Chapter 35
THIRTY-FIVE
SATURDAY
I’m enjoying playing tennis with Ava and Noah. I had no idea the estate had a tennis court. What we’re playing doesn’t resemble tennis in the slightest but we’re having fun. I laugh. “I believe the idea is to hit the ball over the net and not at your brother, Ava.”
“It’s much more fun.” Ava giggles and bounces a ball on her racket. “Maybe I’ve invented a new game?”
“I’m hot and thirsty.” Noah hands me his racket and wipes a hand over his face. “Can we go back now? Sue is baking chocolate chip cookies.”
I look at Ava. “How does that sound to you?”
“It sounds just fine.” She walks beside me, swinging her racket as we exit the court.
“Do you think we could go to the beach one day as a family? Daddy is always so busy but I’m sure you’ll be able to convince him to come with us.
Every time I ask him, Ruby comes up with something else for him to do. ”
I keep one eye on Noah bounding along in front of us, swishing his racket back and forth at the bushes, and smile at her.
“It’s Ruby’s job to make sure that your dad doesn’t forget to do important things and sometimes those things run into weekends, I’m afraid.
He runs a big company with many employees and needs to keep on top of things even if it means taking some time away from us.
I asked him the other day to give Ruby weekends off but I imagine if something important comes up she must tell him. ”
“So will you ask him?” Ava looks at me, her eyes filled with anticipation.
I smile at her. “Of course I will. Or maybe we can go for a drive tomorrow? My new SUV will be arriving today and we can take it for a spin.”
“I hope not.” Ava looks at me aghast. “I don’t figure I’d enjoy spinning in a car.”
At the house I wait for the children to stow the rackets into a closet and we all head into the kitchen for cookies and milk.
I smile at Jack as we walk past his office and he jumps up to join us.
“If my car arrives today, can we take the kids out tomorrow? It would be a lovely family outing just the four of us.”
“I’d like that. I rarely have time to go out these days.” He leans over to brush a kiss against my lips. “I’ve forgotten how to enjoy myself.”
“Eww.” Noah pulls a face. “Boys don’t kiss girls. Mrs. Downey said boys must shake hands with girls until they’re twenty-one.”
“Well, we’re both over twenty-one, so I guess it’s okay?” Jack ruffles Noah’s black curls and grins at him.
The kitchen is empty and I take down glasses and then find the freshly baked cookies and place them on the table. I wave the kids to the sink. “Wash your hands.”
While they’re busy, I fill the glasses and pour cookies onto a plate from the cookie jar.
The kids sit around the table and I get a warm fuzzy feeling with us all being together.
I feel like I belong with these three people.
I want this feeling to last. I look at Jack and a surge of love rushes over me. Oh, please don’t let him be a murderer.
“We could go to the beach.” Jack turns to the children. “Can you swim? You know, I’ve never asked Jenny.”
“Doh! Dad, of course we can swim.” Ava rolls her eyes. “Jenny has been taking us into the pool since we could walk. We swim just fine.”
“That’s good to know.” Jack dips his cookie into his milk and then pops it into his mouth. “I used to get into trouble for dunking my cookies as a kid, so I do it now just because I can.”
I shake my head. “Don’t go jumping off any buildings like a superhero now, will you?” I smile. “I gather that is another rule we all had drummed into us as children?”
“Jack.” Ruby walks into the room and surveys the happy scene. “I’m sorry to disturb you but we need to discuss the Bond contract. It’s due to be finalized by Monday.”
I place a hand on Jack’s arm as he begins to rise and look at Ruby. “We have new rules for the weekends, Ruby. You’re overworked, and so we want you to take the weekends for yourself.”
“Jack, you know this is impossible.” Ruby lifts her arms and drops them at her sides. “Your clients are worldwide; we often need to liaise with them at weekends.”
“Maybe that was possible before I remarried but I must consider Willow’s happiness and I need to spend more time with the children.” Jack shakes his head. “The contract can wait.”
Ruby is work-focused. It can’t be healthy not to want time to herself.
I can see anxiety flash across her eyes.
I lift my gaze to her. “Please take some time for yourself, go shopping, visit friends. Jack will manage just fine without you for the weekends. We’ve decided from now on family comes first. Weekends are family time and tomorrow we’re going to the beach.
I’m afraid the Bond contract will need to wait until Monday.
” I look at Jack. “I assume if you’re finalizing it, they’ve already agreed on terms.”
“Yes, we have.” Jack nods. “The lawyers in the office will have the final contract on Monday.”
I look at Ruby and smile. “I’m sure you understand we’d like to have time together with the children this weekend. Mr. Hunter will give it a final read through at work on Monday.” I look at Jack. “Does that work for you?”
“Yeah.” He leans forward in his chair, takes another cookie from the plate and nods at Ruby. “Thanks, Ruby. I’ll see you at the office on Monday.” He smiles at her. “Go and have some fun.”
“Is that true?” Noah looks from one to the other of us. “Are you really going to be at home every weekend now?”
“I intend to be unless something very important comes up.” Jack smiles. “I’ll give Jenny the rest of the day off and tomorrow as well, while we’re at the beach.”
“Oh, good.” Ava laughs. “We usually do our homework on Saturday afternoons.”
“You’ll still need to do your homework.” Jack frowns then. “If you dash and do it now, you’ll have time to do what you want for the rest of the day.”
“I’m playing games.” Ava punches the air, and grins at Noah. “Coming?”
“We don’t need any help, Mom.” Noah looks at me. “We’ve got this.”
“I’ll be checking later.” Jack waves them away.
I turn to Jack. “I guess they’ll get plenty of exercise tomorrow.”
“I guess they will.” He gives me a long considering stare. “I didn’t know you knew anything about contracts?”
I sip my milk and wish it was coffee. “I’m an actor and my life was surrounded by contracts.
The one with my agent, and contracts for any work I performed—all contracts.
I know the process and how to read one to make sure I’m not being screwed.
Trust doesn’t come into it in business; it all comes down to the bottom line.
” I smile. “I had my agent to make the negotiations but I made sure I read everything and paid a contract lawyer to look over each one for me before I signed.”
“Beautiful and smart.” Jack stretches and then stands and holds out his hand. “It’s a beautiful day. Walk with me in the rose garden.”
He leads me outside. I loop my arm through Jack’s and lean into him.
The scent from the roses is like a wall of perfume that subtly changes as we move from bed to bed.
The colors are glorious and, if they didn’t have thorns, I’d like to walk through them and touch their delicate petals.
The sun is warm on my face and the grass soft and springy beneath my shoes.
As we walk an idea springs into my head.
There is one other player in the game I haven’t spoken to: Tom.
How can I get to him? “I know how busy you are at work but can I drop by on Monday, maybe just before lunch, and take a tour of your building?”
“I’ll be in meetings all morning, I’m afraid, but I’ll organize a pass for you, so you can at least see the building.
” He frowns. “I’ll give you the code to the parking lot too.
I might be able to squeeze in a lunch date with you, at a little bistro next door.
” He snaps his fingers. “I know, I’ll get Tom to show you around and, when you’re done, we’ll have lunch.
I’ll get Ruby to book us a table at one o’clock. How does that sound?”
I can’t believe my luck. “Tom? Is he the same person who had a relationship with Ruby?”
“Oh, you know about that?” Jack raises both eyebrows. “It was a long time ago, water under the bridge. He is my head of security and I trust him. Who told you about Tom?”
I lean into him. “Ruby. She mentioned the argument you had with him the night Laura died.”
“I’d almost forgotten about the argument.
It was inconsequential when Laura went overboard.
” Jack stops walking and looks at me. “Laura caught them kissing in the galley. She figured it was inappropriate, Tom making out with Ruby when he was supposed to be watching my back. I could see her point and spoke to him. It got a little heated but it was seconds, not drawn out. I fired him.” He draws in a breath.
“I thought it through later and Ruby said it was just a spur of the moment thing that happened. It meant nothing to either of them. I rehired him but insisted he move out of the house and I demoted him. He runs the security team now, so that’s a long-time job.
Personal security isn’t something I need.
I can take care of myself. Hiring him was Ruby’s idea and it was a mistake.
Thinking back, I did it because he was a friend since college, someone I thought I could trust.”
I nod. “Do you still trust him?”
“Yeah, I do. He runs the security team well and I’ve never had a problem.
” Jack stares up at the house. “You’re right about this house.
I figured it was a status symbol but my companies are that and more.
I will consider moving into a new place or something modern as long as it overlooks the beach.
This place holds bad memories and I want my life to go forward with you.
Finding a suitable residence to house all my staff will be difficult but leave it with me.
I’ll contact some of the people I know. Building a new one is an option but will take forever.
I’m sure I’ll find a house we’ll both like.
” He smiles at me. “Would that make you happy?”
I stare at him a little dumbfounded. One mention of the night Laura died and suddenly his position on everything has changed. I smile broadly. “That would be wonderful. We can make a fresh start with no bad memories.”
“That’s the plan.” Jack looks deep into my eyes. “It’s time to leave the ghosts in Beauford Manor.”