Stern

Wanda shook her head. “It’s not going to work, JoJo. When one man has your heart you can’t replace him with another. I learned that the hard way.”

JoJo watched as Wanda squared her shoulders and walked out of the office. One day, JoJo decided, she would have a long talk with Wanda and get the facts about what had happened with her second marriage. Why had it been so difficult to move on and fall in love again with a good man?

JoJo was certain it wouldn’t be that hard for her to shift her affections from Stern to Walter. She’d never been married to Stern, after all. Falling for another man shouldn’t be difficult.

In a way, she was looking forward to showing up at the Punch Bowl on Saturday night. From the information Wanda had just provided her with, it seemed that’s where Walter hung out on the weekends. She’d heard it had live entertainment and was a nice place to dance, a place where women went to meet men.

She drew in a deep breath knowing this weekend she would be in that number.

* * *

“This must be serious.” Zane Westmoreland opened the door to his cousin.

Stern walked past him and into the living room. “What makes you think that?”

Zane shrugged as he followed. “You’re here. I can’t recall the last time you came visiting.”

“You’ve had a house guest and I didn’t want to intrude. I heard she’s gone for now.” Stern was talking about the woman Zane would be marrying over the holidays. Stern was still somewhat in shock about that. If anyone had told him that his cousin Zane, the one man who not only knew women like the back of his hand but who also enjoyed them tremendously, would settle down and marry, Stern would not have believed them.

“Channing had to go back to Atlanta for work. She’ll be moving here from Atlanta permanently next month.”

“Think you can last until then?”

Zane smiled. “Not sure. She’ll be back in a few weeks for Riley’s wedding. We’ll spend Thanksgiving with her folks and then we marry on Christmas Day.”

“Sounds like you have it all planned out,” Stern said, sitting on the couch and stretching his long legs in front of him.

“I do.” There was a pause. “So what brings you by on a Monday night, Stern?”

Stern would think the reason he’d stopped by was obvious. Zane, who was six years older, had a reputation for knowing women. Not just a little about them but practically everything. Before he’d become engaged to Channing, Zane had been the family expert on the subject, and Stern figured the kind of knowledge Zane possessed didn’t dissipate with an engagement.

“It’s JoJo.”

Zane’s brow lifted. “What about JoJo?”

Stern released a slow breath. JoJo had been his best friend for years so everyone in the family knew her. “She asked me for a favor.”

“What kind of favor?”

“She wanted me to tell her how to make a man want her. There’s this guy she’s been checking out. Only thing is, he doesn’t seem to reciprocate the interest, so she wants me to tell her what she needs to do to stimulate that interest.”

Zane nodded. “Oh, I see.”

Stern frowned. “Well, I sure as hell don’t.”

“You wouldn’t.”

Stern’s frown deepened. “What is that supposed to mean?”

A slight smile touched Zane’s lips. “It means that since JoJo’s your best friend, you’re too close to the situation. If you were another woman it wouldn’t be a big deal, but because you’re a man, to you it is a big deal.”

“Of course it’s a big deal. Why should she worry about making a man want her? If the guy doesn’t have the sense to want her on his own, why should she worry about it?”

“Because she evidently wants him and wants him to want her in return. There’s nothing wrong with that.”

Stern figured there was a lot wrong with it.

“So what did you tell her?” Zane asked.

Stern leaned back against the sofa cushions. “When I didn’t take her seriously at first, she copped an attitude. That’s the last thing I needed so I offered a few pointers. I told her that she probably should wear more dresses. JoJo has great legs, and she should flaunt them more. I also suggested she stop hiding her hair under a cap. Her hair is one of her strong points. I particularly like it when she wears it down.”

Zane nodded again. “Anything else?”

“I told her that after her makeover, she should find out where this guy hangs out and go there, impress him as the new and improved JoJo. I told her if she decided to make such a move then I would go with her.”

“Why?”

Stern’s brow bunched in confusion. “Why?”

“Yes, why? Why do you feel the need to go with her?”

“Because I don’t know the guy,” he said defensively. “She won’t give me his name or tell me anything about him, other than that he brings his car in to get it serviced from time to time.”

“That’s all you need to know. If you ask me, that’s more than you should know. JoJo is a grown woman who can take care of herself.”

“You don’t know that.”

Zane chuckled. “We’re talking about JoJo, Stern. The same woman who can hit a target with a gun or a bow and arrow with one eye closed. The same woman who has a black belt. You and I both know she can take care of herself, so that means there’s something else bothering you. What is it?”

Stern frowned as he stared at the floor and mumbled, “Nothing.”

Zane didn’t say anything for a minute. “There is something, Stern. You didn’t come here because you wanted to see my pug face. There’s something bothering you, so come clean. I can only help if you do that.”

Stern paused. “I’m afraid, Zane.”

Zane lifted a brow. “Afraid? What are you afraid of?”

“That I’m going to lose my best friend. What if she gets serious with this guy and he has a problem with our relationship? You’ve said enough times that you wouldn’t want any woman of yours to share the kind of relationship with a man that JoJo shares with me.”

“You won’t lose her,” Zane said, trying to reassure him.

“You can’t be certain of that, and I can’t take that chance.”

Zane shook his head. “You’re going to have to trust her judgment.”

“I trust hers. I just don’t trust his.”

Zane rolled his eyes. “But you don’t know him.”

“Exactly,” Stern said, standing. “That’s why I need to find out who he is and check him out.”

“I think you’re going at it all wrong.”

“I don’t,” he said, heading for the door. “Bye, Zane. You’ve given me a lot to think about.”

“No, I didn’t. I suggest you examine your own feelings for JoJo,” Zane replied. But Stern was already out the door and didn’t hear what his cousin had said.

* * *

The next night JoJo stepped onto her porch and inhaled deeply to fill her lungs with crisp mountain air. She had put her hair in a ponytail before placing her favorite Denver Broncos cap on her head, but instead of her usual jeans and T-shirt, she was wearing a blue blouse and a pair of black corduroy slacks. She’d also grabbed a jacket because the evenings were turning cool.

She heard a sound, turned and then smiled at the man coming up the steps. Her heart raced. Stern’s well-toned physique was displayed in a pair of jeans, a blue Western shirt and a Stetson. He looked way too handsome for his own good.

She checked her watch. “You’re on time.”

“Aren’t I always?” Stern said, glancing around. “I hope you don’t stand out here on the porch waiting for all your dates.”

JoJo adjusted her cap. “You aren’t a date. Come on,” she said, grabbing his arm and heading down the steps. “I’ve already locked up and turned on the alarm. The movie starts in twenty minutes.”

“Whoa, what’s the rush? There’s not much traffic out so we’ll make it.”

She knew he was right, but she was looking forward to tonight. Any time she got to spend with Stern made her all giggly inside. She was certain those feelings would pass once she knew more about Walter. And speaking of Walter...

“I’m going to get that makeover this weekend,” she said as she got into the car and buckled her seat belt.

Stern glanced over at her after buckling his own. “Why?”

She felt the huge smile that spread across her face. “I found out where my guy hangs out on the weekend and I plan to show up.”

Stern held her gaze for a moment and then asked, “Where?”

“I’ll tell you only if you promise not to show up.”

“Not making that promise, JoJo.”

She rolled her eyes. “Then I won’t tell you. Why are you being difficult about this, Stern? Do I show up at places where I know you’ll be taking your dates?”

“No. But I’m not the one asking for advice on how to reel someone in. Besides, I want to make sure he doesn’t get disrespectful with you,” Stern said, pulling out of her driveway.

She frowned. “Dammit, Stern, I can take care of myself. If I can catch his attention, we’ll talk, listen to music and dance. It shouldn’t be hard to tell if he’s interested.”

He turned to her when the car came to a traffic light. “But he’ll be interested for the wrong reason.”

“I can handle it.”

He grunted. “So you’re really going to go through with this?”

“Yes. Of course. I thought we cleared up the issue of how serious I was last week.” He was acting too much like a big brother to suit her.

A couple of hours later, to her way of thinking, Stern was not in the best of moods. The movie was good and she had enjoyed it, but each time she stole a glance at him, he was frowning.

“That sour look will get stuck in place if you don’t get rid of it, Stern,” she teased as they walked out of the theater.

He looked over at her. “Funny.”

“You don’t see me laughing. The movie was your idea, but I don’t think you enjoyed being here,” she said, sliding into the car when he opened the door for her.

“I enjoyed the movie, and I enjoyed your company.”

JoJo wasn’t convinced. She glanced at her watch. “It’s early. You want to drop by McKays for coffee?”

“That sounds good.”

At least he wasn’t in a rush to get her home, she thought. “I talked to Megan about the guy that does her hair, and she suggested I talk to Pam, so I’m doing that tomorrow. I hope she’ll be able to recommend someone who can do my makeover. She always looks good. In fact, all the women your cousins and brothers married look great.”

Pam was married to his oldest brother, Dillon. A former movie star who’d been a regular on one of JoJo’s favorite soaps years ago, Pam had given it all up to return to her home in Wyoming to raise her three younger sisters when her father died. That was when she’d met Dillon.

“What if I told you I like the way you look?” Stern said, intruding on her thoughts.

She rolled her eyes. “You would since you’re my best friend. Besides, I’m not trying to impress you, remember? However, I appreciate the fact that you gave me some advice at the lodge. It’s advice that I’m putting to good use since I consider you an expert on what men like. I’m going shopping on Friday, and after talking to Pam I’ll be contacting someone who can perform miracles on my hair and help with my makeup.”

He didn’t say anything. He just redirected his focus on the road. But she would swear she could hear his teeth gnashing. Why was he upset about her setting her sights on a guy? When minutes passed and she could feel the tension radiating between them, she couldn’t stand it any longer. When he pulled into McKays’ parking lot and brought the car to a stop, she turned to him as she unbuckled her seat belt. “What’s wrong with you, Stern? I thought you understood. Why do you have a problem with me going after a guy I want when you do the same with any woman you want?”

Stern didn’t say anything for a long moment. “Is it wrong for me to want to protect you, JoJo?”

She drew in a deep breath. Little did he know, she was trying to protect him...mainly from herself. If Stern had any idea that she’d fallen in love with him, he would probably race toward the nearest mountain, away from her.

“It’s wrong if I don’t want to be protected. You’re acting worse than Dad ever did. Even he had the good sense to loosen the binds when I got older. In fact, he would tell me all the time that I needed to get out more, date, get dressed up and meet boys. He didn’t worry about me because he knew I could take care of myself. Why don’t you?”

“That’s not it.”

She lifted a brow. “Then what is it?”

Stern frowned, not knowing if he could explain how he felt without sounding selfish. Was he willing to deny her a chance to be happy just because he didn’t want to lose her? “Nothing. I’m just in a bad mood. Sorry.”

He started to open the car door to get out when she reached out and touched his arm. “Why are you in a bad mood?”

He shrugged. “Craziness at the office. My first day back yesterday didn’t go well.” No need to tell her how he’d been a jerk in front of his brothers and how Dillon had read him the riot act. “Work was piled high on my desk. I have a lot of cases to prepare for this week. A ton of stuff to do with little time.”

He saw the sympathetic look in her eyes and felt like a heel for stretching the truth. The number of files on his desk was manageable and had nothing to do with his mood.

She patted his hand. “Don’t worry about it, Stern. You can do it. You always do. You’re bright. Intelligent. A hard worker. And you have a good head on your shoulders.”

He couldn’t respond. What she’d said was the JoJo way. She’d always had the ability to make him believe in himself even when the odds were stacked against him. Like when he’d wanted to play basketball in high school but his grades hadn’t been the best. She had tutored him and when he’d wanted to give up, she wouldn’t let him. She’d encouraged him by saying some of the same things to him then that she had said just now. And, dammit, she always had him believing it. “Thanks, JoJo.”

How in the world had he been blessed with a best friend like her? A lot of people considered them odd because of their unique friendship. And there were some, like his cousins Bailey and the twins—Aiden and Adrian—who thought they would eventually become more than friends. He had told them time and time again that he didn’t see JoJo that way. She was his best friend and nothing more. He refused to think anything had changed.

“Ready to go inside?” he asked her.

“Yes, I can use the coffee. I need to finish inventory. We’re running out of supplies too soon. Something isn’t adding up.”

“Then I’m sure you’ll find out what the problem is,” he said, getting out of the car. “You’re always on top of stuff.”

He came around the car to open the door for her. “Thanks for the vote of confidence,” she said.

“No problem.”

Pushing the car door shut behind her, he took her hand and together they moved toward the entrance of McKays, a popular restaurant in town. It was only when they were inside and greeted by the hostess that he released JoJo’s hand.

And only then did it occur to him how good it had felt holding it.

* * *

“Thanks for the movie and coffee tonight, Stern.”

“Don’t mention it,” he said, following her inside her home. Whenever he took her out, he would come in with her and check things out.

After their little discussion in which he had explained why he was in such a bad mood, his attitude had vastly improved. Over coffee, he’d joked about Aiden and Adrian and their plans now that they had finished college. Aiden, who had gone into the medical field, was doing his residency at a hospital in Maine. Adrian, who’d gotten a master’s degree in engineering, would start working for Blue Ridge as a project engineer in a couple of months. Adrian had decided to travel abroad before returning to Denver to settle down and start work.

She and Stern also talked about all the excitement swirling around the Westmoreland households, with all the recent marriages and engagements. The one thing she noted was that Stern thought it was really funny that some of his cousins and brothers figured he would be next—even though he didn’t have a steady girlfriend.

“Everything checks out,” Stern said, coming out of her kitchen.

“Only because you scared away the bogeyman.” She chuckled and took off her cap, tossing it on a table before removing the band from her hair to let the waves flow around her shoulders. She wondered if the person who would do her hair for the weekend would suggest cutting it. She’d never gotten her hair cut, but if it meant getting Walter to notice her, then she would definitely consider it.

JoJo almost jumped at the feel of Stern’s hand in her hair. She hadn’t heard him cross the room.

“I love your hair,” he said softly, running his fingers through the strands.

His fingers felt good. “I know,” she said. He had always complimented her on her hair and she knew from their conversation at the lodge that he thought she shouldn’t hide it under a cap.

“Tell me you won’t cut it. Ever.”

“Umm, can’t do that. The hairstylist might suggest I cut it as part of the makeover.”

When she heard his teeth gnashing she glanced up at him. They were standing closer than she’d realized. “You’re supporting me with all this, right?” she asked, trying to sound in control of herself, of her emotions. Why did he have to smell so good?

He didn’t say anything as he continued to run his fingers through her hair. Why was heat beginning to flow through her? It’s not like he’d never played with her hair before. When they were younger he would pull her pigtails all the time, and then when she got older, her pigtails became ponytails and he would pull those, too. And more than a few times he’d helped her wash her hair when they’d vacationed at the lodge. But that was before she’d discovered she had feelings for him, before she’d begun lusting after him. Some of her dreams about him were totally X-rated.

She cleared her throat. “Well, if you still plan to go into the office early, you better go home and get a good night’s sleep. And I still have those inventory reports to go over before I can call it a night.”

“Yes, you’re right,” he said, pulling his fingers from her hair and checking his watch. “It’s getting late.”

“Yes, it is.” Was it her imagination or did his voice sound a little throatier than usual? He was still standing there, and he had reached back up to run his fingers through her hair again. Why was her body shifting closer to him? Why was her face tilting toward his?

More heat streaked up her spine and she was swathed in feelings she had never felt before.

And then Stern’s fingers tightened on several strands of her hair and he lowered his mouth to hers.

She leaned up to meet his lips, feeling weak in the knees as their lips touched. Sensing she was about to lose her balance, Stern wrapped his arms around her and deepened the kiss. At least she had the presence of mind to grip his shoulders. Voices echoed through her brain: this is wrong. This is Stern. He’s my best friend and we shouldn’t be engaging in this sort of thing. But she ignored the voices as sensations overtook her.

And then he did something that made her gasp in shock. He deepened the kiss even more, literally sucking her tongue into his mouth and devouring it. Never had she been kissed this way. To be honest, she’d never really been kissed at all. That sloppy, wet kiss Mitch Smith had planted on her lips right before Stern had clobbered him, when they’d been in the tenth grade, was nothing compared to this. In fact, it was crap compared to this.

This was the kind of kiss that romance novel authors wrote about—the kind that rendered you senseless and boneless at the same time. She couldn’t help wondering if this was a test. Stern knew about her inexperience when it came to men, yet she had boldly set her sights on a man. Was he kissing her merely to show her what to expect? To see how good—or awful—she was?

That wasn’t a bad idea, she thought. Then he could give her pointers so she wouldn’t mess things up with Walter. Yes, that had to be it. That had to be the reason he was kissing her like this. He was kissing her to give her suggestions afterward. In that case...

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