A Perfect Distraction

Perhaps he should explain. “That was a former teammate on the Blackhawks—Nick. He used to share an apartment with Adam. I guess you know I was injured in a car accident?”

She nodded again, watching him warily.

“My friend Adam...it was Adam’s car. He was driving. He lost control and—” he coughed to clear the lump in his throat “—was killed.”

The bald statement left a bitter taste, but Maggie didn’t need to know about Adam’s weird behavior on that drive. His trembling fingers on the gearshift, the sweat beading on his forehead. How he’d veered between moods as wildly as he’d swerved between lanes.

She also didn’t need to know Jake had deliberately ignored the signs Adam was troubled because he’d cared more about getting to the party than finding out what was wrong.

Maggie’s expression softened slightly. The sadness in her eyes hardened his emotions. Jake didn’t want, or deserve, her sympathy.

He stepped closer. Her body remained tense but she didn’t flinch.

“Nick’s been traded to L.A.” He quickly explained the bastard’s demands to Maggie. “With house-hunting and training camp about to start, the timing sucks. But I have to rescue Adam’s stuff.”

Maggie’s shoulders had loosened a little as she’d listened to him. When he was done, she said quietly, “May I make a suggestion?”

Damn, the way she bit her lip like that said she was still nervous about him. “Sure.”

“I could arrange for a packer to go in and collect Adam’s boxes, then have them delivered when you find a house.” Her voice grew stronger. “It’ll save you the trip.”

Adam’s things would be safely out of Nick’s reach and he wouldn’t have to deal with them until he was ready. A huge weight lifted off his shoulders.

He smiled. “You’re a lifesaver. Thanks, Maggie.”

“All part of the service.” She reached in her bag for her ever-present pad. “If you write down the necessary information, I’ll sort it out.”

Jake was returning her pad when Mimi pushed through the door.

“There you are. Come in out of this heat.”

“Be right there.” Maggie slipped the pad into her purse and joined the real-estate agent.

As he followed her to Mimi’s office, Maggie’s stiff body language reminded him of what had happened earlier, her fearful reaction to his anger. His mind began to whir with images of other incidents—her jittery behavior at their first meeting, her defensiveness when he’d challenged her, the way she’d flinched when he’d touched her in that damn house with the fishpond. Were her reactions more than concern about an aggressive hockey player? Was something in her past coloring her judgment? Had someone treated her badly?

It made a strange kind of sense.

Fury surged within him at the thought of anyone mistreating her, but he tamped it down. That wouldn’t help either of them. He’d just have to be careful how he acted with her.

No sooner had the thought crossed his mind than guilt twisted Jake’s stomach.

Who was he kidding? He’d let Adam down, a guy he’d been friends with nearly all his life. What the hell made him think he could do better with a woman he’d known for a few weeks and whose past could involve problems more serious than the pressures of the NHL?

On the surface, Maggie appeared to be the perfect woman for him to date. But if he was right, what lay beneath made things a whole lot more complicated. Despite the sizzling attraction, complicated was a distraction he didn’t need.

More importantly, he wasn’t the right man for Maggie. She didn’t need a man she’d always doubt because of his career. A man whose emotions were still too raw, as his argument with Nick had shown. Maggie needed someone she could count on to be there for her. Not one who doubted himself.

“Are you ready, Jake?” Mimi’s voice cut through the tumult inside him.

Realizing he still stood in the doorway, he cleared his head, then went to sit in a chair in front of Mimi’s computer.

Maggie kept her distance, leaning against the desk instead of sitting beside him, as she usually did. A new tension hummed in the air between them.

“What have you got?” he asked.

“There are two new properties.” Mimi clicked on the local listings. “The split-level is nice, but nothing special. I think you’ll like the other one, though.”

She was right about the first house. He leaned forward to check out the second. His pulse quickened at the picture of the elegant Victorian. Jake hoped the on-screen details weren’t exaggerated. From the wraparound porch and the dark green shutters to the white picket fence and the large yard full of old trees, this house was everything he’d hoped for.

This one felt right.

Before he could stop himself, he looked up to see what Maggie thought. Their eyes locked. His heart stuttered. Excitement zinged through his veins.

Then the hesitance in her gaze registered, making his body stiffen.

Deliberately, he turned away.

“Looks great, Mimi.” He grinned at the agent. “I have a real good feeling about this one. I want to go and see it ASAP. When can you fix something up?”

“I’ll make an appointment for tomorrow morning. Is that okay?”

“Sure. Thanks.”

“Tomorrow morning’s good for me, too.” Maggie leaned over to direct his attention to the large den.

Heat rushed through him as her scent teased his nostrils. Sparks shot up his arm where her fingertips brushed him.

Damn it. He had to get out of here.

He pushed back the chair and stood. “Are we done?”

Both women looked startled by his abrupt tone.

“Uh, yes.” Mimi sent a questioning look at Maggie, who nodded.

Jake’s goodbye skated the edges of politeness. He didn’t draw a steady breath until he pulled into his parents’ drive.

Turning off the ignition, he slumped in his seat. Back to square one. Well, maybe square one and a half—the house did look perfect. That, and hockey, was enough for now.

Finding the perfect woman would just have to wait.

* * *

BY THE TIME Maggie pulled into Tracy’s driveway, she was drained and weary.

The afternoon’s emotional roller coaster had left her as wrung out as a damp dishcloth. The throb over her left eye warned of a looming tension headache. She rested her head on the steering wheel, trying to summon up the energy to get out of the car and go into the house.

If she’d needed any more reasons for why Jake Badoletti was wrong for her, the incident at Mimi’s office had provided plenty.

She wasn’t a fool. She knew Jake wasn’t Lee. There was something about him, his character and his values, that set him apart from her ex. She’d barely known him a week, had hardly scratched the surface of who he was, yet the differences were clearly visible.

Sadly, the similarities were clearly visible, too. His quick temper when things didn’t go his way, the sudden switches from charming to furious to cold indifference and back again.

Patterns of behavior that, this time, she wouldn’t...couldn’t ignore.

Tap, tap.

She jerked upright. Emily stood next to the car.

Maggie opened the car door and gave her daughter a tired smile.

“You’re too old to have a nap, Mummy.” As usual, Emily looked like she’d been through the wars. A bandage on one knee and mud stains on her shorts.

“You’re never too old to need a nap.” Maggie plucked a leaf out of one loose braid. “When you get to be as old as me, you’ll look forward to an afternoon snooze.”

“I don’t want to be that old, ever.” Emily grinned. “I want to show you the fort Amy and me made.”

Maggie allowed her daughter to pull her out of the car. If only they could bottle Emily’s energy—her ancient body could use the boost. She massaged her aching temple, then plastered a cheery expression on her face.

Emily wasn’t fooled. “Are you all right, Mummy?” Her wide-eyed gaze swept Maggie from head to toe. “Did that Mr. Bad Boy hurt you?”

Her shaky words drove a dagger into Maggie’s heart. “No one hurt me. I had a busy afternoon and probably did too much in this horrid heat.”

Concern furrowed Emily’s brow, making her look older than her years.

Maggie damned herself for not having had the courage to leave her marriage sooner. For not realizing the emotional damage Lee had done to their daughter. Though he hadn’t laid a hand on his daughter until that final night, she’d borne witness to too much. Maggie would never let that kind of ugliness touch Emily’s life again.

That’s why a relationship with Jake wasn’t worth it. Ensuring her daughter was happy, healthy and safe was far more important than whatever fun she could have with him.

She hugged Emily. “I’m okay.” She tried to sound normal, but her voice came out reedy.

Emily’s arms tightened around her. “Don’t worry, Mummy.” She looked up, her expression fierce. “I’ll take care of you. I won’t let anyone hurt you.”

Maggie’s eyes burned. “I won’t let anyone hurt you, either.”

For several moments, they stood there silently. Maggie drew comfort from her daughter’s warm, slight frame and her strength and courage. Emily was coping with this mess far better than she was.

That had to change. Starting now.

Pulling herself together, Maggie straightened. “Let’s see your wonderful fort.”

Emily shook her head. “Later. Right now, you need chocolate.”

“You’re right. Chocolate will make me feel good as new.”

Holding hands, they skipped to the house. They burst into the kitchen, laughing.

“We need chocolate, Auntie Tracy.” Emily dashed to the fridge, delved beneath the lettuce in the salad drawer and brandished a half bar in its distinctive purple wrapper.

Tracy looked up from her laptop, as Maggie sank into a chair opposite her at the kitchen table. “Why do you need some of my chocolate?”

“Mummy had a tiring day.” Emily lowered her voice conspiratorially as she doled out the Cadbury bar. “I think Mr. Bad Boy wasn’t very nice to her.”

Tracy’s eyes narrowed. “Really?”

“Emily’s exaggerating.”

“I bet Mummy sorted him out.”

“I hope so.”

Emily read the tension humming in the air and sighed. “Can I go back to Amy’s?”

Before Maggie had finished nodding, Emily had raced out the door. She was probably as keen to miss the rest of the conversation as her mother.

Maggie tried to preempt the storm brewing in her sister’s expression. “Jake didn’t do anything to me. He was cross about something. I misunderstood and overreacted.”

“Are you sure that’s all there was to it? You look terrible.”

“He was arguing with a former teammate.” She paused, trying to be honest. “I was scared he’d take that anger out on me. But he didn’t.”

She explained about Nick wanting to auction off Adam’s things and her suggestion to resolve the issue.

Tracy relaxed. “Okay. But if Jake ever scares you, I’ll make a formal complaint to the Cats. No contract is worth that kind of behavior.”

“Thanks, but this was more my fault than his.”

“Isn’t that what they all say?”

Maggie winced as her sister’s point jabbed home. “I suppose if I say this is different, you’ll repeat that comment.”

“Too bloody right. I was too far away to help you with Lee, but I won’t let anything happen to you here.”

“There was nothing you could have done. I had to decide to leave and find the strength and courage to follow through.”

“I know, but if I’d only...”

“No point rehashing the ifs and buts, sis. I have enough guilt of my own. Let’s not add yours into the mix, too.”

Tracy gave a shaky laugh. “All bets are off if Jake or anyone else tries to hurt you.”

“Same goes.” Maggie squeezed her sister’s hand.

“That reminds me—Samantha called.”

“My solicitor? Did she say what she wanted?” Whatever it was, it couldn’t be good. Samantha rarely called unless something important had come up.

“Lee wants to speak to you.”

“What? But why?” Maggie hated that she sounded small and weak.

“She didn’t say, just asked you to call in the morning, as she’s in court today.”

Maggie tried to figure out what her ex could want. “It doesn’t make sense. He moved on the minute the ink was dry on our divorce decree.” In truth, he’d moved on long before that.

“I’ll say. According to the press, it’s been a nonstop parade of it girls for the past nine months. I hear his latest is an actress from one of the afternoon soaps, Patty something.”

A terrifying thought occurred. “What if he’s changed his mind about Emily?”

Tracy dismissed her words with a flick of her hand. “He’s always said he didn’t want the responsibility. That having a child around would ruin his social life. He didn’t blink about signing the letter of consent for her to come to the U.S.”

“But the custody agreement gives him the right to see her three times a year.” A shiver ran through her. “I knew this would be a problem. I didn’t want to agree, but Samantha said it would work in my favor if I showed I wasn’t trying to keep Emily from him. The courts are very keen for a child to have contact with both parents.” Her throat closed, so her voice was barely a whisper. “I can’t stop him from seeing her.”

“He’s made no effort to see Emily in nearly a year. I can’t imagine why he’d suddenly feel the need to play daddy dearest.” Tracy passed her a chunk of chocolate. “I’m sure it’s just another stupid mind game. Don’t give him that power over you.”

Maggie inhaled deeply, trying to steady herself. “You’re right. I’m probably worrying over nothing. I’ll wait and see what Samantha has to say tomorrow.”

“That’s the Maggie we know and love.” Tracy smiled.

“I’m glad you’re on my side.”

“Hey, it’s you and me against the world.” Her sister got up to make some tea. “Speaking of which, are we any closer to finding what Bad Boy wants?”

“I’m hopeful we have a winner.” Maggie explained about the newly listed Victorian and their appointment the following morning. “He seemed pleased.”

Her heart jolted as she recalled the moment when her eyes had met Jake’s as they’d read the online property sheet. For that instant, the connection between them had felt almost tangible. Seconds later, he’d blanked her—the fire in his eyes extinguished. She should have been relieved, but his obvious desire to get away had left her feeling oddly disappointed.

Her complicated reaction to Jake made her glad this project was nearly over. If he liked the house, the number of times she’d see him again would be limited. The rest of their business could be conducted by phone or email. And, though the house was in the same town, the chances of them running into each other would be small.

Her life could return to the simpler plan she’d intended. She’d focus on her daughter and her role at Making Your Move and forget about Bad Boy.

Maggie’s chest twinged. Must be indigestion. It certainly wasn’t anything to do with the thought of not seeing Jake again.

She ignored the laughing voice inside her, which disagreed.

* * *

“IT’S ALL RIGHT,” Maggie reassured her friend Janice the following morning. “I can make other arrangements for Emily. Your mum needs you. I hope she gets better soon.”

Unfortunately, finding another babysitter wasn’t as simple as she’d thought, and there was no activity camp. Tracy was meeting the new Swedish player, so Maggie had no choice but to take Emily with her.

Her stomach twisted nervously. Jake wouldn’t mind. Would he?

The house visit wouldn’t take long. She’d keep Emily out of his way. Besides, Mimi would be there, too.

The real-estate agent was on her phone, dealing with a client, when they arrived. Maggie was surprised to see Mimi fighting to keep her cool. Though her lemon pantsuit and elegant hairdo were still immaculate, the older woman’s lips were pinched and her cheeks flushed. How did she manage to sound polite when her client was giving her a horrid time? Maggie would have lost patience long ago.

Rolling her eyes, Mimi mouthed an apology and waved her inside.

As Maggie and Emily toured the house, her daughter’s attention was caught by the turret bedroom that reminded her of a princess room. She begged to be allowed to stay there and play with the black cat lounging on the four-poster bed. With strict instructions not to go wandering while Jake was being shown around, Maggie left Emily there and continued to check out the house.

The gorgeous Victorian more than lived up to its billing. The bright, spacious rooms were filled with charming period features: gleaming parquet floors, carved ceiling roses with brass chandeliers and stunning fireplaces with oak mantels.

“Not a fishpond in sight.” Mimi laughed, as she joined Maggie in the master bedroom. “Sorry about that call. Some clients can’t stand not being in control of every stage of a negotiation. Hopefully I stopped him from making an ass of himself.”

“I don’t know how you keep your cool with people yelling at you like that.”

“Years of experience.”

While they walked around the house making notes, Mimi regaled her with tales of some of her worst clients. Even as Maggie laughed, she was relieved she wouldn’t have any more client contact once she got Jake sorted out.

The real-estate agent’s phone rang again as Jake’s SUV pulled up in front of the house.

Mimi checked the display, raised her eyes heavenward and muttered, “Give me strength.” She gave Maggie an apologetic smile. “I have to take this. I’ll join you shortly.”

“No problem.” Maggie tried to calm her jittery pulse. “Jake’s looking around outside, so you have time.”

As Mimi left the room to return her call, Maggie watched as Jake walked down the driveway, taking in the large front yard, complete with requisite trees. Even from up here, she could tell he liked what he saw. She let out a silent sigh of relief.

“Kitty!” Feet thundered down the stairs.

“Not outside,” Maggie called out.

The screen door slammed. Too late. Turning toward the window, she saw Jake stop and face the noise. She tried to move, to go after Emily, but her feet were frozen in place.

This time, the hitch in her pulse had nothing to do with the appeal of the bad-boy hockey player. It was pure dread of how he’d react to the seven-year-old charging toward him. Interrupting him. Being there without his permission.

Memories of another time, another place, hammered into her brain. She had to get to Emily. To protect her. She would not let him lay a hand on her daughter.

Her nails bit into her palms as she forced her body to get past the foreboding that chilled her inside. She broke free of the grip her fear had on her and raced out of the room.

Please, God, keep my daughter safe!

CHAPTER FIVE

THE OLD VICTORIAN was perfect.

Jake stood on the sidewalk looking at the house. Strong and solid, its elegance was a proud testament to its history and a promise for its future. Not just somewhere to live, but a home.

The neighborhood was quiet. The big yard was mainly grass, with flower-filled borders and lots of mature trees. Dark green shutters and gingerbread trim offset the white siding and the multipaned windows. Who could resist that wraparound porch? If the inside was half as good as the outside, this would be the perfect base for his new life.

A shadow in an upstairs window reminded him that Maggie was waiting.

His heart jumped. Despite his determination not to think about her, she’d been on his mind and in his dreams all night. He may have decided Maggie wouldn’t be a distraction anymore, but his brain and body seemed to have other ideas. It hadn’t helped that his mom had badgered him this morning to invite Maggie to their annual Labor Day barbecue.

“Kitty! Come back.” A child’s voice cut into his thoughts.

A little girl barreled down the front steps, a determined expression on her face. A flash of black streaked past him and over the road. The kid followed as fast as her short legs could carry her.

At the edge of his vision, a silver Lexus turned into the street. He frowned. The driver was on her cell phone.

The little girl hurried past. Fear shot through him as he realized she hadn’t spotted the car; her attention was fixed on the elusive cat.

In a move that would have made a goaltender proud, Jake turned and scooped her off her feet as she was about to step off the curb. “Whoa, Short Stuff.”

The driver sped by.

The curly-haired imp kicked him. “Let me go. Kitty’s getting away.”

As he set her down, keeping a watchful eye in case she darted onto the road, he noticed the English accent. His pulse gave an odd little skip as he recognized her dark eyes and the shape of her nose. This must be Maggie’s daughter.

Despite her frown, there was a precocious glint in the girl’s eye. “Mummy doesn’t let me talk to strangers.”

“I’ll bet she doesn’t allow you onto the street by yourself, either.” He bit back a smile at her pout. “You nearly got run over because you weren’t looking where you were going.”

Maggie came rushing out of the house. The bodice of her flowery cotton-and-lace dress clung to her curves, while the skirt floated around her long legs. Unlike the prim outfits she’d been wearing, the soft fabric enhanced her shapely figure. The roses on the material matched the heightened color in her cheeks.

His mouth went dry at the blue flower-shaped buttons running down the front, from the scooped neckline to the hem of her skirt. Undo them and the dress would likely fall open. Jake swallowed hard, forcing aside the image of creamy skin that flashed in his head.

“Emily Marie Goodman, I told you to stay in the house.” Maggie’s glossy braid bounced as she hurried toward them. “If it wasn’t for Mr. Badoletti, you could have been hurt.”

“But Kitty went over the road. I had to save her.” She batted her eyes at her mother.

The “innocent” expression didn’t work. “Rules are rules. We have them to keep you safe. Say thank you to Mr. Badoletti and go back inside.”

The little girl looked as if she might argue, but thought better of it. “Thank you, Mister...” She paused, glaring at him suspiciously. “Are you Mr. Bad Boy?”

Unsure how to respond to her sudden antagonism, he smiled. “You can call me Jake.”

“Are you the one who was mean to Mummy?”

His smile faded. How the heck was he supposed to answer that? It was like that old no-win question: Are you still beating your wife? Why would Emily think he’d been mean to her mother anyway?

“Um, no. Not...” He faltered, recalling the incident at Mimi’s office.

Maggie fixed her daughter with a stern look. “Emily!”

“Thank you, Mr. Bad Boy.” The imp’s tone was grudging. She trotted up the path and went into the house. He and Maggie winced in unison as the screen door slammed.

As she turned back, Jake noticed the same wariness in her expression as he’d seen after his argument with Nick. The same hint of fear in her dark brown eyes. The same rigid tension in her body. What was she worried about?

“Cute kid.” He smiled, trying to put her at ease.

His smile had as little effect on Maggie as it had on her daughter. She watched him cautiously, her gaze assessing, as if she didn’t trust his reaction.

“I’m so sorry. Emily usually does as she’s told. The arrangements I’d made for her fell through this morning. Medical emergency.” Her words quickened and her voice rose in pitch. “I thought it would be okay to bring her with me.”

“No problem,” Jake interjected before she wound herself up any further. “Shi...stuff happens. Any kid would be distracted by a cat.”

“Thank you for catching her. I promise she won’t be any further bother.”

“It’s okay. Really.”

She studied him carefully. After a couple of moments, she nodded sharply. “We should get started. Shall we go inside?”

As Maggie opened the door, the fickle Kitty reappeared, slipping past her and brushing her skirt against the shapely legs he’d been trying not to stare at.