Project Valentine (A Homespun Romance) Read online

  "It'll dry."

  His tone indicated he didn't care what happened to the plush designer pile. Jessica hesitated. It was a shame to ruin the carpet. She had enough on her conscience as it was.

  She stepped out of her shoes carefully and tiptoed her way in. This way at least the damage would be minimized.

  She didn't want Karl to label her hazardous to his property. Every time they met something got ruined. First his handkerchief, then his yard, now his shirt.

  Now that things couldn't get worse, they had to get better.

  "Have a hot shower. You'll find plenty of towels in the small closet in the bathroom. I'll find you something to wear while your things dry."

  "High handed, bossy, imperious," Jessica compiled a list as the hot water beat blissfully down on her, chasing the incipient chill away. He was also right. If she'd stayed in those clothes she would have gotten sick.

  The eight by four glass enclosed shower was hardly a cubicle. It was stocked with three kinds of shampoo, a fragrant creamy liquid soap that smelled out of this world and lathered like whipped cream.

  Draping a thick, thirsty, ivory towel around her, Jessica peered cautiously out. There was a white toweling robe hanging on the doorknob. His. It was going to be miles too big.

  Her breath left her body in a surprised whoosh as she slipped into the robe. The hemline and the sleeves had been butchered ruthlessly for her comfort. The jagged edges told her he had wreaked the damage with a pair of scissors. Jessica heart picked up the calypso rhythm again as she noticed the designer monogram. Was there no limit to this man's thoughtfulness? The next question was closer to home. Where could a level headed, self sufficient woman buy herself some insurance against a man like Karl Wagner? She needed some very soon, very badly. Jessica pushed her glasses up and gathered up her clothes with hands that shook.

  The laundry room was directly opposite the bathroom. The door had been left ajar so she didn't have to speculate on its location. Putting her things into the dryer Jessica went out to the deck.

  Karl turned at her approach and held out a mug of coffee. Jessica took it carefully and cupped her fingers around it, aware of his eyes on her, of a familiar churning in her stomach. He'd changed into a pair of cut away shorts and a tee shirt. The breadth of his shoulders, the lean muscular legs with a smattering of dark hair, set her senses rioting. Pushing her glasses up, Jessica wondered how to break the tension. The frayed sleeve length was her cue. She cleared her throat. "Why did you ruin your robe?"

  "It's an old one." A half shrug dismissed further discussion of the subject. "Do you feel better now?"

  "I'm fine."

  He continued staring at her. Jessica knew she'd never looked worse. She hadn't used the hair dryer because her hair tended to dry frizzy when she did. In spite of toweling it clung to her head like a wet mop. David called it her wet rat look. Bare toes curled into the wooden deck as she raised her eyes to Karl. The queer flame was back, heralding his intentions. His eyes slid to her lips and a fire ignited in the pit of her stomach. A hand came out and touched the tip of a wet lock of hair. Hypnotized Jessica followed it as it moved to finger the lapel of her robe.

  "Thank you for reassuring Molly."

  "You heard?" Anxiously she looked at him. "Did I say the right thing?"

  The hand wrapped around the side of her neck, his thumb flirted with her cheek. Jessica stood as still as a statue.

  "You were perfect."

  His eyes lingered on her mouth and Jessica tensed in anticipation of the kiss. Her eyes closed of their own volition and she rocked on her toes. She wasn't sure if this was correct behavior for a self-sufficient woman. She didn't care. She wanted to recapture the feelings that had accompanied their last kiss.

  Instead of the heat of Karl's lips she felt a blast of frigid air as his hand moved away from her neck. Jessica's eyes flew open.

  "Karl?" He was four feet away, hands braced on the railing of the deck, gazing at the horizon as if special pictures were painted on it only he could see.

  He'd had no intention of kissing her.

  Wave after wave of humiliation washed over her, each more hurtful than the last. Jessica opened her mouth to say something brilliant. Laugh the whole thing off. But the words wouldn't come. She couldn't even produce her usual croak. She looked down at herself. Embarrassment hadn't melted her to a puddle yet.

  "I have to go in and check some paperwork." Jessica would have accepted that if it hadn't been for the expression in Karl's eyes as he looked at her briefly. She identified it instantaneously. Confusion and control battled for supremacy. It was no small skirmish.

  "Sure, go ahead," she said casually.

  Her heart did a great big flip of excitement as she watched him go in. Karl had wanted to kiss her. Though he hadn't, just knowing he'd wanted to, made everything all right. She hadn't been wrong. Lightning quick her mind searched for reasons why he hadn't.

  Maddy Brenton? Jessica's smile faded. Of course. Karl would never do anything dishonorable.

  Moisture pricked her lids and was blinked away angrily. Fool. As usual she'd jumped to conclusions too soon. It must have just been the sun in Karl's eyes, and her imagination had done the rest. To even think he was fighting his attraction for her was a mistake.

  "Jessica, are we going to train Arthur now?" Molly dashed out on the deck, wet patches on her clothes denoting a hastily dried body.

  "In a little while, when my clothes dry," Jessica promised.

  Molly ran off to talk to Arthur. Sinking into one of the deck chairs Jessica wondered how she would get through the next hour. Her throat ached, and the beginnings of a headache nagged at her temples.

  Molly looked up at her uncle as he came into the family room after loading their dinner dishes in the dishwasher. She was watching a Walt Disney video he'd rented for her earlier. Uncle Karl usually read the paper now. Molly depressed the pause button of the video control. This was as good a time as any to discuss what was on her mind.

  "Uncle Karl?

  "Yes, Molly?" He looked at her and smiled.

  "Have you met anyone you want to spend all your time with?"

  "Anyone I...?" Karl frowned. Talking to Molly was like playing chess. One always had to think a few moves ahead. Right now he couldn't see the reasoning behind her question. Maybe, he told himself, it was just a simple straightforward one. If it was it would be a first.

  "No, I haven't," he said cautiously.

  "Have you met anyone who when you're away from them, makes you feel as if part of you is missing?"

  "No...o." A memory of a sopping wet Jessica popped into his head out of nowhere. A smile that tugged at his heart. A mouth that begged to be kissed. Karl's frown intensified.

  "Have you ever looked at anyone," continued his niece remorselessly, "and thought that you wanted to be with them forever? That you wouldn't change places with anyone in the world for a billion dollars?"

  "Molly, what's this all about?" He glared at her.

  Molly stared at the television screen thoughtfully. That was twice in one day she'd made Uncle Karl angry with her. "Oh, nothing. I was just wondering if you knew how to recognize love. Mommy says it would have to hit you on the head for you to know it." There was no hint of a smile in his niece's eyes as she looked at him. Obviously his lack of ability in that area of his life, didn't amuse her.

  "And what makes you think you're an authority on recognizing love?" Precocious was one thing. Infuriating quite another.

  "Not me, Uncle Karl," said Molly virtuously. "I don't know anything about it. Jessica told me those things."

  After which she went back to enjoying her movie. Uncle Karl, she noticed, turned a lot of pages, but he didn't seem to be doing any reading.

  Karl wasn't. He had a suspicion his real answer for every question of his niece's had been in the affirmative.

  For someone who never lied he'd really blotted his copybook tonight.

  The telephone rang as Jessica unlocked the door to her ap
artment Monday night. Monday night was the usual time that her friend from work, Gina, would meet up with her so that they could take in a movie.

  The telephone stopped as she set her bag down and then started again. Reminded of last week's call, Jessica grimaced and picked up the receiver gingerly.

  "Jessica?"

  "Hi Karl." She kept her voice cool. "Is something wrong?"

  "It's Arthur..." he began.

  Jessica couldn't keep the resignation out of her voice, "What's he done now?"

  "It's nothing he's done. It's what he isn't doing that's bothering me. Jerry, the boy who walks him called as soon as I got home to tell me yesterday's meal hadn't been touched. Today's hasn't either. I even went out and got him some ice cream. According to Molly he loves butter pecan, but he wouldn't even look at it. Do you think he's sick?"

  "Maybe," Jessica's mind raced over the symptoms, checked them against her experiences with her own dogs. "Is he close by?"

  "Yes." Karl must be out on the deck for the dog to be beside him. A picture of him leaning against the rail in a white shirt tantalized her, made concentration an effort.

  "Touch his nose will you, with the palm of your hand. Tell me if it feels hot and dry."

  "It does," Karl sounded surprised. "What does that tell you?"

  "He might be running a fever. Look, I'll call a vet and make an appointment for him as soon as possible." It would be easier for her to do because she knew exactly what to say to the vet. Besides some of them only took in small animals. "They'll probably want to see him right away. Then, if you like, I can come over and give you a hand taking him in."

  "Thanks Jessica. I'd appreciate that."

  The third vet she found in the yellow pages worked late and agreed to wait for them to bring the Great Dane in.

  Halfway to Jacaranda Meadows, Jessica looked down and realized she'd pulled on a pink shirt with carmine flowers over blue pants. Jessica sighed. One of these days she would get it all right.

  Right clothes, right man, right time.

  Right man. Fear stabbed at her, altering her heartbeat. If that was the way her mind was working these days she could be in real trouble. She was too familiar with her symptoms to ignore them. She'd seen four sisters and three brothers fall in love, get married. Change, in dress, in attitude, were some of the first symptoms of being in love. Was she ready for that?

  She had vowed that if loving someone meant being dominated she didn't want any of it. Not that it mattered in this instance, she told herself immediately. Karl wasn't available even if she was interested.

  Jessica glared at the stretch of freeway. It was ridiculous to build anything on a couple of kisses. Karl and she were like chalk and cheese. The only things they had in common were a hundred and thirty five pound dog and a little girl with an enormous intelligent quotient.

  He hadn't reappeared Saturday. Not that she'd expected him to, after the way he’d deliberately avoided kissing her Jessica had changed back into her clothes, convinced Molly to postpone Arthur's training session to next week, and fled, all in record time. Molly had agreed to say goodbye for her and thank Karl for the loan of his robe.

  Jessica glanced at it now. Laundered and neatly folded, in a plastic bag it reminded her of the crazy impulses he'd stirred in her that weekend. Never before had she experienced such a cacophony of sensation, such a wild desire to ask for more. Jessica clamped down on that particular train of thought. It was a road that led nowhere. Tonight would be strictly business. There must be no reruns.

  Karl had the garage door raised and two powerful lights switched on, as she pulled up in front of his house and parked by the curb.

  "Thanks for coming over so quickly Jessica."

  The navy blue polo neck top and faded blue jeans were molded to his frame. Her senses immediately rioted, overthrowing reason. Darn the man for looking like he did. This wasn't going to be easy.

  "Arthur won't get into the Audi."

  Karl had good cause to be worried. Lifting a hundred and thirty five pound dog into the car was out of the question.

  Jessica opened both rear doors of the Audi. Slipping into the car on the left side she patted the seat beside her, "Come here, Arthur. Good boy, come here."

  He came to her through the right rear door, laying his head dolefully in her lap. Jessica felt love well up in her. "What's the matter? Don't you feel well?"

  His nose was raspy and his eyes dull. Jessica felt a finger of fear slide up her spine. She hoped it wasn't anything serious. Not now, when he and Molly had just found each other.

  Karl didn't say anything on the ten minute drive to the vet. Jessica began to wonder if he was upset. He had every right to be. His sleep interrupted, his yard ruined, his precious leisure time taken over. And this was just the beginning. What was it she'd told him at the Clearview Plaza? Arthur wouldn't be any trouble? Karl's anger had to be directed towards her as well.

  Arthur had evidently been to the vet on several previous occasions. Something about the smell of antiseptic must have revived memories because he sat down in the doorway and refused to budge.

  "Come on, Arthur, good boy, come on."

  All her coaxing didn't work. He pulled against her hold on the collar and she couldn't do a thing. If he really decided to pit his strength against hers, he would be unmanageable.

  "Arthur, come on sweetheart." Rubbing his neck she dropped her voice low. "We've got to get you better. Molly's going to be real upset if she hears you're sick. Come on."

  She looked up at Karl, to find him watching her. Their gazes linked. Immediately a polite shield replaced the warmth in Karl's eyes. He was backing away from her again.

  "Did he hurt your arm?" The question was cool and formal, but Jessica knew she wasn't mistaken about the flare of emotion she'd seen.

  "No. He knows his own strength, I think. He just wants to make a point. He doesn't want to go in there."

  Karl Wagner could teach the U.S. army how to retreat.

  She rubbed Arthur's head, then tried leading him in again. Pressing his forepaws into the ground he flattened his ears. She couldn't budge him.

  "If you could just push a bit...?"

  She would store up this memory and laugh about it later. Right now it took all hers and Karl's combined strength to get Arthur into the doctor's examining room. Both of them were breathing hard when Dr. Mills came into the room. One look at Arthur's size and the vet said, "Relax folks. I'm not going to ask you to lift him onto the examining table. If you'll wait outside, I'll be with you as soon as I examine your dog."

  A girl appeared to help the vet as they returned to the waiting room.

  Jessica tried to leaf through a magazine while they waited. It was hard to concentrate with Karl striding up and down. Every now and then she stole a glance at him. There was a leashed impatience about him, at odds with his usual calm. Twice he stopped and flung a glance her way as if he wanted to say something. Outwardly serene, Jessica flipped a page staring blankly at a section that offered sixty five recipes for ten minute meals. The old man in the corner clutching a Siamese kitten watched them with avid curiosity. Evidently he'd picked up the tension between them and would love an argument to brighten his day. Jessica turned another page. Whatever Karl wanted to say had to wait till they got back to his place. She wasn't risking an argument here.

  Jessica could almost guess what he would say. Arthur had to go back. She'd told Karl dogs lowered blood pressure, reduced anxiety. Somebody should have told Arthur that. So far he'd done everything possible to achieve exactly the opposite results.

  "Well folks, your dog's going to be fine." Jessica stood up as a beaming Dr. Mills came into the room. "There's nothing seriously wrong with him. He's running a slight temperature but as there are no other symptoms to go on, it might just be a chill. California weather's so strange at this time of year with a forty degree temperature difference between night and day. Don't be in too much of a hurry to bathe him again and make sure his bed's in a draft free plac
e. I've given him a shot and here's a prescription for an antibiotic. Slip the tablets into a hot dog or wrap a slice of salami around it and he'll take it. There's another way I'll show you later when he's more used to you. For now this will do the trick. If he's not better in thirty six hours call me." Reaching out he patted Jessica's shoulder kindly. "Not to worry Mom."

  It was a good thing Arthur was in as great a hurry to get back to the car as she was. Burying her face in his side she shook with laughter.

  "Something wrong?" Karl peered at her.

  Jessica lifted laughter filled eyes to him. "I love Arthur," she said in a shaky voice, "but Mom?"

  Karl looked at them sitting side by side on the back seat, threw his head back and roared with laughter.

  A while later, Jessica wiped her eyes. "A thought just occurred to me. If I'm Mom, do you know who Dr. Mills thinks you are?"

  "Dad?"

  They couldn't help the gales of laughter that followed. Arthur sensed their happiness and licked Jessica's hand approvingly, as Karl, shoulders shaking, slid into the driver's seat.

  "You know he's beginning to get to me?" Karl's words broke the silence in the car when they were back on the freeway. Jessica's jaw dropped. So, the silence, the pacing had been worry....not impatience. "I was almost worried about him for a while there. Not just for Molly's sake. He's kind of grown on me, the way he waits for me to come home. I barely say a word to him and yet seeing me seems to make him wildly happy. He sits by the patio door as long as I'm in the family room, even if I close the drapes. I don't do anything for him."

  In the darkness Jessica smiled her Mona Lisa smile. Arthur's own special brand of charm was beginning to work. She'd counted on that. She wasn't aware of the huge sigh of relief that escaped her. Happy endings were wonderful.

  "Tired?" The warmth was back in Karl's voice.

  "Not really." Jessica frowned trying to figure the man out.

  He thinks he's safe in the darkness, that I won't see anything he doesn't want me to.