“You know, I’ve met a lot of men who think they’re the center of the universe,” the managing editor told him. “You’re the only one who actually comes close to being it. This whole place feeds off your energy. When you’re down in the dumps, we all start to sag.”
Callum couldn’t summon enough energy to enjoy the compliment. “I miss my family.”
Tisa folded her arms. “I never thought I’d see you lovesick, Callum Fox. That Jody must be one fine lady.”
“I asked her to move out here. She turned me down,” he said.
“When did you start taking no for an answer?” asked the editor.
She had a point. Still, Callum knew that, where Jody was concerned, applying pressure might simply backfire. “I’ll think about that.”
“I hope you get it together before we all sink into a major depression.” Tisa flipped shut a box holding half a pizza. “Take this home and eat it. That ought to help.”
“Thanks. I haven’t had time to get to the supermarket in days.”
The beach area was filling with people in a party mood, Callum saw as he drove home. Young couples wandered along the sidewalks, scanning menus posted outside restaurants. From the condo next door, music blared through open windows. As he closed his garage door and circled to the front, he caught the smell of spilled beer mingling with the briny sea scent.
One of these days he ought to buy a house inland with a yard big enough for a dog, Callum thought. He might even find a horse property in one of the canyons that ringed L.A.
What on earth was he thinking? He didn’t have time to take care of a horse, or a dog, either.
In the kitchen, he munched on pizza while calculating how many times he’d phoned Jody since Monday. Once to report that he’d arrived. Again on Wednesday to tell her about the cable show. In between, he’d e-mailed photos. She didn’t seem to mind the intrusion, and it had been two days. He decided it wouldn’t be intrusive to call again.
His mood lifting at the prospect of talking to her, Callum rapid-dialed her number. His heart gave a sharp thump when he heard a female voice, until he realized it wasn’t hers.
“Reilly residence,” said a familiar Texas twang.
“Hi, Gladys,” he said. “Is Jody around?”
“She went out,” said the forewoman. “I’m baby-sitting.”
Although he always enjoyed talking to the boys, Callum’s spirits nose-dived. “Do you expect her back soon?” Surely she couldn’t be out much longer. It was nearly nine o’clock in Texas, and ranchers kept early hours.
“I don’t expect so,” Gladys said. “I don’t suppose you’ve heard the news.”
“What news?” He hadn’t been gone long enough for anything major to change, surely.
“About her and Bo. It’s all over town that they’re engaged.”
“You’re joking, right?” Jody hadn’t shown a trace of interest in the man!
“She can hardly get out the door without someone congratulating her,” Gladys said. “Folks around here think it’s a great idea.”
“It’s a terrible idea,” Callum said. “She doesn’t love him.”
“He’s crazy about her.” That much was true, he supposed. How could a man help falling for Jody? “And the boys need a father.”
“They already have a father!” he said. “I won’t allow it.”
“I can’t see that it’s up to you,” Gladys answered in a maddeningly calm drawl. “You’re not here, if I may point out the obvious.”
“I’m going to be,” he said. “I’m coming right out. Don’t tell Jody. I don’t want to give her time to marshal her arguments.”
“My lips are sealed,” said Gladys.
At his request, she put the boys on the phone. Callum managed to concentrate long enough to enjoy their anecdotes about their games and the puppy. He assured them that he loved them and promised to see them before they knew it.
As soon as they hung up, he got on the Internet and booked the first available flight.
CHAPTER EIGHT
RUNNING THE Rototiller was hard work. Sweat trickled between Jody’s breasts, darkening her T-shirt as she pushed ahead, determined to finish the job this afternoon. The garden needed proper tilling to bear enough vegetables not only for eating but also for canning.
Behind her, the boys followed at a safe distance, collecting rocks and debris in buckets. The dirt smears on their faces testified to their enthusiasm.
She supposed she could have assigned Freddy to push the machine, but she relished accomplishing the hard task on her own. Maybe her father had been right that she wasn’t cut out to be a rancher, but he’d been right about her stubbornness, too.
Over the roar of the motor, she heard the boys shouting, so she turned it off. As the rumble died, Ben and Jerry were calling, “Daddy! Daddy!”
Impossible. Jody turned and stared. How could Callum be here? Yet there was no mistaking his grin, so bright it eclipsed the sun, as his sons pelted toward him across the yard. Tailored slacks and a soft jacket outlined the lean stretch of his body when he lifted first one and then the other overhead.
Too overwhelmed to react, Jody stood like a tree stump, waiting for this sophisticated apparition to acknowledge her. She hated being so disheveled but it couldn’t be helped.
After setting the boys on their feet, Callum let them tug him forward. At the edge of the dirt, he stopped to frown at her. She didn’t think he was really angry, but something must have put his nose out of joint.
“What?” she demanded.
“You are not going to marry that man!”
“Excuse me?”
“You don’t love Bo. He could never make you happy.” Callum folded his arms. “Furthermore, I refuse to let another man raise my sons. They’re mine and you’re mine.” He blinked as if surprised by his own words. “Not that I’m trying to boss you around. Well, yes, maybe I am. Break off the engagement. I’m not leaving till you do.”
Jody’s mind performed a rapid search of possibilities and hit on the obvious. Gladys must have told him about the sham engagement. Shame on her! And hoorah, too.
Apparently Callum had flown all the way to Texas to demand that she jilt Bo. Double hoorah! Unfortunately, once he learned the truth, he’d go straight home.
Jody decided not to let him off the hook yet. “It’s not every day an old maid rancher gets a proposal of marriage.”
“You’re no old maid. And there’s no reason to run down the aisle with the first man who asks you!” Callum snapped.
“Don’t be ridiculous,” Jody said. “I have no intention of running at my own wedding. I might trip over my gown.” The boys stared from one to the other of them, trying to understand. Since this wasn’t an appropriate conversation for them to overhear, she said, “Why don’t you kids go tell Gladys that Callum is here? I think she’s in the barn.”
“Okay.” Ben turned to his brother. “Race you.”
“Loser!” said Jeremy, and took off running.
“I don’t understand,” Callum said when they were alone. “Why are you doing this?”
“Bo asked me to marry him,” Jody said. “He also told some people in town that we were engaged because he was trying to spare my reputation after you left. But I said no.”
For several heartbeats, Callum didn’t move. Finally, he said, “You’re not getting married?”
She shook her head. “No, although I was tempted.”
“Why?” he said.
“I told you. Because he asked me.”
He waited as if expecting more. When it didn’t come, he said, “That’s it? You were tempted to marry Bo because he asked you?”
“It’s more than you’ll ever do.” To Jody’s chagrin, her voice trembled.
“But I asked you to move to L.A.,” Callum said. “You and the boys.”
“What kind of commitment is that?” she demanded. “You want me to uproot my entire life so I can be your girlfriend? No, thanks.”