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“You mean Craig gave up on winning his money back?” Paige chuckled softly.
“I didn’t say that. I think I heard something about double or nothing as I left them at the chess board.”
“Did you by any chance know that he plays chess?” Eve leaned forward, her question directed at Jared.
Jared shook his head. “Admittedly, I don’t know a whole heck of a lot of anything right about now, but this might explain a few things.”
“Like?”
“Mary mentioned more than once that he struggled with school. I assumed he wasn’t very bright and was challenged with his classes. When I spoke to Cook just now, she mentioned finding time to take him shopping for new school clothes. Apparently, she was hoping shopping without his grandmother might help him fit in better, make friends. She clarified for me that his grades are quite high.”
“So,” Eve leaned back again, “what he struggles with isn’t classes but fitting in. He’s actually a really smart kid.”
“That shouldn’t come as much of a surprise.” Mitch tipped his head and shoulder. “My money’s on the reason he’s winning is because his mind is a bit like a computer. He can count cards. I’m pretty sure, if the kid isn’t a genius, he’s dang close.”
Up until now, with less than a day together, Jared had felt out of his league. Now he knew beyond any doubt that he was in way over his head. All he’d hoped for before today was that Mary would wake up and everything would return to normal. Right about now, he’d pay big bucks for Mary to sit up and tell him what to do. He couldn’t help but wonder if she even knew just how smart her grandson was. He had no idea what to make of all this newly found information, and really wished Mary would open her eyes and tell him how to do right by her grandson.
Chapter Twelve
Under normal circumstances, Eve loved sleeping on theBaroness. Even though you couldn’t really feel the boat rocking, she always felt as if her subconscious knew the ship was lulling her to sleep. Yet, never had she tossed and turned as much as she had last night. This morning she was more tired than she’d been when she’d gone to bed.
A rap on her cabin door reminded her she was late for breakfast. “Coming.”
Flinging the door open, Jared stood in the hall. “Jake is gobbling down breakfast. Apparently French toast is his favorite.”
“Great. Sorry I’m running late. Just couldn’t get a sound sleep.”
“You’re not late. The others are trickling into the dining room. Like any typical kid, Jake is an early riser and a bottomless pit.”
She slipped into one shoe, then hopped sliding the other shoe on. “I’d better get moving. What’s Jake doing now?”
“He and Mitch are playing chess. Paige is practically pinning Craig down in the dining room to keep him from playing more cards. I don’t know who’s the bigger kid, Craig or Jake.”
“He wants to win his money back?” The competitive streak in the Baron DNA was deep and strong.
“I think it’s more the principle of win and lose than the actual money. Especially when he’s getting the pants beat off him by a nine-year-old.”
She nodded. That was probably true. Craig could afford to lose a lot more than a thousand dollars. Besides, she was pretty sure Jared wasn’t going to let the kid take Craig’s money anyhow. Standing upright, she blew out a breath and smiled. “I’m ready. What’s the plan?”
“I thought it best if we head out this morning. I’d like to get Jake settled in and prevent him winning anything else from Craig.”
“Okay.” Her heart did a little dip. She’d hoped that by spending the night on the ship, they’d get to spend more time together today. Earlier she’d sent a text to Isabel letting her know she wouldn’t be in.
“I, uh,” he inched into the room, “was hoping you’d come back with us. You know, help me smooth over the edges with Jake.”
While she loved that he wanted her to go with them, she had no idea what good she’d be with Jake. “Of course I’ll do whatever you need, but not sure that I know anything more than you do about dealing with nine year old boys. Probably even less since I’ve never been a little boy.”
The last line made Jared chuckle. “No.” He laughed a little harder. “You most definitely were not a little boy, but if Mitch is right about his ability to track and predict cards, he’s crazy smart.”
“So it seems.”
“And even though I’m no slouch, science and math were never my forte. On the other hand, you must have a degree in, what, Chemistry? Physics? Calculus?”
There was no point in mentioning she actually had a PhD in both chemical engineering and computer science. “Something like that.”
“Thought so. Will you join us?”
Truth was that she had no idea if her tagging along was the best plan of action, but heading back to the ranch made as much sense as anything else. “As soon as I get a cup of coffee and some protein, we’re out of here.”
