‘Everything has strings attached.’ Her voice was gruff and he smiled gently.
‘No strings.’
She stared uncertainly at the keys in her hand and he stood up and walked over to where she was standing.
‘It seems to me that so far in your life no one has ever given you a single thing without demanding payment or making you feel guilty. Until now.’ He lifted her chin and his eyes were gentle. ‘That’s all this is, Brooke. Just a gift.’
Her heart thudded as she stared into his blue eyes and her fingers closed around the keys. She did need a car badly…
‘OK, then, but it’s not a gift,’ she said fiercely. ‘I’ll pay you back.’
He shrugged. ‘I don’t need your money and there’s nothing to pay. You don’t owe me anything.’
She was adamant. ‘I don’t want money from you, Jed.’
‘Well, that’s a novelty,’ he drawled, brushing her cheek with his knuckles. ‘A woman who doesn’t want a man’s money. I’ve got to dash, I’m afraid. I’ve got an antenatal clinic, but I’ll call round tomorrow and fix your roof.’
‘Jed—’
‘Don’t even say it!’ He rolled his eyes in exasperation. ‘You don’t want me to fix your roof! You want it to carry on leaking. You’re a crazy woman, do you know that?’
‘I don’t need you to fix my roof!’ She glared at him and he glared back, but his firm mouth twitched with humour.
‘Well, tough! I’m fixing it or the whole thing will fall in.’ He tugged open the door and turned, the humour suddenly fading from his handsome face. ‘Oh, and, Brooke?’
She swallowed. ‘What?’
His eyes challenged hers. ‘I’d like to take Toby out tomorrow.’
Her heart twisted but she nodded slowly. What choice did she have?
None at all.
CHAPTER SIX
JED turned up first thing the next morning, looking refreshed and too handsome for his own good. ‘I don’t suppose there’s any breakfast on offer?’
‘You bought us a new car.’ Toby looked at him with huge eyes. ‘It doesn’t make funny noises.’
Jed grinned. ‘I’m jolly relieved to hear it.’
Toby was still looking at him and Jed crouched down, his eyes gentle.
‘What’s the matter, sport?’
‘Cars cost a lot. Mum said.’
Jed shrugged. ‘But you needed one.’
‘Are you very rich?’
‘Toby!’ Brooke was aghast but Jed just laughed.
‘Filthy rich, Toby. Why? Is there something you need?’
Brooke remembered Ally’s comments and wondered just how rich he was. ‘Jed, for goodness’ sake—’
Jed lifted a hand to silence her, his eyes still on the boy. ‘What did you want, old chap?’