Jake's Bride Read Online Free PDF Page B

if you could possibly come a little later tomorrow and watch Christopher for me."
    Her heart beat faster as he came to the counter where she was standing.
    "Do you and Eloise want to spend the afternoon at your mom's?"
    "No.  Aunt El and I have to go to the reading of Mom's will.  It shouldn't take long, an hour if that.  I can take Christopher along, but if you'd like to spend time with him, I can ask him if he wants to stay with you."
    Jake stared at the plate of sandwiches for a moment.  "Is that what you want?  Or would you like me to come along?"
    "You'd do that?"
    Jake shrugged.  "I'm Christopher's father.  I thought there might be good reason for me to sit in."
    She should have known he wouldn't be going just to give her moral support.  "Of course, I should have thought of that.  Christopher can take his coloring book.  That should occupy him.  My appointment is at two."
    "Two should be fine.  Gillian will be in the office tomorrow."
    Now that they were talking, she had to tell him about her plans.  "I wanted to tell you--I'll be moving back to L.A.  I've sent resumes to every day care center in the area."
    "What about your life in Wasco?  You can leave it that easily?"
    She thought he looked relieved about her decision, but it was hard to tell.  "About a month ago, I'd decided to look for a job in L.A.  The day care center where I worked closed and I had to make a change anyway.  I was trying to get up the courage to tell you about Christopher when Mom died."
    Jake shifted against the counter and his arm brushed hers.  "So I'll be able to see Christopher whenever I want."
    It wasn't a question, but a challenge.  "You can see him whenever you want... within reason. "
    He looked as if he hadn't expected her to stand up to him.  But she wouldn't let her guilt override what was best for their son.
    "And who's going to decided what's within reason?" he asked blandly, though his eyes had darkened.
    "We'll have to compromise or let Aunt Eloise be the judge.  She'd be fair."
    He was standing so close that she could catch the scent of his aftershave, trace his shoulder muscles in the worn T-shirt.  For a moment she thought she saw respect in his eyes if nothing else, and in that same moment, she thought he leaned closer. 
    Then, like a bolt of thunder startling her, the back door opened and Christopher scrambled in.  "Is lunch ready?"
    Jake stepped away, his expression unreadable.  Sara felt shut out again and was left with an emptiness she'd known for far too long.
    #
    After reading Jennifer Standish's will, George Gunthry laid it on the blotter in front of him and summed it up.  "In essence, Jennie's personal effects as well as the proceeds of the property she owned in Arizona go to Sara.  Do any of you have any questions?"
    Sara's mom and dad had bought the property in Arizona, thinking it a good investment for their later years, hoping the value of it would soar.
    Jake shifted in the straight-back chair beside Sara's.
    On Sara's other side, her aunt asked, "So what do you suggest we do first, Mr. Gunthry?  How long does my niece have before she has to vacate the house?"
    The white-haired lawyer responded kindly.  "Spend some time in the house sorting through Jennie's things.  Decide what you'd like to keep.  I suggest we call an auctioneer for the rest.  Because Jennie rented from Mr. Hale for so long, he's giving you until the end of October to vacate."
    Sara tightened her hand around her purse.  "It will be difficult auctioning furniture I've seen my mother use all her life."
    "Would you rather keep it?" the lawyer asked.
    "I have to find a job and rent a place for us.  I don't know if I can do that in a month."
    Her aunt asked the lawyer.  "What if she'd rent her mother's house?"
    Sara shook her head.  "It's too big.  We don't need that much room.  Besides, I can't rent anything until I find a job."
    Jake shifted again and asked, "How soon would you have to set up the