Still Waters (9 page)

Even now, as he helped towheaded twins build a block tower, his gaze kept wandering to the corner where Tiffany sat, a child in her lap, another three behind her watching as a fourth tied Tiffany’s hair into what was supposed to be a braid. All of them were giggling.

A picture of Tiffany, a baby in her arms, a toddler cuddled to her side, filled Jake’s head and he shoved it ruthlessly aside. He’d made a mistake with Tiffany. A big one. Somewhere along the line he’d let his guard down, had forgotten to keep his distance. Now he was paying the price.

Being with Tiffany reminded him of all the things he used to want, but had learned he couldn’t have—marriage, children, a family. He’d tried for those things with Sheila, hoping he could make a better life than the one he’d had growing up. Within months she’d complained that he worked too hard, was gone too much. That his commitment to his job came before his commitment to her.

Maybe she’d been right.

In the end it hadn’t mattered. She’d partied hard while he was gone. When he was home they argued. Finally the effort to keep things together had been more than the effort it took to go their separate ways.

“Mr. Jake? Mr. Jake?” A small hand tugged at his, forcing Jake away from the past.

“What is it, sport?”

“Is it snack time yet?”

Jake glanced at the clock, wishing its hands would move a little faster. “Yep, I believe it is. Come on everyone, it’s time to eat.”

C
hildren scrambled for their chairs and Tiffany moved forward to lend a hand. Together they handed out snacks, pushed in chairs and settled disputes. At times, Jake could feel Tiffany’s gaze and he knew she wondered about his silence.

“Amazing how quiet they get when they’re eating, isn’t it?” Tiffany’s green eyes were focused on him now, her warm smile a gentle offering of friendship.

“Yes.” Jake let his own face relax into a smile, hiding his turbulent emotions. It wasn’t Tiffany’s fault circumstances had brought them together time and time again.

“Thanks for inviting me to help out. I’ve taught junior high and high school. But this is a new experience for me.”

“That makes two of us.”

“Well, if that’s the case, I wouldn’t know it. You’re a natural with the kids.”

Jake nodded his thanks, letting silence drift between them
again. Tiffany fidgeted beside him, tugging at a wisp of hair that fell against her cheek as she watched the children devour their cookies. Finally she turned back toward him, her eyes filled with questions Jake had no answers for. When she spoke her words were blunt and to the point. “Look, I’m sorry if this situation is uncomfortable. I know you were just trying to help me save face earlier.”

“That wasn’t the only reason I asked for your help.”

“No? Well, you’re certainly competent enough to do the job on your own.”

“Maybe, but I didn’t know how things would go until I got here. I was afraid there might be thirty of these little monkeys.”

One of the children giggled at Jake’s words and Tiffany smiled in response. “Well, you seem fine with fifteen. If it will make you more comfortable I can leave now.”

Jake knew he should take her up on the offer. “Is that what you want to do?”

“Not really. I’m enjoying myself. Besides if I leave this room there will be twenty people out in the hall waiting to tell me how sorry they are for me.”

“Why? What is there to be sorry for?”

“Couldn’t you tell? Brian dumped me for Lisa. Or at least that’s the way the story’s being told.”

“Sounds like a gossip mill.”

“Well, the church is like my extended family. I guess they feel that means they can spread news about me.” Tiffany rubbed a hand against her temple. “Even if it isn’t quite true.”

“Have you told anyone what really happened?”

“Sure, but they just keep clucking their tongues at me and giving me reassuring pats on the back.”

“I’d think they’d assume you dumped the guy. Not the other way around.”

Tiffany’s eyes widened with surprise, a deprecating smile curving the edges of her lips. “Thanks, but half the church remembers when I was a chunky, awkward preteen. I think they just can’t imagine I’d let a prime catch like Brian get away. Especially not at my age.”

Before Jake could respond, a squeal of alarm sounded from a little girl whose juice had tumbled to the floor and Tiffany rushed to clean up the mess. A moment later a hand tugged at Jake’s and a blue-eyed boy demanded to be taken to the bathroom. Jake wasn’t sure if he was relieved or disappointed that his conversation with Tiffany had ended.

Tiffany grabbed a handful of napkins and mopped up the puddle of juice. The distraction was timely, saving her from revealing more about her sorry situation than Jake wanted to know. She shouldn’t have pushed for conversation. Jake had a right to his silence and certainly had no obligation to talk to her. Still, she missed the easy companionship they’d shared the few times they’d been together. Always before, she’d felt as if he were an old friend returning after a long visit. Their conversation had flowed smoothly from topic to topic, their silences unstrained. Now she could feel the tension radiating from Jake. Had felt it from the moment she’d walked into the room and, for the life of her, Tiffany could not understand why Jake had asked for her help.

Tiffany told herself she wasn’t hurt by his behavior. After all, they weren’t even friends. Just acquaintances who seemed to bump into one another more often than most. Still, it rankled that he would ask for her help and then ignore her. Perhaps she
was
as expendable as Brian’s quick recovery from their breakup seemed to indicate.

With a sigh, Tiffany mopped up the last of the juice and threw the soggy mass in the trash can. Jake had disappeared with several of the boys, taking them, Tiffany sup
posed, on a potty break. When they returned a few minutes later, a dark-haired little boy approached Tiffany, a yellow rose thrust out in front of him.

“Miss Tiffany, this is for you.”

Tiffany reached out for the flower. “Oh, my, where did you get this?”

“We finded it on our way to the bathroom.”

Tiffany turned to Jake who shrugged and smiled.

“Really, well, thank you. I think this is the prettiest rose I’ve ever been given.” It was actually the only rose she’d ever been given, but Tiffany didn’t think anyone needed to know that.

Mission accomplished, the little boy bounced off to the puzzle table. Tiffany watched him for a moment before walking over to Jake. “You guys
found
this?” Tiffany waved the rose in the air between them.

“You could say that.”

“Tell the truth. Where did you get it?”

“Let’s just say I have friends in high places.”

“Friends?”

“Friends with access to last week’s pulpit flowers.”

Now that he mentioned it, the rose did seem a trifle worn, the edges beginning to wilt just a little.

“Ben had last week’s flowers in his office. I happened to spot them on the way to the bathroom and asked for the rose.”

“It’s beautiful. Thank you.” Tiffany didn’t ask what the occasion was, but Jake answered the question anyway.

“It’s droopy, but it’s the best I could do on short notice. I figured you could cut off the stem and wear the rose in your hair when you leave. When people ask about it, you can tell them you got it from the guy you dumped Brian for.”

Jake’s grin invited Tiffany to share in the joke and she smiled in return. “Now, Sheriff, I can’t believe you’re telling
me to lie in God’s house.” Tiffany stretched out her vowels, doing an imitation of Lisa’s thick Southern drawl.

“Well, now Miz Anderson, I wouldn’t call it lying. More like stretching the truth a bit.”

Jake’s deep chuckle warmed Tiffany and her heart did a little flip in response. “More than a stretch, I’m afraid.” Sighing, she lifted the flower and inhaled its delicate aroma. “Though I have to admit, I’d be tempted to do it if I wasn’t sure people would be begging me for a name.”

“Don’t let all this get you down. By next week you’ll be old news.”

Tiffany knew Jake was right but she couldn’t shake the melancholy mood that had suddenly come over her. Afraid her voice would give away her feelings, Tiffany just smiled and nodded.

“Want me to get rid of that for you?” Jake gestured to the rose, apparently deciding it should be disposed of now that the joke was over.

Tiffany didn’t plan on giving it up. “No, I’ll take care of it.”

“All right. Parents should be coming in a few minutes. I’m going to get these kids cleaning up.”

When Jake turned away, Tiffany grabbed a napkin from the table, soaked it in leftover apple juice, and wrapped it around the cut end of the rose.

The flower might be wilted and old but it was hers. Who cared that the man who gave it to her did so as a joke? At least when her nieces were old enough to ask, Tiffany could tell them honestly that once upon a time a handsome prince had given her a rose. Of course, they might not believe her, old maid that she’d be. That was why Tiffany planned to press it and put it in her scrapbook.

Then she’d go on with her life. Forget about Brian and
Jake. Maybe even men in general. After all, thirty-three was too old to be worrying so much about love.

“I guess you haven’t had any trouble with Tom or his friends?”

Jake spoke from across the room, and Tiffany shoved the rose deep into her purse before she turned to face him. “None at all. Tom’s been working hard. He’s a great kid.”

“I’m glad it’s working out.” Though Jake’s voice sounded pleasant enough, his eyes had gone hard. The darkness Tiffany had sensed in him when they’d first met suddenly was close to the surface.

“What’s wrong?”

“I’m not sure I trust him. And I know I don’t trust his buddies.”

“I don’t think Tom’s been hanging out with anybody lately. He told me his dad’s been taking him on weekend runs, and during the week he’s at my house.”

“That still leaves the evenings.”

“Jake—”

“Just be careful. I’ve got a bad feeling about things.”

Tiffany nodded, surprised at the force of Jake’s words. She knew there’d been trouble in town in the past few weeks, but she hadn’t considered herself to be in danger.

Now she wondered if she should.

The first parent arrived at the door, preventing her from asking questions. But even as Tiffany said goodbye to children and parents, she thought about Jake’s words. About his certainty that something was going to happen.

“Don’t look so scared. People will think I’ve been intimidating you.” Jake spoke close to her ear as the last child walked through the door.

“I’m not scared. I was just wondering why you’re so convinced I’m going to have problems with Tom’s ex-buddies.”

“Just a feeling. Call it instinct.”

“Have you ever been wrong?”

“Not often.”

“Well, I can’t fire Tom. I won’t.”

Jake saw the heat in Tiffany’s eyes, and knew he couldn’t change her mind. “I’ve still got patrols running your street. So don’t worry. Just be cautious.”

“I will.” She ran a hand through her hair and turned to survey the room. “You’ve got everything cleaned up. I guess we can go.”

“I guess so. Thanks for helping.”

“No problem.”

“I might stop by and speak with Tom later this week. He working every day?”

“Yes.”

“All right. See you then.” Jake stepped out into the hall, and turned to wave goodbye. Then caught his breath as he met Tiffany’s gaze. There was warmth in her eyes, and promises.

“Let me know when you’re stopping by. I’ll make sure I’m there. That way Tom won’t try to escape when he sees you coming.”

Jake nodded and turned away. He didn’t have the heart to tell Tiffany he’d changed his mind. That he’d track Tom down at home instead. When he didn’t stop by her place, she’d assume he’d forgotten, or that he was too busy.

But the fact was, Jake couldn’t risk it. Couldn’t risk spending time with a woman who made him feel things he’d thought long buried. He’d been through one bad marriage. Had proven himself too emotionally distant to sustain a relationship. One woman had suffered for it. He wouldn’t let the same happen to Tiffany. If that meant staying away from her, if it meant turning his back on her offer of friendship, so be it.

He’d rather rebuff her now than hurt her later.

With that in mind, Jake walked out of the church and headed home.

By Friday, Tiffany was sick to death of sympathy phone calls and unannounced visits. Even her closest friends seemed convinced she’d been dumped, and had called and stopped by with enough frequency to make Tiffany cringe each time the phone rang or someone knocked on the door.

That didn’t mean she wanted to spend the evening alone. Unfortunately, all the friends who’d been so eager to offer sympathy and gather details, were busy. Probably with boyfriends, husbands or families.

Tiffany sighed and propped the fashion magazine up a little higher against the bedroom mirror before dabbing more gel onto her hands. The sleek, upswept hair the magazine model sported looked easy enough to duplicate. A dab here, a tuck there, a dragonfly barrette slipped neatly into place. What better way to spend a Friday evening than doing one’s own hair?

She deserved a little pampering and had the whole evening planned out—hair, facial, makeup, manicure. According to the magazines she’d spent a small fortune buying, Tiffany would be model-gorgeous in no time.

Not that anyone would be around to notice her glorious transformation. Tiffany shrugged away the thought and ran gelled hands against her hair. The past week had been tiresome and tiring. Business had kept her busy, and Tom had seemed even more quiet than usual. That and the fact that Jake hadn’t stopped by to speak with the teen made Tiffany wonder what was going on.

She suspected Jake had made a visit to Tom, just not at her house. The idea hurt more than it should. She barely
knew Jake after all, and meant nothing to him. Nothing but trouble.

Tiffany sighed again and smeared more gel onto a wayward curl. It sprang back up, and she pressed it down again, eyeing the result critically. The style looked nothing like the picture in the magazine.

She reached for the gel again, pausing when a flash of headlights illuminated the bedroom window. Patrol cars had cruised by her house every few hours for the past five days. Most of the officers didn’t bother driving up the driveway. Henry Simmons did. Tiffany had no doubt it was his car that flashed its lights across her window.

Slightly rotund and two inches shorter than Tiffany, Henry had introduced himself the first night of his patrol. His shy smile and green eyes had a hopeful, puppy dog expression that reminded Tiffany of Bandit. Hat in hand he’d explained that since he and Tiffany were both alone for the time being he thought they might spend some time together. Shocked, Tiffany had mumbled something about not being ready for another relationship.

Though Henry had accepted her answer, he’d come to her door every night for three nights running. And now, with Friday night looming empty before her, Tiffany wondered if she should have been more welcoming. After all, a dinner out didn’t constitute a dating relationship. And maybe, just maybe, she would have found Henry a likable companion, someone with whom she might consider a long-term relationship.

Tiffany snorted at the thought and Bandit, sleeping on the carpet at her feet, raised his head to look at her, his expression almost exactly mirroring poor Henry’s. It wasn’t that she thought Henry beneath her notice; it was more that Tiffany couldn’t imagine dating someone so close to her fa
ther’s age. Sighing, she glanced down at the magazine again. She would rather be home giving herself a makeover than out for dinner with a man she probably had nothing in common with.