“Are you sure you don’t mind driving?” Jace asked as he climbed back into the car. “Traffic can be stressful.”
“We’re pretty much past the traffic part,” Mia told him. “That’s why I wanted to stop here—it’s the last gas station before Dad’s place. When he retired, his goal was to move ‘off the beaten path.’ Trust me, he succeeded. GPS is no match for Martin Zane.”
What Mia didn’t add was that driving gave her something to focus on besides her raging nerves. There was no telling how tonight would go, but the stakes felt much higher than when she’d first proposed it. Meeting each other’s families before telling them about the pregnancy had been a deceptively simple agreement.
She’d expected to see his grandfather and brothers once, maybe twice. Instead, they’d popped up at a pet adoption, and she was answering texts from Harry’s aide about best canine temperaments for a senior citizen. She had looming plans for a cozy Malone movie night and was still trying to repress the memory of stumbling into Reed early one morning, with her hair disheveled and her shirt misbuttoned. The story of that encounter had earned a fit of laughter from Shari but still made Mia’s cheeks tingle with embarrassment.
“You’re awfully quiet,” Jace noted as she drove. “Crisp fifty for your thoughts? That’s billionaire humor.”
She rolled her eyes. “Very droll. But I was thinking about your family.”
“Really?”
“They’re...unexpectedly sweet.”
He chuckled. “I can’t wait to tell them you said so—and find out which brother is more chagrined by the description.”
The corner of her mouth twitched as she pictured the exchange. “Seriously, though. They were so careful to make sure I didn’t feel excluded at the gala, where I didn’t know anyone. And when I ran into Reed that one morning, he was very chivalrous about it.” He hadn’t even pointed out that she’d missed a button. She’d discovered that in the car later. “Not to mention Harry inviting me over for movie night. They’ve been very welcoming.”
“It’s not because they’re ‘sweet’ by nature. Well, Harry, maybe. But you won my brothers over on your own merits. Hardly surprising that they like you.” His playful tone faded, his voice soft and serious. “There’s a lot to like, Doc.”
She cast him a sidelong glance, and when their eyes met, her skin tingled with something far different than embarrassment. The air between them crackled, the growing silence charged with something more profound than words. Reminding herself to watch the road, she tore her gaze away from him. Breaking that connection was both a loss and a relief. In another second, she might have babbled a confession of all the things she liked about him and all the ways this was new to her. She’d never felt like she did when she was with Jace.
He cleared his throat. “Anyway, now it’s my turn. Time to repay the favor and win over your family.”
“Don’t get your hopes up. I mean, Leigh will like you, but—”
“Leigh is your sister-in-law, the teacher who met your brother when Ian started coaching high school football. And their daughter, an only child, is at cheer camp.”
Mia’s eyebrows shot up. “What did you do, make flash cards?”
He ignored that. “Dylan, the younger brother, is a ski instructor who works retail during the off-season, and your other brother lives out of state.”
“Yeah, but you didn’t list anyone’s birthdays or middle names, so I have to deduct points.”
“Make all the jokes you want, but I’ve learned the best way to shut my brothers up in meetings is to be hyper-prepared. I am ready for this.”
“I’m not worried about you being prepared. You aren’t going to be the problem.” Mia turned on her blinker out of habit—there were no other cars around—and made a left onto an unmarked dirt road. “Historically speaking, my brothers and father haven’t warmed up to anyone I’ve brought home. Don’t take it personally.”
“I won’t. But it isn’t going to be an issue,” he said confidently. “You’ll see. Your family will love me so much that when they find out about the baby, they’ll throw us a parade.”
Doubtful.
But since they had arrived, there was no use in worrying any more about it. They rolled into the driveway past the familiar Akebia-covered mailbox. She’d teased her dad once that she was going to stop using the obscured house number when she addressed his birthday cards and just send mail to “care of the climbing purple flowers.”
“You should carry in Shari’s desserts,” she suggested. “At least it starts you off with a positive association.”
He snorted. “Like I was going to let you carry anything bigger than your purse.”
She shifted the car into Park, about to retort when the dashboard caught her attention. “Hell.”
“What’s wrong?”
“The check engine light. It’s probably no big deal.” At least she prayed it wasn’t. She was barely scraping together funds to invest in the festival booth; the idea of car repairs on top of that was dizzying. “It came on a while back and turned out to be just a loose fuse they had to reset. No big deal,” she repeated emphatically. Maybe if she said it convincingly enough, she could manifest it as true.
“I can give you the name of a top-notch mechanic if you want,” he offered.
She made a noncommittal sound. Though she appreciated the thought, she suspected “top-notch” was synonymous with “expensive.” She had no doubt Jace would offer to pay for it, but she was still reeling from the last time she’d mixed romance and finances. She wouldn’t make that mistake again anytime soon.
They walked toward the front porch, which boasted a fresh coat of blue paint and numerous planters. It was picturesque, but the bottom stair was still cracked. It had been at the top of her dad’s to-do list since he moved in.
“Watch your step,” she said over her shoulder. “And remember, if things go sideways tonight, you can always stand behind me.”
“You almost sound serious.”
She shrugged. “Dad’s ex-military, and they all played football. I don’t like your chances in a three-to-one.”
“Mia! There’s no chance in hell I would ever use you as a human shield.”
“I was joking.” Mostly. “But they can be unbearable.”
“I grew up with Reed,” he reminded her as she reached for the doorknob. “I’ve been training for ‘unbearable’ my whole life. Quit being paranoid.”
“Paranoia is my version of preparing.”
Her hand was on the doorknob, but before she had a chance to turn it, the front door swung open.
Dylan wore a Rockies jersey and an ear-to-ear grin. “Sis! And friend. Welcome.” He eyed the large paper bag Jace carried. “Please tell me that’s from Shari.”
“Rum cake for Dad,” Mia confirmed, “and cayenne brownies for you.”
Dylan nearly swooned. “I would marry that woman if she’d have me.” He turned to take the bag. “I’m Dylan, Mia’s favorite brother.”
Jace laughed. “Nice to meet you.”
“Everyone’s in the living room watching the ball game, except Leigh,” Dylan told him. “She’s making her famous margaritas.”
Perhaps Dylan had already enjoyed a margarita or two, Mia speculated. It would explain his boisterous greeting. Among family, he was known for his sense of humor, but he didn’t normally reveal it to strangers. Or maybe he’s mellowed with age, and you really are paranoid.
Maybe. But Jace still had to contend with Ian and her father.
Dylan led them down the short hallway to the living room. Mia fidgeted when she noticed Jace studying framed family pictures. Her middle school years had not been photogenic. It was really a shame that when her dad bought this house, the movers hadn’t lost the box with those particular portraits.
“Dinner should be ready in another ten or fifteen minutes,” Dylan said. “Are you a beer man or a tequila guy?” he asked Jace. “Or we’ve got sodas, too. Water?”
Mia did a double take. Her brother’s politeness was a welcome surprise, but his tone surpassed basic courtesy. He sounded eager to please in a way she found suspicious—like when he’d switched the salt and sugar as a kid and offered to sweeten his siblings’ cereal for them. She stared at him hard, both assessing his motives and attempting to send a silent warning.
Jace, on the other hand, looked perfectly at ease. “A cold beer sounds great, thanks.”
“I’ll take one, too.” The gruff voice came from the center of the room, where Martin Zane presided from his battered recliner. When any of his children had challenged house rules growing up, Martin habitually declared that he was the king of his castle, with a throne built by La-Z-Boy.
“Hi, Dad.” Mia went toward him to hug him hello, and he met her halfway.
“And this must be Jace,” Martin said.
She nodded. When she’d told her dad on the phone that she was bringing Jace, he hadn’t asked for a last name, and she hadn’t volunteered it. They could get into the complications of who Jace’s family was another time.
Not only did her dad shake Jace’s hand, he gave him a hearty thump on the back. “Pleasure to meet you.” Martin nodded toward the baseball game on TV. “Do you have a favorite team?”
“To be honest, I’m more of a football fan.”
Her dad grinned approvingly, and Ian rose from the couch to also shake Jace’s hand.
Mia blinked. What is happening? After the Andrew fiasco, she’d expected them to scrutinize her choice of men even more critically than before. Was this their attempt to get him to lower his guard? Or had they decided that anyone she brought home had to be an improvement over a thieving con artist?
Maybe she could steal a moment with her sister-in-law to get Leigh’s take on the situation. “Where’s your better half?” she asked Ian.
“Right behind you, Red.” Leigh squeezed by Mia, handing her a margarita glass as she passed. “This is for you. And hi,” she greeted Jace, passing him a chilled bottle. “I hear you requested a beer. Dylan says he’s checking on the brisket, but it was probably a mistake to leave him alone with the desserts.”
“Uh...” Mia looked at the margarita in her hand, wondering where to set it down. Ian was blocking the bookshelf, and if she abandoned it on the coffee table in the middle of the room, it would become obvious to everyone. “I could use a glass of water, actually. I’ll go safeguard the brownies.”
But as soon as she’d walked out of the room, she hesitated, wondering if her dad and brother would seize the opportunity to interrogate Jace. Obviously, he could take care of himself. That wasn’t the problem. She was worried about her family making a lousy first impression because she genuinely wanted Jace to like them. She was only just now realizing how important that was to her. Even though her family had no way of knowing, Jace would be in her life for years, probably decades, to come.
In what capacity? They’d only spoken vaguely about the future. Would Jace be spending Christmas Eves exchanging gifts with her brothers and sipping Leigh’s famous eggnog? Or, once this initial bright blaze of passion burned out, would he and Mia settle into a more limited partnership, where she had their child for some holidays and Jace did for others? That thought was oddly depressing.
“Uh, Mia?” Dylan brought her out of her reverie as he tried to pass through the narrow hall. “You drink the margarita, not just stand with it and stare at the wall.”
“Actually, here. I’m on some allergy medication, so...” She gave him the glass. “Look, Dylan, you guys be nice to Jace, okay? For real. I’m hoping he’s gonna be around for a long time.”
“Don’t worry.” He ruffled her hair. “We plan to give him the royal treatment.”
There was a time she would have taken that as a veiled threat, but over the next hour, she had to concede that her family was living up to Dylan’s promise. They asked Jace’s opinion on sports, on gardening, on local government and movies. When they asked about his job, he gave a simplified answer, telling them truthfully that he worked for an energy company and was part of an interdepartmental commission on sustainability.
The tension Mia had been carrying all day began to ease. It may have taken until she was almost thirty, but her family had finally stopped being ridiculously overprotective. Either that, or this was one of those science fiction scenarios where the citizens had been replaced by alien clones. Regardless, it seemed that Jace had been right. This evening was going smoothly, and her paranoia was unfounded.
More or less. When Martin turned to say something to Dylan, he scowled past his son’s shoulder at Mia’s car parked outside the window. “You’re still driving that bucket of bolts?”
“You still haven’t fixed the bottom porch step?” she countered.
“Sass at my own table,” Martin muttered with a shake of his head. “I worry that car’s not safe.”
“I’ve only had one accident,” she reminded him, “and it was due to the weather conditions. The car’s fine.”
Jace opened his mouth, and she shot a look across the table to communicate that the words engine light would have dire consequences. He took a sudden avid interest in his garlic mashed potatoes.
Leigh diplomatically changed the subject. “So how did you and Jace meet?”
“On one of those tourism trail rides,” Mia said. “Jace was doing some summer work there, and I was consulting.”
“Wait, the drive from Alonzo’s place?” her dad clarified.
Mia sighed. “Yep.” She knew that the minute she left, Martin would call his old buddy for any and all information on Jace.
That was fine, inevitable really. She wasn’t trying to keep Jace’s identity a secret; she’d just wanted her family to meet him without the billionaire label attached, so they wouldn’t be weird about it. And now you’ve accomplished that.
Once it looked like everyone was finished, Leigh stood, picking up both her and Ian’s plates. “Who wants dessert? Besides you,” she said as Dylan’s hand shot up.
Jace rose, too. “I’ll help you clear.”
The two of them carried out the dishes, and Martin patted Mia’s hand. “Sorry I gave you grief about your car,” he told her. “Hope I didn’t make you look bad in front of your beau. I just worry about you.”
“Thanks, Dad.” It was hard to be annoyed given the affection in his tone. “But I’m a grown woman. You don’t have to worry about me so much.”
“I suppose that’s true now, circumstances being what they are.”
“I don’t think twenty-eight is a ‘circumstance,’ but—”
“Gotta hand it to you,” Ian said with an admiring smile. “When you trade up, you really trade up.”
She didn’t have time to reply before Jace returned with a Bundt cake in one hand and a knife in the other, Leigh at his heels with brownies and a carafe of coffee.
“None for me, thanks,” Mia said. “Trying to cut back on caffeine.”
While dessert was being served, she excused herself to use the restroom. She washed her hands and leaned against the vanity, taking her first deep breath since they’d arrived. Introducing Jace to her family had gone far better than she could have anticipated, and she was relieved to have this milestone behind them. When she told her family later that she was pregnant, she’d be working forward from a positive.
But for now, cake. And hand soap. She’d used the last of it but knew she could replenish it from the upstairs supply closet. Her dad bought most of his toiletries and groceries in bulk, a lingering habit from raising four kids on one salary.
“Mia!” her sister-in-law called up the stairs. “If you don’t come back soon, I’m not sure we can keep Dylan from eating your piece of cake.”
Mia chuckled. “Coming!” She rounded the corner but stopped in her tracks at the sight of a local newspaper on the hall table.
Familiar faces smiled up at her—including her own. She and Jace were standing on either side of a cheerful three-legged golden retriever, just above a headline. “Billionaire Boosts Awareness for Animals in Need.” Suddenly Dylan’s promise that they would give Jace “the royal treatment” felt less like brotherly assurance and more like happiness that she’d landed a rich date. And what had Ian said? When you trade up, you really trade up.
Dropping the soap on the table next to the paper, she stalked back down to the dining room.
Jace did a double take at her expression. “Are you okay? You look pale.”
“I’m a redhead. I’m always pale.” She’d meant it as a joke, but her delivery was too sharp. The annoyance she felt at her family had spilled out at the wrong target.
Martin raised his eyebrows. “We don’t get snippy with guests in this house, Mia Jean.”
“You’ve been snippy to literally every guy I’ve ever brought home until today!”
Martin waved a hand. “What’s done is done. The past doesn’t matter. What matters is the bright future between you and this dear boy.”
Good Lord. After only a couple of hours, Martin was basically inviting Jace to call him Dad—a warm welcome that turned out to be financially motivated. “Unbelievable!” Did her father still not think she could take care of herself?
“Mia, your blood pressure.” Jace’s whisper was low but intense. “You know what Dr. Bakshi said.”
“Dr. B?” Leigh’s eyes went wide. “Oh my God!”
Ian frowned. “Isn’t Dr. Bakshi the one who delivered Kimber?”
Yeah. Mia had first visited the ob-gyn after the recommendation of her sister-in-law, a former patient.
“You didn’t have a margarita or coffee,” Ian said slowly. He shot to his feet, his gaze swinging to Jace. “You son of a bitch. You two barely know each other! Did you pounce on her the second you met her?”
“What are you talking about?” Dylan asked. “Mia, what is he talking about?”
But their father had pieced it together, based on his enraged expression. He stood and leaned closer, studying Mia’s hands. “Why don’t I see an engagement ring?” he demanded.
“I don’t see how that’s any of your business,” Mia retorted. “And Ian, I pounced on him, so shut up.”
“Ahem.” Jace cleared his throat. “I understand this is a shock to everyone, but arguing can’t be good for Mia or the baby. Maybe if we all sit back down...”
Leigh nodded her support, leveling stern looks at all three Zane men. “Take a breath or take a lap if you need to cool off, but pipe down.” She came around the table to hug Mia. “Congratulations, Red. I am so sorry about all this.”
Mia sighed. “You’re not the one who blurted out Dr. Bakshi’s name.” It hadn’t occurred to her to mention to Jace that her family knew the OB. Maybe she had underprepared him.
“Weeks or months from now,” Leigh pledged, “I will throw you an epic baby shower to make up for this.” She skewered her husband with a glare. “You will send an expensive present. You will not send unsolicited opinions.”
Ian scowled. “Look, he—”
“No.” She turned to her father-in-law. “Marty, I’m sorry to overrule you under your own roof, but us moms have to stick together. Mia is old enough to make her own life decisions without your approval.”
Mia swallowed, struggling not to cry. This was basically the nightmare version of how she thought dinner might play out. At least she had her sister-in-law in her corner. For long moments, no one spoke. Mia wasn’t sure if it was because they feared Leigh’s wrath or just because they didn’t know what to say.
Jace ventured into the conversational void. “I’m going to take Mia home now. Thank you for the, um, hospitality. Want me to grab your purse from the living room?” he asked her.
She nodded wordlessly.
“Mia Jean.”
It was difficult to meet her father’s eyes. They were full of conflicting emotions, and she had her own myriad of emotions she was trying to sort through.
“You know I love you,” he said gruffly. It sounded like the beginning of a sentence, not a completed statement. You know I love you. But.
You know I love you, but I’m disappointed. You know I love you, but this isn’t what I want for you.
She sighed. “I love you, too.” But they both needed time to calm down before they attempted this conversation. “I’ll call you this week, Dad.”
He nodded, saying nothing else as she walked past. Leigh gave her a reassuring pat on the arm. Mia tried to look on the bright side—at least she’d solved the problem of trying to decide how to tell her family about the baby. That was one check on the to-do list.
She met Jace at the front door and took her purse with a mirthless laugh. “Still think I’m paranoid?”
As concerned as Jace had been seeing Mia distraught, her withdrawn silence as they pulled up to her house was even more troubling. He parked in her driveway next to his own car and turned to face her.
“Mia, I—”
“You really don’t need to apologize again. That fiasco was a group effort.”
Maybe, but only one person there had indicated that she had a medical condition or mentioned the name of her obstetrician. He’d panicked in the moment. The only thing worse than his regret was the idea of leaving her alone like this.
“Do you maybe want to watch a movie?” he ventured. “I could come in for a little while.” Or maybe she preferred that he drive away and never come back.
“Thanks for the offer, but I’m going straight to bed.”
Although it wasn’t that late, she did look exhausted. Guilt churned in his gut. He wished he knew what to say, but as he walked her to her door, the only words that came to mind were I’m sorry. He’d already apologized dozens of times, but what was the point? No apology could erase what had happened.
How could he have messed up so royally? He’d known how nervous she’d been about today. His ride home was plagued with self-castigation, thinking too late of all the ways he could have changed the subject or de-escalated the situation.
When he came through the front gates of the Triple Pine, Jace didn’t want to talk to anyone—he’d said more than enough for one day. So, naturally, his entire family was gathered on the front porch, enjoying the summer evening. Brooke was asleep in her baby swing, and Harry looked half asleep in his rocking chair. Heath had his ever-present laptop open on the glass tabletop between him and Reed, their faces illuminated by its glow.
Whatever they were discussing, Jace hoped it was enough to keep them occupied. He gave a quick nod of greeting as he took the stairs two at a time.
“Have you been following this proposed animal husbandry statute?” Heath asked. “If it passes—”
“Not now.” Unfortunately, Jace’s voice sounded exactly as aggravated as he felt.
Reed arched an eyebrow. “What’s with you?”
Jace ground his teeth.
“Don’t say ‘nothing,’” Grandpa Harry admonished, looking over the top of his glasses. “I let you get away with that too much when you were a kid. Shoulda pushed you to talk about things. Maybe you wouldn’t have acted out so much.”
Jace’s temper cooled slightly. “You did the best you could. And in spite of myself, I turned out okay.” Dinner with the Zanes notwithstanding. He sighed. “I fuc—”
“Ahem.” Reed shot a glance in his sleeping daughter’s direction. He’d said that if they didn’t train themselves to stop swearing before she started talking, they’d never manage it later.
“I screwed things up with Mia.”
“Damn.” Reed pinched the bridge of his nose, seemingly oblivious to his own double standard. “I was afraid of this.”
“Whatever you did wrong,” Heath said, “fix it. Make a romantic gesture.”
Easy for you to say. “I’m not taking advice from a guy who gave his first crush a rock from our yard as a Valentine’s Day present.”
“She was allergic to chocolate, and rocks don’t wilt.”
“Quit squabbling,” Harry said mildly. “Jace, what happened?”
“I... It’s complicated.” He supposed an impromptu family meeting on the front porch was as good a place as any to tell them the truth. It wasn’t as if Mia had been given her dream scenario for the Zanes finding out. “There’s something I haven’t told you. Mia’s expecting. A baby,” he clarified haltingly. “My baby.”
“Shit.” Reed violated his own rule twice in one conversation.
“Has there been a prenatal paternity test?” Heath asked.
Jace’s fists clenched as he took a step forward.
“Heath!” Harry shot a disappointed look at the family accountant and leaned forward in his chair, putting himself in Jace’s direct line of sight. “How does she feel about this?”
“The idea took a little getting used to, but we’re both happy. We just saw the heartbeat last week at an ultrasound appointment.”
“And you kept this all to yourself?” Surprisingly, Reed sounded more hurt than accusatory.
“She hadn’t told her family yet, either.” He dragged a hand through his hair. “I met them tonight. And accidentally broke the news.”
“Good God.” Heath looked appalled. “I don’t think there’s a romantic gesture big enough to fix that. Just give her your shares in the company.”
“Would it help if I offered your grandmother’s wedding ring?” Harry asked.
It was for the best that Reed’s ex-wife had wanted to design her own jewelry; Jace doubted she would have returned the family heirloom. “Thanks, Grandpa, but no. I already asked Mia to marry me, and she rejected me on the grounds that it was way too sudden.”
“She’s right!” Heath and Reed both agreed.
She’d also been adamantly opposed to the idea of marriage when her father brought it up, so Heath needn’t worry that she was after the family assets.
He plopped down on the top step, head in his hands. “This must all sound reckless to you. I wanted so much to show you I’ve changed...”
“Of course you have.” It was surprising to hear how quickly Heath agreed with him. “I could name four or five different metrics we could measure your behavior on, and they all indicate the same thing. The last few weeks at the office, you’ve been energetic and resourceful. It’s obvious that you care and that you’re open to feedback.”
“And you met a woman worthy of this new Jace,” Reed put in. “Mia’s smart and compassionate and beautiful. We’d be lucky to have her in the family, but if that’s not what she wants, I’m sure you’ll work out a parenting arrangement. We support whatever the two of you decide.”
“You do?” An unfamiliar warmth spread through Jace’s chest.
Grandpa Harry harrumphed. “Of course we do. What did you expect?”
“I don’t know,” he admitted. “But you definitely took it better than her family.”
Reed winced. “Yeah, that’s a mess you need to clean up. As soon as possible.”
How? As much as he wished otherwise, he couldn’t undo what had happened. Maybe he could visit Martin Zane again sometime and apologize man-to-man for breaking the news in such a chaotic, unpleasant way. But Mia’s family was a secondary issue.
Making things right with her was priority number one.
Mia’s alarm going off Wednesday morning was adding insult to injury—a reminder as she lay there, already awake, of the hours she’d spent tossing and turning. Maybe I should just take a sick day. She dismissed the idea as soon as she had it. Even if she could afford to cancel her appointments, the last thing she wanted was to stay home with her thoughts and relive yesterday’s disaster ad nauseam.
Instead, she tossed away her comforter and dragged herself to the shower. Once she was dressed, she found that she’d missed several texts from Jace, checking to ask if she was okay. She sat on the edge of the bed, trying to decide how to reply. Some things were too complicated for text message, but she didn’t want him to worry.
All good. Just gearing up for a busy day.
After a moment, she added, Plans with Shari tonight. Talk to you tomorrow? She wasn’t angry with Jace. But she wasn’t ready to rehash what had happened, either. She was too drained.
Apparently, her physical appearance wasn’t any better than her emotional state. As soon as Mia walked into the office, Amanda gasped audibly before offering a sympathetic, “Oh, dear.”
Mia grimaced. “That bad?”
“If I didn’t already know you were pregnant, I would have guessed monster hangover.”
Well. That should instill confidence in the pet owners who came in today.
“Are you all good for surgery?” Amanda looked at her watch. “You have the Wilsons’ collie in an hour.”
Mia nodded. It was a routine spay, and when she operated, she gave her patient all her focus, which would be a relief.
As she prepped for her first appointment, she lost herself in the comforting rhythm of her work, doing her best not to think about Jace or her family or that newspaper article or how badly she reacted. She retreated into her professional demeanor, letting it numb the harsh emotions of the night before. The day went by surprisingly fast, and she was grateful for the many distractions the clinic provided. Almost before she knew it, it was time to leave and meet Shari at the forum.
She gathered her belongings and headed to the front to tell her staff goodbye.
Amanda signaled her with an index finger as she finished with a customer on the phone. Then she said, “Your father’s holding on line two. Do you want me to tell him to call your cell instead?”
Her dad had called the clinic? Was he afraid she wouldn’t have answered if he called her directly? “N-no. I’ll talk to him before I go. I’ll pick it up in my office, thanks.”
She didn’t bother turning the light back on in the office—enough spilled through from the hallway—but the dim interior highlighted the red blinking flash on the phone. Her hands shook as she reached for the receiver. Low stress, calming thoughts. She took a breath and pictured the ocean. “Hi, Dad.”
“Mia Jean.” He didn’t sound like his usual blustery self. He sounded...timid. “I’m gonna have a grandbaby.”
“Yep.” Tears stung her eyes. She hadn’t gotten to share the momentous part of that with her loved ones amid the yelling and mortification.
“How are you feeling? Are you and the baby doing okay?”
“A little tired, but yeah, we’re okay.”
“All I ever wanted for my children is for them to be happy and healthy. If you’re happy, I’m happy.”
“Thank you.”
“But you can’t blame me for thinking you’d be happier with a billionaire.”
“Dad.”
“Think about all the things you wouldn’t have to worry about anymore!”
“What I worry about is my family believing in me and trusting that I can take care of myself.”
“I believe in you. I always have. But I know that bastard ex left you with more struggles than you admit to.” He sighed. “It’s not just about the money. I’ve raised kids with a partner by my side, and I’ve raised them alone. I know which is easier and which is harder.”
“Just because we aren’t getting married doesn’t mean he won’t be helping. There’s more than one family model, Dad.” She changed the subject. “Why didn’t you tell me you already knew who he was?”
“Maybe because I figured you would tell us yourself. Guess we both had our poker faces on. Your brothers and I are sorry we didn’t handle your news better,” he added. “You caught us off guard.”
They were caught off guard? She’d watched it avalanche on her and hadn’t been able to stop it.
“Come back soon for dinner,” her dad said. “Whether you bring your friend or not is up to you.”
“I’m sure he’s eager to repeat the experience.”
Her father grunted. “Sass. Always with the sass.”
She laughed, feeling something close to human again by the time she hung up the phone. Still, the sleepless night had taken its toll. By the time she reached the community center, she was stifling yawns and wondering if Shari would mind if they took a rain check on their girls’ night.
Her best friend’s sharp gaze clocked the shadows under her eyes immediately. “I take it meeting the family did not go well?” Shari said as they signed in at the welcome table.
“That would be accurate. But everyone knows about the baby now, so at least that’s out of the way.”
Shari’s eyebrows shot up.
“Long story,” Mia said. “Definitely too much to cram into the five minutes we have before the forum starts.”
“Well, then it’s lucky you’re coming over after and that I’m a good listener. Or we can sit in silence and stare at the TV if you just need to zone out for a while. Whatever you need.”
Mia bit her lip. “Those both sound like great options, but honestly, it’ll be a miracle if I don’t fall asleep during the meeting. I’m beat.”
“So, another night. No problem.”
“You’re the best.”
Shari grinned. “I really am.”
When Jace texted Mia midmorning on Thursday to ask if he could take her to lunch, she was feeling recharged enough to accept. They agreed to meet at a bistro not far from the clinic. Before leaving to meet him, she brushed on some extra lipstick and mascara. She no longer looked like an extra for a zombie movie, but there was still room for improvement.
She didn’t see his car in the parking lot when she arrived but spotted him immediately, already seated at a booth, once she walked inside.
He stood as she approached, earnestly scanning her expression. “Mia.”
His obvious concern was touching. “It was a disaster of major proportions,” she said as she slid into the booth, “but it wasn’t all your fault.”
“I still feel terrible.”
“I talked to Dad yesterday. It was awkward, but not—”
“Hi, I’m Daisy. Can I get y’all started with something to drink?”
Since Mia didn’t have long for lunch before she had to get back to the clinic, she asked if she could go ahead and order her entrée as well. She requested her favorite steak salad, minus the blue cheese, and Jace said he’d take the same.
Once they were alone again, he flashed her a surprisingly mischievous smile, apparently bouncing back to his usual self now that he knew she wasn’t angry. “I have a surprise for you.”
“Like introducing me to the reporter?” She still appreciated that but couldn’t help wishing her family hadn’t seen the article.
“No, much better than that. I was planning to do this after lunch, but I can’t wait. Can you come outside with me for just a sec?”
“I guess so.” If the surprise was gift-wrapped, she was glad he hadn’t brought it in. The last thing she needed was a room full of waitstaff mistakenly serenading her with “Happy Birthday.” In her opinion, no one needed that even on their birthday.
She followed him outside, glancing around. “Where are you parked?”
He pulled the keys from his pocket and hit a button on the car remote. A nearby blue sedan chirped in response.
“Pretty color,” she commented.
“Glad you like it.” He beamed at her like a kid on Christmas morning. “It’s yours.”
“What?”
“Come here.” He took her hand and tugged her toward it, and she was too stunned to do anything other than follow along. As he pressed another button, one of the back doors slid open. “See, perfect for when you’re carrying a car seat and don’t have a hand free. And the trunk space when you lay the seat down is plenty big enough for a dog kennel. The safety ratings are—”
“Jace!” She pulled her hand back.
“Yeah?” He was practically vibrating with glee.
“I...” She stared, wondering where to begin. “I’m sure the safety ratings are great. But you can’t buy me a car.”
“I already did.”
Because he wanted to make up for an unpleasant evening? “A car is not an apology.” Low stress, calming thoughts. Mental image of the ocean...dunking Jace under the waves... “Apology gifts are, I don’t know, a candy bar or a funny mug. Or a funny mug full of candy bars. How could you think I would accept this?”
“Why wouldn’t you?”
“It’s a car. A major life purchase.”
“Okay, I know it’s an expense, but proportionally, for me—”
“Right, because you’re rich.”
He looked hurt. “You don’t have to say it like it’s a character failing. I mean, it’s not a virtue, either. It’s just a fact. And sometimes it allows me to do good things for people. For instance...” He swept his arm toward the car. “It has more space than yours, more safety features, and the check engine light isn’t blinking. But if it were, it would be covered under warranty.”
He was trying his best to sound reasonable, and she paused, trying to match his tone. She didn’t want to lash out, but her irritation that he wasn’t hearing her was growing.
“Maybe it would even score me some points with your dad,” he tried to joke.
“Oh, that’s all I need! The men in my life deciding what I drive without my input.”
A couple heading into the restaurant stopped to stare, and Mia realized how shrill she sounded. She took a deep breath and lowered her voice. “I know dinner with my family ended badly, but throwing money at uncomfortable situations isn’t the solution. What happens when you become a dad yourself?”
He folded his arms over his chest. “What does that have to do with anything?”
“No matter how good a parent you are, there will be times your kid feels let down. Or gets mad. What then? You buy the kid a pony?”
“I live on a ranch. You’re a large animal vet. Pretty sure our kid will have a pony.”
“Oh my God!”
“You act like I got you a Corvette or I’m trying to buy your affections. Yes, I wanted to make a grand gesture, but this car is sensible.”
Sensible was taking a sweater in case you got cold! “The gesture was too grand. And it makes me feel...” She didn’t know how to articulate the pit in her stomach.
When Shari had seen she was upset, her friend had offered “whatever you need.” Jace had decided on her behalf what she needed, then went out and splurged on it.
The last time she’d let a man insist on what would be best, she’d ended up filling out police reports and insurance claims. This was obviously different. Jace meant well. But at least Drew had given her the illusion of consulting with her.
“I’m sorry about lunch,” she said, “but I don’t have much of an appetite.”
“Mia, wait.” The frustration in his expression faded to chagrin. “You need to eat. I’ll go if you want me to, but the baby—”
“It’s okay. I have fruit in the fridge at the clinic.” The last thing she wanted was to argue with him, but she wasn’t sure how to politely sit across from him for the next twenty minutes and pretend this big blue mistake wasn’t parked in the lot outside their window.
His shoulders slumped. He looked so crestfallen that she almost hugged him, but her own emotions were all over the map. Instead, she gave him a small wave. “Call me later, okay?”
On the way to the clinic, she consciously drove with a light foot, careful not to mash the brake or accelerator in her aggravation.
Amanda looked startled to see her back so soon. “I thought you had a lunch date.”
“I did, but he tried to give me a free car, so I screamed at him in the parking lot and bolted.”
Amanda tittered nervously, like she thought it was a joke but was confused about the punch line.
Join the club. Mia was confused by everything that had just transpired. Was Jace really deluded enough to think buying her a car was appropriate?
Maybe. After all, he had his own bowling alley in his garage. The mayor, a retired NBA player and an actress had all been present on their first date. Perhaps when your family owned a plane, cars started to seem like less of a big deal.
In his mind, maybe he’d bought her a bicycle, but with a better sound system and windshield wipers. She sighed, absolutely certain that she wasn’t in the wrong but less certain that he was.
Leigh and Ian had once gone on a marriage retreat, and Leigh told her later it was all about learning to communicate with your partner in the same “language.” Mia and Jace did not speak the same language. Could they successfully learn to?
And, bigger question, was it worth the time, effort and emotional energy to find out?