Page 49 of One Texas Night...
As she dressed, she struggled to keep Jared out of her thoughts. Everything reminded her of him, made her think about him. Did he even care that she had gone out of his life?
* * *
The next day she received a call from her brother. “Will you be home after work tonight? I’d like to stop by for a minute.”
“I’m going out with Phillip again. He has tickets to a play. But I’ll be home till about seven.”
“I won’t keep you long. Also, I talked to Leah. What about keeping the kids Friday night? Leah’s friend Nan has asked us to go to dinner with them.”
“Sure. Let the kids sleep over. I’d love having them.”
“That’s great, Allison. We’ll pick up Jake after dinner because he doesn’t sleep well and he can be pure trouble, but if you want to keep the girls all night, that would be wonderful, and they will be delighted. You know how they love to be with you.”
“It’s mutual,” she said, smiling. “I’m anxious to see all of them, and I don’t mind keeping Jake all night.”
“Nope. Not this time. There may be something later when we will be out of town, and I’ll accept your offer, but not Friday. He’ll ruin your night. I’ll let Leah know and she can tell the girls. They’ll have their little bags packed within the hour, I’m sure.”
She laughed. “I’m glad they like to come over. I have some new paint books and paints. We’ll have fun. I’ll call them tonight and invite them myself.”
“You’re a good aunt. See you after five tonight.”
She wondered what he wanted and thought maybe he was coming by to see if she had her mirror hung yet, which she did not. This weekend she would get Phillip to help her hang it.
She thought about her last evening with Phillip. She had enjoyed it, but it had been quiet, no sparks, no excitement, yet she’d had a nice time. Their good-night kiss had been bland, meaningless really. Did she really want to tie her life to Phillip’s? She was certain he had the same reaction to her. Yet in so many ways, they could have a good life together. Phillip traveled a lot and would be away a good part of the time, so she wouldn’t see him or deal with him daily. He was wealthy and could provide a comfortable life, and he was willing for her to continue working with her dad.
Jared, on the other hand, would not marry for years—if at all—and he would continue his wild lifestyle that she couldn’t take. He was out of her life, and she was through seeing him. Every time she thought about the two men, she always came back to the same decision—accept Phillip’s next proposal of marriage.
She returned to work, adding to the mailing list and reading over the rough draft of the catalog her dad was still working on. Looking at pictures of the furniture, it was difficult to keep her thoughts from drifting. Memories assailed her: of talking with Jared about this chair or that table, of sitting on an antique settee, of Jared kissing her.
She would be relieved when they finished dealing with his things, when the sale was over and he vanished out of their lives completely.
* * *
After work that afternoon at her condo, she put away the snacks she’d purchased for the little girls and Jake. She had new toys for all of them that she put in sacks to surprise them. She was eager to see them, and Friday night couldn’t come too soon.
She made a final round of the rooms in her condo and decided she still wanted the mirror to hang in her living room where everyone who came to visit would see it. She got out a hammer and a picture hook for Sloan because she was certain that was why he was stopping by on his way home.
When she heard his car on the drive, she went to her front door to wait for her brother.
“Hi, how did it go today?” he asked when he came in through her back door.
“Fine. Soon we’ll be all ready for Jared’s sale, which he won’t attend. Neither will you. I know Leah would not want a thing from this sale.”
“No, she won’t. She is very much a minimalist, with a love of clean lines and contemporary furnishings. You know I don’t care.”
“Yes, I do. I assume you’re here to hang the mirror.”
“Actually, no, I’m not. I want to talk to you.”
Startled, she looked sharply at him. “What on earth about? Your family is all right, aren’t they?”
“Yes, nothing like that.” He pulled out a kitchen chair and sat. “I can hang the mirror for you, too, if you’d like.”
“Want something to drink?”
“Sure. Iced tea if you have any.”
“I knew you were coming.” She poured two glasses and got out some cookies to set across from him.
