Something Old (7 page)

“They’re leaving. I can’t believe she’s not even going to say good-bye,” Lil huffed.

A hand clamped Jake’s shoulder, and he turned. “Hey, how’s it going?”

“Good to see you, man.” Chad Penner held out his hand. Though they had once been best of friends, their relationship had become estranged when Jake had left the church.

Grasping it, Jake replied, “Better get used to it. I’m back to stay.”

Chad swung an arm over Jake’s shoulder. “I knew you’d be back.”

With relief, Jake allowed himself to be drawn into the group of skaters warming up at the bonfire. Everyone seemed happy to see him, forgiving of his sudden absence and eager to accept him back into the group. Meanwhile, he glimpsed Katy and David disappearing into a stand of box elders. But as the group enveloped him, some of his heaviness fled. He roasted a hot dog and caught up with Chad.

Jake wished he’d never left, but all he could do now was prove how he’d changed. He was earnest in his desire to fit back in with his old friends.

When the group began to disperse, Jake walked Lil to her car then squeezed her shoulder. “Maybe this was for the best. It’ll give Katy time to digest the idea that I’m back. We’ll have to trust God with this, okay?”

“I’ve been praying for you for a long time, chump.”

“I know. Thanks.”

Head bent in thought, he strode to his truck and climbed in. Although he’d jumped his first hurdle, facing the group again, he knew the worst was still ahead of him. He’d never forget the incident, the night when he’d been drunk. Furious, Katy had hissed that she wanted him to go away and stay away. But this afternoon, when their gazes latched, he’d felt hopeful for an instant. Then when she’d left without even saying good-bye to Lil, he’d gotten the impression she loathed him.

He drove out onto the gravel road. Nobody had ever loathed him. Wait, hadn’t he once heard that love and hate were closely related? For his sake, he hoped so. His mind traveled back to the time before he’d grown restless. He flicked on his headlights and started toward home, involuntarily scanning the snowy ditches and fields for deer and other wild animals that sometimes leapt in front of vehicles.

The farm made him restless. Jake’s dad had died years earlier. His mom still lived in his childhood home, but his uncle and brother Cal managed the farm. Jake had never been interested in that, though he’d helped his uncle a lot over the years. He had been interested in construction, seeing buildings erected, swinging a hammer. He didn’t regret his vocation decision, but he regretted losing Katy.

Suddenly his vision caught something that made his pulse race. Was God answering his prayer so quickly? There alongside the road was David Miller’s disgustingly shiny car. A grin spread over Jake’s face; then a chuckle erupted in his throat. A flat tire. Just what the woman-stealer deserved. Trying to tamp down his delight, he pulled in behind the stranded vehicle. Maybe he was going to be able to rescue her after all.

He opened the door and jumped down, leaving his headlights on for Miller. “Hey, got a problem?” David looked up. Even in the dim light, Jake could see the guy’s embarrassment. “Need a hand with that?”

“Nope.” David jerked the wrench, twisting the lug nuts of the left rear wheel. “Got it under control.”

Jake stuffed his hands in his pockets and gazed at the car, where he could see Katy’s dark silhouette.

“Don’t need your help,” David repeated sharply.

“Think I’ll just say hi to Katy.” Jake strode past his angry opponent and around the back of the car right up to Katy’s door. Her face was looking straight ahead. He knocked on her window and startled her. She hit the window’s inoperative button. He took that as an invitation and opened her door. It hurt to see her inside another man’s car, but he gave her what he hoped looked like a contrite smile. “Hi Katy.”

Her chin jutted upward. “What do
you
want?”

Her face was so lovely, flushed and pink, her hair messy under the white knitted beanie. But her gaze smoldered. He’d learned that her gaze could be dark or cool, but one thing it never did was shrink back. Still, he yearned to scoop her into his arms until she no longer despised him. “Need a ride?”

“Not hardly.”

“You look kinda lonely and cold.”

Just then David jerked the driver’s door open and slid in. “Not lonely.” He started the engine.

“And warm as toast,” Katy added with a shiver.

Jake gave her a salute and eased the door closed, backing away from the car just before it spit gravel in his face.

O
n Monday morning, Katy took her normal route to work, using routine maneuvers to blend in with the freeway traffic that skirted the west side of Columbus. As she drove, she puzzled over the mystery of Jake’s unexpected appearance at Sunday’s skating party. It didn’t surprise her that he’d come home for the holidays, since like Megan he was probably on break. But why had he come to the river when he hadn’t mingled with church friends for over a year now—ever since the incident between them in the church parking lot?

She probed at the matter, furious at herself for gawking at Jake like a lovesick fool. In that one weak moment, his features, wind-ruffled hair, and masculine physique had been burned into her memory all anew, more vivid and arresting than ever. She felt as if months of working to get over him had been destroyed in an instant. He’d stood on the icy riverbank and beckoned her with dark, hooded eyes so scorching and brooding and out of place in that winter playground. It had been all she could do to pull her gaze away. No wonder she’d faltered.

She reached out and flipped the car’s heater off. With a glance at the green, overhead sign, she changed into the exit lane. And when David’s tire had gone flat, the rat had the gall to butt in where he wasn’t wanted. While David had worked on the tire, her nemesis had stepped out of her imagination and appeared in flesh and blood outside her window, wearing a crooked smile and a smug expression.

David had handled the evening’s humiliation with more grace than she would have imagined possible, coming to her rescue. Twice.

Leave it to Katy to trip up the best skater at the party. But David had been a great sport—given that Jake had knocked her off her feet, David had played the hero by whisking her away to safety. Only, poor guy, his efforts had backfired.

With the pride he took in the care of his car, she knew that its flat tire probably embarrassed him the most. The tension that sizzled when David slid into his driver’s side and glared at Jake would have been intense enough to ignite a forest fire in the dead of winter. Thankfully, Jake had backed away.

After all the drama Jake had caused, she hadn’t wanted to humiliate David further by bringing up her dad’s stipulations. Her mom had been right. He was a great guy, and she’d had a lot of fun with him, too. Although with the aggravation he’d suffered on their date, including a set of bruised knees, he probably wouldn’t ask her out again.

Just when she had started to entertain thoughts of David as a real boyfriend, Jake had returned, sending her heart, mind, and body into a crazy spin. He still wielded tremendous power over her. And she resented him for it. Even if he slipped back into oblivion, his brief appearance had caused her irreparable damage.

Lil could probably explain why Jake had shown up at the party, but Katy hadn’t been able to ask her yet with the way their schedules clashed.

As she pulled into the driveway of the Brooks’ residence, Katy cringed. She hoped Lil hadn’t told Jake about the three-date stipulation. She certainly didn’t want him to think she had to buy her dates. Sometimes when it came to Jake, Katy wasn’t sure whose side Lil was on. Flipping down her visor, she checked to see that her covering was straight. When she saw her grim lips, she wet them and forced herself to relax.

Moments later, she used her key to enter the house, taking a quick scope of its usual disarray. By the time she hit the kitchen, she’d already scooped up two sets of newspapers and several pink glittery items of clothing.

In the kitchen, her steps faltered. “Oh. Hi, Tammy. I didn’t realize you were here, or I would have knocked.”

Tammy Brooks snapped her briefcase closed and slipped into its shoulder strap. “No problem.” She grabbed a designer purse off a bar stool. “I’m glad I can at least count on you.”

Katy took the newspapers to the recycle bin and set Addison’s clothing on a bar stool. Her slim, high-heeled employer made a turn toward the door, and Katy knew that she couldn’t waste such an opportunity. “Do you have a moment?”

“Sure. I’m already late so what’s a few more minutes?” Katy felt her face heat, but before she could reply, Tammy asked, “You aren’t going to quit on me, are you?”

“Of course not.” She hurried into her explanation so that she didn’t take up Tammy’s precious time. “I just wondered if you knew of anyone who was looking for a housekeeper? One of my employers moved to Florida, and I could use more work.”

Tammy smiled and plunked her purse back on the counter. Her briefcase, stuffed with real estate fliers, slid to the ground. “Why don’t I fix us a pot of coffee? We never get to chat. You drink coffee?”

Feeling apprehensive, Katy folded a size 7 sweater. “I’d love a cup.”

Tammy flung a wet coffee filter into the garbage, and some of the grounds splattered onto her suit skirt. “Ugh!” she moaned, tearing off a paper towel and blotting at the spot.

“Can I help?”

“Nope.” Tammy brushed the air with her hand. “I’ve got it. Good as new. See?” Then she bent over, and Katy cringed to see a cross nestled in her employer’s cleavage, accentuated by her immodest neckline. “What hours do you usually work?”

Slipping onto a bar stool, Katy explained, “I work for you on Mondays and Wednesdays. I clean for an elderly woman who lives in a retirement community every other Friday. The couple that moved to Florida I worked for on Tuesdays and Thursdays. That’s the job I need to replace.”

The aroma of a popular Starbucks blend filled the kitchen as coffee dripped into a carafe. Tammy moved into a bar stool and swiveled to face her. “I think we can help each other. I need a nanny.”

Instantly recoiling, Katy shook her head. “I don’t think so. I’ve never babysat before.”

Tammy swept off the stool and got the liquid creamer from the refrigerator. No wonder Tammy was treating her like a guest instead of a servant. The other woman returned with two steaming cups, placing one in front of Katy. “It’s not really babysitting. My kids are old enough to take care of themselves. But they need somebody to haul them around and help them with their homework, field problems. Mostly keep an eye on them.”

Katy took a sip of coffee, then asked, “What happened to their nanny?”

With a deep sigh, Tammy said. “She quit. Claims her classes are too full next semester. Look, she really left me in the lurch. That’s why I was late this morning, arranging for a ride for the kids this afternoon. Tanya didn’t even tell me to my face. She just called me last night. I was furious. I can tell you she won’t be getting any references from me. In fact, I’ve a mind to call one of her professors or something.” Tammy crossed her long slim legs and forced a smile. “Think about the benefits. A few hours every afternoon until their dad or I get home from work. You’ll end up with more hours that way and still have a couple of days off to sleep in, run errands, or read a book. I wish I had that luxury.”

Katy felt her face burn. Tammy assumed her life was luxurious? She seldom lounged around reading books. There was plenty of work to be done at home, helping her mom. Her mind raced, looking for a way to politely turn down the offer. When nothing came to mind, she stalled. “How old are they? It’s Addison and Tyler?”

“Yes. Addy is seven, and Tyler’s an eleven-year-old adult.”

Katy smiled. The children seemed well behaved the few times she’d met them. It was Mr. Brooks she didn’t care for. Most often, she’d encountered him on his way to the liquor cabinet or sprawled out watching television, both forbidden indulgences in Katy’s mind. His drinking reminded her too much of Jake, making her distrust the older man. Maybe he was the reason the nanny quit. She found herself tapping her fingers on the counter.

“Please say you’ll do it until I can find another nanny? I like you and know you’ll be great for the kids. You’ll help me out this once, won’t you? I’ve got several clients this week, and I can’t leave them hanging. And you admitted yourself, you need the money.”

“You’ll look for another nanny?”

“Yes. Oh thanks, so much.” Tammy flew out of her seat. “You’re such a sweet thing. And I’ll ask around and see if anyone needs a housekeeper. Thanks again, honey.”

“So when do you want me to start?”

“Tomorrow afternoon. Here.” Tammy scribbled the addresses of her children’s schools on a yellow sticky note. “Addison gets out of school at 2:30 p.m., and Tyler gets out at 3:00 p.m. Works out great.” She picked up her briefcase and left like a whirlwind, leaving Katy to ponder what had just transpired and to stew over the way Tammy had so effortlessly manipulated her.

The Brooks’ home was located in the west side Columbus suburb of Old Arlington. The affluent neighborhood sprawled between two rivers, the Olentangy and the Scioto, giving it a parklike feel. Many of the houses were Tudor style. With Tammy’s yellow sticky note stuck to her steering wheel, Katy followed the street signs through meandering, tree-lined streets to a brick elementary charter school and eased into a slow-moving lineup. She noticed teachers lined along the walkway, helping the students into their cars. On Katy’s rearview mirror hung a yellow card with a number that would identify her as Addison’s ride.