“Sorry,” she said. “Too much Drew and his football analogies. Nevertheless, the statement still stands.”
“It probably won’t matter much,” Kelly said, her voice resigned.
“What does that mean?”
Kelly pulled her pillows up and leaned back against them. She told Mira all of what had happened in the past few weeks. From the moment Jace had shown up on her doorstep until she threw him out five days ago. The only points she left out were the several kisses they’d shared and how his touch made her feel like a queen.
“And you think he’s only here to take the Kendall from you?” Mira asked.
“He pretty much came straight out and told me.”
“But then things changed.” Mira spoke as if she knew something Kelly didn’t.
“What?”
“You and Jace,” she said. “Don’t tell me you’re not in love with him.”
Kelly stared straight ahead. She nodded so slightly, Mira may not have seen it, but Kelly knew her cousin was perceptive.
“His affection for me could have another purpose,” Kelly pointed out.
“Like what?”
“Like he would change his tactics to get the Kendall back.”
“And he’s romancing you in order to get you to sign the place over to him?” It sounded incredible.
“It’s not outside the realm of possibility,” Kelly said.
“Unless you’re inside a Victorian novel.”
Kelly was beginning to feel exasperated. “What do you suggest his motives are?” Kelly asked.
“I think he’s head over heels in love with you.”
“I don’t think so.”
“Why, because he’s never said it?”
“That’s one reason.”
“Maybe because you put up walls,” Mira offered.
Kelly didn’t deny that. “I know you’ve had bad experiences in the past. I know that guy Streeter showed up here at the open house and he was the last person you needed to see, but none of us get through life without kissing a toad or two. It’s necessary so we know a prince when we find one.”
“You can’t believe Jace is a prince?” Kelly questioned.
“He’s not my prince. You have to decide if he’s yours.”
* * *
JACE MET ARI at the day care, but they didn’t go back to Kelly’s. Both of them jumped into the truck and headed for nowhere in particular. Jace did, however, call Mira and she told him Kelly’s condition. He couldn’t take the chance of seeing Kelly again.
Once Ari was with all the kids and toys at the day-care center, he’d dropped Jace’s hand and ran for them and the director said he could stay for a couple of hours, that Jace was then free to do what he wanted.
And what he wanted then was to see Kelly. He wanted to talk to her, but she was in pain from her leg. Going back would mean he was bound to blurt his feelings out. And what would she think? That he was merely trying to get the Kendall by pretending to love her?
Jace was in love with her. But look at the mess he’d made of everything. Nothing had gone right since he’d driven into town and asked Kurt Mallard for a loan. He’d told himself he was doing it for Ari, doing it to get his home back for his son. And while that was partially true, it had changed as he got to know Kelly. He’d never seen a stronger woman. She loved the Kendall. She loved everything about it, every nail, every tile. And she’d work herself to death to restore it.
Jace wondered if he would have felt that way. Had he inherited the house and grounds when his father died, would he have put as much heart and devotion into restoring it as Kelly had? He’d like to say he would, but the truth was he wasn’t sure. He wanted the place to remain a good home for his son. He wanted to live here and make it the happy place he knew it could be. But now he wanted to make it that home with not just Ari, but with Kelly, as well.
“Did you like the school?” Jace asked his son.
“It was awesome,” Ari said. “I can go back again?”
Jace nodded. “You can go back.”
Ari was so happy, he hummed along to the radio without a care in the world. For a while he would forget about missing Kelly. What Jace wouldn’t give to be in his shoes.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
DREW STOOD UP from the task of cutting the grass as Jace drove up to the man’s house. Ari was ensconced in the day-care center, which had become his favorite place to go. He even forgave his dad for not continuing his riding lessons since they left the Kendall. He still asked about Kelly, but he didn’t do it a hundred times a day. Only half that many.
Mira appeared in the doorway as Jace stepped down from the cab. “This is a surprise,” she said, smiling.
Drew joined his wife and the two of them met Jace. “What’s up?” Drew asked.
“I thought I should return your truck.” Jace lifted his hand and held the keys out to Drew. He didn’t move to take them.
“Are you leaving town?”
“Not sure,” he said.
“How are you going to get around if you return the truck?” Mira asked.
“Since I’m no longer at the Kendall, it seemed like the right thing to do,” Jace explained.
“But how are you going to get around?” she asked again.
Jace shrugged. “I’ll manage. I can rent a car for a while or—”
“Do you have a job?” Drew interrupted.
“Not yet, but I’m looking. There is plenty I can do.”
“That’s not the point,” Drew said.
Mira took Drew’s arm. “What my husband means is, the truck is not being used, so you can keep it as long as you’re here.”
“Whether you’re at the Kendall or not,” Drew clarified.
Jace smiled. Drew and Mira were good people. “Thank you.”
“Now that that’s settled, want some coffee or iced tea?” Mira asked with a wide grin.
“Since I miss your coffee, I’ll have that.” He smiled.
She looked at Drew.
“Iced tea,” he said.
The three of them sat at an umbrella table and drank their beverages.
“Have you decided what you’re going to do?” Drew asked.
Jace shook his head back and forth.
“What about the Kendall?” Mira asked. “Are you going to contest the sale?”
“You heard what happened?” Jace frowned.
“Kelly told us.”
“I’m not contesting it,” he said.
“Kelly thinks you are,” Drew told him. “It would hurt her tremendously if you negate all her hard work.”
“I know. I couldn’t do that to her,” Jace said. “Ari would never get over it...and neither would I.”
“She’ll be glad to hear that,” Mira said.
“Please don’t tell her,” Jace rushed to say. “I want to do it. She should hear it from me.”
Husband and wife nodded.
“Why wouldn’t you stay around here?” Mira wanted to know.
“It would be hard to do that.”
“You mean with everyone knowing you are a Kendall and that you no longer own the farm?” Drew asked.
“I never owned the Kendall,” he said. “I never had any right to it.”
“Except a moral one,” Drew said. “Your father did you an injustice by not including you in his will.”
“It was what he did while I was alive,” Jace said. “I didn’t expect anything different at his death. It’s done and can’t be undone. Not by me at any rate.”
Sheldon had that right, but Jace would no longer undermine Kelly.
Jace stood up then. There was nothing more to say. “Well, I have to go but, thank you for the use of the truck.” He was about to leave when Drew stood up. The men shook hands and Jace nodded at Mira. He started for the truck as Drew went back to cutting the grass.
“Come by sometime and bring Ari,” Mira called to Jace, following him to the truck.
“I will. He loves those cakes you make.” He got inside the truck and closed the door.
“Why don’t you tell her?” Mira asked.
“That I’m not going to sue for ownership?”
“That you’re in love with her.”
Jace looked through the front windows, then back at Mira. He could lie, but it was no use. If she knew, if she could see how he felt about Kelly just by looking at him, there was no point in denying her words.
“She wouldn’t believe me,” he said.
* * *
KELLY TRIED TO concentrate, but she couldn’t. She’d been in her office, but left it to wander about the mansion. Even with the rain pelting the windows, the place was silent. She stopped at the patio door and looked out. The garden Jace and Ari built for her made her lonely for them. In the distance on one side was the gazebo. It was completely outlined in white lights that made a dramatic statement in the darkness. On the other side was the stable. The mares were still there, but their owner was nowhere to be seen.
Kelly was thankful the wedding was yesterday. It went off without a hitch. The sun shone brightly. It was beautiful, a perfect day for a couple to begin their lives together. She’d watched the bride come down the staircase. She’d never seen a wedding so artistically arranged. And she couldn’t help but imagine herself dressed all in white coming down those same steps. Tears had gathered in her eyes and she knew if she remained in the room looking at the happy couple, she would cry. As the groom took the bride’s hand in front of the minister and he started the vows, Jace came to mind and Kelly fled the ceremony.