Since there was nothing left to salvage from her house, the insurance forms were straightforward, and the cleanup started right away. Jenny drove by it once, on Sunday morning, but she quickly decided it was time to focus on the future, not to dwell on the past.
The house was gone for good. But the lake was still beautiful, and the black scars on the land would heal. Emily was right. There was a lot to be said for rebuilding something brand-new, right here.
Jenny took Monday off work to dash through a long list of errands and settle into Coles guest room. Shed offered once more to get a room at the Family Inn. But Cole was adamant, and Emily backed him up. He had plenty of room, and it would take months for her new house to be built.
It was a shock for her to find out that Cole had a housekeeping staff. He had a cook, a gardener and a housekeeper. All were incredibly friendly and seemed determined to treat Jenny like royalty. When shed mentioned that she usually took baking to the office on Tuesdays for the TCCs youth outreach program, Maria, the cook, had insisted on pitching in to make cupcakes.
So, the mound of jumbo gourmet-frosted chocolate creations that Jenny carried outside to the athletic field late Tuesday afternoon attracted more than the usual hungry glances from the thirty or so teenage boys practicing football passes.
Mitch had started the youth outreach during his first month at TCC. He was a strong advocate for youth in sports, and his star power had ensured participation from the local teenage boys. The program had grown, and now several members of the TCC were working with the teenagers on everything from algebra to career planning. But Tuesday after school was still devoted to sports, and Jenny had taken up the habit of providing a baked treat for the kids at the end of the session.
Normally, she left the baking next to their water jug, gave everyone a wave and went back to work. But today, she found herself pausing. As angry as she wished she could be with Mitch, she couldnt help noting how great he was with the kids. And she couldnt help remembering the story about his father.
Were the two related in some way? Was he trying to do for other kids what his own father never did for him? She recalled the encounter on the beach in Galveston. Mitch had stuck up for the smaller kid. In a few short moments, hed obviously boosted the boys self-esteem, and very likely given him a whole new perspective on life and on his future opportunities.
Jenny watched while Mitch gave a few pointers on passing the football to one of the boys. Again, it was one of the smaller boys, someone who might easily get picked on in a group. The boy nodded, gave another throw and was rewarded by Mitchs clap on the shoulder and what were obviously words of praise.
How on earth could Mitch think of himself as a bad guy?
Then his gaze caught Jennys.
Since shed skipped work yesterday, and since today hed had back-to-back meetings out of the office, theyd barely spoken. On the upside, thered been no time for awkward conversation. On the downside, she knew that conversation was looming in their future.
Shed written and discarded three letters of resignation yesterday. Part of her longed to walk away from the emotional minefield of working for Mitch, but the other part of her loved her job at TCC and told herself she was adult enough to stick this out.
Cole was right. One way or another, Mitch would be gone from Royal very soon, and hed be completely out of her life. At the latest, hed leave after the TCC presidential election in December. That wasnt so far away. Jenny could keep her head down and her focus on business until then. Heaven knew the issues surrounding the new clubhouse and the presidency were coming at them faster and more furious by the day. Whod have time to talk about anything personal before the election?
Now Mitch was moving toward her.
The TCC building and emotional safety were just fifty yards away. She could make it if she left right now. She doubted very much that hed sprint after her. Then, while he finished up with the boys, she could shut down her computer, gather her purse, head for the parking lot and drive her rental car back to Coles house and hide in the back sunroom, where Mitchs house wasnt even visible.
He was closer now.
She had one minute to make a decision.
Leaving would be easy.
Staying would be fraught with-
Hello, Jenny. His long strides quickly covered the last few yards between them.
Hello, Mitch, she offered evenly.
His glance went to the big tray of chocolate cupcakes sitting on the table. The boysll like those.
Maria made them.
He nodded. So you did decide to stay at Coles?
He didnt tell you? That surprised Jenny. Cole and Mitch were very close friends.
I dont believe hes speaking to me at the moment.
She didnt know how to respond to that. Emily and Cole hadnt overheard Mitchs entire kiss-off speech, thank goodness, but theyd heard enough to be very angry with Mitch. Still, she couldnt help hoping the incident wouldnt drive a wedge between the two men.
Im, uh, sorry, she tried.
Youre sorry?
That Coles angry with you.
Hell get over it. Mitch paused. And you?
Me? Was he asking if shed get over being angry with him for not wanting a relationship with her? It sounded quite petty when she thought about it that way. It was entirely Mitchs business who he chose to date or not to date. If he wasnt interested, he wasnt interested. That surely wasnt his fault.
Still, she couldnt seem to find a coherent answer to his question, and the silence stretched between them.
He was the one to break it. Are you going to quit, Jenny?
She drew a breath. Mostly, she thought no. But in the dark of night, when Mitchs words ran around and around inside her head, she sometimes felt like she had to make a clean break, if only to save her sanity.
Let me be the one to quit, he put in before she could answer.
What? No. She shook her head firmly in denial. You cant quit. She gestured to the field. The boys, the members, everyone depends on you. Im completely expendable.
He took a step closer. Youve got it backward. Im a figurehead. Youre the one whos indispensable.
It wasnt true, but the earnestness in his eyes suddenly brought home the humor of the conversation. Is it just me, she asked him, or is our mutual admiration society a little nauseating?
Mitch broke into a familiar grin, and a wave of relief coursed through Jennys stomach. He stage whispered, Ill keep it a secret if you do.
Definitely.
His expression sobered again. And Ill stay if you will.
Jenny gathered her courage. Okay. Ill stay. She risked another joke. But you have to promise to keep your hands to yourself.
Youre a pistol, Jenny.
Im a survivor, Mitch.
A funny expression crossed his face. You dont have to survive the TCC, Jenny. Youre fantastic at your job. Dont worry so much about being careful and meticulous. Relax a little. You can make mistakes and mess things up. Nobody will die.
She understood what he was saying. She didnt have to be perfect for him. For some reason, his words made her eyes sting.
She blinked quickly to get rid of the sensation. Does that sound like me? Messing things up?
I dont know, he said with sincerity. But Id like to find out.
Out of the corner of her eye, Jenny saw the boys making a move for the cupcakes. Tell you what, she said to Mitch, knowing theyd be overrun in a matter of moments. Ill stop organizing the whiteboard pens in the order of the color spectrum.
He lifted a hand to his chin and pretended to ponder. I dont know, Jenny. Loosening the color spectrum rules? Can anarchy be far behind?
The first of the teenage boys reached the table. Hey, Mr. H. Jenny. Those look fantastic!
Help yourself, Scott. She gestured to the thick-frosted, color-sprinkled cupcakes.
Awesome, came another boys voice.
Youre the best! shouted Terry.
Jenny took a step backward to avoid the fray. She could feel Mitchs gaze on her, but kept herself from looking back at him again as she headed toward the clubhouse. Theyd ended their conversation on a joke. It was a lot more than shed hoped for today.
I cant believe things are moving along so fast, Jenny said to Emily as she peered down at several sets of house plans spread out across the glass-topped table in Coles formal dining room.
Cole was off to one side, sprawled out in an armchair next to the open French doors, typing away on his laptop. His shirt-sleeves were rolled up, and his tie loosened. If theres going to be a change in the foundation footprint, they might as well know about it while the loaders are on site. He glanced up. Itll save money in the long run.
You know something about construction? asked Emily, an edge to her voice.
A little.
Is there anything you dont know about? She stared back at him with what Jenny had come to recognize as her clash-of-wills expression.
Cole paused in what looked like contemplation. Women, he finally answered. Specifically, you.
Jenny couldnt help but laugh.
Youre a nerd, Emily accused.
Yeah? Well, youre dating me.
Not after Saturday night.
Well see. Cole smiled confidently, going back to his work on the laptop. You may find 12:01 comes around pretty fast. And then youll also be dating me on Sunday.
Conceited, Emily muttered under her breath.
I think hes cute, Jenny whispered back.
Emily kept her voice low, leaning her head close to Jennys. I dont want to sleep with cute.
Why not? Jenny whispered back, giving Cole a surreptitious once-over. He was a very attractive man. He was in excellent physical shape. He was smart, successful, had a good sense of humor. And he was definitely one of the few males on the planet who could hold his own against Emily.
Im looking to get pregnant, remember?
Ah, yes. The linebacker factor. Would you rather sleep with Emilio?
Huh?
Hes tall, brawny, definite football genes in that guys DNA.
Emilys eyes narrowed. Maybe. But hes kind ofI dont know. Do you think hes sexy?
Its not what I think that matters. Jenny thought Mitch was the one who was sexy, and look how far that had gotten her. Who do you find sexy?
Emily shot a fleeting, telltale glance at Cole who was typing away on his laptop. Im still looking, she whispered with a thread of determination.