The Comeback Girl (6 page)

His question obviously surprised her. Ducking her head shyly, she walked to the desk and made some kind of notation. “My sisters did, but I think they liked the idea of your taking care of me. I’m pretty sure they thought I was a screwup. And you could definitely do no wrong.”

He snorted softly. “Guess I fooled them—and everyone else.” He’d played the role expected of him, from man of the house after his father died, to class president and standout quarterback. He’d fol
lowed all the rules, but Donnie knew that beneath that all-American exterior beat the heart of a rebel. Which might explain why he’d always hated Tyler Harrison. Whose long hair, motorcycle and James Dean attitude had seemed to mock the fundamental tenets of Donnie’s life.

College had afforded him a chance to test his wings, and he’d distanced himself from Kristin, with her girl-next-door sweetness, afraid she might hold him back. But when he’d found her with Ty, something had snapped. Instead of a prince, Donnie had turned into a frog. A rabid frog.

Shaking the absurd image from his head, Donnie changed the topic.

“How’s your business doing?” he asked.

“It could be better, but I’m counting on some word-of-mouth advertising. You know gossip is the lifeblood of Gold Creek.”

He smiled. “True, but have you forgotten what a conservative town this is?”

“I was hoping that progress and the Internet would have softened the citizens up. A little, at least. Are you telling me enlightenment hasn’t reached Gold Creek yet?”

Donnie laughed. “We’ve had two elections since you last lived here, and Magnus Brown won landslide victories in both. I swear each year we get less progressive. At this rate, we’ll be pushing our patrol cars Fred Flintstone–style in a couple of years.”

She cocked her head. “Why don’t you run for office? You’re the golden boy.”

“I actually did consider it, but then 9/11 happened. The world changed, and I wanted to do more.”

“I think you’ll make a terrific marshal,” she said. Her smile made his heart beat faster.

He tried not to notice the way the fabric of her shin-length pants hugged her hips when she leaned down to straighten the papers on her desk.

Kristin glanced up and caught him looking. He turned his head and faked a yawn. “I’d better get going.”

“Pain from your back keeping you awake?” she asked. “Or is it your child-care situation?”

“The latter,” he replied.

She took a deep breath. “Do you have a minute? I’d like to talk to you about that. Maybe I can help. And you can help me.”

She sat on the sofa and studied him. He could tell by the serious look on her face she wasn’t looking forward to broaching the subject.

“Obviously, we’ll have to figure out the specifics, but it occurred to me that we might be the answer to each other’s problems,” she said, twisting her hands nervously. “You need someone to look after Lucas while you’re in training, and I need to present the best, most stable appearance possible when Tyler takes me to court.”

Before he could respond, she added, “I have a spare bedroom. Lucas could stay with me while you’re gone.”

Move Lucas out of the only home he’d ever
known while both his parents ran off to pursue their own agendas? That was an option Donnie was reluctant to consider.

“I’m in the process of looking for someone to move into my house,” he said. “A house-sitter—and someone who would take care of Lucas.” “Find a housekeeper slash nanny” had been Sandy’s suggestion when he’d tried again to get her to stick to their original plan.

“Would you consider the job?” he asked.

“My moving into your house will have the whole town talking,” Kris said softly. “It won’t help me look stable and responsible.”

An idea struck him. It raced through his mind with the same titillating charge he felt when he discovered the missing link in a crime he was trying to solve.

No. Ridiculous. Talk about jumping from the frying pan into the fire.

She needs stability, the illusion of permanence.
I could give her that—who’s more entrenched than me?

And who better than a loving mother with nearly eleven years’ experience to care for his son? He opened his mouth then closed it so hard his teeth clicked.
Don’t be an idiot, Grimaldo. Keep your mouth shut. Don’t say a word…

“What if we got married?”

D
ONNIE HELD HIS BREATH
as he waited for Kristin’s answer to his absurd proposal.

She looked shell-shocked. “What did you say?”

Donnie felt a rush of anticipation. “I said we could get married.”

“That’s what I thought, but you can’t be serious.”

His brain shifted into high speed. “Why not? It wouldn’t be your traditional happily-ever-after thing, because we’d go into it smart. Each with specific goals and realistic expectations. A year or two ought to get us past this crisis point.”

Kris’s mouth kept opening and closing as though she wanted to speak but couldn’t. Her eyes were big, and she appeared on the verge of tears.

Donnie could have kicked himself. He reached out to touch her arm. “I’m sorry, Kris. You’re right. It’s a dumb idea.”

She blinked rapidly. “You just took me by surprise.” Her voice was thready, and she cleared her throat before adding, “I didn’t know there were men like you left in this world. You’d actually sac
rifice your freedom to provide a stable home for your son?”

“I wish that were true, Kris. I’d really like to be the hero here. But, truthfully, this is all about me. My dreams. My goals. It’s pure selfishness.”

“Don’t be so hard on yourself. We’re all selfish at times. Look at me. I dragged my son from town to town. That’s not exactly something I’m proud of, you know.”

“The fact that you’ve moved around quite a bit doesn’t make you a bad mother. I’ve seen you with Zach. You’re patient and kind, and he knows you love him no matter what kind of jerk he’s being at the moment.”

Before she could say anything else, he added, “Lucas would be lucky to have you in his life, Kris.”

She cocked her head so earnestly his heart twisted in his chest. “You really think I’m a good parent?”

He nodded. “Of course. You were the first person I thought of asking to be my housekeeper, but I knew that wouldn’t be fair to you. I couldn’t afford to pay you what you’d deserve, and you’re right—people would gossip. But if we got married, you and Zach would be on my insurance. And my house is paid for, so you wouldn’t have any rent. And you could use my car.” He felt embarrassed listing the mundane, practical advantages. They were hardly reasons for marriage.
Forget love, what about the car payment?

Kristin took a deep breath, which caused her bosom to press against the thin material of her tank top. Donnie looked away. This was business; he wasn’t going to let hormones play a factor.

“I don’t know, Donnie. A part of me wants to throw caution to the wind and say yes, but I have a reputation for making impulsive decisions. I’ve spent the past ten years trying to overcome that image. What would people think if we suddenly got married?”

“The ones who know our history—which, in this town, is just about everybody—would probably think we were back in love.”

“But we’re not.”

Love. Donnie had no intention of going down that road again. Twice was enough. “My dad used to say that a scalded cat fears even cold water,” Donnie said. “So this will be purely a business arrangement. We could sign some kind of prenuptial agreement that states we take away exactly what we brought into the marriage—no more, no less. Although I’d throw in half the proceeds from the sale of the house into the settlement.”

“You’re selling your house?”

“Air marshals are based in large cities because they’re on call a lot of the time. That’s why I agreed to let Lucas move to Los Angeles and live with his mother this fall. I’d hoped to move there, too, after my training.”

“But now?”

He shrugged. “Obviously, I can’t count on
Sandy’s help. So, what I’d like to do is keep Lucas in school here while I’m in training, and then sell the house once I have a permanent station.

“Or, if I’m based on the West Coast, I could commute until he starts high school and make a move then.”

“What about your mother? Won’t she want to return once your aunt is better?”

He sighed. “We had a long talk last night. She was honest with me—and with herself—for the first time. She loves Lucas and she’s glad that she was here for me when I needed her, but she’d like to travel more. Maybe even date again. I told her it was about time, and we both think she’d be happier in Texas.”

He looked down. He didn’t want her to see how much it embarrassed him to have to admit this. “She already raised her family, Kris. Lucas is my responsibility, not hers.”

“Do you have any idea where you’d be stationed?” she asked a minute later.

He shook his head. “No, but San Francisco is only five hours away. If I could get SFO or Oakland, I’d have it made. Then,” he continued, “if you and Lucas and Zach got along, we might be able to put off moving until both boys are done with school. Assuming you wanted to hang around that long.”

Kristin looked up sharply. “I’m through moving, Donnie. This is it. I hope to buy a house, put down roots.”

“I’ll sell you my house, Kris. By the time I’m stationed, your business will be established and you won’t have any trouble qualifying for a loan.”

Both were silent for a few minutes, then Kristin said, “I don’t know what to say. Marriage is a big deal, Donnie. It’s legal.”

“It’s only a big deal if we make it one,” he told her, knowing even as he spoke that wasn’t entirely true. He’d taken his first marriage very seriously, which was one reason it had hurt so damn much when it ended. “This is a marriage of convenience, Kris. Yes, it’s another move on your record, but marriage to a well-established deputy sheriff would look good to the court.

“And, for once, our history works in our favor—the diehard romantics were probably expecting us to get back together all along. Nobody but the two of us has to know that you’re sleeping in my mother’s quarters, not my bed.”

Something in her face changed, he couldn’t tell what.

“Unfortunately, that’s a problem, Donnie.”

He didn’t understand. He’d assumed she’d be thrilled to know that he didn’t want a physical relationship with her. “Pardon?”

“I came back to Gold Creek to unburden myself—not to start a new lie.”

Her honesty humbled him, but he’d learned the hollowness of living life to please other people. He decided to be blunt. “Here’s the deal, Kris. You’re a beautiful woman. It would be damn easy to move
you into my house…and into my bed. But that wouldn’t be fair to you. I tried marriage once and was flat-out miserable.”

He let out a sigh of frustration. “I can give you my home, my car, my name—even my child, but not me. So, if you choose to do this, you need to know there’s no happily-ever-after. I just don’t have that in me.”

Kris’s blue eyes were serious and reflective, an expression he couldn’t recall seeing. There was something else—a look that told him she, too, didn’t harbor any illusions about love.

“It’s up to you whether we keep this between us or tell the world, Kris. All that matters to me is that my son is being cared for in a safe and loving environment.”

She was silent for a minute. Then she held out her hand as if to shake on their agreement. “I’ll agree to marry you on one condition—our sons have to approve.”

Z
ACH DIDN’T RECOGNIZE
the car pulling into the driveway behind him, but it didn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out who was driving it. That cop. The one who used to date his mom. Her old friend from high school. Was he going to be her new boyfriend? Probably. Maybe he was the real reason they’d moved to Gold Creek. Zach was beginning to believe his father was just make-believe, since he hadn’t seen the man or heard from him.

Sarge left Zach’s side and trotted across the grass
to check out the vehicle. His hackles were raised until the driver’s-side door opened and a man stepped out. “Hey, Sarge. How ya doing, buddy?”

The old dog jumped up, his big paws landing squarely on the guy’s chest.

“Down,” his mother said sharply. She pushed Sarge away.

Zach rushed to his dog’s defense. “He’s only being friendly. Isn’t that what you want? For us to be more friendly?”

He dropped to one knee and hauled the animal against him. The bloodhound slobbered across Zach’s arm then licked his face. Sarge was Zach’s only companion, mostly by choice. Zach simply hadn’t bothered to try and make new friends.

His first week at Gold Creek Middle School had been pretty much what he’d expected. He just hadn’t decided yet whether or not he was going to make the effort to fit in. Part of his decision would depend on what happened with his father—the jerk-wad who hadn’t even bothered to show up.

“Sorry,” the cop said. “Your mom thinks my back is messed up. I’ve told her it’s fine, but she doesn’t believe me.”

Zach eyed the two. Something was going down. He’d seen his mom hundreds of time with clients, and she never looked this way. Sorta embarrassed and edgy.

He stood up and started toward the house, Sarge at his side.

“Zach, honey, I need to talk to you.”

Oh, great, here it comes.
Zach knew whatever it was, he wasn’t going to like it, so he pretended not to hear her. He unlocked the door and stepped inside.

“Zach.”

“I got homework,” he said, shrugging off her hand.

“Sweetie, please. This is important.”

“Not to me. Can’t be to me—’cause you don’t care about what’s important to
me.
”

She made a sad sound that squeezed his gut. He didn’t like hurting her, but sometimes he couldn’t help himself.

“Actually, this is something that concerns you,” the cop said. “But you need to stop feeling sorry for yourself long enough to listen.”

Zach swung around in shock. Nobody talked to him like that. Nobody had the right. Before he could decide what to do, his mother stepped between them. “Inside! Right this minute.”

Zach knew that tone. She didn’t use it often, but it meant he wouldn’t get a moment’s peace unless he did as she asked. He turned on his heel and strolled into the living room. This wasn’t his home. It was just the place he was living
now.
His home was in Oregon.

His mother directed the cop to a chair by the fireplace then she took Zach’s hand and led him to the sofa. She sat down beside him but let go of his hand. Thank God. Just what he needed—to look
like some kind of mama’s boy in front of his mother’s ex-boyfriend.

“What?” he asked. Even to his ears, the word sounded like a snarl.

He kept his eyes on his shoes, but he felt the adults look at each other. Something told him this was serious.

He looked up and caught them—the cop scowling, his mom shaking her head. “Just freakin’ tell me,” he shouted.

“Donnie needs our help. He needs someone to watch after his son. Lucas is a year younger—”

The cop interrupted. “He’s in fifth grade.”

Like I give a sh—

“I…we…”

“I asked your mother to marry me, Zach. And she’s given me a provisional yes, depending on what you and Lucas think of the idea.”

Zach heard a funny ringing in his ears that made the words coming from the man’s lips sound funny. He thought he caught something about marriage. “Marry my mother?” he said, trying to make sense of it. No way. That couldn’t be what he’d heard.

He looked at her. She was pretty. She wasn’t real old, like some of the moms he knew, but…

“No.” He jumped to his feet without intending to. “You can’t.”

“Sit down, Zach. Let us explain,” she said, reaching out for his hand.

“No. Forget it. If you marry this guy, I’ll ask the judge to let me live with my dad. And if he doesn’t
want me, I’ll move to Chicago and live with Moira.”
Because if you marry this guy, you won’t be around when my real dad comes. We’ll never have a chance to be a family.

He saw the shock and hurt and fear on his mother’s face. As he turned to leave, he glanced at the cop. There was a hint of a smile on his lips, as if he’d known exactly what Zach was going to say. As if he
knew
what Zach was thinking. But that couldn’t be, because Zach had never told anyone about his secret wish.

He started away, but the cop said in a soft, even voice, “Zach, this would be temporary. If your father comes back and wants her, I won’t stand in his way.”

His mother made a gasping sound, as if she’d just choked on a cherry pit. “Oh, sweetheart, is that what you’re thinking? That Tyler and I…” Her eyes were sad and she blinked hard. “Oh, Zach, no. I’m sorry, but no. That’s never going to happen. Your father and I weren’t meant to be together like that.”

“How do you know?” Zach cried, wishing he could stop himself. “You’d marry this guy, but you won’t even give my dad a chance?”

His voice sounded high and squeaky. Sarge lifted his head and looked at him with concern.

“It’s not the same, Zach.”

The cop sat forward, his elbows on his knees. “Zach, your mother and I are proposing a business arrangement. I could hire her to be my housekeeper
and look after Lucas, but there are benefits to marriage. For one, you would both be covered by my health insurance, and secondly, she would have my name and support when she goes to court to discuss your custody. I won’t actually be living with you much of the time because I’ve taken a job that requires me to travel a lot. You and your mother would move into my house and she’d watch after Lucas.”

“We’d have to move?”

“Yes. I have a big house at the edge of town. Sarge would feel right at home. My mother lives with us now, but she has to go to Texas to take care of my aunt.”

“Zach, we’ve known from the start Jenny’s house was only temporary,” his mother said. “If someone buys it, we’d have to look for another place to live, anyway.”

She looked down and said in a soft voice, “In all honesty, this isn’t just us doing a big favor for Donnie. He’d be helping me, too. Like he said, we wouldn’t have to pay rent and we’d have medical insurance.”

Zach frowned. He knew they didn’t have much money. He always hated it when his mom looked sad because she couldn’t buy him the things he wanted. He suddenly regretted having said he’d go to live with his father.

“What about…you know. My dad? What would he think?”

“I don’t know, Zach,” his mother said. Her tone
was tired—the way she used to sound when she was working so hard in Ashland. Some nights she’d fall asleep with her clothes on. “Ty and I haven’t talked. But I’ll call my lawyer in the morning and see if we can set up a meeting.”