“You think we shouldn’t check on Lauren?” Barry demanded.
“You know I always come on Friday,” James pointed out.
“Yeah, but this is a bad storm. We were afraid she might find she had a leak or something like that,” Bill said. “You never know in a new place until it’s tested.”
A crack of thunder emphasized his words.
“Ooh, that was close,” Lauren said, staring out the window.
Ally whimpered, and her father comforted her. “We’re okay, baby. Don’t worry.”
Cheryl said, “I haven’t seen a storm like this before.”
“I remember a bad one when we were little,” Bill said. “We were frightened, but Mom and Dad calmed us down.”
“Yes, they were good at that,” Lauren said. “It’s different when you’re the adult. It’s easier to convince a child.”
“Yeah,” James agreed. “You used to tell me everything was all right.”
“But I was right, wasn’t I?” Lauren asked.
“Yeah, but—” Just then a booming crack of thunder resounded. “Do you want to tell me again?”
“I don’t think it works as well when you’re an adult.”
Lauren almost ducked at another loud boom of thunder. “Maybe we should just pretend it isn’t storming.”
Jack gave her a skeptical look.
She squared her jaw and got up from the table. “How about dessert? I made carrot cake.”
Her brothers showed enthusiasm, but Cheryl and Jack looked a little unsure.
James leaned over to Cheryl. “You’ll love it, honey. It’s one of Lauren’s specialties.”
“I’m willing to try it, but I’ve never had it before.” Cheryl gave Lauren a smile.
“Don’t worry. I won’t be upset if you don’t like it. James, will you get some saucers, and Bill, some clean forks, please?”
She took one of the candles from the table into the kitchen. The cake was heavy and she realized she couldn’t carry it and the candle at the same time. “Barry? I need some help here.”
She heard footsteps and assumed Barry had come to assist her. “Thanks. The cake is too heavy and—”
Turning around, she almost dropped the cake when she realized it was Jack who had followed her to the kitchen. “What happened to Barry?”
“He was still eating chicken so I volunteered. You needed help?”
Help was just what she needed. Help from her brother, not Jack. Somehow just being alone with him in the kitchen was making her nervous. She could feel her heart pick up the pace, and her voice was breathless when she finally responded, “You can take the cake.”
Jack reached out for it and, underestimating the heft, nearly dropped it. Acting on instinct, she flung out her arms and they met his hands as he got a tighter grip on the plate.
From the mere contact she felt a sizzle course from her hands up her arms, jolting her with its intensity. Pulling back as if burned, she grabbed the candle and spun toward the door, trying not to let Jack know she was running away.
The quick motion extinguished the flame on the candle, plunging the kitchen into darkness.
In her haste to escape, she ran into something hard, warm and…all male.
Chapter Four
Shivering from the contact, Lauren took a step back. “S-sorry,” she muttered.
“I’ll move out of your way,” Jack said.
“Th-thank you.” She really had to stop stammering. Good thing it was too dark for him to see the blush on her face.
Once she was sure Jack was not in her way, she turned on a burner on the stove and lit the candle. Then she led the way back to the dining room. Even after they reached the table, she still didn’t look Jack in the eyes.
“I thought you were going to help me, Barry,” she said pointedly.
“I was still eating and Jack volunteered. I figured you’d like him better in the dark than you would me.” He grinned at his sister.
Lauren stared at Barry. What could he mean? Then she remembered them asking earlier about why she wasn’t working—and their decision that Jack was a friend.
She debated explaining the situation, but she didn’t want to tell them that her boss had sent her away from the office. They might think her job was in danger. No, she’d just have to get through the rest of the evening without any repercussions.
The carrot cake was a big success, and the storm began to ease, though it didn’t completely go away. But it calmed down enough that everyone relaxed.
“Hey, we’re going to the Rangers game tomorrow night,” Bill said. “If anyone wants to go, we can turn in the tickets we got and get more so we can all sit together. How about it, Jack? Do you like baseball?”
“Yeah, I do, but I have Ally. I don’t think—”
“You and Lauren can handle one kid between you, can’t you? Because I know Lauren likes the Rangers.”
“You do?” Jack asked in surprise.
“Yes, I do,” she said, determined to show that he didn’t know anything about lawyers.
“Great! I’ll get four tickets, unless you want to make it six tickets, little brother.” Bill looked expectantly at James.
“Yeah, make it six. I don’t want to miss out on a family gathering.”
“I think Ally will need a ticket, Bill,” Jack said. “If you’re sure you don’t mind if we tag along.”
“No, it’ll be great fun.” Bill stood. “Well, we’ll help with the dishes and then get out of here. We’ve outstayed our welcome tonight.”
Lauren shook her head. “You don’t have to help with the dishes, Bill. I’ll get them after the lights come on.”
“Naw, sis, after that great meal, the least we can do is help with the cleanup.” He stood and began stacking the dishes and Barry did the same. James told Cheryl to keep Ally company and began helping, too. Jack joined in, carrying dishes to the kitchen.
When everything was straightened, they all moved toward the front door.
“We’ll meet here tomorrow night at five-thirty, okay?” Bill asked.
Everyone agreed. Jack put Ally on his shoulders as she snuggled against him.
Lauren watched all her guests leave together, not giving her any opportunity to talk alone to Jack. She’d hoped for a chance to explain what was going on with her brothers.
But going to a baseball game in a group wouldn’t make a difference. Would it?
LAUREN WAS READY at five o’clock in case Jack got there early. Unfortunately, her two oldest brothers got there first, followed by James and Cheryl. Jack and Ally got there just five minutes before it was time to go.
“Come on, Jack. We can all squeeze into Bill’s van,” Barry called.
“Ally, do you need to go to the bathroom before we go?” Lauren asked softly.
“Yes, please,” Ally agreed and turned loose of her father’s hand.
Lauren took her inside her apartment. While there, she asked Ally if she was excited about going to the game.
“Yes, but what is the game?” Ally asked.