The Bachelor's Brighton Valley Bride (Return to Brighton Valley) (11 page)

“At first he said he didn’t remember my mom. He denied that she’d ever been his student. He claimed to be a renowned scholar and researcher who’d never cheated on his wife in the thirty years they’d been married. And he also said that he’d never do anything unprofessional, like dating a student, especially one who was a ‘schizo.’ Then he closed the door in my face.”

Megan reached across the table and placed her hand over his in a move that was both comforting and heart stirring at the same time.

It was nice, yet it was weird, too. Here he was, telling Megan something he’d never told anyone, sharing feelings he’d kept hidden for years and being far more honest with her than he’d ever been with people who actually knew his real name.

“I’m sorry,” she said.

“About him turning out to be a jerk?” Clay shrugged. “He might have denied it, but he told me a lot that day. My mom had been diagnosed as bipolar and not schizophrenic, but I’d never mentioned her mental health issues to him. So when he called her a schizo, it was obvious that he knew exactly who she was, and that he was trying to cover his ass.”

They continued to sit like that, hands clasped—as if they’d been bonded in some unexpected way.

“You know,” Megan finally said, “people always tell me that my kids are better off without their father, that it’s good my ex took a hike. They say that having no dad is better than having some self-absorbed, washed-up, football-playing has-been in their lives. And maybe that’s true. Maybe it was better that you never had to deal with Professor Jerkface. But that doesn’t make a father’s abandonment hurt any less.”

She hit the nail on the head, because that was exactly how Clay had felt. “It would have been one thing if I’d chosen to shut
him
out of
my
life. But when he closed the door in my face, the rejection hurt.”

“It was his loss, too. You really overcame a lot and made the most out of your life.”

Megan had no idea how far he’d come, but his dad did. Clay never liked boasting about his personal success, and with Megan not really knowing who he was, he couldn’t very well do it now. But he’d gotten the upper hand and he could give her an abbreviated version of the rest of the story.

“A few years ago, my father found out all that I’d... Well, when he heard that I worked for Geekon Enterprises and thought I might have some pull within the company, he tried to establish a relationship with me. But what he really wanted was financial backing for a new research project.”

“Did you help him?”

“I did my homework first. And through some personal contacts and a thorough internet search, I learned that he’d been fired from several teaching positions due to inappropriate contact with undergrads. And because he hadn’t done any relevant research in his field, he was becoming a laughingstock in the academic world.”

“I hope you closed the door right in his face, the way he did to you.”

Clay smiled at the feisty redhead, making a mental note to always stay on her good side. “I would have if he’d have even had the decency to come see me in person. Unfortunately, I had to settle for hanging up on him and telling Zoe to block all his calls.”

“That was a smart move.” Clay didn’t tell her that he’d authorized Geekon Enterprises to fund several similar research projects at competing universities, knowing that other professors getting national acclaim for discoveries his father wanted to make would be the nail in the man’s career coffin.

At that point, Tyler returned to the dining room carrying a tray of cupcakes. “We finished in the kitchen. And Lisa said I could have her dessert if she can watch her dumb girls’-basketball show first. So I’m going to take Pancho outside to play a little bit.” Then he snagged two of the small frosted cakes and sprinted out the door, Pancho fast on his heels.

Thank goodness for the interruption. If Clay wasn’t careful, he’d be dumping even more on Megan, hoping for more of those doe-eyed gazes or those sympathetic touches.

And if truth be told, he’d much rather be lying on the floor with her, tangled up in computer cords and wondering how to hide his ever-growing arousal.

He was also going to have to hide his raw and ragged emotions from her, too. She had a way of stirring up the feelings he’d successfully tamped down years ago. And he could really use a little break from her sympathetic gaze, as well as her gentle touch.

“Do you mind if I talk to Tyler now?” he asked.

“No, not at all. Please do.”

Clay got to his feet and headed for the sliding door Tyler and the dog had just used, determined to put some distance between him and Megan before he began to believe his name really was Peyton Johnson.

* * *

Megan had never met a man as open and as honest as Peyton. Just talking to him this evening, when he’d laid his heart open, had touched something deep inside of her. It was enough to make her rethink her decision about not getting involved with another man until her kids were older and had moved out on their own.

But how could she consider lowering her guard around him when she knew he’d be leaving soon?

And why was she even fantasizing about a relationship with him when he hadn’t made any move in that direction? Well, other than a few heated glances and that tumble to the floor earlier today.

Peyton hadn’t mentioned where he lived, although she suspected it might be Houston, since that was the office that had sent him to Brighton Valley. He’d also mentioned having Zoe block his calls from his father.

Did that mean his job at the corporate office was so important that he had his own personal secretary? Or did Zoe assist several different employees in that capacity?

Either way, it sounded as though Peyton was pretty much entrenched with the Houston office. So what were the chances of him moving to Brighton Valley?

Slim to none, she’d bet.

Still, she couldn’t help wondering what her life might be like if she and Peyton were to strike up a romantic relationship.

Of course, if he wasn’t going to settle in town permanently, that wasn’t going to do her any good. So she’d better stop wasting her time thinking about it.

Instead she’d focus on how happy she was that he’d taken an interest in Tyler. The poor kid could sure use a male influence in his life, especially since he’d never bonded with his father.

At first she’d assumed Todd wasn’t comfortable with newborns. And then she’d blamed it on him being too busy with his studies and playing college football. And when a career in the NFL never panned out and he had to get a regular job, she’d chalked it up to the two of them having no common interests. But Todd hadn’t bonded with Lisa, either.

The truth was, Todd Redding hadn’t cared about anyone but himself. And trying to create a family and a home with him had been an impossible dream from the get-go.

When the sliding door eased open and Peyton returned to the dining room, their eyes met, and her pulse rate slipped into overdrive. For a moment, a world of romantic possibilities opened up, but she decided not to pin her heart on any of them.

“How’d it go?” she asked.

“Okay. I asked him about that slight bruise and the small scratch I’d seen on his face earlier. He said it happened while he was chasing the dog. But on the outside chance someone’s still teasing him, I showed him some defensive moves, like my buddy once taught me. I think it’ll give him a little confidence.”

“Thank you, Peyton. You have no idea how much I appreciate your help.”

Before either of them could comment further, Tyler entered the house, the dog tagging along behind him. “I have a question for you. Since you work for Geekon and Zorba’s, I was wondering if you knew Clay Jenkins.”

Peyton stiffened, and Megan wondered why. Did it bother him to be reminded of the home office and that his days in Brighton Valley were coming to an end? She hoped so, because it was bothering her more than she cared to admit.

“Why do you want to know about him?” Peyton narrowed his gaze, then rubbed his chin, much the way her grandpa used to stroke his beard when he pondered a perplexing question.

“Because I have to do a report on a hero of mine, and I was going to do it on Bill Gates or Steve Jobs or someone like that. But I was thinking that maybe I should write about Clay Jenkins since he’s the guy my mom works for. And since you might even know him personally.”

“I...uh, know who he is,” Peyton said.

“What’s he like?”

Peyton’s stance eased, and his lips quirked into a slow grin. “Clay’s a lot like you—not always respected by his peers, but he’s much brighter than they are. He’s also loyal to his friends and determined to succeed. But I think you’d be better off doing that report on Bill Gates, especially since you’re taping that special about him on TV tonight.”

“Yeah, maybe you’re right.”

As Tyler left the room, Peyton turned to Megan and crossed his arms. Then he averted his gaze and scanned the dining room.

“You have a nice house,” he said. “It’s homey. And a great place to raise kids.”

“Thanks. This was my grandparents’ house, so I spent a lot of time here when I was growing up. I learned to cook, bake, can fruit and make jam here. And after my grandparents died, they left the house to my mom. She and my stepdad are traveling, so I’m house-sitting.”

“You don’t actually live here?” he asked.

Moving home after her divorce had been a necessity and not something she was eager to admit. But since Todd hadn’t fulfilled his obligation to pay child support, and she’d refused to go to his wealthy family and ask for their assistance, she’d had no other choice.

“Yes, we live here. And until my mom and stepdad get back, which probably won’t be until Christmas or early next year, we have the house to ourselves.”

“Well, you’re doing a fine job of keeping the home fires burning. A guy could find himself getting way too cozy here.” He smiled, then glanced at his wristwatch. “It’s getting late, so I’d better head back to the apartment. Thanks so much for having me over for dinner. It was the best meal I’ve had in ages. In fact, I can’t remember when I’ve had better.”

“You’re welcome to join us anytime.” Gosh, had she just issued an open invitation? Not that she wanted to renege on it, but what in the world was she going to do if Peyton started coming to dinner every night?

But more important, what was she going to do when he left town for good?

She’d been so distrustful of him when he’d first arrived, but he was proving to be a good friend. She was also moved by his openness and honesty. How refreshing it was to meet a man she could trust.

As Peyton opened the door, she followed him outside. The moon was especially bright, and a light summer breeze stirred the fragrance of the orchard at night.

It also stirred the scent of his cologne, which mingled with the sparks that zinged between them whenever they were alone.

“Thanks for everything,” she said, not going into detail but hoping he knew what was in her heart.

Peyton placed a hand along her jaw, sending a ripple of heat clean through her. As his gaze locked on to hers, his thumb caressed her cheek. “I have no business doing this.”

“Doing what?” she asked, the words coming out in a wispy, choppy breath. But she sensed what he meant, what he was about to do—and she welcomed it. As his lips lowered to hers, she closed her eyes and let her romantic dreams take flight.

Chapter Nine

A
s their lips met, Megan slipped her arms around Peyton’s neck, kissing him slowly at first, as if they were teenagers testing the waters of sexual attraction. But the shyness didn’t last long.

The moment their tongues met, she leaned into him, losing herself in his arms, in his taste. And within a couple of heartbeats, the kiss exploded with passion.

Maybe it was the fact that she’d been celibate for so long. Or maybe it was because Peyton was such an amazing kisser who promised to be an even better lover.

At this point, the only thing that really mattered was that she wanted more from Peyton than she’d ever imagined she would. And she didn’t want this kiss to ever end.

She had no idea how long they stood outside, wrapped in each other’s arms, breaths mingling, hands caressing, exploring. It seemed that she was caught up in something much bigger, much stronger than she’d anticipated. But she finally drew her mouth from his just so she could take a breath. Yet she continued to hold him tightly, to rest her cheek against his.

“I...uh...” Peyton blew out a ragged breath. “Well, if I’d known how nice your good-night kiss was going to be, I would have told you I had to leave sooner than this.”

She smiled. “I didn’t expect it to be so nice, either.”

“Neither did I, but I’m glad it happened.”

So was she. Now all she had to do was figure out what sharing a knee-weakening, breath-stealing heated kiss like that meant—and what she wanted to do about it.

She’d known that she was sexually attracted to him. But she’d never guessed that they would have the kind of chemistry that would set the night on fire.

“I guess this complicates things,” she said.

“Just a bit.”

She blew out a sigh, then pulled free of his embrace. “I guess we should call it a day and see how we feel about things in the morning.”

“Maybe so.”

Yet neither of them took a step in either direction. That is, until Lisa swung open the door and popped her head outside. “Oh, good. You didn’t leave yet, Mr. Johnson. I wanted to remind you about my game tomorrow. Since my mom doesn’t work on Wednesdays, she can’t remind you about it. And I don’t want you to forget.”

Peyton reached over and gave one of her braids a gentle tug. “I won’t forget. What time does it start?”

“Three o’clock.”

“All right. I’ll see you there.”

When Lisa shut the door, leaving them alone again, Peyton said, “I suppose that means I won’t be getting any breakfast burritos or warm muffins to eat with my coffee tomorrow. I’d forgotten that it was Wednesday.”

So had Megan, but that wasn’t a bad thing. It actually meant that they’d have more time to let things sink in.

She feared she might be falling for Peyton—as uneasy as that thought made her. And she was going to need more than a few hours to wrap her mind around that possibility.

And to decide just what in the heck she was going to do about it.

* * *

As Wednesday wore on, Clay found himself wandering around the shop, unable to get much work done. He’d been so caught up in that amazing but unexpected goodbye kiss he’d shared with Megan last night that he couldn’t seem to focus on anything else.

It might have started out as a sweet and friendly way to say
I’ll see you later,
but that wasn’t the way it had ended up. Instead it promised that they’d be seeing a hell of a lot more of each other. And that they’d be sharing a few good-morning kisses, too.

Damn. What was he going to do about that woman? He wasn’t about to settle in Brighton Valley, but was he ready for the alternative? Did he want to tell her who he was, then ride off with her and the kids in the sunset?

He raked his hand through his hair for the umpteenth time, then clucked his tongue. He wasn’t so sure he wanted to leave town without her.

She’d said that they would have to wait and see how they felt about things in the morning, but he sure hoped she didn’t ask him what conclusion he’d come up with, because he was still just as befuddled now as he’d been last night.

Befuddled? Hell, it was more like bewitched.

Somehow he’d managed to make it through the day. Then, at a quarter to three, he placed a closed sign on the front door, locked up the shop and made the walk to the park, where he’d promised to meet up with Megan and the kids.

It was a fairly short walk down Main Street to the town square, then another block to the park. He’d no more than stepped onto the walkway that led to the ball field, when he spotted a familiar face—Rick Martinez.

Clay had been meaning to call his old friend, but he hadn’t done so yet. A while back, Rick had asked him to help him locate Joey, his younger brother, who’d left town ten years ago and had never been heard of since.

Rick had hired a P.I., who hadn’t had any luck. And so he’d thought Clay might have better luck using his computer skills.

It wouldn’t be the first time Clay had helped the guy who’d stepped in and stopped Todd Redding’s harassment back when they’d both been at Washington High in Wexler.

After Rick had transferred to Brighton Valley High and mentioned his interest in Mallory Dickinson, a beautiful blond honor student, Clay had hacked into the BVHS computer system and found her phone number and address, along with a few other pertinent details. He’d passed it to Rick—a gift from one friend to another.

Several weeks later, Rick and Mallory started dating. Clay had been happy for his friend, although he’d felt like an outsider again. Then, when Mallory left town, and the couple had eventually broken up, Rick had been devastated. It had been enough to make a guy leery of falling in love—that is, if Clay ever found the right girl.

And now he wondered if Megan might be that girl....

“Well, look what the proverbial cat dragged in.” Rick, who’d been heading for the drinking fountain, stopped in his tracks, then extended his hand in greeting. “How long have you been in town?”

“A little more than a week. I called you a few days after I arrived, but your receptionist said you and your family were vacationing in Hawaii.”

“We just got back. I have an associate working with me at the clinic now, so I can finally take some time off.”

“I’m glad to hear it. How are Mallory and Lucas doing?”

“They’re both great.” Rick cocked his head. “But look at you, Clay. I never thought I’d see the day when you would cut your long hair, shave that beard or toss your glasses. What’s that all about? Going for a new style?”

“Actually, I’ve been trying to lay low. No one down at the store knows who I really am. In fact, I told them my name is Peyton Johnson and that I’m an accountant who was sent by corporate to help them convert to a new system.”

“When you mentioned coming to Brighton Valley to check things out at the store, I had no idea you were going to go undercover.”

“Yeah, well, it seemed like a good idea at the time, but now I’m going to have to figure out a way to come clean. I’m just not ready to do that yet.”

“Why? Do you still think there’s something underhanded going on at the store?”

“No, not anymore.” Clay told Rick about Megan, about how things were warming up between them—and how nice it was to know a woman liked him for something other than the things he could buy her or the places he could take her.

“Megan’s a nice woman. She also makes great muffins, jams and jellies. We make a point of stopping by her booth at the farmers market.”

“Yes, I know. But if our paths cross, especially if I’m with her and the kids, pretend that we’ve never met until now.”

“I won’t say anything—or call you by name. But I can’t lie for you, especially to my wife. And to make matters even more difficult, she and Megan are friends.”

“I understand. And for the record, I don’t intend to keep it a secret much longer. I’ll be coming clean soon.”

“Good,” Rick said. “That’ll make things easier, at least for me.”

“I should have realized Mallory and Megan would be friends. They both went to Brighton Valley High.”

“Actually, they never ran in the same crowds when they were in school. Megan was a cheerleader, and Mallory hung out with the honor students—that is, until she met me.”

Clay remembered those days in high school, when Rick had been aimless and prone to getting into trouble. “But at least things finally worked out for you guys.”

“It took a ten-year separation, but yeah. Things worked out great. And I’ll let you in on a secret. We’re going to have a baby at the end of December.”

“Just in time for Christmas?”

“Maybe. Or New Year’s. Either way, we couldn’t be happier.” Rick’s smile faded a bit. “Well, the only thing that would make it better would be to find my brother. Have you had any luck?”

“Actually, I finally got a lead about two weeks ago, although it isn’t much of one yet. So I hate to get your hopes up until I hear back from a guy.”

“When Joey left town, he disappeared off the face of the earth. So your lead is the first one I’ve had. What did you turn up?”

“I found a retired marine who took the same bus Joey did when he ran off. And he might know something.”

“You haven’t talked to him yet?”

“The guy lives in some remote fishing village in Mexico. He has to go into a nearby town just to get cell-phone service or an internet connection, and even then it’s sketchy at best. But I sent him an email, and I’m waiting to hear back. So I’ll keep you posted.”

“Great. Thanks.”

Before either man could comment further, Tyler walked toward them with Pancho on a leash. “Can I get the key to the repair shop, Mr. Johnson?”

“Sure.” Clay reached into his pocket and handed it over to the boy.

“That’s a nice dog,” Rick said. “But he’s way too thin.”

Tyler patted the top of the dog’s head. “Yeah, I know. But you should have seen him before we gave him a bath and fed him, Dr. Martinez.”

“Pancho was a stray,” Peyton explained. “The kids found him yesterday.”

Rick stooped to give Pancho a scratch behind his ear. “Tell your mom to bring him in for a free exam—and for his shots.”

“Cool. Thanks, Doctor. I’ll do that.”

When Tyler took off toward the repair shop on Main, Clay said, “I’ll pay for the dog’s exam and his shots. You don’t need to offer them a freebie.”

“I’m not going to charge either one of you. I run an animal rescue, and Pancho probably would have ended up at my place if Megan’s kids hadn’t found him first. So I would have fattened him up and made sure he was healthy before finding him a home. I’ve always been a sucker for strays.”

That was true. And Clay was lucky Rick had seen him as a stray who needed rescuing all those years ago.

Assuming a stray wandered through life looking for a place where he really fit in, then in some ways, Clay supposed he still was one.

* * *

The next afternoon while Megan went to pick up her kids from school, Clay sat in front of the computer, checking email. When he spotted one from Diablo Perro, the retired marine he’d been trying to reach, he clicked the mouse, and the message opened right up.

Yep, you found the right Mack McGinnis. And as a matter of fact, me and a couple of buddies did take the Old Gray Dog from Texas to California about ten years back. That’s one trip I’ll never forget. It was raining like hell. The bus broke down a couple of times. There was a pileup on the interstate near Tucson. Turned out okay, but I thought we’d never make it to Camp Pendleton in time and would end up in the brig. So a few of us caught a ride with a family heading to the coast. Why do you ask?

Clay had waited two weeks for this response, so there was no telling how long he’d have to wait for the next one. But he had a lead, and he wasn’t about to let it go. So he typed in the reason for his query.

I’m looking for a kid named Joey Martinez. He was on that same bus but was never accounted for in Tucson or in San Diego. He was seventeen and had been a foster kid. His brother lost touch with him and wants to find him. By any chance do you remember seeing him or know where he might have gone?

“What are you doing?” Tyler asked as he entered the back office.

Clay, who’d just clicked Send, said, “Not much. A friend of mine had asked me to look for his brother, a guy who went missing years ago. He hadn’t been able to find him, and he thought I could do it through the internet.”

“Did you?” Tyler asked. “Find him, I mean.”

“Not yet, but I might have uncovered someone who ran into him.”

“Wow. That’s cool.”

“It would be super cool if I actually found him and helped the two brothers reconnect.”

Tyler bit down on his bottom lip. “Think you could help me do that?”

“Do what? Find someone?”

“Yeah. My dad. He and my mom split up, and I haven’t seen him since. I don’t expect them to get married again or anything like that. He ended up with someone else. But he doesn’t write or call or send money or anything. And...well, it’s just that...” Tyler bit down on his bottom lip again, then looked back at Clay. “He divorced my mom, but don’t you think he’d want to have a relationship with his son?”

Clay, more than anyone, understood a kid’s desire to think that a dad or a mom or some absent person in his life adored him and was just waiting to be found. But when he’d gone in search of his own father, he’d felt worse after finding him than if he hadn’t looked for him at all.

Clay wanted to spare Tyler from going through the same heartbreaking experience, especially since he’d gathered that Megan’s ex-husband wasn’t any nobler than Professor Bradley Madigan had turned out to be.

And even if things didn’t turn out the same way for Tyler, and his dad did end up wanting to be a part of his kids’ lives, Clay wasn’t so sure he liked the idea of the guy waltzing back into the picture like some long-lost hero when he’d been anything but.

“I can’t help you with that, Tyler. Sometimes men who are weak and irresponsible disappear for good reasons. And finding them only stirs up trouble for the people who’ve moved on with their lives. My advice is to just let it be.”

Tyler glanced down and studied his scuffed sneakers for a moment, then looked up and gave a little shrug. “Okay, I’ll think about it.”