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It was a thought. Something to look at, maybe plan for. Making the best of a situation was what Wes did. And that damn merger meant too much to just walk away from it.
The key to all of this came down to one word. A word Wes had avoided for years, but now it had caught him, held him and wouldn’t let go.
Family.
Five
An hour later, after leaving Caro in her pre-K classroom, Belle found Wes waiting for her in the parking lot. He was leaning against a huge black SUV, watching her, and he looked...dangerous. Okay, maybe that was just her. The day was bright and freezing, with high clouds studding a deep blue sky. Pine trees were layered with snow, and high barriers of the white stuff lined the parking lot where it had been pushed by the maintenance crew.
She’d like to think Wes looked out of place at the school in his black jeans, forest green sweater and black leather jacket. The truth was, he fit in everywhere. His blond hair ruffled in the wind, and as he pulled his sunglasses off to look at her, she noted his eyes were narrowed against the glint of the sun off the snow.
He looked dark, edgy, and her heart gave a hard thump she couldn’t deny. Having Wes come back into her life was throwing everything off balance. Thoughts of him had kept her awake all night as her brain replayed memories she’d tried to bury for the past five years.
Working with him had been challenging, but fun. As focused as he was on his own vision, Wes had always been the kind of boss to welcome other ideas besides his own. That made for a great working environment, and Isabelle had loved being a part of it—until she fell in love with the boss. Then, everything had changed for her.
She’d let herself believe that the partnership she felt with him at work could extend to the personal, too. But even when they were alone together, at their most intimate, Isabelle had felt Wes pulling back. And the harder she tried to reach him, the more elusive he became. Finally, she’d had to realize that he wouldn’t change. Would never be able to love her as she loved him and that waiting and hoping would slowly wear her heart away like waves against rock, until there was nothing left.
Now, he was back. Pushing himself into her life whether she liked it or not. Refusing to go away. It seemed, she thought, that Wes would always do the opposite of what she wanted him to.
All around her, the sidewalk and parking lot was alive with people. Parents soothing toddlers, folks starting cars, rushing off to the rest of their days. But all she could see was Wes.
She headed toward him. “What are you doing here?”
“Wanted to see her school.” He pushed away from what was probably a rental. “Wanted to see you.”
Just five years ago, those words would have turned her heart inside out. Now, she was worried. Why did he want to see her? Before she could find out, someone called her name.
“Isabelle!” She turned and smiled tightly at the woman hurrying toward her.
“Hi, Kim. What’s up?” From the corner of her eye, Isabelle saw Wes approaching. Kim’s reaction was instantaneous and completely predictable. The woman’s eyes widened in appreciation, and a soft, speculative curve lifted her mouth.
Typical.
“What can I do for you?” Isabelle asked, drawing the woman’s attention back to her.
“Oh. Right.” She smiled at Wes again as he walked up to stand beside Isabelle. “Sorry. I just wanted to remind you that you volunteered to provide refreshments for the girls’ dance recital next week.”
“Sure. Thanks for the reminder,” Isabelle said, “I’ve been so...busy, I’d forgotten.”
“I don’t blame you for being...busy,” Kim said, shifting her gaze to Wes again. “Hello. I’m Kim Roberts.”
He took her hand in his. “Wes Jackson.”
She never took her eyes from his as she said, “Isabelle, you’ve been keeping this gorgeous man all to yourself? Selfish.”
Kim was doing everything but drooling, and Isabelle had to squelch a flash of irritation. Just like the old days, she told herself. Even when Isabelle was standing right beside him, women would coo and practically purr at him, completely ignoring Isabelle’s presence.
“Wes is an old...friend of mine from Texas,” she said and scowled when he smiled at her explanation. “He’s here visiting.”
“Well,” Kim said, her smile brightening enough that she looked like an actress in a toothpaste commercial, “maybe we could get together while you’re in town. I’d love to show you around.”
“Thanks,” Wes said, “but I think Isabelle’s got that covered.” He turned his back on Kim and asked Isabelle, “Are you ready to go?”
“What? Oh. Yes.” Surprised that he had turned down Kim’s oh-so-generous offer, Isabelle looked up
at him and wondered, not for the first time, what he was thinking. He tugged at her arm and she’d actually started walking with him until she realized he was escorting her to his car. Then she stopped. “My car’s here.”
“We’ll come back for it later.” He helped her into the oversize Suburban, then closed the door.
