“Sure. Football is America’s game. People like it. It teaches discipline and teamwork. It teaches life.” He paused, then smiled. “On a more practical side, college football brings in money. The Texas Longhorns football program was recently valued at $805 million dollars. That’s just football. Superstar athletes bring in five or ten times what their scholarships are worth.”

“In ten years maybe,” Tad muttered.

“Another one of your long-term views. I’d love to see your five-year plan for the college,” Jack murmured. “I had a coach once who used to say you’re either part of the problem or you’re part of the solution.” He turned to President Newham. “Ma’am, it’s not an easy decision to make. There will be costs and starting a team is a long-term proposition. People may argue that the money is better spent elsewhere. But even if you only end up with an average team, you’ll be bringing in multiples of what you spend to get it up and running. Plus, a good football team is great advertising for the college. Who in America hasn’t heard of UCLA?”

“That could be because of the medical center,” Tad pointed out.

“Yeah, it could,” Jack said easily. “Except every one of those people know they’re the UCLA Bruins and the USC Trojans and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. You don’t learn that from a medical school.” He paused. “Or a tennis team.”

Tad started to rise from his chair. Jack was kind of hoping the man wouldn’t have second thoughts because every now and then a fight seemed like a good idea. Of course, that belief only lasted until he landed the first blow—which always hurt like a son of a bitch.

“Am I going to have to separate you two?” the university president asked.

Jack grinned. “Probably a good idea.”

She surprised him by smiling back. “All right, Mr. McGarry. Convince me you’re right. Tell me all the reasons Cal U Fool’s Gold should have a football team.”

Jack nodded slowly. “Sure thing. How much time do you have?”

* * *

LARISSA WALKED INTO the project room. It was a big open office with long tables pushed together to form a square. There were huge dry-erase boards on two walls and corkboards on the other two. A screen could be pulled down for computer presentations. Low cabinets held every kind of office supply and craft material. Because the project room was where the magic happened. Mock-ups began here, as did the brainstorming sessions.

Percy sat at one of the long tables, stacks of magazines in front of him. He had one open and was carefully measuring a page with a ruler.

“Whatcha doing?” she asked as she approached.

He glanced up and smiled at her. “Hey, Larissa.”

“Hey, yourself. I see Taryn already put you to work.”

“She did.” He pointed to the magazines. “There are client ads in each one. I’m making sure they’re the right size and in the right part of the magazine.”

He showed her the cover sheet for the ad approval form. It listed the size of the ad—full page, half page and so on—the name of the magazine, the issue number and the page number the ad should be on. At the top of each cover sheet was a small picture of the magazine itself, making the referencing easier.

“The pictures tell me which magazine to look for. Then this number is the page number and the size of the ad is right here. When I’ve checked it all, I put my initials in this box here.” He pointed to the form.

He sounded proud of the work he was doing, she thought happily. “You like working here?”

“Yeah. It’s real interesting. I’ve had jobs before, but not in a place like this. I’m usually sweeping up or cleaning the bathrooms. I worked for a moving company for a few months.” He wrinkled his nose. “This is better.” His smile returned. “Kenny came by a little bit ago and introduced himself. He’s a big guy.”

“He is.”

“He’s taking me to lunch. He said there’s a Mexican restaurant with enough food that I won’t be hungry for hours.” His expression turned wistful. “That’s a nice feeling, not to be hungry.” He glanced at her, then away. “Not that I care about that kind of thing. But some people do.”

Her heart cracked a little as she wondered how many times the teenager had gone to bed without anything to eat that day.

“You’ll like Kenny. He’s a great guy.” She pulled out a chair and sat next to Percy. “I hope you’ll think about what you want to do for your future,” she said. “Maybe college.”

Percy turned his attention to the magazine in front of him. “Jack talked about that this morning. I need to get my GED first. He’s, ah, gonna help me with that.”

“Good.”

“Are you two, like, engaged?”

Larissa jumped to her feet. “No. Of course not. What a silly question. Why would you ask that?” Before he could answer, she was heading for the door. “I’ll check in with you later,” she called over her shoulder.

Engaged? That would never happen. Jack didn’t want a permanent relationship and she wasn’t interested in one now, either. Certainly not with him. Jack was the kind of man who...

She walked down the hallway. Jack was nice enough, she reminded herself. Good-looking. Successful. He cared about people and she trusted him. But he was also into his bimbo of the week. His idea of an in-depth relationship was one that lasted two weeks. She would know. She bought the parting gifts he gave his lady friends.

Her and Jack? Ridiculous. They were friends. Good friends. Good friends who had kissed that one time, she thought with a sigh.

She wandered into Taryn’s office only to see her friend jump in her chair.

“What?” Taryn demanded. “Why are you here?”

Larissa held up both hands in a gesture of surrender. “Why are you crabbier than usual?”

Taryn sighed. “Sorry. That was guilt.”

Larissa looked at the computer. “Seriously? Are you on a p**n site or something?”

Taryn turned the computer to show Larissa the display. “No, wedding gowns.”

Larissa stared at a beautiful dress that was fitted to the waist, then flowed down in a cascade of fabric and lace and flowers. “If there’s rain we can all take cover under the skirt.”

Taryn’s mouth twitched. “Shut up. You don’t know anything about fashion.”

“Which works out because you know enough for both of us. Do you like that?”

“Sort of. I worry it’s too much for this damn town.”

“You’re too much and yet you love it here.”

“I know. Life has quite the sense of humor.” She leaned back in her chair. “Isabel is getting me some samples to try on. If I go with something couture, it’s going to be months before it’s ready.”

Larissa sprawled in a seat on the visitor’s side of the desk. “What about the designers Isabel already works with? You’ve said there are several you like. Ask them to design you a gown. If it’s just a drawing, you’re not committed or anything. And it would be faster than some famous designer.”

Isabel had a clothing store and a bridal gown store in town. For a sleepy little tourist town, Fool’s Gold had some great shopping.

Taryn’s blue-violet eyes widened. “That’s a brilliant idea.”

“Please don’t sound surprised. I can be intelligent.”

“You always are. And that’s great. I’ll talk to Isabel and see what she thinks.” Her eyes narrowed slightly. “Why are you here?”

“You mean your office, right? Because if we’re going to talk about the metaphysics of life on earth, I need a cookie.”

“Why are you in my office?” Taryn clarified.

“I’m bored. Jack’s at a meeting and the guys are all doing different stuff. Want a massage?”

“I just had one.”

Larissa shrugged. “See? I have no responsibilities.”

“Speaking of taking charge and being left to handle the work, what’s up with the kid?”

“His name is Percy.”

Taryn waved away the information. “Your latest project?”

“Jack and I found him last night. He was homeless. He’s just eighteen and he needs help.”

“You found him?”

“Uh-huh.”

“Why isn’t the rescue cat enough?”

“Dyna’s lovely. This is different. Besides, he’s not living with me. He’s with Jack.”

“Of course he is. What are you going to do with him?”

“I don’t know. Jack and I are working on that.”

Taryn’s expression turned knowing. “You’re always going to try to save the world, aren’t you? I can’t figure out if you’re truly that good or if you’re simply distracting yourself.”

“Ouch,” Larissa said. “I have feelings and I care about people and creatures in trouble.”

“Just a little bit more than the rest of us do,” Taryn told her. “I think you’re hiding.”

Something Larissa didn’t want to hear. It was too close to what her mother had mentioned to her. They meant it in different ways but the ultimate message was still the same.

“I’m fine,” she insisted.

“Do I look convinced?” Taryn asked.

“Yes.”

Taryn raised her eyebrows. “I worry about you. You’re so busy taking care of everyone else. Who looks after you?”

Jack, Larissa thought, but instinctively knew that wasn’t a good answer. Not in these circumstances. “I can take care of myself. I don’t need saving.”

Taryn shook her head. “Some days we all need saving. You should know that.”

CHAPTER SEVEN

DYNA’S PLAINTIVE CRIES made Larissa rethink her plan. The sweet-faced Ragdoll cat was obviously unhappy with the evening’s events.

“I think you’ll like it when we get there,” Larissa said as she grabbed the carrier, along with the big bag of takeout she’d picked up on the way over. “And Percy is nice. You’ll enjoy him.”

Dyna meowed again, making it clear she wasn’t on board with the program. Larissa did her best to not feel guilty as she walked up the walkway to Jack’s front door.

Jack opened it before she got there and stared at the carrier. “Dyna?” he asked, taking the food from her.

“I thought she’d like Percy. Pets are important in a family.”

“Uh-huh. I don’t have a litter box.”

“Yes, you do. From when you had those kittens.”

A couple of months ago, a litter of feral kittens had been in danger of dying when their mother had been killed by a car. They’d moved in with Jack until they’d been adopted.

“Right,” he said. “I’d forgotten. I have no idea where it is.”

“Not a problem.”

Larissa made sure the front door was securely closed, then opened the carrier. Dyna stepped out with the dignity only an offended cat could muster.

“I keep making backward progress with her,” she murmured.

“I’ll tell her she’s a fool not to adore you,” Jack told her. “Come on. Let’s eat.”

Percy clattered down the stairs. He was all arms and legs, still growing, Larissa thought as he stepped into the living room. But his new clothes looked good on him.

“Hey, is that a cat?” he asked, seeing Dyna. “She’s a real beauty.”

He bent over to pick up the feline. Larissa started to warn him that Dyna could be standoffish, only to watch while the cat relaxed into his arms and began to purr.

“That just figures,” she said with a sigh, then went off to the storage area by the utility room. Sure enough, the cat box and extra container of litter were just where she’d last seen them. She filled the box and set it by the washer, then returned to the living room.

Percy stood cradling the cat as he stroked her. She had her big blue eyes half-closed in pure bliss.

“I’ve never had a cat,” he admitted. “I didn’t think I’d like them, but she’s nice.”

Larissa thought of the dogs, cats, fish and hamsters she’d grown up with and briefly wondered how many other Percys were out there, barely getting by.

“Let’s show her the litter box,” she said, motioning for him to follow her. “Then eat. Jack gets crabby if his meals are delayed.”

“I heard that,” Jack yelled from the dining room.

Percy grinned.

After showing Dyna her facilities, Larissa and Percy detoured by the kitchen. They both washed their hands and collected cans of soda before walking into the dining room.

Jack had set out plates and serving spoons. He’d unpacked all the cartons and opened them. Larissa handed him a soda and sat across from him. Percy sat next to Jack and a few seconds later, Dyna sat in the chair next to Percy.

“Traitor,” she told the feline. “I’m the one who saved you.”

“There’s no accounting for who you fall for,” Jack said, and handed Larissa a carton. “Have an egg roll. You’ll feel better.”

There were plenty of choices for dinner. She’d gotten all of Jack’s favorites, along with the crispy spicy shrimp she liked, then added a few things for Percy. She preferred chow mein and Jack preferred rice, so they usually alternated. But with a teenaged boy in the house, she’d gone for both.

For a few minutes there was only the sound of chewing, accompanied by Dyna’s soft purr. Then Percy surfaced long enough to say, “I had Mexican food for lunch. It was good, too.”