadnt even been her first affair.
When her father died of a heart attack three days after Valeries abandonment, no one had been surprised. Theyd just amended the gossip to include the fact that that Jacobs woman had quite literally broken her husbands heart.
When Candys grandfather had taken her in, life had been a little sweeter. But the little girl who eventually grew up never forgot the kind of emptiness that lurked inside. After all, half of her blood was Valeries, which meant she was destined by DNA to be just as wretched a wife and mom. The only question was when the time bomb ticking inside her would finally go off.
Jake had known all about Candys mother. What he hadnt knownbecause shed never told himwas that Candy had no intention of repeating her mothers mistakes. When Jake began pressuring her to have kids, Candy realized she had already made one disastrous error in ever daring to dream shed make a good wife. Hurting herself and Jake had been one thing. But her most sacred vow, no matter what, she wouldnt break. And that was to never, ever become a mother herself. No child deserved the lonely life shed once led.
Jake softly stroked her hair, so softly that had Candy been a cat, she would have flopped onto her back and purred. Problem was, she wasnt a cat. She was a flesh-and-blood woman who needed to get on with life.
Life without Jake.
Jake stiffened when Candy pulled away.
After sniffling, she said, Im sorry. I didnt mean to go all emotional on you. What I meant to say is that if youd like a pizza, since Im tonights hostess, Ill buy.
Sure, he said, tucking his hands into his jeans pockets, warming them because after releasing her, bone-chilling loneliness licked the tips of his fingers. That sounds goodonly Im paying.
Okay, she said with a wooden nod. Ill go call.
Alone in the comfortable kitchen with its yellow-gingham curtains, hanging copper pots and glowing oak cabinets, Jake felt lost. Out of his comfort zone. His world was modern and sleek. Filled with man stuff. Chrome and leather and women who didnt even know a kitchen came with their mansions. Hed come here to ask Candy a simple question. What had gone wrong?
In spite of Candys confession that, at least in her mind, her reasons for divorcing him had been entirely altruistic, that didnt mean their main dispute had changed.
He still wanted kids, she didnt. Period. Not just end of story, end of their story.
If he were smart, hed walk away.
But he wasnt smart, he was in lovenot with Candybut Bonnie. And if that made him a fool for love, then so be it.
Gazing around the kitchen, taking in the handmade rag rug hugging the brick floor, the candid photos gracing buttercream-yellow walls, the beams of warm twilight shafting through the paned bay window to kiss the ladder-backed chairs at a round oak table, he realized with a lonely ache that this was the kind of home hed grown up in.
This was the kind of home he wanted for Bonnie.
Oh, sure, he could have Palm Breezes hottest designer turn his house into a carbon copy of Candys, but what he couldnt pay someone to reproduce was the everyday simplicity. The deep-down sweetness.
The scent of painstakingly rubbed lemon oil that did battle with burnt corn dogs and won. The happy gurgle of a fish tank bubbling in the far corner. And from outside the screened windows, faint stirrings of leaves in the trees. Waves lapping at the lakeshore. Kids playing Freeze Tag somewhere down the street.
After all that Jake had achieved, the fortune hed amassed, this kitchen was the one thing that, in as long as he could remember, felt familiar. Like home. It irked him that just being back in this room, no matter how much in appearances itd changed, inside, he felt the same way he had walking out for the last time. Like an empty, aimless shell of a man.
Dammit, but he resented Candy for going on with her life and this house without him.
This had been his house as much as hers. His dream as much as hers. And now, seeing how capably shed managed without him, he felt like an intruder. A failure. And that scared him, for the only thing hed ever in his whole life failed at was his relationship with her.
How ironic was it that his future with Bonnie depended on his past with his ex-wife?
Just like his dad, hed always planned on returning home after a long days work not to an empty house, but to a home bursting with laughter and life. Kids, dogs, cats, hamstersOnce upon a time Jake had wanted it all, with Candy beside him, hugging him, kissing him, making love to him late into the night until they had to stop because one of their kids was banging on the bedroom door.
Mommy? Daddy? Can I come in? I had a bad dream.
Candy would giggle, pulling her simple cotton nightie over her head, past full breasts, slim abdomen and hips. Jake would hop out of bed and yank on his boxers before opening the door to scoop his sleepy rug rat into his arms. For the sake of his daydream hed call the kid Mark, and he would smell a little sweaty and of cedar shavingsnot unlike his pet hamster.
In his minds eye, Jake watched himself lug Mark to their bed where hed wrigglefootie pajamas and allsmack-dab into the middle before promptly falling asleep, snoring loud enough to wake the dead. And then, in milky moonlight, Candy would reach out to him, her husband and best friend, grasp his hand and give it a light squeeze. Without either of them saying a word, Jake would know his every wish had quietly come true.
Back to reality, Jake swallowed hard.
What happened, Candy? What happened between us to make love not be enough?
Pizza should be here in about forty minutes.
He looked up.
Even doing something as simple as crossing the room, Candy had such grace. A long time ago she was everything hed ever wanted and more. That long, silky hair, those even longer legs. When they made love, shed had this way of wrapping those legs around him, urging him deeper, urging their souls closer, that had nearly made him weep with the sheer joy of being her man.
Now
Whoa. Now, he just wanted out. Time to regroup.
The woman and her cozy kitchen were dangerous. Forty minutes, huh? Whew, thats a long time.
Yeah. At the waist of her simple floral dress, she fumbled with her hands. Uh, want to watch a movie or something while we wait?
No, Candy, I think what we should do is talk.
Chapter Three
Minutes later, in the living room, Candy took the sofa while her ex choose an overstuffed tapestried wing chair.
Personally, shed had enough talking, but seeing as how Jake probably wouldnt leave without spilling whatever was on his mind, she figured she might as well let him get it out of his system. Okay, she said. Lets hear it. What in the world made you re-propose this afternoon at the shop?
Jeez, where do I start? He cleared his throat, worked the opening of his forest-green golf shirtthe one she was trying not to notice did such heavenly things with his annoyingly direct gaze. Ive gotten into a bit of a jam, and need your helpno, Im desperate for your help. A strangled laugh passed his lips. I would offer to pay you, but
I get the picture. Go on.
So anyway, I had these great friends, Cal and Jenny. And they had a great baby. Her name is Bonnie and you should see her blue eyes sparkle. I was at the hospital the day she was bornsaw her just an hour out of the womb. Jenny told Cal all babies have blue eyes, but he told her, Nonsense, this beautiful kid of ours is destined to have the most striking pair of bonny blue peepers in the whole wide world. And so they named her Bonnie Blue, just like Rhett and Scarletts daughteronly Ill be damned if I ever let her near a horse.
Candy leaned forward, spellbound by the change in Jakes expression. His eyes glowed with love for this child who wasnt even his. If thered ever been a doubt in her mind that she hadnt done the right thing in giving him a divorce, it was gone now. Jake was destined to be a dad. Just like she was destined to never be a mom.
In fact, Im thinking of banning her from all moving things. Trikes, bikes, and especially carsnot to mention the wild teens who drive them.
Jake, she said, a sickening suspicion forming in her stomach. Why are you talking about this baby as if shes yours?
He swallowed hard, and it was then she saw tears shimmer in his deep brown eyes. Because she is mine, Candy. Cal and Jennythey died.
Oh, no. She flung her hand to her mouth. Im sorry. So sorry. Not thinking, just doing, she went to him, wrapping him in a hug. How? They must have been so young.
Drunk driver, he said when she sat on the coffee table in front of him. It was bad. A couple of kids out cruising on a Friday night hit them head-on. Cops said the driver mustve downed at least ten beers for his blood alcohol to be so
He paused to swallow, catch his breath, and she reached for his hand. Go on. Its okay.
Nodding, he said, Sorry. Its been a month, but its still hard.
I can imagine. These people were your friends.
Yeah. They were the best. When my dad died, and then my mom, they were the ones who helped me through.
Im sorry I couldnt be there for your moms funeral. She squeezed his hand. But with Grandpa in the hospital last spring and everything.
Its okay. I understood. I wish the guys down at the store wouldve told me he was sick. Im sure he needed you.
I wanted you to need me, too.
Had she? Lord, what was happening? All of her carefully constructed emotional dams felt dotted with holes.
Anyway, he said after expelling a deep breath. In the emergency room, right after Jenny died, Cal asked me to take Bonnie. All they had for family was each other and their friends, so Cal asked me to raise their daughter like she was my own. And, of course, I agreed, never thinking it would actually come to that. But then Cal died, too. SoI did as he asked. And Ive been caring for Bonnie ever since.
Of course.
And everything was going great. I was really getting the hang of the whole diaper thing and feeding. Bonnies a good baby. At first, she cried a lot, but she seems to be getting better. Shes known me her whole life, so I guess Im making an all right substitute dad.
I know you, Jake. Im sure youre making an awesome dad.
Thanks.
Youre welcome.
Problem is, he said, scratching his head, Bonnies great-aunta bitter old woman named Elizabeth Mannforddoesnt think so.
Why?
He gave her the short version of Mrs. Starlings speech. So there you have it. My only hope of keeping Bonnie with the only family she knows is by getting hitched. And not just to anyone, Candybut to you.
Wow. Head spinning, Candy abruptly stood and put her hand to her forehead. So that proposal of yours was the real deal? You truly do want to get married?
He nodded. But only until the adoption is legal. Im figuring itll take a year tops. In fact, after you make a brief appearance at Mrs. Starlings office, where we can dazzle her with our marriage license, rings and smilesnot to mention the old photo albums of how much fun we had back when we first got marriedyoull probably be off the hook.
Candy, nibbling her pinkie fingernail, began to pace. Fireplace to breakfront. Breakfront to fireplace. You know my family history, Jake. I vowed a long time ago to never be a mom. Do you know what youre asking?
She paused just long enough to see him nod.
Fireplace to breakfront. I mean, if I say no, that pretty much makes me the most heartless soul alive. Yet if I say yes, all my promises to myselfmy plansYou dont know what its been like for me since losing Grandpa. This is a small town. Im surrounded by people who love me, yet I feel lost, like theres something missing inside of me I havent been able to find. This trip, it means everything to me, Jake. Its about reclaiming my soul.
So why cant you reschedule?
Its not that easy. The tours being led by a top writer from National Geographic. I applied for the honor of being in her party almost a year ago. All the documentation on the sale of Candy Kisses has been finalized. I mean, my life is like the space shuttle, ready to blast off.
His expression dark, Jake stood. So your answer is no. Thats all you had to say. I understand.
No. I mean, no, wait. That isnt my answer. I just need time to think. You showing up, throwing me this curve ball, its all too much.
Im sorry, Candy. If I could, Id give you all the time in the world. Jeez, if it were up to me, I wouldnt even be here. Id just as soon tie the knot again as I would leap off a cliff.
Thanks. Glad to know how much you enjoy my company.
You know what I mean. Its not like getting married was my idea. Anyway, bottom line, I can give you a week, but thats it. If Im not back in Florida by then, who knows what this Elizabeth Mannford may do. I wouldnt put it past her to charge me with kidnapping.
Okay, then, Candy said, fingering long strands of her hair. A week it is. Ill give you my answer Saturday night at the reunion.
FROM WHERE SHE SAT cross-legged on Candys sofa, Kelly snagged a piece of sausage-and-mushroom pizza, brought it to her lips and groaned. Five delicious pounds in the smell alone.
Candy summoned a weak smile. Thanks for coming over. Jake left so suddenly, I was at a loss as to what to do next.
Candy, Kelly said, slapping her friend lightly on the back. You called the right person, because faced with an entire pizza, believe me, I know just what to do.
Not about the pizza, Candy said. About Jake. I feel so torn. Like I have to help him, but at the same time, like theres no way I can help him. It took me such a long time to get over him, how can I possibly go through the whole thing again?
Its not as if he wants to get married for real.
I know, but his plan sounds like a pretty dangerous emotional game.
So dont play it. Kelly sipped at a cola.
But if I dont, Ill feel like a schmuck.
So do it.
Gee, thanks, Candy said, shooting her friend a dirty look. Youre a ton of help.
Look, the guy gave you a week to think it over, why do you have to decide in the next thirty minutes?
Candy swigged her own cola. Because thats who I am. Im legendary in the shops kitchen for being quick on my feet in times of crisis. I mean, any time we run out of unsweetened chocolate, who else but me is going to know you can substitute unsweetened cocoa powder plus butter? And did you know one and a quarter cups granulated sugar plus a quarter cup of any liquid also works? And that if you run out of cake flour, then
News flash, Kelly said through trailing mozzarella. Were not in your boring old shop kitchen. This is real life, Candy. And guess what?
What?
Sometimes it sucks.
Gee, Kel, thats sweet. Have you ever considered a second career writing greeting cards?
IM COMING, Im coming. At six oclock Tuesday morning, eyes barely open, Candy felt her way down the stairs and to the front door.
Whoever stood outside rang the doorbell again.
She growled before asking, Who is it?
Me.
Jake. Oh, now that woke her right up. She flew her hands to her face, hair, thin white tank T-shirt and cat print pajama bottoms. Go away!
Why?
Im not dressed.
She swore she heard him chuckle. Come on, Candy, its not like I havent seen it all before.
It had been on the tip of her tongue to reply with a sassy, Yeah, but you havent seen mine, when her conscience chose to remind just how much of her he had seen.
The last time theyd made lovenot long before shed asked him for a divorcehad been right there in the living room, on the couch she told Jake shed taken to the dump. Good thing shed had the foresight to move Goldilocks into the boathouse, or he might have gotten the wrong idealike she held a soft spot for the wretched thing. And God forbid he actually think shed enjoyed all those nights with him spent rolling around on that couch.
Her cheeks burned.
Okay, so maybe I enjoyed just a few of those nights.
And that last nightOh, that last night had been steamy in every possible way.
Rain had been falling in driving sheets. That summer, Lonesome had been going through a drought, and the air that night was ripesmelling of parched earth taking a good, long drink. Since they hadnt been able to afford air-conditioning, the humidity had had them glowing with sweat. Theyd been watching TV, but about nine-thirty theyd turned it off, planning to take a quick shower before hitting the sack. With only the one lamp on and the occasional strobe of lightning, the living room had been nearly dark.
Come here, Jake had said from the sofa.
Why? I thought we were going to bed.
Hed shaken his head, wielded that slow, sexy grin that melted her like butter. Come here, gorgeous.
She remarked that her heart had pounded just looking at her handsome husband, stretched out on the couch wearing only black boxers and his hard-earned muscles. Her mouth had gone so dry. Other parts of herlower partshad dampened with need.
Peel off your shirt.
Here?
No, in the kitchen. Hed shot her another slow grin. Damn straight, here. I want to see my merchandise.
The doorbell ding-donged three times.
Come on, Candy! I brought breakfast and the groceries are getting heavy!
Pulse pounding, palms sweating, Candy licked her lips. Opening the door, she averted her gaze, scared to death Jake could tell just by looking at her exactly what shed been thinking.
Morning, gorgeous. Mmm, it sure smells better in here than it did last night with all those corn dogs flaming. Miss me? He kissed her on the forehead before strolling in. Even worse, it wasnt groceries he carried, but the most adorable pink-cheeked, blue-eyed baby shed ever seen.
Her heart lurched.
Bonnie, he said, turning the infant away from his chest and toward her. Meet Candy. Hopefully, shell agree to be your temporary mom. To Candy he said, Wanna hold her?
Uh, no thanks. Arms crossed, she shook her headjust in case there was something about her verbal message he hadnt understood. Even from a good two feet away, she detected distinctly disturbing baby scents. Baby lotion, baby shampoo, baby powdereven Bonnies ruffled pink dress sported the annoyingly pleasant scent of laundry detergent. From a safe distancesay, ten feetall of those smells were nice enough, but up close and personal? No. Couldnt happen.
Except for that one time youve never told anyone about.
Yes, but Ive already established the fact that an incident like that will never happen again!
Candy knew better. Babies were toxic to her system, and if she wasnt careful, she might end up suffering some kind of meltdown. Frowning, she said, Have you ever heard of picking up a phone?
He grinned. I couldnt remember the number.
Lonesome does have phone books.
Yeah, but lucky for me, it also has rental cars, so I figured, what the hey? I might as well drive over.
Sure. Why not.
Great. Im glad youre happy to see us. Here, he said, thrusting out the baby. Take her while I carry in the grub.
Jake, I Too late, the infant was already in her arms.
Abba, blabbagoo! The tiny creature giggled.
Wow. Oh, wow.
To relieve tension, Candy would have ordinarily twirled a couple hundred hanks of hair, but seeing how at the moment her hands were kind of full, all she could do was stare at the wide open, porcelain-blue gaze staring at her.
So, she said. Youre Bonnie. Ive heard a lot about you.
Bzzzzz. A few bubbles escaped lips so perfectly round and sweet, they resembled a big, fat cherry plopped into the midst of Bonnies whipped-cream-smooth complexion.
The child gave a few sharp kicks before, with a juicy sigh, snuggling against Candys breasts.
Over her years spent working in a candy store, Candy had been coerced into holding her share of babies, but somehow, knowing this was Jakes babyeven if by horrible tragedy as opposed to her being of his flesh and bloodmade the experience different.
Better, in a terrifying way.
Jake! she hollered out the door. Hurry!
Whats the problem? he called, just the top of his heartstoppingly handsome mug visible above the paper sacks with Greggs Grocery emblazoned across the side.
Candy peered at the angel resting her cheek on her left breast. Problem? Gee, where do I start? Uh, well, I think
How cute. I think that means she likes you.
Yes, well
You two hang out while I cook.
But I really
Hed shut the front door and headed for the kitchen.
dont think this is going to work. On her own again with Bonnie, Candy made a beeline for the kitchen. Come on, Jake, you know about me and babies. Unless someone practically forces me to hold an infant down at the store, I always steer clear. My friends dont even let me baby-sit.
Have you ever offered? he asked, unloading bacon, eggs, cheese andchili?
Well Bonnie wriggled, repositioning herself so that tufts of her fluffy blond hair tickled Candys chin. A second later the babys mini hair bow slid to the floor. Candy knelt to pick it up, then, as efficiently as possible while working one-handed, she brushed the pink scrap against her flannel PJ bottoms. Wouldnt do for Bonnie to get dust in her hair. Bow neatly back in place, Candy said, I dont suppose I ever volunteered, but then, everybody knows Im no good with babies. I mean, besides my indestructible goldfish, I dont even have any pets.
We had that kitten.
Dabney? Heart aching from the memory of the tiny kitten, and the brief joy it had brought into their lives, Candy gave Bonnie a slight squeeze. If I ever had another cat, Id make her an inside cat. That way nothing could happen to it.
She looked up to see Jake frown.
What? You think a lawn service truck is going to come barreling through the living room?
No, its just that if theres anything Ive learned over the past month, its that nothings permanent. I mean, we can think it is, but jeez, when I remember how one minute Cal and Jenny were with me at a late dinner meeting, and the next
Cupping her palm to the curve of Bonnies head, Candy pressed her lips to impossibly sweet-smelling hair. Poor little thing.
Guess what Im getting at is that stuff happens. All we can do is live for the moment and hope for the best. So, he said, looking as if he was making an effort to lighten his expression. How about one of my world-famous, chili-cheese omelets?
ALL THROUGH BREAKFAST, Jake watched.
Bonnie with Candy. Candy with Bonnie.
And all through breakfast, one thing became abundantly clear: Candy would make a great temporary mom. If only he could convince her of that fact.
In the brief time hed been there, hed already seen dozens of positive signs. Sure, at first, shed been tentative about the whole baby thing, but no doubt about it, she was softening. The squeezes, the kisses pressed to Bonnies forehead, the unconscious yet meticulous care taken with repositioning her hair bow. Could the mornings plans be proceeding any more smoothly?
In fact, things were running so smoothly, that in the living room, Bonnie had even sacked out in the portable playpen Jake had brought in from the car. Nothingand he meant nothingwas more irresistible than sleeping Bonnie. She was so cute that he wouldnt be surprised to find Miss I-Dont-Care-For-Babies sneaking in there for a few quick rump pats!
That was good, Candy said, pushing her empty plate aside to make room for a cup of coffee. At first, I have to admit to having doubts about your creation, but now I bow to your omelet prowess.
Thanks. I perfected these babies on the last company camp-a-thon.
Camp-a-thon?
Yeah. Me and the other board members get people to sponsor us to camp on the roof of Galaxy Sports headquarters. Its grown into a pretty big dealcustomers drive by, honking at us and dropping off cash donations. This year, we raised a bundle for Special Olympics.
Grinning, Candy said, Why doesnt it surprise me that you dont host simple, black-tie, fund-raising dinners like other business tycoons?
Whats the fun in that? I mean, come on, how many CEOs do you know who get to spend a whole week sleeping under the stars and playing rooftop volleyball all in the name of charity?
Youve got a point there.
Inside, Jake couldnt help but preen. Candys improved mood could only mean one thing. Not only had he seduced her with his cooking, but shed seen what a love bug Bonnie was and didnt even need the rest of the week to decide to remarry him. A fact that put him in the mood to party. Say, Candy Cane, if you dont have anything going on today, how about we head down to the lake for a sail?
She choked on her latest sip of coffee.
Good sign or bad? Man, oh, man, what had gotten into him to have accidentally called her Candy Cane?
That sounds nice, she said, but I have to pack. And this afternoon, I should head over to the shop. I want to make sure theres a surplus of everything when the new owners take charge. Theyre friends. Greg and Betsy Hammond. Remember them from high school? They were a grade ahead of us.
Sure. How are they?
Good. Betsy just had their fourth boy. I think she was hoping for a girl this time, but Fidgeting with her hands, she said, Anyway, theyre about the only ones happy with my decision to sell. Kellys finally cutting me some slack, but when I first told her, she read me the riot act.
So why are you doing it? I mean, why take such a drastic step as to outright sell? Why not leave it in the hands of your most trusted employees? Surely someone could run the place while you take time off?
Head bowed, Candy said, Its not that simple. I need the money to travel, and Im afraid what Im looking for cant be found in a few days. Somethings missing inside me, Jake. Palms pressed to her chest, she said, I feel lonely in crowds, like theres a piece of me out there that I havent been able to find. I have to take this trip. Im sorry if my selling Candy Kisses hurts peoples feelings. Its hurting me, too. That business is my only family aside from youor, I mean, at least you used to be my family. Now She flopped her hands on her lap. I dont know, I just feel restless.
At first, Jake thought every word his ex muttered about needing to find herself had been hogwash, but now, seeing the sadness in Candys eyes, made the part of him that would always care about her wonder if maybe she was on the right track. Because, shoot, who was he to say running off on some great adventure wouldnt be the key to unlocking whatever tormented her soul?
Problem was, if Candy took off to find her soul, that left him losing his. For if the state took Bonnie, Jake knew hed be done for. Oh, no matter how bad it hurt, hed abide by the law and give her up, but doing so might very well kill him.
Toying with his coffee cup, Jake said, I dont mean to pressure you, Candy, but I cant begin to explain how much Bonnie means to me. I cant
No, Jake. Dont do this. Please dont play the guilt card. It isnt fair. Candy pushed back her chair, reached for their plates, and stormed to the sink.
Jake followed suit.
At the sink, he spun her around to face him. Mind telling me what is fair? You can go on this trip of yours anytime. Im not asking you to cancel flat-out, just to postpone. If you want to be stupid enough to throw away a business that has the potential to one day become a family legacy like Hershey or Godiva, be my guest. All Im asking for is a yearmaybe even lessof your time.
.
.
, (https://www.litres.ru/laura-altom-marie/inherited-one-baby/) .
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Laura Marie Altom
Needed: One Wife!A quick, convenient marriage was the only way Jake Peterson could keep custody of the adorable orphaned baby left in his care. The only woman suitable as the bride-to-be was Candy Jacobshis ex-wife. Though circumstances had forced them to part long ago, the sizzle between them was stronger than ever. But would the price of marriage cost love-wary Jake more than he bargained for?No matter how hard she tried to resist, Candy was soon roped in by baby Bonnie's little hugs and Jake's toe-curling kisses. But before she would agree to become this bachelor dad's wife, Jake needed to understand that Candy wanted his heart first
Candy had wanted that kiss from the moment Jake strolled through the door on Monday afternoon
She suspected it had something to do with that sexy grin, maybe a little more with his delicious masculine scent. But more and more she was suspecting it was the way he cared for baby Bonnie. Walking in on the two of them sleeping in that recliner flip-flopped her heart in a thousand tiny ways.
For all these years, shed blamed him for breaking her heart, but had he been the one responsible? Or had she done the breaking all by herself?
Because as tough as Jake came across on the outside, those moments when she caught him smoothing Bonnies hair, fixing the collars on one of her tiny dresses or planting a kiss on top of her head, spoke louder than any words he ever could have spoken. Jake was no heartbreaker, for in taking orphaned Bonnie into his home and arms he was a heart mender.
Dear Reader,
What a spectacular lineup of love stories Harlequin American Romance has for you this month as we continue to celebrate our 20th anniversary. Start off with another wonderful title in Cathy Gillen Thackers DEVERAUX LEGACY series, Taking Over the Tycoon. Sexy millionaire Connor Templeton is used to getting whateverwhomeverhe wants! But has he finally met his match in one beguiling single mother?
Next, Fortunes Twins by Kara Lennox is the latest installment in the MILLIONAIRE, MONTANA continuity series. In this book, a night of passion leaves a Main Street Millionaire expecting twinsand has the whole town wondering Whos the daddy? After catching a bridal bouquet and opening an heirloom hope chest, a shy virgin dreams about asking her secret crush to father the baby she yearns for, in Have Bouquet, Need Boyfriend, part of Rita Herrons HARTWELL HOPE CHESTS series. And dont miss Inherited: One Baby! by Laura Marie Altom, in which a handsome bachelor must convince his ex-wife to remarry him in order to keep custody of the adorable orphaned baby left in his care.
Enjoy this months offerings, and be sure to return each and every month to Harlequin American Romance!
Melissa Jeglinski
Associate Senior Editor
Harlequin American Romance
Inherited: One Baby!
Laura Marie Altom
www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)
This ones for grandparents. Those I dearly miss: Joe and Lu Jachim, Shirley Jeanne Alisch and Doris Altom. And those Im still fortunate enough to have with me: Fred Alisch, Sylvia Altom-Shelton and my honorary grandparents, Katie and Paul Sage. I love you all very much.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
After college (Go Hogs!), Laura Marie Altom did a brief stint as an interior designer before becoming a stay-at-home mom to boy/girl twins. Always an avid romance reader, Laura knew it was time to try her hand at writing when she found herself replotting the afternoon soaps. She has written three romances for another publisher.
When not immersed in her next story, Laura enjoys a glamorous lifestyle of lounging by a pool thats always in need of cleaning, zipping around in a convertible while trying to keep her dog from leaping out and she is constantly striving to reach the bottom of the laundry basketa feat she may never accomplish! For real fun, Lauras content to read, do needlepoint and cuddle with her handsome hubby.
Laura loves hearing from readers at either P.O. Box 2074, Tulsa, OK 74101, or via e-mail: BaliPalm@aol.com (mailto:BaliPalm@aol.com).
Books by Laura Marie Altom
HARLEQUIN AMERICAN ROMANCE
940BLIND LUCK BRIDE
976INHERITED: ONE BABY!
Contents
Prologue (#ue17ea3fc-cb0c-5aba-8194-8b4e96cd1b1d)
Chapter One (#u4fa5c819-5b5a-5aba-81b5-8c21ac4feced)
Chapter Two (#u58ac8d1a-a37b-5560-8408-be4af18b7fe5)
Chapter Three (#u91942b11-0cf5-53af-abe0-9fd1c3c4d0ee)
Chapter Four (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Five (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Six (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Seven (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Eight (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Nine (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Ten (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Eleven (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Twelve (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Thirteen (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Fourteen (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Fifteen (#litres_trial_promo)
Epilogue (#litres_trial_promo)
Prologue
Come again? Jake Peterson said to the silver-haired dynamo in charge of his infant daughters adoption case. The metal desk she sat at had probably once been painted a color, but over the years it had become a crazy quilt of smiling faces. Childrens faces captured in photos. Hundreds of themmaybe even thousands. Mrs. Starling had made all of these children happy. Why couldnt she do the same for his baby girl?
Youre telling me that just because this Elizabeth Mannford is related by blood to Bonnie that that makes her a better parent? Having me raise their daughter was my friends dying wish. You cant take Bonnie away from methe only family she knows!
Mr. Peterson, please, theres no need for raised voices. Butterscotch? She gestured toward a lumpy clay dish brimming with gold-wrapped candies. I find butterscotch to be the most soothing of flavors, dont you?
Jake hardened his jaw.
He didnt want to come down on this grandma. Really, he didnt, but what else could he do?
He wouldnt break his promise to Cal and Jenny who had been killed six weeks earlier by a drunk driver. He wouldnt lose this chance in a million to make good on a dream hed long since had for himself. The dream to somehow, some way become a fatherjust as long as that way didnt include having a wife.
Look, he said, taking a calming breath. I love Bonnie. And as CEO of Galaxy Sports, I make much more than an adequate living.
Miss Manning doesnt dispute either of those things.
Then whats her problem? Why is she doing this?
In a nutshell, Mrs. Starling said, lacing her fingers atop a stack of manila folders. After speaking with her at length this past Tuesday, its my opinion that shes just plain lonely. Bitter about the way her life has turned outand is now wanting to make amends, but not quite sure how to best go about it.
From what youve told me about her relationship within her great-nieces family, she was an outcast. The black sheep, if you will. Her niece, Jenny, was all she had left in the worldand, of course, Bonnie. As such, I can see where she wouldnt want her last remaining link to familyeven if it is a family she previously wanted nothing to do withbeing signed away to a virtual stranger.
But thats just it, Jake said, leaning forward in his chair. Im not the stranger hereat least not to Bonnie.
Mrs. Starling lowered her gaze, making a slight clucking sound before once again glancing his way. Im so sorry about all of this. Ive seen you and the infant together. The way the child seems so at peace when she rests her little cheek on your shoulder. Precious. Just precious. Believe me, she said, gesturing to all of her pictures. No one likes happy endings more than me. These photos, they arent just snapshots, theyre my life. My successes. Tangible proof that Ive turned healing broken hearts into my lifes work. Again lowering her gaze, she added, Unfortunately, for all of these smiling faces, Ive seen an awful lot of tears.
On the edge of his seat, proverbial hat in his hands, Jake swallowed hard.
Yeah, well, if I have anything to say about it, tears youll never see are mine or my babys.
To anyone else, it might sound selfish, but what this woman didnt realize was that it wasnt just Bonnies future at stake, but his.
Growing up, hed had an idyllic childhood. His parents were the bestespecially his dad. Which was probably one of the reasons Jake had always wanted to be a dad. To do the Little League and birthday party routine. To help with homework and to tuck freshly scrubbed rug rats into bed.
After marrying Candy, his high school sweetheart, Jake had thought all of those dreams were finally within reach. But that was before shed become obsessed with her business and started spouting nonsense about never wanting to be a mom.
He thought hed die from the pain when, after five years of marriage, Candy had filed for divorce. But ten years after signing the papers, here he was, still going strong without heror any woman. Here he was, holding steadfast to his vow to never again fall victim to love, and to his conviction that if it took a wife to have children, then hed just have to suffer through life without them.
When Cal and Jenny died, fate had given Jake his dream after all. Finally, finally, he was a dad, and no matter what it took, there was no way in hell he was giving up his precious baby girl.
Look, he said, softening his voice. I can do this. The diaper changing, bottle washing, shopping for prom dressesnone of its a problem. Besides which, Im all Bonnies got. Her parents werent just friends, but family.
In a strictly nonrelated way. You must understand, Mr. Peterson, I cant hand out babies to anyone who asks. There are procedures to follow, all of which center around not just the current well-being of this infant, but her future, as well. Please dont think for a minute that I dont believe youd make an excellent father. All Im saying is that sometimes judgeswell, they tend to side with the law, which all too often sees these matters as being neatly tied with a bow when the man or woman appointed custody also happen to be a blood relative.
But thats not rightor fair. In Elizabeth Mannfords case, her being a member of Bonnies family is nothing more than semantics.
Lips pursed, Mrs. Starling said, Im afraid youre right. Now, if you were married, I could maybe
What?
She scrunched her nose. Excuse me?
That last part, he said, making a hurry-up gesture. Come again on that last part.
I was only pointing out that if you had a wife, thenOh, my. A wife. Thats it. Why didnt I think of that? Her gray eyes sparkled in direct proportion to the lifting in his heart. Mr. Peterson? Where are you going?
Leaving the office, Jake let out a whoop. Where do you think Im going? To my country club. Surely theres a blonde lounging around the pool wholl temporarily marry me.
Not so fast! Mrs. Starling shouted.
Stopping dead in his tracks, Jake groaned. Now what?
Come back here. I see where youre headed with this and while I must admit to being wholeheartedly in favor of your plan, you cant marry a stranger. Any family judge worth his or her salt will see right through that old trick. No, what you need is an honest-to-goodness relationship. A loving relationship in which you share not just a future with a woman, but a past. She paused, flashing him a hopeful smile. Youve got to have known this woman for a lifetime. Long enough to trust with every fiber of your being that shed make a loving mother and wife. Long enough to know shell stand by you through a long, and quite possibly nasty, legal battle.
Popping another butterscotch into her mouth, she said, There now. Finding a wonderful woman like that doesnt sound too terribly difficult, does it?
Jakes stomach fell the three flights of stairs hed climbed to get to Mrs. Starlings office.
Was the woman nuts?
Because from where he was sitting, he could only think of one woman in his life whod ever even remotely fit such a lofty bill. Candy. In his minds eye, he clearly recalled her pretty smile and eyes so deliciously brown, that just meeting her gaze was akin to sinking in a vat of sinfully rich melted chocolate.
Unfortunately, the last time hed been looking into those eyes, his ex-wife hadnt been smiling. Shed been crying. And the sight of those tears hadnt just ripped his heart in two, but made him adhere to a strict vow to never, ever get married again.
So now, here he was being told the only possible way he could keep baby Bonnie was to not only marry again, but to marry the one woman on the planet whod torn his life apart?
In a perfect world, hed oh-so-politely tell Mrs. Starling right where she could put her ludicrous suggestion. Problem was, his world was nowhere close to perfect, and if he didnt go along with her suggestion, he wouldnt even have a worldthat was how strong his bond to Bonnie had become.
Steeling his jaw, Jake reached an inevitable conclusion. As unpalatablehell, as downright unthinkableas it sounded, if he was to have even a prayer of keeping Bonnie, hed have to once again marry Candy. Fast!
Chapter One
Three days later
In super-stealth mode, Jake Peterson stepped onto the brick step of the Candy Kisses Confectioners Shop and Ice Cream Parlor. But just as he was about to launch the most important merger meeting of his life, his cell phone rang.
Cursing himself for not leaving the stupid thing in his rental car, he answered, Yeah?
Did you do it?
Hell, no, I didnt do it. He ducked out of the unseasonably hot Missouri May sun and into the shade of a bush trimmed into the shape of aWas that a giant cat? On the branches of the cats belly, a flock of starlings bickered like toddlers vying for the teachers last animal cracker. Covering his left ear, Jake said, I thought I told you to wait for me to call you.
I know, but Ive got a baby question.
What?
Bonnies poops lookin a little off.
What do you mean?
I dont know, man, its kind of purple. Something about it just isnt right. And it smells a little like catfish bait.
Jake sighed before asking Rick, his best friend from high school and now the manager of the original Galaxy Sports Store, located a few doors down from where he now stood, What did you guys feed her? Ive only been gone fifteen minutes.
Creamed chicken and some leftover noodle stuffoh, and Dietz let her have a grape Popsicle. Man, you shouldve seen that little gal sucking away. Ohand right after you left, she gummed a cherry Pop-Tart.
And did that make her poop red?
Come to think of it
Jake brushed his left hand over his face. Having grown up and later worked with most of the guys now manning the store, hed thought they were all capable of watching Bonnie for a few hours. But maybe hed been wrong. Come to think of it, maybe he was wrong to have even thought about setting foot back in this town. Wheres Warren? he asked.
He got a call from his kids school. Millicent got knocked in the front tooth during gym class and he had to take her to the dentist.
Great. So the only guy in the store with practical parenting skills was gone. Look, Rick, baby poop is literally a fluid situation. Changes all the time. Dont worry about it unlesswell, hell, just dont worry. And dont call me for at least the next thirty minutes. Im going in.
LETS SEEIll take two Coco Locos, a Dino Bar, and a chocolate-covered strawberry.
Mmm, I like your style. Without looking up, Candy Jacobs-Peterson opened the glass storage case and gave the confections housed inside an appreciative whiff. Even after all her years in the candy business, she still loved the rich smell of her creations.
She reached for a piece of tissue, then snatched a couple of her most celebrated masterpieces. The milk chocolate, almond and toasted coconut Coco Loco blend outsold her other candies three to one. At Mondays closing, shed have to remind Candy Kisses new owners to make extra for the weekend rush.
Hard to believe that a week from today, the business that had become her family would be sold. For all practical purposes, shed never had a mother. After her dad had died when she was eleven, shed been raised by her grandfather right here in this store. Her brief marriage to Jake had started out as a blessing, but ultimately, as shed feared it would, fallen victim to her curse.
After her divorce, Candy had returned to the store and her grandfather, believing that hard work would be the cure for whatever ailed her. For a while, it had been enough. But when he died and, over the year since hed been gone, despite receiving comfort from many dear friends, the loneliness had consumed her.
Shed felt lost. Adrift.
And now
Now, she needed more. Of what, she had no clue.
Yes, you do.
Candy ignored her consciences nudge toward unthinkable directions. Truly, something was missing from her life. But whatever that elusive something was, shed had no luck finding it here in Lonesome, the only town where shed ever lived. Which was why, first thing next Monday morning, she planned to sign the sale papers for Candy Kisses, close up her house, then leave Lonesome for however long it would take to find peace.
She swallowed a fresh batch of jitters to hand the customer his distinctive pink box that had her kindergarten picture right on the front, lips puckered for a kiss. Can I get you anything el
The box, along with its contents, tumbled to the floor, hitting glowing hardwood with a soft thwack. Candy fluttered her hands to her mouth. Oh, my goshJake.
He matched her shock with a wry smile. That happy to see me, huh?
Its not thatwell, its just that I Pull yourself together, she admonished. So what if its been ten years? So what if hes grown taller, darker and infinitely more handsome? Just treat him like any other customer.
Easily enough said, but how many other customers broke your heart?
In town for the reunion? she asked, trying to play it cool while kneeling to clean up the mess.
Yep. I thought I wasnt going to make it, but at the last minute She stood in time to see him shrug. You know how plans change.
Yes, well No one knew that better than her. Its good that you could make it after all. I know the guys down at the store must be glad to see you.
What about you, Candy? Are you glad to see me? Jake reminded himself to breathe.
His ex had always been a knockout, but now
He swallowed hard, forcing himself to look past her whiskey-brown eyes, honeyed complexion and too-damned-sexy, sable-toned hair. In the millisecond it took to blink, he pictured her lounging in bed, wearing that ivory-silk negligee shed bought him for their first wedding anniversary. Fine lace played hide-and-seek with her breasts while from behind her half curtain of sleek, dark waves, she grinned, beckoning him closer, inviting him to unwrap his gift.
Jake released a sharp breath.
Focus, man. Remember, youre in town to find a temporary mom for Bonnienot a playmate for you.
Besides, Jake reminded himself, being burned once by Candys particularly painful brand of rejection had been more than enough to scar his lifetime.
So, he said with a light clap, rubbing his palms together. The guys told me youre about to start a new project.
I suppose thats one way of putting it, she said, straightening the already-perfectly-aligned jars of her signature ice-cream toppings.
So? Whatre you doing? Finally launching a new store? Some hot new candy youre taking nationwide?
Shifting two jars to a higher shelf, she stood on her tiptoes, raising her arms high enough for her breasts to strain the buttons of her white silk blouse. Finished, she said, You were the only one around here with global dreams, Jake. Mine have always been simple. A ghostly smile playing about her lips, she shook her head. I cant believe the guys didnt tell you.
Tell me what? That youre hotter than ever?
He gulped. How come Im feeling like Im the only one in town who doesnt know?
In case youve forgotten, Jake, were kind of divorced.
Touch.
Averting her gaze, she said, Wow. I cant get over the fact that youre really here. The last person I expected to see today was you. When she again looked his way, shed captured long strands of her hair between her fingers, intently twirling it as if the action would fix whatever was causing the sadness in her eyes.
The last time Jake had seen her twirl her hair was the day shed signed their divorce papers.
Candy, he said, stepping closer to the counter. Is something wrong? I mean, besides seeing me? He flashed her a weak grin, which she answered with one of her own.
No. Its just that this is a pretty strange day.
How so? Its just another Monday, isnt it?
Her nod was followed by a tiny hiccup, which was in turn followed by a gasping sob. Oh, Jake, I know Im making the right decision, but
In a heartbeat he stormed behind the counter and pulled her close. Shh he said, stroking her hair while at the same time denying a strange sense of dj? vu. Whatevers going on with you, Candy, Im sure everythings going to be okay.
As if only just now realizing that he held her in his arms, she stepped back, gazing up at him with a teary-eyed wonder that quickly turned to distrust. Look at me, she said, wiping her cheeks with the backs of her hands. She took another step back and straightened her hair. Here I am, on the threshold of the biggest adventure of my life, and acting as if its some kind of jail sentence.
Jake scratched his head. Mind explaining all that for those of us who showed up late to the party?
Oops, she said with a brave smile. I forgot that you dont know. Today is my last Monday standing behind this counter. She washed her fingers over the timeworn white marble. A week from today Im selling Candy Kisses and leaving Lonesome.
Temporarily, right?
No. Thats the most exciting part. First, Im crossing the Andeson a llama! Its one of those adventure/eco trips. And then theres my Amazon cruise, and from there, the Galapagos, and
But wh-what about your grandfather? Dear Lord, what was she thinking? Candy Kisses had been in her family for more than fifty years. Candy Kisses was her family. She couldnt just sell it.
You didnt know that, either? Grandpa died last spring.
Jake washed his face with his hands, released a deep-throated groan. Jeez, Im so sorryBut that makes your wanting to sell all the more baffling. Woman, have you lost your mind?
Excuse me?
Youre selling the only thing in your life youve ever really loved in exchange for riding some hairy beast through the Andes? What is this? Some kind of harebrained attempt to find yourself?
YesI mean, no. And what if it is? What gives you the right to question anything I do? And you dont have to make it sound as if my trip is some whacked-out, New Age spiritual thing. Its just a vacation. A chance to see new things. Meet new people. A chance to figure out what I want to do with the rest of my life.
Candy brushed past Jake, ignoring the icy-hot tingles where the cramped space forced their arms and hips to touch.
Where are you going?
Without looking back, she answered, Home. I have a lot of packing to do. From out of the cabinet at the end of the counter, she snatched her purse.
Youre just going to leave the store? I thought you stayed open late every night of the week?
Only Thursday through Sunday.
Yeah, but what about todays customers?
Theyll come back tomorrow.
What kind of business plan is that? Youve got to seize the market. Be ready to close the deal on even the smallest sale.
Heading for the front entrance, she said, At the moment, Jake, the only thing Im closing is the door. Last warning or youll be spending the night.
In one of those grandiose moves only her ex would even think about pulling off, he braced his hands on the short counter and swung his legs over. Sure enough, he beat her to the door and now stood, arms crossed, blocking it.
You havent grown an emotional inch, have you?
Oh, like you have? Hiding from whatevers eating you by cutting it out of your life?
Im not hiding. Im going home to pack.
Packing for your trip to run off and hide.
Tears welled at the backs of Candys eyes and she stubbornly forced them away. It had taken years to stop crying herself to sleep over this man. No way would she give him the satisfaction of crying over him now. Had he forgotten what he put her through? Had he forgotten what kind of pain shed put aside just in trusting him enough to marry him?
Hed known what kind of rotten family shed come from. Hed known, and yet he hadnt cared. For if he had cared, he wouldnt have pressured her for so much more than she would have ever been able to give.
If were talking about running, Jake, she said, taking a deep, calming breath, Im not the one who left the only home hes ever known to whoop it up on Floridas beaches.
Were not talking about me, Candy, were talking about you, still avoiding your problems.
What problems? she asked a little too shrilly. Until you, the Official Playboy of the Entire Eastern Seaboard, showed up, life was looking good.
There you go, blaming your troubles on me.
Argh, I guess some things never change. Add the two of us mixing like oil and water to that list. I thought your showing up out of the blue for the reunion was some kind of sign. You know, that you had finally put the past behind you and we could at least act civilized toward each other. But I guess I was wrong.
Fumbling through her purse for her keys, she was again fighting back tears, telling herself that it was saying farewell to her store that had her in such a dither. You never understood me. Understood what I gave up for you. And who are you to lecture me about my faults, when there you are, day after day, throwing it all away.
Throwing what away?
Your big chance, Jake. Your chance to be the one thing you could never be with me. The one thing I know you wanted above anything elseespecially me. The chance to become a father. Keys in hand, Candy pressed her lips tight.
Answer me. Gripping her shoulders, he gave her a light squeeze. What was that last comment supposed to mean?
Nothing. I dont know.
Bull! Jake released her along with a wall of pent-up air. His back to her, he raked his fingers through his hair. This whole scene was out of control. Hed intended this to be a clean-cut mission. In, propose, out. One, two, three. So where had he gone wrong?
Funny how that was the same question hed faced the last time theyd fought.
If he knew what was good for him, hed leave right now and take his chances with hiring a woman to play the role of his wife. Maybe he could even answer one of those mysterious ads in the backs of magazines that promised to create false IDs and personal histories in thirty days or less.
Yeah right, and maybe donkeys fly south for the winter.
Face it, bud, the only shot youve got at keeping Bonnie is standing right in front of you, staring you down as though shed just as soon spit on you than look at you.
Jake, she said in an uncharacteristically small voice. Why are you really here? And dont give me that line about being in town for the reunion, because Page Watson told me six weeks ago that you wrote Return to Sender on the outside of your invitation.
Six weeks ago, Cal and Jenny had still been alive.
And Candy was right. Ordinarily, Jake wouldnt have shown up at their class reunion for all the beer in St. Louis. Sure, he wouldve loved hanging out with the guys, but given the very good chance that hed also run into Candythank you very much, but hed have more fun in bankruptcy court.
That being the case, again, why not walk away? Hop the next flight for Palm Breeze and never look back?
Bonnie, thats why.
Flashes of cute chubby cheeks, heart-melting toothless grins, silky-soft tufts of hair and the scent of freshly washed and lotioned baby tummy not only steeled his resolve, but took the decision out of his hands and put it squarely in the hands of fate.
Hardening his jaw, he said, Youre right. The reunion was an excuse. Im really here to talk to you.
About what?
Marriage. Or to be more specificour marriage. And the question of whether or not youd be amenable to starting it back up?
Jake couldnt tell whether Candy had parted her ripe lips to speak or was caught in a gasp. Either way, he wasnt sure he wanted to know. Hed meant to thaw her a little before popping the mother of all questions, but dammit, given his time crunchnot to mention her travel plansthere wasnt a whole helluva lot else he could do.
I-IIm sorry, she said, her voice breathy, as if his suggestion had knocked the wind from her lungs. I dont know what to say.
Say youll have dinner with me tonight and instead of fighting, well talkeven better, say youll cook dinner for me.
B-but
Great, he said with a wide grin. Ill be at your place at seven.
Chapter Two
Whats with the corn dogs? Candys best friend and neighbor, Kelly Foster, asked at six forty-five that night.
You think I shouldve made Jake a standing rib roast?
From her perch on one of the tall stools lining the burgundy-tiled counter, Kelly made a face. At least spaghetti and a salad would have been nice. I mean, come on, corn dogs? The guy asked you to marry him again, not scrub his toilets.
True, Candy said, pulling open the oven door and sliding in the tray of dogs. And, hey, at least this time around hes loaded. He can afford a dozen housekeepers to do all the dirty work. Think they clean up broken hearts?
For a brief second, she squeezed her eyes shut while forcing back tears. Sarcasm wasnt like her, which proved that the sooner Jake returned to Florida, the better off her moodnot to mention, lifewould be. Sorry to be so testy, Candy said. Its just that where Jake Peterson is concerned, one marriage was way more than enough.
Kelly rolled her eyes. From your first bizarre date spent picnicking on the Lonesome High football field, you two were made for each other. Everyone knows it. Why do you think Jake never married again?
How should I know? We havent exactly stayed close. And for your information, our first date wasnt bizarre, it was romantic. Candy threw extra force into whacking a freezer-burned bag of French fries against the butcher-block cutting board.
Eww, Kelly said. How old are those?
Judging by the ice packs density, Id make a conservative guess that I bought them around the time I broke up with Chad. Remember that grease phase I went through? Candy shuddered. My skin breaks out just thinking about it. At least one good thing is coming out of this dinner.
Whats that?
Im cleaning out the freezer.
Grinning, Kelly shook her pretty blond head. Youre hopeless. Back to the subject of Jake, what do you think hes up to?
You mean, besides no good? Ba-bum ching. While tapping the high hat on her imaginary drums, Candy flashed her friend a smile.
Youre not fooling me, you know.
Reaching into the fridge for mustard and ketchup, Candy said, I wasnt trying to.
Youre scared to death, arent you?
About what? This is just dinner. I do it every night of the week, every week of the yearexcept during our annual cruise, and then I do it two times a night. Ba-bum ching. Using the ketchup bottle as a microphone, she said in a deep Elvis voice, Thank you, thank you very much. You can catch my act nightly at the Lonesome Lounge.
This is bad. Very bad. Leaning her right elbow on the counter, Kelly cupped her chin in her hand. Tapping her cheek with her index finger, she said, I havent seen you this un-funny since the night you heard Jake was leaving for Florida.
What are you talking about? Candy said, filling two glasses with iced tea. We celebrated that night. Remember? I sprung for all of us girls to eat the Holiday Motels seafood buffet. It was a lot of fun.
Of course, how could I forget a thrill-a-minute evening of culinary delights like crab-flavored chicken wingsnot to mention the fact that you mustve told enough cornball jokes to keep Laffy Taffy in business for the next hundred years. Come on, Kelly said with a sigh. Its me youre talking to. You can tell me how you really feel.
How many times do I have to say this, Candy said, putting the mustard and ketchup in the dishwasher. I feel fine. Im not the least bit upset about Jake being back in town. One by one, she started to unload mugs from the top rack and slide them onto the brass hooks beneath the cabinets.
Is it because youre on such an emotional high that youve decided to unload the dishes before even washing them?
Candy gazed at the assorted dribbles of coffee, tea, and cocoa pooling on the counter. Crap.
What was that? Miss Sunshine isnt actually a tad on edge is she?
No, Candy all but growled.
Good, then when you finish reloading all those dirty mugs, you might want to unload the ketchup and mustard.
A squeal of pure panic escaped Candys lips. Oh, God. I am a wreck, arent I? Kelly, youve got to stay through dinner. What am I going to do? Say? I cant be alone with him. You know what just looking at Jake does to me. I mean, I despise him, but that doesnt mean I dont still think hes the hottest guy on the planet. I mean, you shouldve seen him at the store today, his hair all mussed and that disgustingly handsome chiseled jawline of his all freshly shaven and tanned. And his boddont even get me started on what ten years have done for the mans physique. When Candys shoulders slumped, her best friend hopped off her stool to enfold her in a hug.
Trust me, Kelly said, youre going to be fine. You two were high school sweethearts. Youve known each other forever. Maybe, just maybe, she said, brushing away one of Candys tears, he misses you, and that proposal was more real than you think.
Fat chance, Candy said through one last sniffle. Even if I wanted to get back together with himwhich I dontyou werent here the morning he came home to pick up the last of his stuff. I handed him the shoe box he kept my love letters in, but he told me to keep it, Kel. He told me he didnt want a single thing in his new life to remind him of me. After that, he walked out. He didnt even say goodbye.
Thanks, Kelly said, using a paper towel to blot at her own tears. Now youve got me all choked up, tooand Im supposed to be the strong one. She pulled Candy into a fierce hug.
Please stay for dinner, Candy whined. Ill make you a steakoh, and those twice-baked potatoes you love. A sharp metallic noise called her gaze to the window. Oh, no, was that a car door?
See ya, Kelly said, pulling back with a wave of her paper hanky.
What about your steak? You love my steaks.
Kelly blew her a kiss on her way out the back door. I also love you, which is why I think itd be best for you to handle this one on your own. Besides which, not only do I have a watercolor class tonight, but I happen to know for a fact you have nothing in that fridge of yours besides moldy cheese and three-year-old pickles. Bye.
Deserter, Candy mumbled, watching her only link to sanity fairly skip across the backyard.
The doorbell rang.
The screen door creaked open. Candy? You in there?
She crossed through the living room on her way to the front door.
Hi, was all she could think to say when, just like when shed been a new bride watching her groom saunter into the house, Jakes lopsided grin tumbled her heart.
Something smells good, he said. Whats for dinner?
Corn dogs.
Yum. My favorite.
Had he always been so tall? The room never used to feel cramped when he was in it. And why was she suddenly wishing shed taken Kellys advice and at least made a quick batch of spaghetti? Sorry I didnt fix a more substantial meal. Im basically running low on everything.
Whos complaining? he said, gazing around the comfortable room with what she hoped was appreciation.
Theyd bought the once-nearly-condemned Queen Anne not long after their wedding because the payments had been cheaper than rent. The rambling home sat atop a forested hill overlooking Lonesome Lake. Over the years shed restored the place to its former glory, and though she couldnt fathom why, it meant a lot to her that Jake liked what shed done.
Licking her lips, she said, A lots changed around here since you left.
Ill say. He let loose with a low whistle. It actually looks cozy instead of like the poorest frat house on campus. What happened to the cement-block bookshelves and Goldilocksthat old gold sofa we had to prop up with leftover bathroom tiles?
They died. Theyre now at the city dump, resting in peace beside a lovely retired couple. You might know them. The Kenmores? Adorable pair of washer and dryers. Used to live over on Pecan Lane in a yellow ranch.
Jakes chuckle caught Candy off guard, filling her with velvety images of the past. Breakfasts and dinners shared upon a wobbly sawhorse table. Saturday night candlelit bubble baths, exchanging off-color jokes as to why the hot water pipes groaned. For a second, Candys world felt right again, the way it used to. Back in the days when if only she could make Jake laugh, everything would be okay.
A pang shot through her at the realization of just how not okay those old days had turned out to be.
Since the last thing she wanted Jake knowing was how topsy-turvy his presence made her feel, she played tour guide. On the left, youll see my sort-of-new sofa. Note the soft floral chintz. Always a big hit during the occasional bridal shower I get wheedled into hosting. And to the right, we have a real, live bookshelf/entertainment unitIm still working on the entertainment part.
Nice, Jake said with a slow nod. But how do you see whats on TV? Its awfully small. I didnt even know they made that size for home use.
Well, now you do. Besides, it suits me just fine since now that the house is done, my nights are usually spent reading or doing the shops books.
Thats all well and good, Candy, but if you want a big screen TV, all you have to do is
Thank you, but I dont want your money, Jake.
Its our money.
You formed the current-day Galaxy Sports after our divorce.
Yeah, but in the divorce papers, it states quite clearly that youre a half owner.
But I dont want to be.
Tough. You are.
Argh! she said, ducking her gaze from his intense dark one. Ten years certainly hasnt put a dent in your pride.
They stood only three feet apart but, in that instant, they might as well have been on separate planets. What was it about him that after all this time still turned her legs to taffy? Part of her wanted nothing more than to drop the pretense of not-so-polite chitchat and get to the reasons for his suddennot to mention ludicrousproposal. But another part of her, the part fighting a bizarre desire to drag the man back into her life, to lock him up and throw away the key, felt that the more casual they kept this meeting, the better.
I know thisll sound strange, he said, but once I tell you why Im here, youll see just how little pride I have left.
Im all ears. She mimed bunny ears at the sides of her head, wiggling her fingers in a feeble attempt to disguise a nervous giggle.
Okay, well He sniffed, looked toward the kitchen. Is that smoke? Jeez, Candy, from the looks of it, your whole damned kitchens on fire!
A FEW MINUTES LATER Jake had extinguished supper, but a thick, not to mention, smelly, gray cloud still clung to the ceiling. On the scary meter, the oven flame-up had been nothing compared to the white-hot terror stuck in his throat at the mere possibility of Candy being in danger. Now that he knew shed be okay, he felt even worse.
Because really, he had no business worrying about her.
For a minute there, hed felt as though they were married again, as though she was still his responsibility.
Well, that oughtta do it, he said, setting the extinguisher on the counter before adding, in what he hoped was a carefree tone, Good thing I carry that model in all of my stores. If I hadnt been familiar with how it works, your kitchen might be toast.
Yeah, Candy said from beside the sink. Already having opened the windows and turned on the fan, she now wielded the faucets spray attachmentjust in case. Guess Id better start keeping a closer eye on those rascally corn dogs, huh?
Might be a good ideaespecially when you set the oven on broil.
Oops. I thought Id set it on three-fifty. Guess before you got here I was sort of wound up.
A charming blush pinkened her cheeks, but it did little to quench his frustration with her for being so careless. Didnt she know how much she meant to him?
Whoa, buddy. Shouldnt that be how much she used to mean? Because now, a reunion with Candy only meant one thing: keeping Bonnie.
Leaning against the counter, he turned serious. Im afraid youre going to need a new oven.
You think?
He nodded and crossed to where she stood. Hands on her shoulders, in his best manly fireman voice, he said, Its okay, maam. Fires out. You can safely put down the hose. Easily enough said, but the jolt zinging through his arms from just touching her made him think he was the one in danger from fire. The flames leaping from her!
He must not have been the only one affected by their touch. Candy not only popped the spray nozzle back into its hole, she scooted a good two feet down the counter.
In all the excitement, shed earned a black smudge of courage across her left cheek. Years of watching out for her leaned him forward, where, with the pad of his thumb, he brushed away the soot.
Whatre you She tensed until she realized what he was doing.
Sorry, you had some
Its okay. Her dusky gaze darted to the floor, then back to him. Thanks. For the cleanup job and for saving ourI mean, my house.
No problem. Had he only imagined it, or was the Ice Queen starting to thaw? Glad I was here to help.
Yeah. Me, too. Candy gave herself a mental thwack on the head. Yeah. Me, too? What was wrong with her? For a second there, shed actually enjoyed his company.
Time for a reality check. And the lonely reality was that no matter how right Jakes being back in their kitchen might feel, his presence was only temporary.
Which was good.
Because, really, she was far better off without him.
How could she have forgotten how relieved shed been when hed left? How great it had felt knowing shed never hear him ask those tired old questions again?
When do you want to start our family? hed asked morning, noon and night. Youre gorgeous. Only in my dreams can I imagine how adorable our kids are going to be. Nuzzling her neck, hed follow up with, Any idea how soon we can expect to be expecting? And toward the end of their marriage, Come on, Candy Cane. Im just asking for a couple of kids. How bad could they be?
Candy swallowed hard, watching through watery eyes as the only man shed ever loved sauntered to the fridge.
Head inside, giving her an entirely too attractive view of his tight, jeans-clad derriere, he said, Im hungry, woman. Whats to eat around here besides he pulled out a jar, squinting at the label mini-gherkins?
Hurriedly wiping at a stray tear, she said, Ketchup or mustard. Take your pick.
You need to go to the store. This is no way to live.
Ordinarily, Id say youre right, but in case you forgot, Im leaving for Peru in six days, so theres not much need for stocking up.
He closed the fridge, eyed the now soggy bag of fries. Wanna order a pizza?
Nah, lets save money and play food scavenger hunt.
Why? Theres no need to save money.
For you, maybe.
Candy, Jake said, softening his tone. Half of everything Galaxy Sports has ever made is sitting in an account with your name on it. Why wont you use it?
Simple, because I dont want your money.
Its our money. Dad gave that business to me and you on our first anniversary. Remember? The divorce papers say all profits are to be split fifty/fifty.
For the last time, Jake, please listen. Thank you for the offer. Its sweetbeyond sweet. But really, I dont want or need it. Give the money to charity. Send a few kids to college. She turned her back on him, knotting her arms across her chest.
More than a few kids. Were talking millions of dollars, Candy.
Oh, so is that the going rate for a womans heart?
Whats that supposed to mean?
She spun around to face him. What do you think it means? Sure, we fought a lot about how you wanted kids, but beyond that, Galaxy Sports also contributed to our marriage falling apart. Because you started caring more about proving to your dad how good you were at selling everything from footballs to fishing poles than you ever cared about being my husband.
Wrong. If memory serves me correctly, you spent an awful lot of time at Candy Kisses, too. What was I supposed to do, turn caveman and drag you home? The more I thought about it, the more I realized maybe youd never wanted to be my wife.
Thats not true, she said, her voice a raspy whisper. She swallowed hard, fighting still more tears clinging to the corners of her eyes. You know why I asked for a divorce. It was about kids, Jake. Your obsessive need for them. I told you I couldnt have them, but you wouldnt listen. You knew I could never be a mom. You knew it, yet you kept bringing up the subjectdespite the fact that you also knew how much it hurt me to let you go.
Let me go? He laughed. More like booted me out the door.
Argh, this is just like you, you stubbornNever mind. Evidently my reasons dont matter any more now than they did ten years ago.
What reasons? Thats just it. You never gave me any. I could live without having kids, what I couldnt live without was love, Candy. And lets face it, when that last year went by with us living like strangers, what was I supposed to think? And when you filed for divorceWell, I know I can be thick-headed, but it wouldnt have taken a jackhammer to pound the fact into me that at that point you pretty much didnt give a damn about me or our marriage.
Thats where youre wrong. She aimed her index finger in the direction of his chest, ignoring the release of ten years worth of hot tears. II would have done anything for you. Thats how much I used to love you, Jake. I loved you so much that I set you free. I couldnt give you kids, so I set you free to have them with another woman. Thats how much I loved younot Candy Kissesyou.
Jeez. He slashed his fingers through his hair and haltingly approached her before going for broke and crushing her in a hug. Oh, man, Candy. What a mess we made of things, huh?
She nodded against his warm, oh-so-solid chest. Being back in his arms felt so good, so right, as if shed finally come home. Too bad that home was just a dream. The fairy tale the two of them once shared could never be recreated.
Those once-idyllic days had been back when they were lovesick teens. Married at eighteen, only a month after their high school graduation, their marriage lasted a whole five years. At first, itd been idyllic. With both of them working long hours in their respective family businesses, they hadnt given a thought to the future aside from what time theyd next make love. For nearly twelve months, that had been enough, but then Jake had wanted more.
The total packagemeaning kids.
He knew what kind of mother shed had. The whole town knew the sad clich of poor little Candy Jacobss mother running offnever to be seen againwith a traveling carpet company rep shed met at the interior design shop where she worked.
Even before that, though, Valerie Jacobs could hardly have been nominated for mother of the year. She didnt bake cookies, read bedtime stories or attend school plays. She never cooed over scribbled drawings or A-plus spelling tests, and she certainly never braided her daughters hair or shopped hand in hand for the perfect Easter dress. Not that any of that would have even mattered to Candy had she provided the one thing every child craved above all elselove.
No, the worst thing about Valerie Jacobs was that shed been devoid of feelings for anyone but herselfoh, and of course, for her lovers.
Candys dad had tried making up for her mothers shortcomings with occasional pats on the head and hugs, but he was always busy at work, trying to keep her mother in the finery that only occasionally made her smile.
Years after the fact, Candy had learned that the man her mom had finally run off with hadnt even been her first affair.
When her father died of a heart attack three days after Valeries abandonment, no one had been surprised. Theyd just amended the gossip to include the fact that that Jacobs woman had quite literally broken her husbands heart.
When Candys grandfather had taken her in, life had been a little sweeter. But the little girl who eventually grew up never forgot the kind of emptiness that lurked inside. After all, half of her blood was Valeries, which meant she was destined by DNA to be just as wretched a wife and mom. The only question was when the time bomb ticking inside her would finally go off.
Jake had known all about Candys mother. What he hadnt knownbecause shed never told himwas that Candy had no intention of repeating her mothers mistakes. When Jake began pressuring her to have kids, Candy realized she had already made one disastrous error in ever daring to dream shed make a good wife. Hurting herself and Jake had been one thing. But her most sacred vow, no matter what, she wouldnt break. And that was to never, ever become a mother herself. No child deserved the lonely life shed once led.
Jake softly stroked her hair, so softly that had Candy been a cat, she would have flopped onto her back and purred. Problem was, she wasnt a cat. She was a flesh-and-blood woman who needed to get on with life.
Life without Jake.
Jake stiffened when Candy pulled away.
After sniffling, she said, Im sorry. I didnt mean to go all emotional on you. What I meant to say is that if youd like a pizza, since Im tonights hostess, Ill buy.
Sure, he said, tucking his hands into his jeans pockets, warming them because after releasing her, bone-chilling loneliness licked the tips of his fingers. That sounds goodonly Im paying.
Okay, she said with a wooden nod. Ill go call.
Alone in the comfortable kitchen with its yellow-gingham curtains, hanging copper pots and glowing oak cabinets, Jake felt lost. Out of his comfort zone. His world was modern and sleek. Filled with man stuff. Chrome and leather and women who didnt even know a kitchen came with their mansions. Hed come here to ask Candy a simple question. What had gone wrong?
In spite of Candys confession that, at least in her mind, her reasons for divorcing him had been entirely altruistic, that didnt mean their main dispute had changed.
He still wanted kids, she didnt. Period. Not just end of story, end of their story.
If he were smart, hed walk away.
But he wasnt smart, he was in lovenot with Candybut Bonnie. And if that made him a fool for love, then so be it.
Gazing around the kitchen, taking in the handmade rag rug hugging the brick floor, the candid photos gracing buttercream-yellow walls, the beams of warm twilight shafting through the paned bay window to kiss the ladder-backed chairs at a round oak table, he realized with a lonely ache that this was the kind of home hed grown up in.
This was the kind of home he wanted for Bonnie.
Oh, sure, he could have Palm Breezes hottest designer turn his house into a carbon copy of Candys, but what he couldnt pay someone to reproduce was the everyday simplicity. The deep-down sweetness.
The scent of painstakingly rubbed lemon oil that did battle with burnt corn dogs and won. The happy gurgle of a fish tank bubbling in the far corner. And from outside the screened windows, faint stirrings of leaves in the trees. Waves lapping at the lakeshore. Kids playing Freeze Tag somewhere down the street.
After all that Jake had achieved, the fortune hed amassed, this kitchen was the one thing that, in as long as he could remember, felt familiar. Like home. It irked him that just being back in this room, no matter how much in appearances itd changed, inside, he felt the same way he had walking out for the last time. Like an empty, aimless shell of a man.
Dammit, but he resented Candy for going on with her life and this house without him.
This had been his house as much as hers. His dream as much as hers. And now, seeing how capably shed managed without him, he felt like an intruder. A failure. And that scared him, for the only thing hed ever in his whole life failed at was his relationship with her.
How ironic was it that his future with Bonnie depended on his past with his ex-wife?
Just like his dad, hed always planned on returning home after a long days work not to an empty house, but to a home bursting with laughter and life. Kids, dogs, cats, hamstersOnce upon a time Jake had wanted it all, with Candy beside him, hugging him, kissing him, making love to him late into the night until they had to stop because one of their kids was banging on the bedroom door.
Mommy? Daddy? Can I come in? I had a bad dream.
Candy would giggle, pulling her simple cotton nightie over her head, past full breasts, slim abdomen and hips. Jake would hop out of bed and yank on his boxers before opening the door to scoop his sleepy rug rat into his arms. For the sake of his daydream hed call the kid Mark, and he would smell a little sweaty and of cedar shavingsnot unlike his pet hamster.
In his minds eye, Jake watched himself lug Mark to their bed where hed wrigglefootie pajamas and allsmack-dab into the middle before promptly falling asleep, snoring loud enough to wake the dead. And then, in milky moonlight, Candy would reach out to him, her husband and best friend, grasp his hand and give it a light squeeze. Without either of them saying a word, Jake would know his every wish had quietly come true.
Back to reality, Jake swallowed hard.
What happened, Candy? What happened between us to make love not be enough?
Pizza should be here in about forty minutes.
He looked up.
Even doing something as simple as crossing the room, Candy had such grace. A long time ago she was everything hed ever wanted and more. That long, silky hair, those even longer legs. When they made love, shed had this way of wrapping those legs around him, urging him deeper, urging their souls closer, that had nearly made him weep with the sheer joy of being her man.
Now
Whoa. Now, he just wanted out. Time to regroup.
The woman and her cozy kitchen were dangerous. Forty minutes, huh? Whew, thats a long time.
Yeah. At the waist of her simple floral dress, she fumbled with her hands. Uh, want to watch a movie or something while we wait?
No, Candy, I think what we should do is talk.
Chapter Three
Minutes later, in the living room, Candy took the sofa while her ex choose an overstuffed tapestried wing chair.
Personally, shed had enough talking, but seeing as how Jake probably wouldnt leave without spilling whatever was on his mind, she figured she might as well let him get it out of his system. Okay, she said. Lets hear it. What in the world made you re-propose this afternoon at the shop?
Jeez, where do I start? He cleared his throat, worked the opening of his forest-green golf shirtthe one she was trying not to notice did such heavenly things with his annoyingly direct gaze. Ive gotten into a bit of a jam, and need your helpno, Im desperate for your help. A strangled laugh passed his lips. I would offer to pay you, but
I get the picture. Go on.
So anyway, I had these great friends, Cal and Jenny. And they had a great baby. Her name is Bonnie and you should see her blue eyes sparkle. I was at the hospital the day she was bornsaw her just an hour out of the womb. Jenny told Cal all babies have blue eyes, but he told her, Nonsense, this beautiful kid of ours is destined to have the most striking pair of bonny blue peepers in the whole wide world. And so they named her Bonnie Blue, just like Rhett and Scarletts daughteronly Ill be damned if I ever let her near a horse.
Candy leaned forward, spellbound by the change in Jakes expression. His eyes glowed with love for this child who wasnt even his. If thered ever been a doubt in her mind that she hadnt done the right thing in giving him a divorce, it was gone now. Jake was destined to be a dad. Just like she was destined to never be a mom.
In fact, Im thinking of banning her from all moving things. Trikes, bikes, and especially carsnot to mention the wild teens who drive them.
Jake, she said, a sickening suspicion forming in her stomach. Why are you talking about this baby as if shes yours?
He swallowed hard, and it was then she saw tears shimmer in his deep brown eyes. Because she is mine, Candy. Cal and Jennythey died.
Oh, no. She flung her hand to her mouth. Im sorry. So sorry. Not thinking, just doing, she went to him, wrapping him in a hug. How? They must have been so young.
Drunk driver, he said when she sat on the coffee table in front of him. It was bad. A couple of kids out cruising on a Friday night hit them head-on. Cops said the driver mustve downed at least ten beers for his blood alcohol to be so
He paused to swallow, catch his breath, and she reached for his hand. Go on. Its okay.
Nodding, he said, Sorry. Its been a month, but its still hard.
I can imagine. These people were your friends.
Yeah. They were the best. When my dad died, and then my mom, they were the ones who helped me through.
Im sorry I couldnt be there for your moms funeral. She squeezed his hand. But with Grandpa in the hospital last spring and everything.
Its okay. I understood. I wish the guys down at the store wouldve told me he was sick. Im sure he needed you.
I wanted you to need me, too.
Had she? Lord, what was happening? All of her carefully constructed emotional dams felt dotted with holes.
Anyway, he said after expelling a deep breath. In the emergency room, right after Jenny died, Cal asked me to take Bonnie. All they had for family was each other and their friends, so Cal asked me to raise their daughter like she was my own. And, of course, I agreed, never thinking it would actually come to that. But then Cal died, too. SoI did as he asked. And Ive been caring for Bonnie ever since.
Of course.
And everything was going great. I was really getting the hang of the whole diaper thing and feeding. Bonnies a good baby. At first, she cried a lot, but she seems to be getting better. Shes known me her whole life, so I guess Im making an all right substitute dad.
I know you, Jake. Im sure youre making an awesome dad.
Thanks.
Youre welcome.
Problem is, he said, scratching his head, Bonnies great-aunta bitter old woman named Elizabeth Mannforddoesnt think so.
Why?
He gave her the short version of Mrs. Starlings speech. So there you have it. My only hope of keeping Bonnie with the only family she knows is by getting hitched. And not just to anyone, Candybut to you.
Wow. Head spinning, Candy abruptly stood and put her hand to her forehead. So that proposal of yours was the real deal? You truly do want to get married?
He nodded. But only until the adoption is legal. Im figuring itll take a year tops. In fact, after you make a brief appearance at Mrs. Starlings office, where we can dazzle her with our marriage license, rings and smilesnot to mention the old photo albums of how much fun we had back when we first got marriedyoull probably be off the hook.
Candy, nibbling her pinkie fingernail, began to pace. Fireplace to breakfront. Breakfront to fireplace. You know my family history, Jake. I vowed a long time ago to never be a mom. Do you know what youre asking?
She paused just long enough to see him nod.
Fireplace to breakfront. I mean, if I say no, that pretty much makes me the most heartless soul alive. Yet if I say yes, all my promises to myselfmy plansYou dont know what its been like for me since losing Grandpa. This is a small town. Im surrounded by people who love me, yet I feel lost, like theres something missing inside of me I havent been able to find. This trip, it means everything to me, Jake. Its about reclaiming my soul.
So why cant you reschedule?
Its not that easy. The tours being led by a top writer from National Geographic. I applied for the honor of being in her party almost a year ago. All the documentation on the sale of Candy Kisses has been finalized. I mean, my life is like the space shuttle, ready to blast off.
His expression dark, Jake stood. So your answer is no. Thats all you had to say. I understand.
No. I mean, no, wait. That isnt my answer. I just need time to think. You showing up, throwing me this curve ball, its all too much.
Im sorry, Candy. If I could, Id give you all the time in the world. Jeez, if it were up to me, I wouldnt even be here. Id just as soon tie the knot again as I would leap off a cliff.
Thanks. Glad to know how much you enjoy my company.
You know what I mean. Its not like getting married was my idea. Anyway, bottom line, I can give you a week, but thats it. If Im not back in Florida by then, who knows what this Elizabeth Mannford may do. I wouldnt put it past her to charge me with kidnapping.
Okay, then, Candy said, fingering long strands of her hair. A week it is. Ill give you my answer Saturday night at the reunion.
FROM WHERE SHE SAT cross-legged on Candys sofa, Kelly snagged a piece of sausage-and-mushroom pizza, brought it to her lips and groaned. Five delicious pounds in the smell alone.
Candy summoned a weak smile. Thanks for coming over. Jake left so suddenly, I was at a loss as to what to do next.
Candy, Kelly said, slapping her friend lightly on the back. You called the right person, because faced with an entire pizza, believe me, I know just what to do.
Not about the pizza, Candy said. About Jake. I feel so torn. Like I have to help him, but at the same time, like theres no way I can help him. It took me such a long time to get over him, how can I possibly go through the whole thing again?
Its not as if he wants to get married for real.
I know, but his plan sounds like a pretty dangerous emotional game.
So dont play it. Kelly sipped at a cola.
But if I dont, Ill feel like a schmuck.
So do it.
Gee, thanks, Candy said, shooting her friend a dirty look. Youre a ton of help.
Look, the guy gave you a week to think it over, why do you have to decide in the next thirty minutes?
Candy swigged her own cola. Because thats who I am. Im legendary in the shops kitchen for being quick on my feet in times of crisis. I mean, any time we run out of unsweetened chocolate, who else but me is going to know you can substitute unsweetened cocoa powder plus butter? And did you know one and a quarter cups granulated sugar plus a quarter cup of any liquid also works? And that if you run out of cake flour, then
News flash, Kelly said through trailing mozzarella. Were not in your boring old shop kitchen. This is real life, Candy. And guess what?
What?
Sometimes it sucks.
Gee, Kel, thats sweet. Have you ever considered a second career writing greeting cards?
IM COMING, Im coming. At six oclock Tuesday morning, eyes barely open, Candy felt her way down the stairs and to the front door.
Whoever stood outside rang the doorbell again.
She growled before asking, Who is it?
Me.
Jake. Oh, now that woke her right up. She flew her hands to her face, hair, thin white tank T-shirt and cat print pajama bottoms. Go away!
Why?
Im not dressed.
She swore she heard him chuckle. Come on, Candy, its not like I havent seen it all before.
It had been on the tip of her tongue to reply with a sassy, Yeah, but you havent seen mine, when her conscience chose to remind just how much of her he had seen.
The last time theyd made lovenot long before shed asked him for a divorcehad been right there in the living room, on the couch she told Jake shed taken to the dump. Good thing shed had the foresight to move Goldilocks into the boathouse, or he might have gotten the wrong idealike she held a soft spot for the wretched thing. And God forbid he actually think shed enjoyed all those nights with him spent rolling around on that couch.
Her cheeks burned.
Okay, so maybe I enjoyed just a few of those nights.
And that last nightOh, that last night had been steamy in every possible way.
Rain had been falling in driving sheets. That summer, Lonesome had been going through a drought, and the air that night was ripesmelling of parched earth taking a good, long drink. Since they hadnt been able to afford air-conditioning, the humidity had had them glowing with sweat. Theyd been watching TV, but about nine-thirty theyd turned it off, planning to take a quick shower before hitting the sack. With only the one lamp on and the occasional strobe of lightning, the living room had been nearly dark.
Come here, Jake had said from the sofa.
Why? I thought we were going to bed.
Hed shaken his head, wielded that slow, sexy grin that melted her like butter. Come here, gorgeous.
She remarked that her heart had pounded just looking at her handsome husband, stretched out on the couch wearing only black boxers and his hard-earned muscles. Her mouth had gone so dry. Other parts of herlower partshad dampened with need.
Peel off your shirt.
Here?
No, in the kitchen. Hed shot her another slow grin. Damn straight, here. I want to see my merchandise.
The doorbell ding-donged three times.
Come on, Candy! I brought breakfast and the groceries are getting heavy!
Pulse pounding, palms sweating, Candy licked her lips. Opening the door, she averted her gaze, scared to death Jake could tell just by looking at her exactly what shed been thinking.
Morning, gorgeous. Mmm, it sure smells better in here than it did last night with all those corn dogs flaming. Miss me? He kissed her on the forehead before strolling in. Even worse, it wasnt groceries he carried, but the most adorable pink-cheeked, blue-eyed baby shed ever seen.
Her heart lurched.
Bonnie, he said, turning the infant away from his chest and toward her. Meet Candy. Hopefully, shell agree to be your temporary mom. To Candy he said, Wanna hold her?
Uh, no thanks. Arms crossed, she shook her headjust in case there was something about her verbal message he hadnt understood. Even from a good two feet away, she detected distinctly disturbing baby scents. Baby lotion, baby shampoo, baby powdereven Bonnies ruffled pink dress sported the annoyingly pleasant scent of laundry detergent. From a safe distancesay, ten feetall of those smells were nice enough, but up close and personal? No. Couldnt happen.
Except for that one time youve never told anyone about.
Yes, but Ive already established the fact that an incident like that will never happen again!
Candy knew better. Babies were toxic to her system, and if she wasnt careful, she might end up suffering some kind of meltdown. Frowning, she said, Have you ever heard of picking up a phone?
He grinned. I couldnt remember the number.
Lonesome does have phone books.
Yeah, but lucky for me, it also has rental cars, so I figured, what the hey? I might as well drive over.
Sure. Why not.
Great. Im glad youre happy to see us. Here, he said, thrusting out the baby. Take her while I carry in the grub.
Jake, I Too late, the infant was already in her arms.
Abba, blabbagoo! The tiny creature giggled.
Wow. Oh, wow.
To relieve tension, Candy would have ordinarily twirled a couple hundred hanks of hair, but seeing how at the moment her hands were kind of full, all she could do was stare at the wide open, porcelain-blue gaze staring at her.
So, she said. Youre Bonnie. Ive heard a lot about you.
Bzzzzz. A few bubbles escaped lips so perfectly round and sweet, they resembled a big, fat cherry plopped into the midst of Bonnies whipped-cream-smooth complexion.
The child gave a few sharp kicks before, with a juicy sigh, snuggling against Candys breasts.
Over her years spent working in a candy store, Candy had been coerced into holding her share of babies, but somehow, knowing this was Jakes babyeven if by horrible tragedy as opposed to her being of his flesh and bloodmade the experience different.
Better, in a terrifying way.
Jake! she hollered out the door. Hurry!
Whats the problem? he called, just the top of his heartstoppingly handsome mug visible above the paper sacks with Greggs Grocery emblazoned across the side.
Candy peered at the angel resting her cheek on her left breast. Problem? Gee, where do I start? Uh, well, I think
How cute. I think that means she likes you.
Yes, well
You two hang out while I cook.
But I really
Hed shut the front door and headed for the kitchen.
dont think this is going to work. On her own again with Bonnie, Candy made a beeline for the kitchen. Come on, Jake, you know about me and babies. Unless someone practically forces me to hold an infant down at the store, I always steer clear. My friends dont even let me baby-sit.
Have you ever offered? he asked, unloading bacon, eggs, cheese andchili?
Well Bonnie wriggled, repositioning herself so that tufts of her fluffy blond hair tickled Candys chin. A second later the babys mini hair bow slid to the floor. Candy knelt to pick it up, then, as efficiently as possible while working one-handed, she brushed the pink scrap against her flannel PJ bottoms. Wouldnt do for Bonnie to get dust in her hair. Bow neatly back in place, Candy said, I dont suppose I ever volunteered, but then, everybody knows Im no good with babies. I mean, besides my indestructible goldfish, I dont even have any pets.
We had that kitten.
Dabney? Heart aching from the memory of the tiny kitten, and the brief joy it had brought into their lives, Candy gave Bonnie a slight squeeze. If I ever had another cat, Id make her an inside cat. That way nothing could happen to it.
She looked up to see Jake frown.
What? You think a lawn service truck is going to come barreling through the living room?
No, its just that if theres anything Ive learned over the past month, its that nothings permanent. I mean, we can think it is, but jeez, when I remember how one minute Cal and Jenny were with me at a late dinner meeting, and the next
Cupping her palm to the curve of Bonnies head, Candy pressed her lips to impossibly sweet-smelling hair. Poor little thing.
Guess what Im getting at is that stuff happens. All we can do is live for the moment and hope for the best. So, he said, looking as if he was making an effort to lighten his expression. How about one of my world-famous, chili-cheese omelets?
ALL THROUGH BREAKFAST, Jake watched.
Bonnie with Candy. Candy with Bonnie.
And all through breakfast, one thing became abundantly clear: Candy would make a great temporary mom. If only he could convince her of that fact.
In the brief time hed been there, hed already seen dozens of positive signs. Sure, at first, shed been tentative about the whole baby thing, but no doubt about it, she was softening. The squeezes, the kisses pressed to Bonnies forehead, the unconscious yet meticulous care taken with repositioning her hair bow. Could the mornings plans be proceeding any more smoothly?
In fact, things were running so smoothly, that in the living room, Bonnie had even sacked out in the portable playpen Jake had brought in from the car. Nothingand he meant nothingwas more irresistible than sleeping Bonnie. She was so cute that he wouldnt be surprised to find Miss I-Dont-Care-For-Babies sneaking in there for a few quick rump pats!
That was good, Candy said, pushing her empty plate aside to make room for a cup of coffee. At first, I have to admit to having doubts about your creation, but now I bow to your omelet prowess.
Thanks. I perfected these babies on the last company camp-a-thon.
Camp-a-thon?
Yeah. Me and the other board members get people to sponsor us to camp on the roof of Galaxy Sports headquarters. Its grown into a pretty big dealcustomers drive by, honking at us and dropping off cash donations. This year, we raised a bundle for Special Olympics.
Grinning, Candy said, Why doesnt it surprise me that you dont host simple, black-tie, fund-raising dinners like other business tycoons?
Whats the fun in that? I mean, come on, how many CEOs do you know who get to spend a whole week sleeping under the stars and playing rooftop volleyball all in the name of charity?
Youve got a point there.
Inside, Jake couldnt help but preen. Candys improved mood could only mean one thing. Not only had he seduced her with his cooking, but shed seen what a love bug Bonnie was and didnt even need the rest of the week to decide to remarry him. A fact that put him in the mood to party. Say, Candy Cane, if you dont have anything going on today, how about we head down to the lake for a sail?
She choked on her latest sip of coffee.
Good sign or bad? Man, oh, man, what had gotten into him to have accidentally called her Candy Cane?
That sounds nice, she said, but I have to pack. And this afternoon, I should head over to the shop. I want to make sure theres a surplus of everything when the new owners take charge. Theyre friends. Greg and Betsy Hammond. Remember them from high school? They were a grade ahead of us.
Sure. How are they?
Good. Betsy just had their fourth boy. I think she was hoping for a girl this time, but Fidgeting with her hands, she said, Anyway, theyre about the only ones happy with my decision to sell. Kellys finally cutting me some slack, but when I first told her, she read me the riot act.
So why are you doing it? I mean, why take such a drastic step as to outright sell? Why not leave it in the hands of your most trusted employees? Surely someone could run the place while you take time off?
Head bowed, Candy said, Its not that simple. I need the money to travel, and Im afraid what Im looking for cant be found in a few days. Somethings missing inside me, Jake. Palms pressed to her chest, she said, I feel lonely in crowds, like theres a piece of me out there that I havent been able to find. I have to take this trip. Im sorry if my selling Candy Kisses hurts peoples feelings. Its hurting me, too. That business is my only family aside from youor, I mean, at least you used to be my family. Now She flopped her hands on her lap. I dont know, I just feel restless.
At first, Jake thought every word his ex muttered about needing to find herself had been hogwash, but now, seeing the sadness in Candys eyes, made the part of him that would always care about her wonder if maybe she was on the right track. Because, shoot, who was he to say running off on some great adventure wouldnt be the key to unlocking whatever tormented her soul?
Problem was, if Candy took off to find her soul, that left him losing his. For if the state took Bonnie, Jake knew hed be done for. Oh, no matter how bad it hurt, hed abide by the law and give her up, but doing so might very well kill him.
Toying with his coffee cup, Jake said, I dont mean to pressure you, Candy, but I cant begin to explain how much Bonnie means to me. I cant
No, Jake. Dont do this. Please dont play the guilt card. It isnt fair. Candy pushed back her chair, reached for their plates, and stormed to the sink.
Jake followed suit.
At the sink, he spun her around to face him. Mind telling me what is fair? You can go on this trip of yours anytime. Im not asking you to cancel flat-out, just to postpone. If you want to be stupid enough to throw away a business that has the potential to one day become a family legacy like Hershey or Godiva, be my guest. All Im asking for is a yearmaybe even lessof your time.
.
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Laura Altom
Тип: электронная книга
Жанр: Современные любовные романы
Язык: на английском языке
Издательство: HarperCollins
Дата публикации: 16.04.2024
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О книге: Needed: One Wife!A quick, convenient marriage was the only way Jake Peterson could keep custody of the adorable orphaned baby left in his care. The only woman suitable as the bride-to-be was Candy Jacobs–his ex-wife. Though circumstances had forced them to part long ago, the sizzle between them was stronger than ever. But would the price of marriage cost love-wary Jake more than he bargained for?No matter how hard she tried to resist, Candy was soon roped in by baby Bonnie′s little hugs and Jake′s toe-curling kisses. But before she would agree to become this bachelor dad′s wife, Jake needed to understand that Candy wanted his heart first…