Some days were better than others. Sometimes she went for months without an episode like last night. But then she’d think she was getting better and would forget to take her meds. Or refuse to take them.
It was a vicious cycle, one they were all trapped in.
She was his mother and he loved her. He’d do anything for her.
But now he wanted to get the hell back to Annabelle.
He owed her an explanation for his abrupt departure last night. He’d promised her his assistance and he wasn’t going to leave her high and dry.
“Then I’m glad I could help.” He turned the knob after giving his father a nod. “I’ll see you later.”
Thirteen
“I want floating walls and I’ve got the paint color already picked out. On the ceiling, I want a track lighting system that can be adjusted depending on the number of pieces I have on the walls at any given time.”
As he’d done Monday, when this had all started, Jared entered the shop unnoticed. This time, though, the passionate dancer had transformed into a focused business woman.
“I’m also going to need you to install a ramp at the outside entrance into the basement to offload furniture.”
From the front room, he saw her consulting with a lanky man who towered over her inside the storage room where she was going to expand her gallery.
Standing with her back to the front room, she couldn’t see him and he could only see the back of her. She had her beautiful hair pulled back into a severe braid and wore baggy jeans and an oversize white shirt that hit her mid-thigh, covering what he knew to be a perfect ass.
Desire made his skin heat and his hands clench with the urge to touch her.
He watched her hands move as she described how she wanted the gallery to look. He wanted those hands on his body. He wanted his hands on her breasts, on her ass, on her thighs, holding her open—
Well, shit. Now he had a hard-on.
Tearing his gaze away from Belle, he looked at the man standing with her, hanging on her every word. Jared didn’t think the guy would notice if a bomb dropped next to him. From the expression on his face, Jared could tell the guy had the serious hots for Belle.
And his blood began a slow boil.
He caught himself before he barged in and laid claim to her, like a goddamn caveman. Put his arm around her shoulders and draw her into his side. Better yet, press a kiss to her delicate, sensitive nape. She’d shiver and her eyes would flutter closed.
The other man, standing with his hands shoved in his pockets, would know she was off-limits. His.
Which was ridiculous. He didn’t do possessive jealousy. Hell, he actually liked to share.
Delayed reaction to last night. That’s all.
Taking a deep breath, he merely watched.
She was a woman with a mission, and it was the sexiest thing Jared had ever seen. He could stand here and listen to her talk all day.
“So, you’ll have an estimate for me by the end of next week, Henry?”
“Absolutely, Annie. I’ll bring it by myself. Should have one worked up for you in about three days.”
Jared barely bit back a snort. Of course Henry would return with the estimate himself. He’d do anything to get in Belle’s good graces and her baggy jeans. The fool would probably work it up tonight and bring it by tomorrow.
Belle gave the obviously smitten Henry a huge grin and a squeeze on the arm. “Thanks so much. I knew I could count on you for this. Tell your mom and dad I said hi and that I’m still looking for that missing piece to your mom’s china pattern. I’ve finally got a lead. I’m hoping this one pans out.”
“Well now, I know Mom’ll be glad to hear that. She’ll want you to come to dinner, you know, so she can show it off.”
“I look forward to it. Your mom makes the best schnitz und knepp.” With one more smile for the smitten contractor, Belle turned to walk the man out but froze as soon as she caught sight of Jared.
Her eyes widened and her lips parted like she was going to say something. Then she gave him a bland smile and led Henry to the door.
The contractor gave him a once-over before Belle thanked him again for coming over on short notice and closed the door behind him.
Then she flicked the lock on the door and leaned back against it, watching him.
“I take it you’re moving ahead with plans for the gallery.”
She nodded. “It’s a good idea. I’m surprised to see you back so soon.”
“The problem was resolved faster than I anticipated. Are you finished for the night? Would you like to go to dinner?”
Damn, he really hoped that didn’t sound as desperate as he thought it had. A pain he’d thought was heartburn had been building in his chest since he’d left his parents’ home. But he hadn’t eaten anything in hours.
And the feeling was more like something cracking apart. He clamped down on the urge to rub at his sternum.
“Actually, I made plans to meet Kate and her fiancé for dinner.” She paused again, just long enough for that ache to crank up the intensity a notch, before she continued. “Would you like to join us?”
No, he wanted her all to himself. He wanted to crook his finger and have her come to him. Wanted to tear the shirt over her head, put his mouth on hers, and lose himself in the sweetness of her, in the heat he knew he could elicit from her. The heat that would ease the tight knot in his chest.
He wanted her spread out beneath him, screaming his name as he made her come.
He forced a natural-looking smile. “I’d love to, if you think your friends won’t mind.”
Annabelle’s smile certainly looked more natural than his felt. “Kate will be happy to see you again and Arnie wants whatever Kate wants.”
“Sounds like true love.” Which really sucked for Tyler. His brother had asked about Kate again this morning.
Annabelle finally pushed away from the door and walked over to him. “I’m sure he loves her. I just…” She shook her head. “Anyway, I hope you don’t mind pizza.”
He couldn’t care less what they ate as long as they did it together. “Love pizza.” Then because he couldn’t help himself, he said, “That man has a thing for you.”
Belle’s brows lifted in surprise and she smiled, just a slight tilt of her lips. “Henry? He’s a nice guy and a good friend. He and his father helped Granddad with the original renovation of the building. When Bud, Henry’s dad, had a heart attack last year, Henry took over the business.”
He let his gaze roam over her features, the wide eyes and mouth, the freckles sprinkled on her adorable nose and cheeks. He wanted to lick them. “Do you know everyone in town?”
When she shrugged, he followed the movement of her shoulders, barely visible beneath that oversize shirt. For a man used to women who dressed in designer clothes to walk their yappy little dogs, he shouldn’t be as turned on by a man’s white button-down dress shirt and a pair of baggy carpenter jeans, the pockets filled with pencils, business cards, and at least two small objects he figured were tape measures.
“It’s a small town. Everyone knows everyone else. I take it the problem at the hotel wasn’t too severe?”
The tone of her voice was steady but her gaze searched his. “No, not too severe.”
The need to talk to Belle about his home situation, about his mom, shocked the hell out of him. He never talked about that, not to anyone but Tyler.
He’d never had any desire to talk to his friends about it. Most had known his mother all their lives. They’d treat her differently if they knew how severe her problem was.