Back at home, he'd stopped in the house long enough to thank his mom again for her help with Ricky. He figured she knew how much all three of her sons appreciated everything she did for them, but it never hurt to tell her again. Joe's death had served as a harsh reminder to them all that you never knew when you'd missed your last chance to tell someone they were loved.
Once he finished packing, he had emailed his brothers to let them know what was going on. They already knew about Ricky, but he wanted to keep them in the loop on his own activities as well. After that, it was a real struggle to fill the hours until Ricky was due back. Until the kid was home, there was no way Jack would be able to sleep.
As the clock ticked away the last few minutes approaching eleven, Jack picked up his keys and prepared to take to the streets and start hunting. But before he reached the door, someone knocked. Preparing himself for the worst but hoping for the best, Jack fought to look calm as he opened the door. It was Ricky. Damned if he hadn't come home right on time.
"Yeah, kid?"
"Your mom said to let you know I'm back."
"Okay, thanks for stopping by. If I don't see you before I leave in the morning, behave yourself and keep an eye on Mom for me. I know she acts like everything is okay, but don't forget she just lost her husband. Sometimes Dad's death still hits her pretty hard."
Nothing but silence, but then Ricky stood taller and nodded. "Yeah, I'll keep an eye on her for you."
"Thanks, kid. You've got my email address, or you can text me if something comes up. I'll answer as quickly as I can. Otherwise, I'll be back before you know it."
Ricky grinned a little. "Don't threaten me."
Then he disappeared back into the house, leaving Jack staring at his back and wondering how his night out with his friends had gone. He didn't know how to ask without sounding as if he were giving the kid the third degree. Ricky seemed relaxed and had met Jack's gaze directly as if everything was okay, and he had nothing to hide.
Even so, maybe taking this job wasn't such a good idea while their relationship was still in its beginning stages. There was also the matter of whoever had put Ricky in the hospital. The boy wouldn't really be safe until the bastard was behind bars. Jack still saw red every time he saw that cast on the kid's arm and thought about all those bruises that had finally faded away. The boy never complained, but Jack knew from personal experience how badly he had to have been hurting. Before heading upstairs to bed, he did a short detour back into the gym to take his frustrations out on the punching bag.
It was too late for second thoughts about the job now. Gabe was counting on him. He'd go wheels up tomorrow and work hard to bring the client back in one piece.
After that, Jack would stick closer to home until he had a better feel for how this was all going to play out for him and Ricky.
Chapter 6
"I know you don't want to hear this, but I think your summers would be better spent doing something besides tutoring. Maybe something fun like a nice vacation at a resort that caters to young singles."
Caitlyn sipped her coffee rather than immediately responding. Her mother was right about one thing. Caitlyn didn't want to hear it. They'd had similar conversations too many times already. Nothing she ever said stopped her well-meaning mother from bringing up the subject again and again. Ellen Curtis was nothing if not determined.
"I like what I do, Mom, and my students need the extra help."
"I don't doubt that, Caitlyn, but you deserve to take some time for yourself. You can't tell me that they couldn't do without you for a week or even two."
She reached into her purse and pulled out a brochure. After staring at it for a second, she laid the brightly colored paper down on the small coffee shop table and slid it toward Caitlyn. "Your father agrees with me, and so we decided to give you an early birthday present. We bought a nonrefundable gift certificate for you and a friend to spend a week at this resort and spa. Seven gorgeous days and six nights, all expenses paid."
Caitlyn left the brochure right where it was. "Mom, you shouldn't have."
Her mom offered her a bright smile. "Well, what are parents for if not to spoil their kids a little?"
It was hard not to roll her eyes in response to that. "So, did you also spring for a trip to this spa for Jeremy and a friend? He's single, too, you know."
Although the image of her geeky older brother hanging out at a place like the one pictured on the front of the brochure made Caitlyn want to laugh. Meanwhile, her mother's guilty look was answer enough to Caitlyn's question. She pushed the paper back across the table.
"Thanks, but no thanks, Mom. My summer is pretty much booked up through at least the second week of August, and then I have to get ready for the school year."
Her mother's eyes flashed with hurt and anger. "I did mention it was nonrefundable, didn't I?"
Now what was Caitlyn supposed to do? "Mom¸ I know you meant well-"
Her mother immediately cut her off. "Honey, I'm sorry that your husband turned out to be such a jerk. I also regret that we didn't realize how bad things were between the two of you sooner. Having said that, you can't condemn all men because of one bad apple. You need to give them-and yourself-another chance."
"Mom, I know not all men are like Josh. The men at work are all nice, and my friends are married to some great guys."
For some reason, the image of Jack McShane popped into her head. He was both ruggedly handsome and what her college roommate would have described as "hot damn sexy." However, that had also been true of Caitlyn's husband, at least at first. She'd learned the hard way that good looks coupled with a hot body weren't reason enough to risk getting involved with a man. Despite her body's tendency to go all melty whenever she got within ten feet of Jack, what really drew her to him was how he'd opened his home to Ricky and how determined he was to offer the boy a chance at a better life.
Meanwhile, her mother picked up the brochure and once again set it back in front of Caitlyn. "Your father and I want you to find happiness. That won't happen until you put the past behind you. We're not saying this resort trip will be the final answer, but it could be a start. And who knows, maybe you will meet someone nice. At least it's a chance to remember that not every man is like your ex."
Caitlyn did her best to blink away the burn of tears. Again, she knew that not every man was an abusive jackass like her husband had been. After the divorce, she'd joined a support group that had helped her deal with that particular issue. She'd also learned how to stand up for herself, and no man was ever going to run roughshod over her again.
Not trusting men wasn't the real problem that made her hesitate to get involved in a relationship. No, that was because of another issue that stemmed from the same time period in her life, one that remained too raw and too painful to discuss in such a public place. She picked up the brochure and stuck it in her purse.
"I can't promise I'll go, Mom. I know you mean well, and I appreciate the thought."
Sort of, anyway.
Rather than continuing the discussion, she glanced at her cellphone. "Oops, I almost lost track of time. I have one more student I need to see today."
Before her mother could protest, Caitlyn stood up and walked around the small table to kiss her on the cheek. "Thanks for the coffee and scones. Tell Dad hi for me."
"You're welcome. I'll relay your message to Dad, but I also have one from him to you."
Her mother started to pick up her own purse and the shopping bag containing the dress she'd bought before meeting Caitlyn, but then she set them back down on her chair. "He said for me to point out one more time that there's more to life than work, and you deserve to enjoy yourself once in a while. Just because it didn't work out with Josh doesn't mean you can't have a happy marriage and even a family."
Caitlyn winced in pain. "Mom! I can't believe you've forgotten-"
Her mother held up her hand. "No, I haven't forgotten, but there are ways, Caitlyn. I apologize if I brought up a painful subject."
Caitlyn tolerated her mother's hug, hoping this conversation was finally over and done with. It wasn't. Her mother gave her one last penetrating look before releasing her hold on Caitlyn's arms. "Your father won't … no, actually, we won't be happy if you don't make that reservation."