Want You Back Page 2

  Jake couldn’t believe now that he’d thought it would be so simple. He’d actually believed he’d breeze into town, go see Jenny, and she’d welcome him with open arms. Well, maybe not exactly, but he had envisioned a scenario similar to that. He’d known he’d have to do a fair amount of explaining—it wasn’t every day a man walked out on his bride days before the wedding and disappeared for two years. He really couldn’t blame her for hating him.

  Even though he had a good reason. Unfortunately, until everything was settled and he had been informed the case was closed, he couldn’t tell her anything. And there were some things he could never tell her.

  Of course The Sentinel ran a front page story heralding Jake’s return. After glancing at the headline and the accompanying photos, Jenny tossed the paper down without reading it News was scarce in Ater, but she didn’t see why Jake coming home was newsworthy.

  She still hadn’t talked to Howard. She’d returned his message, only to have his secretary tell her that he was in a meeting. She’d left a message and Howard, bless his soul, had been too busy to return her call.

  Jenny took particular care with her outfit Tuesday morning. She needed to look as professional and capable as possible. The city council met on the second Tuesday of every month and Jenny always attended. She did the income taxes for everyone on the council, from the mayor on down, and wanted to project a capable, professional appearance. Howard agreed with her on the importance of this, and the suit she wore today was one of his favorites.

  When she arrived at city hall, she had trouble finding a parking spot. Perplexed, Jenny eased her silver

  Honda into the elementary school parking lot. The only time this many people had attended a council meeting was when they were voting on where to build the new high school.

  She hurried into the building, wondering what was going on. Maybe she should have read The Sentinel after all. It might have given her a clue.

  Entering the packed room, she took one of the few available remaining seats, which was near the back. Howard, sitting in the front as befitted his position on the city council, saw her and inclined his head in greeting.

  At exactly nine o’clock, Justin T. Speerlock, the mayor, rapped his gavel on the podium and cleared his throat.

  Instantly everyone quieted.

  ‘ ‘As everyone knows by now’ ’—beaming, he paused and surveyed the crowd—“Jake Durham has purchased the Malvoran house and intends to make it into a first-class restaurant.”

  To Jenny’s disbelief, everyone applauded vigorously, including Howard. Then Jake stood, making his way through the crush of people to the podium.

  Jenny slid a bit lower in her seat, hoping he wouldn’t notice her.

  “In talks with the mayor and the council, I have developed a plan for the continued growth of our fair city.”

  As Jake’s smooth voice rolled over her, Jenny wondered when he had become a politician. Numb, she tuned out his words, letting herself study his handsome physique and trying not to notice how many other women did the same.

  More boisterous applause made her return to the situation at hand. She watched as the mayor, still grinning, clapped Jake on the back as if they were best buddies.

  “So”—Justin T. Speerlock surveyed the room, his sharp gaze lighting on Jenny—“I ask each and every one of you to do your part to ensure that these developments come to pass.”

  Was it her imagination, or was the mayor speaking to her personally? Jenny shook her head, feeling herself color as the people in the front of the room turned to see what had caught both Jake’s and the mayor’s eye.

  “Can we count on you?” Justin T. Speerlock boomed.

  The room erupted into enthusiastic ayes.

  A pep rally, Jenny thought in disbelief. Somehow Jake had managed to turn the normally staid city council meeting into a high school pep rally. And the sad thing about it was that it seemed like everyone in Ater had bought into it

  She had heard enough. While the mayor called for silence, she pushed herself out of her seat and left the room.

  Once outside she tried to breathe normally. This was her worst nightmare come to life. How could they do this to her, the people she knew and loved? She’d grown up with them, for goodness’ sake! Surely Jake’s master plan, whatever it was, couldn’t be so wonderful that they would forget what he had done. They had to know what kind of man he was. She snorted. That was it. She would remind them of that as soon as humanely possible. Jake might talk a blue streak, but he wasn’t a man of his word. He would let them down, just as he’d let her down. She’d bet her CPA business on it

  Whistling, Jenny strode to her car and started it

  She wouldn’t have to endure this torture too much longer. Howard would understand and he would help her. Actually, she wouldn’t have to do much of anything. Based on her past experience with him, she believed Jake would hang himself. Then—please, oh please, she said silently—he might pack up and leave town again, this time for good.

  Chapter Two

  The office was blissfully quiet There were no messages, since everyone in town had been at the city council meeting.

  “How did it go?” Monica asked the question more from habit than anything else. Both of them knew how deadly boring the city council meetings usually were.

  Jenny filled her in, trying to maintain a neutral tone.

  Perking up, Monica tilted her head. “Really? What was his growth plan?”

  Ashamed that she hadn’t listened, Jenny shook her head. “I don’t know, but I guarantee it’s all smoke and mirrors. He won’t come through with whatever he’s promised.”

  “Maybe he’s changed.”

  Jenny thought of the smooth tone he’d used when he called her pumpkin, making the familiar endearment sound meaningful, as if two entire years didn’t stand between them.

  “He hasn’t changed.”

  Monica pursed her mouth in a sympathetic grimace. “You sound bitter.”

  “Do I?” Suddenly weary, Jenny didn’t care. She wished she could turn back the clock to the way things had been two days ago, before Jake had reappeared. Sure, they’d been mundane, routine and ordinary. Boring even, sometimes. But calm and predictable. No heartache. No pain.

  “One thing for sure,” she announced, “Brenda Sue said he wanted me to be his accountant. That won’t be happening. Not in this lifetime.”

  “Jenny!” Monica grabbed her hand. “You know we can’t afford to turn away business. Any business. Things are slow enough as it is.”

  Stubbornly, Jenny met Monica’s gaze. “I knew what it would be like when I chose to open a business in Ater. It’s a small town. I’m the only CPA. I have all the business I can handle.”

  Both of them knew this wasn’t strictly true.

  “What does Howard think?”

  Jenny paused, then smiled. “I haven’t spoken to him yet. But I’m sure he’ll agree with me.”

  Monica opened her mouth to respond, then abruptly closed it. “It’s your decision,” she said, then spun on her four-inch spike heels and returned to her desk.

  Like every other morning, Jenny began working, this time on the financial statements she did for several of Ater’s small businesses. This type of thing, along with tax work, receivables, and the like she did Monday through Wednesday. She always did payroll on Thursdays, weekly tax deposits on Fridays. This routine suited her, and she took pride in the fact that she never was late. She delivered the weekly payroll checks every Thursday, so the employees could have them on payday Friday.

  She grew so engrossed in her work that she was surprised to find the clock showed nearly noon.

  The telephone rang, sounding loud in the silent office. Stretching, Jenny listened to Monica’s professional greeting as she answered.

  Then the intercom on her desk phone beeped. “It’s Justin T. Speerlock!” Monica sounded awed. “Maybe he wants me to do his taxes,” Jenny said, though she seriously doubted that was the reason for the call. In fact, f
rom the sinking feeling in her stomach, she had a hunch that this would be concerning Jake and his “growth plan” for Ater.

  After exchanging greetings, the mayor outlined the purpose of his impromptu call. When Jenny finally hung up the phone, she was seething.

  “Well?” Monica pushed Jenny’s door open and dropped into her favorite seat next to the desk. ‘ ‘What did our honorable mayor want?”

  “I’d like to throttle Jake,’’Jenny muttered. “I can’t believe this.”

  Monica leaned forward, drumming her lacquered nails on the desk. “Tell me.”

  “Jake’s got the mayor—and the city council, too— convinced that once he opens his restaurant, with his connections in Dallas, more businesses will follow. That was his growth project.” She spat the words, wishing she’d had the nerve to tell the mayor what she thought of the entire fiasco.

  “More businesses? Like what?”

  “A hotel, a plant farm, a convenience store.”

  Jenny ticked them off on her fingers. “Justin T. even mentioned something about a mall.”

  Monica gasped. “Our own mall?”

  Since Monica complained constantly about having to drive all the way to Greenville to shop at a mall, Jenny could see how that might appeal to her. Still.

  “It’s lies, Monica. All lies.” Sighing, Jenny reminded her, “None of this will happen. Not even the restaurant. Jake will start fixing up the Malvoran house, oh yes. But he’ll get bored before he’s through. You mark my words.”

  Monica shook her head. “But a mall would be nice.” She said wistfully, her eyes growing dreamy. “We wouldn’t have to drive clear up to Greenville to shop. Imagine that.”

  Now Jenny could see firsthand the effect of Jake and his lies. Monica wouldn’t be the only disappointed person in Ater when he failed to follow through with his grandiose plans. She jumped to her feet. “I’ve had enough.”

  Wide-eyed, Monica stared. “What are you going to do?”

  “I’m going to talk to Jake. This has got to stop.” Before she could talk herself out of it, Jenny hopped in her car and headed out.

  He almost didn’t recognize her. When one of the workman came upstairs to tell him he had a visitor, Jake grimaced at his plaster-covered hands and wiped them on his jeans. Probably another well-wisher, stopping by to congratulate him and to check out the renovations personally. Since the city council meeting, he’d averaged two per day.

  Trotting downstairs, he hoped this one, whoever it was, would be satisfied with a quick look around. Jake had too much work to do to socialize.

  Jenny stood on the front porch, her sensible navy pumps planted on a sturdy beam. Which was good thinking, since he hadn’t gotten around to making the repairs there yet. Her back was to him, vivid red hair twisted up in a coil on the top of her head. The severe navy suit she wore was unable to disguise the lush curve of her hip, the sleek lines of her long legs.

  Immediately, his heart began to race. “Jenny.”

  She turned, her jade eyes meeting his. “Jake.” Her voice was as devoid of emotion as his had been rich with it.

  Though hearing the way she sounded made him ache inside, he kept his smile pleasant. “Nice suit” The Jenny he’d known had only owned two dresses— and both of them worn only under duress. She’d only just graduated from college and had been finishing up her coursework for the CPA exam. She’d laughed a lot, worn her hair long and unbound, and sworn off shoes for an entire summer. She’d painted her toenails all the colors of the rainbow, a different one for each toe and lathered suntan lotion on her feet. By the end of the summer her feet were brown and colorful and he was in love for the first time in his life.

  Jenny, ah Jenny. His leaving had protected her, though he knew she’d never believe it. She’d changed so much.

  Once, she’d been his exact opposite—carefree, spontaneous, and full of joy. Hearing the sound of her bell-like laughter had always been able to raise his spirits. He studied her with mounting concern. She appeared to be the kind of person he’d been afraid of becoming: bound by convention and time clocks, dressed for success, rigid and controlled. Not his Jenny, not at all.

  “Thank you.” Jenny tapped the toes of her pumps on the board. “It’s Howard’s favorite.”

  “Howard?”

  “My, er, male friend.” Her mouth pursed tightly, and she let her gaze rake over him in a way that clearly told him she found him wanting. “Fiancé, actually.”

  So Jenny had found someone else. He ought to be glad for her. He told himself he was glad for her, since it showed she’d gotten over him. Yet she didn’t seem happy, not the way she’d been when they’d been together. She seemed so different.

  Because it hurt to look at her, he looked away. All around them the crape myrtles were blooming, a riot of vivid pink and white and purple. Mockingbirds, sparrows, and blue jays filled the tree tops, chirping cheerily. The occasional bee droned past his ear as it plundered the ripe floral banquet. It was a perfect summer day in Ater.

  Yet it felt all wrong.

  Jake brought his gaze back to Jenny. Tilting his head, he looked, blinked. “What have you done with her?” He blurted, suppressing a grin. The Jenny of old would have known exactly what he meant She’d brought out his innate sense of humor, nurtured it, reveled in it.

  Jenny’s eyes grew even chillier, if possible. “Excuse me?”

  He did laugh then. “Who are you and what have you done with my Jenny?”

  “I am not your Jenny.”

  No, she most certainly was not. But surely, the Jenny he remembered lurked somewhere under that frozen shell. If he’d thought to get her to crack a smile with his attempt at humor, he’d been oh so wrong. With a sigh, Jake gave up, for now. “What can I help you with?”

  She looked at him narrowly. “Is there someplace we can talk in private?”

  Inside the house was a small army of workmen. Enjoying the way the breeze ruffled his hair, he looked around at the gorgeous summer day and shook his head. “Right here is about as private as it gets,” he drawled. “I’d ask you to have a seat here on the stoop, but I wouldn’t want you to mess up your fancy suit.”

  She blushed prettily, looking down at her immaculate, unwrinkled skirt, smoothing it with a nervous flick of her wrist.

  Jake grinned, relieved. At least in that she hadn’t changed. Jenny had always hated the way she blushed so easily. Personally, he’d always thought it endearingly cute.

  “Fine.” Still red, she lifted her chin and met his gaze squarely. “We’ll talk out here. I wanted to talk to you about all the promises you’re making to the city council.”

  Perplexed, Jake crossed his arms in front of his chest. “Promises?”

  “Yes.” Eyes shooting sparks, she crossed her arms too. “Like this growth project everyone keeps talking about. It’s baloney, you know it and I know it. I think it is grossly inequitable for you to lead them on this way.”

  Grossly inequitable? The Jenny he’d known would never have used words like that. What the heck had happened to her in the last two years to change her from fun-loving, irrepressible Jenny to this prim, straight-laced prude? Was he responsible? Had his leaving made her change so drastically that he almost didn’t recognize her?

  If so, then he had more repaying to do than he’d originally thought.

  “Pumpkin,” he began, choosing his words carefully. Apparently not carefully enough.

  “Don’t call me that,” she snapped.

  Gritting his teeth, he plowed on. “Fine. Look, Jenny, I mean every word I’ve ever said about my restaurant. And I have spoken to several people, both investors and business people, who have expressed interest in Ater. I’m a man of my word.” Too late, he realized how that would sound to her.

  Her full mouth twisted. “A man of your word. Tell me, did you mean every word of your marriage proposal?” Her expressive eyes filled with horror as she realized what she’d said. “Never mind.” She held up a hand, as if to ward him off, even though h
e hadn’t even moved. “I can see I’m wasting my time.”

  Without even thinking, he moved to block her.

  She shrank away. “Don’t touch me.”

  Trying to hide his exasperation, Jake ran a hand through his hair, momentarily forgetting about the plaster that had coated his fingers. No doubt it coated his hair now.

  He glanced at Jenny. Her mouth twitched.

  Fascinated, he watched as she tried valiantly to suppress a smile then, abandoning the effort, laughed. The clear, bell-like tones rang out in the fragrant air, cheering him once more, giving him heart. She really was his Jenny, the one whose image he’d kept with him throughout two long, lonely years.

  Unfortunately, her laughter faded too quickly. Tears shone in her eyes, one finally slipping silently down her freckled cheek. Jake longed to reach out and wipe it away, but knew his touch wouldn’t be welcome.

  “Why did you come back?” Her voice broke. “It’s been two years. I got over you, went on. And now ...”

  Jake still couldn’t explain, couldn’t speak of what had called him away. Not yet, not while it remained unfinished.

  But why had he come back? How could he tell her that Ater was the only place that had ever seemed like home to him? And that it was mostly due to her, the only woman he’d ever loved and ever would love? How to say such a thing without her thinking he wanted her to take him back, that he was the same man who’d asked her to share his life on a day much like this one two years ago. Two endless years in which he had become someone else.

  The man he had become was no longer able to wish for such happiness. He could only stay as long as it was safe.

  She saw him stalling, trying to think, and misconstrued it. “Never mind.” Disgust lay heavy in her voice. “Don’t bother to answer. I don’t want to hear any more of your pretty speeches.”

  Moving past him, she shook her head. Jake offered no resistance, knowing that at least part of what she thought of him was true. And there was so much he wished he could tell her, but couldn’t. What little he could say wouldn’t even begin to assuage the pain he’d caused her.