Читать книгу Happy Mother's Day: Ready for Romance / Ready for Marriage - Debbie Macomber - Страница 10

Jessica got to work early the following morning, hoping to have an opportunity to thank Damian again for dinner and more importantly to let him know how much she’d enjoyed the evening. But when she passed his office, the door was closed and his personal assistant was searching urgently through a file drawer. It didn’t look like the time to pop in unannounced.

Not surprisingly, Evan was nowhere to be seen. Mrs. Sterling arrived ten minutes after Jessica, greeting her with a small approving smile, and set about sorting the mail.

Jessica spent the first part of the morning organizing the material she’d researched the day before and typing up her notes. That way, Evan wouldn’t be forced to waste time deciphering her hasty scrawl.

She’d just completed printing out the results when a breathless Evan entered the office. From the look of him, he’d raced all the way up from the parking garage. Briefcase in hand, he marched up to her desk.

“Do you have those notes ready?” he asked, reaching for the file before Jessica had a chance to present it. She stood up, intending to discuss a few points with him, but he brushed past her and hurried into his office without a word. She would have followed him, but he closed the door.

Jessica was taken aback; unsure of what to do, she turned to Mrs. Sterling. The personal assistant sighed and shrugged. “Working for Mr. Dryden can be a real trial,” she muttered, then grinned and added, “No pun intended.”

As Mrs. Sterling chuckled at her own little joke, Evan reappeared, looking composed and confident. He’d removed his raincoat and was leafing casually through the file. He glanced over at Jessica and his face relaxed in a broad smile.

“You’re an angel,” he said, kissing her cheek as he walked past. Jessica had seen him kiss Mrs. Sterling in the same affectionate manner.

“I’ll be in a meeting with Damian this morning,” Evan announced on his way out the door.

As the morning went on, Jessica found herself wondering exactly what her role in the office was. Although Evan had recently been assigned the Earl Kress case, his work load had been light during the past few months. Now that she’d finished the research, there was barely enough to keep her busy.

From various bits and pieces she’d heard, Jessica gathered that Evan’s interest in corporate law had waned. Surely Damian hadn’t hired her expecting miracles! Since he was so closemouthed about Evan’s troubles, Jessica wondered if Mrs. Sterling could fill in some details. She didn’t want to be obvious about asking, which could prove tricky since the woman was so clearly devoted to her employer.

“That Evan’s a real charmer, isn’t he?” Jessica began conversationally.

“He always could charm the birds right out the trees,” Mrs. Sterling answered proudly.

“He’s different now from the way I remember him. More … intense.”

Evan’s personal assistant nodded and muttered, “I’d like to shoot that woman.”

Jessica’s heart leapt with excitement. “What woman?” she asked, trying to hide her eagerness. She was about to learn what had happened to change Evan so drastically from the man she’d known.

Mrs. Sterling glanced up, as if surprised that Jessica had heard her mumbling. “Oh … it’s nothing.”

“But it must be something. Evan isn’t anything like he was a few years back. Oh, he’s charming and sweet, but there’s an edge to him now. A sharpness, I guess. Something I can’t put my finger on.” She looked expectantly at the other woman.

“That’s true enough,” Mrs. Sterling reluctantly conceded.

“You say a woman’s responsible for the changes in Evan?”

“Isn’t it always a woman?”

“What happened?” Might as well try a more direct approach, Jessica thought. Tact wasn’t getting her anywhere.

“It’s a pity, a real pity.”

“Yes, Evan just isn’t the same,” Jessica said again, hoping to encourage the other woman to continue.

“It shouldn’t come as any surprise, really. Yet it does, Mr. Dryden being the charmer he is. Plain and simple, he fell in love with someone who didn’t feel the same way about him.” Then she clamped her mouth shut as though she’d already said far more than she should—far more than was circumspect for a personal assistant to say about her boss.

But this much Jessica already knew. She wanted the particulars. Who was this woman who’d hurt Evan so badly? Her back stiffened at the thought of someone rejecting him—the man she’d worshiped from afar during her tumultuous teenage years. Whoever this woman was, Jessica decided, she was a fool.

Unfortunately, Mrs. Sterling was unwilling to provide any further information.

About eleven Evan walked into the office. He smiled as he strolled past Mrs. Sterling’s desk to hers. “The research you did was wonderful, Jessica. Thank you.”

His appreciation caught her off guard. She wondered if Damian had said something to him and was momentarily speechless.

“I appreciate the effort that went into your report,” he murmured. “I’m very pleased with the quality of your work.”

“I … I was happy to do it. That’s my … my job.” The words stumbled off the end of her tongue. Jessica was astonished that his praise could fluster her like this. She was embarrassed now by the way she’d overreacted last night when she’d learned that he’d left the office. It was her own fault for not taking time to eat lunch. Evan’s disappearance wouldn’t have bothered her in the least if she had….

“Damian said you were here till almost eight.”

So Damian had mentioned that. “As I said earlier, I was only doing my job.”

“Mom and Dad are having a barbecue this weekend,” Evan continued, “Saturday, around four. I’d like you to attend it with me.”

His invitation threw her, and she wasn’t sure what to say. Although she hadn’t had a lot of work experience, she knew that dating the boss could lead to problems.

“This shouldn’t be a difficult decision,” Evan said, raising his eyebrows.

His pride had already suffered one blow, and Jessica refused to deliver a second, no matter how slight. “I’d enjoy that very much,” she said. “Thank you for thinking of me.”

He smiled affectionately. “You always were sweet.”

As a teenager, Jessica’s daydreams had been filled with such scenarios. She’d close her eyes and pretend Evan had asked her out. Now her dream had come true, but Jessica was left wishing it had been Damian issuing the invitation, instead of his brother.

“I’ll pick you up. You are living in the city, aren’t you?”

Jessica nodded. “Wouldn’t it be simpler if we met at the party? As it happens, I’m spending the weekend with my parents, and I can walk over with them.”

Evan seemed a bit surprised by her suggestion. “You’re sure?”

“Positive.”

“Then that’ll be fine. I’ll look forward to seeing you there.”

There’d been a time in her life when she would’ve gladly walked across a bed of hot coals to attend a party with Evan. Any party. Anywhere. Hadn’t Damian been counting on that when he hired her—even if he claimed to know she was long over her crush?

“The party’s in honor of some dignitary,” Evan went on. “A French artist. Mom wants to throw the quintessential American party for him. She’s worked herself into a tizzy for the event. I can guarantee this will be the most elaborate barbecue Boston has ever seen. The last I heard, she’d hired a country-and-western band.”

“It sounds like fun.”

“Considering all the effort that’s going into it, I’m sure it will be. You can do the two-step, can’t you, sweet Jessica?”

“Of course.” How easy it was to stretch the truth. In fact, she’d only done the two-step once or twice before. “Well, I’m pretty rusty,” she amended.

“Me, too. We’ll leave the fancy footwork to Damian.”

Damian, she thought with a sigh. There was definitely something wrong with her, something psychological—something rooted deep in her childhood, she supposed—if she could agree to date one brother while longing for the other.

The hours flew by and before Jessica knew it, the workday had come to an end. Mrs. Sterling had just stepped out of the office when Damian strolled casually in.

“Evan’s gone for the day,” Jessica said, a little flustered to find him standing in front of her desk. Especially since she’d once again been thinking how much she’d prefer to attend the family barbecue with him.

“I’m not here to see my brother.”

“Mrs. Sterling will be right back.”

“I came to see you,” Damian said, his eyes dark and intense as they settled on her.

Jessica tensed. Did he have some complaint with her work?

“Don’t look so worried. I came to tell you my parents are holding a party this weekend. A barbecue.”

“Yes, I know. Evan mentioned it earlier.”

Damian’s eyes brightened with interest. He crossed his arms and leaned against her desk. “What did he say about it?”

“Not much. Apparently it’s in honor of a French artist.”

“I see.” He hesitated as if he was unsure, which Jessica knew was completely out of character for Damian. “I was wondering …” he began, then straightened and buried his hands in his pants pockets. “Would you like to come to the party with me?”

Her shoulders sagged as she opened her mouth to tell him that Evan had already invited her, but before she could respond, Damian added, “I realize it’s short notice, but I didn’t hear the details myself until this morning.” A hint of a smile turned up the corners of his mouth. “Mother phoned, wanting to confirm that I’ll be there. She seems to be taking her duties very seriously.”

“Ah …”

“There’s a problem,” he guessed.

She nodded glumly. “Evan’s already invited me to the party—as his date.” She wanted to tell Damian she’d rather attend with him, but she couldn’t. “I’m sorry,” she muttered.

“He did?” Instead of looking displeased at this turn of events, Damian seemed positively delighted. “Don’t be sorry.”

His reaction annoyed her.

“It isn’t like a real date,” she said, wanting to make that clear. “At least, that wasn’t the impression Evan gave me. The invitation was his way of thanking me for working so hard on the research he needed.”

“My brother wouldn’t invite you if he wasn’t interested in your company,” Damian insisted. “Besides, I wouldn’t want Evan to think I was cutting in on his territory.”

His territory.

Damian must have guessed her feelings, because he said, “Evan asked you first.”

He was right about that, she thought, but little else.

Damian turned away, and it suddenly became important to Jessica to explain herself. “I don’t think you should put much stock in Evan’s invitation. It really was just a way of thanking me.”

“It’s a start, though, wouldn’t you agree?” Damian said over his shoulder. “A good start, at that.” He left her then before she could say anything more.

Jessica was upset, and it wasn’t until she got home that she figured out why. Damian hadn’t invited her to the party out of any real desire for her company. He’d assumed that Evan hadn’t asked her—and he was looking for an opportunity to throw her and his brother together socially.

Jessica arrived at her parents’ house early Saturday afternoon, after spending all morning shopping for the perfect outfit. Cathy had come along to offer encouragement and advice.

She might not be attending the barbecue with Damian, but when she showed up looking like a movie star, he’d wish she was. This was her mission, plain and simple.

Evan had casually mentioned the country-and-western band, but he’d also said the barbecue was in honor of an artist. These somewhat contradictory snippets of information served to confuse her about how to dress. Nothing in her closet seemed suitable, but then little in the shops did, either.

In one outfit she resembled Annie Oakley, and in another Jackie Kennedy. There didn’t seem to be much of a middle ground—until she found a long denim skirt, a red shirt decorated with white fringe sewn about the yoke and white cowboy boots. A white silk scarf tied around her neck lent a touch of elegance.

Her mother’s eyes widened with approval when Jessica modeled the outfit. “I wish now I’d gone shopping, too, and bought something new myself. You look great.”

“Thanks.” Her mother’s praise gave Jessica confidence. Cathy, who tended to dress like a character in a sci-fi movie, had also said she looked great, but Jessica didn’t really trust her friend’s fashion sense.

“It was so sweet of Evan to include you,” Joyce Kellerman went on to say. “Not that I’m surprised, his being your boss and all. Life is certainly full of little twists and turns, isn’t it?

“It sure is,” Jessica said without elaborating.

“I’m thrilled that you’re working with Evan.”

“He’s a nice person.”

“He’s wonderful. It’s always been my dream—I know it’s silly, but well, we’re such good friends with the Drydens … I’ve always hoped you’d grow up to marry one of Lois’s boys.”

“Whatever you do,” Jessica said quickly, “don’t say that in front of Damian or Evan.”

“Why not, dear?”

“Mom, it’d embarrass me to death!”

“But you were so keen on Evan a few years back, and I thought … I hoped …”

“Mother, I was only fourteen!” Her old infatuation with Evan was turning into the proverbial albatross around her neck—thanks to Damian and her mother. If it wasn’t for them, the whole thing would’ve been forgotten by now.

“You’ll make a beautiful bride,” her mother said, adding the finishing touches to her own outfit. Abruptly she changed the subject. “Lois has worried herself sick over this silly barbecue.”

“But why?” Mrs. Dryden had thrown a hundred parties more elaborate than this.

Her mother sat on the bed and leaned back on her hands. “I don’t suppose there’s any reason to keep it a secret. Walter’s been approached about running for the Senate.”

Walter Dryden had been active in community affairs for years. Although he’d never held public office, he’d often managed the successful campaigns of others. He’d taken an early retirement from the law firm, and, from what Jessica understood, had grown restless with inactivity. Running for office would doubtless come as a welcome challenge.

“Has he decided he’s going to run?”

“Your father and I think so. He hasn’t declared his candidacy yet, but we’re confident he will. He’s testing the waters with this barbecue tonight. The ostensible reason is to welcome this artist—a Pierre Sidonie—but a number of people from the political arena will also be present. So this is probably the most important party of Lois’s marriage. No wonder she’s a nervous wreck.”

Even before Jessica and her parents arrived for the barbecue, the pungent smells of tomato sauce, spices and roasting meat mingled in the afternoon sunshine and drifted over the fence.

As they were greeted at the front door, Jessica was reminded, by the fervor with which Lois hugged her mother, what very good friends the two women were. Their friendship had spanned more than twenty years, and they were like sisters. Jessica felt the same way about Cathy. They’d met in college, where they’d been roommates for three years.

When Jessica didn’t immediately see Evan or Damian, she wandered outside. A series of round tables decorated in red checked tablecloths were scattered across the lush expanse of lawn. The day was perfect, warm but not hot, and the sky was cloudless. A soft breeze ruffled the leaves of the large shade trees that lined the property. This was New England summer at its best. The aromas of the food were heavenly, too, reminding her how hungry she was. Shopping and preparing for the party hadn’t left time for lunch.

Several dozen guests had arrived, and Jessica scanned the crowd. She spotted Evan standing next to a lovely blonde in a white fringed dress with a turquoise belt and silver buckle. Jessica didn’t recognize the woman, and a few discreet inquiries got her nowhere. She became all the more curious. She attempted to make her way over to Evan, since she was officially his date, but in actuality, she was seeking an introduction to the lovely blonde. Perhaps this was Evan’s new romantic interest, she thought hopefully. But before she could reach Evan, she was waylaid by some family friends. Most of the Drydens’ guests were older people, established names Jessica had known or heard all her life.

“Hello, Jessica,” Damian said from behind her. She turned to find him in the sort of suit he wore at the office. He’d made an attempt to dress to the theme with a black Stetson, which, in Jessica’s opinion, looked entirely out of place on his very Bostonian head.

His eyes glimmered with appreciation. “You look—” he hesitated “—good.”

Jessica suspected it wasn’t often that Damian was at a loss for words. It lifted her spirits considerably.

“I imagine you’re wondering who that blonde is, the one draping herself all over Evan,” he suggested casually.

That was true, although not for the reasons he believed. She couldn’t help being grateful to this unknown woman for keeping Evan occupied. Otherwise he might feel obliged to pay attention to her, and she’d much rather spend her time with Damian.

“Who is she?” Jessica asked, playing his game.

“Do I detect a small hint of jealousy?”

“Of course not.” The question irritated her.

“That’s Ramona Sidonie.”

“Who?”

“The artist’s daughter.”

That explained it. Naturally Evan considered it his duty to make Ramona feel welcome. Jessica was pleased to see him apparently enjoying himself.

“Would you like me to introduce you?” Damian asked.

“No,” Jessica said. She’d noticed Evan and Ramona moving toward the dance area. “Evan’s having a good time. I don’t see any reason to interrupt him.”

“You’re his date.”

“But only because you talked him into asking me.”

Damian’s eyes narrowed. “What makes you say that?”

“I’m not completely naive, you know. The reason you came into my office to invite me was that you didn’t think Evan had—and you wanted to make sure the two of us were together in a social situation so you could see what happened. Am I right?”

He clasped his hands behind his back and took two small steps away, then turned to face her again. She saw a hint of a smile in his eyes. “If you’re right—although I’m not saying you are—I’d never admit it.”

“You must wreak havoc on a jury.”

“That’s what my clients pay me for.”

Jessica looked toward the dance area again and couldn’t see Evan and the Frenchwoman. When she glanced over at the picnic area, she found the pair sitting at a table beneath a large elm tree munching on barbecue sandwiches.

“She’s lovely,” Jessica murmured, watching the couple. “No wonder Evan’s forgotten me.”

“Ramona may be lovely, but so are you,” Damian returned quickly, then looked as if he regretted speaking.

“Thank you.”

“I shouldn’t have said that.”

“Why not? That makes me think you didn’t mean it.”

“I shouldn’t be the one saying such things to you,” Damian replied. “You’re Evan’s date.”

“He seems to have forgotten that, which is just as well. I’d rather be with you,” she said boldly.

“With me?” Damian repeated, sounding appalled by the mere suggestion. “Have you eaten?” he asked hurriedly. They were standing next to the dessert table. It was laden with an enormous chocolate cake decorated with fresh strawberries, a lemon torte that would have tempted a saint and a fresh blueberry cobbler, which Jessica knew from years past was the caterer’s specialty.

“I’m not hungry just yet,” she said, figuring Damian might have used her desire to eat as an excuse to squire her to one of the tables and conveniently leave her there.

Damian eyed her speculatively. “You’re sure about that? I’d hate to see a repeat of what happened the other night.”

“Well, yes, I guess I will have a bite … but may I sit with you?”

“If you insist.”

She did. Damian handed her a plate. Together they walked along the buffet table. Jessica helped herself to potato salad, baked beans and a generous rack of spareribs.

The band started to play a popular tune, and her foot tapping to the beat, Jessica enjoyed the culinary feast. She was content to sit on the sidelines. Evan definitely seemed to have forgotten her, but far from being offended, she felt only a sense of relief.

Damian’s invitation to dance was unexpected. “Why do you want to dance with me?” she asked. She had a sneaking suspicion it somehow involved his brother.

“Do I need a reason?”

Jessica hesitated, then nodded. “If you’re thinking it’s a way to get Evan to notice me, then I’d rather sit out.”

“What if I said it was because I wanted to see how you felt in my arms?”

Her heart gave a flutter. “Then I’d agree.” She met his gaze directly. “So, which is it, Damian?”

He took a long time deciding, much longer than should’ve been necessary. Slowly he pushed back his chair and stood. “Why don’t we find out together,” he suggested, leading her by the hand toward the farthest reaches of the dance area.

The party was in full swing now, with a good number of couples two-stepping around the area. When several old family friends stopped to chat with Jessica and Damian as they made their way toward the other dancers, Jessica could sense Damian’s impatience.

They reached the outskirts of the crowd, and Damian turned Jessica in his arms. They fit together nicely, thigh to thigh, hip to hip. Damian was an excellent dancer, his steps easy to follow, his movements smooth and assured. He held her loosely about the waist and gazed down at her as if they’d been dancing together all their lives.

“You’re good at this.” Her astonishment must have been obvious, because he threw back his head and laughed. It was the first time she could ever remember hearing Damian really laugh.

“That surprises you, doesn’t it?” he said.

“Yes.” It was pointless to deny it. She was discovering that Damian was full of surprises. Just then Jessica felt someone brush against her. She turned to see Evan, partnering the dignitary’s daughter.

“Well, well, if it isn’t Damian and Jessica,” Evan said with a smile, not sounding jealous at all.

It hadn’t taken long to attract Evan’s attention, and Jessica groaned inwardly, wondering if Damian had planned this.

“You haven’t met Ramona, have you?” Evan murmured. Without waiting for a response, he made the introductions.

Jessica could see that the blonde had fallen under Evan’s spell, just like most women did when he’d decided to charm them. His magnetism was lethal. Jessica nearly felt sorry for the unsuspecting Ramona.

The two couples moved off to get something to drink. They were making small talk and sipping punch when Damian suddenly asked Ramona to dance. The woman glanced anxiously at Evan, obviously reluctant to leave him. Jessica smiled softly to herself, recognizing Damian’s ploy. He’d all but thrown her and Evan together.

Damian and Ramona joined the throng of dancers. “It’s a wonderful party,” Jessica said to Evan. “I’ve been having a good time.”

“Glad to hear it,” Evan commented distractedly, his eyes following the other couple. “Shall we?” he asked, holding out his hand to her.

It became apparent as they moved into the dancing area that Evan was more interested in keeping an eye on Ramona than dancing with Jessica. She and Evan made polite conversation, but his attention wandered as often as her own. The dance couldn’t end soon enough for either of them.

When it did, she was grateful that Damian and Ramona were on the far side of the dance area, because she needed time and space to bring order to her thoughts. When the number ended, Evan was corralled by an older couple who wanted to talk to him privately. He cast Jessica an apologetic look and moved away.

She strolled to the far reaches of the property, near the fence that bordered her parents’ home. A white footbridge crossed a good-size pond. She stood in the middle of the bridge, dropping small rocks into the still water and watching the ripples radiate to the shore, one after another.

Absorbed, she hadn’t noticed Damian’s approach and was startled when he spoke. “I wondered if I’d find you here,” he said.

“I used to come here a lot when I was growing up,” Jessica admitted. “I guess you could’ve charged me with trespassing.”

“Not too likely.”

“I know. That’s why I used to come. It was so peaceful. So safe.” A duck glided past, disturbing the water in the pond, and Jessica wished she’d brought some bread crumbs. The ducks had often been beneficiaries of her trips here.

Damian was silent for a moment, then he said, “You’re discouraged, aren’t you?”

“About what?”

“It’s over, you know,” Damian told her softly. “It was over a long time ago—more than six months now.” He sighed. “I was hoping he would’ve forgotten her by now, but …”

Oh, dear, Jessica thought. Apparently Damian believed she was here at the pond brooding about Evan, when in fact nothing could be farther from the truth. She’d been standing on the bridge thinking about Damian.

“Who was she?” Jessica asked curiously.

“Someone he met on a beach. No name the family had ever heard of before, not that it mattered. Mary Jo Summerhill.”

“What happened?”

“No one really knows. Whatever it was devastated Evan. He hasn’t been the same since. My brother isn’t one to burden others with his problems. He’s like that duck down there on the pond—everything seems to roll off him like water. He’d been in and out of a dozen relationships, and I assumed he was never going to really fall for any woman, but I was wrong.”

“You have no idea what happened between him and Mary Jo?”

“No. He changed abruptly after the breakup. His heart clearly wasn’t in his work, so I cut back his hours. That helped for a time, but now I’m not sure it was the right thing to do. I’ve never seen him more miserable.”

“Have you tried to talk to him?”

“A dozen times,” Damian said, “but if anything, he’s resented my prying. This broken relationship seems to have hurt him more deeply than he’s willing to admit.”

“He’ll get over her,” Jessica said reassuringly. “It just takes time.”

“I thought so, too.” Damian shrugged. “But now I wonder …” He paused, gazing down at the water. “He needs you, Jessica. You might be the only one able to reach him.”

“Me?”

“I knew the minute Dad mentioned you were coming in to apply for a job that you could be the answer to our prayers.” She started to say something, but Damian wouldn’t let her. “You’re just going to need a lot of patience.”

Jessica sighed in frustration. “If I’m going to need patience, it’s with you. You and your family seem to think I’m still a kid with a crush on Evan.”

Damian’s eyes darkened. “All right, all right, I didn’t mean to offend you. You’re old enough to make up your own mind.”

“Thank you for that,” she said. Turning away from him, she rested her hands on the railing and stared into the serene waters below. “I remember once when I was about six years old coming to this bridge and crying my eyes out,” she murmured.

“What were you so upset about?”

“You,” she said, turning back and jabbing a finger at his chest.

“Me?” Jessica had never seen such an expression of outraged innocence. “What did I do?” Damian demanded.

“Your father was taking you and Evan to the roller coaster at Cannon Beach. My dad was out of town on business, and our mothers were taking the shopping cure. They weren’t keen on having to drag me along, and I can’t remember who, but one of them suggested I go to the carnival with you and Evan.”

“And I didn’t want you with us,” Damian finished for her.

“Not that I blame you. No fifteen-year-old wants a six-year-old girl tagging along.”

Damian chuckled. “Times change, don’t they?”

Her mother had said the same thing earlier. Indeed, times do change.

To Jessica’s astonishment, Damian reached for her hand. He linked their fingers and tugged her off the bridge. “Where are we going?” she asked.

He looked at her in surprise. “Where else? The beach. From what I gather, that roller coaster’s still in operation. The party here is starting to wind down, and I don’t think we’ll be missed, do you?”

She couldn’t help but agree.