Fun With Rick and Jade (18 page)

“What if Colleen wants Coral for no other reason than to punish her for existing?” The floodgates opened and the waterworks commenced as tears rolled down her cheeks. “I’m terrified, Rick.”

He pulled her against his chest and let her dry the tears on his shirt. He couldn’t solve all her problems or ease every fear, but he could be there for her and Coral. If Jade would let him.

***

Jade pushed the stroller on the bike path at the park. Neutral territory. Her stomach churned.

Rick placed his hand on the back of her neck and rubbed gently. “Don’t let him get you riled.”

She scoffed. “Says the guy who punched him out last time we met.” He had a valid point, though. She tended to go “off” on Ewan when threatened with a custody battle. Probably the reason he’d suggested the public park as a meeting place, either to keep her calm or have witnesses to her potential meltdown.

“That’s not going to happen again,” he assured her. “I’m taking deep cleansing breaths as we speak, for that very reason.”

Jade made for an empty bench near the playground. Someday she’d be carting Coral to the park to play on the swings and slides. In her fantasy, Rick would be with them. He’d push Coral in the swing and catch her at the bottom of the slide. They’d spread a blanket on the grass and share a picnic lunch. She could dream. She couldn’t make it happen. Jade couldn’t stop herself from pushing him away. Her coldness was a defense mechanism to protect her heart. Shutting down kept her safe. Kept her alone and miserable.

If she dared continue the fantasy, some john from her past would bust into her happiness, reminding her of her sordid history. Reminding Rick, too. It could happen at a restaurant, a movie theater, or even here at the park.

Jade and Rick sat on the bench, thighs touching, sharing warmth and support. He hadn’t made any grand gestures or implied anything close to love. Not since the previous night. She guessed he needed to guard his heart as well. Or he truly did
not
have feelings for her like she had for him. If he gave up so easily, it was nothing more than a case of infatuation mixed with sexual attraction.

He glanced at his watch. “He’s late.” Sounded like an accusation. A commentary on Ewan’s worthiness as a father.

“Typical,” she muttered. Ewan’s time was valuable to him, much more so than anyone else’s.

Rick rested his hand on his thigh, palm up. An open invitation. Jade felt the heavy weight of a thousand bad decisions anchoring her hand in place. From somewhere she found the strength to reach over and finger the gold band circling his digit. She braced herself for his rejection, either snatching his hand away or recoiling from her advance. Instead, his palm skimmed hers and her stomach settled from churning, replacing the unpleasant ache with an unsettling yearning for his fingers to fold around hers.

Coral fussed in the stroller. When Jade turned her attention from Rick to Coral, he stretched his arm out across the back of the bench, resting his hand lightly on her shoulder. His subtle affections acted as a battering ram to the wall she’d put up between them.

Coral turned her nose up at the bottle offered. Her rattle didn’t interest her. Her fussiness turned to crying.

“Give her here.” Rick held out his hands to take the baby.

Jade complied, gently transferring Coral from the stroller to his waiting arms. She cherished seeing her daughter in his embrace. He bounced her, making faces and silly noises. She settled down on his lap. Her cries turned to gurgles. Maybe he would stay in her daughter’s life, if not in Jade’s.

“Excuse me. Jade?” a woman said.

She glanced up to the voice. “Yes.” The sun blinded her view. She shielded her eyes from the glare with her hand.

Taking a step closer, the woman came into full view. Holding out her hand, she said, “I’m Colleen McShane.”

The churning in Jade’s belly returned in triplicate. Words, on the other hand, failed her.

“May I?” She pointed to the empty spot on the bench.

“Y-yes. Sure. Of course.” Jade scooted a fraction of an inch closer to Rick.

Colleen was everything Jade imagined, if not a bit younger and prettier. For some reason, no doubt Ewan’s description, she’d pegged her as cold and staunch. Or perhaps the image of an unloving wife had made Jade’s job easier for her. She’d never looked into the face of a woman she’d taken a part in betraying in the worst possible way.

“Forgive my deception,” she said, “but I sent the text to you.”

“I’m not trying to steal Ewan from you,” Jade insisted. “I brought my husband with me. See?” It struck her as odd how easily she’d introduced Rick as her husband. Not a friend, but a husband. A protector. Her partner.

He reached around with his free hand. “Rick Jette. Nice to meet you.”

They shook hands.

Colleen only had eyes for Coral. “She’s adorable.”

“Thank you.” All Jade’s spunk and attitude vanished. She had nothing but guilty silence to offer.

“I take it Ewan isn’t coming,” Rick said, saving them all from the unnerving quiet.

“No,” Colleen replied. “He has no idea I’m here.”

“W-why are you here?” Revenge? Curiosity? Closure?

“Clearly she’s here to do what Ewan can’t,” Rick said. “Would you like to hold Coral?”

Jade couldn’t have heard him right. What if Colleen sprinted away with her baby? What if she wanted to exact her revenge on Jade by hurting Coral? The worst of her worst fears flashed through her mind, no matter the absurdity.

“Oh, yes.” She brightened. “Please. If you don’t mind,” she said to Jade.

Rick stood and handed Coral over. “She’s a very good baby.”

Jade remained frozen in place, unable to move, speak, or manifest a sensible thought. The moment passed. “You sound like you’re offering sales points!” Jade snapped at him, suddenly questioning his motives, not to mention his common sense.

“Be reasonable, Jade.” He sat back down, resting his forearms on his thighs, watching Colleen coo at Coral. He butted his shoulder against Jade. “We’re all adults. Nothing is going to be decided today. But you probably can’t keep Ewan from his kid. I can’t imagine you’d want to. Kids need a father, especially girls.”

“She’s perfect. Healthy. Alert.” Colleen tickled Coral’s chin. “Robust. You’re obviously a wonderful mother.”

“She is,” Rick replied with conviction. “The best.” He pushed slowly up to standing. “I’m going to take a little walk. Let you two chat.” Squeezing Jade’s hand, he added, “Don’t worry. I won’t be far.” He wandered leisurely away, occasionally looking over his shoulder. He’d left her, and yet, she felt his presence as if he sat inches away.

“I think you got yourself one of the good ones there,” Colleen said to Jade.

“Yeah.” She cleared a tickle from her throat before it strangled her. “I did.”

“Is he the one who gave Ewan the black eye?” Amusement settled in her tone.

Jade chuckled, recalling the fight. Not really a fight. More of a one-sided smackdown. “Yeah. He had it coming, though.”

“I’m sure.” Colleen touched Coral’s hair, seemingly amazed by her perfection. Jade often did the same, marveling at how something so right could have been created out of something so wrong.

Jade knew now that Mrs. McShane would not take her resentment out on Coral. She meant to love her, which also terrified Jade.

“I have no intention of taking the place of her mother,” Colleen assured her. “I just want to be the best stepmother I can be.”

“Why don’t you hate me?” Jade whispered.

“I did,” she admitted. “I did.” Colleen focused on the baby, not willing or able to look Jade in the eye. Residual resentment remained, whether she wanted to confess or not. “I hated Ewan. I hated myself. You certainly weren’t the first of his trysts. I doubt you’ll be the last.”

“Why?” Jade asked. “Why do you stay?” She had brains, class, and money. Jade wanted to shake her.

Shrugging, she made eye contact. “You’ve met him. He’s charming. Very charismatic. Successful.” Sighing, she said, “Marriage is complicated. I’m sure you know that. I love him.” It sounded as if her admission pained her. “He’s a lousy husband in some respects. In some ways, he’s the best husband. He’ll be a wonderful father.”

“He’d better be.”

The sun dipped behind the trees right about the time Rick pulled the SUV into the driveway. He noticed Candy’s car right away and another car parked behind.

“Looks like Bob and Candy are back,” Jade said.

He heard a distinctive, hollow vacancy in her voice. She was exhausted, mentally and physically, he guessed. Between his charade for the Honeycutts and her custody ordeal, they needed a vacation. Probably separate vacations, if she had anything to say about it.

“Looks like Bob and Candy have company.” He slid the car into park.

Rick’s next trial would be parting from Jade and Coral. With the Honeycutts headed home and a dialogue open between Jade and at least one half of the McShanes, he had no reason to stay. He might not even see her in court, if both parties came to an amicable custody agreement. With the pre-nup, he and Jade would be divorced with a little bit of paperwork. His mother could then recite her told-you-so mantra.

Coral lay sleeping in her car seat. Rick gently lifted the carrier out of the vehicle and followed Jade as she shuffled to the front door. He placed his hand on the small of her back to gently prod her along. The scent of lemon and rosemary met them on the other side of the front door.

“Candy is cooking again,” Jade said.

“I’m starved.”

At least he could get another home-cooked meal before returning to his mundane life. Not even the reality of sleeping in brightened his disposition. He couldn’t picture his life without Jade and Coral. That had to be love. If only she’d believe he knew his own mind. He wondered how long it would take to get over mother and child. A month? Two? Longer? He’d throw himself into work and try to forget them, but he’d almost certainly need a Plan B. Scenarios like this were what drove people to drink.

They followed the pleasant aroma and the sound of voices to the kitchen. Rick nearly stumbled to a stop when he spotted the Honeycutts gathered around the breakfast bar, both Mr. and Mrs., nursing generous glasses of wine.

All four greeted Rick and Jade jubilantly.

“W-what…I mean…how?” he stammered. “I…I’m confused.”

“Hello, sweetie.” Candy wrapped Jade in an embrace of friendship. “You look tired.”

“You have no idea,” she replied. “How was your vacation?”

“Glorious,” Bob answered.

“Your brother was telling us all about the cruise.” Dave grasped Rick’s hand in a manly shake. “Our flight was delayed due to weather in Dallas where we were scheduled to change planes.”

“After hours of waiting,” Trudy added, “the airline finally canceled it completely.”

“But by that time, all the airport hotels were booked,” Bob finished the story. He raised his glass to Rick and flashed him an A-okay sign.

“They have us rebooked for tomorrow evening,” Trudy said. “We tried to call.”

“We were out,” Jade muttered.

“Think nothing of it,” Rick said. “You’re always welcome.”

Jade turned to leave the room. “I need to get Coral to bed.”

Rick cupped her cheek, looking into her tired eyes. “You sit. Relax.” He kissed the tip of her nose and Bob and Candy exchanged one of their looks. They thought they were so smart, playing matchmaker to the unwilling. Turns out they
were
so smart, but not smart enough to make the romance stick.

“Don’t forget to change her,” Jade called after him.

“This ain’t my first rodeo, sweetheart,” he replied over his shoulder.

“Sweetheart, is it?” Candy teased her.

Rick wasn’t certain that his sister-in-law had the smarts necessary to keep the farce going. Quick as he could, Rick changed the baby’s diaper as he hummed the
Hawaii Five-O
theme. She dozed off within seconds. He noted Bob and Candy’s bags on the futon. He popped his head in the guest room, finding Dave and Trudy’s luggage there by the bed.

He had no idea what Bob and Candy might have told the Honeycutts. Bob was pretty sharp with a lie. Candy was a loose cannon. Rick jabbed his fingers through his hair. He bound down the stairs to the kitchen. Everyone was laughing and talking.

Clapping his hands together, Rick said, “What did I miss?”
And don’t leave out a thing.

“Bob and Candy thought it would be fun to surprise us with a visit,” Jade said.

He could always count on her for a heads-up. Together they made a good team. A team of lying con artists, but a team nonetheless. So the Honeycutts thought Bob and Candy were out-of-town guests.
Works for me
.

Dave patted him on the back. “Looks like you’ve got a house full.”

Rick swept Jade’s hair back from her face. “Nothing we can’t handle. Right, babe?”

“More the merrier,” she replied weakly.

“You look terrible,” Candy said to Jade.

“Thanks.”

“Baby gets her up,” Rick said. “And she won’t let me help near enough.” He couldn’t go into the entire reason for her exhaustion, not with the Honeycutts around. The custody nightmare had taken its toll on her. The marriage charade had proven to be stressful on them both.

“You two need some mommy-and-daddy time,” Trudy said in her baby-talk voice. “Let us babysit tomorrow while you go enjoy each other. Remember why you fell in love.”

“Yeah.” Bob nodded his agreement. “Dave and I were going to go hit the links at the club while the gals enjoy brunch. They can take Coral along.” Bob turned to Dave and said, “Rick doesn’t play golf.” The way he said it implied a serious deficiency in Rick’s character.

“We can’t let you do that,” Jade said.

“Why not, babe?” He would not mind a little mommy-and-daddy time with her. He loved the kid, but Jade needed to feel like a woman for a couple of hours instead of a twenty-four-hour diner. He’d told her she was a woman first, mother second, and it might be time to reiterate his statement. “She’ll be fine.”