Final Strike, page 4
“This is Ralph Pederson. I’m your father’s lawyer.” He had that serious cold-hearted voice. This guy and her father were probably besties. If he had a bestie. It was probably more like they drank scotch and counted their money together. “I wanted to see if you received the contract from your father?”
Contract. He said it so nonchalantly. Like she would willingly sign over her parental rights. Casually give away her flesh and blood.
“I’ve received the contract.”
“Good. Have you signed it?”
“No.” There was no point dragging this out. “I’m not going to sign it.”
“May I ask why?” He actually sounded confused.
His confusion confused her. “No.” She wasn’t playing any more of these games.
“This is a good opportunity for your son.”
“Yes, Cody is my son. And I will decide which opportunities are appropriate.” Julie held the phone so tight, she was surprised it didn’t crack.
“But—”
“This is not up for discussion. Please don’t call me again.” She slammed the phone down and dropped her head onto the desk, the open textbook cradling her face. Her heartbeat roared in her ears and she almost forgot she had an audience until he spoke up.
“Is everything okay with Cody?”
“He’s fine.” She didn’t want to get into specifics with him.
“That didn’t sound fine.”
Her head popped up from the desk, face heating. She didn’t care. This was her problem. Her son. He hadn’t been around enough to earn a vote. “It doesn’t matter how it sounded. I have everything under control for my son.”
“Our son.” Dale stepped back. “I just want to know if there’s anything I can do to help.”
The breath stuck in her lungs chose this moment to gush out. He sounded so sincere. He just wanted to help. And wasn’t that sweet? It wasn’t his fault her father was a control freak who thought she’d give up her son at the drop of a hat. Or for a quarter million dollars.
It wasn’t Dale’s fault her father didn’t love her the way a father should love a daughter. None of this was anyone else’s fault. And getting mad at him wasn’t the answer.
“I’m sorry. It’s been a rough day.” Well, it hadn’t been until she’d gotten that call. “That was my father’s lawyer. But it’s all taken care of. It’s done.” At least she hoped it was done. She said no, the money would go somewhere else and her life would move on. And her father would never have influence over her again. Either way, she wanted to leave it behind her. “Why are you in the office today?”
Dale smiled. He obviously didn’t mind the topic change. “I came in to see if there’s anything I can do. I want to get back into the swing of things. Is the office at the end still vacant?”
“Yes.” Julie smiled. “I’ll tell Allison you’re here when she gets back.”
“Thanks, Julie.” Dale reached across the desk and rested a hand on hers. “It will all be okay.”
“Thanks, Dale.” She smiled but she didn’t really feel it.
Logically, she knew things would be okay. Her father and his bullshit were behind her. His particular brand of crazy was gone. Logically, all of that made sense. But as a daughter, his disappointment still stung. She still felt his annoyance. She still heard his voice questioning her every move.
And it would take many hours of therapy to truly put all of that behind her.
Chapter Four
Ben opened the car door and got out. He wore a suit every damn day. So why the tie around his neck felt like a noose, he had no idea. This dinner with Julie was his chance to make everything right. He should be celebrating as he stepped out of his red Prius and clicked the locks. But instead of feeling excited, he felt like the lunch he hadn’t finished was about to revolt.
He’d sold most of his clothes when he took a year off to find himself. A year to figure out what he wanted in life. And somehow money wasn’t his driving force any longer. Italian suits and expensive shoes didn’t hold the allure they once did. But the Berluti loafers on his feet were so comfortable, he couldn’t give them up. It was the one thing he’d kept from his “before” lifestyle.
Up the long driveway was a garage, just behind the main house on Loraine’s property. Ben followed the winding path that started next to the garage, walking past the pool area until he was surrounded by trees.
He’d never been back here. Never had a need. He’d been to the main house to drop off plans or documentation for Loraine. But he’d never had the guts to come out back to the guest house and see Julie. Until tonight.
And his guts were still on full mutiny as the little house came into view.
It was cute. A white single-story cottage with brown trim and flower boxes hanging from the windows. That must have been Loraine’s doing. Julie’s thumb was almost a charcoal black, since she tended to kill anything with roots. Not that she didn’t try. When he’d bought his last house, she’d offered to take care of the plants along the front.
It was the offer that counted. Not the line of dead plants.
Enjoying the tranquility, he almost missed the bike tipped over on the walkway. Cody’s bike. God, Ben missed the little guy. He missed Cody almost as much as he missed Julie. Almost.
He knocked on the brown door. Silence. No movement in the house. No movement outside. Maybe she changed her mind. Maybe she’d never intended on going out with him. Maybe there was a zombie apocalypse he didn’t know about.
If there was an apocalypse, he had more problems than being stood up. Somehow that didn’t put the silence into perspective.
Julie smiled as she walked around the side of the house, dandelions spilling from her hands. “You’re early.”
He checked his watch. Shit. “I am early.”
“I haven’t had a chance to get ready.” Her short brown hair was clipped back and hung in wisps around her face. A small smudge of dirt lined her chin. Her cheeks pinked as he watched her.
“You’re beautiful.” And he meant it. She was.
She ran one hand over her hair and sighed. “I’m a mess. We were picking flowers.”
“I picked the most.” Cody ran around the house with his own ball of dandelions. He held open his hands as dandelion heads and stems fell to the ground. “Look how many I got.”
“Great job, little dude. Good thing I didn’t bring flowers. I don’t think I could compete.”
“You can have some of mine.” Cody shoved the flowers in his hand. Flower goo and dirt clung to Ben’s fingers as Cody abandoned his trove.
“Thanks.”
“Are you going to Grandma’s with me?” Cody bounced on his toes now that the heavy flowers weren’t holding him down. He kicked and spun. “I learned this from Donatello.”
“That’s awesome.” Ben used his free hand to attempt a karate chop—one that made contact with his face, bouncing his head backward. “Ouch.”
His ineptitude had the desired result, and Cody laughed. So did his mother.
“You’re doing it wrong,” Cody told him. “Do you want to watch Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles? They do it best.”
“I would love to, but I need to eat dinner.”
“You could eat dinner with me and Grandma.” Cody always had the answer. He was an amazingly sweet kid.
“I have plans, little man.”
“With who?”
Ben had no idea how to answer that. He wanted to shout from the rooftops that Julie agreed to have dinner with him. However, he didn’t think she’d like him announcing that to her son.
“Me, sweetheart. We’re going to dinner.” Julie jumped in, and Ben could admit the fact that she owned their date made his heart beat a little faster. The smile she threw his way made his pulse jump.
Cody’s lip quivered as he pouted. “Can I go?”
“It’s a work dinner.”
Ben didn’t want to be hurt by those words, but they delivered a knockout punch to his heart. Logically, he knew she was just trying to talk her son out of wanting to tag along. But that wasn’t the only reason she told Cody it was a work dinner, was it? She didn’t want Cody to know they were dating.
Made sense to protect him. But damn, did it hurt.
“Let’s go inside and get ready for Grandma’s.” She opened the front door and held it open for Cody and Ben. “Wash your hands!”
Cody disappeared around a corner that looked like it led down a hall. The inside of the house matched the outside. Warm and inviting. A light brown couch sat in the main living area, facing a tan stone fireplace with television hanging above it. Light filtered in through the multiple windows lined with off-white drapes. A cream rug sat in the center of the room. How that rug stayed cream with Cody running around, Ben had no idea.
The kitchen was small but opened to the living area. Pictures of her and Cody and a wooden Blessed sign created a homey vibe.
Water came on down the hall. Something clunked.
“Don’t mind the noise,” Julie said. “Cody’s washing his hands.”
Water splashed and sounds ricocheted down the hallway. Ben could see Cody in the bathroom, standing on a small stool and fighting with a Donatello soap dispenser. “Will your bathroom survive?”
“Probably not.” Julie came closer, so close Ben could smell her perfume—unless she naturally smelled like happiness and lavender. She shifted her focus down the hall. Her son flailed and water went everywhere. “Do you mind waiting a few minutes while I get ready?”
A few minutes? He’d been waiting months. A few minutes was nothing. “Not at all. Can I do anything to help while you get ready?”
“No. Have a seat. I’ll be right out.”
“Mom, I’m gonna bring your iPad?” Cody stood at the end of the hall, body angled to the right. His shirt was soaking wet and dark with dirt.
“Do not go in my room,” Julie called out.
Cody’s shoes slammed against the hardwood floor until he was back in the living area. “But I wanna take it to Grandma’s and show her the picture I colored for her.”
Julie sighed, but managed a smile. She always had a smile for her son. It was one of the things Ben loved about her. Just one.
“Of course, you can take it, but—” Her tone stopped Cody in his tracks. “I will get it from my room. I want you to pick out a shirt to wear tonight.”
“This one.” He tugged at the shirt he had on, adorned with nunchuck-wielding Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and the aforementioned mud.
“Pick one that’s not covered in dirt and water.”
“Fine.” He stomped back down the hall and turned to the left.
“He’ll probably come out before me. Are you okay sitting with him for a few minutes?”
He couldn’t control the look that came over his face. And he knew there was a look. She asked the questions like he hadn’t been around kids—that kid—most of the child’s young life. He’d practically helped raise the kid. A few minutes alone was nothing.
She dipped her head, her lips tipping up at the edges. “I’m sorry. That was a dumb question. I’ll be out in a few.” She walked out of the living room and down the hall, disappearing to the right. Ben distinctly heard a door close.
“I have to show you.” Cody ran back into the room, book pages flailing.
“That looks like an awesome book.” Ben sat on the couch and Cody climbed up next to him. His little body leaned against Ben’s chest. Blond curls wedged under Ben’s chin.
“This one’s my favorite.” Cody turned the page as Ben held the book. “You’re my friend.” Cody nuzzled closer and smiled.
Tears poked at the back of Ben’s eyes. “You’re my friend, too.” This kid. What was he doing? If this didn’t work out with Julie, she’d never let him near this kid again.
His heart broke just thinking about it.
Holy crap, what was she doing? Getting ready for a date. With Ben. Okay, Ben was the part that made her insides all squiggly and giggly. Ben was in her house. And from what she’d heard, he was probably reading a story to her son. Her ovaries might explode.
Through the sliding glass door that led from her bedroom to the back porch, Julie watched the sun disappearing. It would be a cool night. She could wear a dress, as long as she wore nylons or something to cover her legs.
She really didn’t have time for a shower. She needed to get hot-date-cute before Ben decided it wasn’t worth it and he ran away. She wrapped her hand around the knob to the closet door. Weird. She didn’t remember closing it this morning. Then again, she couldn’t remember what she had for breakfast.
Her cell phone vibrated on her nightstand. She’d left it there during their trip through nature. If she brought the phone with, Cody would beg to use it. If she accidentally left it back at the house—oops. Not really an oops. It was more fun to watch all the critters they’d found and pick the silly flowers. He’d been so excited, he actually forgot about touchscreens for a while.
None of that helped with her current predicament—what to wear for the man who got away and had been a total jerk but was now back looking hotter than ever and reading to her son, making her ovaries crackle. Was there an outfit for that? Hallmark probably made a card. Why didn’t The Gap make an ensemble? Maybe they did.
Her phone vibrated again. Darn it. She abandoned the closet and checked her phone. Allison.
Good luck.
Ride that man like a bologna pony. Git along little doggies!
Julie typed What? Good luck made sense, but bologna pony? Had Allison lost her mind? Julie knew her friend was Team Ben, but…
Another vibration. That was Brook. Ignore her. Good luck. You be you and have fun.
Ah, Allison’s sister, Brook. A lawyer and friend, who was completely devoid of a filter.
Makes sense. Thanks. Julie dropped the phone on her bed. Where was she? Ah, yes. She needed clothing. A complete overhaul. Julie opened a dresser drawer, pulling out a new pair of underwear. Sexy red getting-lucky underwear. Yeah? No. She tucked them back in the drawer. This wasn’t a date like that. It was a getting-to-know-you-again date.
If she wore that little sliver of satin, she’d be way too tempted to show them off. And she was tempted enough as it was. She still found Ben ridiculously hot. Which was an unfortunate thought as she took off her clothing alone in her room…with the ridiculously hot man down the hall.
She looked in the mirror at her naked body. She wasn’t a complete mess. She’d managed to stay out of the mud Cody had doused himself in. Thank goodness. A little bit of lotion and a nice dress and she’d clean up real nice.
Julie stepped into the stomach-holding, never-to-be-seen-by-anyone panties. Safety in granny-panties. After pulling, prodding, and briefly writhing on her bed to get the waistband over her hips, she was appropriately sardined and ready for an outfit.
She whipped open the door to her closet, and a black-hooded battering ram came at her. Her arms flailed. She grabbed for their arm, but her fingers slid off the black cotton jacket.
Down. Down she went. Whoever it was left the closet and moved toward the sliding glass door.
No. Julie grabbed the intruder’s left leg with one hand. Not enough. She clamped on with both hands, and her body banged against her dresser. Everything on top of her dresser fell to the floor. Bottles slapped against the wood and shattered. Her fabric jewelry box slammed into her shoulder. Julie flinched, and the intruder pulled away. She kicked her legs to get closer.
Yank. The body dropped to the floor with a groan. A deep groan.
The criminal’s right leg barely missed Julie’s face, skinning her neck. She pulled back as that right leg tried another pass. Dammit.
“Stop!” Julie gasped, struggling to roll her half-naked body over both legs and pin them down. The criminal’s shoe caught on the thigh-band of her Spanx. The bad guy jerked like a landed fish, and Julie finally angled her body over their legs, pushing them to the floor.
Another groan.
The bad guy wiggled. Julie held on. Her breathing erratic. Her heart beating out of her chest. “Why. Are. You. Here?”
Julie’s bedroom door vibrated with a knock. “Is everything okay in there?” Ben sounded concerned. He should be. Julie was holding down a bad guy. Not that he knew that.
She almost called out for help. She almost told Ben to come in.
“Mommy?” Soft knocks on the door. “Is everything ’kay?”
Dammit. She couldn’t let Ben in here. Not while Cody was in the house. There might be more intruders. There might be someone with a weapon.
“I’m fine. Ben, please take Cody to his grandma’s and call the police.”
“Are you sure you’re okay?”
“Please get him out of here.” She tried to hide her groan, but she had to keep the bad guy here, at least until Ben could get help.
“I’ll be back in a minute.” Ben must have heard the strain in the words, and she appreciated that he was trying to hide it from Cody. Thank goodness. “Let’s go see Grandma, buddy.”
As soon as she heard the front door close, Julie asked the squirming mess on the floor, “Who are you?”
The person underneath her surged, and made it halfway to their feet. There was no way Julie could hold on to them. Legs scrabbling, Julie launched herself at the intruder. Stars danced in her eyes when a foot banged the side of her head.
The intruder threw open the sliding glass door and ran out. Julie’s bedroom door flew open, and Ben followed the black blur as it disappeared between the trees.
Julie tried to stand and fell back on her butt. Head spinning. She touched her temple and stared at her bloody fingers.
She crawled to the bed and picked up the phone. Cody.
She needed to talk to Cody. She hit Loraine’s picture and waited as the ringback tone chirped in her ear. Long rings that went on forever and ever, never-ending and low.
Please answer. Please answer.
This had to be the longest call in the history of calls and no one had even answered on the other line yet. She got to her knees, head spinning. Cody. She needed to hear his voice. She needed to know he was okay.
