The rains held off, but the clouds hung lower. Shadows pressed on her car as she drove. Clementine navigated the winding drive into the David estate and gawked at the sheer size of it. The sprawling lawn was immaculate, normally tended by Marvin the Mower, who also fed Jack’s reptiles. She liked knowing these details, little nothings that made her feel like she was on the inside: Imelda’s daughter struggled with math, Jack’s grandfather had been a roadie for Elvis, Tami had loved her husband since tenth grade. To her, those nothings felt like a whole lot of somethings.
She drove around a central fountain and parked in front of the entrance’s stone steps. Where Jack’s stunning bungalow was understated in its design, blending with its landscape, this mansion was designed to impress. Old-world stone and brick dominated the grounds, the prominent windows rising into triangular peaks. The front shrubbery was low, never distracting from the estate’s power and wealth. The building was wide enough to house a football field.
She hadn’t asked Jack why David Industries had recently fired employees. Admitting that knowledge might have prompted questions. Sitting here, though, absorbing the obscene property in all its ornate glory, she couldn’t help the distaste that surfaced. Sell this monstrosity, and his family could have saved those jobs, quadrupled everyone’s salaries.
“You live quite the charmed life. Don’t you, Blue?” The old dog’s stinky breath drifted from her backseat. Spoiled pup didn’t know how good he had it. “Come on, then. You’re my ticket in.”
She helped him from the car and grimaced at the dog hairs sticking to her clothes. It was a treat that Lucy didn’t shed. No cars lined the drive, anyone here likely having parked in the massive four-car garage. She led the Colonel up the front steps, unsure what would greet her. A butler? A maid? This place probably employed ten of each.
She stood in front of the massive wooden doors and searched for a doorbell. She rang it and gripped Blue’s leash. The sky went from dark to foreboding. Another grumble rolled from the clouds. She rubbed her arms and rang the bell again.
Footsteps thumped from the opposite side, followed by a “coming.” She rolled her shoulders back and plastered a smile on her face. The door creaked open a fraction. Jack filled her field of vision, sending her heart into pitter-patter land, until he frowned.
Her smile slipped.
He didn’t open the door wider. “Why are you here?”
Seriously? He had ditched her and that was all he had? “Nice to see you, too.”
He winced, rightfully so. “Sorry. I wasn’t expecting you.” He reverted to limited eye contact, his shifty gaze dropping to her not-warm-enough jogging attire. “I missed our run, didn’t I?”
She shrugged, pretending the slight didn’t sting. “No biggie. I met Imelda and Colonel Blue.” She lifted the leash. “She had family stuff today, so I offered to drop him home.” A raindrop smacked the stone step, punctuating her not-quite lie.
Jack didn’t reply. He didn’t explain this morning’s absence or open the door and invite her in. If anything, he seemed bothered she was there. His dismissal shouldn’t hurt. She shouldn’t long for a man this careless with her feelings. They’d only kissed, after all. And she’d done nothing but lie to him. She had no right to feel scorned.
Yet here she was, hurt and scorned.
Well, screw him and her stupidity. His behavior proved it had been smart to keep her options open, not get carried away with fantasies of them falling in love and living happily ever after in this charming town. Ever Afters weren’t meant for girls like her.
She glanced at the somber sky, prepared to see her heist through. “Mind if I come in? It’s about to get ugly out here.”
Jack didn’t budge. “It’s not a good time.”
More rain fell. The door stayed wedged in place.
“It’s not a good time to get me out of the rain?” She narrowed her eyes at him, only now noticing the dark circles under his eyes. He hadn’t shaved, either. This was the first time she’d seen stubble on his usually clean-shaven cheeks. There was no denying the roughness increased his sex appeal, but his obvious exhaustion spun her irritation into worry. His unmoving stance didn’t help. “Is everything okay, Jack?”
He swallowed and glanced behind him, into the house. He scratched the back of his neck. “Fine. Just a long night.” He held out his hand. For a moment her heart lifted. Was he finally softening and inviting her in? Then he said, “Thanks for bringing Blue home.”
The leash. He wanted the leash, not her hand.
The next crack of thunder felt like a punch to her gut. She didn’t try to get inside again. He obviously didn’t want her there. He didn’t want her, period.
More rain fell. The damp chill settled into her bones. He didn’t even offer her a coat. Disgusted with herself for her ridiculous fantasies, she shoved the leash into his hand and ran toward her car, but the sky opened. The downpour soaked her hair and clothes in seconds. She thought she heard him call her name, but she didn’t bother checking.
Get in the car.
Get to the motel.
Plan the break in.
That was all that was left to do.
By the time she jumped into her car, she was drenched and out of breath. Everything felt wet and ruined. She wiped at her face and wrung out her hair, but it didn’t do any good. She turned the ignition with a hard flip of her wrist.
Banging made her jump.
Jack was at her window, miming for her to roll it down. She just stared at him. He probably wanted to set things straight, ask her to stop running with him and meeting him for coffee. She debated peeling away in her crappy Prius, but he looked pained standing there, hunched in the pouring rain. A glutton for punishment, she did as he asked.
He crouched lower, so they were face-to-face. Determination poured from him as wildly as the rain from the sky. “I’m sorry. I’m an asshole. You just caught me off guard, and there are things I haven’t told you. Things no one in town knows. But I think you need to know, because I…” Streams pummeled the windshield. He raised his voice. “You just need to know. If you’ll give me another chance, I’d like you to come in.”
She shifted on her seat, her wet clothes squelching with the move. Jack was wetter than a drowned rat, not even bothering to wipe his face or hide his pleading. Humble Jack. Why couldn’t he stay an asshole? She reached for him, tried to clear the water from his brow. He gripped her wrist and kissed the inside of her palm. “Please,” he said. “Will you come in?”
“Yes,” she replied. Not to get into his estate. Not to find that Van Gogh. Yes, I’ll help ease that troubled look from your eyes.
13
Jack practically carried Clementine inside the house. He did his best to shield her from the unrelenting rain, all the while cursing himself. So concerned for his father, he’d forgotten about their running date. He’d stood and paced and asked the nurse again and again what could be done. Forgetting his running date was one thing, but leaving Clementine standing in the rain?
That was unforgiveable.
He slammed the door behind them and smoothed the sopping hair from her face. “Stay here. I’ll be right back.”