1022 Evergreen Place - Debbie Macomber [56]
“Okay now?” Mack whispered.
She nodded.
“No more talk of moving back to Seattle?”
“Not my smartest idea,” she admitted.
“Good.”
She straightened. “You heard what David said. Ben wants me to file for child support. He believes David needs to be held responsible for Noelle.”
“Is that something you want to do?”
“I…I don’t know.” Ben had made a good case, but although she’d listened intently to everything the older man had said, Mary Jo wasn’t convinced.
“I don’t like the idea of David talking to you like that.” Mack’s voice was steely. “I don’t like his threats or his insinuations.”
“He’s afraid.” She realized that he dreaded facing eighteen years of child support and wanted out. If that involved making her life miserable, then he’d do it.
Mack opened the door. “I meant what I said.”
Mary Jo looked at him, confused by his comment. “About what?”
“Marrying you.”
Not that again. “Mack, thank you, but no.”
He stared at her, and for an instant she saw hurt and disappointment in his eyes before he could disguise his feelings.
“Haven’t we been through this before?” she asked, hoping to make light of his proposal. “The last time, your proposal was prompted by another one of David’s threats.” If he really wanted to marry her, Mary Jo wanted to be loved for herself and not because Mack was afraid of losing her or Noelle to David Rhodes.
“I guess I forgot,” he muttered, striding toward his side of the duplex.
“Mack!” she called.
Abruptly he turned to face her. “What?”
“You’re still coming for dinner, aren’t you?”
He shook his head. “No, thanks. I’ve lost my appetite.”
Fifteen
Shirley Bliss was curled up on her living room sofa, feet tucked beneath her and a cup of tea in her hand. Her friend Miranda sat across from her, holding an identical mug, also filled with steaming tea. Miranda had recently accepted a part-time job with Will Jefferson, which in Shirley’s opinion was good for Will and for Miranda. Her friend didn’t need the money, but she was at loose ends and Will could use the help. Besides, Miranda had connections that could benefit the gallery.
Her husband had been a well-known landscape artist. Miranda dabbled in art, too, although she lacked the discipline to capitalize on her talent. However, she had an excellent eye and her criticism was incisive.
“I’ve been dying to hear about your hot date with Will Jefferson,” Miranda said.
“I wouldn’t exactly call it a hot date,” Shirley said, not meeting her eyes. Shirley felt mildly guilty for accepting Will’s invitation. In all likelihood, she would’ve found yet another excuse to refuse if not for the fact that he’d asked her to the gallery event, where she’d met Larry Knight. Shirley couldn’t turn down the opportunity of a lifetime.
When they did meet, Larry was everything she’d imagined and more. They hadn’t spoken long. He’d told her he’d lost his wife five years earlier, and an instant rapport had developed between them. Those minutes alone with him—despite being in a room full of people—had been magical.
“Will took you to Canlis, didn’t he?” This was one of the most exclusive and expensive restaurants in Seattle.
“Uh, yes.”
Miranda gave a short laugh. “Apparently he didn’t get the message that you don’t eat red meat.” Shirley wasn’t a full vegetarian and did on occasion eat beef, but not often and never steak.
“He got it by the end of the night.” The message about her food preferences wasn’t the only one. She couldn’t have been any clearer—she wasn’t interested in pursuing a relationship with Will Jefferson. While she appreciated everything he’d done for Tanni and Shaw, that appreciation didn’t imply any kind of romantic relationship.
“He talked you into letting him display your dragon piece.”
That, too, had been prompted by the guilt Shirley felt over using Will, primarily in the situation with Tanni and Shaw. The dragon was a deeply personal work of art that she’d never allowed in public before and wouldn’t again. He wanted it up for the summer and she’d reluctantly consented,