Catching Serenity (25 page)

~
CHAPTER 25~

“
Based on the results, I think we make a great team.”

Jackson
didn’t pose it as a question this time, as he so often did. Turning in a slow circle from the middle of his office, Serenity surveyed their handiwork. “I think you’re right, professionally speaking. Not bad at all, especially for a first effort.”

He was standing so close, their shoulders touched. His nearness was unsettling in a good way as he turned to face her, his eyes bright.
“You were spot-on about the chair rail, and the pale yellow above it is the perfect backdrop for all the great photos you helped pick out,” Jackson said. “I like that you’re a real
hands-on
kind of girl.” His cheeks flushed and he ran a hand over his hair. “That sounded a whole lot better in my head. Sorry.”

Serenity swallowed her grin
at his thinly-veiled reference to what she’d said to Hayley. They’d never discussed that little episode, but perhaps it was for the best. “Isn’t that what all good decorators do? Get personally involved in satisfying their client’s needs?” She shook her head as he laughed. “You’re a bad influence on me.”

“
In answer to your question,” he said, “the good decorators hire someone else to do the dirty work
for
them. But the truly
great
decorators like you? They do it themselves because they pay close attention to detail and are insanely committed to their clients.” He nudged her shoulder. “In case you missed it, that was a big compliment.”

“
They must teach you that in Faking People Out 101 in Shrink School. I was stuck on the insane part. On the other hand, it could be that some decorators are neurotic and control freaks and have this insatiable, compulsive need to make sure everything’s done just so.”

When Jackson laughed, she liked how the corners of his eyes crinkled, making him even more attractive.
“Well, speaking for myself, I couldn’t be happier, and I’m going to recommend my decorator to everyone I know. Which reminds me, I need more of your business cards.”

“
Thanks for all the free advertising. Much obliged.” Retrieving her purse, Serenity opened a small case and placed a handful of her cards on the top of his desk. “You know, Jackson,” she said, taking the bigger chair in front of his desk while he dropped into his desk chair, “I’ve lived in Croisette Shores most of my life, but I think you know more people than I do.”

“
Not true, but a lot of them seem to believe we’re dating.”

“
Don’t know why they’d think that.” Her gaze fell on his business cards in the holder on the desk. It featured a simple cross in the background, like the one mounted on the wall behind his desk. Made by Jackson’s grandfather, it served as the perfect focal point for his office. A beautiful reminder of the ultimate price paid to cover the sins of man.

“
Probably because we’ve been spotted together all over town buying everything from stuffed animals to light fixtures and paint,” Jackson said, interrupting her musings. “Going to The Summer Palace. The church picnic. Waiting at the hospital while your dad was in surgery. I think going to dinner with Deidre and Wes pretty much sealed the deal, though.”

Time to change the subject. Twisting in the chair, Serenity
nodded to the far wall. “Those watercolors of Croisette Shores we found at the antique shop are the perfect touch. I’m so glad we found them. It’ll give the kids a sense of familiarity.”

“
That was my thinking. Glad you agree.”

“
I wish all my clients were as easy as you.”

“
Beg your pardon?” A muscle in his jaw twitched.

“
Don’t harbor any illusions, Dr. Ross. All I mean is, people can be unbelievably picky and some do what they want, anyway, so why bother hiring a decorator?”

“
That’s easy. Some people simply want a sounding board, whether it’s a pastor, a psychologist, a bartender, a waitress or a decorator.” He rose to his feet. “Come on, let’s go. I want to show you something.” Walking through the outer lobby to the front door, Jackson pulled it open and waited. He cocked a brow with an expectant expression.

She glanced at her watch.
“I need to be back at my office for a two o’clock appointment.”

“
It won’t take long. Promise.” He placed a light hand on the small of her back as they exited the office. As they walked, Jackson told her more about the plans. “Because of Charlie’s connections, we’re getting the swings and jungle gym a lot sooner than expected, and the fencing is being donated and put together by Harry Maine’s Hardware staff. Today I got a call from a local family who wants to donate a top-of-the-line sandbox. The Neiman-Marcus of sandboxes, if you will.”

“
That’s great,” she said, “but we still won’t officially open it until next spring, right?”

“
That’s the thing,” he said, slanting her a grin. “If everything goes as smoothly as it already has, we could be looking at sometime this fall. Things tend to move faster here in Croisette Shores, at least in terms of renovating playgrounds.”

“
I suppose that’s a good thing...in terms of the playgrounds,” she said.

“
Answer a question for me. Why do the playgrounds in Croisette Shores even
have
a sandbox, especially when the real thing is only a few blocks away?”

Serenity flinched at his words, a reminder of Danny. He used to say the exact same thing.
“I think some moms get nervous with the ocean being so close, and they feel their kids are safer at a playground. It’s a contained area.”

When they reached
their destination, Jackson waved his hand.

“
They’ve already resurfaced? It looks great.”

“
It’s that new stuff—forget what it’s called—but it doesn’t get too hot in the summer and stays naturally cool,” he said, crouching and testing it out. “They’re right.”

Like she
’d done in Jackson’s office, Serenity twirled in a slow circle, envisioning how it would look once all the renovations were done. “I ask you, what kid could resist a new playground? When it’s finished, kids from other areas of town are going to want to come here.” She stopped. “What you’re doing is a great service for Croisette Shores. For the children, the parents, the town. Thank you. I’m honored to be a part of the project.”

“
You’re welcome, and thanks for being willing to help.”

“
I haven’t done much.”

He shot her a look.
“That’s not true and you know it. Coming from the woman who won’t even accept payment for all her hard work on behalf of the renovation.”

“
Consider it my donation to my community. I seriously doubt
you’re
getting paid for your tireless efforts.”

“
Close your eyes.”

She did as he asked.

“Wow, you didn’t even question me that time. We’re making excellent progress,” he said, chuckling. Taking her hand, he led her across the playground before stopping. “Okay. You can open your eyes now.”

Future home of the Daniel Marshall Kincaid Memorial Playground
.

O
xygen drained from her lungs and Serenity’s mouth dropped open.

~
CHAPTER 26~

“
Serenity, have I done something to offend or hurt you?” Jackson’s tone was full of concern mixed with confusion. How could he suspect she hovered on the edge of hyperventilating? Taking a quick breath, she willed the pounding in her head to ease. For her sanity, she needed to pretend the words on the sign hadn’t seared through her heart, reminding her all over again of the deep-seated pain that might never go away.

“
I’ve obviously upset you. I didn’t know it would have this effect...” Jackson hesitated, and she darted a glance his way. The Adam’s apple slid up and down in his throat. The deep concern in his eyes helped her summon the strength she needed. From his reaction, she could tell he didn’t know Daniel Kincaid had been
her
Danny.

“
Tell me how the name of the playground came about.” She moved over to the end of the old sliding board and sat down, frowning when it bowed under her weight. She liked the idea of naming the playground after Danny. In truth, it made sense and would be a fitting tribute to him since he’d always been a kid at heart. He’d barely been more than a kid when he was murdered. How ironic Danny would remain forever young while she felt like she’d aged two decades in the last five years alone.

“
Last week, I got a call from the town treasurer,” Jackson said. “An anonymous donor sent a check with the specific request the playground be named in honor of Daniel Kincaid.” Hesitating, he eyed her. “It’s a very generous amount of money…and it costs more than people think to build a state-of-the-art playground with new equipment that meets all the safety requirements.” Stopping, Jackson slapped his palm on his forehead and groaned. “For a guy who’s supposed to be fairly intelligent, I can be unbelievably clueless. This is definitely one of those times. I’m sorry. I have no excuses and I hope you can forgive me.”

“
It’s okay. There’s nothing to forgive. You couldn’t have known. So, you don’t have any idea as to identity of the donor?”

“
Only the town treasurer knows. How well do you know her?”

“
Everyone knows Dora,” Serenity said. “She’ll never crack. She’s loyal as anything, which is actually a very good thing. Dora will take the identity of the playground donor to her grave.” She looked up at him. “I think it’s time to tell you more about Danny.”

For the first time since she
’d met him, Jackson seemed uncertain. “Sure.”

“
Let’s go sit on the bench and hope it holds the weight of both of us.” Her attempt at humor didn’t seem to work since he still seemed bothered when he held out his hand and helped her to her feet.

“
Wait. Let me test it out first,” he said, putting his hand on her arm to stop her when she started to sit on the bench. A couple of seconds later, he gave her a nod.

“
Danny grew up in this neighborhood, too,” she said, sitting beside him. “He was a year ahead of me in school, and I knew him from the time we were in the same preschool.” Serenity’s eyes misted as she took in the rusty equipment, the leaning chain link fence, the broken swing. She pointed to one corner, overgrown with unruly weeds. “The sandbox was in the far right corner and we’d play there for hours. Danny learned early on not to throw sand in my face or dump it over my head.”

Shifting his position,
Jackson turned to face her. The wind sifted through his hair, and for a brief moment, she glimpsed the little boy he’d been once, sitting at the feet of his mother or a teacher, listening to a story.

“
Danny tried to kiss me under the finger painting table in preschool. Then in fourth grade, he caught me unaware in my classroom and kissed me behind the coat rack. That was my first kiss. He surprised me, and I was mad as anything. I retaliated by kicking him in the nose. Hard. I never knew a nose could bleed so much. The teacher demanded to know who’d
assaulted
Danny, and he had to go to the emergency room. I was scared to death I’d killed him and the police would storm into the school, put me in handcuffs and haul me away. On death row by the time I was nine. Not one of the kids told on me, but about an hour later, I finally couldn’t take the guilt and owned up to being the aggressor.”

She paused as she saw the corners of Jackson
’s mouth upturn. “Then when we were in middle school, he wanted to be cool and acted like he could barely tolerate me. He teased me and called me silly nicknames, but he usually walked me home when he didn’t have track and field  practice.” Serenity brushed aside a tear. “Danny wasn’t very good in math, and he told everyone he was only walking me home because he needed my tutoring skills.”

Jackson
smiled. “Why do I have the feeling that endeared him to you even more?”

“
You’re right. It did.” Not that she’d thought about it before. No wonder Jackson was a psychologist. Understanding the way people think was a gift, but perhaps some were born with more of an innate understanding of human behavior than others. “In high school, he turned his attentions to a few other girls. But when it came time for the school dances, Danny always came back to good old, reliable Serenity. We dated off and on, but pretty much exclusively his senior year. From that point on, it was pretty much a given that we’d marry.”

“
Was anyone ever arrested for his murder?”

“
No,” she said, shaking her head. “The police classified his death as a random act of violence. I’ve never believed it, but I can’t explain it and I have no way of proving otherwise. My heart tells me there was nothing random about his death.”

“Tell me why you think it might not have been random.”

“
Danny was smart in some ways, but when it came to human nature, he was too trusting and naïve. He always wanted to believe the best in people. I’m not saying that’s not a good way to live, but in his case, it might have gotten him killed. Unfortunately, we might never know.”

“
As exhibited by my ignorance a few minutes ago, I think being clueless is indigenous to the male species. Was there a formal investigation into his death?”

“
No,” she said, shaking her head. “Only a rudimentary one. No one ever pushed for it.” Her hands trembled and belied the calmness in her tone. “I thought my dad might try to find out more. There’s only one reason I can think of why he hasn’t.”

“
Because he’s afraid of what he might find.”

“
Exactly. The same as with my mom.” She blew out a breath and glanced over at him. “When there’s a missing person—especially for this long—there’s a good possibility there’s not going to be a good outcome.”

Jackson nodded.
“I talked to my brother and asked him to run your mother’s information through the system. Knowing Kyle, he forgot. If he doesn’t call me back by tomorrow, I’ll call him again and remind him.”

Serenity
’s heart raced. “Thanks. Call as soon as you hear anything?”

He helped her to her feet.
“So, you’re okay with the playground being named after Danny?”

She smiled.
“Once I recovered from the initial shock, I think it’s a great idea. Danny would have loved it, too. I only wish Liam could play here one day.”

“
Do you think about Liam a lot?”

“
Yes, but not as much as I used to. I’m not sure if that makes me a horrible mother or if it’s a natural part of the grieving process.”

Jackson took her hand and covered it with his.
“You’ll have other children someday, Serenity. I realize no one can take the place of Liam, but each child will be special to you, a part of you and settled in your heart.”

She nodded, unable to speak, touched by his sweet sentiment. After losing both Danny and Liam, she hadn
’t entertained thoughts of remarrying or having more children. Jackson was the first man she’d even considered
dating
much less anything else. Did he look at her as a potential wife? No, how could that be possible with all her emotional baggage?

“
Jackson, you know everything about my life, but I know very little about yours,” she said as they reached her office.

“
You didn’t ask.”

When she started to turn away, he touched her arm.
“I understand, Serenity. Like I said before, you’ve concentrated on taking care of yourself for so long, you’ve erected walls. It’s not selfishness, it’s self-protection, pure and simple. It takes time to build up those walls, so it’ll take time to bring them tumbling down.”

“
Like the walls of Jericho?” She gave him a small smile. “Still, you don’t have to sound so clinical about it.”

His chuckle was low in his throat.
“Sorry, I’m afraid it’s instinctive.”

“
Problem is, you’re right.” She glanced up at him. “Forgive me?”

“
For what?” He seemed genuinely puzzled. “Have lunch with me tomorrow and I’ll tell you everything you want to know about my family. Anything. Feel free to bring Clinton.”

“
The nurse’ll be with him tomorrow and I’ve already stocked his fridge,” she said. “I’d love to have lunch with you.”

As he waved and headed in the opposite direction, back to his office,
Serenity realized how much she’d come to enjoy his companionship, his friendship...and the incredible smile that reached deep into her heart and grabbed hold with a silent promise to never let go.