Meant To Be (3 page)

Garrett rolled his eyes. “She's been waiting for you to ask her out for years."

"What? Why didn't you tell me? I'm not a mind reader."

"I did! And so did Sara. Don't you remember her telling you how handsome Muriel thought you were?"

"I remember. I just thought she was teasing. It never dawned on me...” A hopeful smile lit his face making him look ten years younger, but just as quickly his expression fell. “Hell, who am I kidding? I ain't been on a date in almost four years. I'd bore her to death before we even finished our salads."

"Don't be silly, Uncle Luke. You'd do fine,” Danny assured him as he rose to his feet. “Besides, she's already hot for you. That's half the battle right there."

Once Danny left, Garrett said, “So, you want me to get her number for you?"

Uncle Luke looked up, a twinkle in his eye. “Hell, why not? What's the worst that could happen? She turns me down? Not like I've never heard those words before."

Garrett laughed. “What man hasn't?"

"With that handsome mug of yours? Please, what woman would turn you down?"

"Jessica McGovern."

"Who?"

Garrett got up to refill his coffee cup. “You know, Jessica. Charlie Peterson's niece. I have a feeling she'd slam the phone in my ear if I asked her out."

"Then ask her in person."

Yeah, when pigs fly
. Garrett opened the cake box sitting on the counter and ran his finger through the frosting.

"So how about it?"

"How about what?” Garrett stuck his finger in his mouth and closed his eyes in pure ecstasy. “I swear, Sara makes the best chocolate frosting I've ever tasted."

"Go ask the young lady out in person. I've seen you put on the charm when you want to. You could win her over if you put your mind to it."

Garrett lifted the cake out of the box, then pulled a knife from the butcher block. “Who says I'm interested anyway?”
You just did, you idiot.

"Son, you can double-talk all you want. But I know you better than anyone, and there's no doubt in my mind you're interested."

"Well, you don't know me half as well as you think then ‘cause, frankly, I'd rather date a rattler.”
Probably be a whole lot safer with a rattler, too.

"Is that why you talked about her all through supper?"

"I was telling you about my exciting afternoon,” Garrett said, exasperated. “She just happened to be a part of it."

Uncle Luke leaned back against the counter and regarded him through concerned eyes.

With a sigh, Garrett set down the knife and turned to face him. “You worry too much. Listen, I'll make you a deal. The next time I see our new neighbor, if she isn't taking a swing at me, I'll ask her out. But then, next time you see Muriel, you have to ask her out. Deal?"

Uncle Luke grinned. “Deal."

[Back to Table of Contents]

"You sneaky old man, you knew she'd be here,” Garrett griped as he led his uncle out onto the back patio of Mike and Sara's new home. He'd spotted Jessica immediately, sitting on a lawn chair chatting away with the neighbors from across the street.

And damn if she wasn't the sexiest sight he'd ever seen. Long honey-blonde hair flowed in loose curls around her bare shoulders and down her back, a powder blue halter-top, several shades lighter than her eyes, emphasized ample breasts. And those gorgeous legs—what he wouldn't do to feel them wrapped around his waist—seemed to ooze out of a pair of well-worn Daisy Dukes.

"I knew Sara invited her, but I didn't figure she'd show up since she knew you'd be here.” Uncle Luke gave him a pat on the back.

"Gee, thanks. Any more compliments like that and I may have to curl up in a corner and bawl my eyes out.” Garrett turned on his heel and stepped back through the French doors into the living room.

Mike originally bought the big old house so he could be close to his son. But when Mike and Sara found their way back to each other, Mike had promptly proposed and asked her and Ethan to move in with him. They decided to throw a small, combination housewarming/Fourth of July party so Mike could get to know a few of the neighbors.

"Hey, about time you guys got here.” Garrett's younger brother, Nicky, walked out of the bathroom and made his way over. “Doesn't it blow your mind how much they've gotten done in just three short weeks?"

"I like the new carpeting,” Uncle Luke said as he stepped back inside. “It lightens the place up. That dark brown retro shag old man Pankovich had made the place seem like a damn tomb."

"I agree,” Garrett said, admiring the gleaming cherry banisters and baseboards, which looked brand new against the lighter shade of carpeting. “Who knew Mike would turn out to be such a handyman?"

"I heard that,” Mike announced from the vicinity of the kitchen. He came out with three bottles of Michelob clutched in his hand and strode toward them.

He shook hands with both men before handing them each a beer.

"You must've been reading my mind.” Garrett tilted the bottle to his lips and took a long pull.

Mike cocked a brow. “Bad day?"

Before Garrett could reply, Ethan raced into the house and headed straight for him. “Uncle Garrett, wait till you try the pool! It's awesome!"

Garrett set his beer down, caught Ethan around the waist, and hauled him up to his shoulder. “Hey, sport, having a good time?"

"Yep. Look how wrinkled my toes are.” Ethan stuck one foot up for inspection, almost kicking Garrett in the nose.

"Wow! You'll be lucky if those suckers ever get back to normal."

"I know, isn't it cool?"

Garrett ruffled Ethan's hair, then set him back on his feet. “So what did your mom make to eat? I'm starving."

"She made barbecued chicken, hamburgers, uh ... baked beans. Some yucky stuff with noodles and peas—"

Garrett glanced at Mike.

"Macaroni salad."

"—and ‘devil’ eggs, and the stuff with lettuce and those black olives—"

Garrett looked to Mike again who grinned.

"Taco dip."

Ethan crossed his arms over his chest and peered up at him. “Hey, if you eat, you can't go in the pool for like twenty minutes or you'll get stomach cramps."

"So come eat with me and we'll be able to go in the pool at the same time."

Ethan didn't exactly look thrilled. “Oh, all right. But as soon as it's time, we're going swimming."

"Absolutely.” Garrett held out his hand. Ethan took it and squealed with delight as Garrett hauled him back up to his shoulder in one smooth motion. The two of them headed outside to the buffet table Sara had set up.

Garrett smiled when he caught sight of Muriel.

"Hey, how's my favorite girl?"

Muriel tickled Ethan's feet. “Just fine. And how are the two best-looking men in Green Bay doing?"

"We're going swimming as soon as Uncle Garrett's done eating."

"Sounds like fun. So did Luke come along, or is he home puttering around in the garage?"

Garrett grinned. “He's here. We walked down together. As a matter-of-fact,” he glanced toward the house and lowered his voice to a conspiratorial tone, “he asked about you last night."

Muriel's eyes got big as hubcaps. “He did? Finally? Good God, I was starting to think the man was ... you know."

Garrett tipped his head back and laughed. “Ah, Muriel, Uncle Luke would've turned beet-red if he'd heard you say that. He's pretty darn shy, but he's not ‘you know.’ Why don't you break your own rule and go ask him out? He's old-fashioned, so it's not like he'd make you pay for dinner."

Muriel nibbled on her bottom lip and glanced toward the house. She was such an attractive woman, it surprised Garrett she was still single, even if her fiery personality did tend to scare most men off. She was petite, with big hazel eyes, shoulder-length nut-brown hair and a great rack. Garrett thought she looked closer to thirty than the forty-years-old he knew her to be.

"Maybe I will,” she said with a gleam in her eye.

"Good. And I know just how you can break the ice."

Luke Jamison nearly choked on his beer when he saw Muriel strolling his way with a killer smile and a plateful of food. She was so beautiful he couldn't believe some lucky guy hadn't snapped her up already. She had a figure women half her age would envy, and today she wore a pair of those low-rise jeans with a white, spaghetti-strap tank top that had the Led Zeppelin blimp on it.
Please, God, let something witty come out of my mouth.

He cleared his throat and gestured toward her chest. “You know, I saw them once, but it was years ago."

"Oh, I don't think so.” She grinned. “I would've remembered something like that."

Heat crawled up Luke's neck. “I, uh, what I meant was ... ah, hell, I'm an idiot."

"Actually, I think you're cute. And I know what you meant, I was only teasing.” She stopped in front of him and held out the plate. “Garrett asked me to bring this in to you."

"Thanks.” He accepted it without making eye contact.
Chicken shit.

"Don't mention it.” She took a seat on the beige and gold flower-patterned sofa and patted the cushion beside her. “I'd be happy to keep you company while you eat."

"Maybe I should go eat this out on the patio. Sara'll skin me alive if I plop barbecue sauce on their new furniture."

"Relax, Luke. After four kids, trust me, I'm an expert at taking out stains."

With a hesitant nod, he walked over and sat down next to her, being careful not to sit too close. With his luck, he'd end up getting barbecue sauce on her as well as the sofa.

"So how have you been?” she asked. “I haven't seen you down at the station in quite a while."

"I've been working a lot. Eating up the overtime.” He picked up his fork and took a bite of the macaroni salad.

"Tasty, huh? Your Sara sure can cook.” Muriel crossed her legs, her sandaled foot brushing his calf. “You know, I'm not a half-bad cook myself."

He glanced up after another bite of macaroni salad. “Can you make pierogies?"

"My maiden name is Slotkowski; what do
you
think?"

He held her gaze for moment before dropping his back to his plate.

Muriel took heart. Luke Jamison was easily the shyest man she'd ever met. And one of the best looking. He stood just shy of six-feet, had a thick, full head of salt and pepper hair with a matching mustache and beard that he kept neatly trimmed. Muscular, like his nephews, he was in surprisingly good shape for a man of nearly fifty. He wore a well-worn pair of Levi's with a black pocket T-shirt tucked into the waistband, which showed off a lean waist from all the years he'd spent doing hard physical labor at the paper mill. He had big, brown bedroom eyes, and some of the sexiest hands she'd ever seen.

Muriel had been itching to feel those hands on her since the moment they'd met.

He'd returned his attention to his plate, and more or less just picked at his food. She decided to take it as a good sign, how uncomfortable he seemed around her. “I'd be happy to make those pierogies for you, Luke. Maybe you could come by my place for supper one of these nights?"

He looked up, his expression hopeful. “Really? I'd like that."

"It's a date then. What night's good for you?"

He shrugged. “Any."

"How about Friday? I could make a pork roast and sauerkraut to go with the pierogies, and maybe we can watch a movie afterward?"

"Sounds good.” He cleared his throat. “What time should I be there?"

His shy smile was a surprising turn on. “Five. That'll give us plenty of time for supper and a movie.”
And if I pick up a bottle of wine, maybe a little more.

"Five is perfect."

Muriel reached over and patted his thigh. “Great, then I'll see you Friday."

Jessica cast a quick glance at Garrett, who polished off his second plate of food while his nephew looked on with obvious annoyance. The guy was so hot and cold Jessica didn't know what to think of him. And so unlike the rest of his family. “It amazes me that
that
man is related to you."

"I know he can come off like a jerk sometimes,” Sara Jamison replied, “but I promise you won't find a more loyal, trustworthy guy.” She grinned. “Once you get past all the thorns."

Jessica shrugged, less than convinced. “Sorry, but I've had my fingers pricked one too many times as it is."

"Well, that's a shame because I happen to know he has a thing for you."

Jessica snorted. “He wants to get in my pants."

"Yeah, but it's more than that. Take it from someone who knows. He's practically burned a hole in the side of your head staring at you."

Jessica glanced back, and sure enough, he was watching her. When their eyes met, he quickly looked away. Jessica's brows rose. Could Sara be right? Did Garrett Jamison have more than just a passing interest in her?

Im-frigging-possible. “Maybe he's wondering how much it would cost to have me euthanized,” she mumbled under her breath.

"What?"

"Nothing, just talking to myself.” She plastered a smile on her face. “Listen, thanks for including me, but I think it's time I head home. I have to work tomorrow and haven't touched my laundry yet."

Sara frowned. “You're not letting him run you off, are you?"

"Please, and give that man more power than he already
thinks
he has? No, honest, I have plenty to do at home."

"Good. And I'm glad you came by. Hope you enjoyed yourself.” They both stood, and Sara gave her a hug. “Just promise you'll keep an open mind if Garrett ever does decide to reel you in."

Jessica chuckled. “'Reel me in'? Woman, you are long overdue for some female companionship."

"Where's she going?” Garrett asked as Jessica disappeared into the house. He peeled off his T-shirt and stripped out of his jeans revealing navy blue swim trunks beneath.

Ethan ran past with a loud “Outta my way!” and cannonballed into the pool.

"She has to work tomorrow and had some chores to take care of."

"Hmmph."

"It's obvious you want her,” Sara said. “Why not just turn on the charm and go get her?"

"I don't want her. Hell, she's so bitter her lips probably taste like persimmons."