Sweet Surrender Read online

  “It’s not spooky. Your eyes are beautiful and very unusual.” He didn’t realize he had moved until he stood next to her. “It’d be a painter’s dream to capture their gold and brown color with green flecks.”

  “Are you an artist, Pierce?” She had the dish towel clutched to her chest.

  “I’ve dabbled.” He hadn’t painted in years. As he’d grown older, he had pushed it, along with other activities, into the archives of his adolescent obsessions.

  She busied herself with the day’s meal, moving back and forth between the refrigerator and the counter where he stood. Her looks caught his attention, but he wasn’t the type to fall for surface veneer. Haley possessed an intangible quality that had drawn his respect from their initial meeting outside. When she’d stood her ground with a rake pointed at him, he’d seen strength and determination. She was a woman with kick-ass attitude.

  “Show me your work one day.”

  “I’ll have to blow off the dust.” Was there any law against pursuing a tenant? Wasn’t as if she were an employee. Of course, she could complain to the property-management company. That would be embarrassing.

  “You always seem to be pondering something.”

  He contemplated answering her.

  “Spit it out,” she demanded. “Are you a brooder? Walking around with your hands behind your back, pondering the world’s problems?”

  “Since you put it that way, I had two things on my mind. Would you be offended if I asked you out? And the other question, which keeps nagging at me, is whether you’re married or not?” Pierce would’ve loved to ask those questions with his face hidden behind the Sunday papers. He determined that Haley, however, needed to see his sincerity. He needed to assure her that he wasn’t a man from the mean streets trying to get fresh.

  “That answer was much more than I expected.”

  Pierce knew he’d blindsided her. The effect caused her to move around the kitchen, wiping the counter and then pausing to look at him before resuming the task. “Looks like it’s my turn to ask what you’re thinking.”

  “Haven’t dated in years. Not sure if I can handle the thought of a date right now.”

  He hoped that he hid his disappointment well.

  “What if we don’t call it a date?” she suggested. “I know you didn’t use that word. But I don’t want it hanging over me. It’ll remind me that there are dating rules, including all that pre- and post-dating do’s and don’ts.” She shuddered. “I may have to look at a popular sitcom to know what’s acceptable.”

  Pierce joined Haley’s laughter. He liked that she didn’t appear to mind poking fun at herself.

  “If I check on you, Pierce Masterson, will I find out that you ask out your other tenants?”

  “You won’t find out much. I don’t take much time to do such things.” He didn’t even have one serious relationship in his past. No woman had gotten that close.

  “Let’s have after-dinner coffee, then. Wednesday at seven? You name the place,” Haley counteroffered.

  Pierce provided the name and directions for Haley. He wanted to grin and pump his fist, happy that he and Haley shared a mutual attraction. “I need to get back to work.” He drained his glass. “Here’s the list of things I need to do in this house.” She took the list from him, reviewed it and handed it back to him.

  “Are you doing all of this today? Seems to be quite a bit.”

  “I’ll have to work it into my schedule. These projects should take about a week.”

  “Let me know when you’ll need to get into my bedroom. I’ll be sure to clean up so you won’t judge me.” She chuckled.

  “Will do.” He headed outside to fix the first step at the bottom of the back door. He pushed open the screen door.

  “By the way, Pierce, my ex-husband is very much a matter of the past. The ring helps me in certain situations, if you know what I mean.”

  “I understand completely.”

  Pierce usually looked forward to the weekend. Friday was game night at Sheena’s. Sheena, her husband, Carlton Sr., Laura and he played various board games, trivia games, anything that fed their competitive spirits. Saturday night was usually spent looking at sports on television, depending on the season. Then Sunday was family dinner, where all the siblings met at Sheena’s.

  Often, Omar canceled on dinner because he had a date. No one pressed him to bring his date, figuring that if he didn’t initiate that suggestion, then his companion wasn’t worth the family introduction.

  Part of the family-night ritual included Pierce picking up Laura on the way to Sheena’s. His sister didn’t have too many dates to conflict. Sheena had accused him of scaring the men away. He called it protecting his little sister from potential creeps. Laura’s sweet nature reminded him of their mother. She’d had a forgiving attitude that hadn’t always worked to her advantage.

  This Sunday evening, he had no messages on his answering machine. With the weekend almost over, only one call interested him. Sheena hadn’t called him. She couldn’t possibly be serious about not talking to him.

  Sitting at home in front of his laptop playing solitare made him feel like a loser. No girlfriends to call in a pinch. No real buddies who were living the partying bachelor life. And now, no family to call and hang out with.

  After the computer beat him for the umpteenth time and his nacho chips and salsa supply were depleted, he flopped down on his couch uttering a loud curse.

  “What the heck, I’m going to do it,” he muttered. An idea had formed and he wanted to clap himself on the back for thinking of it. He drove to Laura’s townhome around the same time that he always picked her up. He pulled up in front of the gated community of condos and punched in the code that his sister had shared with him. In no time he’d parked and now knocked on the door.

  “Hi, Pierce.” Laura hugged him briefly in the doorway.

  “Hey, Laura, you ready?” He noticed that she didn’t move away from the doorway, nor did she invite him in.

  They exchanged pleasantries as he remained standing in the hallway. He expected Sheena to act in this manner, not Laura, his usual ally.

  “Are you going to let me in?”

  “I really wish that I could. Sheena and I agreed that it’s best if we keep our distance from you for a little while.” She wrung her hands as if delivering the news depleted all her energy.

  “Those are Sheena’s words, not yours. And may I remind you that you agreed with my decision.”

  “I went along with it, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that I agreed with it.”

  “Since when did you get so sneaky?” The one person he could rely on had switched sides.

  His younger sister stared back at him, unfazed by his anger and accusation. She was also light complected like Sheena, but dressed quieter, without the loud colors and crazy designs. Her clothes tended to be muted shades of charcoal, grays and lots of black. Her only makeup was a touch of gloss to her lips, while her hair was either pulled back with a ponytail holder or twisted in a bun with hair clips.

  Unlike Sheena, she was so un-diva-like. He constantly complimented her about this wonderful trait because she didn’t play power games. Now his pure, sweet Laura had been corrupted.

  “You’re going to dis me, too,” he stated the obvious.

  “Please don’t look at it that way. We simply feel that you didn’t fully engage us in the discussion and decision. You’re the head and we’re the body. One can’t move without the other. I think that you forgot that point.” She took him back to his school days at St. John’s Catholic School when he’d often been scolded by the nuns.

  A car horn sounded.

  “My ride is here.” Laura eased out of the condo, forcing him to step farther back into the hallway. “Let me know when you want to have another family meeting. Here’s my two cents’ advice. I think that you’ll need to have the discussion at a different place, Sheena’s or mine. Your attitude doesn’t go over well when you play lord of the manor in your home.” S
he hugged him, patted his cheek and walked down the hall.

  He hurried past her. He’d bet anything that Sheena waited for her downstairs. This had gone too far. Now his older sister was pulling a queen-bee routine on him.

  He ran out of the building, heading straight to Sheena’s car. The tinted window rolled down. Instead of Sheena, her husband looked back at him.

  “Where’s your crazy wife?”

  “At home preparing dinner.”

  “Are you in on this, too?” Carlton wasn’t his favorite in-law, although he was the only one. He’d never done anything to disrespect his sister. But Pierce knew that one day this man would screw up and then he would be waiting for him.

  “I do as I’m told. Sheena said go get Laura. I put down my remote and I came to get her.”

  Pierce glared at him. This behavior was his problem. He needed to stand up to Sheena. Since Carlton obviously didn’t have the fortitude, then it was up to him.

  And darn it, he was hungry for a home-cooked meal.

  Laura got into the front seat. Pierce grabbed the back door to jump in. The door was locked.

  “I don’t think that you’ll want to come to dinner to make a scene,” Laura told him through the open window. “Sheena invited the pastor and his wife.”

  Pierce thought about the possibility, then dropped his hand. “Nice touch,” he muttered, recognizing that he’d lost this round.

  The car pulled away with his sister waving at him. All of this nonsense over a house. Why couldn’t they accept what he’d told them? Even if he gave in and had the family discussion, he’d already committed to Haley that he would sell.

  She needed the house.

  All he had to do was convince them that she was the ideal candidate, as he had already concluded. And he had to accomplish this small feat without alerting Haley that the house was a source of conflict. Thank goodness she had agreed to go out with him.

  He sighed and walked back to his car. It would have to be Chinese takeout for dinner.

  Chapter 3

  Haley fussed in the mirror. She couldn’t get the right side of her hairstyle to curl properly. In a last-ditch effort, she applied the curling iron to tame its wayward flip.

  “Mom, quit it.” Beth took the comb from her hands and fixed the hair with her fingers. “All done.”

  “I’m only going for coffee and I’ll be right back.”

  “I’m a big girl. Plus you lectured me to death about opening the back door. Don’t want to have that experience again.” Beth did an exaggerated shudder.

  Haley made a face at her daughter. “I’m not trying to be a nag. And I really won’t stay long.”

  “Especially if you don’t leave in the next five minutes.”

  Haley shot up, still doing a last-minute inspection of her image. “Should I wear the mules or the flip-flops?” She’d selected a simple blouse and a pair of slacks. “I don’t want Pierce to think that I’m on a date.”

  Beth rolled her eyes. “Mom, you’re so lame. I’d wear the sandals, but considering that you haven’t had a pedicure, the mules would be better.”

  Haley looked at her feet, wiggling her bare toes.

  “At least put on the toe ring we bought at the mall.”

  “I told you that it felt weird.”

  “Shows that you’re hip.” Beth held out the tiny band.

  Haley took the silver ring and slipped it on her second toe. She didn’t see a miraculous transformation, but she’d go along with Beth’s recommendation. “Gotta run. I’ll call you when I get there and when I’m leaving.”

  “You’re worse than a warden.”

  “What if I’m doing it for my safety?”

  “Fine. Call me every five minutes and especially if he tries to get fresh.” Beth puckered up. Haley shot a strong disapproving look, which brought knee-slapping laughter from Beth.

  Haley decided to ignore her daughter. Instead she looked over the directions once more and then drove to the coffee shop. To her surprise, when she arrived, the parking lot was filled with cars. College kids spilled out onto the sidewalk where there were a few additional tables. Since when did after-dinner coffee get so popular?

  Haley took a deep breath to squelch her nerves before opening the door to the shop. Inside, it reminded her of the lounge areas in her college dorm. Thick, comfy chairs and tables populated one part of the shop. A smaller section displayed items for sale. She moved closer to look at the mugs, carafes, even CDs.

  “Haley, over here.”

  Haley spied Pierce at the only table for two near the pickup counter. She returned his wave and hurried over.

  “Have you been waiting long?” she asked.

  “I came a little early because I knew that getting a table could be a pain.”

  “Didn’t realize that this was such a popular thing.”

  “Gourmet coffee cafés are big. Take a look at the menu board and I’ll order.”

  “Thanks, but we’re going dutch. Remember, this isn’t a date.”

  “Right, I forgot.” He grinned. “You go ahead, I’ll hold the table.”

  Haley looked at the various flavors, not sure what to order. Since Pierce wasn’t standing beside her to give a quick orientation, she now stood in front of the cashier drawing a mental blank. “I’ll try the iced mango-flavored green tea.” She turned down the dessert offers of cakes, cookies, scones.

  Soon it was Pierce’s turn. Haley waited until he returned before trying her tea.

  “Did you want to share my chocolate marble cake?” Pierce cut his slice into two pieces and slid half to her on a napkin.

  “No, thanks. Looks delicious, but I have to watch my weight.”

  “Take my word for it. You’re not overweight. Not even close.” He bit into his piece. “Women worry about weight and body fat too much.”

  “Easy for you to say.” She envied how he ate his slice without agonizing about the calories and the fat content. “Do you exercise?”

  “I do an hour every day. I’m no role model, though. I skip meals on a regular basis.”

  Haley looked at his hands. His fingers were long and tapered. She didn’t see any calluses, although the fleshy side of his palm was covered by a Band-Aid. “What happened?”

  “The hammer got too close to my hand and I pinched it between two pieces of wood.”

  “Ouch.” Haley grimaced at the thought. “Why don’t you hire someone?”

  “I had that exact thought when the pain rang through my hand to my head. If I do get someone, then I won’t get a chance to see you as often.”

  Haley grabbed the piece of cake and bit into it. She didn’t know how to respond. Having someone interested in her seemed strange. Her ex-husband used to be the only person to comment on her attractiveness. In his estimation, her looks had faded.

  “Hey, don’t get quiet on me.” Pierce touched her softly on her wrist.

  “It’s not you. Like I said, it’s been a while. I don’t know what to say. I’m thinking too much or maybe, not enough. It’s been only three days since I’ve moved in and I’m out with a man.”

  “And he’s asked you to marry him.”

  “What?”

  “Well, I figured that’s what your mind will come up with for the next installment,” he teased.

  “See, this isn’t good. You’re a mind reader.”

  “Have two sisters who are completely opposite. But they give me a good sample of what’s important to women.”

  “Sounds like you don’t get away with much,” Haley laughed. “Maybe I should thank your sisters for their efforts.”

  “And maybe you shouldn’t.” Pierce’s brow furrowed in mock outrage. “I know how to treat my date.”

  “Not that we’re on a date, but for conversation sake, how would you treat a date?” Haley licked her lips, her mouth felt dry.

  Pierce moved his drink out of the way and balled up the used tissue. Then he slid his hand under hers so that hers lightly rested on top. Haley hesitated. Should
she stare at her hands that tingled at his touch? Or should she return his steady gaze?

  “I think a man should be chivalrous. But I also think that he should be comfortable with his date taking the lead on what is appropriate.”

  “Appropriate? Like holding hands,” Haley prompted.

  “Or sharing a kiss,” he offered.

  She barely heard his voice over the enthusiastic chatter surrounding them. But the word kiss sounded as if he’d yelled it at her. In that instant, she couldn’t stop looking at his lips, thinking about how they’d feel pressed against hers. Whoa! Where did that come from?

  Haley pulled her hand away from Pierce. She didn’t want to raise his expectation, yet her body was giving off signals for a lot more than she was willing to handle.

  Conversation dragged, regardless of Pierce’s attempt to lighten the change in mood. Haley wanted to retreat to her home. She hoped that he’d allow her to take the lead, as he’d stated, to conclude their meeting. She finished her drink and quickly made her excuse to leave.

  There was no way that she was ready to deal with a man, not even a drop-dead gorgeous hunk.

  Haley conceded that everything in her life didn’t fit into a neat cubbyhole. Her daughter hadn’t fallen in love with her new school. Pretending that she could handle a coffee shop meeting with a man only revealed how unprepared she was to deal with that part of her life. Now her job presented its own complexities, but she couldn’t run away from her only source of income.

  Two months under Haley’s belt as an events coordinator for the city’s convention center did little to calm her jitters. If she’d been a nail-biter, she would’ve gnawed her way to the cuticle. It wasn’t every day that a former housewife sat across from a bank owner and his designer-suited entourage of advisers to discuss business. She awaited his decision. All she had to accomplish was his acceptance of their bid to host the community bank’s annual meeting. Her first major deal would serve as insurance for remaining employed.

  The advisers hovered over the paperwork. The all-male ensemble spoke in hushed tones, never making eye contact with her. The silver-haired owner merely sat back in the thick leather over-stuffed chair with his hands steepled over his ample chest.