SomedayMyGoodOleBoyWillCome Page 19

  “You’re family. You are always welcome at this table,” Jacey’s mother said.

  “What brings you here this early morning, Honey?” Jacob asked as he dug into his breakfast with relish.

  “I needed to talk to Jacey.” Blue eyes pled for forgiveness as she looked into the anthracite ones of her friend.

  Swallowing some orange juice, Jacey blinked and shrugged. “About what?” She knew she was being hard on her friend, but her digs had hurt her feelings.

  “Kind of a private matter. Has to do with the wedding.” Sorrow filled those eyes as if she realized all wasn’t forgiven.

  “We can talk after breakfast.” Jacey turned her attention back to her son, who was talking to her.

  “That would be great.”

  Leaning against a pillar of the porch, Jacey turned to stare at the quiet woman out there with her. “What did you need to talk to me about, Honey?”

  “I came to apologize. I just didn’t want to hear anything bad about David. But, like Derek said, you have never lied to me.” She wrung her hands. “Can you ever forgive me?”

  “Honey, there is nothing to forgive. You wanted to believe in the man you love.” The friends embraced before Jacey pulled back and looked at her. “What are you going to do?”

  “I don’t know. I’m not willing to lose the farm, though. What do you think?”

  “I’m not sure. I haven’t thought it through yet.” I was too busy screwing your cousin along the roadside. “I don’t want to put you in danger.”

  “If they are that bad then I’m in danger anyway. I can take care of myself,” Honey insisted.

  “Well, we should come up with something. The four of us.” Jacey meant that they wouldn’t tell Uncle Frank or Auntie Ro. “I’d say Papa as well, but he would want to tell Uncle Frank out of obligation to their friendship.”

  “Tonight then?”

  “Yes, I’m going out with Carson again so I’ll just stop by for a while afterward. Caleb can visit with your parents, I know they will love to see him.”

  “See the child of a man they consider their son, of course they will. And they aren’t mad at you, you know.” Honey touched her arm.

  “That’s good. Hey, want to come to town with us? We have to get some things, Mama is going to have cookout.”

  “I’d love to. Let me drop the car off at home.”

  “I’ll get Caleb and we will be over to get you in a few.” Jacey winked at her friend and went back inside.

  “Glad to see you made up with her,” Etta Mae said.

  “I was only mildly upset, Mama.” Jacey kissed her mother on the cheek and shepherded her son and his dog out the door. “I have the list, don’t worry.”

  “Invite Bubba and Susie along as well. I like them.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” Jacey said as she shut the screen and jogged down the steps to jump in her Jeep where her son and his dog waited in the back.

  * * * *

  Jacey pulled into the yard of the Moser Farm and waited for Honey to come down. Carson stuck his head out then headed down to meet her. “Hey, Jace,” he said. “Hey, little man.” He waved to Caleb.

  “Hey, Carson,” Jacey said with a smile.

  “Still on for tonight?” he asked, leaning over the door.

  “Oh yeah. Caleb and I are looking forward to it.”

  “We are going to swim again,” Caleb piped up from the back.

  “You got it, little man,” Carson said. “Here comes Derek. Figured he would show up once he knew you were here.”

  Jacey didn’t answer him for her gaze was centered on the man who strode towards her. He had a natural swagger and it only amplified the fit of his tight jeans. Today he had on a light beige shirt.

  “Morning Jace, Caleb,” Derek said as he reached the Jeep. “What are y’all doing here this fine day?”

  “Mama and Ms. Honey are going into town with me. We’re going shopping,” Caleb answered.

  “I see,” Derek responded even as his gaze ran over the woman in the Jeep.

  She knew what he saw. Her hair was loose, and she had on a blue skirt and a white tank top with sandals on her feet. The way he gave her body a once over made Jacey feel naked.

  She was remembering last night along the road. Honey saved her, for at that moment she came out of the old farmhouse and walked to the Jeep.

  “Sorry, I had to help Mama for a minute.” She climbed into the Jeep and buckled her belt. “Ready.”

  “Let’s go then,” Jacey said, needing desperately to get away from Derek before she kissed him. “Carson, I will see you tonight.” With a wave she drove off, smirking to herself about the flash of disbelief on Derek’s face.

  Parking the Jeep along the street the occupants climbed out. “Caleb, you know the rules,” Jacey said, looking her son in the eyes.

  “Yes, ma’am. Will I get to see TC today?” he asked.

  “I don’t know, let’s go to the bank and see if we can find Susie, okay?”

  They walked down the street, Jacey and Honey side by side and in front of them a young boy with a huge black shepherd beside him, his small hand resting comfortably in the thick pelt. All of them walked into the bank.

  Susie was there, as were Red and Jenkins. Jacey strode up to the window. “Hey, Susie,” she said with a smile.

  “Jacey, what a nice surprise. Hey, Honey. What can I get for you?” Susie drawled as the two men walked over towards her son.

  “We came to invite you and Bubba to another cookout. Mama wants to have one. Tomorrow afternoon. That, and Caleb was wondering if he and TC could play today?” Jacey leaned on the counter and watched as Shadow stared at the two men who approached her son.

  “I wish I could, but TC is with Bubba right now. He is watching them until I am done so he can get back to work.”

  “Well, I would be glad to watch them both for you. I could take them to my house and when you both are done with work you can get them,” Jacey offered.

  “Oh no, I wouldn’t want to impose.”

  Jacey scoffed. “It wouldn’t be an imposition. I loved your kids. It will be good for Caleb also.” Honey left them and walked over towards Caleb and Shadow. “What do you say?”

  “If you are sure,” Susie said hesitantly.

  “Of course I am. Call Bubba and tell him we will stop by and pick them up. I have to get some groceries for Mama first.” Pushing away from the counter, she said over her shoulder, “Don’t forget about tomorrow. Later, Susie.”

  “What is going on, sport?” Jacey asked as she got to the group as well.

  “They were just asking me questions about you,” Caleb answered.

  “Really?” Jacey arched a brow at Jenkins and Red. “Now, Red, you have known me my whole life, why would you ask my son questions instead of me?”

  The thin man pointed at Jenkins. “It was him. Not me.”

  “That’s not true,” Caleb interrupted. “You asked me more questions than he did.” A hesitation. “Sir.”

  “Why you—”

  “Be very careful, Red,” Jacey warned, her tone dropping considerably. “My son doesn’t lie.” With a jerk of her head she added, “Let’s get going. Oh yeah,” Jacey yelled. “Jenkins, Mama says you are welcome to the cookout as well.” Then she was gone.

  The cookout was a hit, but then it always had been that way with Etta Mae. Jacey stood out on the front porch and overlooked the scene before her. Tables were set up all over, and the grill was going with her father standing over it, Uncle Frank beside him. Her mother and Auntie Ro were putting out more food.

  People walked around, talking, laughing and listening to the music playing from a radio on the steps. Shadow was off lounging in the shade. Her son was sitting with TC and they were eating as fast as they could.

  Her focus drifted over to where Honey sat beside her cousin, Carson. They too were content to be eating and enjoying the day. Susie and Bubba also sat with them and every now and then one of them would burst out in hearty laughter.
>
  Leaning one shoulder on the pillar, Jacey realized that this was one place she truly felt like she was at home. Wonder why you don’t come back more, Jacey?

  Her answer walked right up behind her and filled her sharp senses with his masculine scent. Derek Moser. The reason she stayed away, and now the reason she would be back. He was a drug and she couldn’t seem to get enough of him.

  “Hey, princess,” he drawled softly behind her. “What are you doing up here? Shouldn’t you be eating?” His body wasn’t against hers, but she could still feel every hardened plane of him as if he were pressed against her. It was a memory that she couldn’t forget, no matter if she wished to or not.

  “Derek,” she responded without turning. “When’d you get here?”

  “Were you looking for me?” he questioned as he sat on the porch railing beside her.

  “Nope,” Jacey insisted.

  His deep chuckle flowed over her. “Lying to me…shame.”

  He moved his foot up the back of her calf. Longing rocketed through her. She bit the inside of her lip to keep the moan contained. Up and down he stroked. Grinding her jaw, Jacey looked sideways at him. Derek wasn’t even looking at her. He watched the gathering of family and friends.

  “Something on your mind, princess?”

  “Do you mind?” she questioned, glancing over the scene before her.

  “Nope. Not at all.” Derek leaned back against the porch pillar. “Why are you leading Carson on?”

  “I’m not.”

  “What do you call it then? You two don’t have a future.”

  Despite the arrogance of his statement, Jacey couldn’t help but be affected by the jealousy she picked up on in his tone. Her body reacted in a sexual way.

  “I call it none of your business. Carson and I have fun together. Plus, Caleb loves him.”

  “Caleb is my son, not his,” Derek bit off.

  Jacey turned to look directly at him. “I know whose son he is, Derek. What’s your deal? Carson isn’t trying out for the father position.”

  Derek took his gaze from the cookout and stared at her. Fire of determination raged in his amazing blue eyes. “My deal? My deal is I don’t like this distance you’re keeping between us. Among other things.”

  “Lighten up, you two, it’s a party,” Honey commented as she left the house and dashed down the steps.

  Jacey sighed. She was exhausted. This relaxing trip to attend Honey’s wedding had taken a huge toll on her emotional state. Her nerves bordered on being frazzled and her temper hovered at the end of a severely frayed rope.

  “Fine,” she snapped waving at her son. “I’m done discussing this.” Jacey pushed away from the railing and hurried down the steps. Reaching around her mother, she grabbed a chip and laughed when her had got smacked. Jacey lifted her son in her arms and spun him around, his childish laughter wiping away her anger and frustration. Out of the corner of her eye she could see Derek leaning where she had been, arms folded over his chest, watching her.

  Derek.

  * * * *

  From his position on the large porch, Derek had a direct shot of a vision of Jacey. He ogled her figure as the summer sun shone down upon her brown skin. She wore a pair of white shorts and a camouflaged tank top, no shoes, and her black hair cascaded around her shoulders.

  Jacey Damia Thompson. The mother of his son. The only one with a key to his heart.

  She didn’t argue with me. Jace always argues. Derek frowned slightly as he thought about that. Something’s bothering her and I don’t think it has anything to do with the Turners.

  “Stop being an ass to Jace,” Carson said in a low tone.

  Tearing his gaze from Jace, Derek turned to look at the man who was like a brother to him. “What are you talking about?” he asked raising a brow.

  “You’re making her stressed.” Carson handed him one of the two plates he held.

  Jealousy swamped him at Carson’s concern. “You need to stay away from her,” Derek growled.

  “Listen to yourself, Derek,” Carson admonished. “You’re not thinking straight.”

  Derek ate a bit of Etta Mae’s potato salad and, for the first time in his life, didn’t even taste it. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  Carson remained quiet as he chewed. “What it means is if you were, you’d know I’m not after Jace. A blind man could see there’s heaps of chemistry between y’all. Not to mention the child you share. I’m not like that. Jace and I relax and have fun together. That’s it. But you, Derek, you’re stressing her. We’re not teenage boys anymore, stop acting like one.”

  Derek watched him walk back down to where everyone hung out. He’s right. I’ve been pushing her. He noticed her brilliant smile when she spoke to Carson and sighed. Carson, you’re a lot smarter than you act sometimes. Enjoying his next bite of food, Derek left the porch and headed for a table. He sat down with Bubba and Susie, smiled, and joined the conversation.

  As the afternoon wore on, Derek found himself sitting alone at the table enjoying some lemon pie. His gaze fixed on the field near the house where a game of volleyball played. The moment he finished, a cry came from the court.

  “Come play, Derek!”

  “I just finished eating,” he hollered back.

  “Come on,” Honey called.

  Getting to his feet, he ambled to the edge of the makeshift court. “Would you buy I have an old football injury?” he questioned playfully.

  “Not for a second,” Uncle Frank said. “Get in here and play.”

  Derek slid his gaze toward Jace. An amused half smile on her face and she shook her head. Stepping closer to Caleb, she whispered in his ear before placing her hands on her hips.

  “It’s okay,” Caleb announced. “Papa’s too tired to play. It happens when you get old.”

  Derek frowned as laughter erupted from everyone there. He watched as she tried unsuccessfully to contain her mirth.

  “Too tired? Old?” he demanded, stalking over to Jace.

  She blinked innocently at him. “Well, you aren’t injured, so I figured you were too tired.”

  “Let’s play.” He ducked under the net and took up a position by Caleb. “Okay if I’m on your team, sport?”

  “Yay!” Caleb hollered.

  Derek stared through the net at the feisty woman on the other side. He raked his gaze up and down her sweaty form. Desire flamed to life in her coal black eyes and he grinned.

  “I’ll show you how tired I am, princess.”

  His cock stiffened when she licked her lips and focused on his crotch before moving back to his eyes.

  “Can’t wait,” she replied then headed back to serve the ball.

  The day flew by. Derek had a blast and as he waved goodbye to Bubba, Susie, and Jenkins, he felt a small hand slide into his. Caleb stood beside him, waving with his free hand.

  This is my son. Mine!

  “To…today was a good day, wasn’t it, Papa?”

  Derek swung Caleb up so he sat on his shoulders. “It sure was. I didn’t know you were such a good volleyball player.”

  “I play at school. I like sports. W…will you come running with us in the morning?”

  Jesus, he runs too? “Who runs with you?”

  “Mama and Grandpa.”

  Holding onto his son, Derek walked toward the porch. Shadow keeping pace with him. “Let me talk to your mom about it and we’ll see.”

  “’Kay.”

  The front door opened as they approached the steps. And as always, his heart skipped a few beats when he looked upon Jace. Her expression full of love when it fell upon their son.

  Our son, Jace. And I don’t want to let him go. Either of you, actually.

  “Mama!” Caleb called down.

  “Hey, Marine. You’ve gotten taller.”

  Derek watched her eyes fill with hunger as she dragged her gaze over him. He winked at her and chuckled at her sharp inhalation. “Ready to get down?”

  “Yes please.”

&nb
sp; With care, Derek lifted his son to the ground. “Go inside, Caleb. I need to talk to your mom for a minute.”

  “Okay.” With youthful enthusiasm, Caleb and Shadow went inside.

  “Walk with me, Jace,” he said. While he longed to hold her hand and drape an arm around her shoulders, he didn’t. Silent, she moved gracefully down the steps, her hands in the back pockets of her shorts.

  Side by side, they moved through the remaining light of day, broken up by the numerous flashes of lightning bugs. He herded Jacey to her father’s workshop, an old converted barn. They stopped along a split rail fence and he swallowed hard when Jace climbed up, straddling the top rail. Derek leaned beside her.

  There was no easy segue into telling a child’s mother you wanted him with you. She could stay here, that would work. He sighed. His Jacey wouldn’t like being told to move here.

  “We need to talk about living arrangements for Caleb,” Derek blurted it out.

  Her sigh was audible. “I know.”

  Staring sideways at her, Derek noted the tenseness emanating from her. Carson was right. She’s stressing big time. “Look, Jace, I know it’s not easy to think about.”

  “No. It’s not.” Her tone was sharp.

  “I don’t want to take him from you. He needs a man in his life.” Derek paused and amended his statement. “He has your father, for which I’m grateful, but Caleb needs his father in his life.”

  “So, you want what, a few months a year? He’s settled at my parents.”

  Grinding his jaw, Derek nodded. “I’m sure he is. But he’d settle in here, too.”

  Jacey stared at something only she could see and Derek knew she fought to remain levelheaded. Jace was passion and fire through and through. Always had been. But she had matured and he knew she desperately wanted to remain calm.

  “So then what? You get him and I get visitation in Washington?”

  Derek faced his other half in the near dark. With one hand he reached out and cradled it along her jaw. “You don’t have to go back to Washington.”

  Her fingers closed around his wrist and removed it from her face. “Derek—”