Candidate For Love Page 5

  A man like JT beckoned to the unknown, unexplored depths of sexuality that most teenage girls couldn’t resist. And Christine, thirty years old and nearly divorced, felt like a teenage girl right now with him near.

  Searching for something to say to break the awkwardness of their proximity, she said, “Thank you so much for helping out today, JT.”

  He stepped back. “No problem. I was glad to help.” Considering her for a moment, he hooked his thumbs in the belt loops of his jeans. “You’re doing a good job with your kid.”

  The compliment wasn’t one she expected, and she looked directly into his eyes, finding a depth there that hinted of secrets. A warmth also shone through that indicated trust and reliability. A good person.

  She wondered what prompted the comment from him; it seemed more like it came from a knowing place within him. “I try my best.” She wrapped her arms around her waist. “It’s hard. With my campaign and the divorce proceedings . . .” She hesitated, not really wanting to get into these things.

  “You’re doing just fine.” JT rubbed her shoulder. “I’d better head out.”

  She followed him to the front door as he left, shutting the screen door behind him.

  He turned and instructed, “Be sure to lock up behind me.”

  “I will.” She watched until he straddled his bike, revved the engine, and roared away. “Good night, JT,” she whispered.

  After locking the door, she leaned against it for a moment and closed her eyes. The masculine scent of him still lingered in the air, and she indulged herself a moment to wonder what it would be like to have a man around.

  Especially one as sexy and good-looking as JT.

  • • •

  That Wednesday evening, Christine sat in the bleachers at Sammy’s football game, trying not to fidget. She was secretly hoping JT would show up to watch Nate in the game. Christine sat behind Nate’s mother, Maddie, curious at what she might know about JT. The crowd was sparse with plenty of space between the clusters of people in attendance.

  When Nate threw a pass that was caught and run in for a touchdown, Maddie jumped out of her seat to cheer for him. Once she sat down, Christine tapped her on the shoulder.

  “That was great! You must be proud.”

  “Oh, yeah. He’s doing so well.”

  Maddie hadn’t lost any of her youthful appearance since high school, still tall and thin. With her hair pulled back in a ponytail and the freckles on her face, she could easily pass for someone in her early twenties. Her son had the same coppery red hair as hers.

  They sat back down in their seats as the teams straggled off the field to prepare for the kickoff.

  “I met a friend of Nate’s the other night,” Christine blurted out of the blue. So much for being discreet.

  “Yeah?” Maddie turned around. “Who was that?”

  “JT.”

  “Isn’t he great?” Maddie’s voice gushed sincere enthusiasm. “I swear if he wasn’t like a brother to me, I would have been all over him in high school. Any girl who lands him will be so lucky.”

  “You knew him then?”

  Maddie nodded. “We lived together in those days.”

  Christine drew her brows in confusion.

  “We were in a foster home at the same time,” Maddie continued, apparently not embarrassed talking about it. “He was only there for a couple of months. It didn’t work out for him. He was pretty angry in those days. How’d you run into him?”

  “Actually, he helped my son and me paint our screened-in porch.”

  “That is so like JT, always ready to help someone out. Even back in school he stuck up for me, and the kids laid off once JT stepped in.”

  They clapped in unison as their boys came back onto the playing field.

  “He stops by a lot to watch Nate in his games,” Maddie added.

  “That’s nice of him.” Christine secretly wished he’d stop by tonight so she could see him again.

  “He’s really great with kids.”

  Christine nodded. “Yeah. Sammy really took a liking to him.”

  “It’s too bad he’s never settled down. Most women don’t picture him as the marrying type because of the long hair and leather and all. But he’d be a great catch.” Maddie giggled. “Sometimes my husband gets jealous of JT being my friend. You know . . . being so easy on the eyes and all.”

  Christine silently agreed with that. Maddie’s attention was again turned back to the game, so Christine excused herself and went to get something to drink. When she returned, JT was sitting next to Maddie, leaning back into the row behind them, his arms outstretched.

  Pausing, Christine took a moment to secretly observe him. His dark hair was pulled back in a ponytail. He wore dark jeans, and a black short-sleeved T-shirt that revealed his muscular arms and hinted at his sculpted chest beneath.

  He was tanned, tempting, and everything Christine had been raised to stay away from. But sitting here today, he looked a lot safer than the clean-cut boys like the one she had married and would soon be divorced from.

  Christine sipped her drink and returned to her seat behind Maddie and next to JT’s outstretched arms. Focusing on the game, she tried to keep her attention from wandering toward JT and his outstretched tanned arms. His dark hair reined in by a ponytail. The sunglasses that shielded the tawny gaze underneath.

  At the end of the third quarter, JT finally turned and saw her. “Hey, Christine.”

  She glanced into the unreadable dark lenses and returned what she hoped was a nonchalant, “Hey, JT.”

  “Has Sammy played tonight?” He shifted to lean toward her.

  “Once or twice. He ran for about six yards.” She shrugged. “I don’t think he’s ready for the Heisman just yet, but I’m proud. I’m sure he’ll be happy when he comes off the field.”

  “Good. What’s important isn’t always how he does on the field, or whether they win, but that you’re here in the stands supporting him.”

  “I try to plan my schedule so I can be at every game.”

  JT turned his gaze back toward the field. “You’d be surprised how many parents don’t show up or really don’t care.”

  From his comment, she wondered what JT’s childhood had been like. Had he playacted back then as the tough guy, his confidence only a bravado? Had his family been mean toward him? She could only wonder.

  Instead of those questions, she asked, “Did you ever want to play sports in high school?”

  His grin had a hint of a smirk. “No. My sport was trying to get to and from school, work, and home without being some other guy’s idea of his football to kick around.”

  Maddie turned around and joined the conversation. “My husband being one of those guys.” A big grin spread across her face. “But once JT kicked his butt real good, they became best friends.”

  JT and Maddie laughed, and Christine felt left out of their memory. She’d never known anyone who had fought in high school except for in organized sports. The crowd she hung around with had spent their time at movie theaters, dancing, or studying in libraries. She had never run into JT then. Their lives had been so different. Other than her campaign, she didn’t know of much else they had in common.

  Christine and Maddie chatted amicably during the rest of the game, mostly about kids, school, and quick dinner recipes. JT was silent most of the time, but he didn’t seem to mind. She’d never seen a man seem so relaxed, so comfortable in any setting he was in. She envied him that.

  She always worried about what she wore, how she looked, what people would think, would this or that get back to Tad in DC—and the biggest of all—what would her family think.

  Since she was a little girl, her parents had always stressed it mattered what others thought, so appearances were always to be kept up. Her parents were always busy and had little time for her, so she strived to do what they wanted to win their approval. As she watched the game, she wondered why she still worried what people thought.

  And running for mayor
placed her in a bigger fishbowl. She had always enjoyed doing for others, serving on committees and benefits to help those less fortunate. But why hadn’t she chosen to be involved in a career that was more behind the scenes, like being a lobbyist or the head of a social organization?

  Even when she was married to Tad, she was in the limelight as the wife of a politician. Perhaps she needed to think about what she wanted and not what others expected of her.

  Her thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of Sammy and Nate, both revved up from the game.

  “Hey, Mom. Where are we going for dinner?” Maddie’s son asked.

  “Tonight it’s your favorite, burgers at Duke’s.”

  “All right!” Nate jumped up and down. “Is JT coming too?”

  “I am.”

  Maddie turned to Christine. “Why don’t you and Sammy join us?”

  “Could we, Mom?” Sammy looked expectantly at her.

  Perhaps tonight was the night she should start reexamining her needs when her son looked so happy at the dinner invitation. Besides, she might learn more about JT, things that would make her feel comfortable about Sammy’s liking him.

  “Sure, why not.”

  “Yippee!”

  Sammy and Nate walked on either side of JT as they left the stands. Maddie and Christine followed.

  “I wish he would find a wife and have some kids.” Maddie shook her head in disappointment. “He’s really great with them.”

  Christine could only wonder what kind of woman would be able to keep his attention.

  In separate vehicles, they followed JT on his motorcycle to Duke’s. Christine had never been there before. They pulled up to a weathered wood structure that had a great view along the river. The cars parked there were an odd assortment from motorcycles and beat-up pickups to expensive SUVs.

  Chapter 6

  JT stood on the worn concrete porch of Duke’s, waiting for everyone to get there. He watched as Christine got out of her SUV, her tanned legs a sharp contrast to the white shorts she wore. The blue blouse set off the color of her eyes. Her blond hair looked like she had it cut and styled by some expensive salon.

  She looked out of place here, as if she’d just come from a round of tennis, not a kids’ football game. But she didn’t seem to be uneasy in a hole-in-the-wall diner she’d probably never been to before. And he found himself liking her for that.

  He held the aged screen door open and followed everyone inside. As they walked toward a table with a river view, he felt a strong arm grab his shoulder.

  “JT, you old dog. When did you blow back into town?”

  He turned around and looked into the red, roughened face of the best foster dad he had ever had.

  “Duke,” JT replied, and gave the burly man a big bear hug. “Good to see you again.”

  “Livia will be so excited. I can’t wait to tell her you’re here.” He slapped JT on the shoulder and said, “Land sakes, boy, why didn’t you let me know you were back in town?”

  Before JT could answer, Duke nodded at the rest of the group. “Maddie, Nate, how y’all doin’. There’s a few faces here I don’t recognize.”

  JT handled the introductions. “Duke, this is Sammy and his mom, Christine.”

  “I thought you looked familiar.” Duke wiped his meaty hands on the white apron, and shook Christine’s hand. “I never in my life have seen a politician in my restaurant before. Welcome.”

  A slight blush suffused her face. “Thank you.”

  “And that also means you’ve never tasted one of my famous burgers,” he continued. “Relax while I whip up the best burger you’ve ever had, and you’ll have to come back here for the rest of your life ’cause you’ll be ruined!” He laughed heartily.

  JT grinned along with him. “He’s not lying.” Gently, he nudged Duke in the direction of the kitchen, away from Christine and talk of politics.

  Duke called over his shoulder, “I’ll be back to talk to you about what this city needs.”

  JT rolled his eyes and whispered in Duke’s ear while he pushed him into the kitchen. “Hey, can you take it easy on her? She just came here after her kid’s game. She’s not campaigning.”

  Duke let out a snort. “You know better than anyone that there are a lot of people in this town with hard times and hard lives. And she sure doesn’t look like she had a rough upbringing. Isn’t she from that family of politicians?”

  “Yes, she is,” JT admitted. “But I don’t think she’s like them. She’s different. She doesn’t seem to have any prejudices.”

  Duke stopped just short of the kitchen door, and JT nearly collided with him as he turned back to say, “Now, why should she be prejudiced when she’s around a good-looking man like you? I’m sure she’s dallied with pool boys or repair men or something like that.”

  As much as he liked the man, JT found himself reining in his temper. “Duke, I’m warning you.”

  “Hmm. Seems like someone might be a little taken with her?” The older man’s eyebrows rose in question.

  “Don’t go getting any ideas like that. I’m working security for her campaign. That’s all.” JT wanted to stop Duke from any fantasies of JT being sweet on some woman. Even one as good-looking as Christine.

  “There’s always hope, isn’t there?”

  With a laugh, JT followed Duke into the kitchen to get a hug from the man’s wife.

  JT warmed as Duke filled Livia in on JT’s dining group while she squeezed and pinched him with affection. It had been too long since he’d seen his foster parents. He loved just standing in the kitchen and listening to the familiar sounds of banging dishes, sizzling meat, and shouts of “order up.”

  After the two of them calmed down, JT caught them up with what he’d been doing, including his latest assignment, minus the details. For years he had been a bodyguard-for-hire, usually for rock bands, and they were used to him being vague about his job assignments.

  Duke asked, “You’re also doing security for the festival bands coming to town? Am I right?”

  “You know I can’t divulge that information to you.”

  “I know I’m right. I’m always right.”

  Livia gave her husband a friendly swat on his fanny, and JT grinned. Just like old times. Except he was much older, wiser, and happier than he had been as a teen. It was good to be off the road and at home for a change. Most of his clients didn’t stop in West Virginia.

  “Listen, I gotta get back to my table.”

  “Your order will be out in a jiff.” Duke slung a towel across his shoulder and began assembling hamburgers.

  “Sorry to be gone so long,” JT said when he took the empty seat between Nate and Maddie.

  Sammy sat next to Nate, and both the boys were busy drawing figures in the sugar they had poured on the faded red linoleum table. Christine was seated between Sammy and Maddie, and across from him, which would make it impossible to avoid drowning in her baby blues during dinner.

  That wasn’t a bad thing; he just wasn’t sure it was good for him. Rule number one: never get involved with the clients you’re protecting. Rule number two: never let your heart get close to a woman. That was more dangerous than crazed fans and stalkers.

  JT preferred to keep things simple. A little dinner, a little dancing, a little lovemaking. No strings. No promises to break. No one to worry about him. No one to tie him down.

  One thing he knew for sure was Christine wasn’t the type of woman who’d simply enjoy time with him. She’d want commitments and promises and words of love. And that just wasn’t him. Emotions were something he rarely showed and, even rarer, felt. He found out long ago remaining removed from the situation kept him from getting hurt. And for thirty-two years, that had worked just fine for him.

  Duke and Livia came out of the kitchen carrying overloaded platters of food. There was enough to feed an army. He couldn’t wait to have his favorite, French fries dipped in gravy. Livia hovered around Maddie and Christine, fussing over whether they had enough to drink
and if they needed steak sauce or anything else.

  As JT’s attention was on Livia, Duke slid a chair over from another table, turned it around, and sat down with his arms covering the back of the chair. JT frowned as Duke nodded in Christine’s direction, knowing what was coming.

  “JT tells me you do a lot of work for charities.”

  Christine patted her mouth with her napkin. JT wondered if she thought she had ketchup there or if it gave her time to think of an answer. Politicians were usually pretty adept at that.

  “I do,” she said, but her next words weren’t what JT was expecting. “Do you have any charities you work with, Mr., ah, Duke?”

  Right there JT saw her disarm Duke’s brewing need for a confrontation, and his foster father’s face relaxed.

  “Sure do. I’ve been foster parenting for a long time. JT here is one of my prime success stories.”

  JT couldn’t miss the beaming look of pride Duke angled his way, but wasn’t sure he wanted a lot of his past brought into this discussion. He didn’t know Christine very well, and didn’t feel the need to discuss it with her.

  He probably knew more about her than she did about him since Tad had briefed him when he took the assignment. So he knew about her current situation, in addition to what he had known about her from high school.

  “Really?” Christine glanced at JT across the table.

  JT heard the empathy in her voice and noticed a softening of her eyes. He didn’t see pity there, just natural curiosity.

  “Yep. And I had him through his teenage years. Imagine that! That’s how I got all these gray hairs on my head.”

  Maddie and Christine laughed, while JT remained stoic in his chair.

  “I hope you get to whatever it is you want to talk to Christine about, because I know it’s not about me.” JT looked directly at Duke and could see the man got the message loud and clear.

  “All right,” Duke said to JT. “Wouldn’t want to embarrass you in front of your friends.”

  Crossing his swarthy arms across his apron-covered chest, Duke turned to Christine. “I work with the local neighborhood here. As you can tell, it’s not the best part of town. But for the most part, the people are good, hard-working folk. Some have had bad hands dealt them. Others just never had the gumption to want more than they’d grown up with. They just accepted it as their lot in life and stayed here.”