“Daddy, where are you?”
Before Shea had a chance to speak, Jake was up and out of the bed. “I’ll talk to you tomorrow. Love you.”
And Shea was left with a blank screen. Frustrated, he lay down and gazed at the ceiling. Would he be able to fit into their world? Here on the ranch was a sweet life, but Jake and Stacey weren’t moving to Remembrance and coming to live at Forget Me Not. Even if he and Jake partnered up to take care of the ranch, which would take a tremendous burden off his shoulders, Jake’s life remained in New York City.
His evening plans thwarted, Shea scrolled through his phone and the pictures of Jake. The one that never failed to bring a smile to his face was one he took without Jake knowing, the day he fell into the lake. Soaked to the skin, barefoot, and madder than a wet cat, Jake had stormed away from him, and Shea couldn’t help taking a few pictures.
He sighed. That was probably the moment he knew he’d caught some pretty powerful feelings for the man. And the reason Shea knew, as he pulled his laptop over and searched the airlines for flights to New York City, he wanted everything and anything with Jake.
* * *
Four days later he checked into his hotel room downtown. He hadn’t told Jake he was coming, figuring it would be more fun to surprise him and Stacey that way. He sat on the bed and placed the call, but it went straight to voice mail.
Maybe he was in transit. It was only five thirty, and he was probably on his way home from work.
Shea decided to give Jake some time and took a shower. Feeling better in clean clothes, he called an Uber to take him over to Jake’s apartment, no more than a ten-minute drive away from where he was staying.
The doorman gave him a practiced, friendly smile. “May I help you?”
“Howdy, sir. My name is Shea. Jake Axelrod’s apartment, please. I don’t think he’s home yet, but can I wait in the lobby here?”
“I believe he’s home. I’ll ring him up for you.” The doorman spoke into the phone, then said, “You can go up, sir.”
“Oh, he is there? All righty. Thank you very much.” Shea strode to the elevator banks. Why didn’t Jake answer earlier? Had to be a reason, but whatever it was, it didn’t matter anymore. He was here for two weeks and hoped he and Jake could start ironing out future plans.
Jake waited by the open door. “I can’t believe you’re here. Why didn’t you let me know you were coming today?”
Brushing off the questions, Shea put his hands on Jake’s shoulders. “What’s wrong?” Something was off. Jake’s normally cool eyes were wild with pain.
“Come inside. I don’t want to talk in the hall.”
Shea passed by him and waited until he closed the door. “It’s not Stacey, is it? She’s not sick or anythin’, right?”
Jake ran a hand through his hair, leaving it ruffled in places. With his tie loosened and his shirt open at the collar, Jake looked rumpled and uncertain, another sign something wasn’t right.
“No, she’s fine, but it is related to her directly, and dammit, you’re here and didn’t tell me, and I’m so fucking happy.” He grabbed Shea by the arms and pulled him close. “I really need you right now.”
Any misgivings he might’ve had faded away, and Shea lost himself in the intoxicating nearness of Jake.
“What’s wrong, darlin’? Tell me.”
Jake’s lips moved against his neck. “I got papers in the mail today. Brian relinquished all parental rights to Stacey. He’s cut her out of his life. Forever.” He raised his head, and Shea’s heart hurt from the anguish in his eyes. “How can he be so cold and heartless? Worse even, how was I married to someone like that and didn’t even see that side of him?”
“We all get fooled by people. Even you.”
Jake pressed his forehead into Shea’s neck. “Come sit down with me.”
Hand in hand, they walked to the living room, and Shea glanced around. “Aren’t you missin’ someone?”
Jake gave him a wry grin. “I came home early. It’s summer hours, so Fridays are shorter workdays, and as you can imagine, it’s been a damn long fucking week. Terry was here with Stacey when I opened the envelope. I handed it to her, and once she read it, she took Stacey and left to go for ice cream. I think Terry was afraid I would start crying because I was so upset.”
“Did you?”
“No,” Jake said, and his brows pulled together. “But I wanted to. Now take off those boots and stay awhile. Tell me why you didn’t want me to know you were coming.”
Shea pulled off his cowboy boots and socks. “Ahh, feels good. It wasn’t that I didn’t want you to know. Nothin’ secret goin’ on. I just figured it would be a nice surprise. I kinda want to see how it’s all gonna go there if I’m not around as much. I left Craig and Johnny in charge, and I’m gonna give them a raise when I come back.” He rubbed his foot over Jake’s. “Besides, I didn’t have anythin’ special at the ranch that would keep me from bein’ where I really wanted to be, so why wait?”
“That’s nice to hear. And I’m very glad you did.”
