Can't Get Enough of You Page 8

  This trip was about Jenna’s family. He needed to concentrate on that single detail. Jenna was counting on his support. The trip had nothing to do with their long-dead, non-existent relationship.

  “Here you are, Mr. Hendricks. Mashed potatoes and meat loaf, just the way you wanted it. Can I get you anything else?” The beaming waitress put the heaping plate down in front of him. She barely glanced at Jenna as she put her plate down.

  “Thanks,” he said absently. He waited until they were alone, then asked, “Do you have enough food?”

  “Plenty. I’m not six feet eight with a hollow leg,” she teased.

  “Very funny,” he grinned. “Want some?”

  “Nope, but you enjoy. Have you decided what you’re going to do with a degree in chemistry?”

  “I’m considering going into research, searching out new drugs. I’m interested in developing a drug to counteract asthma symptoms. My father suffered from a severe form of the disorder. I’d like to eradicate it.”

  “Really? That would be wonderful.”

  He nodded. “Randol Pharmaceutical has been doing extensive research on a promising formula. It’s exciting. I’ve been doing my own research. I know it can be done. But it’s going to take time and a lot of money. I’d need at least a master’s degree to do the work I’m interested in doing.”

  “That’s great, Scott. At least you don’t have to worry about getting a job to support yourself while you’re going to college.”

  “Basketball did that for me.” Scott grinned, while marveling at her ability to get him to open up. He rarely shared his private thoughts with anyone, outside of family.

  Jenna had him singing like a canary. It was a combination of her genuine interest and beguiling smiles. He stopped eating, recognizing that if he wasn’t extremely careful, she’d have him falling in love with her all over again.

  He swore silently at the mere thought. That was all he needed, to fall under her sweet spell again. He’d been there . . . done that. He’d survived once, losing this opinionated, determined, hardheaded, incredibly beautiful and caring woman. There was no doubt about it. Twice would kill him, he surmised, hiding a grimace.

  Seven

  Basketball! Jenna silently fumed as she ate her lunch. There was that word again. Because of it, every eye in the room was zeroed in on their table, especially the women. If not for basketball, they’d still be together.

  No, that wasn’t exactly true. It wasn’t the game that had come between them. The problem had been that he’d chosen basketball over her. Even after all this time, it still hurt. She wasn’t quite sure why. Goodness, she should have been over it, as well as him, by now.

  Was that it? Was that why she was so uncomfortable around him? Was she worried that she still had feelings for him? Impossible! Until a few weeks ago, she hadn’t spoken to or seen him in years. Scott hadn’t been a threat to her.

  “So what’s new with Sherri Ann and Laura? Has Laura found that rich husband yet? Has Sherri Ann managed to master the legal system?” Scott teased.

  Jenna laughed. To know Jenna was to know her foster sisters. “They’re both doing well. Laura has no wedding plans, but she’s a social worker, has her Masters, and has become a champion for abused women and children. Sherri Ann finished law school, passed the bar in one try, and works at a highly respected and profitable law firm. She’s determined to become a partner before she’s thirty-five.”

  “I’ve no doubt she’ll do it. All three of Mrs. Green’s girls are winners.”

  “Thanks. Sherri Ann and I have been helping Laura by volunteering at the Sheppard’s Women’s Crisis Center. We’ve been mentoring teen girls who are in the foster care system but living on their own.”

  “What do you mean? If they’re in foster care, aren’t they with a family?”

  “Not always. Some older kids live alone in rented rooms, under supervision of a state-appointed monitoring agency.”

  “I had no idea.”

  “Most people don’t.”

  “How old are these kids?” he asked.

  “At least sixteen.”

  “That seems awfully young to be on their own,” he ventured.

  “I agree. Not everyone has a Mrs. Green in their lives, like Sherri Ann, Laura, and I had. Because of her, we especially want to help teen girls without foster parents.”

  “I can’t get over the fact they are allowed to live independently.”

  She nodded. “Each child must meet with a social worker, attend school, plus take classes for independent living skills with the agencies. It’s hard just growing up, but without some adult taking an interest in you . . .” She smiled. “Well, you understand why Sherri Ann and I decided to become mentors. Laura is the strong one. She’s out there every day, trying to make a difference in so many lives.”

  Scott reached over and moved a finger along her cheek. “Laura’s strong, but so are you. You’re a remarkable lady, with a warm and generous spirit. Those girls are lucky to have you in their corner. Like I said earlier, when you set your mind to something, it gets done. Just look how you’ve moved heaven and earth to find your siblings.”

  Jenna smiled, touched by his understanding and display of support.

  “How’s the salad?”

  She’d been poking at her food, but now she began to eat in earnest. “Good.” She looked away, wondering if she should be alarmed by the ease of their discourse.

  When the waitress placed the check facedown on the table, Jenna grabbed it.

  Looking amused, Scott quizzed, “In a hurry?”

  “Just making sure you didn’t take it. I already owe you twenty dollars. This should even things out,” she said, getting to her feet. Jenna didn’t wait for him but headed toward the cashier. He didn’t say a word as she paid for their meal and even bought him a chocolate mint.

  “You don’t owe me a thing,” he said into her ear as they headed toward the door, making her jump. ”But if paying for lunch makes you feel better, I’m all for it.” Then he swept her hair aside and placed a kiss on her nape. “All set?”

  She trembled as desire raced along her nerve endings. Instantly, her nipples began to harden and her feminine core tightened. She whirled around to see a satisfied smile on his face. She clenched her hands, wanting to smack him, but she knew he’d only laugh.

  He had accomplished so much in such a short amount of time. He’d met every goal and then some. He was so darn sure of himself. Even though he was a very successful man, that didn’t give him the right to rub his success in her face. Had he forgotten that she had also reached her own goals?

  “What’s wrong?” he said once they were outside. The sun was warm overhead, and they’d left their jackets in the car. “I let you . . .”

  “That’s just it. You didn’t let me do anything. I’m the one who planned this trip and let you come along, not the other way around. So why do you think you’re supposed to pay for everything? We took your car.”

  Scott blinked rapidly, as if she’d caught him off balance. “Babe, I’m sorry. It may look as if I’m trying to take over, but I’m really not. You’re calling the shots.” He shrugged large, muscular shoulders. “As for paying for things, I’m used to doing it. It’s automatic.”

  She warned, “Keep your wallet in your pocket. You’re here to offer support, not financial help. Got it!”

  Scott grinned, spreading his large hands in a defensive gesture. “Got it.” With his arm around her shoulders, they began walking to the parking lot. “Please answer one question for me.”

  “What?”

  “Is it my turn to drive?” he teased.

  Blushing, she quickly put in, “Naturally. It’s your car.”

  “I don’t want to mess with your plans.” When she stuck out her tongue at him, Scott laughed. “I was only play
ing with you, babe. Loosen up. You’re taking this much too seriously. I get what you’re telling me. I know you’re not quite yourself today. You have a lot riding on the outcome of this trip.” He assured her, “It’s going to work out. You’ll see. And you’re right. In the past when I was with a woman, I expected her to sit back and let me pay for everything. It’s nice knowing you think that I’m worth more than the number of zeros in my portfolio.”

  Jenna frowned. She couldn’t help speculating how it must have made him feel to be valued for his hefty income rather than being an intelligent, resourceful man. There was no doubt about it. Life wasn’t always fair. Evidently, his situation made it difficult for him to trust the women who chased after him. Doggone it! She didn’t want to feel sympathy for him . . . didn’t want to feel anything at all for him.

  Glad that they’d reached the car and eager to put space between them, Jenna tossed him the keys. He opened the passenger door for her. She mumbled an automatic thank-you.

  All the masculine attention was driving her up the wall, but Jenna held in a protest. What exactly could she say? That she preferred not be treated like a lady? Hardly! She was clearly looking for a reason to keep him at a distance. It was her way of protecting herself.

  Furious with herself, she clasped her hands in her lap while staring without really seeing the beauty of the trees around her. What was her problem? She should have been enjoying nature’s kaleidoscope of autumn colors. Didn’t she have enough to deal with, without worrying about her every response to her ex? There was a reason that he was her ex. Besides, in a few short hours she could be seeing her brother for the first time in a very long time. Hoping for a distraction, Jenna turned on the CD player. Soon Alicia Keys’s sultry voice filled the car’s interior.

  They were a little over thirty miles outside of Cleveland when Scott switched on his turn signal and left the freeway. He merged onto a secondary road and stopped at a strip mall with a convenience store, gas station, car wash, and fast-food restaurant.

  “We need gas,” he volunteered. “Need to go inside?”

  “Yes, but I can wait until we’ve paid.” She grabbed her purse and hurried to catch up with him. After she’d given him the cash to pay for the gas, she called, “I won’t be long.”

  While washing her hands after using the facilities, she realized how badly her hands were shaking. “Nerves,” she mumbled aloud. It took two attempts to apply lip gloss. After smoothing her hair, she stared at herself. The closer they came to Cleveland, the more her doubts escalated. If she didn’t calm down, she wouldn’t be worth a nickel when she came face-to-face with Lincoln Nicholas.

  What would she say to him? That she was his long-lost sister? Then ask if he remembered her? And what if he didn’t remember her? What if he didn’t have a sister? She grimaced at the thought. She didn’t want to even think about starting over again. Mr. Collagen had proven to be reliable. And as far as he could tell, this was her Lincoln. No . . . she wouldn’t start doubting now. With that decided, she turned to leave.

  “Ready to roll?”

  Jenna nearly screamed at the sound of Scott’s voice as she emerged from the ladies’ room. Pressing a hand over her heart, she said, “You startled me. Yes, I’m ready.”

  He casually clasped her small, cold hand in his large warm palm. “Would you care for a snack? Ice cream cone? Cookie?”

  “I’m not hungry, but if you’d like . . .” Her stomach was taut with tension.

  “I’m fine. We’re almost there. How are you holding up?”

  “No problems,” she lied badly.

  Although he looked skeptical, he made no comment but gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. When they reached the car, Scott asked, “Care to drive?”

  Jenna found herself saying, “I’d better not. I’m too nervous to focus on much of anything, including staying on the road. I lied. The closer we get to Cleveland, the worse I feel.” She confessed, “I’m going to be so disappointed if this isn’t my Lincoln.”

  Scott gave her a hug, then pulled back. “If it’s not your brother, then we’ll check into a hotel and have a nice dinner. Perhaps go out clubbing for a few hours to forget our troubles. On the way back to Detroit, we will figure out where to start looking next.” He kissed her temple. “You’re going to find him, Jenna Gaines.”

  “Mr. Collagen is expensive. I can’t keep paying him to come up with nothing. This could take years, with no guarantees that I’ll ever find my family. I have to be realistic,” she ended in a sigh.

  “Hold on, sweet thing. Let’s take this one step at a time. We don’t know if this man is your brother. But if it isn’t, you have no reason to worry about paying for the PI. If and when you need financial help, you’ve got it. We’re friends . . . remember?”

  Jenna didn’t respond; she simply went and got into the car. Overcome with emotions, she couldn’t respond, not without breaking down. She was incredibly touched by Scott’s generosity. They’d been estranged for years, yet he meant what he said. All she had to do was ask.

  By the time they were both buckled in, she reached across the console and placed her hand on his arm. “Thanks, Scott. You’ve no idea how much your offer means to me. Although I could never ask you to do something like that, I appreciate your offer. And you’re right. I’m getting ahead of myself. We don’t know if this is my Lincoln. I’m going to have to calm down or I won’t be able to ask if he’s my brother.”

  “That’s right, sweet thing. One step at a time.” He started the engine and put the car into gear.

  It was late afternoon when they reached University Heights. Scott tried to convince Jenna to at least check into a hotel, where she could relax for a few moments and freshen up . . . perhaps call Lincoln ahead of time rather than just showing up at his doorstep without warning. Jenna flatly refused. At her insistence, they went straight to Lincoln Nicholas’s home—no detours. She told herself she was relieved when Scott stopped arguing with her.

  “This is it?” she asked as he eased to a stop in front of a large, sprawling, older Victorian-style home. Sheers covered the large front picture windows and small orange pumpkins lined the stairs leading up to a covered porch. The late-model SUV was parked in a wide drive in front of the two-car detached garage. A child’s tricycle had been left in the yard.

  Before Scott could open his door, Jenna grabbed his arm, as if she could hold him in place. She was quaking with dread. Her large, hazel eyes pleaded for his understanding. Suddenly, she needed time . . . lots of it. For so many years, she’d dreamed about this moment, even mapped out every detail in her head. Now that the time had come, she wasn’t sure she could actually go through with it.

  Tenderly, Scott cupped her cheek. “Frightened?”

  She nodded, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. “I’m not sure I can do this.”

  He lifted her chin until he was gazing into her eyes. “You’ve been waiting for this for a very long time, sweetheart. If you back out now, you’ll never know if that’s Lincoln Gaines living here. Are you going to let a little fear stop you?”

  “Absolutely not!” she snapped.

  “That’s my girl,” he chuckled, then he leaned down to place a gentle kiss on her lips. “Ready?”

  Jenna blinked back tears, then looked at him in dismay.

  “Jenna?”

  After a quick nod, she reached for her door handle.

  She stood for a moment, taking in every detail of the house. A large wooden porch swing was positioned near the arched oak door that sported a stained-glass window.

  It didn’t matter that she was so numb she couldn’t feel her feet as she began moving up the walkway. She was grateful for Scott’s supportive arm around her waist as they mounted the porch stairs together.

  When he would have reached for the doorbell, Jenna shook her head. She didn’t want to rush this moment. She w
anted to savor every second, lock it away in her memory to be replayed again and again. She looked through the bright-colored glass into a wide foyer. She thought she heard a male voice coming from the back of the house, but she couldn’t be sure, because her heart was pounding wildly.

  “It’s going to be alright, Jenna. You’re going to be fine whether this is your Lincoln or not,” Scott said quietly.

  She mouthed the word “thank you,” unaware of slipping her left hand into his while she reached to press the doorbell. As they waited, Jenna was so glad to have Scott at her side.

  She froze at the sound of approaching footsteps. Unconsciously, she held her breath, her eyes closed while she silently prayed for strength.

  “Take a deep breath, babe,” Scott urged.

  Jenna did just that as she stared at the tall man who’d opened the front door. A screen door separated them. His long frame was shadowed by the mesh frame.

  “Can I help you?”

  Jenna felt the reassuring squeeze of Scott’s hand on her waist just before she found her voice. “Hello. We’re looking for Lincoln Nicholas. Is this his home?”

  “I’m Lincoln Nicholas. What can I do for you?”

  Jenna’s heart pounded like a steel drum as she fought to collect scattered thoughts and an avalanche of emotions. She didn’t speak because she couldn’t. She stared at Lincoln Nicholas. He was well above six feet tall, with dark bronze skin and close-cut, dark brown wavy hair. As she studied his African features, she realized he reminded her of someone, only she didn’t know who.

  “I’m Scott Hendricks and . . .”

  “The NBA player?” Lincoln asked.

  Scott nodded. “And this is Jenna Gaines. May we come inside?”

  “Did you say Jenna Gaines?” Lincoln asked, his voice barely above a whisper. “It can’t be . . .” His voice suddenly trailed away.

  “May we come inside? Just for a few moments, please,” Jenna asked softly.

  Lincoln nodded, unlocking the screened door and pushing it wide to allow them entrance.