Chapter One
Phoebe Ward rushed around the kitchen, getting ready for the day. As usual, she was swamped with appointments sandwiched between getting her son to and from school. As it was late June, school would be ending soon for the summer and she’d switch to getting him ready for day camp.
“Jamie, get downstairs for breakfast or you’ll be late!” she called for him to come join her in the kitchen. By her calculation, they had fifteen minutes for breakfast and then they needed to get into the car for the drive to school.
“I’m here!” He skidded into the room wearing a navy hooded sweatshirt and a pair of black track pants and sneakers, smelling like he’d bathed in Axe. The sharp scent, a combination of citrus and peppermint, was pungent and immediately destroyed her nasal passages and killed her appetite.
She breathed in through her mouth. “What did I say about overdoing the Axe before school?”
He looked at her with innocent eyes. “I didn’t overdo it. You said I had to shower so I did.”
And he’d bathed in the body wash and topped it off with matching deodorant. Nice. His teacher was going to have one hell of a migraine if every kid in the room smelled the same way.
“I smell like a man,” he said with a cheeky grin.
She bit back a laugh. “You smell like something,” she muttered. “Eat your eggs. We need to get moving. I have an early appointment today.”
He slid into his chair and began shoveling his food into his mouth. “Are you selling a house?” he asked, glancing at her work suit that she wore for days she was meeting with clients.
“Chew and swallow before talking,” she said. “First, I’m meeting a new contractor at Celeste’s place,” she said of her good friend, Celeste Renault, who’d moved to New York City. “She wants to sell the house and I’m overseeing the renovations. Then I’m showing a listing this afternoon before I pick you up from school.”
“Cool.” He took two big bites of toast and gulped down his orange juice. “Done.” He wiped his mouth on his sleeve and she sighed.
“You’re finished. Chickens get done in the oven,” she said, correcting his grammar. “Get your backpack together and let’s get moving.”
He picked up his plate, took it to the sink, rinsed it off, and stuck it in the dishwasher. He was a boy with all the quirky habits that came along with that, but he was a good kid. And considering she’d had him when she’d been sixteen and had been a single parent after that, with only her aunt Joy and her sister Halley for backup, she was damned lucky they’d both turned out okay.
She smiled as he rushed around, repacking the bag that he should have put together the night before. “Slow down and make sure you have everything.”
“I do. I’m ready.”
She gathered her keys, deciding she’d pick up coffee on her way, and they headed out the door.
She dropped Jamie off at school and waved good-bye, watching until he walked safely inside. Afterwards, she stopped at Grace’s Coffee Shop for a large vanilla latte, which she finished on the way over to Celeste’s home, a large estate that would sell for a hefty price once renovated. She pulled into the driveway, where a Ford F-150 was already parked. The driver wasn’t there, so she exited her vehicle.
If it were later in the day, she’d expect to see more trucks and men working. The dumpster already sat at the head of the driveway, ready for items that were pulled out during construction. Celeste had given both the contractor and Phoebe a set of keys, but Phoebe didn’t need to let herself in. The door was open a crack and she toed it the rest of the way, walking in and shutting the door behind her.
She’d never worked with Master’s Construction before as they were located outside her hometown of Rosewood Bay, but according to Celeste, they’d won the bidding and came with solid references. Today she was just meeting the contractor in charge for the first time. Her friend wanted an extra set of eyes, as if Celeste were there herself.
“Hello?” Phoebe called out.
“In here!” a masculine voice said, sounding like it came from the far side of the house.
She followed the sound and noticed a man talking on the phone, his back to her. He was tall, well built, muscles defined, as she took him in from behind. And what a behind he had, a tight ass in his faded jeans.
She ogled the sight shamelessly, her gaze traveling up his lean waist and broad shoulders. His dark hair was short and the jet-black color she preferred on a man. He wore a light blue button-down, sleeves rolled up, revealing sexy forearms.
And then he turned to meet her gaze, giving her one raised finger to indicate he needed another minute on the phone. Except she wasn’t paying attention to the gesture, because one look at that handsome face, more mature than she remembered but just as good-looking, and she froze.
Vivid blue eyes widened at the sight of her in return.
She wasn’t just looking at a stranger, she was staring into the shocked eyes of her son’s father, a man she hadn’t seen since before she found out she was pregnant.
“Jake?” she whispered, unable to comprehend the fact that she was standing in the same room with her first love. Her first everything.
“Call you back,” he said into the phone, disconnecting the call. “Phoebe? Fuck, is that really you?” he asked, sounding as startled as she felt. His voice was the same, yet deeper and infinitely sexier.
“You’re Master’s Construction?” His last name was Nichols. He probably worked for the company, but she was numb at the sight of him, and stupid comments flew from her mouth.
“I’m in charge of the project,” he said, gesturing around the house.
“But Master’s Construction is located in Thornton,” she said of the next town over from Rosewood Bay. “That means you’ve been nearby all this time?” she asked, still in shock.
“Apparently so,” he said, his gaze drinking her in.
“Wow.” She’d wanted so badly to find him after Jamie was born. Her aunt had tried to locate him and failed. Her private investigator had hit a dead end after discovering that Jake had left the group home he’d been sent to, a punishment for being found in bed with Phoebe.
“Let’s sit,” he suggested. He took her elbow and led her to the nearest sofa, his touch burning through her suit jacket.
She settled in and he joined her, too close and yet too far away.
“Phoebe, God, you look beautiful,” he said, his expression warm, his tone a husky sound, reminding her he was more man than boy. He didn’t break eye contact, as if afraid if he blinked she’d disappear.
Her cheeks burned at the compliment, and as a pale blonde, when she blushed, the red was noticeable. “Thank you. You look pretty good yourself.”
A smile ticked at the corner of his mouth, showing the dimple she remembered.
He was older, his chiseled features more defined, lips full, and she felt like she was looking into the eyes of her son, at what her little boy would look like when he grew up. Panic rose in her throat at the thought.
“What have you been doing with your life?” he asked, leaning in, obviously interested in catching up.
I’ve been raising your child, she thought, tamping down on near hysteria. She needed to tell him, but she couldn’t just blurt out the fact that he had a son. She didn’t know anything about his life.
Was he married? Her gaze slid to the finger he’d wear a wedding band on, but there was no sign of a ring. Which didn’t mean anything. He might not choose to wear one. Or he could be single but have a girlfriend. Or children of his own.
Her thoughts raced a mile a minute. She definitely wanted time to think things through. To decide how to break it to him and to explain she hadn’t shut him out on purpose.
“Phoebe?” he prodded in the wake of her silence.
“I’m a Realtor,” she said. “Which is why Celeste trusted me to keep an eye on things while you work.”
He nodded in understanding.
“How about you? What have you been up to all this time?” she asked.
“I got into construction after… well, I met a guy who took me under his wing and taught me everything he knows.” His big shoulders rolled back and pride sounded in his voice.
“That’s good,” she murmured, unsure of what to say next.
Silence reigned. Small talk felt awkward considering the weight of the secret lying on her heart. “Umm… listen, I need to go. I forgot some paperwork I have to do for an appointment this afternoon. Did you need me to show you around the house before I leave?”
His gaze narrowed, showing his confusion at her sudden rush to depart. But he shook his head. “I’m all set. I’m just waiting for the kitchen renovators to show up this morning and the bathroom guys this afternoon.”
“Okay, good. Then I’ll leave you to it.” She rose to her feet, eager for some fresh air. “I’ll be back to check in on things in a few days,” she said.
She started for the front door, ready to make her escape.
“Phoebe?” he called out, his voice sounding too close.
She turned and looked over her shoulder. He’d risen to his feet and stepped toward her, hand out as if to stop her from leaving. Tall and imposing, he was gorgeous, she thought, feeling like those light blue eyes could see into her soul.
“Yes?” she asked.
He treated her to a warm, engaging smile. “It’s good to see you again,” he said in a heartfelt voice.
That deep tone rippled through her in a way that was purely sexual. Oh God. So that hadn’t changed, either. She was still completely undone by him.
“It’s good to see you, too,” she whispered back, then turned to go, feeling his eyes on her back as she rushed from the house like the place was on fire.
* * *
“What the hell just happened?” Jake Nichols rubbed a hand along his jaw as he stared at Phoebe’s retreating form, her hips swaying in her fitted cream skirt and suit jacket, her silky white-blonde ponytail swaying behind her.
As he’d sat across from her, he’d come to realize she was more mature, still beautiful, but the woman he’d once known intimately was now a stranger. And she’d run from him like he had the plague.
It had been a shock to lay eyes on her. He thought he’d been dreaming. Over the years, in whatever scenarios he’d imagined that involved seeing her again, her being afraid had never been on his radar. But it was clear she hadn’t wanted to stick around.
He ran a hand through his hair, his stomach churning and in knots. Phoebe had been it for him. Yeah, they’d been young and pretty damned foolish, but he’d known even then, he’d never find anyone like her again.
And when they’d gotten caught together and he’d taken the fall, the problem child luring the innocent girl into trouble, he’d understood. Hadn’t held it against her even though he’d been sent to a group home, the Dawsons the last chance he’d had with a good family. He’d fucked up his opportunity with them, just like he’d done with all the families he’d been sent to before them. The same as he’d done with his single mom, who hadn’t been able to handle him. Nobody wanted him after that last screw-up and he’d paid the price.
He’d arrived at the Dawsons’ after Phoebe had been there awhile. The family was one of the better ones that had taken him in, but he’d been too much of a shithead to realize it.
Only Phoebe had managed to soothe the anger burning in inside him back then. She’d been the bright light in his time in the system. Smart, studious, and funny, she’d tried to rein him in, but not even for her had he been able to pull back on his difficult tendencies. They’d lie in bed at night, after everyone else in the house had gone to sleep, and talk. She’d weave fantasies about the kind of future they could have together, and damned if he hadn’t fallen into believing her.
Losing her had hurt badly. He’d spiraled then, and after the last group home, he’d gotten into even more trouble, but he didn’t like to think about that time. Instead he liked to focus on now. And the present was pretty damned good.
He glanced around the massive estate property. When he’d taken on this job, he hadn’t known it would bring Phoebe back into his life. But it had.
She might have run out on him, but this time he knew he’d be seeing her again. He’d be able to find out what had happened to her since they’d been separated and hopefully discover more about the woman she’d become.
* * *
Phoebe tore out of Celeste’s driveway and headed home, her stomach in knots, panic racing through her. She parked in the circular driveway of the estate where she lived with Jamie in the guesthouse, stopping in front of the main house, where her aunt lived. Her hands still trembled and she needed to calm down before she went inside and gave her aunt the news. That she hadn’t been able to locate Jake, but he’d walked into Phoebe’s life today.
But as much as she’d once wanted to find Jake and tell him about his son, that was how afraid she was of doing it now. Jamie was eleven, almost twelve. So many years had passed. How did she just upend his life that way? How could she not?
She remembered meeting Jake like it was yesterday. Despite her years in foster care, away from her family, Phoebe had maintained her sunny outlook on life thanks to decent families who’d taken her in. She’d taken one look at the bad boy who’d come to the Dawson house, and she’d fallen for him instantly. She’d believed, as only a young girl could, that she could heal him, and felt horribly guilty after he’d been turned out of their home. It looked as if he’d done all right for himself, though she didn’t know the details of the years in between.
A sudden knock on the car window startled her, and Phoebe let out a scream. She glanced up to see her aunt standing by the vehicle, giving her a funny look.
“Are you okay?” Aunt Joy asked.
Phoebe looked into her aunt’s green eyes and nodded. Blowing out a breath, she shut off the car and climbed out. “Sorry. I needed a minute before coming inside.” She glanced at her aunt, dressed in a pantsuit, her blonde bob sleek and coiffed as usual, her purse in hand.
“Were you coming to see me? I have lunch plans but I’m running early.”
Phoebe nodded. “Do you have time to go back inside and talk?”
Her aunt’s expression softened. “Of course I do. Let me just call my friend and tell her we need to meet a little later,” Aunt Joy said.
That was her aunt, always making time for her. Just like she’d put her life on hold, stepped up, and helped take care of Phoebe’s colicky baby. Together they’d gotten through those first long years, and Phoebe had managed to graduate from high school and have her son.
“Are you sure you don’t mind?” Phoebe asked, hating to be selfish, but she really did need someone to talk to right now.
“Of course not,” her aunt said with a smile.
Phoebe followed Aunt Joy into the huge home where her aunt had grown up.
Aunt Joy stepped away to make her call, leaving Phoebe in the marble entryway. The overly large space, which Aunt Joy told Phoebe had once been cold and forbidding when her aunt’s parents were alive, now possessed a warmth thanks to her aunt’s personality and décor choices. She’d cozied up the home with oversized furnishings and a distinct lack of fragile items that looked like they would break if you merely glanced at them the wrong way.
Instead there were family photos of Phoebe and Halley as teenagers and Jamie in various phases of childhood. Her son had grown up toddling down these long hallways, and not once had she worried about him touching the wrong things.
“Okay, I’m all yours. My friend asked if we could reschedule lunch anyway. She has a cold and isn’t feeling well. So I have all the time you need.”
“Great. Can we sit?” Phoebe asked.
Her aunt nodded. They headed to the large kitchen that, again, her aunt had changed from a room meant only for cooking by staff to a warm place where a family could congregate.
Phoebe placed her purse on the table and sat down before turning to her aunt. “You’re not going to believe what happened today.”
“I’m listening.”
Phoebe swallowed hard. “Remember how you hired an investigator to try and find Jake? Jamie’s father?”
“Yes…” her aunt said somewhat warily.
“Well, I walked into Celeste’s house today to meet the contractor and there he was. Standing there. Right in front of me.” She still couldn’t believe she’d run into him like that. Out of the blue. “I mean, what are the odds?”
Her aunt paled. “Oh my God.”
“I know. He’s been living in Thornton all this time,” she said.
Her aunt curled her hands together, looking as shaken as Phoebe felt. “What happened? What did you two say to each other?”
Phoebe was mortified at the answer. “I ran away,” she whispered. “He looks so much like Jamie it completely blew my mind. And he asked me what I’d been up to and I thought, I’ve been raising your son. So I panicked and took off.”
“Oh, honey.” Aunt Joy reached out a comforting hand, patting her on the arm.
“I’m going to have to tell him about Jamie. I just needed time to figure out how to do it. What to say to him.” She twisted her hands together, the nerves still jumbled in her stomach.
Aunt Joy leaned forward and sighed. “Phoebe, do you remember how young you were when you came to live with me? You were practically a baby having a baby.”
“I remember.” Her aunt had just pulled her from foster care after finding out about Phoebe and her sister from their drug-addict mother, who, prior to that, Joy hadn’t seen or heard from in years. Then Phoebe had discovered she was pregnant. She counted herself lucky that her aunt hadn’t forced her to give the baby up for adoption… or worse.
Instead her aunt had enabled her to remain in school and keep the baby, something Phoebe had wanted with a desperation. It didn’t take a psychologist to figure out that a kid who grew up in the system, even in a good home where the people welcomed her, would still be searching for love and acceptance of her own. She’d lost Jake but she’d had the chance to have and keep his baby. Her baby, who would love her unconditionally.
She’d always owe Aunt Joy for that and she grasped her aunt’s hand. “You were there for me every step of the way. You were my rock and I’ll always be grateful.”
“So you know I only wanted the very best for you and for Jamie, right?”
Phoebe nodded. “Of course I know that. What’s going on?”
Her aunt blinked, tears forming in her eyes.
“What is it?” Phoebe asked, more forcefully this time.
“When I told you that the investigator couldn’t find Jake, that wasn’t the truth.”
“What?” she asked, her voice rising. She couldn’t believe her ears. She had to have heard wrong. Her aunt wouldn’t lie to her about that.
“My private investigator did find Jake, but I had very good reasons for not telling you.”
She couldn’t imagine even one. “Go on,” she said through clenched teeth, trying to hold herself together. Reminding herself this was the woman who’d given her everything.
Aunt Joy let out a sigh. “We started looking for Jake right after you gave birth to Jamie, remember?”
Phoebe nodded. The first months after coming to live with her aunt had been filled with fear and learning whether or not she could trust this new relative who’d suddenly appeared. On the heels of the change in environment, of being reunited with her sister, Phoebe had discovered she was pregnant. Between starting a new school, dealing with her reality, and knowing she was going to keep the baby, she’d been totally overwhelmed. It hadn’t been until after she’d had Jamie that she’d been focused enough to think about looking for Jake.
“When I did find him,” her aunt went on, “he wasn’t in a place that was right for you or your baby.”
Phoebe narrowed her gaze. “What does that mean? And why did you think it was your call to make?”
“Because he was in prison!”
Phoebe sucked in a startled breath. “He was where?”
“In prison. And you’d just had a baby. I didn’t think bringing a convicted felon into your life was the right thing to do.”
“Oh my God.” She braced her head in her hands and tried to process her aunt’s words and motives. She understood… and she didn’t. “What was he incarcerated for?” she asked in a trembling voice.
“The answer to that question also played into my decision,” her aunt said, her sadness and regret clear. “Assault and battery.”
“Jesus.” She tried to put herself back all those years, to remember the angry teenager Jake had been.
Although sweet with her, with people he distrusted he’d been quick to blow up. He’d possessed a bad temper and had fought with the boys in his prior foster home, and he often gave the Dawsons’ biological son, Eric, a hard time, but he’d never gotten physical with him.
And Phoebe had always been able to calm him with a soothing word or touch. So for him to have beat someone up badly enough to end up in jail? She didn’t want to believe it, but on this, her aunt wouldn’t lie.
She rubbed her palms against her aching temples, confused and hurting.
“I didn’t want someone dangerous near you or Jamie. I made a judgment call and I can’t apologize for wanting you safe.”
Phoebe shook her head. “I just wish you’d let me decide that for myself.”
“You were young and would have been blinded by love. I did what I had to do,” her aunt said, standing by her decision.
Phoebe swallowed hard and pushed herself to her feet. “I need to think. About everything.”
“Are you going to tell him about Jamie? What if he’s still dangerous?”
“What if he’s not?” Phoebe said, automatically defending Jake. That had always been second nature to her, and apparently not seeing him in over a decade hadn’t changed that instinct.
She breathed into her hands. “I have to spend time with him while he’s working on Celeste’s. I’ll see what he’s like now and then I’ll decide what to do.” Except in her heart, she couldn’t help but think he deserved to know about his child.
He’d missed so much time already. Was it really right of her to withhold more? Even though he’d been in jail for a violent crime, maybe there was an explanation that made sense.
Besides, people changed and grew up. He had an important job, was trusted by his boss to run this huge estate project. All that spoke to his character.
“I really do need to go.” She rose to her feet.
“Don’t leave angry,” her aunt pleaded.
“I’m not angry. I’m sad. And I just need time to get over everything, that’s all.” Time to process before she had to put on a cheerful façade and face her little boy after school.
Jamie knew as much of the truth as he was capable of understanding, that Phoebe had loved his daddy but they’d been separated before he was born and she hadn’t been able to find him in the time since.
It pained her that Jamie didn’t have a father, especially because up until Halley met Kane, Jamie hadn’t had a male influence in his life. He’d been surrounded by loving, caring women. Kane, in the time he’d been with Halley, almost a year now, had come by to take Jamie on boys’ outings. They played basketball and Kane played catch with him, but the fact was, Jamie didn’t have a dad.
Except he did.
Jake was back and Phoebe had to decide what to do about that.