Just a Little White Lie(70)

“You’re kidding.”

“Wish I was. Something about competition and wanting their kid to end up on top turns parents into ugly.”

She glanced toward Sammy. What kind of parent had Zane been before he left? Birdie was doing an awesome job, but now that Sammy was older, how would the dynamic change with dad around?

One thing for sure. She couldn’t go back to Birdie’s. Not tonight. The Logans were a family trying to make it work again. They did not need her there while they did that.

She bit her lip.

“What’s wrong?”

She sighed. “Looks like I’m going to have to find a motel for tonight after all. Birdie and Zane don’t need me around.”

“Hmm.” He propped a hip against the counter. “You’ve got a point.” Leaning close, he whispered, “Come home with me. Nothing will happen. Scout’s honor.”

Her chest tightened. “You’re a stronger person than I am, Jake. I’m not so sure I can make—and keep—that promise.”

Heat rushed to his eyes, a flare of desire. “Oh Luce. Wish you wouldn’t say things like that. Not here. Not when I can’t toss you on a bed and tear off your clothes. You make me crazy.” His arms wrapped around her and pulled her close. “Maybe you’re right. Maybe we’re not safe together.”

She swallowed and freed herself.

“See?” she breathed. “On the other hand, if we’re not safe together, we may never, ever be safe. I feel safer with you than I ever have in my life.” Her brows lifted. “And that makes me question my own judgment.”

He opened his mouth to say something but didn’t get the chance. Birdie, followed closely by Zane with Sammy riding on his shoulders, stopped by to make sure everything was under control at the concession stand.

“Hey, Uncle Jake, look at my knee.” Grinning, his nephew stuck out his leg to show off a tear in his pants, a little blood seeping around the edges. “Did it sliding into third base.”

“And a darn good job of it you did.” Jake leaned over the counter, held his hand up, and Sammy reached down so they could share a high five. Then he nodded at the injury. “And you’ve got the red badge of courage to prove it.”

Sammy’s eyes clouded in confusion; then, deciding that was a good thing, he grinned again. “Yeah. Mom’s gonna take me and Dad for pizza. Wanna come?”

“Let me think about that for a minute while we finish up here.”

Birdie had moved inside the little stand. “Wow, you two. Great job. The place is spic-and-span clean, the counter shined and everything put away.”

“You bet. We aim to please.”

She pulled the evening’s take out of the till. “How many dogs did you sell?”

“A ton.” Jake flexed his fingers. “I think a lot of the sales were the result of curiosity about my new fiancée here.”

“Whatever. We’ll take it.” She winked at her brother. Lucinda watched those same eyes travel to her left hand, to the ring back in place and then up, coming to rest on Lucinda.

Lucinda met her eyes with a steady expression. She swore she still saw doubt there. The woman was too smart by far. Well, she was a policeman’s daughter.

Jake handed her the donation jug. “You’ll want to keep a close eye on this.” He grunted as Lucinda’s foot connected with his shin.

Birdie frowned questioningly but said nothing.

Zane slid Sammy to the ground. An arm slung around him, he stood quietly in the background, observing, trying to find his place in this circle. Lucinda knew he’d done wrong, yet she felt a piece of her heart go out to him. It was tough being the outsider. Zane must have fit in at one time, been part of the family. Now he must wonder and worry that he might never again.

Well, this wasn’t hers to fix. This was between Zane and Birdie. And their son. She wondered briefly how Howie felt about Zane. Was he as dead set against him as he was against her? Now there was a worthy adversary.

If Zane had to go up against Howie and Jake both—well, God bless him. He’d need it.

Together, the five of them walked to the grassy field that served as a parking lot.

“You guys gonna be okay?” Jake asked his sister.

She smiled shyly at Zane, who took her hand. “Oh yeah. I think so. Finally.”

“We’re still gonna get pizza, aren’t we?” The hungry four-year-old tugged at his mother’s shirt hem.

“We sure are.” Birdie glanced from Jake to Lucy. “You two want to come along?”

“I don’t think so,” Jake said. “You guys have lots to sort out. Better done without an audience. We’ll stop by your place on the way home to pick up Luce’s stuff.”