“What did you think Noah did in here all day?” Helen laughed at his look of horror.
“Something more exciting.” Drake sighed.
Noah had taken the week off to be with Alana and their son. He left Drake in charge.
“No excitement here,” Helen remarked, setting a cup of coffee down in front of him. She left to answer the ringing phone.
“Hey boss.” Matt grinned as he walked into the office and set some more papers down in front of Drake.
“Hey, what’s this? I don’t need any more paper. Take that back,” Drake complained, trying to hand them back.
“No can do. It’s your job to read through the daily reports and sign them so Helen can file them away,” Matt said with amusement. He sat in the chair in front of the desk. “So what name did the baby get?”
Drake smiled. “Carlos Jonathon Blake. A combination of both of his grandfather’s names.”
“Nice.” Matt nodded. “I caught a glimpse of him through the nursery window. You couldn’t pay me to be responsible for such a tiny thing like that. Scary.”
Drake laughed at Matt’s shudder. “What? No babies in mind with a certain golden-haired goddess?”
Matt shook his head with a chuckle. “Jasmine gets so mad when I go on and on about Holly’s curls, huh?”
Drake nodded. “She threatened to use duct tape on you. I believe her so watch it.”
“I like Holly a lot but I doubt we’d last that long. There’s too many obstacles in the way and maybe that is a sign. We’re both so busy. She is nothing but sweetness and I can be grumpy. I worry I’ll scare her to death. Maybe I’m just not ready to go the whole nine yards yet.”
“Be careful you don’t hurt that girl. You do not want those Blake boys as enemies,” Drake warned him seriously.
Matt put his hands in the air. “We flirted and shared a few kisses but I haven’t called her since the Fourth of July picnic. I don’t want to hurt her so I thought I should back off before I do. I’m just not cut out for permanency. She deserves a nice steady guy who is calm and gentle.”
“I used to think the same way, Smith. I watched the hassles some of my friends went through while they were in relationships and thought, not me. No sir. Keep it light. Keep it casual. Then I met Jasmine and it all changed in an instant. You’ll meet the right girl.” Drake smiled. Thinking of Jasmine always made him feel warm inside. He felt like their relationship was strong and on the right path now. No more doubts between them. She had stood up to Nancy and he had been so proud of her. His parents adored her and told him not to be dumb and lose her. He had no plans to do that. When he thought of a future with her he felt excited not dread.
“You have a meeting with the city council in thirty minutes, Drake,” Helen called out from the front.
Drake closed his eyes. He’d rather be out there cruising around town. It was going to be a long week. “Switch jobs with me, quick.”
Matt stood up and laughed. “No way. Someone would have to shoot me before I get stuck behind a desk. I heard some teens caught one of those old buildings by the field on fire again. Tony and I are going to go put the fear of God into them.”
“Why do you get to have all the fun?” Drake muttered as Matt left.
Helen showed up at the doorway. “Jasmine called. She says she is meeting you at the Hacienda at five thirty so don’t be late.”
Drake cheered up instantly at the thought he would see her after work. That would be his reward for having to sit through boring meetings all day. Maybe he’d even kidnap her and keep her for the night.
Chapter 20
Jasmine was walking back to the store after having her weekly lunch with Holly and Alicia. Holly was depressed because Matt had broken things off with her. Holly had really liked him and blamed her busy schedule.
“I always wanted to be a nurse but now I fear no man will ever put up with my crazy schedule. I’ll always be alone,” Holly had cried. “Maybe I’m just not interesting enough for him. I know he’s had an adventurous life and I’ve been pretty boring my whole life. He is always going on about how sweet I am and I get the feeling it is not a compliment.”
Alicia handed her some tissues. “Forget that stupid lug. He is too mean-looking for a sweet girl like you. Mr. Right is out there.”
Jasmine had agreed and they spent their lunch hour cheering Holly up. Jasmine was going to have a long talk with Matt when she saw him next. She knew Matt was crazy about the girl, so what was his deal? She was grateful her relationship with Drake was running smoothly. For the last few weeks since Nancy had confronted them she felt closer to him and his family. She had dinner with Eva and his parents every Sunday. It was loud a
nd filled with laughter and talking. She loved it. Kate joined them when she didn’t have her own plans. She loved feeling like she belonged to a family.
Second Hand Treasures was a busy place these days and they hired a part-time helper so they could have more free time. Kate had even gone off to Austin yesterday with some friends to shop and stay the night. She should be back by now and at the store with Kelly, the new clerk. Kelly was a single mom and a delight to work with.
Jasmine smiled when she thought of how different Kate was from when she had arrived months ago. Summer was ending and fall was coming in. A new season and a new life.