Trusting Jack by Beth Hale Page A

although that jacket is nice.”
                  Emma stiffened and hurt flashed in her eyes.  “Why do you insist on being cruel?”
                  “I just don’t understand you.  I tried and tried to work with you; did nothing I say sink in?”
                  “Damn you, Ryan.”  Tears threatened to erupt.  “You really are a bastard.”
    Jack came out of the shop and noticed Emma’s eyes.  He put a comforting arm around her and turned steely eyes on the man standing in front of her. 
    “Hello,” he said, barely masking the anger in his voice.  He held out a hand.  “Jack Brandon.  I take it you know my Emma.”
                  “Ryan McNeil,” he replied as he returned the handshake.  “Jack Brandon!  Well, I’m pleased to meet you; I’ve seen several of your performances in New York.”  He suddenly noticed the way Jack held Emma and his smile faltered.
                  “Always nice to meet a fan.”  Jack kept his voice even and continued.  “McNeil.  You’re Emma’s ex-husband, then.  I can’t thank you enough.”
                  “I beg your pardon?”
                  “For being fool enough to let her go.”  He
    pulled Emma closer.  “Because you did, I had the good luck to meet her.”  He kissed Emma’s cheek.  “And become completely besotted with her.”
                  Ryan stood speechless for a moment and frowned.  “Well,” he muttered.
                  Emma’s heart tilted again at Jack’s willingness to defend her.  “Well,” she returned brightly, determined to show Ryan she was happy.  “It was good seeing you again, but we have to go.”  She held up the bag with the giraffe’s head sticking out.  “We’ve got to deliver these to a friend before we’re due on set.  Give my best to Renee, won’t you?  Goodbye, Ryan.”
                  “Goodbye,” he returned.  He wondered how the hell Emma had managed to become that close to a successful actor.
                  Jack bared his teeth in a semblance of a smile and left with Emma, his arm now snugly wrapped around her waist.  Ryan shook his head and walked back to his hotel.
     
    ***
     
                  Alison went wild over the gifts, especially the giraffe.  Emma looked at Jack with eyes that said I told you so.  He rolled his own.
                  “Thank you so much,” Alison said to Emma.  “I adore the jewelry box.”
    “I thought you would,” she replied as Aliso n reached for the last gift bag.
    “Oh, Jack,” she exclaimed.  “Jack, it’s beautiful!  You remembered how much I wanted it, even the color.”  She stroked the supple cognac leather and beamed.  “Look here, darling,” she told Jacob as he came in with the baby.  “I have a new handbag.”
                  “To go along with your countless others,” he
    smiled.  He gave her the baby and she cuddled him.
                  “I’ve named him Jacob Brandon,” she announced, “after the man I love and the man I consider a great friend.”
                  “I’m honored,” Jack said quietly.  “Honored and humbled.  We are great friends,” he told Alison as he touched the baby’s hand and kissed Alison’s cheek.
                  She held the baby out.  “Would you like to hold him?”
                  Jack stepped back, slightly panicked.  “Not now; he’s a bit small.  What if I drop him?  No, I believe I’ll wait till he’s bigger.”
                  The others grinned and Alison looked at Emma.  “Would you?”
                  “You bet.”  She gently took him and smiled into his tiny face.  “You’re such a handsome boy,” she crooned, “Such a good baby.”
                  Jack watcher her slowly rock the baby back and forth.