went out for pizza and ice cream to celebrate Cody’s big win.”
Catherine walked over and gave Cody a hug. “Congratulations. I’m sorry I couldn’t be there.”
“That’s okay, Grandma. Mom told me you’re working on some party.”
Jenny’s mom smiled. “That’s right. But the party is almost here, and then I won’t be so busy. You and I will have to plan some fun stuff for the summer. But it’s getting late, and we really should get on the road.”
Cody nodded and turned to Jared. “Thanks again for all your help.”
Jared tugged on the bill of Cody’s cap. “Anytime, slugger.
“Just give us a sec,” Jenny said, steering Cody to the house. “We’ll have his things rounded up in no time.”
Jared knew Jenny’s second could be anywhere from ten minutes to an hour. Right now all he wanted was a beer and to be alone. But he could tell Jenny’s mother had something on her mind. He leaned his back against the front fender and braced his boot on the inner rim of the tire.
“You went to Cody’s game?” she asked.
“He invited me.” Jared knew he shouldn’t have gone. But hearing so much raw desperation in Cody’s voice brought back too many childhood memories. There had been no way he could say no.
The porch light came on, but the single sixty-watt bulb didn’t extend to the driveway. Even so, in the waning evening light he could see the resemblance between mother and daughter. During their first meeting in the restaurant, Jared had barely given Jenny’s mom a second glance. As he waited for her to tell him what was on her mind, he noted she was still a striking woman for her age. But where Jenny was soft and too bighearted for her own good, her mother seemed tougher and less forgiving.
“May I be direct?”
“By all means.” He shifted his weight, planted his other boot on the tire.
“Something tells me I can ask, but you may not answer.”
Jared remained silent.
Catherine let out a sigh. “Jenny means the world to us, Mr. Worth. Or should I say Commander Worth. Paul told us you are a pilot in the military.”
He wasn’t a commander anymore. “Jared, please.”
“Jared.” Catherine gave a slight nod of her head. “We don’t want to see Jenny hurt. She’s suffered enough already.”
“I have no intention of causing your daughter any harm, Mrs. Beckinsale. Jenny and I have a business relationship. That’s all.” That kiss sure as hell hadn’t been about business.
“I guess I’ll have to take your word on that.”
“You have it.”
Catherine Beckinsale’s face seemed to relax ever so slightly. “Thank you,” she said before opening the driver’s side door of her car and reaching inside. She handed an envelope to Jared. “As Jenny’s business partner, please accept this invitation to come to the museum’s charity event. It’s formal—black tie—so I’ll understand if—”
“Will Jenny be there?”
“Yes.” Catherine paused. “Her father and I plan to pick her up.”
Jared pushed away from the truck. “Don’t bother. I’ll bring her.”
Catherine would have said more, but just then Cody and Jenny came out of the house carrying his backpack and small suitcase.
“Bye, kiddo,” Jared said. “Don’t forget this.” He grabbed the baseball bag out of the back of the pickup, waited for Catherine to pop her trunk, then placed the bag, backpack, and suitcase inside.
Cody opened the passenger door, then looked at Jared over the hood of the car. “Maybe . . . if you’re not busy, you’d like to come to my game Thursday.”
“I’ll do my best,” he hedged.
“Sweet.” Cody slid into the car and shut the door.
Catherine gave Jenny a hug then turned and stared at Jared for several moments. He easily read the warning in her gaze.
“I’m bushed,” Jenny said as her mom drove off. “Good night.” She didn’t wait for a response before hurrying into the house.
Jared watched her leave. He wanted to follow her inside. And not for the same reason he’d been staying close to her all week. This wasn’t about the business or about getting his money back. There was only one reason he wanted to follow her: to be near her, to see her smile, to hear her laugh.
More lights went on inside the house. A warm glow spilled outward from the mullioned windows. Upstairs, the light in Jenny’s bedroom came on.
Keep your eye on the prize, he reminded himself, thinking of Mexico.
But what if he was after the wrong thing?
Swearing, he turned and went into the hangar. Thoughts like