Chapter Five
JACK YAWNED AS he booted up his laptop on the kitchen table, tapping his finger while he waited for the coffee pot to finish brewing. His parents still had one of those drip machines that made a full pot every time. Maybe he’d get them a pod coffeemaker for Christmas. Finally, the pot finished and he poured himself a fresh cup and brought it to his lips. “Damn, that’s good.”
He slid into his regular seat at the kitchen table and opened his email to a flood of new messages. He’d only been gone one day. How many emails could one guy get? For the next hour, he worked through the messages with a quick efficiency, doling out tasks to be handled by members of his staff and jotting notes for Dan and Patricia. Knowing his assistant, she was sitting in the office, waiting for him to get to work.
He’d intended to catch up last night, but he couldn’t bear sitting in front of his computer after the day he’d had—from the morning flight to seeing his Dad laid up in a hospital bed. And then there was Casey. More than one image of her had starred in his dreams last night.
He hadn’t thought of Casey in a long time, and seeing her had brought the good and bad times back to the surface.
After Jack worked through his email, he fired up Skype and called his business partner, Dan. A few seconds later, Dan’s face filled the screen. “Hey, Jack. How’s your dad?”
In many ways, Dan was the exact opposite of Jack. Where Jack preferred getting down to business, Dan was all about relationships. His affable demeanor had even landed him a wife despite their crazy work hours. They complemented each other well. Dan handled the touchy-feely stuff, and Jack’s ice-cold demeanor served them well during negotiations. “He’s doing well. Already hassling the nurses.”
“Good. I can’t believe you haven’t been home in all this time. So…”
Dan didn’t have to finish the question. Jack knew what he was asking. “Yeah, she’s still here.”
He raked his hand through his hair. Dan knew bits and pieces about Jack’s life in Oak Grove and his relationship with Casey. Jack was crazy to think he could sweep into town, check on Dad, and not be assaulted by memories of the past. He’d shoved his emotions down for so long, he’d thought he was immune.
“And?”
“She looks good.” Too good. Especially when her curves pressed against him when he caught her. When she’d lay sprawled across his lap. “Like nothing’s changed.”
“But things have changed, Jack. It’s been ten years. She’s not the same girl you left behind, just like you aren’t the same guy who rode out of town.”
“I know that,” Jack snapped. “It’s…it’s just.”
“Just what?”
“She’s running the tree lot for my parents, but they’re keeping a secret from me. Something about Casey.”
“Don’t go there, Jack. She doesn’t need you sweeping in and upending her life only to roar out of it again.”
He wouldn’t do that, would he? Of course he was leaving, but he’d underestimated what seeing Casey would do to him. He’d do best to steer clear of her as much as possible. “Yeah, yeah, you’re right. Let’s get to it.” Jack shuffled the papers on the table until he found the paper he was looking for. “I reviewed all of the resumes I brought with me. I think we should bring Abigail Perkins in for an interview for the Executive Vice President position.”
“She’ll be a great fit if we can steal her away from her current firm.” Dan scribbled something offscreen. “I’ll call and set up the interview. When will you be back?”
Jack wished he had an answer to that question. But he’d promised Dad he’d stay and that was what he was going to do, despite Casey’s less than warm reception. “I don’t know. Set it up and I’ll Skype if I can’t be there.”
Dan nodded. “You got it.”
It wasn’t ideal, working through Skype, but Jack and Dan wrapped up the items on their list in record time. Jack closed his laptop just as his mom rounded the corner.
“Hey, honey. You’re up early.”
He stood and brushed a kiss on his mom’s cheek.
She squeezed his shoulders and then let him go. “You work too hard. I know your father asked you to stay and help, but we’re doing okay here. Casey’s got things under control. If you need to get back to Boston, your dad will understand.”
It certainly would be easier for him to scoot home before he had to see Casey again, but he wasn’t a coward and he didn’t back away from a challenge. And Casey was a challenge. Jack pulled Mom into a hug. “Trying to get rid of me already? I’m staying. I just have to keep my eye on things at the office.”
Mom pulled away and fussed around the kitchen. “Can I make you some breakfast?”
“No, I should get to the lot. I want to get a handle on where I can help while Dad’s laid up.”
“I’m sure Casey will be glad for the help, but Jack, just be nice.”
Jack grinned. “I’m always nice.”
AN HOUR LATER, Jack climbed out of his rental car, his new Kenetrek boots sinking into the soft ground. He pulled his Brooks Brothers coat over his sweater to ward off the cold wind that blew through the valley. Boston might be north of Oak Grove, but there was nothing like a winter wind cutting through the mountains to drive a chill straight to your bones.
Jack headed up the walk toward the front of the lot like he had a thousand times growing up. Although this time, Dad wasn’t at his side. What if he’d died before Jack had had a chance to come home? No matter what, Jack promised himself he wouldn’t let anything keep him from visiting his parents in the future. Not even Casey.
Two teenagers stood near the cash register, laughing and joking with each other. The one facing him cleared his throat and stood taller, and the girl turned in his direction. The boy shoved his hand in his pockets and shuffled his feet. “Can we help you? We’re not open yet, but I can help you find something if you’d like.”
Good boy, offering to help a customer even before opening. “Not necessary. I’m heading to the office.”
“Um, well, the office is for employees only. If there is something I can help you with?”
“Nah, I’ll be fine. I’m just here to see Casey.” Jack stepped off toward the greenhouse, enjoying the game he was playing with the teenagers.
His dad had installed the greenhouse the year before Jack had left town. People love poinsettias and greenery with their trees, son. We’d do well to give them what they want, or they’ll look elsewhere. By the looks of it, Dad had been right. Row after row of deep red and white flowers lined the aisles, and decorative wreaths hung from hooks on the walls. Jack drew in a deep breath and closed his eyes. The deep scent of pine and cedar filled the room. Damn, he hadn’t realized how much he’d missed that smell until just now.
In his condo at home, he put up an artificial tree. Too inconvenient to locate and dispose of a real one and that way he wasn’t assaulted with memories of the past. If he was home in time this year, he’d have to find a lot and pick out a real tree.
He reached the office and wrapped his hand around the handle just as the door flew open. He lurched into the office…and right into Casey.
“Oomph.” Casey’s arms wrapped around him. “Jack!”
Jack righted himself but couldn’t bring himself to let go. Having her arms around him was a reminder of everything he had lost. He couldn’t allow himself to go there again. But he also couldn’t make himself back away.
Color crept up Casey’s cheeks. Her eyes locked on his, the blue deepening to an almost midnight color. Her fingers gripped his arms tighter, like she was holding on for dear life. She didn’t break her gaze and neither did he. A lifetime of emotions passed between them in a single glance. She gasped, her chest rising and falling rapidly, and before he knew it, he found himself lowering his head, his eyes closing as he…
“Ms. Patterson?”
Casey pushed Jack away as one of the teens burst around the corner. “Yeah, Sam, what is it?”
“I just, uh, I wanted to make sure you were okay. This guy didn’t tell us who he was. He said he was, uh, coming back here.”
Casey’s eyes stayed locked on Jack’s. “It’s fine. This is Jack, Sid and Jackie’s son.”
The moment with Casey lost, Jack faced the teen who stood in the door with wide eyes and a gaping mouth. But the kid did manage to respond. “Nice to meet you, Mr. Murphy.”
Jack extended his hand. “It’s Jack. I hear Mr. Murphy and I look around for my Dad.”
Sam sheepishly shook Jack’s hand and then stepped back. “I hope Mr. Murphy’s doing okay.”
“He’s doing better, hassling the nurses and wanting to get back out in the trees. I’m sure he appreciates all you’re doing to help. Keep up the good work.”
A huge smile lit Sam’s entire face. “Thanks Mr., er, Jack. Okay, well, uh, thanks.” He darted away.
Jack chuckled and turned back to Casey. She’d retreated behind the small desk. It was probably for the best. He didn’t need to get involved with her again.
“What are you doing here, Jack?”
“I’m here to help.”
“We don’t need your help. We’ve been doing fine all these years without you, and we’ll be doing fine again when you leave.”
Ouch. Going for the jugular with the first shot. But Casey was right. They had done well without him this whole time, and he had no intention of upending anything she was doing. “Dad asked me to help.” He held his arms wide. “Put me to work.”
She tilted her head and studied him, as if she had more to say. Her honey-blonde hair fell out of her ponytail and curled around her face. She barely looked older than the twenty-one-year-old girl he’d left crying at the airport all those years ago. But she had gained a certain maturity that intrigued him.
They’d both gotten older, but it wasn’t age. There was a wisdom in her expression that hadn’t been there when he left. What had she been doing while he'd been away? Why was she still in Oak Grove? Was she married? His eyes darted to her left hand. Empty. Then again, just because she didn’t wear a ring didn’t mean she wasn’t involved with someone.
Casey huffed. “You wanna work? Fine.” She grabbed a clipboard off the corner of the desk and shoved it under his nose. “We had a group from the retirement home in Reading come through yesterday. They cleaned us out of white pine and blue spruce. We need more cut and brought down to the lot. Section twenty-four is where we’re working this season. You can take Sam with you.”
She nudged the clipboard toward him until he took it. She then flopped in the chair and powered up the computer. Jack stared at her for another moment but she didn’t look up again. “Yes, ma’am.”
Casey’s muffled “argh” reached his ears as he pulled the door closed. He chuckled and went to grab a truck and head out to the back section of the farm.
AS SOON AS the door clicked closed, Casey spun around. What in the hell was she going to do now? Her hopes that Jack would disappear soon were dashed. She had no idea what he was up to, and she didn’t have any extra time or energy to worry about him right now. Maybe he’d get bored cutting trees and spend the rest of his time visiting with Sid. Then Casey wouldn’t have to worry about running into him. Literally.
She hadn’t expected to find him on the other side of the door, much less have him slam into her when she was heading to the front. She’d caught him so he didn’t fall. That was what she kept telling herself. But that didn’t explain why she leaned into him.
If Sam hadn’t interrupted them, she might have actually kissed him. What in the hell was she doing? She had no business kissing Jack Murphy no matter how delicious he looked in the wholly-inappropriate dark green cashmere sweater and dress slacks that hugged his sculpted body beneath his fancy coat. The sweater darkened his eyes to the color of the evergreens when the sun was just going down. It was her favorite time of day to walk between the rows, running her hands along the soft needles.
She belonged here, working alongside Sid and Jackie, tending to the trees and watching them grow, helping customers find the perfect tree for their home. If Jack wanted to pitch in while he was in town, fine. But she wasn’t going to allow him to disrupt the life she’d made for herself. He could stay outside and she’d focus on the paperwork she’d been neglecting for the past couple of weeks.
The morning flew by. Casey fielded more than a few questions from the teens helping with the lot, but Jack hadn’t returned since she’d sent him out with the chop list. The list would have only taken Sid a couple of hours, so where was Jack? On the one hand, it would make her life easier if he headed back to Boston now. On the other hand, even with him being back one day, she was bothered at the idea he’d disappear without saying goodbye.
She stepped out of the office and took pleasure in the activity. Customers milled around, pointing out their favorite trees for flocking, selecting greens to decorate their bannisters and mantles, and filling their carts with deep red poinsettias. This was how it should be, happy people preparing for the holiday season.
Gray clouds blanketed the sky. She wouldn’t be surprised if snow blew in overnight. Just what they needed to heighten the Christmas spirit.
One voice rang out over all the others—Jack. Had he ignored the chop list? Of course he would be goofing off, schmoozing with the customers instead of doing the work that needed to be done. Wouldn’t surprise her if he didn’t take her seriously because she was just an “employee” and he was the owners’ son.
She stomped up to Jack where he leaned against a column, his arms crossed casually while he laughed with a customer. At least she hoped it was a customer—the way Jack was flirting, it was hard to tell. The brunette stroked a finger across his arm and he didn’t pull away. It wasn’t like Casey’d expected Jack to pine for her, but being reminded of exactly how attractive he was didn’t help matters.
“Hey, Casey.” Jack straightened and curled his arm around her shoulder. It was all she could do to hold herself rigid against the urge to sink into him. To allow his warmth to wrap around her. “This is Miranda Hadley. She runs an assisted living and retirement center in Wernersville. I was telling her about the group that came from Reading yesterday. She wanted to schedule a time to bring her residents out.”
Casey immediately felt bad for jumping to the wrong conclusion. But she wasn’t about to expose how seeing him talking to the attractive woman made her feel. “Miranda, it’s so nice to meet you. I think we still have time to fit your group in. Why don’t you follow me into the office and we can make arrangements? We can talk about what kind of budget your residents have and make sure we direct them to the right areas when you come.”
“That sounds great. I’m so glad I stopped in today.”
Casey motioned toward the office and Miranda headed in that direction. Jack fell into step beside Casey. She shot him a questioning look, and he raised his eyebrows and quirked his mouth into the grin that used to drive her wild.
Well, she wasn’t that young girl anymore, and Jack wasn’t that guy.
Casey settled Miranda into the guest chair and rounded the desk to grab the group schedule. In just a few minutes, arrangements were made for their visit the next week. And all the while, Jack leaned against the doorframe, his arms crossed, like he had nothing better to do than to watch her work.
“Well, Miranda, I think we’re all set. Please give me a call if you have any questions before your event next week.”
“I will. Thanks.”
Casey and Jack escorted Miranda through the greenhouse and shook her hand. Casey expected Jack’s eyes to follow the attractive woman as she left, but when she checked on him, they were locked on her.
“What?”
“You’re good at this.” To anyone else, Jack’s words might have sounded patronizing, but there was genuineness in his voice. Casey chose to believe he was being honest.
“Thanks. Do you need to finish cutting trees?” The sooner Jack left the office and took his delicious-smelling aftershave and easy smile with him, the better.
“Nope. All done.” Jack grinned at her. He was way too cocky for his own good.
Dang. She’d expected the lengthy list to give her a few hours of calm. But as she inspected the rows of stands, every slot was filled and all of the trees were tagged. There wasn’t a bare spot to be had. “Wow, okay. That was quick. Thanks.”
Jack steered her back into the office and shut the door behind them. She retreated behind the desk, but Jack crowded in with her. As she sank into the chair, he propped one hand on the desk and the other behind her.
He leaned in close. Was he thinking about their almost-kiss earlier? No, she’d probably imagined the interest she’d seen in his gaze. She questioned that conclusion, though, as he stared at her. “You don’t need to be threatened by me, Casey. I’m not going to come in here and change things. I’m just here to help while Dad is out of commission.”
Casey’s lungs burned and she let out a breath. Having him around threatened her peace of mind. After all these years, she thought she’d put all her feelings for Jack aside, but one day in his presence dragged the most unwelcome ones to the surface.
He propped on the edge of the desk. “So, what time do you knock off for the day?”
“Why?” Casey hated that she was suspicious of every word out of Jack’s mouth, but it had taken her a long time to get over his leaving. She wasn’t sure she could survive another heartbreak if she allowed herself to fall for him again.
Besides, Sid and Jackie had always supported her flexible schedule. Thankfully, Riley didn’t have any afterschool activities that pulled her away early. Since his best friend lived two doors down, he played there each afternoon until she could break away from work. “I don’t know. Five, I guess.”
“Great. Let’s go grab some dinner.”
Was he actually asking her out? She didn’t know if she should be encouraged or scared. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“You don’t have to call it a date. Just two old friends catching up.”
“Either way, I can’t. I have…I have something I have to do.”
Jack quirked a single eyebrow at her, asking the question she wasn’t ready to answer.
She didn’t want to introduce Jack to Riley. Her son wasn’t his business, and she didn’t want Riley getting the wrong idea if he met Jack.
“Sounds like an excuse to me. C’mon, Casey.” He leaned in close. So close. “Live a little. One meal.”
Casey shuffled the papers on her desk. If Jack stayed late at the lot, she could take some of the paperwork home. Then she wouldn’t have to be near him, to have his smile weakening her knees, to have him test her resolve to stay away from him. That was what she’d do—she’d go home and work.
She grabbed her tote bag off the floor and slid a bunch of papers in. Then she slammed the laptop shut and shoved it into the bag. She snatched her keys from the desk drawer. “No, Jack. And since you’ve been such a huge help today, I think I’ll take this paperwork home and work on it there. I’ve really fallen behind having to cover for Sid. I’ll have my cell if anyone needs anything. The guys know how to close at the end of the day. Just ask them what needs to be done.”
Jack blocked her from leaving the room. With his hands on his hips, he cocked his head and stared at her a minute. Finally he stepped aside and motioned for her to pass him.
Her arm brushed against his body on the way by. Did he do that on purpose? Was he trying to torture her? If this was how it was after one day, she’d never survive until Jack left.