Chapter 19
Steel
“You can open your eyes now.” I was more excited than I thought possible. How odd considering the awkward night. I’d been so angry that I’d planned on leaving Damon and Violet at the restaurant. I’d seriously thought about it.
What kind of man did that kind of thing?
Not a decent one.
Damon was almost lethargic, acting as if he wasn’t interested.
“Come on, little man. You can’t be surprised unless you open your eyes.” She stood off to the side, her body language indicating she was doing everything in her power to remain shut down.
Could I blame her? Hell, no. I’d overreacted, although between the shock of learning why she’d dropped into town and her accusations about not talking with my brother, I’d lost my cool.
Damon’s big sigh was exactly as I’d heard from his mother a half dozen times.
But he peeked between his fingers and as soon as he did, the happy child I’d seen returned, if only for a little while. His gasp was everything I’d hoped for. It had been a long time since I’d seen anyone so excited.
“They’re amazing! Can I touch them?” His eagerness was an affliction I craved.
“I’ll do you one better. I’ll let you have them.” I dared glance at Violet and she was already shaking her head. In turn, I nodded.
“Really? You’re serious?”
“Cross my heart. You can take them out of the case if you want.”
He jumped up and down on the couch, but as he opened the box, he did so lovingly. I don’t think I had the right words to express how I’d felt when hearing this special kid was considered a scandal to his father. I’d felt a level of rage that I wasn’t used to.
Most kids his age weren’t reverent about any toys, but he gingerly picked one up.
I crowded his space, pulling out another.
“See this one? This was the very first one I got when I was a little younger than you. I had it in my stocking at Christmas. It had been my dad’s. The others he lost in a fire.”
There was something so special about the way his eyes lit up as he held out his hand. “It’s beautiful.”
The old Ford was beaten to death but one of my favorites. “I think so too. See that Camaro? That’s the closest one I have to the beauty you showed me in your collection. You need to cherish that one. Okay?”
He nodded, but at the same time, his face scrunched up.
“You don’t like them?” I was shocked, unsure how to react.
Then the kid did something that would shock me for a long time. He reached into his pocket and when he pulled out his hand, inside was the red Camaro I’d admired from before. “I want you to have this.”
I had no idea what to say. The kid was wildly excited. The adult in me realized what a big deal this was. “That’s yours and very special to you.”
“That’s why I want you to have it.” He held out his arm, his big eyes searching mine. I wasn’t used to being around children, the lack of experience making the moment as awkward as everything else had been with both of them. But I realized the intense importance of the offer made.
And what would happen if I didn’t accept. “I’d be honored, Damon. Thank you.”
Maybe it was relief I noticed in his eyes, brief but brilliant enough I sensed he had few friends and desperately needed a male figure in his life.
And I hated his father that much more.
“Mom. Look. Pretty cool. Huh?” He held up the car I’d handed him, his eyes still twinkling.
“That’s amazing,” she said, her voice little more than a whisper.
“Can I play with them?”
“Sure. For a little while.”
He took the box with him, dragging it off the couch to the floor. “Do you think Zorro is okay?”
Oh, shit. Zorro. After the terrible night, I couldn’t keep the news about the dog from her. “You didn’t leave him in the house all alone. Did you?”
“No, silly. I bought a cage, but he wasn’t happy. Maybe we should head home.”
“Nonsense. Why don’t I pop over and get him. I’ll bring him back. I think Damon could use a little time playing. Don’t you?” In truth, I wanted a little more time with her to clear the air and to chat about the dog. I might as well destroy her evening more. What choice did I have?
“Okay, I mean if you don’t mind.”
“Not at all. Just give me your keys.”
When she did and our fingers touched, she lifted her head as if in shock. The chemistry we shared was undeniable.
Although at this point, I wasn’t certain we should continue exploring our connection. According to the look on her face, lines had been crossed that couldn’t be repaired.
“I’ll be right back. You’ll find some wine and whiskey in the cabinet next to the refrigerator, a few beers inside. Even some soft drinks for the little man.”
“I think he’s had enough caffeine for the night.” She folded her hand, pulling her arm away as if scalded.
“Understood. Make yourself at home.”
I wasn’t surprised in the least that she was leery of me. Maybe that’s why when she reached out, wrapping her fingers around my arm, a dull ache formed in my chest. “That was very sweet of you.” She kept her voice low so Damon wouldn’t hear her.
“I don’t have a use for them.” The best thing I could do was act as if it was no big deal.
“But you might have a family one day.”
“Nah. I won’t. Plus, look how happy he is.” We both took a few seconds to pay attention to what he was doing. “I used to do that for hours on end. Just play with them, pretending I was a racecar driver.”
While she kept her hand in place, the touch was more as a friend would do. For now, that was enough. “Other than me and a couple people at work, no one has ever given him anything before.”
“You don’t have a family?”
“A long time ago. I grew up mostly in foster care. I barely remember my mother. The last memory was here. The images are fleeting, but I always knew one day I’d come here. Just to be close to her.”
“Is it working?”
Thoughtful as usual, she took a few seconds before answering. “Yes, it is. Not growing up with my parents is another reason it’s so important I create a good life for him.”
“You are.”
She looked away, as embarrassed as I’d seen her. “I have my doubts. Especially after tonight. Just so you know, the fact that he offered you that car means you’re special to him.”
“I know, Violet. I might be an asshole in your book and I don’t blame you for thinking so, but I’m not an idiot. Plus, I won’t keep it. When you head back to California, I’ll make sure you have the car with you.”
Confusion marking her beautiful face, she nodded, keeping her gaze locked on what her son was doing. As I headed to the door, at this point all I could do was chastise myself for jumping all over her. What was so bad about posing for a calendar?
“Be careful of the wolves and bears,” she cautioned.
“Don’t worry. I carry a mean punch especially to vicious predators.”
My attempt at lightening the mood was successful for at least a few seconds. Long enough for her to fight the smile sliding across her face.
Maybe now was the right time to tell her I was sorry for how I’d reacted. Some people would say I’d overreacted.
I walked into the kitchen, grabbing a flashlight and before I left, I went ahead and pulled out the few bottles of liquor I had. Since I rarely if ever entertained, I didn’t usually need to worry about what drinks I had in the house. My life revolved around me and what I preferred.
Having the two of them in the house challenged everything I’d found comforting. Maybe that’s what I needed in my life.
What would be so hard about modeling? A laugh pushed to the surface as I walked out.
The answer was easy. Everything. Being a model took more than just posing for a camera.
That’s about all I knew except that I would look like some freak.
Somehow, I could see a few of the guys, like Rock who would be thrilled to wear next to nothing for pictures.
I debated taking the truck, but the cabin was just a short walk down the gravel road.
The trip back would give Zorro the opportunity to take a leak.
There was a slender moon, but the light from the beam was just enough to light the way.
As I cruised the road, all I could think about was how damn hot she looked in the dress and how impressed I’d been when she’d stood in the middle of the parking lot, daring me to run her over.
The girl had a reckless streak a mile wide.
I had a feeling that’s why she had attracted almost every example of the male species in the bar.
She had that kind of black widow draw to her, dangerous with seduction in mind.
I’d been both jealous and riddled with desire.
The combination created way too much uncertainty.
Although being around her was also exciting.
I’d walked these woods about a hundred times at night, maybe more so. I knew almost every inch of the area. Was there wildlife lurking in the darkness? Absolutely and I was used to hearing howls of coyotes. I’d even seen a bear in the distance, although it had been a few years before.
What I heard to my right coming from close proximity within the forest was not a sound coming from wildlife. It was the loud crunch of something heavy on fallen leaves and other natural debris.
I stopped short, keeping the flashlight beam low while listening. Five seconds passed.
Another ten.
Hearing nothing, I continued walking.
This time the sound was obvious. Whoever was hovering inside the woods was following the same path, walking parallel to me.
I chose not to react at first, making it almost all the way to the house. Without stopping, I swung the beam toward the woods.
And noticed a flash.
Just before someone bolted deeper into the woods. I took off racing toward them, determined to find out who the hell was stalking one or both of us. Although if I had to guess, I’d say the intruder had his sights set on Violet.
Maybe the asshole hadn’t anticipated I’d be so fast. I flew through the trees, jumping over fallen limbs and scrubby bushes.
Soon, it seemed as if I was gaining on the culprit, but the beam of light was capturing nothing.
The asshole was zigging and zagging in his effort to keep me from hunting him down.
I was positive it was a guy from the heaviness of his footsteps, but he was fast. I’d give him that. I’d thought I had the jump on him, but a few seconds later, I could tell he had the jump on me. Whatever the hell he’d been doing wasn’t about finding himself lost.
Powering on, I stopped and listened again, swinging the flashlight from one side of the forest to the other.
Another noise captured my attention. It sounded like a vehicle door. I rushed forward toward the road that backed up to the property. By the time I burst through the trees, a getaway car had already taken off.
I chased them, pumping my legs as hard as I could, but the driver had hit the gas pedal hard. While the back lights were working, the license plate had been covered with something.
That didn’t stop me. I continued powering on until the vehicle vanished from view. With a snarl, I stopped, leaning over to catch my breath.
Someone was playing a little game and I had every intention of finding out who.
I continued walking down the road, scanning the area. There was nothing to find. But what about the house? Shit. And Zorro.
Backing away, I tried to catch my bearings as I headed back into the woods. Thankfully, she’d left a light on in the kitchen, which faced the back of the property. When I was in the backyard, I took some time searching for anything out of place.
How in the hell could I see anything in the dark? And how would I know since Jasper was such a terrible landlord? What bothered me was that the back door was unlocked. Now I wished I’d brought my weapon with me.
As soon as I walked inside, Zorro went crazy in his cage. If someone else had walked in, I would have heard him. Unless…
He might be a puppy, but it appeared he’d bounced the cage away from where she’d put it.
“Alright, buddy.” I turned on the light, immediately crouching down so I could unlock the door. He bounded out, eager and happy someone had freed him. However, he barely acknowledged me before taking off toward the front of the house.
The door.
I found him sitting on his haunches by the front door.
Growling.
Not the kind of growl anticipating someone he knew, but one indicating that he was angry someone had dared come into his space.
“Take it easy, buddy. Let me see if there’s an issue.
” I moved through the house, taking my time turning on every light.
It was impossible to decipher if someone had been inside.
I had a choice to call the police, which would put the fear of God into her, or ensure that the house was more secure in the morning.
Before I left her bedroom, I noticed one drawer was open.
Just a crack, but what I’d been able to tell about the woman was that she was particularly organized.
I felt like a voyeur when I opened the drawer to find her underwear placed neatly inside.
Every thong she owned was folded neatly, every bra as well.
Except for a single pair. Either she’d decided on wearing a different one at the last moment or someone had touched her things.
With every muscle in my body tensing, I moved into her bathroom. Everything had a place.
I’d mention it to her later. Whether she liked it or not, she was staying the night. I headed back to the kitchen to take a sweeping look, again finding nothing. But I sensed someone had been inside. There was a feeling that her space had been disturbed.
Someone was out to disturb her life. If I was right, that someone would need to go through me.
And he wouldn’t appreciate how I dealt with the situation.