Kitabı oku: «I Do? I Don't?»

Chapter One

His mother was up to something.

Jack Sinclair could see that by the twinkle in her brown eyes and the fervent glances she shot at the clock hanging over the kitchen sink. Her unexpected dinner invitation had been a surprise. Her insistent refusal to allow him a reprieve had been mildly irritating. Now he wondered exactly what she had up her motherly sleeve.

“Have some more roast beef,” Martha Sinclair, a slender, attractive woman, with salt-and-pepper gray hair, urged her son.

Jack sat back in his chair and rubbed a hand against his lean, flat stomach. “Mom, I can’t. I’m stuffed.”

“You’re too thin,” she scolded, eyeing him with concern. “When’s the last time you had a decent meal?”

He grinned. “The last time I came home for a visit.”

“See what I mean?” She picked up a bowl of vegetables. “Have some more potatoes. They’ll stick to your ribs.”

“Mom, dinner was great,” he said firmly. “But I couldn’t possible eat another bite.”

Her brown eyes widened in alarm. “Well, I hope you left some room for dessert. I made your favorite, apple pie.”

His father, a tall man with silvering hair and an easy smile, chuckled from his seat across the kitchen table.

Jack moaned. “Mom, all you’ve done is feed me since I walked through the door.”

“I can’t help it.” She stood, whisking away empty plates from the dinner table. “Mothers are supposed to nurture their young.” Narrowing an admonishing glance, she added, “Even their prodigal sons. Do you know that I see less of you now that you’ve moved back home, than I did when you lived in Chicago?”

Jack sighed. The lecture he’d been expecting since he’d walked in the door of his parent’s house had finally arrived. He was just surprised his mother had waited until after dinner to deliver it.

“Now, Martha, leave the boy alone.” His father shot him a commiserative look. “He’s only been back in town a few weeks. What with starting a new job and moving into a new apartment, I’m sure he’s been busy.”

Guiltily, Jack sank a bit lower in his chair. Having his father defend his neglectful behavior made him feel even worse. His dad was right, however. He was busy. As the newest partner in a downtown St. Louis law firm, he’d been working hard to acclimate himself to the position. But one of the reasons prompting his recent career move had been his desire to be closer to family and friends.

While working in Chicago, he’d been on the verge of burnout. When he’d left, he’d vowed to enjoy life more and to concentrate on work less. It would seem old habits were hard to break.

Four years ago, fresh out of law school, he’d joined a large firm in Chicago. He’d been idealistic, ready to take on the world. His idealism had been put to the test almost from the get go, when he’d stumbled upon a case that no one else seemed anxious to tackle.

The case had involved a family who’d been exposed to toxic waste as a result of runoff from a chemical plant located in their small, hometown outside of Chicago.

The owners of the company—in an effort to avoid bad publicity—had offered to settle out of court. Against the advisement of his firm’s senior law partners, but following the wishes of his client, Jack chose to take the chemical company to court—and had won. The damages awarded the family set new records in the Illinois court system.

But instead of feeling victorious, Jack had felt exhausted. The case had consumed the better part of four years of his life, during which time he’d spent excruciatingly long hours at the office. As his law career blossomed his social life had become almost nonexistent. The physical and emotional stress of the case had taken its toll. He’d begun to feel isolated, alone, dissatisfied with the direction his personal life had taken.

The offer of a partnership in a small but prestigious firm in downtown St. Louis couldn’t have come at a better time. As a partner, he could pick and choose cases he felt had merit. Moving back home, being close to family and friends, had sounded like a dream come true. He glanced at his parents. Only now, he was beginning to question the wisdom of his decision.

At twenty-eight, he’d been living on his own for nearly ten years. Ten years of not having to account for his comings and goings. And in just a few weeks of being home, he felt as if he were stuck in a time warp, being expected at family dinners, receiving daily phone calls. How could he explain to his mother that he had grown up? That he couldn’t always be available, no matter how much he loved them?

The doorbell saved him from having to make an excuse.

“I wonder who that could be,” his mother mused as she headed for the back door. Her tone brightened. “Oh, it’s Niki.”

Niki? Jack sat up straighter in his chair. Niki Adams? A picture formed in his mind of the freckle-faced, chubbycheeked, pigtailed kid who lived next door. Slowly, a smile teased his lips. She was a carrot-topped redhead with a temper to match. She was the closest thing he’d ever had to a little sister.

His smile faltered as an unwanted memory crowded his mind. The last time he’d seen her had been almost a year ago, at her father’s funeral. He’d been in the middle of the most important trial of his life and had been forced to cut the visit short. Leaving her looking so lost and vulnerable had been the hardest thing he’d ever had to do. He’d never forgiven himself for not being there when one of his best friends had needed him most.

The thought of her here alone in Webster Groves, while he was nearly three hundred miles away in Chicago, had haunted him. In truth, it was one of the reasons why he’d quit his job.

“I hope I’m not interrupting your dinner, Mrs. Sinclair. Mom wanted me to run this pie pan over. She said you wanted to do some baking?”

The deceptively sweet voice sounded familiar, like a whisper from the past, conjuring up memories of the pesky little kid who used to torment him in his youth.

Realization settled over Jack like a wet blanket. For as long as he could remember, Niki was the girl his mother dreamed he would marry. Now he understood the reason behind his mother’s unexpected dinner invitation.

He’d been set up in yet another of his mother’s matchmaking schemes.

“Of course, you’re not interrupting, Niki. I’m glad you came. You saved me a trip. I finished with your mother’s blender. You can bring it back home with you.” His mother paused. In an encouraging voice, she added, “Jack’s here. Come in and say hello.”

Jack unfolded his six-foot-three frame and stood, anxious to greet his old friend. The sight of her stopped him dead in his tracks. The last time he’d seen her, their mutual grief had been all-consuming. He hadn’t had the time or the inclination to notice the changes that had occurred in his childhood friend over the years.

He’d been expecting a kid with braces and skinned-up knees. What he saw was a young woman with long, shapely legs and a slender, yet gently curved body. The lacy cream-colored blouse and the slender green skirt that she wore did little to dispel the womanly image.

Still, there was a sprinkling of freckles dusting her heart-shaped face. And the mass of copper-colored hair curled about her shoulders with a mind of its own, reminding him of the young girl he used to know.

But he had to admit…the kid next door had grown up quite nicely.

An unease settled in his chest, making it hard to breathe, to think, to move. He stood there, staring at her for a long moment.

A bright welcoming smile lit her face, quickening his pulse. “Hello, Jack.”

He nodded. “Niki.”

“It’s been a long time.”

An understatement if he’d ever heard one. It felt as though he’d been gone an eternity. Long enough for a nymph to be transformed into an alluring woman.

“Too long,” he admitted.

Aware of his parents’ curious gazes, Jack forced himself to move. With feet that felt like lead, he closed the distance between them and enveloped Niki in a quick, brotherly hug.

During the brief encounter, however, his mind registered three important facts: the soft womanly curves were real, he’d indeed been gone too long, and his body was reacting in a most nonfraternal way.

Guiltily, he stepped back, ending the embrace.

“Well,” she said, looking flushed and sounding somewhat breathless. “It’s great to have you back home, Jack.”

“Yes, well…”

Jack winced inwardly. He was acting like a tongue-tied teenager trying to impress the prom queen. This was Niki, for Pete’s sake. The tomboy who used to play baseball with him and his friends. Though he had to admit, it felt as though he’d just been thrown one of those mean curve balls of hers.

He forced himself to assume a relaxed tone. “So, how have you been, Niki?”

“Busy…with school—teaching, that is,” she said, looking as uncomfortable as he felt.

At that moment, Jack regretted the time he’d spent living in Chicago more than ever. He never thought he’d see the day when he and Niki Adams would feel discomfitted in each other’s company.

She continued, oblivious to his troubled thoughts, “I’m working at St. Agatha’s now, teaching their fourth-grade class.”

“School isn’t the only thing keeping her busy. Niki’s getting married,” his mother informed him.

“Married?” Jack stared at Niki, not bothering to hide his surprise. He blurted out the first thing that came to mind. “You can’t be getting married. You’re too young.”

A familiar flash of anger lit Niki’s green eyes. He felt an odd sense of relief at the show of emotion. This was the girl he remembered. The one with the volatile temper that could explode with the least bit of provocation.

“I’m twenty-three, Jack.” The sweet voice took on a frosty tone. “I’m certainly old enough.”

Twenty-three? He felt a tiny jolt of surprise. Well, sure, she’d have to be that old. She was five years younger than him. He just didn’t realize she’d grown up. In his mind, she’d always be that kid who’d made a pest of herself by tagging along everywhere he went.

She turned to his mother, her voice softening. “Nothing’s official yet, Mrs. Sinclair.”

His mother raised a speculative eyebrow. “Still thinking over Greg’s proposal?”

“Greg?” Jack’s shoulders stiffened. The hairs on the back of his neck lifted as he felt a premonition of impending doom.

“Greg Lawton.” His mother narrowed a glance at him. “I’m sure you must remember him, Jack.”

The tiny jolt of surprise turned into a lightning bolt of shock. Jack was stunned by the news. “Greg Lawton? From Webster High? The Greg Lawton who was in my class?”

“Yep, that’s the one,” his mother said, looking much too pleased by his shocked appearance.

Niki glanced at her watch. “Would you look at the time? I’m meeting Greg for dinner. And I’m already late.”

“Niki—” he began.

“I’ve really got to go, Jack.” She gave him a nervous smile. “Now that you’re back in town, don’t be such a stranger.”

“The blender,” his mother said, hurrying to collect the appliance. Her face softened into a smile as she handed Niki the blender. “Now you and Greg have a nice evening.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Sinclair.”

With that she was gone, leaving Jack standing in the kitchen openmouthed and feeling numbed. Seconds passed like hours before he collected his composure. He glared at his mother. “She can’t be serious. She’s really considering marrying Greg Lawton? That stuffed shirt who made my life miserable in high school?”

“That’s right, Jack. While you’ve been busy filing lawsuits for your clients, your ex-classmate has been stealing your girl.”

Jack moaned, running a frustrated hand through the thick tangle of his dark hair. It wasn’t a secret that his mother and Mrs. Adams had been hoping for a match between him and Niki. The two of them had been scheming to get their children married since the day Niki was born. The whole idea was ridiculous, of course. A fantasy cooked up between the two women that neither he nor Niki had ever encouraged.

“Mom, Niki is not my girl,” he said slowly, enunciating each word with care so there would be no misunderstanding. “We’re friends. Just good friends.”

“Well, if Greg Lawton has anything to say about it, that’s all you and Niki ever will be,” she said, giving a disgruntled snort. Raising her chin at a stubborn angle, she moved to the sink, leaving him to brood alone.

His father rose to his feet, his chair rasping against the tiled floor. “The Cardinals are on TV tonight, Jack. Ready to watch some baseball?”

“In a minute, Dad.” Scowling, Jack strode to the window, which had a view overlooking the Adamses’ house. Lifting the ruffled curtain, he peered outside just in time to see Niki disappear into the house next door. He couldn’t believe it. He’d left town for a few years. And in the short time he was gone, all hell seemed to have broken loose.

Niki Adams all grown up and getting married. Who’d have thought it possible?

Getting married?

His scowl deepened. She was twenty-three years old, barely starting her life as an adult. What was her rush?

And why in the hell would she pick Greg Lawton as a husband?

Greg Lawton was the last man Niki should marry. He was a self-centered, egotistical, arrogant jerk with a chip on his shoulder the size of the state of Missouri. A poor kid who’d made good, Greg had beaten the odds. He’d worked his way through school to become a doctor. But for as long as Jack had known him, Greg had never let an opportunity pass to extoll on his own virtues.

Jack refused to believe his objections had anything to do with the fact that throughout their school years he’d been forced to play second fiddle to Greg Lawton. Greg had bested him in nearly everything they had tried. In football, Greg had been lead quarterback. Jack had been his relief man. In the race for student council, Greg had beat him out of the presidency by two lousy votes. Even graduation had been a disappointment. Greg had been valedictorian. Jack had been salutatorian. He’d lost the top honor by a mere hundredth of a point.

Greg Lawton had made his school years a living hell. After high school, they’d gratefully parted ways. Jack to law school, Greg to medical school. And that was the last he’d heard of him.

Until now.

Now the man he’d considered the nemesis of his youth wanted to marry the girl—correction, the woman—he’d always considered to be a sister.

He’d always known Niki’s impulsiveness would get her into trouble some day. He couldn’t count the number of times he’d had to rescue her from one mishap or another when she was growing up…just because that stubborn head of hers was always stuck somewhere in the clouds, looking ten feet above reality.

When she was five, she’d nearly drowned in the neighborhood pool, all because she’d wanted to prove to him that she could swim. Jack felt a familiar twinge of aggravation at the memory. If he hadn’t pulled her out of the deep end, she’d have been a goner.

He dropped the curtain and shoved fisted hands into his jeans pockets. Beneath Niki’s reckless demeanor, there lay a certain naivete, a trusting innocence that could easily be taken advantage of by the wrong man.

Greg Lawton was that wrong man.

Greg was all show and no substance. Life with him would be bland and predictable. He’d have Niki wrapped up like a china doll and tucked away in the suburbs faster than she could say, I do. Niki’s uniqueness would wither up and die from boredom.

She needed someone who could tame her fiery personality, not break it. Someone who would appreciate her individuality.

Someone like himself.

The thought came out of nowhere, unbidden and unwelcomed, taking his breath away. A shiver of trepidation traveled down his spine. Slowly, he shook off the disconcerting thought. He’d been listening to his mother for too long. Her crazy matchmaking machinations were beginning to rub off on him.

Marriage—to any woman—was the last thing he needed to consider. He had more important things to concentrate on…like remedying his stagnant social life. It was time for him to enjoy life, not tie himself down to an eternity of commitment and responsibility.

Niki was a big girl now. If she wanted to ruin her life and marry Greg Lawton, so be it.

He frowned. The advice sounded reasonable. So why did it feel as though he were making the biggest mistake of his life?

Seeing Jack Sinclair again had been the biggest mistake of her life!

Late-day sunlight dappled her arms as Niki stepped out of her mother’s house and strode to her car. Her heels clicked an agitated beat against the concrete driveway. A soft breeze lifted her hair, but did nothing to cool the hot spill of anger that coursed through her veins.

Niki climbed into her red compact car and inserted the key into the ignition. Yet she didn’t start the motor. Instead, she glared at Jack Sinclair’s house, fuming over what had happened.

Just when her life seemed to be gliding along on an even keel, Jack had to drop back into it. Forcing her, once again, to bump across choppy waters. All it took was a single look into those big brown eyes of his and she felt as though the years apart had never happened.

He’d made her feel like a kid again.

With an angry flick of her wrist, the car roared to life. Shifting gears into reverse, she peeled out of the driveway, leaving Jack and her troubling memories behind. Slowing to a safer pace, she drove through the quiet, treelined streets of Webster Groves.

For as long as she could remember she’d had a crush on Jack Sinclair. A silly schoolgirl crush that had become a lifelong obsession. Jack was all the cliches come to life: The boy next door. Tall, dark and handsome. A dream come true. A young girl’s fantasy beau.

He’d been her fantasy.

But to Jack, she would always be the pesky little girl who lived next door. Her face warmed at the memory of all the crazy stunts she’d pulled just to get his attention. It wasn’t any wonder that Jack was unable to see her as a grown, desirable woman. That he would never share the passion she’d secretly harbored for him all these years.

Absently, Niki touched the gold, heart-shaped locket that fell lightly between her breasts. The necklace had been a present to her from Jack. He’d given it to her the Christmas she’d turned eighteen.

Now it served as a constant reminder of the folly of loving Jack Sinclair.

Beneath the glittering lights of her parent’s Christmas tree, he’d looked at her with those big brown eyes and had told her, “I wanted to be the first man to give you the gift of jewelry. Now that you’re all grown up, I’m sure I won’t be the last.”

Her heart had done a series of flip-flops in her chest at his tender words. Finally, she’d thought, her dream had come true. Jack had noticed her as a woman.

Then the inconsiderate lout had ruffled her hair, told her to behave, and had abandoned her to spend the rest of his Christmas vacation with Patsy Stillwell, who was a junior in college and who’d been much more endowed than Niki ever hoped to be.

Niki coasted to stop as a signal light turned red, and she sighed at the memory. In one fell swoop, Jack had lifted her hopes, only to crush them soundly. It wasn’t the first time he’d disappointed her. And she was sure it wouldn’t be the last.

Tonight was just another example of how easily he could get under her skin. His reaction to her marriage plans had hurt more than she would ever admit to anyone. She’d seen the incredulity in Jack’s eye. What was it he’d said?

You can’t be getting married. You’re. too young.

Unwanted tears stung her eyes. She blinked hard, refusing to allow him to upset her further. Jack was her past. Greg was her future. The sooner she accepted that fact the better.

She couldn’t spend the rest of her life longing for something that would never happen. Niki released a slow resigned breath. It was time she gave Greg her much awaited answer to his marriage proposal.

A car honked its horn behind her, alerting her to the fact she’d been daydreaming through the better part of a green light. Niki pressed her foot on the accelerator, barely making it through the intersection before the light changed to yellow. She glanced in her rearview mirror, wincing as she caught the inventive hand signals of the driver she’d left behind.

Her thoughts drifted back to more pressing matters, like Greg’s marriage proposal. She didn’t understand why she’d had such a hard time arriving at a decision. Perhaps it was because she and Greg hadn’t been dating all that long. Only six months, though steadily for the last three. Greg’s proposal had come out of the blue, taking her breath away with its unexpectedness.

A blush crept across her face as she recalled how she’d stared at him, unable to speak when he’d first popped the question. He’d looked so hurt when she told him she needed time to consider her answer.

She pushed the disconcerting memory from her mind. Greg was a wonderful man. She owed him so much. He’d been a godsend this past year, helping her through one of the most difficult times of her life. He’d offered her a strong shoulder to lean on after her father had died, and she’d gratefully done the leaning. She had never met a more confident, more self-assured man. With Greg-unlike another man whom she didn’t care to mention-she always knew exactly where she stood. She knew she could depend upon him.

Niki frowned. Not that he was perfect, mind you. He was a bit old-fashioned when it came to a woman’s place in a marriage. In fact, he wanted her to quit teaching once they were married. He’d told her a doctor’s wife didn’t need to work.

Her lips eased into a confident smile. The disagreement was minor. Something that easily could be resolved. What mattered was that they shared the same dreams and had the same wants. A happy marriage, a family, and a chance to grow old living in their hometown of Webster Groves. What more could she ask for in a prospective husband?

Except, perhaps, passion and romance?

Her confidence floundered as an unwanted picture of Jack Sinclair cropped up in her mind. Jack with his dark, wavy hair and soft brown eyes. Jack with the broad shoulders and the breath-stealing smile. Jack, the man who’d had more influence on her life than any one person had a right.

Niki sighed. Her mind might be telling her marrying Greg was the best thing to do. But why wasn’t her heart listening?