Legacy of Love (14 page)

“Hey, ladies,” Sharlene greeted, breezing into the room.

“Sharlene Moore this is Michelle Treme, Jackson's sister.”

Sharlene stuck out her hand. “Pleasure to meet you.”

“Michelle is going to be working part-time at the museum.”

“Wonderful. Great place and a wonderful staff. Zoe runs a pretty tight ship,” she joked.

“I'm looking forward to it. But I have to tell you, this showroom is incredible. I don't know where to look first.”

“Thanks. We try really hard to stock unique pieces. Customers want to know that their place isn't going to look just like someone else's.”

“I was just telling Zoe that when I get my place, I'll be looking here first.”

“Just let me know, and I'll hook you up. You ladies ready to go?”

“Yep,” they chorused.

 

Jackson pulled into his driveway and got out. He still hadn't heard from Zoe. He didn't understand
what had happened. They'd spent yet another fantastic night together but the morning brought an entirely different person. She could barely look at him and he had no idea why.

On top of that, he'd had a very disturbing conversation with the dean. The dean had received an anonymous letter from a female student alluding to sexual harassment on Jackson's part.

“Sexual harassment! You've got to be kidding me.”

The dean handed him the letter he'd received.

Jackson read the short typed message in disbelief. He was stunned. The letter didn't give any specifics and it almost read like some kind of schoolyard prank.

“I haven't shared this with the administration as of yet. This is something that the administration takes very seriously, Professor Treme. Once it's turned over to them they will begin an immediate investigation.”

Jackson felt like he was in some sort of alternate universe. This couldn't be happening.

“For the time being I'll hold on to this. You'll still be allowed to teach, since the alleged accuser wouldn't identify herself nor specify exactly what had taken place.” He paused a moment and folded his hands on top of his desk. “I have to ask you this, professor.” He looked Jackson squarely in the eye. “Could this be the reason why your teaching assistant, Victoria, left so abruptly?”

“No, absolutely not! This is crazy. She said it was purely personal and I took it at that.”

The dean slowly nodded his head. “I see.” He extended his hand for Jackson to return the letter. “Well, in the interim I would be mindful of being alone with any of your female students or giving off the impression that you favor one over the other. This could merely be a disgruntled student that you'd given a bad grade.” He refolded the letter and put it in his desk drawer. “We'll revisit this in a few weeks. But I want to be clear, Professor Treme, I won't hesitate to bring this to administration if anything else should happen.”

Jackson swallowed the dry knot in his throat and rose on stiff legs. “I understand. Thank you.”

Numb, he'd walked out. Maybe he should have told him about Victoria's impromptu visit to his house and what she'd said. But instinct told him to keep that bit of information to himself. It may only have fueled the fire.

Jackson opened the front door and expected to find Michelle on the couch. The house was quiet. Any other day he would be concerned. But he was thankful for the solitude. He wanted to be alone for a while and think.

At least the semester would be over in a few weeks and he could step away from the whole mess. Hopefully, whoever had done this would be satisfied with nearly ruining his career and find someone else's to screw with.

He opened the fridge and took out a bottle of beer. He rarely drank at this time of the day, but under the circumstances he was making an exception.

Walking into the living room he stretched out on the couch, reached for the remote and turned on the television.

Every news channel was covering the latest uprising in the Middle East, the weather and the struggling economy. Turmoil had the upper hand no matter where you looked, he thought. Now it had invaded his private life as well.

He checked his cell phone. No missed calls or messages from Zoe. He tossed the phone across the table. It was just as well. He was up to his eyeballs in drama for the moment. And whatever it was that was bugging Zoe. Well, he wasn't in the frame of mind to deal with it now.

“O
h, come on. I'm sure Jackson would be happy to see you. And you can stay for dinner. It's the least I can do to say thanks.”

Michelle had no idea what had transpired between her and Jackson earlier, Zoe thought. She was probably the last person Jackson wanted to see and she had no one to blame but herself.

“Michelle, really, you don't have to do that.”

Michelle clasped Zoe's arm. “I won't take no for an answer. I'm going to pick up Shay from day care and get dinner started. Come by about seven. I promise we'll make it an early night.”

She looked at Zoe with puppy-dog eyes and Zoe couldn't say no.

“Okay. I'll come. But I want to bring something or at least help cook.”

“Absolutely not. Just bring yourself and your appetite.”

Zoe pushed out a breath. “Okay. See you at seven.”

“Great.” She leaned forward and kissed her cheek. “See you later.”

Zoe walked back to her office. She hadn't even called Jackson back and she'd acted awful to him that morning with no explanation. He deserved one. And maybe Michelle's invitation was the opening that she needed to make things right.

In the meantime, she had calls to make and she needed to finish working on a grant to the National Endowment of the Arts that was taking a lot longer than usual. The chairman was right about one thing, funding was strained all over and the requirements for grants even more stringent. She needed to ensure that they got every dollar available.

He was also right about her love of what she did and her commitment to the arts. For as long as she could remember, art, artifacts and uncovering new treasures had been her passion. It was one of the things that made her and Sharlene so close over the years. They had the same artistic sensibilities. Sharlene chose to share her passion and love on a smaller scale. Zoe on the other hand wanted the world to enjoy what she loved.

She turned her computer on and loaded the application and began filling in the details from her notes and the data on the current budget.

“Hey, Zoe.”

She looked up from the forms on her desk. “Hi, Mike. What's up?”

Mike walked halfway in. “I wanted to go over the shipment today. Thought you'd want to see it.”

“Sure. I'll come down.” She rotated the stiffness out of her neck then checked her watch. Wow. She'd been at it for nearly three hours straight, she realized. No wonder her body felt like a pretzel. She definitely needed a break. She got up and walked alongside Mike down to the storage room.

“I, uh, noticed that you were in with some of the board members this morning. Everything cool?” He angled a glance at her.

Zoe looked straight ahead. “Yes, some budget stuff.”

“Are we okay?”

“Yes. I'm still working on the grant. But we should be good. We might have to cut back on some of the inventory and get a little more creative.”

They took the stairs down two levels to the storage area.

“The new pieces are in that corner,” Mike said, pointing to a stack of opened crates on the far side of the room.

Zoe took Mike's clipboard with the list of inventory that had been shipped from Tanzania and
compared it to the merchandise in the crates. There were three glorious paintings of the Serengeti that were breathtaking.

The Serengeti was home to the largest mammal migration in the world and deemed one of the ten natural wonders of the world. Zoe had lobbied for months to get these pieces and it was worth it.

“Magnificent,” she said, struck by the intricate detail of the riverine forests, swamps, the kopjes, grasslands and woodlands, blue wildebeests, gazelles, zebras and buffalos.

She spun toward Mike and instinctively hugged him, overcome with pure delight.

Mike wrapped his arms around her waist, lifted her off her feet and spun her around. “I kinda knew you would like it,” he said, setting her down.

Zoe giggled with happiness. “These are going to look so awesome in the main corridor.”

“That's what I was thinking.”

She continued studying the paintings then she turned to Mike. “There is something else,” she said, her tone sobering.

Mike's brows drew together. “What is it?” He tossed a tarp over the crates.

They started back out.

“I might be leaving for a few months. I haven't decided yet,” she quickly added.

“Leaving? Why? What happened? I know the board can't be asking you to leave, not after the way
you've turned this department around,” he said, his ire rising.

“Come back to my office and I'll explain.”

 

Mike sat with his ankle braced on his knee while Zoe explained the plan.

“So, I need to give them my answer sooner rather than later,” she concluded.

He was quiet for a moment. “It's a phenomenal opportunity for you, Zoe.”

She nodded in agreement. “I know.”

“So why the hesitation?”

She glanced away. “It's personal. There's a lot going on in my life right now. I'm just not certain that this is the right time to pull up stakes. But on the other hand it would be beneficial to both museums.”

“I'm sure you'll make the right decision. And I have your back whichever way you decide to go.”

“It will be a major break for you, too, Mike. You get to run this division by yourself.”

“You taught me well. And if given the chance I can handle it.”

“I know you can. Well, I'll keep you posted.”

He unwound his long muscular body and stood.

“Oh, and we're going to be getting a new part-timer, probably early next week. She'll be doing the tours and hopefully the genealogy classes.”

“Cool.”

“And Mike…”

“Yeah…”

“Thanks.”

“For what?”

She smiled. “Just thanks.”

He grinned. “See you later.”

Zoe heaved a sigh and settled back in her chair. Now to tell Jackson.

 

Zoe pulled into the driveway of Jackson's house. She was more nervous now than the first night that they'd met. Even after she'd turned off the car she sat there, trying to get her thoughts and energy in order.

Before she had a chance to get out, the front door to Jackson's house swung open and Shay came running to the car.

“Miss Zoe,” Shay called out, jumping up and down outside of Zoe's car window.

Her enthusiasm was contagious and Zoe immediately felt better. She grabbed her purse from the passenger seat and got out.

“Hey, sweetie. What a great welcome.” She took Shay's hand and walked to the house. “I heard you started a new school today. Do you like it?”

“Yes, and my best friend's name is Missy!”

Zoe's eyes widened in delight. “Really? A best friend already?” She bit back a laugh.

“She said I'm her best friend, too.”

“Of course.”

Michelle greeted them at the door. “Hey. Right on time. Come on in.”

Zoe's heart began to pound. She walked in and didn't see Jackson and tried not to think about what that meant one way or the other.

“Dinner is just about finished. Hope you like steak. Jackson insisted on helping. He's out back on the grill.”

Her heart raced even faster and her stomach began to do figure eights.

“Why don't you go on out back? There's a pitcher of homemade iced tea on the table unless you want something stronger.”

“No, um, iced tea is fine. Don't you need some help in here?” she asked, suddenly afraid of facing Jackson.

“Nope. Go on,” she said softly, lifting her head toward the back door. Woman's instinct illuminated her expression. “It'll be fine.”

Zoe didn't know whether to feel relief or embarrassed that Jackson may have told his sister how she'd behaved earlier. Either way, she couldn't stand in the kitchen like a lump forever.

“I want to come,” Shay said.

“I need your help in the kitchen finishing up dinner. Can you help me like a big girl? And Miss Zoe can help Uncle Jack.”

Shay looked from one grown-up face to the next. “I'll help you, Mommy.”

“Why, thank you,” she said to Shay and then winked at Zoe.

Zoe put one foot in front of the other and went out back. Jackson had his back turned to her while he worked the grill, and with his headphones plugged in he didn't hear her come up behind him. She tapped him lightly on the shoulder.

He turned halfway and his face seemed to light up from within. He pulled the buds out of his ears.

“Hey,” he said softly.

Zoe felt her insides swell. “Hey.”

“Glad you came.”

“Me, too.”

He reached out and cupped her cheek. For a moment he simply looked into her eyes and that said it all.

She leaned up and tenderly touched her lips to his. A sensation of completeness filled her. This was so very right, she thought as she felt his arm move around her waist and ease her closer to him. Her lips parted to accept the sweetness of his tongue in her mouth, and tiny bursts of electricity popped in her veins.

Her arms found their way around his neck as the kiss deepened taking on a life of its own. She sighed softly against his mouth.

“I'm sorry,” she murmured.

He kissed her cheek then the tip of her nose. “I know.” He stepped back without releasing her and took her in. “How good are you with the grill?”

“I can handle myself.”

“I know that, too,” he said with a teasing smile. He passed her an apron. “But let's see your grilling skills.”

She swatted his arm and tied the apron around her waist and the friction between them from earlier was no longer a wall between them anymore.

 

Dinner was a lively affair with Shay being the center of attention regaling them with every minute detail of her first day in school. In between Michelle talked about how excited she was to be starting her new job and Jackson and Zoe couldn't wait to be alone.

Finally, Michelle announced that it was time for Shay to get ready for bed and excused them both for the night.

“I'll help you clean up,” Zoe said, and began gathering plates and cups while Jackson made sure that the grill was off. They finished up and wandered into the living room.

“Can I get you anything?” Jackson asked.

“No. I'm good.” She sat down on the couch and curled comfortably in the corner.

Jackson joined her. He put her feet on his lap and began to massage them.

“Hmm, that feels fabulous,” she sighed.

“Easy tension reliever,” he said, kneading the balls of her feet with deep strokes of his strong fingers.

Zoe closed her eyes and let the sensations take over. “I should have told you what was going on,” she said, her voice almost dreamy.

“You're here now. If you want to talk about it, whatever it is, I'm listening.”

She opened her eyes and looked at him. “The museum's board of directors wants me to go to New York…”

She told him how she was first approached and that the actual meeting was that morning, which was why she was so tense.

“Well, it wasn't the only reason,” she confessed.

“What other reason, then?”

She swallowed. “You.”

He momentarily stopped massaging her feet. “Me? Why me?”

She sat up and swung her feet to the floor. She pressed her palms to her thighs then turned to him. “Before I met you all there was in my life was my work. And then you came along like a whirlwind and nothing was the same. Something inexplicable is happening between us Jackson. It's scary and exciting and if I leave now, I, we, won't have time to see how this is going to work.
If
it's going to work out. I've never felt this way before and I…”

“Listen, no one knows better than me how important what we do is.” He scooted closer to her. “Look at me.”

She raised her head.

“There is no way in hell that I could live with
myself if I was the reason you didn't take this opportunity and run with it. I'm not going to hear it. You'll go to New York, kick some ass and come back.”

“I'll be gone for three months.”

“Would it be cool if you had company?”

“Company?”

A slow grin moved across his mouth. “School is out in three weeks. I'm off for the summer. What if I came with you to New York?”

She jerked forward. “What!” She leaped onto his lap. “Seriously?”

He laughed deep in his belly. “Yes, seriously. It's been ages since I've been to New York. You can do your thing during the day and we can paint the town at night and be back in time for your birthday.”

She was jumpy all over with excitement.
Her and Jackson in New York. Together.
“Yes, yes, yes.” She lathered his face with kisses.

 

“Come home with me,” she said as they curled around each other on the couch, watching an episode of
Criminal Minds
.

“You sure, because I can tell you right now, you won't get much sleep.”

“That's the whole idea, silly.” She stretched up to kiss him.

“What if…” He raised his head to listen for movement from upstairs. “What if I gave you a
little sample of what I was thinking about since you walked in the door?”

“Here? But what about—”

“They're asleep. And if you're a good girl and be quiet, they'll never know,” he whispered deep in her ear while he stroked her thigh.

Zoe shifted her body so that she was beneath him. “Only if you promise not to do those things that make me noisy,” she said, sucking in a breath when Jackson nibbled her neck.

“I hate to make promises that I can't keep.” He reached up and turned out the lamp on the end table.

Zoe unbuttoned her blouse and tugged it out of the waistband of her skirt.

Jackson didn't waste a minute. He pushed her skirt up above her hips, unzipped his jeans then pushed her thong aside and entered her in one hard swift motion, covering her mouth with his to muffle her cry.