Page 6 of In His Arms

Chapter Two

“Bob, you know that you can make anything for anybody. Why not make a little pocket change while you’re at it?” Alex asked his neighbor, still amazed at how the quaint town, and the people in it, never changed.

Bob Winters and his wife, Christy, had been married for forty years, had two sons his age, Jake and Jasper, and were still as in love today as they were when they said “I do”. Christy had brought them lemonade to take the edge off the hot summer day while they sat on Bob’s front porch, each in rocking chairs.

“I know. Christy’s always nagging me about charging for the things I do.” He took a sip of his drink. “But you know me. If they’re my friend, I consider it free.”

“You’re a good man, Bob.” Tipping the glass to his lips, he sipped the beverage. The cool lemonade hit the spot, drowning his parched throat with tangy wetness.

“All done in a day’s work.” The old man paused a moment before speaking again. “Something wrong, boy?”

Alex shook his head. “Nah. Business is great. Life is great. Friends are great. What more could a man want?”

“Someone to hold on those long, lonely nights,” Bob supplied, draining his glass.

Alex’s lips tilted with a grin of amusement. “I guess that could be one thing.”

“You got a girl back in L.A.?”

Alex shook his head. He was too busy with work to even think about a relationship. Besides, most of the women he met were out for his money. Of all the relationships he had, maybe two got to know and like the real him. The rest saw the size of his wallet and tried latching their talons into his skin.

“You’ll find her eventually,” Bob said with confidence. “Jasper and Dana just announced I’m going to be a grandpa. Can you believe it? At my young age, I’m going to be a grandpa.”

Alex chuckled. “Oh, come on. Being a grandfather can’t be all that bad. At least when the kids get annoying you get to send them home with their parents.”

Bob seemed amused by that. “What do you know about kids?”

“Not much, to be honest. I’ve never really been around them.”

The eldest of two children, Alex didn’t have much experience with kids. His younger sister had died in a car accident with his mother when he was five and he barely remembered the incident. His father tried to keep their memory alive, but soon remarried ceasing all conversation about the part of his family he had little time to get to know. After that, Alex stayed away from them the best he could.

“They’re handfuls, I’ll admit, but they’re sweet. I’m actually thrilled by the idea, despite it making me feel old.” He refilled their lemonade and pointed toward Alex’s house. “Looks like you have company. Is that Jessie? I can’t see without my glasses. I swear she’s the only person I know that has a purple car.”

Alex turned his head, trying—and failing—to hide the smile that crossed his face when Jessica came into view. After what’d happened last night, he assumed she hated his guts and never wanted to see him again. Yet there she stood, in a plain white t-shirt and worn denim jeans, looking better to him than any cover model ever could. What on earth is she doing here?

“Uh, I guess I’ll go find out.” Alex stood. “Tell Christy thanks for the lemonade. I’ll draw up some ideas for the business to see what you think.”

Before Bob could reply, Alex crossed the man’s yard and jogged toward his house. Jessie was here. He couldn’t stop thinking about her. It’d been a long time since he wanted to see a girl.

“Hey, you. I thought I recognized your car.” He walked up behind her while she waited on his front porch, poised to knock.

“Uh, hi.” She glanced around. “Where were you?”

“Bob and Christy’s.” He reached past her to open the unlocked door. “Come on in.”

She stepped inside the house and glanced around the room at the furnishings. He knew it was simply decorated, with only the necessities, but wondered what she thought. He hadn’t visited in a while, that much he’d admit. But he still liked the sleek look of the stylish black leather couch and the big-screen television that dominated the small living room.

“Want something to drink?” When she nodded, he took out two bottles of water and gave her one.

“Thanks. I didn’t mean to interrupt you. I just thought I’d come by for a second. I have the day off, and I was in town with nothing to do.” She smiled. “So I figured I’d come and annoy you.”

His body heated at her words. “Lucky me.”

They stared at each other for a second. He knew she wanted to pretend everything was normal between them. Alex tipped the bottle to his lips.

“Um, if you’re busy, I’ll leave.” She turned, and Alex reached out and grabbed her arm. “It’s ok, Jess. It’s not that big of a deal.” He let her arm go to wipe the sweat off his brow with his sleeve. “What’s up?”

She twisted her fingers, rolling the large moonstone ring she wore. “Last night shouldn’t have happened.”

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