She beamed as she walked ahead of him and down the hall. She stuck her head into the bathroom that also had a stackable washer and dryer. “Okay, I’ve died and gone to heaven.” She went on to check out the two bedrooms. When she came out she looked about to burst.
Her dark hair was bouncing against her shoulders. And he noticed how slim she was becoming, and how long her legs were. Yet, it was her eyes, those blue eyes of hers that made his gut tighten in need.
“This is three times as big as my apartment,” she said, bringing him back to the present.
“And thirty miles out of town.” But closer to his house. “In the winter that could be a difficult drive.”
“But I know I can afford this place,” she insisted. “Obviously, if I stay here, I plan to pay rent to Kira and Trace.”
He studied the stubborn woman in front of him. She was beautiful and no doubt capable of doing anything she set her mind to.
“Okay, but you have to let me take you to look for a dependable car. That sedan of yours is in bad shape.”
Her eyes widened. “I can’t afford a new car.”
“Not new, but at least an upgrade from what you’re driving now. I can get you a good deal, one with decent tires.”
She smiled slowly. “You’re a fraud, Jarrett McKane. You try to get everyone to think you’re this ruthless businessman with no heart, but you’re a nice guy.”
He stood straighter. “If you think I’ve gone soft because I’m fixing the apartments up, think again. I have a good reason for doing it. The judge ordered me to.”
Her look told him she wasn’t buying it.
“Ah, hell. At least while you’re living there I can keep an eye on you.”
“You’re not responsible for me, Jarrett,” she told him sternly. “I can take care of myself, and have for a lot of years.”
“I know that.” He couldn’t help wondering about other men in her life. “What if I just want to help you?” He tested her. “Say if I want to come around to see if you and BJ need anything? I mean, I do visit my brother and sister-in-law out here.”
“And Jenna,” Mia added.
“And Jenna,” he repeated, watching the light play off her hair. Her skin looked so soft.
Her eyes met his. “Aren’t you going to be too busy with the new factory project to bother with us?”
He shrugged. “That’s not a done deal, yet. I’m still going over things with Fulton Industries.”
“It’s because of the tenants, isn’t it?”
“Things could work out better.” He didn’t want to tell her his idea to keep the apartment building. “Hey, what’s the worst that can happen? The deal goes south and I get to live in the hellhole apartment 203 forever.”
“Well, BJ and I would be your neighbors.”
He stepped closer. “I thought you were moving in here?”
“Not if the apartment is still available. I like paying my own way. Would you raise the rent on us?”
He smiled at her. “Maybe we can work out a special deal.”
An hour later, with BJ asleep in his carrier in the living room, the Christmas dinner could start.
In the McKanes’ dining room, there were two long tables dressed with red and green tablecloths and holiday china. A row of delicious food dishes crowded the sideboard, not to mention the overflow waiting in the kitchen, along with a dozen pies and assorted desserts.
Mia carried her heaping plate to the table to find a seat. It was no surprise Jarrett had saved one next to him.
“This is the best Christmas ever.” Jenna climbed into a booster seat next to her uncle. “And you know what else, Unca Jay?”
The youngster didn’t wait for prompting. “I’m glad you bringed BJ and Mia. And that you aren’t mad at Daddy anymore.”
Mia caught the exchange between the two brothers who sat across from each other.
“Yeah, well it’s Christmas,” Jarrett said. “Everyone should get along.”
“It’s a time for peace and goodwill,” Joe added. “And we should think about those who aren’t here with us today.”
“Like Jody and Nathan,” Jenna said. “And Ben, ‘cause he’s protecting our country.”
“That he is,” Nola said. “We need to pray for all servicemen who are away from their families, too. And to keep them safe.”
Everyone bowed their heads as Trace led them in the blessing. Mia was surprised when Jarrett took her hand in his. It was warm and reassuring. She was glad that she had someone to share this day with.
“Now, let’s eat,” Jarrett announced after the prayer. And it began. Lively conversation and good food.
“Mia, how did you like the cottage?”
She looked across the table at Kira. “Oh, I love it. It’s beautiful and so roomy.”
Kira exchanged a look with her husband. “Does that mean you plan to move in?”
“If you still want us, I’d love to move out here.”
A big smile spread across Kira’s face. “That’s wonderful.” She looked at her brother-in-law. “And it’s not so inconvenient living out here. We have good neighbors. How far away is your place, Jarrett? Five miles?”
Jarrett’s fork paused on its way to his mouth. “Something like that.”
His sister-in-law was grinning now. “See, there’s a McKane around if you need one, and also we have Cal here, too.”
The foreman looked up from the other end of the table and nodded. “It would be nice to have another little one around the place.”
Trace stood up. “Speaking of little ones.” He glanced down at his wife and exchanged a look that showed everyone in the room how much they loved one another. “We have some news, and we thought that this would be a perfect day to share it. Kira and I are expecting our second child next summer.”
Jarrett watched as the room erupted in cheers and congratulations. He suddenly felt the old jealousy creeping in. Why would he be jealous of a baby? He’d never wanted a family.
He turned to Mia, who was watching him.
“Isn’t that wonderful news?”
“Yeah, it is.” He glanced at his brother. “Hey, Trace. Congratulations.”
Jenna finally got into the act. “Am I going to have a baby sister? I asked for a sister.”
Everyone laughed.
“We don’t know if it’s a girl or boy, yet,” Kira told her daughter. “But I know you’ll be happy with either.”
Before Jenna could speak, the sound of BJ’s crying drew everyone’s attention.
“Someone’s hungry. Excuse me,” Mia said as she left the table.
Jarrett wanted to go with her, but he had no right to share this time with her and her son. He saw Kira direct her upstairs to a bedroom.
Again he was on the outside looking in, where he’d been for so many years. He didn’t want to be there anymore.
Mia sat in the rocking chair in the McKane nursery. Once the room had been Jenna’s, but the toddler had been moved to