Reluctant Housemates Page 8

  “Yup. Three dollars for a night’s fun.” Pearl leaned closer. “And that’s only if I lose. I could win major bucks!”

  “Sure. Twelve dollars, tops. If you win every game. I remember how that works.”

  “Hi, Aunt Rachel! We’re here.” Jennifer, ready for a swim, came through the kitchen door and gave Rachel a hug. “Except David’s working at the marina, so Dad’ll get him later.”

  “I hope there’s room in the fridge for a whipped cream cake,” said Susan. “We brought some dessert.”

  “You bet,” replied Rachel quickly, opening the refrigerator door. Whipped cream was her favorite topping on any dessert.

  Then Alex approached. “I pulled into the driveway behind Dad,” he said. “How come you’re not parked there?”

  “The neighbor uses it, but I’m sure it won’t matter. The weather’s perfect,” Rachel added. “How about going for a swim before we eat? A lot safer than afterward.”

  In five minutes, everyone was sunscreened and in the water. The beach was crowded, all of Pilgrim Cove wanting one more swim before the season ended. The summer folks would be gone in two or three days.

  Susan and Jennifer jumped the waves. Pearl and Lou stroked and floated, their forms actually very good. Alex kept Rachel company beyond the break line as she swam out to sea.

  “On a day like today,” he said after a while, “I can see why you wouldn’t want to be anywhere but out here. Swimming is actually relaxing me.”

  His words sounded almost like a confession, and Rachel tried to frame her response carefully. “Exercise is known for reducing stress, Alex. Any kind of exercise.”

  “I’m aware of the theory.” His voice sounded sad.

  “Then just enjoy the day, Alex. Enjoy the day.”

  He grunted, then started to swim to shore. The rest of the family was already making for the house. Rachel swam for another few minutes before following. She picked up her towel, rubbed her hair semidry and started finger-combing as she walked up the beach.

  From a short distance away, she realized more people had joined their group. Her nephew, David, for one. Briefly, she wondered how he’d gotten there. And—holy Toledo! Jack Levine. The one person she didn’t want to see at the moment. Ah, well. She’d have to tell him about his lost lesson-plan book sooner or later.

  Everyone was gathered on the big porch and turned toward her as she arrived.

  “Hi, David. Hello, Dr. Levine.”

  “Call me Jack.”

  Darn, if the man didn’t look as good as she remembered. Sun-bronzed and wearing dark glasses. Exuding sexuality as easily as a flower exuded fragrance. “I gather you brought David home and saved my brother a ride. Thanks.”

  “No problem at all.”

  A curious quiet descended. Rachel couldn’t quite understand it. “Uh, would you like to stay and join us for a drink?” She glanced at her mom, but Pearl was smiling at Jack. Rachel focused on him again, too.

  The man removed his glasses, revealing eyes that shone with suppressed laughter. “A drink would be nice, but I’m not going anywhere, Rachel.” His voice trailed off, confusing her further. She waited. “I live here,” he said softly.

  A heartbeat passed while his words registered. “What!” She couldn’t believe it. “You…you…” She pointed toward the second-floor apartment, the Crow’s Nest, then turned back to him.

  “Afraid so.”

  She looked at her family. Her parents were smiling with delight. They must have known! But it was her brother who laughed long and loud.

  “This is so-o Rachel,” said Alex. “So typical. Where’s your brain? You’re here a whole week, so how could you not know who lives upstairs? Why didn’t you ask Bart before you moved in? Or after?”

  Rachel glared at him, but he didn’t seem to notice.

  “Not a damn thing has changed,” her brother continued. “She still needs a baby-sitter, but this time, it won’t be me! You’re the same—just older and…really not so skinny.”

  She suddenly felt all eyes on her. And her one-piece racing suit hid very little. Where was her robe when she needed one? Even better, where were some boxing gloves to use on Alex? Baby-sitter!

  “Guess she’s not an exclamation point anymore,” said Lou, coming over and giving her a hug. “That’s what I used to call you when you were a munchkin. A thin, straight line. But you did grow up.”

  It was Jack’s eyes, however, that gleamed in appreciation. “Grew up very nicely, too,” he said.

  She felt herself start to blush. Quickly she went inside to change her suit for faded jeans and a T-shirt. Nothing glamorous. Not even lipstick.

  When she returned, she saw that her dad had already lit the grill, and Jennifer was setting the outside table. Jack stood near Lou with a soft drink in his hand.

  “Is everything under control, Dad?” asked Rachel. “I need to speak to Jack for a moment.”

  She looked at Jack and jerked her head toward the steps. With a quizzical expression on his face, he followed her from the porch to the end of the backyard.

  Once at the low cement wall, she turned to face him. She’d forgotten that she had to tilt her head to meet him at eye level. Most men didn’t have more than an inch or so on her if they were taller at all. This man was different.

  “It’s confession time,” she began. “I hate starting off the year like this, but I seem to have misplaced your plan book. I’ve looked everywhere. Even went back to the school yesterday and searched, but I can’t find it. I’m really sorry.” She smiled. “As a peace offering, how about joining us for dinner.” She rattled off the homemade goodies.

  “That’s nice of you,” he said, his tone as relaxed as the rest of his body. “But you’re not the guilty party. You didn’t lose my plan book.”

  Surprise held her silent for a moment. “No?”

  “I never handed it in, so you’re off the hook, boss. It seems that I should buy you a dinner for all your lost time. And I’d be glad to.”

  “Never mind about that.” Remembering how much time she’d wasted, she glared at him. “You mind telling me why you haven’t turned in your plan book?”

  “That’s easy. I haven’t met the kids yet. How can I make plans when I don’t know who I’m dealing with?”

  His answer was reasonable, and she felt her anger dissipate. “We’ll talk later. Stay for dinner.”

  “Aye-aye, Captain.” He saluted her. “Can’t think of any place I’d rather be.”

  “And please stop flirting!”

  “Excuse me?”

  “At least with me. Save your moves for—” she waved her hand in the direction of the high school “—those women who were batting their eyelashes at you. They’re more than ready to welcome you to Pilgrim Cove.”

  “You’ve got a very friendly town.” His teasing tone was at odds with his sharpened gaze as he studied Rachel carefully. “In fact, Pilgrim Cove is becoming more interesting every minute. More interesting than I would have expected.”

  Confused, she turned away and led him to the porch, where they rejoined the party. Jack was an easy guest. He ate heartily and complimented everyone on the food. He joined in the conversation as though he’d known her family for years. And he seemed happy to talk about his own work.

  “Basically, I’m checking for polluted waters around Pilgrim Cove. I also monitor the health of our lobster industry. I come from the coast of Maine—smack dab in the middle of lobster country.”

  “How are you going to manage all of this while you’re teaching?” asked Rachel. “There are only twenty-four hours in a day.”

  “I’m flexible,” he replied with a grin. “So far, I’ve been going out most mornings to meet the lobster boats. Talk to the men about their catches. See if they’ve noticed any changes.” He took a deep breath. “I’ll go out evenings from now on, and all day on the weekends. It’ll work out fine.”

  “So,” said Rachel, studying him, “you’re a hands-on kind of person.”

  He
paused before replying, eyes darkening as he considered her statement. “I suppose you could say that. Sometimes hands-on is the best way to learn, to discover.”

  Rachel nodded, then sat bolt upright. “I hope you’re not thinking of taking your senior class out in your boat.”

  He stilled, a big smile crossing his face, and Rachel’s stomach flip-flopped. “You absolutely may not take the kids out on the water. Don’t even think about it!”

  When he shook his head and started to laugh, she knew she’d been set up. “Very funny,” she snapped.

  “You’re an easy mark, Rachel. I couldn’t resist. Of course I won’t take the students out on the boat. But you really have to loosen up or you’ll wind up with an ulcer. No job’s worth it.”

  Her open palm slapped the table. “Just follow the printed curriculum, turn in a plan book and make sure your students know their stuff and can pass the state exams at the end of the year. Do that, and I won’t get an ulcer!”

  “Well, well.” Alex glanced from Rachel to Jack and back again. “Game, set and match. Very interesting.”

  “I couldn’t agree with you more,” said Pearl.

  Rachel reached for the dirty plates in front of her. “I don’t know what you’re all talking about. Let’s clean up and play some volleyball.”

  She took the dishes and ran inside the house.

  CHAPTER SIX

  BEACH VOLLEYBALL HAD been part of Jack’s childhood, and he looked forward to participating in the game with Rachel’s family. Alex had brought the net and ball, and Jack had helped him set up the court.

  Now Jack’s eyes zoomed in on Rachel as she jogged to the net. What a pair of legs! And Jack definitely appreciated a good pair of legs. If Rachel thought faded jeans could hide her cute behind and shapely limbs, she wasn’t as smart as she’d seemed. Besides, Jack had seen her in a bathing suit and knew the truth.

  “Everybody’s playing!” Rachel called from the net. “Four on a side, and no excuses.”

  “Then Mom and I have to split up,” announced Jennifer, trudging across the sand. “We’re the worst in the family. I’m even worse than Grandma and she’s ol…got lots of gray hair.”

  The kid’s final words came out in a rush, and Jack admired her last-second effort to save herself from insulting her grandmother. It didn’t work.

  “Old?” said Pearl. “The child thinks I’m old! I’ll show you old.” And Rachel’s mother started chasing Jennifer, zigzagging to cut off the girl’s chance to escape.

  A minute later grandmother and granddaughter had their arms around each other and were laughing. Laughing hard. It made a nice picture.

  Jack glanced at Rachel, who was also watching the scene. Her expression startled him with its poignant mix of longing and resignation. She blinked and stared at the volleyball in her hand.

  Jack jogged to her side. “What’s the matter? Your mom’s not sick or anything and just putting on an act?”

  A vigorous shake of her head was the response.

  “So, is it Jennifer? She looks as healthy as a horse.”

  “She is, thank God.” Rachel turned toward the ocean, away from him. “And she’s so lovely and easy to love.” Her voice blended with the whisper of the waves.

  He’d thought most little girls were sweet and lovable. As Jack studied Rachel’s wistful expression, he recalled some of the information about her he’d picked up from the teachers who’d known her as a youngster. “She broke Lou’s heart with her grades and attitude.” And “She was so ungainly…her knees were black and blue from tripping on the stairs!”

  “If everyone were easy to love,” he said aloud, “the world would be boring. Plain old vanilla.”

  “I like vanilla.” With that, she sped away, volleyball in hand, and started assigning sides for their game.

  As if she were a general commanding her troops, she divvied them up. Alex and Jack on opposite teams. She took Jennifer and her dad and joined Alex. Jack had David, Pearl and Susan.

  “I’m apologizing in advance,” said Susan, smiling up at Jack. “You’ll lose because of me, and I don’t have gray hair…yet.”

  Rachel turned to her sister-in-law and him. “This is for fun, Susie Q,” she said. “Every player is important. There’s no winning or losing.”

  And who was she kidding? thought Jack five minutes later. After a few gentle volleys to warm up, his new boss was straining at an invisible leash. Her eyes gleamed, her feet pivoted, her legs had springs as she spiked the ball over the net. And yet, she kept encouraging her niece while protecting her, calling her name for volleys she thought the girl could handle while signaling the rest of her team to leave the ball alone. Concern for Jennifer seemed to be the only thing holding Rachel back at all.

  Jack knew her self-control wouldn’t last. And it didn’t. Gradually the intensity of the play escalated. Twenty minutes after they’d started, Susan and Jennifer had had enough and left the court, content to watch from the sidelines. Five minutes later, Lou and Pearl followed suit.

  He and David were strong players, but they were well matched by Rachel and Alex. None of the men, however, could match Rachel’s skill. Blocks, spikes, bumps, even digs—Rachel used every technique of the game, compensating for her slighter build with good form and strategy. She played with brains, not just muscle. Jack worked hard to contain her.

  “Isn’t she great?” asked David, turning to Jack at one point. The pride in the youngster’s voice was unmistakable.

  Jack nodded, but a spark of admiration ignited inside him. What made this woman tick?

  When dusk began to settle, Pearl called them for dessert. Jack walked to the net to shake hands with his opponents. Sweat poured from everyone’s forehead, but all the players were smiling.

  “So that’s what you call a friendly little game, huh?” Jack asked, wiping his face with a towel.

  “That’s what my sister calls it,” said Alex, glancing at Rachel with a grin.

  “You boys could have backed out at any time,” replied Rachel, eyes sparkling.

  “Hah!” Jack replied. “And have you call me a wuss? No way.”

  Her laughter rang out freely, her whole face alight with the joy of her mood. She looked absolutely beautiful. And invincible.

  Jack stared and forgot to breathe. He shook his head to clear it. He was hallucinating. He blinked and looked again. Her eyes still shone with pleasure, her delighted smile was still in place. And Jack felt as if he’d taken a punch to the stomach. A new layer of sweat dotted his skin, this time induced by fear. He needed to back off. For both their sakes.

  “Do you always play to win?” His question sounded like an accusation even to his own ears.

  She held his glance. “Yes.” One word. No embroidery. No hesitation.

  He shouldn’t have been surprised. He’d seen her giving pep talks at the school, building confidence in the staff. She knew that victory in battle required very clear goals, and she seemed good at setting them.

  “Yes,” she repeated. “I play to win in sports as well as in life.” She turned her head slightly to gaze over his shoulder. “I don’t always succeed,” she admitted before looking at him again. “But make no mistake, Jack. We are going to win at the high school this year. None of us can afford to lose that contest.”

  She was committed with her heart as well as with her mind. Although she might also have something to prove to herself, he’d seen and heard her devotion to the students.

  He’d been that optimistic once, too, about a hundred years ago when anything had seemed possible. When he and Kevin had been invincible. Then he’d learned how easily the future could change. “Sometimes ambition comes at too high a price,” he said.

  “Let me worry about that.” She patted his arm in a soothing gesture and walked toward the porch with a light, steady step. He watched her go, his mouth tightening as a shiver ran through him. She’d wanted to reassure him, but her confidence had the opposite effect. He exhaled and looked over the ocean. Not his pro
blem. He wasn’t getting involved.

  RACHEL LOOKED AROUND the dining room table feeling very content with the day. Her first bit of entertaining at Sea View House had gone off without a hitch. No surprises—except for Jack Levine. To think the guy was her upstairs neighbor! He and her entire family looked completely relaxed, sipping coffee and enjoying her mom’s whipped cream cake.

  “The orchards will be open in another two weeks or so,” said Pearl. “Maybe we can make a day of it on a Saturday or Sunday.”

  “I’ll go only if Aunt Rachel goes,” said Jennifer. “Gram and Mom do make great apple pies, though,” she added thoughtfully.

  “Can’t wait to climb those trees,” said Pearl with a straight face. “I’m very limber on those limbs.”

  “Grandma!” groaned Jennifer, shaking her head. “That was bad.”

  “I’ll have to let you know, sweetie,” said Rachel, breaking into the conversation. “Can’t make promises until I see how free my weekends are after school starts.” She smiled at Jennifer. “But it does sound like fun.”

  “Well, I won’t take excuses for tomorrow,” said Pearl, “from either of you.” Her gaze settled first on Rachel, then Jack.

  “What are you talking about?” asked Rachel.

  “It’s the Labor Day 5K Race for the Cure,” said Pearl. “This year Laura Parker—Matt’s new wife—helped Doc and Marsha Rosen organize it to benefit breast cancer research. It starts early—at seven-thirty. And I’ve already signed the whole family up.” She looked at Jack. “You can register in the morning. It’s not too late.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  Rachel covered her grin with her hand. “Mom doesn’t have a bossy bone in her body,” she deadpanned.

  “I noticed.” Jack smiled at her. “It’s good to know you come by the trait honestly.”

  Rachel purposely batted her lashes and pointed at herself. “Moi?” she asked innocently.

  He shifted back in his chair and nodded. She watched a smile slowly emerge on his very handsome face. Somehow the grunginess of the sand and exercise, plus the stubble of his beard, only made him more attractive. She studied him, trying to figure it out, until she felt someone staring at her. She turned her head.