Chapter Nine
“Paul, don’t talk with your mouth full, dear,” Glenda said as Daisy made her way down the stairs, careful not to trip over the hem of the long gown. The last thing she needed was to break an arm or leg because she couldn’t remember how to walk around in a pair of shoes higher than an inch.
Her stomach fluttered, nerves that she hadn’t expected to feel running amuck. As much from not knowing what was going to be expected from her at tonight’s event as wondering what Jack would think when he saw her.
Too much? Not enough?
Up to now he’d seen her in T-shirts and capri pants, fluffy worn bathrobes and thick fuzzy socks. This confection that Payton had sent along, one of three that had been waiting for her when they’d arrived home from lunch today, was more beautiful than anything Daisy had ever worn.
Thin and silky, the dress felt almost like a second skin as it cascaded gracefully down her body. The form-fitting bodice and flowing skirt were straight black, but the long sleeves and sheer material of the deep cut décolletage was a beautiful intricate black lace. Payton had thought of everything when she sent the dark black four-inch heels that left the hemline at just the right length, and the silver starfish earrings that, with her hair swept in a low side chignon, were the perfect finishing touches.
The image that stared back at her in the mirror looked more like a regal Spanish princess than simply Daisy Sorensen, single mom and absolute no one.
God, she hoped Jack would like it.
Which was silly really since she shouldn’t care what he thought. But…she did.
“When do we get to watch the movie?” Natalie was asking.
“Once you’ve all eaten and taken your baths,” Glenda said.
“And if you all behave and get in bed like your aunt tells you,” Jack said, his voice having her pause mid-step at the bottom stair. “I’ll be sure to buy you all a special treat tomorrow.”
“My, don’t you look dashing,” Glenda said. “You almost remind me of my dear late husband, Danny, God rest his soul. He hated wearing what he fondly called monkey suits, but when he did, he sure was something.”
“Um, Jack?” Paul asked. “Do you think if you have time later that you can show me how to make a tie like that?”
A tie? What was he talking—Oh. Right.
“I’d be happy to,” Jack said without hesitation. “What’s the occasion? You have a big date or something?”
This earned immediate giggles from the girls.
“No way,” Paul said almost scornfully. “I mean for my aunt Benny’s wedding. She wants me to be dressed up in a fancy suit. You know, like yours, not the stupid ones that you just pin on. I tried to practice on Natalie’s scarf, but it’s so hard, and my dad said he would help me but…” he trailed off, and Daisy’s hand fisted as she wanted to punch Leo at the hopelessness in her son’s voice.
“How about this. Once you get your tux, you and I will sit down and I’ll show you how to make the proper knot. And worse comes to worse, I’ll be there myself to do it for you.”
“Thanks,” Paul said, his voice chipper again.
She knew that she should probably say something, step in so that Paul wouldn’t hold too much stock in a promise that Jack can’t keep. But…let him have this.
And who knew. Maybe Jack would surprise her.
There was a crash like a glass had tipped over, and then a flurry of activity as her aunt seemed to be getting control of the situation.
Better just bite the bullet and get this over with.
Taking a breath, Daisy tried to steady her breath as she entered the room.
“Mommy! You look so beautiful,” Natalie said, her eyes wide with wonderment, a sentiment that was quickly repeated by the others.
Except Jack.
He looked as surprised as she felt as she took a moment to take her measure of the stunning figure he presented.
How was it that an already gorgeous man could have his sexiness factor quadruple when placed in the elegant if simple lines of a black tux? Clean-shaven again, Jack was pure perfection with his sandy brown hair slicked smoothly back and those eyes flashing so brilliantly blue. But it was the grin—that confident, easy grin that was growing wider as he looked at her that made it impossible for her to breathe.
Or stand.
“My stars. You are a vision, Daisy Sorensen.” There were actual tears in her aunt’s eyes as she spoke.
Daisy smiled and flushed slightly under everyone’s inspection. “Thank you. Now, everyone promise me you’re going to listen to your aunt Glenda and be on your best behavior.”
“We promise,” they said.
“That goes for you, too, Lil,” Jack said, turning to address his daughter who was staring at them both, almost uncertain. “You’ll help Glenda out for me?”
“Yeah. Sure.”
He leaned down and gave her a peck on the head as Daisy did the rounds with her own kids. They met in the middle of the room, Jack staring at her a little too intensely before he held his arm out. “If you’re ready…”
She slid her arm through his, enjoying the strength—and balance—that he provided as they walked to the front door and the car waiting beyond. From behind them, Glenda called out, “You two enjoy yourself and don’t give a second thought to the kids. We’ll all be just fine.”
Officer Rogers was standing outside the Suburban, holding the door open for them. Once she and Jack were seated, Rogers shut the door and walked around to the driver side.
As the car pulled from the driveway, Jack leaned over, his breath a whisper against her ear. “You look stunning, Daisy.”
“It’s the dress,” she said, glancing down at the fabric, not able to quite meet his eyes.
“I think it’s a little more than that,” he said, a tinge of humor in his voice. “Actually, I think there’s one important thing that you’re missing…”
Missing? She looked down again, trying to see what he might mean when she saw him digging in his pocket before pulling out a small black box. He held it out to her.
Cautiously, she took it, feeling the intensity of his eyes as he studied her. The box was velvet and smooth and opened easily for her, despite the tremble in her fingers.
Her breath caught in the back of her throat as she stared.
It was probably the most beautiful ring she’d seen. There was something vintage, albeit stately in the elegant setting, the most dominant being the large, luminous green-hued round stone set in the middle. Surrounded by two rows of diamonds that circled the emerald like rays of the sun, or blossoms of a daisy, it was stunning.
She couldn’t speak, didn’t dare touch it.
She didn’t have to as Jack removed it from the box and holding it in one hand, reached for her hand, still immobile on her lap.
“It was my grandmother’s,” he said softly. “I figured that if we were going to make this look convincing, especially tonight, you needed a ring.”
She started to pull back. “I couldn’t possibly wear that, it’s too beautiful, too valuable.”
“Which makes it perfect then.” He smiled. “Let’s just try it on.”
God, she was terrified. Not because it wouldn’t look good. How could it not? No, she was terrified because the way her life was going these past few days, she might never want to take it off.
The band felt unnaturally cold as he slipped it on, and she was paralyzed as she stared at it. Glowing softly, she turned her hand ever so slightly, hypnotized by the glimmer as it flashed even in the soft moonlight.
Jack pulled her hand closer for inspection. He nodded. “It looks good on you.”
Crap.
Crap, crap, crap.
Just when she thought she’d reached a level of calmness, certain she could keep her emotions in check when it came to this whole arrangement, he did something like this.
Something that made her wish, more than a little, that this were real.
That this ring—and the man it came with—were hers.
“Hey. It’s going to be okay. Nothing to be worried about,” Jack said, probably mistaking the somberness of her mood on what waited for her once they reached tonight’s destination. No, her fear was what waited for her at the end of a different journey.
To emphasize his words, Jack squeezed her hand, the weight and warmth so comforting she was reluctant to ever let it go.
…
“Make sure that once you get settled in, you give me a call, Jack.”
Jack nodded and shook his hand before making a quick exit. He had been listening to the guy with the bad comb-over and megaphone voice for close to ten minutes, something made difficult since the person he wanted to be spending his time with was nowhere to be seen. But Stan Daniels owned several sporting goods stores in the intermountain region—six in Utah alone—and according to Stuart, it was imperative to his campaign that Jack made a good impression.
Jack scanned the crowd, looking for that black lacy dress that had nearly sent him into cardiac arrest earlier tonight. Okay, so maybe it was less the dress than the woman in the dress, but it had definitely enhanced those delectable attributes he’d been trying to pretend he hadn’t noticed.
The sight of her coming toward him earlier had been like a kick in the gut. How was he going to keep his head about him when she sparkled so bright and mesmerizing?
He had felt equal parts pride and terror when he placed that ring on her finger, a ring that he’d had sent along with Payton’s dresses from Salt Lake. It had made sense to make use of the ring that was already in his possession for a hasty engagement.
Seeing it on her finger, feeling that it belonged there, was another.
At the bar, he grabbed two glasses of champagne and continued his search. Having exhausted the ballroom, he saw the doors were thrown open to a patio and headed out.
Although the temperature had easily dropped to the low fifties, the heat lamps placed on the perimeter of the patio took off any chill. The moonlight above, combined with the dim lighting, provided enough of a glow to make out the faces and figures of those guests who’d dared to venture outside.
It only took a few more seconds to spot Daisy, standing alone at the railing on the edge of the patio, staring out over the expanse of the forest beyond. She looked so graceful, peaceful even, that he almost hated to disturb her. Almost.
“There you are. Thought you might be thirsty.”
Her smile was relaxed and easy as she turned to him. “Thanks,” she said, taking the drink he held out to her.
“It’s beautiful out here, isn’t it?” she asked, turning her attention back to the natural beauty of the Tahoe landscape; he, however, wasn’t in any rush to pull his gaze from her. Admiring the graceful arch of her neck, the curve of her jawline, the full, rosy color of her lips, the way her chest rose and fell with every breath she took…
“Beautiful.”
“You know, I bet they hold weddings right out there.” Reluctantly, he followed her gaze to where the group of trees broke to a meadow. “I can almost imagine standing there, under the massive pines, their branches stretched overhead as you make a promise before God, your friends and family, to love someone forever. It would be something special.”
There was so much wistfulness in her tone that it made his heart ache. She deserved something like that. Someday. Even if the thought if it being with someone other than him didn’t sit so well. “What was your wedding like?”
“Ugh.” She closed her eyes as if trying not to remember. “I’m almost embarrassed to admit this, but…we got married in Vegas. Mind you, I’d just found out I was pregnant so when Leo proposed, declaring we should make it official straightaway, Vegas seemed the logical choice. We didn’t tell anyone until we came home. I’m pretty sure, subconsciously, I knew if I told them ahead of time they would have listed all the reasons marrying Leo was a bad idea. Especially since they all know that I used to play bride as a little girl, walking down the aisle in my First Communion dress and a sheet as a veil. I would force Benny, to be the flower girl and Dominic to play the groom—at least until Dominic revolted when he was nine and Benny followed suit.”
She smiled at that memory while Jack tried to picture a much smaller Daisy. The same dark eyes and long hair with a heart filled with hope and optimism that one day she’d have her own happily ever after.
“I think it broke my mom’s heart a little that we didn’t have it in a church with everyone there to see it.”
There was a ping from his phone and he pulled it from his pocket.
“Is that the kids?” she asked.
For convenience, since there weren’t any pockets in her dress, they had given Glenda and the kids his number if anyone needed to reach them.
“It is.” He read the text and smiled. “They wanted to share a picture with us.”
Jack handed the phone to her and watched as her face broke into a grin. They’d all decided it was a good idea to give Ollie another bath and they were knee-deep in suds in the tub trying to restrain the pup, who was trying to escape.
“Paul was persistent about our getting a dog before the trip.” She shook her head. “I can’t imagine how he’s going to be when we get back. My guess is he’ll probably try to sneak Ollie in his suitcase.”
She handed him the phone, their fingers touching for a moment, before he pocketed it. “How you holding up? It can’t be easy being in a place where you don’t know anyone.” Not that he really knew anyone himself, but he was used to it, not to mention other people always knew him. Or thought they did.
“Are you kidding? Do you know how long it’s been since I’ve been out without one or all three kids in tow? Just going to the restroom alone was practically decadent. Oh, and you’re wrong. The food is actually pretty good. I’ve had three of those shrimp thingies and something else I’m trying not to think too hard about what it was made of, not to mention this”—she held up her glass—“is actually my third drink. So you could say that I’m having fun.”
He grinned. “Am I intruding then? I could leave you alone if you wanted some more ‘me time’?”
“Nah. I might need you to fetch me another drink later.”
“Glad I could be of service.” They smiled, staring at the other, a spell seeming to have fallen over them before she shivered suddenly and rubbed her hand along her arm.
“Are you cold? Do you need my jacket? We could go inside?”
She tilted her face up toward the sky. “No, I’m fine. In fact, I could stay out here all night.” She took in a deep breath and let it out. Her face was radiant under the glow of the lamps, her lips rosy and aching to be kissed.
Too bad he’d already decided that would be a bad idea.
“Excuse me for interrupting,” came a female voice from behind them. He turned to find an older woman, maybe somewhere in her midfifties with short brown hair and a curious smile, smiling at them. “But my husband told me you were here and I just wanted to see for myself. I’m Julia Daniels.” She held her hand out to him. “I’m married to Stan Daniels of Outdoor Living.”
Right, the owner of the retail stores he’d just been speaking with a few minutes before. He smiled, accepting her hand. “Jack Harrison, but I guess you already knew that. And this,” he said, turning to Daisy, “is Daisy Sorensen. My fiancée.”
He liked the sound of it, realizing for the first time he hadn’t before said those words out loud.
His fiancée.
“Nice to meet you,” Daisy said a little more shyly and took the woman’s hand.
“You, too, although, I have to admit I’m well aware of who you are and it’s an honor to meet you. I heard that you two might be here tonight and I almost couldn’t believe my luck. Stan and I are both from Salt Lake, but we usually head to Tahoe every year for the holiday. My Lord! Is that your engagement ring? May I,” she asked, already reaching for Daisy’s hand, who had a bewildered expression at the woman’s forwardness. Julia cast a sly grin at Jack. “That is absolutely stunning. You sure are a lucky woman. Now, I know it’s a little off the cuff, Daisy, but I’m on the board of the Salt Lake Preservation Society and would love to arrange a meeting to talk about whether you’d like to join.”
“Preservation Society?” Daisy asked, shaking her head in confusion.
“Well, since I know you two are engaged, and this fellow is going to be governor in the next few weeks—fingers crossed—why, it’s just a matter of time before you’re going to be the First Lady of our great state.”
First Lady.
He glanced at Daisy, who, by the expression of shock on her face, had never made the connection until now of what her title would be—that is, if their engagement were real.
Julia Daniels didn’t appear to notice, however. “I’m sure there will be dozens of invitations pouring in for you over the next few months, but I want to be first in line.”
“I’m flattered by the offer, I am,” Daisy said, glancing over to him as if for help. “But I’m not certain what my schedule is going to be like in the coming weeks and months, let alone whether I’ll have a lot of time to join any, uh, boards, seeing as how I’ll still be working.”
“Oh,” Julia said, waving her hand in dismissal. “I’m sure this handsome fellow will be more than able to provide for you and those adorable kids. You aren’t going to need to worry about keeping a job, what with all the responsibilities expected of you, I doubt you’ll have the time.”
Daisy appeared at a loss, so Jack stepped in. “I support Daisy in whatever she wants to do,” he said, placing his arm casually around Daisy’s back, his fingers settling on her waist. She stiffened ever so slightly at the intimacy, but didn’t pull away. “Actually, right now she’s getting her own bakery off the ground, which, if you’ve tasted her food, you’d see it would be a shame for her not to continue with those plans. Besides, in this day and age, I’m sure any essential duties of a First Lady could be outsourced if Daisy didn’t have the time for them. I think what’s most important is that we’re happy. Don’t you?” he asked pointedly.
The woman looked startled. “Oh, of course. We all would want you and your family to be happy. I just think it’s been more traditional for First Ladies to find a noble cause to get behind and bring attention to. Why, the current First Lady has had a role on the preservation society’s board for the past decade and has been a champion of the arts. Of course, you need to do something that makes you happy,” Julia said, almost condescendingly, and patted Daisy’s arm. “But keep in mind, no one would think any less of you if you decided that in between watching those kids and running the governor’s social affairs, you’re too stretched to run a business. Believe me. When Stan opened his first store thirty years ago, I was lucky if I saw him one night a week, he was that busy.”
“Thank you for the advice,” Daisy said, all grace. “I’ll definitely keep your words in mind.”
“No problem, sweetie,” Julia said, almost preening. Instead of moving on, however, she began waving to someone coming out of the hotel. “Would you two mind holding still for one minute. Stan!” she called in a shrill voice.
Jack could see Stan coming, a tall, gangly guy in tow, and he managed not to groan. He’d just escaped the man’s suffocating presence to finally have a moment with Daisy and now he was going to have to converse with him again.
“Stan, this is Daisy, the soon-to-be governor’s future First Lady,” his wife said, and Stan took Daisy’s hand in an exuberant shake before nodding toward Jack in greeting.
Although there was no reason to still have his arm around Daisy, he found that he was enjoying their closeness, and he squeezed the side of her waist slightly. What he didn’t expect was her to jump and squeal ever so slightly.
Ticklish? He glanced down to see her biting her bottom lip, trying to recover. If the others noticed, they were good at disguise as Julia Daniels caught her husband up with the discussion, who seemed to agree with whatever she said.
“I hope you don’t find me too presumptuous,” Julia said, “but I would love it if maybe we could get a picture with you two?”
“Not at all,” Jack said and waited as the older couple sidled up next to them, turning wide cheesy grins to the camera.
“Perfect. In fact, I think it would be a shame, what with you two looking so darn handsome, if we didn’t take a couple of just the two of you.”
“Sure,” he said, after catching Daisy shrug slightly. The sooner he complied, the sooner these people would move on and leave Daisy and him alone again. Plus, he didn’t mind having reason to hold on to Daisy a little longer.
Two more shots flashed.
“How about just a little kiss?” Julia said slyly. “After all, you’re newly engaged and in love and everyone is dying to see you two together.”
The impromptu photo shot was finally getting interesting.
He cleared his throat as he glanced down at Daisy, her cheeks noticeably flushed. “I suppose a quick kiss would be okay…”
She smiled easily and tilted her head up, as close to permission as he could see. Her lips were warm and soft in the flash of a second they were on his before the kiss was over. They turned expectantly toward their audience.
“Come now. That’s the best you two can do?” Julia cajoled.
It wasn’t as if they hadn’t already discussed this possibility. Having to show some display in public.
He grinned, not trying to hide his own enjoyment at the prospect of satisfying his long desire to actually kiss Daisy. But if he was going to give her any sort of a decent kiss he needed to make a few adjustments.
His hand still around her waist, he pulled her closer, giving her a moment to adjust to their close proximity. He kept his eyes on hers as he leaned down, pressing his lips to hers in a more leisurely way than before.
Her eyes widened at their touch, something he could relate to as a current of electricity rushed through him. Instead of pulling away, however, he grew bolder. After all, the full soft lips he’d been thinking about kissing since he saw her were finally his, even if only under this forced public moment. Letting instinct take over, he applied more pressure until her mouth opened. She tasted sweet and fruity, like the champagne they’d been sipping, only better.
Daisy, who’d been tense before, melted against him, and those dark shining eyes fluttered. Whatever he’d been expecting from having this woman in his arms was nothing to the feelings that overwhelmed him in those few seconds.
He felt complete. Happy—no, joyous. He wanted to be able to kiss this woman every day.
Someone chuckled and it was enough to break the spell as Daisy’s eyes opened and, realizing they’d lost themselves over to the kiss, they broke apart.
Stan was saying something else but Jack didn’t hear him. He’d done what he was asked to do, played the part, and now he just wanted these people to leave so he could be alone with Daisy.
There was only one way he could manage both.
“Actually, if you don’t mind,” he interrupted. “I promised my fiancée that we’d have time tonight for some dancing.”
Without waiting for a response, he held his hand to Daisy, who took it without hesitation, her expression a blend of relief and…shock, might be a better way to describe it. A few other couples were already dancing in the middle of the patio and, returning his other hand to her waist, he eased them alongside the rest.
Words escaped him as his heart beat hard and fast, almost as if beating for the first time in a long time. Kissing Daisy had shaken him more than he would have thought. The thrill and joy he’d felt during the seconds of that kiss were still with him, however, buoying every step they took on the floor.
He could apologize, he supposed. For having to put her in the position where they had to give in to such a public display of affection but…he was far from sorry and he couldn’t say otherwise. Instead, he smiled, wanting to reconnect with the quiet woman in his arms, make her smile back.
“It’s a pity really,” he started, waiting for her to meet his eyes, which she did, uncertainty in hers. “A pity in that Glenda wasn’t here to give us some sort of rating on our performance.”
Her face was inscrutable as she processed this, before she sputtered and laughed. “I’m sure she would have found some room for improvement. Might even have stepped in my place to show us exactly how we could improve.”
“Oh, I don’t know. I think we nailed it pretty well, for a first kiss and all.”
“Cocky,” she said, raising her brows, still smiling.
“I’m nothing but honest. But I could be wrong. Maybe there is room for some improvement. I’m game for some practice. You know, in case we get called to perform again.”
“I bet you would.”
The final notes of the song played but instead of releasing her, he held her hand closer, enjoying the weight of it in his. “There’s no way I’m going to let you slip away just yet, you know.”
On cue, the music of the next song started up.
She laughed. “Since I love dancing and you seem to be a passable dance partner, I’ll let you get away with it.”
“Passable, huh? I have a few more moves that just might surprise you,” he said, his tone tinged with innuendo.
“I am sure you do.”
And like that, any worry or stress he’d had at the prospect of faking this engagement disappeared. The feelings he had were real and he hadn’t felt this happy and hopeful in a long time.
This was fate. This woman was meant to be with him.
And she might not recognize that just yet, but he had time to show her otherwise. Starting tonight. He stepped lightly to the side, spinning her around, and she laughed as she came back into his arms.
Yeah. This just might work after all.