A Mother for His Twins

Jasper nodded. ‘I’m like that with my bedroom. My wife decorated it in her own special style—she was an artist. Even now, three years later, even though I know I’ve moved on emotionally, I still love being in that room.’

‘It’s like looking through an old photo album and remembering the good times.’

‘Yes. Exactly.’ Jasper smiled at her. ‘My mother thinks it’s morbid to leave the room the way it is but I wouldn’t change it for anything, just as I’m sure you’re not going to get rid of this car.’

‘No. She’s a part of me.’

Jasper was silent for a moment before asking quietly, ‘Would you mind giving me a ride home?’ He looked longingly at the car as she’d seen so many men do over the years.

‘Don’t you have your car here?’

‘I do, but it can stay here overnight. Classic cars such as this little beauty…’ he stroked the bonnet ‘…don’t come along every day.’

‘So you want me to drive you home just so you can ride in her? How will you get to work in the morning?’

‘I don’t live far. I can walk.’

‘What if it’s raining?’

‘Then I’ll use an umbrella.’

Jennifer smiled, liking his logical answer. ‘Are you sure?’

‘Of course. I am a man who knows his own mind…most of the time,’ he added with a grin.

‘All right, then.’ She shifted her briefcase to the other hand and pulled the keys out of her pocket. She contemplated her decision for a whole split second before holding them out to him. ‘As it’s not that far to your place, would you like to drive her?’

Jasper’s eyes almost popped out of his head and Jennifer couldn’t help but laugh. ‘Are you serious?’

‘Of course I am. And I am a woman who knows her own mind.’

‘You’d let a complete stranger drive your very special car?’

‘First of all,’ she said as she unlocked the driver’s side, then opened the back door to put her briefcase in, ‘you’re not a complete stranger, Jasper. Secondly, we may be new colleagues but you’ve known Sara for years, as have I, and I’m sure we both know that Sara is very careful about who she gives her loyalty to. And, thirdly, I’ve met your daughters and as a father you would no doubt be a careful driver, given you’d often be carrying precious cargo in the back.’

‘Any other reasons?’ He was teasing her, she could tell by the slight twitch of his lips. It was interesting how she’d picked up on that so quickly but, then again, he’d teased her quite a few times today.

‘Yes.’ She held out the keys to him. ‘Because I can tell you really want to.’

Jasper nodded and this time took the keys from her, holding them as though they were precious jewels. Jennifer headed around to the passenger side and watched as Jasper took off his coat and placed it carefully on the back seat next to his briefcase before sliding smoothly behind the wheel. He leaned across and opened the passenger door for her, then put the key in the ignition and placed his hands on the leather steering-wheel.

Jennifer was very pleased when he didn’t start the car straight away but instead seemed to be taking his time, looking around, checking out where the lights were, the wind-screen wipers, reading the dials. His hands caressed the steering-wheel in the same way Art had done and she smiled at that. She loved this car, there was no doubt about that, and it wasn’t only for sentimental reasons but she had to laugh at the way men were almost hypnotised by it.

‘She’s like a grand old lady, perfect in every minor detail. What’s her name?’

‘What makes you think she has a name?’ Jennifer was instantly amused.

‘Come on. Tell me her name.’

‘Why do men name their cars? I’ve never understood that.’

‘What’s her name?’ Jasper reiterated insistently. ‘I know she has one because if your fiancé loved her as much as I think he did, he would have named her.’

Jennifer rolled her eyes. ‘Miss Chief.’

‘Mischief?’

‘No. Miss Chief.’ She said the two words slowly. ‘But she can be a bit mischievous at times.’

Jasper wiggled his fingers as he reached for the ignition and sighed as the car purred to life. ‘Glorious.’

‘Do you two want to be alone?’ Jennifer laughed and clipped her seat belt on. She hadn’t been a passenger in this car for a very long time and it felt kind of nice to be driven around in it once more. She settled more comfortably into the leather seat, ready to enjoy being chauffeured.