CHAPTER 22
Valentina
F or today’s morning devotional with the kids, I plan “The Joy of the Lord is My Strength” to coincide with our gratitude journals. After my personal prayer time at six, I’m ready to start my day.
With my heart soaring, I walk through the quiet kitchen. The silence means everyone is still asleep. After the weekend, I can see good came from an unexpected incident to create a step toward healing for Jason’s family and me.
So much for all my self-talk about being done with him. Eden’s call and apology vanquished my pride and self-assurance. There’s nothing like a genuine apology from a child, not any child but Eden . Prickly at times due to trust issues, yet sweet.
She’d been terrified about her periods and upset about growing up. Of course, she was aware of menstruation. They’d even just had the unit in school, and her grandma had the conversation with her prior to that.
“I just hadn’t expected it to be this soon,” she’d confided, after I talked her through the steps of taking care of herself. We then spoke about growing up and embracing each stage in life as a wonderful gift from God. That allowed me to discuss the accident incident. How to and not to react when we’re angry, frustrated, and scared. I might have assured her I’d be a part of her life as long as I’m living. But I hope she understood that didn’t mean I had to be her nanny and live in their house.
Now, before the kids wake up, I need to work off some of the Easter food I ate yesterday. Jason might be in the gym this morning or find me there. It’s happened twice. A thrill runs through me at the possibility.
How odd a thought. I’m supposed to loathe this man—Grumps. Yet, undeniable attraction causes sparks. I can’t say if he despises me. He’s an open book, so I can tell when he’s mad and when he isn’t. I prefer that over someone who acts all sweet toward you but then stabs you from behind.
Of course, more than that, I prefer the tender moments of this past weekend, well, mostly last night. Those had my mind longing for him to kiss me. My lips tingle at the thought of us kissing. It’s all crazy because I disliked him so much on Friday, yet I couldn’t stop thinking about him when I went to bed after he texted his apology. I had to picture myself in his position of having my kids come close to getting hurt.
With how much I need to clear my muddled brain, a workout has never sounded better.
When I make it to the dark gym, I should be relieved Jason’s not there. Disappointed, I switch on the light and head straight for the treadmill for a cardio warm-up. I glimpse my reflection—my ponytail swishing and my black leggings and hot-pink tank top accentuating my movements. The mirror reminds me to focus on my rhythm, to steady the thoughts and emotions riling me.
The treadmill music helps me pace my breathing as I run. By the time I hit the two-mile mark, my throat is parched, so I head for the water cooler.
Revitalized, I go straight for the punching bags hanging in another corner. Even stocked with all sorts of equipment, the gym looks spacious. Four sets of gloves hang on the hook behind the punching bag. Jason must keep extras for when his buddies show up. I try on several pairs. They are all the same size, roomy, but they’ll do.
With the soft mat beneath my shoes, I work through a circuit my brother recently taught me, incorporating strikes and kicks alongside jumping jacks and crunches. Sweat trickles into my sports bra, and my heart rate climbs. But I still need to pull some weights after this.
As I strike a punch and kick, I hear footsteps.
“You do kickboxing too?”
I’m unable to answer, needing to compose myself. My pulse, already fast from the physical exertion, further quickens with excitement. His hair is rumpled, an overnight scruff shadows his jaw, and his black T-shirt clings to his broad shoulders while dark shorts hang low on his hips. I’m mesmerized as he strides toward me.
“Wanna tangle?” He crosses his arms over his chest.
“What do you mean?”
He laughs. “You seem like you can take me down.”
Is this some kind of April Fool’s prank? “I’m not that good at sparring.”
“Makes two of us.” He tosses me protective headgear, shin guards, and a mouthpiece, then moves to the center of the room. “Let’s see what you got, Diaz.”
“I’m going to assume you’re not here to hurt me.” Properly outfitted, I take my position across from him.
His eyes glow. “You don’t strike me as someone who’s scared of anyone.”
Strike him, I definitely will. Imagine what I’d have given for this opportunity weeks ago! But if he thinks I’m strong and confident, then I’ve done my job fooling him like I do everyone else. “You sure about this, Sterling?”
“Are you stalling, Diaz?”
I’ve memorized the key areas my brother drilled into me, so I target those. But Jason is fast and good at this. He blocks my first jab and my second. On my third, he grabs my wrist and twists me around so my back flattens against his broad chest. With my arm wedged between us, my shoulder protests if I try to wriggle out. Worse, he doesn’t release me. His breath warms my neck, my knees weaken, and my own breathing quickens. “Is that the best you can do?”
Carlos would have a fit over us combining wrestling and kickboxing and who knows what else. Plus, not setting any rules.
Jason lets go, and I shake out my arm as I catch my breath and compose myself, then face him again. The intensity lingers, sparking a mix of challenge and chemistry.
“I was taking it easy on you.” Setting my stance and acting stronger, I fix my gaze on him.
He frowns, maybe concerned I might deliver on my promise. “No hitting my face, Diaz.”
“Worried about your face, huh! Trying to impress someone, Grumps?” I strike a jab toward his lower abdomen, but he deflects it. Great. Odds aren’t in my favor. After all, the guy is taller than I am and likely outweighs me by nearly a hundred pounds.
“You aren’t using your size to your advantage,” he chides almost as if annoyed I’m not challenging him more.
“I’m trying!” I protest with a groan.
“Stop circling me. You’re wasting your energy.”
Fine. Determined, I try for a one-two punch to his chest, but it’s futile. In a swift motion, he sweeps my legs out from under me. I end up flat on my back, the air whooshing out of my lungs in a painful gasp. He smirks, leaning over me so his handsome face blocks out the bright fluorescent lights above. I stare up at his full lips, sharp cheekbones, furrowed brows, and I feel electrified. It’s the adrenaline, or so I tell myself.
“Is that all you’ve got?” A devious edge teases his voice. He extends a gloved hand to help me up.
Before he can react, I hike my legs up and wrap them around the back of his knees, bringing him down so he topples beside me. We lie flat on the mat together, breathing hard. My right leg is pressed against his left. “Is that all you’ve got?” I echo, smirking before I roll over and grind my elbow into his stomach as I push myself up.
With my heart pounding so fiercely, that better be the end of my workout. I leave Jason to continue his session and head upstairs. It’s quiet. Thankfully, the kids are still asleep. But little wonder with us letting them stay up until nearly midnight.
Jason catches up with me later in the kitchen while I’m preparing breakfast. His grin lights up my heart. His hair is damp from a shower, and he’s changed into gray sweats and a white undershirt. “Need any help?”
“I meant to have you make breakfast since I whipped you, but you have to head to work.”
He chuckles and saunters over, joining me as if it’s our usual morning routine. The sparks from our mock battle linger in the air, adding an undercurrent to the task.
I have a good feeling about today, and it blossoms into a beautiful day when the kids wake up excited for breakfast and morning devotion. Jason joins us and stays through the devotions. Afterward, he helps the boys finalize their spring break poster boards for their school project. Eden practices her introduction for the recital.
Later, when she suggests we go painting in town, Jason tags along. We get sidetracked by Sips and Scripts, then lunch at Brooke’s Diner. Caught up in the moment, Jason even calls his work to cancel the rest of his day.
We return to Manhattan on Tuesday morning, and I drive my car while Jason takes his with the kids, dropping them off at school. Over the following two weeks, I settle into a familiar routine—watching Eden at her dance lessons, helping her memorize the introduction lines for her dance recital, and taking turns with Matthew to oversee the boys at soccer practice. Jason has been leaving work early. On days he can’t make it to the kids’ practices, he’s home by the time we return. I continue to be a part of their family dinners. Twice, Carlos joins us at the park to play soccer and volleyball with the kids, and he stays for dinner. April showers or not, our activities have not been canceled.
One time during dinner in Judy’s Manhattan home, the conversation turns to the accident, and Jason asks my opinion on what car should replace the one hit. “The Audi can still be fixed,” I suggest, but he insists on something new rather than fixing a car that might be unreliable for the kids and me.
The way he includes me and values my opinions makes me forget about his past grumpiness.
This feeling of family deepens even more during today’s visit to the aviation museum. It’s Thursday, the second week after spring break, and Jason joins us. Together we explore the displays and histories of various aircraft, snapping pictures. Over the moon wide-eyed, Atticus overwhelms the guide with questions. During our meal at the airplane-themed restaurant across from the museum, Judy FaceTimes Jason, and he lifts the phone.
“It’s Mimi.”
The kids crowd around, chirping hellos.
“Val took us to the aircraft museum.” Atticus and Felix declare while Eden chimes in about the art.
As Jason pans the camera to include me, Judy’s face lights up. “Val, I’m so glad you’re watching my grandkids. I hope Jason’s treating you well.”
“Thanks, and he is.” I press a hand to my heart, touched by her kindness, then ask about her trip. She looks relaxed, and so does Phil when he pops his head in to say hello. We finish the chat with lively updates and shared laughter.
Friday evening, the kids’ pleading wins me over, and I agree to stay the night in Meadowbrook. After tucking them into bed, I wander into the kitchen for water and pause when I see the newly built holders displaying my essential oils.
Jason’s footsteps pad the floor, and my stomach dances when he smiles at me.
“You built this?” I tip my head to the holders.
“Built might be pushing it.” He shrugs. “It just took assembling with a screwdriver.”
“Thank you.” My chest swells. How sweet that he thought of organizing my oils.
The next morning when I enter the kitchen, he’s already got coffee started. He pours me coffee in my favorite mug and hands it to me. As I sip, the perfect blend of cream surprises me.
He lifts a mug matching mine in a toast to me. “Had to buy another.”
“Why didn’t you tell me I was using your favorite mug all along?”
“I’m just glad I have great taste in coffee cups.” He winks.
When the kids wake, we sit around for breakfast together, amid their cheerful chatter. A sense of belonging consumes me with a warmth I hadn’t anticipated, solidifying my place in this unexpected, yet perfectly imperfect family.
Saturday has become the new laundry day for the kids since they’ve learned to do their laundry. With the boys still playing outside and Eden absorbed in a book in the playroom-slash-library, I head downstairs to run a cycle of my bedsheets and some clothes I wore here last week.
My gaze drifts to the gym’s open door. Jason was working out earlier, but the lights are off now. He’s probably back to work in his office or bedroom. I turn toward the open door across from the gym, but two steps in, my feet halt. Jason is shirtless, sorting through clothes stacked on the rumbling dryer. Heat creeps through my neck as my eyes betray me, tracing over his hairy chest.
“Having a good morning, Valentina?”
I slap the top of my heated forehead, then swallow. “Oh, I—Sorry, I didn’t know you were...” I step back and turn so fast my shoulder slams into the edge of the doorway.
“Ouch!” He’s chuckling, isn’t he? “No need to run off. I’m all dressed now.”
I could just leave, but... whew. My racing heart slows, and I turn to see he has pulled a T-shirt over his head, the fabric stretching taut across his shoulders.
“How’s your shoulder?” His eyes twinkle.
I can’t contain my stomach flutters. I don’t even care about my shoulder. “I came to do laundry.” Is that even my voice?
“Don’t let me keep you.” He folds one of his undershirts and stacks it over a fluffy clean pile from the kids’ earlier loads.
Taking a deep breath, I step toward the washer. His scent blends in with the fabric and fills my senses. I reach for the basket and begin loading my bedsheets, acutely aware of his gaze on me. The silence isn’t awkward but charged, every shuffle and rustle amplified.
“How did the soccer match go this morning?”
“Eden and I let the boys win.” This confined space is far too intimate. My hands shake as I add a soap pod. I focus on placing the laundry in the washer. It now seems like a task I’ve never done before.
“You’re sure you let them win, or did they beat you? Those are two separate things.”
I meet his gaze sideways. “What are you implying, Grumps?”
“A fair rematch this afternoon. Girls versus boys.” With the challenge arching his brow, he looks me up and down, rendering me speechless. I could get lost in his blue eyes. The world narrows to just the two of us surrounded by the hum of the dryer and the faint smell of detergent. The air seems to thrum with unspoken possibilities. “What do you say, Ms. Diaz?”
“What?”
He repeats his statement since I’ve lost my hearing temporarily.
“It’s not a fair match with three boys against two girls, but—”
A rustle scuffles above us. Then something brown leaps from an open box and sails over our heads before launching itself into the open air and sprinting in a circle.
I let out a squeal and drop whatever I had in my hand. No way! Do I see a bushy tail?
The critter darts up to the side shelf.
“Oh no, not in the house!” Jason dashes to the door and slams it shut, trapping the squirrel inside with us.
I screech. “Why’d you close us in?”
“Quick, open the windows. We need to give it an escape route,” he commands over his shoulder and approaches the unexpected intruder.
I snap into action. But as I move to open the nearest window, the squirrel scrambles around in a desperate search for an exit. It’s a blur of motion, and my heart thunders while I dodge to the other side. I then run and leap onto Jason’s back, wrapping my arms around him. “Get it out!”
The vibrations of his deep chuckle rumble through his body to mine, even as he tries to maintain our balance. “Valentina, you’re not helping,” he chides through laughter, strides to a window, and slides it open.
What can I say? I’m in survival mode.
I don’t see the squirrel now, which strengthens me to slide off Jason’s back, my cheeks hot. “Sorry.” I heave a shaky breath, then rush to the other window across the room and fumble with the latch. As I guide it open, I turn in time to see the squirrel skitter to the shelf again. I cover my mouth, one hand holding in my scream.
Jason moves around the room, whistling in an attempt to usher the critter toward the windows. Finally, the squirrel leaps through one of them.
I rush to seal the window shut before the critter can reconsider its exit. Then, at last, I cup a hand to my heart, willing it to settle.
Jason walks over, his eyes twinkling. “Well, that was one way to get your heart racing, huh?”
A nervous chuckle escapes. “Definitely not the morning workout I had in mind, but effective.”
His eyes gleam as they search mine. My knees are still shaking and weaker now, so I take a step back and lean against the door. I think my whole body is trembling, but I find myself laughing. I survived.
He shakes his head from side to side. “That was quite an adventure.”
“Definitely more excitement for today.” My heart is still pounding, but my fear has vanished.
“Are you okay?” He steps closer. “I’m glad I had the emergency exit windows installed rather than the usual basement windows.”
He seems calm, as if he’s handled this situation before.
“Do squirrels get in your house often?”
“Nah. I wouldn’t be surprised if the twins had something to do with it. They were fidgeting with ladders and whispering earlier while I was in the gym. They’ve been talking about having a pet squirrel.”
“How in the world did they capture a squirrel?” I shiver and wrap my arms around myself.
“The two of them can get into some serious mischief.”
“We’d better get them a dog or cat soon.”
Jason takes another step closer. A shadow dulls his eyes. “We had a dog.” His voice dips. “It died shortly after Daisy left.”
My heart squeezes. “I’m so sorry.”
He breathes out, and I realize how close we’ve gotten once his scent—masculine, eucalyptus, and spicy—fills my senses. He reaches out, and his fingers graze my forehead as he tucks stray strands behind my ear. “I think this all goes along with us making new memories.”
His eyes meet mine, the blue so soft, so searching, and my nerves tingle like I’m standing on hot coals. My gaze drops to his mouth. His lips part, and his chest rises and falls beneath his T-shirt.
Footsteps running upstairs snap us out of the haze, and Jason steps back. “We’d better get that laundry and have a word with the boys.”
My hand finds my thundering chest. I struggle for breath. Jason and I just had another moment. The warmth of his nearness still lingers all through me.