Foundation for Three (16 page)

Pete cut the engine. “Here we are.” He eased out and walked her to the door, his hand pressed against her back. “Tomorrow you’ll get to meet Thad’s family. I know you’ll love them. My mom would fit in perfectly with his relatives, but my dad definitely would not.”

“I liked your dad okay.”

He halted for a second. “I could tell he liked you. He usually doesn’t try to get to know a person.”

The man had only asked her one question. “Are you saying your dad is self-centered?” It was what she believed. Russell Banks appeared to be unwilling or unable to connect to his son. It was a shame.

Pete laughed. “Is that a trick question?”

“No. Out of curiosity, do you spend a lot of time talking with him about what you do?”

“I have dinner at the house at least twice a month. Every time I mention what I’m working on, he has this incredible knack of turning around what I’ve said and telling me about one of his clients. You evidenced that.”

“True. Men like your dad are hard to get close to.”

He blew out a breath. “Ever get them to change?” The hope in his voice seemed to come from deep within.

She had to think about how to word it. “People only change when they want to.”

“There’s no motivation for my dad to be any different, but if you can think of a way, let me know. I’ll be forever in your debt.”

Now probably wasn’t the time to discuss the rest of his father’s issues. It was a bit chilly outside, but if she invited Pete in, she might be tempted to do more than give him counsel. Before she said goodbye, she wanted to add one more thought. “Here’s the thing. I’ve worked with a lot of people—many very successful—who don’t like who they are deep inside. By keeping everyone at a distance, it prevents others from finding out who they really are. Family members are no exception.”

Pete whistled. “Now that’s some deep shit. I need to chew on that for a while.”

She chuckled. “I didn’t mean to get on my soapbox.” She leaned over and kissed his cheek. “Thank you again for the horse ride and for showing me the incredible view.”

“My pleasure.” The shroud of his bitterness seemed to disappear as he moved closer. She wanted to taste him more fully, so she held still, understanding that Pete would want to make the first move. He seemed to need the control right now. He dragged a knuckle down her cheek. “We’ll have to do it again.”

Before she could say yes, he slanted his lips across her mouth, and her insides nearly melted. He’d opened himself up to her today, and with the barrier temporarily down, she didn’t want to let him go. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she returned the kiss, loving every intimate second of his warmth and tenderness. His shoulders tightened, and he stepped back.

“Better go before I act like that stupid fourteen-year-old again.”

Would that be so bad? “Tomorrow then.”

He nodded toward her door. “I’ll wait here until you’re safely inside.”

How considerate of him. As soon as she unlocked her door and stepped in, footsteps sounded on the porch, almost as if he didn’t trust himself if he lingered. The temptation to run after him was strong, but his emotions seemed too raw. Zoey deactivated the alarm and looked out the window to make sure he left okay.

“You are screwed, Zoey Elizabeth Donovan.”

She leaned her head back against the wall and sighed. Pete Banks was a good man. It was too bad he didn’t recognize it.

*     *     *

The next morning Zoey stopped at Zelda’s General Store to pick up something for Thad’s grandmother, since Zoey never liked to go anywhere empty-handed. Just from the few things Thad had told her about the older woman, Zoey liked her already.

Because Nana grew her own food and loved to can her jams and pickles, Zoey looked for something unique, something his grandmother might not have. After a half hour search, Zoey found the perfect gift. Thad said because the house couldn’t hold everyone, the party would be in a big barn. That meant Nana would be preparing the food in one place and transporting it to another.

The chalkboard canning jar caddy would be practical, yet whimsical. The carryall would fit three one-quart jars of Nana’s homemade food, and the front had a chalkboard strip where she could write what was in each container. Wanting to have a nice presentation for the gift, Zoey purchased a small wicker basket and a blue and white-checkered napkin to line it with. Some blue satin ribbon that she had at home would make a great finishing touch. Happy to have something Thad’s grandmother might enjoy, Zoey headed home to prepare for the evening’s festivities.

She had six hours to get ready. Even so, that didn’t seem like enough time. It wasn’t just figuring out what to wear, it was deciding how to act. This would be the first time she’d see Thad and Pete together.
Just be myself
. She was comfortable around Thad and totally at ease with Pete, so what was her problem? Being with both should be doubly good, right?

Not wanting to dwell on something out of her control, she went to her bedroom to pick out something to wear. If she planned on climbing on old rusted vehicles, she had to dress casually.

Courtney’s voice nudged her brain
. Go sexy
.

Sexy. Right. Zoey had already searched her closet for something to wear when she and Pete went riding and had failed. She didn’t own much other than practical clothing befitting a therapist. Lydia Sayers, the owner of Naughty Desires, had come to happy hour a few times because she was a good friend of Melissa’s. Zoey remembered Lydia saying she could make any sized woman look great. Perhaps it was time to stop over for a visit.

Pushing aside the undergarment issue, Zoey tried on a possible outfit. When she stepped in front of the mirror to see if she looked okay, she groaned. Not even close. She bet Nana would look sexier. That needed to change, but how? Zoey would look funny wearing a silk blouse to a barn, so all dressy options were out.

Jamie had good fashion sense, even if her style was a little more bohemian than Zoey’s. It might be what she needed though. She called her friend, hoping Jamie would be free to shop.

“Hey. What’s up?” Jamie sounded in good spirits.

“I need a clothing intervention.”

“For real?”

Zoey didn’t have time to analyze the reason behind Jamie’s excitement. Zoey didn’t dress that poorly. “Yes.”

“It’s about time. Is it for your big date tonight?”

When Thad had asked her to the party, it was because he’d cancelled the dinner Zoey had asked him to. But after being with Pete yesterday, she got the sense tonight would be a test to see if all three of them got along. “Yes. When I tried on my casual clothes, I looked more like Farmer Brown’s mother than a thirty-two year old, sexy lady.”

“You want sexy?”

Zoey told her about climbing on top of rusty cars. “It has to be practical, too.”

“Practical but sexy. Got it. I’ll be happy to help but I get the final say in what you wear.”

That was tough.
To give up control or not
. “Deal.”

*     *     *

Zoey paced her living room waiting for Thad and Pete to arrive. It was hard not to look out the window, but she didn’t want them to pull around the corner and see her peering out. No man wanted an overanxious woman.

She inhaled and checked her outfit one more time. Not wanting to embarrass Thad, Zoey snapped up another button on her form-fitting plaid shirt. The push-up bra Jamie made her buy was comfortable, but it revealed too much of Zoey’s large breasts. She didn’t want his Nana to freak. First impressions were important. It was bad enough her flaming red hair was untamable, but add in a revealing top and too-tight jeans, and his parents might tell Thad to take her home. Their son was a cop and should be with a conservative woman.

I’m conservative.
True, but she sure didn’t look that way tonight.

Before she could make any more adjustments, the doorbell rang. A rush of anticipation spiked every nerve in her body. Christ. She needed to relax and enjoy herself.

Making sure her palms were dry, she opened the door. “Come in.” They sure did present a formative wall of man.

Pete looked even better than he did yesterday. He was like one of the hot cowboys her friends kept putting up on their Facebook pages with his faded, threadbare jeans that left little to the imagination, and a shirt that accentuated his beautifully developed pectorals.
Yum
. Thad was dressed in a white cable knit sweater, black jeans, and polished boots. He looked more GQ than Pete, but both would turn every woman’s head in Rock Hard.

Thad smiled. “Mind if I take a look at Pete’s handiwork before we head out?”

“Sure.” She appreciated that he wanted to see what his roommate had done. She loved both her kitchen and bath, but if she’d known he’d want a tour, she would have cleaned up a bit more. “Pete, you want to show Thad?” Pete would be better at explaining all of the details.

“Sure. Go right past the dining room, Thad.” As soon as his roommate’s back was turned, Pete leaned over and gave her a kiss that was more a greeting than one of passion. “Hi.” He grinned.

Her brain stopped functioning for a moment. “Hi back.”

She followed Pete and Thad into the kitchen. With pride in his voice, Pete showed Thad the custom items he’d installed, from the induction stovetop to the refrigerator drawers in the center island.

Thad kept nodding. “Not bad. I’m liking it. The backsplash is better than what’s in our place.”

“I can’t account for my mother’s taste.” Pete nodded for Thad to go back the way they’d come. “Zoey’s bath is even better than the kitchen.”

Zoey waited at the en suite entrance while Pete showed Thad what he’d done. “Over here is the switch for the towel warmer.”

She didn’t know that. “Seriously? That’s so cool.”

He winced. “This was what you ordered.”

“I know, but I couldn’t figure out how to turn it on, so I thought you hadn’t installed it.”

A shot of guilt crossed his face. “I normally go through all of the features when I do the reveal, but I was a little distracted.”

She’d been a sobbing mess. “I forgive you.”

He showed Thad the double showerhead, a hidden storage closet, and her favorite—the touch faucets.

Thad tapped the faucet and grinned like a little kid when it turned on. “Sweet. We need some of these features at our place.”

Pete laughed. “You paying?”

“That would be a no.” Thad faced her. “You ready to meet the crazy Dalton family?”

“I am.” Being surrounded by a lot of people was just what she needed to keep her nervousness at bay.

Put her in front of a group of psychologists, and she could talk for hours without a nervous bone in her body, but when she was with two hot men, she fell apart.

On her way out, she slipped on her sweater jacket then picked up the present for his grandmother.

Thad nodded to what was in her hands. “What’s that?”

“Just a little something for your Nana.”

“You didn’t have to do that.”

Yes I did.
“I know, but I wanted to.”

“I’m sure she’ll love it.” His eyes softened for a second, but he quickly glanced away.

Pete had brought the truck, and Thad helped her into the front seat where she was sandwiched between them. The floor mats appeared to be freshly cleaned, and Pete had washed off the contractor’s mud. That was thoughtful of him.

Thad yanked his seatbelt over his shoulder and clicked the end into the slot. She had to lean left to find hers, and when she did, her shoulder bumped Pete’s. “Sorry.”

“Sure you are.” He winked.

“I should warn you about some of my relatives,” Thad said, as if he had no idea about the intimate exchange with Pete.

Zoey twisted in the seat to better look at Thad. “I’d love the lowdown.”

“Pete said he told you about my cousin Joe.”

“He did.” She liked that they didn’t hide anything from each other.

Pete turned south onto Arbor Way. “Tell her about Joe’s brother.”

Thad stretched out his legs. “Ah, yes, Tony. He won’t be coming, I’m afraid. He’s on a cruise to Alaska.”

Pete moaned. “I like Tony. He’s adventurous and pure of heart.”

Thad laughed. “He is that.”

Zoey was intrigued. “What’s so special about Tony?”

“Tony is as scruffy as they come. Long beard that needs a trim bad, a big pot belly that’s as hard as a rock, and let’s just say, he’s not a big believer in oral hygiene.”

She laughed. “He doesn’t seem like the cruise type.” While she’d never been on one, she pictured the trip goers as either retired people or those with families.

“None of us do. He was a poor, uneducated kid who struck it rich. He’s enjoying life to the fullest now.”

That sounded fascinating. “How did he make his money?”

“He started making wine from frozen canned fruit. Got real good at it, too. People from far and wide would buy from him. Then he got the bright idea to make Vodka. Within a year, the guy was richer than sin, but you’d never know it, other than it spawned his love of travel.”

“Someday I’d like to meet him.” She had no colorful people in her extended family, outside of two cousins she hadn’t seen in ten years.

Pete turned west onto River Rock, a road that ran parallel to the Harmes River. She’d never driven out this way before. “It’s lovely out here.” Both Thad and Pete nodded.

Ten minutes later, Pete pulled down a long gravel drive toward a modest home that possibly hadn’t been painted in thirty years. About fifteen vehicles were parked haphazardly on the lawn. These were not the junk vehicles. She suspected those were in the back. The narrow twenty-foot-long front porch had a swing, four chairs, a covered grill, and what looked like large speakers all crammed together. Off to the side of the house was a rusted cistern hoisted on stilts fifteen feet off the ground.

Thad sighed. “Home sweet home.”

“You grew up here?” She thought this was his grandmother’s home.

“No, but I spent more time here than at my own house. So did my cousins. Once the trees lose their leaves, you can see where I grew up.” He pointed to the west. “Over there is where Joe lives. His shop is attached to his house.”