Tempting Fate (25 page)

Devin never preferred the former. Being equally matched in and out of the courtroom always kept him on his toes. It wasn’t that way with many of the other attorney’s he knew, who opted for the easy way out. He tried hard to squash his gut feeling. Cara was dating a wimp.

“You look like you two are off for a run,” Roger commented, looking at Cara’s attire and pulling at the braid dangling down her back.

“Would you like to join us?” Devin asked. He couldn’t help himself. A little healthy competition was good for everyone and he couldn’t wait to see just was Roger was made of.

“Sure.”

Cara did a double take, as if she hadn’t heard him right. “But you’ve never gone running with me before.”

“There’s a first time for everything.”

Cara smiled her pleasure. Clearly the simple gesture meant a lot to her and had Devin wondering more and more about this strange match.

“I’ll just get my bags and change.” Looking at Cara and Ruthie he added, “Where?”

“Why don’t you take your bags up to Manny’s old room. You’ll have plenty of room in there.”

Cara swung around to her mother. “That’s not necessary. He can stay in my room with me. It’s big enough for the two of us.”

“Cara, I’m surprised at you. How would it look to your grandmother to have a man staying in your room? And you’re not even married.” Devin and Cara’s eyes met. Amusement danced in her eyes and he wanted to laugh wondering how Ruthie would react to hearing about Elsie’s attempt yesterday to turn a public beach into a nude beach.

This was going to be good, he thought, crossing his arms across his chest. It was worth coming to Massachusetts if only to see how this triangle would play out.

“Besides you only have a full-sized bed in your room. It’s much too small for the both of you.”

“I don’t-” she started to say, but Roger held her back.

He blinked hard as if he were trying to hold back his own retort. Cara clenched her fists at her side.

“Manny’s room is great,” Roger conceded. Then turning to Cara, he added, “I’ll just change and meet you down here.”

Cara nodded and folded her hands across her chest.

“I have to write up a list for your father to take to the hardware store today,” Ruthie said before disappearing in the house behind Roger.

When they were alone on the walkway, Devin asked, “I thought you said your father was at the hardware store yesterday.”

“He was.”

“Then why is he going again today?”

“He only goes to watch the Red Sox game and to talk to Jerry, the owner.”

That may have been perfectly clear to her, but to him, it made absolutely no sense.

As if Cara had read his mind, she added. “Ma doesn’t let Dad watch sports in the house anymore. She got sick of hearing him scream and yell when someone made a bad play.”

“So he goes to the hardware store to see the game?”

“Right. That way, Ma doesn’t have to listen to him scream, Dad gets to watch the game with Jerry, and while he’s there he picks up things he needs to fix the house.”

“So everyone is happy.”

She laughed that wonderful rich laugh and he knew he’d have come here for that reason alone. “You are the only person I know whose head doesn’t spin when I talk about my family.”

“Not like Roger, I gather.”

Cocking her head to one side, she said, “You’ve been talking to my mother.”

He shrugged. “She’s concerned. You want to tell me your side?”

Cara rolled her head, then pulled her sweatband on her forehead. “There isn’t enough time in a lifetime to tell you how my mother feels about Roger.”

* * *

It was an odd feeling, watching Cara and Roger together as they ran along the sand. Devin had never considered himself a jealous man. There’d really never been a woman who'd made him care one way or the other. Indifference, that's what it was all about to him back in Manhattan. Women were merely a physical outlet for releasing pent-up frustration from the everyday grind. He made no promises and had no regrets.

He'd never been sexist enough to think a woman couldn't stand her own ground in a court of law. He even admired those who'd sometimes use their feminine wiles to their advantage while trying a case. It was only strategy and those same women knew when to back off. After all, every attorney had their strengths and weaknesses and they all played for the same prize. The win. Fortunately for him, he did most of the winning.

But now, he had to admit to being a bit green.

As they rounded the grassy bend for Gooseberry Point, Cara panted, “Race you to the watchtower, Michaels.”

“Is that a challenge?”

“You bet.”

He jogged in place and waited for Roger to catch up. When he did, Roger doubled over and rested his hands on his knees, his breathing just short of a wheeze.

“What do you say, Rog. Are you up for it?”

Roger tossed his head back and forth.

Cara stopped jogging, a note of concern etched her expression. “Maybe this wasn't a good idea. We could try walking for a while.”

“No, no, you guys...go ahead. I'll catch up...with you.”

She cast a questioning glance at Devin. “I don't know.”

“Trying to get out of it already?” Devin teased.

She eyed Devin devilishly and laughed. “You'd better hope you win.”

“Lady, I play to win.”

Leaving Roger behind, they sprinted full force along the causeway leading to the Gooseberry point watchtower. Although Devin had the advantage of longer legs and wider strides, he admired how Cara rose to the challenge and kept right up alongside him.

As they reached the tower, he saw how the morning sun hitting the side of the gray stone tower made the shiny green ivy growing along the edge glisten. He avoided the rest of the greenery by staying on the walking path, although running through it would have given him the advantage.

Cara sprinted through the first floor door first and ran up the center of the stairway, their footsteps echoing off the surrounding walls, with Devin just a step behind. The cooler air inside the stone watchtower was inviting and bathed him with each stride higher until he reached the top.

“Beat you,” she panted, gripping the outer rail of the landing. She walked in circles, feathering back the wayward curls that had fallen loose from her braid.

Watching her do this brought Devin the most incredible urge to reach out and do it himself.

“You cheated,” he said, following her lead and walking in circles to keep his muscles from stiffening.

“Did not. You're a sore loser.”

“You're right, but you still cheated.”

“How?” she said, raising her arms up and then dropping them to her sides.

He leaned against the rail, looking out at the ocean, trying to catch his breath. “I held the door open for you.”

She shot him a side long glance. “So you lost on the side of chivalry? I don’t think so.”

He laughed.

“Besides, it was a piece of plywood, and all I did was seize the moment. You would’ve done the same thing.”

“True enough. So what do I owe you for the win?”

She waved him off. “We didn't bet anything.”

He pulled off the sweatband on his head. “So we'll bet now.”

She thought about it a minute until her expression lit up. “The Portuguese Festival is in a few days. It would be a miracle to get Roger to go. He hates those things.”

He frowned. “You mean, just the two of us? Wouldn't Roger be jealous of you spending the evening with another man?”

She sputtered. “Roger doesn't have a jealous bone in his body. He'd probably be relieved I wasn't nagging him to go. You saw the pile of paperwork he brought with him, didn't you?”

Devin eyed her. “What's with you two?”

She didn't say anything for a minute and looked out into the bay, clearly uncomfortable with discussing her personal affairs. He didn't like that. But then he had to remind himself that seventeen years lay dormant between them. She had a new best friend to share her hopes and dreams with.

And it wasn't him.

“Roger is a very kind person. We never argue. He's stable and predictable, and everything a woman would look for in a husband, really.”

“Except you.”

She sighed, closing her and chuckling wryly. “I should want to marry him, shouldn't I?”

“Not necessarily. Some people just don't want marriage and family. You never did.”

She shook her head. “That's not it, Dev. I should want to marry a man like Roger. He's hard working, considerate, and faithful. It's not like he's asked or anything. In fact, I don't think he'd ever consider it. And to be quite honest, I think that's part of the attraction.”

“Then what is it?”

“God, I hate to admit this.”

“Come on. It can’t be that bad. Just blurt it out. It’s just you and me here.” A warm smile lit up her face and his breath caught in his throat.

“Have you ever looked at your life and thought, yeah, I have everything I ever wanted. I've reached all my goals.”

He nodded.

“But I want more. Life is changing. Everything around me is changing.” Her hands flew to her face as if she was trying to hide. “And now my biological clock is out of control.”

His eyes widened. “A baby? You want a baby?”

When she pulled her hands away, he saw the unmistakable color that stained her cheeks. She was blushing as if she were almost embarrassed to admit it. Embarrassed!

“Not just a baby. I want a family of my own.”

“You always said you never wanted kids.”

“I know. Think how shocking this is for me to suddenly be getting the urges my mother has been hoping for.”

She was laughing now and he couldn't help but laugh himself.

He thought about Cara as a mother. Yeah, he could see it, although until that moment he'd never thought of her as the motherly type. She'd always focused so much on her goals when they were kids that it hadn't occurred to him to look past that.

“I've achieved every goal I've ever set for myself. I keep thinking, I've got a great life, a solid career, a wonderful condo and lots of friends.” She reached around herself and hugged her middle. “But then my arms feel empty and every time I take a good look at what I have, I wonder if that is what I really want. Maybe I'm missing out on the best part of life. I believe that's family.”

“And Roger doesn't want that?”

She blew out a quick breath. “We've never talked about it.”

“Maybe you should be talking with him about this, instead of me.”

She lowered her voice as if she were confessing some deep secret meant only for him to hear. “I don't know.”

“If he's not all that keen on the idea you could always have a baby by yourself.”

“Oooh, what you just said,” she said, crinkling her nose as if she smelled something foul.

He hunched his shoulders. “What did I say?”

“Look at my family and think about how that won't work.” She splayed her fingers and began counting on them. “For one, my brother is a priest. For two, my mother will never let me hear the end of it no matter how much she wants grandchildren. And three,” her face softened and her voice lowered, “I don't think that it's fair to expect a child to grow up without a father. Not if I can help it.”

She had a point. More and more studies indicated the need for children to have an active father figure in their lives. He knew firsthand how hard it could be for a kid without a dad. He had a father, but he was never around until it was too late. If Cara was seriously considering having a baby, she’d go the whole route and make sure her child had everything he or she needed in life. Including a full family with hands on mom and dad.

“I've focused so long on myself and my career that I just don't know if I can do it. And certainly not alone. Sometimes I think I'm too selfish to be a mother.”

Devin shook his head at the absurdity. “You’re wrong.” How could she think such a thing?

“Am I? As you’ve discovered, I'm not a morning person. What if I get angry if the baby wakes me up? What kind of mother does that to her kids?” She sat on the concrete steps leading down and leaned forward, propping her elbows on her knees. “I don't want to bring a baby into my life only to discover it's too late for me to switch channels.”

He watched her drawn expression. Clearly this was an issue she’d given some serious thought to and now felt she was at a crossroads.

“It's never too late if it's what's really in your heart. You never know, it may be easier to talk to Roger about this than you think.”

She gazed up at him and sighed. “I don't know. It's just so different with you, Devin. I mean it. It's actually easy to talk with you about whatever crazy feelings I have, knowing you're never going to judge me. Like with my family. I don’t have to spend my time defending them. You just laugh and accept them. No questions. You have no idea what a relief it is for me.”

He knew what she meant. With Cara, it was welcoming not to have to measure every word or watch his back. It had been a long time since Devin had been able to let down his guard and truly be himself. “I think I have a good idea.”

She stood up and walked toward him. The morning sun sparkled in her eyes. Devin hated the way he felt at that moment. All he could think about was pulling her into his arms and holding her until she smiled. The thought of having her in his arms warmed his heart and spread outwards. But this wasn't seventeen years ago when he had the freedom to act on his impulses with Cara.

He cleared his throat in an effort to clear his thoughts. “We'd better see if Roger made it yet.”

Cara leaned over the railing of the tower and looked down at the ground below. Devin followed her to the rail and did the same. Below, they found Roger propped up against a lone tree surrounded by a shiny patch of green. His legs were crossed at the ankles and his hands were clasped behind his neck, buried in the shiny green vines crawling up the tree. The smile on his face was almost heartbreaking.

“Roger!” she yelled down.

Roger opened his eyes and waved up at them.

“What are you doing?”

“Just enjoying the morning sun,” he called back.

He looked so content, and Cara so shocked, that Devin didn't know whether to laugh or feel bad for the guy. He was obviously clueless about his current position.