|
see reviews
June 2009
Harlequin American
Order online:
Amazon.com |
BarnesandNoble.com
Chapter One
Lilly Russo wasn't looking forward to meeting with the man who'd so
unceremoniously dumped her a mere three weeks ago. She'd do it,
however, and just about anything else for the clients of Horizon
Adult Daycare Center. They were too deserving, too much in need, too
dear to her to lose out on a golden opportunity because of her
foolish pride.
"Mr. Tucker will be with you in a few minutes."
"Thank you."
If the secretary knew that her boss and Lilly had recently engaged
in a brief affair, she gave no indication.
"Would you care for coffee or water while you wait?"
"I'm fine, thank you."
Lilly attempted a smile and sat on the closest piece of furniture,
which happened to be an overstuffed couch, and instantly sank like a
stone into the soft cushions. She should have chosen the chair by
the window instead. Then, she would have been able to stand
gracefully when the secretary or, worse, Jake Tucker himself came to
collect her for their appointment.
While she waited, she studied the comfortable and charmingly
appointed lobby. The rustic, western flavor of the mountain guest
resort was as apparent here as everywhere else on the ranch. Green
checkered curtains framed large picture windows. Heavy pine
furniture, much of it antique, sat atop polished hardwood floors
covered by colorful area rugs. Paintings depicting nature scenes and
wild animals indigenous to Arizona's southern rim country hung on
the walls.
Lilly had been acquainted with Jake Tucker, manager of Bear Creek
Ranch and owner of the retail space where the daycare center was
located for almost two years. Prior to their short-lived romance,
she'd visited the ranch only a few times. On her first occasion C it
seemed like a lifetime ago C her predecessor had introduced her to
Jake as the center's new administrator. It was at a Labor Day
cookout nine weeks ago when Jake suddenly took notice of her and
asked her on a date.
If Lilly knew then what she did now, she'd have saved herself a heap
of heartache and refused his invitation.
The secretary appeared in Lilly's line of vision. "Mr. Tucker will
see you now."
She pushed out of the couch, wobbling only once, much to her relief.
Had it not been important for her to make an impression on Jake,
she'd have selected something other than a slim-fitting suit and
high heel pumps to wear. He wouldn't guess by looking at her how
much his abrupt breakup had hurt her. Not if she could help it.
"Follow me, please." The secretary led Lilly behind the busy front
desk to an open office door. She gestured for Lilly to enter before
discretely moving aside.
The moment of truth had arrived.
Mentally rehearsing her pitch, Lilly stepped into Jake's office. She
came to a halt when the door unexpectedly closed behind her. The
secretary's doing? Lilly's stomach, already uneasy to begin with,
knotted into a tight ball.
Jake sat behind a large, ornate desk reading a computer screen, his
profile to her. He turned his head to look at her, and she was
struck anew by the handsomeness of his intelligent hazel eyes and
strong, square jaw. Memories of her cradling his face between her
hands while they made, what was for her, exquisite love flooded her.
She promptly lost track of what she'd planned to say.
He stood and reached a hand across the desk to her. "Good morning,
Lilly. How are you?"
His greeting jump started her befuddled brain. "Hello, Jake."
She stepped forward and accepted his handshake. His grip was
confident and controlled and very typical of him when it came to
business dealings. But she'd seen him in those rare moments when he
lost control and gave himself over passion. That was the Jake she
found most attractive, the one she'd fallen for harder than she
thought possible.
"Thanks for seeing me on such short notice." She cleared the nervous
tickle from her throat and sat in one of the two visitor chairs
facing his desk.
"I would have come to the center on my next trip to town," he said,
resuming his seat.
"I thought our meeting should take place here since what I want to
discuss involves Bear Creek Ranch."
His brows shot up. "Is that so?"
He wore his sandy brown hair a little longer than when she'd first
met him. It complimented his customary wardrobe of western shirts
and dress jeans. It also felt nice to the touch and was surprisingly
soft when sifted through inquisitive fingers.
"Yes." Lilly struggled to stay on track.
She couldn't afford to mess this up. The center's clients and staff
were depending on her to make their hopes and dreams a reality.
Neither would a loss of focus benefit her. She and Jake were no
longer an item, their personal relationship over. Hadn't he made
that abundantly clear three weeks ago? He could go down on his
knees, crawl on all fours across the floor, and she wouldn't agree
to see him again.
Lilly Russo didn't court misery. She'd had enough in her life so far
for two people, thank you very much.
"As you know," she continued, finding her stride after a rocky
start, "the center isn't just a babysitting service for emotionally
and mentally challenged adults. One of our goals is to provide our
clients with recreational activities that enhance their life
experience, either by intellectually stimulating them or teaching
them skills they can use outside the center."
"You have a great program there."
"I'm glad you think so because we'd like your help with a project."
"What kind of help?"
Someone who didn't know Jake quite so well might have missed the
subtle change in his expression from mild interest to wariness.
Lilly suspected the wariness had more to do with his feelings toward
her and their breakup than helping the center. She rallied against a
quick, yet intense, flash of pain and continued with her pitch.
"The center's revenue comes from a variety of sources, including
donations. Some of those donations are in the form of equipment or
furniture or even small appliances rather than money. We've received
something that I initially thought was unusable. But after some
consideration, I've changed my mind. The owners and staff agree with
me that if we can find a suitable place to board this item, it might
prove to be very valuable and enjoyable to our clients."
"Board?"
Trust Jake to pick up on the one key word in her long speech.
"Yes. A mule."
"Someone's given you a mule?"
"Tom and Ginger Malcovitch. You may know them."
"I do." Jake frowned.
Lilly knew why. Ginger's brother and Jake's ex-wife had recently
announced their engagement. In fact, it was right after their
announcement that Jake had asked Lilly out on their first date.
Unfortunately, she hadn't seen the connection. Not until the night
he'd ended their relationship.
"The mule is old and very gentle, thought slightly lame in one leg."
She pushed the unhappy memories to the back of her mind, determined
not to let anything deter her. "Not so lame that he couldn't be lead
around a ring carrying one adult."
"Your clients?"
She nodded. "I'm sure you've heard of the positive effect animals
can have on the mentally, emotionally and even physically
challenged. They seem to have an ability to bond with these
individuals in a way people can't."
"I saw something once on TV."
"Yes, well, the benefits animals have on the elderly and the
disabled is a documented fact." She wished he'd sounded more
enthused.
"And you think this mule will help your clients?"
"I'm convinced of it."
He arched a brow. "What precisely do you want from me? Or, should I
say, the ranch?"
She gathered her courage. "All we're asking is that you let us coral
the mule with the horses here on the ranch and the use of some
riding equipment. In exchange, our clients who are able to will
provide work for the ranch."
"What kind of work?"
"Muck out stalls. Feed. Clean and oil saddles and bridles. Whatever
simple tasks can be accomplished in a morning or afternoon."
Jake expelled a long breath and sat back in his chair.
Lilly sensed she was losing him and panicked. "I've spoken with our
CPA. She tells me the cost of boarding the mule would be a tax
deduction for the ranch."
"It's not just the money."
"You've offered to help the center in the past."
"I was thinking more along the lines of repairs and maintenance. Not
providing jobs for your clients."
"Work in exchange for boarding our mule isn't exactly a job."
"There's an issue of liability." Jake spoke slowly and appeared to
pick his words carefully.
Lilly's defenses shot up. "Because our clients are disabled?"
"Because your clients would be neither guests nor employees. I'm not
sure they'd be covered by our insurance in the case of a mishap."
"Oh. Of course." Insurance wasn't an obstacle Lilly had anticipated,
and she chided herself for her shortsightedness. "I understand. You
have to do what's best for the ranch."
"I'll call our agent later today. Check with him on how the policy
reads."
The wheels in Lilly's mind churned. "What if the center's insurance
covered our clients while they were on the ranch?"
"Does it?"
"I'll find out. If not, maybe the center's owners could have a
special rider added."
Jake drummed his fingers on the desktop. "Should I wind up agreeing
to your proposition, I'll still need to take it to the family for
their approval."
Here was an obstacle Lilly had anticipated. Jake managed Bear Creek
Ranch but it was owned equally by eight members of the Tucker
family, including him.
"I'd be happy to meet with the family," she said, hope filling the
void left by her earlier disappointment.
"Let's wait a bit. That may not be necessary."
She sat back in her chair, unaware she'd inched forward.
"Your clients would also have to keep a reasonable distance from the
guests. Please don't take this the wrong way, but they may make some
people uncomfortable, and I have to put our guests' interest first."
Was Jake one of those people? Lilly compressed her lips and paused
before replying. She encountered this 'uncomfortableness' on a
regular basis. And not just at the center.
It started with her ex-husband, immediately following their son
Evan's birth. She'd also seen it in the expressions of countless
friends and relatives who visited during the two months little Evan
resided in the hospital's neonatal intensive care unit. Then later
when they brought him home, still hooked to machines and monitors.
The uncomfortableness prevailed even at Evan's funeral seven months
later.
Differences and abnormalities, Lilly had sadly learned, weren't
always well tolerated. All she could do was try and show people that
special needs individuals were frequently affectionate and charming
and worth knowing.
"That won't be a problem," she told Jake. "Our clients will be
closely supervised at all times. At least one staff member for every
two to three clients." She made a mental note to step up their
volunteer drive.
He nodded thoughtfully. "I'd like you here at least twice a week.
More often would be preferable."
"I...um..."
"You're the center's administrator and head of the program. You need
to be overseeing it on a regular basis."
Lilly cleared her throat while weighing her options. Once she'd
established the program, she planned on staying far away, setting
foot on Bear Creek Ranch only when absolutely necessary. The
prospect of frequently running into Jake was disconcerting to say
the least.
But not enough for her to abandon what promised to be a worthwhile
program.
"All right." She squared her shoulders and drew in a fortifying
breath.
"I'll let you know what the family says." Jake rose.
Lilly did likewise. "Do you know when that might be?" She started to
mention the Malcovitch's impending house sale then bit her tongue.
Another reminder of Jake's ex-wife's recent engagement wouldn't
advance her cause. "We need to find a place for the mule this week."
"Saturday's the soonest I can get everyone together. If you're
stuck, you can board the mule here temporarily."
"Really?" She couldn't help smiling. His offer was both unexpected
and generous. "Thank you, Jake."
He came around the desk toward her, a spark of interest lighting his
eyes. "It was nice seeing you again, Lilly."
As they walked toward his office door, his fingers came to rest
lightly on her elbow. The gesture was courteous. Not the least bit
sexual. Yet, she was instantly struck with an image of that same
hand roaming her body and bringing her intense pleasure.
Oh, no. She didn't need this now. Not when she'd finally come to
terms with their breakup.
"I'll call you in a day or two about our insurance policy." She
casually sidestepped him, the movement dislodging his hand.
"Take care, Lilly."
Was that concern she heard in his voice? Did he possibly regret the
ruthless manner in which he'd informed her they were through? A more
plausible explanation was that she'd heard what she wanted to.
But then, there was that look on his face...
"You, too, Jake." She left his office before her mind jumped to a
wrong conclusion, barely acknowledging the young woman seated at the
workstation behind the front desk.
Lilly's thigh-hugging skirt hampered her hasty retreat across the
lobby. She slowed before she tumbled rather than walked down the
porch steps. From now on, she vowed, whatever transpired between her
and Jake Tucker would be strictly business. Forget all those 'looks'
and 'touches' and 'vocal inflections'. She wasn't going to endanger
a worthwhile program for the center and her heart on misread
signals.
|
