Chapter 22
B y the time McKenzie brought Jax home to nap that afternoon, she had three new clients. Laura had texted her to say that Stephanie McCarthy, owner of Stephanie’s Bistro, as well as the woman covering for Abby McCarthy at Abby’s Attic 2, were both interested in retaining her bookkeeping services.
She’d no sooner put Jax down to play with his toys than the phone rang with a call from Martinez Lawn & Garden.
“Hello, this is McKenzie.”
“Ah, yes, the goddess of bookkeeping who’s come to our fair shores to save us all from ourselves.”
McKenzie laughed. “That’d be me.”
“This is Jenny Martinez, we met the other night, and we need you desperately. Did I mention the need is desperate ? As in we have no idea what we’re doing, and we’re one hundred percent sure we’re doing it wrong and going to be jailed by the IRS at any moment.”
“I’ve got you covered. No worries. Let’s set up a time when we can meet to go over your books.”
“You tell me when. I’ll take whatever I can get. Alex and Paul’s mom took care of the books for years and did a brilliant job. Since she’s been ill, none of us has been able to fill the void.”
“I’m sorry to hear she’s ill.”
“Yeah, it’s been rough. She has dementia.”
“I’m so sorry. My friend’s mother has that. It’s awful.”
“It sure is.”
“Jax and I will come by in the morning.”
“We’ll see you then. And thank you so much. I can’t tell you how exciting this is.”
“Said no one ever about bookkeeping.”
“Oh, girl, you have no idea how many of us need you.”
“I’m starting to get an idea. I’ve landed four new clients today alone.”
“I have a feeling it’s just the start. I’ll look forward to seeing you tomorrow.”
“Same. Thanks for calling.”
“Thanks for answering!”
McKenzie was laughing as they said their goodbyes. She liked feeling as if she had something meaningful to offer her new community.
“I think we’re going to be happy here, buddy,” she said to Jax when she sat with him on the floor where he was surrounded by his favorite things.
“Hap, hap, hap.”
“That’s right. We’re going to be happy, and we’re going to make lots of new friends.”
While he was occupied, she sent a text to check in with Tiffany. I hate to ask how it’s going, but… I’m thinking of you and wishing there was something I could do for you. I’m here if you need anything.
Tiffany wrote back when McKenzie was feeding Jax his dinner of sweet potatoes and cereal. Thank you so much for checking on us. We’re doing okay. Ash has her teary moments and lots of questions, of course, but I think she understands for the most part. Jim’s parents are planning his funeral for this coming weekend. It’s all surreal. I wanted him to go away and leave us alone for years, but now that he has…
I’m sure your emotions are all over the place. Understandably so.
Everyone is being super nice to me, which is also weird. I’m not his widow.
No, but you were his wife, and I’m glad you’re getting the respect you deserve as the mother of his child.
You’re a very nice person. I’m glad we’ve become friends.
Me, too! You won’t believe what’s been happening.
McKenzie filled her in on picking up a bunch of bookkeeping clients.
Wait. When were you going to tell ME that you know QuickBooks? HELLO!? I was your FIRST FRIEND HERE!
McKenzie replied with laughing emojis. I owe you at least a year of free bookkeeping for rescuing me during the storm.
You owe me no such thing, but it looks like I’m going to need to find someone else to replace Patty.
No! I said I’d help you, and I intend to do that.
Don’t be silly! You have the chance to be self-employed, woman.
I’d never want to leave you shorthanded.
You’re not. I’m firing you before you ever started.
OMG, I’ve never been fired!
Don’t worry, I’ll give you a good reference if you wrangle my bookkeeping. That’d be HUGE for me.
Deal. Thank you for everything. If I hear of anyone looking for work, I’ll send them to the store.
You’re the best. Thanks!
Let me know when you’re ready for bookkeeping.
You will be the first to know!
McKenzie took a deep breath and then released it.
Self-employed.
What the hell? She’d never in her wildest dreams expected anything like that to happen to her. Would she make enough without also working at Tiffany’s store?
“Yes, you will. You’ll charge hourly, work hard and make this work.”
Jax clapped his hands, splattering sweet potatoes on her and the wall.
“We’re going to work very hard, aren’t we, Jaxy?”
He squealed and smacked his hands on the tray, compounding the mess.
The most curious feeling of joy and contentment came over her. She’d figured out a way to support herself and Jax, she’d made a bunch of new friends and had the sweetest, sexiest man ever interested in her—and vice versa.
Even though her house had fallen down, she couldn’t recall a time when she’d been happier than she was at the end of this remarkable day—and she had a feeling it might get even better before it was over.
Duke made twice the usual amount for dinner, planning to feed his neighbor, too, if she was interested. He waited until he saw the light go off in the bedroom before he texted her.
Hungry?
Ten very long minutes passed before she finally replied. Starving!
You want a delivery?
Are you the deliveryman?
Duh, who else would I send over there? One of those Coasties who checked you out?
LOL, yes, please (to the delivery, not the Coastie)!
GRRRR. Stand by…
Standing by…
Was he the deliveryman? She enjoyed messing with him, but he was willing to put up with it coming from her. Hell, she had him wearing a freaking helmet on the bike for the first time in twenty years. That was a miracle in and of itself. In the years since his last relationship had ended in dramatic fashion, he’d gotten accustomed to doing his own thing, making his own decisions and not considering what anyone else wanted, except his employees and close friends, of course.
So it was kind of amazing to him that he’d willingly stepped into her web, fully aware of what he was doing and happy to be ensnared by her and her baby son.
A month ago, the thought of being involved with a single mom would’ve been ludicrous. He’d begun to believe that he’d had his one go-round with true love, and that would be that. When he looked back now at that earlier relationship, he could barely remember the details of her face or the sound of her voice or why he’d been so enthralled.
He already knew that if McKenzie left tomorrow, he’d never forget the fine details that made up her unforgettable face or what she sounded like telling him to go get his helmet and to hurry up about it. Recalling that made him smile like a fool. For a guy who hadn’t been bossed by anyone in longer than he could remember, he was sure enjoying being ordered around by her.
Funny how that’d happened—and how he’d let it—knowingly, willingly, eagerly.
As he packed up chicken, potatoes, green beans and salad into containers for transport, he hoped she liked what he’d cooked. If she didn’t, he’d order her some takeout. Whatever it took to make her happy.
That last thought should’ve been enough on its own to send him running for his life from the sort of commitment that would be required to date a single mom—and her son. He ought to talk to Mac about that since he’d had a similar journey with his now-wife and son. He’d do that the next time he saw him.
He hoisted the tote containing dinner over his shoulder and grabbed the bottle of white wine he’d bought for himself since she wasn’t drinking and strolled across the yard to the garage apartment, whistling a catchy tune as he went.
McKenzie came to the door, looking like a sunny spring day as she waited for him, wearing those sexy cut-off denim shorts and a sleeveless top with flowers on it.
Now she had him waxing poetic. If that didn’t beat all. Maybe Sierra was right that she’d cast a spell over him. How else to explain the gallop in his heart and the heating of his blood as he went up the stairs to her?
She opened the door for him and stepped back to let him in.
The scent of something cooking had his mouth watering.
“What did you make?”
“Gran’s banana bread that I promised you and Sierra.”
“Oh damn. It smells incredible. My mouth is watering. Am I drooling?” He stuck his chin out so she could get a good look at him.
McKenzie gave him a close inspection that set his heart to racing again. “No sign of drool.”
“That’s surprising. You and Rosemary’s banana bread are a potent combo that would usually cause copious drooling.”
She laughed as he deposited his bag on the counter and began unpacking their dinner. “What did you make?”
“Chicken, potatoes, green beans and salad.”
“And you made enough for me?”
“Yeah.”
“That’s very sweet of you.”
He gave her his trademarked side-eyed look as he released a low growl.
“What?” she sputtered on a laugh. “It is sweet!”
“It’s food. Don’t be a doofus about it.”
“It’s food that you made for us .”
“You’re still being a doofus.”
“I appreciate it, Duke.” She took him by the chin and kissed him. “I really do.”
He was far more undone by a chaste kiss than he should’ve been. “You’re welcome. Grab some plates.”
She collected plates and silverware and brought them to the small table with two chairs.
Then she went back for glasses and deposited a lit candle on the table.
While wishing he’d thought to buy some wineglasses for her, he glanced up at her, brow raised at the romantic gesture.
She shrugged. “I found it in the closet.”
“It’s nice.”
“I’m glad you think so.”
“Never had dinner with a candle on the table.”
“No?”
He scooped potatoes onto both plates. “Nope.”
“Well, you’ve been missing out.”
“I can see that. Also never seen anything prettier than you are in candlelight.”
As soon as he said the words, he felt like a fool.
“That’s the most romantic thing anyone has ever said to me.”
He scoffed. “Come on. No way.”
She looked at him with those big brown eyes gone liquid with emotion. “Way.”
“Well, that’s a crying shame, because you deserve it all.”
After that, he focused on the meal because it was far too overwhelming to focus on her when she was looking at him like he hung the moon or some other such bullshit. What did he know about hanging moons or waxing poetic?
He stabbed a bite of chicken and chewed it roughly. She was making him into a goddamned fool, and that wouldn’t do. After they ate, he was going home to where things made sense. If he tried really hard, he might be able to forget the goddess occupying his garage apartment.
“Why do you seem mad all of a sudden?”
“Huh?” Duke looked up at her, feeling exposed, as if he were sitting there stark naked. He might as well have been. “I’m not mad.”
“Yes, you are. It’s because you said stuff to me that made you uncomfortable after you said it.”
He paused, fork halfway to his mouth. “What’s that you say?”
“You said something sweet and romantic, and then you decided it was stupid, so you got mad at the chicken. But it wasn’t stupid. It was… It was one of the best moments of my life, and you can’t take it back because that would break my heart.”
“Goddamn it,” he muttered as he let the fork fall to his plate with a loud clank. “Why you gotta put it like that?”
“It’s true. No one’s ever said anything like that to me before.”
“Well, that’s a crying shame.”
“Don’t be mad at yourself for being the first.”
“I’m not.”
“You are. Why?”
“You freaking undo me with the way you look at me and how open and honest you are about everything.”
“Oh, well… I suppose that’s not a bad thing, right?”
“I’m still trying to decide.”
Her face shifted into a sexy little smile. “Let me know when you do.”
“Quit enjoying this so much.”
“You can’t make me, so stop being grumpy and finish your dinner.”
“Bossiness turns me on. Never knew that before.”
“Is that right?”
“Uh-huh. Don’t use that against me.”
“Why wouldn’t I if it turns you on?” She got up from her seat and came around to his side of the table. “Make room.”
“For what?”
“For me.”
He scooted his chair back and tried to hang on to some semblance of control when she straddled his lap and wrapped her arms around his neck.
“Hey.”
“What’s up?”
“Ummm…” She shifted to press her heat against his hard cock.
He grasped her ass and pulled her in tighter against him, nearly giving himself a heart attack in the process. “You’re quite pleased with yourself, aren’t you?”
“I am. This has been the best day ever .”
“What else happened?”
“Including you and Sierra, I now have seven new clients.”
“Wow. That was fast, but I’m not surprised. Everyone needs you. But what about your job with Tiffany?”
“I got fired.”
“What?”
“When I told her what was happening with the bookkeeping business, she hired me to do hers and fired me from the shop. She said being self-employed is the best and that I’ll have more business than I can handle.”
“She’s right.”
“First time I ever got fired,” she added with a big goofy grin that made everything inside him go soft with affection for her, except for the one part of him that was most definitely not soft.
His insides had never gone soft over anyone like they did for her. “You’re really making a mess of me, MK.”
“A good mess?”
“I think so.”
“You’re not sure?”
“It’s all so unprecedented, I don’t know what I am.”
“Are you happy?”
As he looked up at her gorgeous, sweet, sexy face, he realized he’d never been happier than he was right in that moment. “Yeah, I’m happy.”
And then she kissed him and made it even better.