Bed of Roses Page 0,54

real Buttercup. Tomorrow's event has a nice fairy-tale feel, though. All those fairy lights and candles, all white flowers."

"Tink complained she was going snow-blind. But they're beautiful. A couple more hours tonight, and they're done. All the hand-tying and wiring makes this one very labor-intensive. Plus." She held up a hand sporting new nicks and scratches. "Ouch."

"You wouldn't consider being a florist a dangerous career." Jack took her hand, studied it. "But you've got the battle scars." And kissed her knuckles.

There was a long beat of silence, speculative stares.

"Stop," he ordered with a half laugh.

"You've got to expect it." Still watching them, Laurel stabbed into her salad. "We're making adjustments here. I think you should lay one on her, right here, so we can use the visual to help us adjust."

"Wait! Wait!" Mac waved a hand. "Let me get my camera."

"Pass the lasagna," Jack said.

Leaning back, Parker sipped her wine. "For all we know, the two of them are just having a joke at our expense. Pretending to be involved, then laughing at us behind our backs when we buy in to it."

"Oooh," Mac murmured. "You're good."

"I am," Parker agreed. "But really, it's not like either of them are the shy type. Certainly not too shy for one little PDA, and among friends, too." She shrugged as a smile tugged at her lips. "So I'm leaning toward practical joke."

"Kiss the girl," Mrs. Grady told him, "or this bunch won't give you any peace."

"Or lasagna," Laurel decided. "Kiss!" She clapped her hands together. "Kiss!"

Mac picked up the chant. Even when she elbowed Carter he just laughed and shook his head. Giving up, Jack turned to a laughing Emma, pulled her over and gave her a kiss that brought cheers and applause from the table.

"Looks like somebody's having a party and forgot to invite me."

The noise died away as everyone turned to the doorway, and Del. He stared at Jack, lifting a hand to stop Parker when she started to get to her feet.

"What the hell's going on?"

"We're having dinner." Laurel spoke coolly. "If you want some you'll need to get a plate."

"No, thanks," he said, just as coolly. "Parker, I've got some paperwork to go over with you. We'll take care of it another time since you're in the middle of something that's apparently none of my business."

"Del - "

"You and I." He interrupted his sister, never taking his eyes off Jack. "We'll deal later, too."

When he strode out, Parker released a long sigh. "You didn't tell him."

"I was still figuring out how to . . . No," Jack said. "No, I didn't. I need to go straighten this out," he told Emma.

"I'll go with you. I can - "

"No, better not. It may take a while, so . . . I'll call you tomorrow." He pushed back from the table.

"Sorry."

When he left, Emma managed nearly ten seconds. "I have to at least try." She popped up, rushed after Jack.

"He looked pretty steamed," Mac said.

"Of course, he's steamed. His perfect balance has been shifted." Laurel shrugged when Parker snapped a look at her. "That's part of it. And that part's only worse because Jack didn't tell him. He's got a right to be steamed."

"I could go after them," Carter suggested. "Try to mediate."

"Mediators often get punched in the face by both parties."

He smiled humorlessly at Mac. "Wouldn't be the first time."

"No, let them hash it out." Parker sighed again. "That's what friends do."

B ECAUSE EMMA'S CONCERN HELD HIM UP A GOOD TEN MINUTES, Jack didn't catch up with Del on the estate. But he knew where he'd go. Home, where he could curse, snarl, and brood in private.

He knocked, and had no doubt Del would open the door. For one thing, he had a key, and they both knew he'd use it if necessary. But more, Delaney Brown wasn't one for avoiding confrontation. When Del yanked open the door, Jack looked him in the eye. "You swing at me, I'll swing back. We'll both get bloody, and won't resolve anything."

"Fuck you, Jack."

"Okay, fuck me. Fuck you, Del, for being an ass about - "

He took the punch to the face - because he hadn't seen it coming - and returned it. They stood there, in the doorway, mouths bleeding.

Jack swiped at his. "Do you want to beat the hell out of each other inside or out?"

"I want to know what the hell you were doing with your hands on Emma."

"Do you want to hear about that inside or out?"

Del merely turned,