A Gentleman's Agreement Read online

  Eunice laughed. “That’s adorable.”

  “Morning,” Blake said, entering the room.

  “Good morning, son.”

  Eunice eyed Blake as he moved to his mother and gave her a kiss on the cheek. The black tee he wore clung to his solid frame. She exhaled at the fact those powerful arms had been wrapped around her a short time ago.

  Blake moved in front of her, rested one hand on the table and the other on the back of her chair. Before her mind had fully processed his presence, he dipped forward and brushed his lips against hers. The move was so fluent it couldn’t have been a spur of the moment thought. The kiss only lasted a second—two, at most. But it left a lingering effect. One that warmed her like hot coffee.

  “Morning,” he said, his lips inches from hers.

  Eyeing his mouth, she said, “Morning.”

  Their gazes held for a long, tense moment. Luckily, Aunt Belle intervened, allowing Eunice to release the stranglehold on the breath she’d trapped in her throat.

  Aunt Belle rested her hand on Blake’s shoulder. “Who is this handsome fellow?” she asked, batting her eyes. “I like ‘em tall, chocolate, and strong as a train.”

  Blake chuckled. “I’m Blake, Aunt Belle.” He pointed over his shoulder. “Thelma’s son.”

  “For goodness sakes, she’s not deaf, Prat. You’re roaring like a train,” his mother said.

  Eunice bit back a laugh and a desire to say, “Toot-toot.”

  “I was married to a porter once. He died. He tripped over his shoe lace and fell off the caboose.”

  “Crazy as hell,” his father yelled from another room.

  “Let me go in here and straighten that man out. Let’s go, Belle. It’s time to take your medicine.” Mrs. Farrington neared Eunice. “Here you go, sweetie. Enjoy.”

  Eunice’s eyes widened at the loaded plate. There was no way she could eat all of that. “Thank you.”

  When the two women left the room, Blake’s eyes settled on her again. “About that peck...”

  The only objection she had was the fact that it hadn’t lasted long enough. Eunice lifted her hand. “Part of the role-play, I know.”

  Blake looked as if he wanted to say something, but reconsidered. He moved to the spread laid out on the island. “Ah, you’re up early.”

  “The early bird gets the worm.”

  “Yeah, but the late mouse gets the cheese.”

  They both laughed.

  Blake piled his plate high with a sample of everything his mother had prepared.

  “Are you going to leave some for anyone else?”

  Taking a seat next to her, he said, “You snooze, you lose.” He bit into a piece of sausage. “I never got to eat like this. Sasha used to fuss about bacon. Sausage. Ham. Damn near anything that wasn’t a vegetable.”

  This was the first time he’d mention Sasha since the day in his office. “I’m sure she was just looking out for you.”

  “More like making sure I didn’t croak before I could propose.”

  “You and Sasha were discussing marriage?” For some reason, the idea alarmed her. She bit into a piece of bacon, not wanting to seem too interested.

  “She discussed marriage. To anyone who’d listen.”

  “What do you have against marriage?”

  “Nothing. I just don’t think I’m the marrying type.”

  Eunice forked around the eggs in her plates. “I don’t believe that. I personally think you would make some woman a great husband. Great Father. Great provider.” Eunice stopped abruptly and glanced up from her plate. Blake eyed her in that guarded manner he sometimes eyed folks. Looking away, she said, “You have wonderful role models. Your parents are fantastic. Your entire family is, actually.”

  Blake nodded. “Thanks. And what about you?”

  “What about me, what?”

  “Marriage?”

  Eunice shrugged one shoulder. “I don’t know. I think about my mom and I’m tempted to say no. But I look at your parents, still so much in love with each other after forty years, and I’m tempted to say absolutely. Unfortunately, that kind of happiness isn’t guaranteed.”

  “That leads me to my next question. Why are you single? I haven’t seen you date a guy more than a month. You’re great. Except when it’s that time of the month.” He flashed a severe expression. “You’re a monster then. You scare me.”

  Eunice swatted him playfully. “I can’t believe you just said that. How would you know when it’s that time of the month, anyway?”

  “Because…” He placed his index finger under her chin, then brushed the center of her chin with the pad of his thumb. “…you get a small pimple right here.”

  How did he…?

  “I pay attention,” he said, as if he’d read her mind.

  “I guess you do.”

  Blake’s thumb continued along her jaw line, causing a sensation that raced up her spine. As if awareness set in, he allowed his hand to fall. She instantly missed the feel of his touch.

  “And your chocolate consumption triples. Hersey’s Kisses don’t stand a chance around you.”

  Eunice growled at him, then jabbed him in the side. “To answer your question. I don’t allow anyone to get too close.” She shrugged slightly. “I guess it’s fear of going through what my mother went through. All in the name of love.”

  “That wasn’t love. Love protects, it doesn’t harm.”

  “Maybe I should fall in love with you.” She snapped her eyes to him abruptly. How in the hell had that slipped out? Especially when she hadn’t even realized she was thinking it. “I didn’t mean— I mean—”

  Not looking up from his plate, Blake said, “What do you want in a man?”

  The question put her into even more of a stunned state. This had to rank up there with the top five most awkward moments in her life. Pushing a lock of hair behind her ear, she tried to gain some since of composure. Mulling over his question, she couldn’t help but admit it baffled her. But what could be the harm in answering? “Confidence, but not arrogance. Arrogant men make my skin crawl.”

  Blake shifted his focus to her and laughed, then refocused on his meal. “And?”

  “Motivation, but not overly-ambitious. I want him to have time for me.”

  “Understandable. Go on.”

  Why was he so interested in her dream man? “Gentle, but not a pushover.”

  He glanced up at her. “You want thug love?”

  Eunice jostled him playfully. “No, I don’t want thug love.” She stared into his eyes. “I just want to feel protected.” Similar to how she’d felt in his arms when he’d held her through the night.

  “You certainly sound like a woman who knows exactly what she wants.”

  “I’ve had enough duds to know what I don’t want.”

  “Well, whoever he is…he’ll be one lucky guy.”

  Eunice smiled. Pushing her plate away, she said, “About last night, Blake. Thank you for showing me such kindness. And for listening.”

  Blake placed his fork down and shifted toward her. “I’m glad you trusted me enough to share something so personal. I’m sorry I didn’t know what to say.”

  “You said enough.”

  The way he eyed her, as if he were trying to read her mind, unnerved her. When Ian entered the room, Blake broke their connection. She took the opportunity to steady her heartbeat.

  “What’s up, Ian?” Blake said.

  “What’s up?” he mumbled under his breath.

  Blake eyed her, and she shrugged. Ian’s ill mood had to have something to do with the blowup he and his wife had had over the phone the night before.

  “Everything all right, Ian?” Blake asked.

  Waving Blake’s words off, he said, “Yeah, yeah.” He shoveled food onto a plate. “Remind me why in the hell I got married.”

  Blake arched a brow. “Because you love your wife?”

  Ian grumbled something under his breath, moved to the table and took a seat. “Don’t ever let my b
rother convince you to marry him. Stay single.”

  Eunice laughed. An image of Blake wearing a tux and standing at the altar filled her thoughts. Shooing the illusion away, she said, “Okay.”

  Blake tossed a piece of bread at him. “Why would you plant something like that in her head?”

  Ian ducked the bread and laughed. “I’m telling mom you’re wasting food.”

  “Snitch.”

  Eunice shook her head at the two grown mean acting like toddlers. This made her miss not having siblings. “Blake, can we all go out on the lake later?”

  Eunice caught the exchange between Blake and Ian. What had the troubled glances meant?

  Ian shook pepper on his eggs. “Ah, I think dad said something about the boat needing servicing.”

  “Yeah, I think he did,” Blake said, standing. “I should shower before all of the warm water is used up. Will you be okay?” he asked Eunice.

  “Damn, I don’t bite,” Ian said.

  “Well, when you walked in, you did look a little rabid,” Blake said.

  Ian chuckled. “Sorry about that. I hadn’t had my coffee.”

  “I’ll be fine.” Blake kissed her again, but this time on the cheek. Though it wasn’t what she’d preferred, it still made her flesh tingle.

  Once Blake was out of the room, Ian turned his attention to her. “Are you ready for the party tonight?”

  Yes, she was. But she ignored the question. “What was that about, Ian? Did something happen at the lake?”

  Ian pushed around the eggs on his plate. “Blake hasn’t told you yet, I’m guessing.”

  “Told me what?”

  “About our grandfather. The accident.”

  Eunice shook her head. “No, he hasn’t.”

  “He will.” Ian pushed away from the table, stood, and was gone.

  How could he be so sure that Blake would tell her? Had the statement Blake made to her about demons have to do with whatever it was Ian wasn’t telling her? Were demons haunting Blake, as well? She felt compelled to show him he didn’t have to fear his either?

  Chapter 8

  Blake tugged at his sweater cuff to see his watch. Two hours remained until his parents’ anniversary party ended. This year rivaled previous years. In attendance. In extravagance. In cost. But no price tag could be placed on his parents’ happiness.

  The decorators had done a fabulous job transforming the hay barn into something spectacular. Who knew the aged structure could look this amazing? Shades of champagne, gold, and terracotta adorned the large space. Oversized pumpkins were scattered throughout, stenciled with words such as love, cherish, respect, and countless other enduring terms. Shimmery champagne tablecloths draped round tables topped with pinecones, fall-colored leaves, candles, and miniature pumpkins.

  “May I have everyone’s attention, please?” Focus shifted to the event coordinator standing at what would be considered the front of the room. “The Farrington men: Ian, Tucker, and Blake have prepared a special presentation for their parents.”

  His parents tossed glances between them that clearly asked, “What kind of presentation?”

  The coordinator made a gesture with her hand and a screen lowered from the rafters. A moment later, the lights dimmed. For the next twenty minutes, everyone enjoyed a reel of his parents’ life together, synced to a sequence of love songs. Their favorite song, Bebe Winans’ “I Found Love,” signaled the end of the slideshow.

  When the lights rose, Eunice—along with countless others—swiped at their eyes.

  “That was beautiful,” she whispered to him, more tears escaping.

  Blake was happy that she was shedding tears of joy and not of sorrow. Leaning over, he dragged his thumb across both cheeks. Admittedly, he found himself constantly looking for opportunities to touch Eunice.

  Something about being in Norfolk heightened the feelings he harbored for Eunice. Feelings he’d fought for a number of years. How in the hell did he ever believe he could spend time with her in this type of setting and have it not affect him?

  Like he’d done for so long, he beat the feelings down, reminding himself that some lines shouldn’t be crossed. Especially ones that could result in losing a friend—which he considered Eunice to be. A great friend, if further clarification was needed.

  Eunice blinked back more tears. “I guess I’m a sucker for beautiful love stories.”

  After speeches by Blake and his brothers, the dinner plates were cleared and the party kicked up a notch. The danced floor jumped with individuals eager to show off their moves. Eunice had been led away by Casey before he got the opportunity to ask her for a dance. The more he thought about it, it was probably for the best. Eunice’s body pressed against his… Why torture himself?

  When he spotted Eunice and Casey across the room, he smiled. Casey adored her Aunt Eunice, the child had started calling her out of the blue. Eunice glanced in his direction as if she’d known his eyes were pinned to her. She waved, then broke their connection when his cousin, Bobby, approached.

  Bobby’s interruption caused a twinge of irritation to roll through him. When Eunice tossed her head back in laughter, a sound rumbled in Blake’s chest. What in the hell had Bobby said to her that was so damn funny? Someone clapped Blake and the back, and he turned to see Tucker.

  Tucker stood shoulder to shoulder with him. “What are you staring at?”

  “Nobody,” he said.

  Tucker chuckled. “The correct answer would have been nothing, seeing how I didn’t ask you who you were staring at.”

  So what if he was casually observing Eunice. It wasn’t like there was a law against admiring her from a distance. “I’m contemplating whether or not I should rescue her from Bobby. You know that smooth-talking Louisianan can chat an ear off.” More like lie an ear off.

  “Uh-huh,” Tucker said, rocking back and forth on his heels.

  Blake folded his arms across his chest. “Why are you giving me that look?”

  “No reason.”

  “Okay.” He shifted his focus back to Eunice and Bobby. When Bobby whispered something in Eunice’s ear, Blake’s jaw tightened.

  “You okay? You look a little…tense.”

  Blake refused to make eye contact with Tucker. No, he wasn’t okay. Why in the hell did seeing Eunice with Bobby irk him so much? Was it jealousy? No. Hell, no. He didn’t have a right to be jealous. Eunice wasn’t technically his. Their relationship was only make-believe. He repeated that a few more times to himself. Keep your head in the game, Farrington.

  The sound of their mother’s soft voice prompted them both to turn.

  “My men,” she said, draping an arm around them both.

  Blake wrapped his arm around his mother. “Did you like the presentation?”

  “I absolutely loved it. You boys outdid yourselves. All of this.” She scanned the room. “It’s amazing. Thank you.” Their mother’s voice cracked with emotion.

  “Don’t cry, Mom,” Tucker said. “You’re going to run this squeamish one right here away.” He popped Blake on the arm.

  Blake faked a laughed. “I think you missed your true calling. You should have been a comedian instead of a minister.”

  “Yeah, whatever.” Tucker kissed their mother on the cheek. “I need to find my wife. Bobby is on the prowl.”

  When Tucker moved away, his mother glanced up at him. “You didn’t seem too squeamish when you were wiping Eunice’s tears away.” She didn’t wait for a response. “Care to take an old lady for a twirl around the dance floor?”

  Blake surveyed the room. “Sure. Just point her out.” His mother swatted at him. “Oh, I didn’t realize you were referring to yourself. Old? Hogwash.” He escorted his mother onto the lighted dance floor.

  “I like Eunice, son. You two seem good for each other.”

  “She’s amazing.” Blake stole a glimpse of Eunice, still engulfed in conversation with Bobby. He rolled his eyes away. “Mom, I know we traditionally visit the farm the Saturday after Thanksgiving,
but do you think we can go the day before Thanksgiving this year?”

  “Is something wrong? You’re not leaving early, are you?”

  “No.” Without going into detail, he said, “I want to take Eunice’s mind off the day.” His eyes sought her out again. This time, Eunice’s eyes met his. The feelings swirling around inside him were dangerous, but he was powerless against them. Something had changed between them. He felt it and was convinced Eunice felt it, too.

  “Did something bad happen, son?”

  Refocusing on his mother, he nodded. “Yes, it did.”

  “You care about her deeply, don’t you?”

  More than he wanted to admit. After a moment of contemplation, he nodded. He hadn’t realized just how much until he’d held her trembling body in his arms.

  “Of course, we can.”

  “Thank you.”

  “She’s crazy about you, too, you know. That fills my heart with so much joy.”

  How had his mother come to such a conclusion? “And how do you know she’s crazy about me, beautiful?”

  “By the way she looks at you. With such admiration. Plus, a mother knows when a woman really cares for her son. Just like a mother knows when a woman is only interested in her son’s money.” Her face contorted. “Like that Sandy girl you used to date.”

  “Sasha, Mom.”

  “That’s what I said, dear.” She patted him softly on the chest. “You know I never make it a habit to get into you boys’ business, but I’m so glad you’re no longer dating that awful woman.”

  Blake chuckled. For kicks, he asked, “What was so wrong with her?”

  His mother scoffed. “Other than the fact that she came into my home and preceded to tell me how I should prepare dinner. And when I suggested she prepare the meal to her liking, her telling me she’d just had her nails done.”

  He laughed as the memories of the previous year filled his thoughts.

  “It’s not funny, Prat. You and that girl were not suited for one another. She was too immature and needy.”

  He agreed with his mother on that, but didn’t share it with her.

  “But Eunice...” A smiled stretched her lips. “Never mind. I’m meddling in your love life. You’re a grown man.”