Chapter Sixteen
Over the next couple of hours, Vinnie changed her mind a dozen times.
Going back to Kentucky made the most sense.
Adam did need to figure out the whole wolf thing.
Just thinking that sounded insane, but her reality—like her life—had been totally upended.
He also needed the time to bond with his dad.
It would be selfish of her to block that.
She couldn’t take Adam and run away. That was fear talking.
Her son loved her. A relationship with Cyrus wouldn’t change that.
“I think that’s everything.” Four pizzas had been devoured and the garbage cleared away.
Cyrus had eaten two on his own. Adam had devoured one and a half, while she’d finished the other half.
She was on her third cup of coffee, trying to figure out the logistics of everything that needed to be done.
The list she’d just finished making was daunting.
She was looking at totally dismantling her entire life in a matter of days.
“Zach’s arranged for a storage pod to be dropped off after lunch tomorrow. He and Noah will be here sometime in the morning.”
“They don’t need to rush here.” They’d have to leave early to arrive by then.
“They’re eager to help. I had to talk them out of setting out tonight. They’re going to pick up packing boxes on their way. If you have any around, Adam and I can get a head start.”
Her earlier headache was now a full-blown drum corps, the pain making it difficult to concentrate. She rubbed her temples, trying to ease the ache. “I have no idea what to keep or what to sell.” It was such a daunting task.
“I can handle my room, no problem.” Adam had been quiet since they’d finished eating. It wasn’t only her life that was being upended. As difficult as it was for her, it was harder for him.
She reached out and snagged his hand. “How are you really feeling about all this?” It was important he be included in every major decision.
Tall and broad, he sat slightly hunched in his chair, caught between childhood and adulthood.
She could see remnants of the little boy he’d been and hints of the man he’d become.
“It’s not like we have a choice.” He impatiently shoved his shaggy hair away from his face. He was due for a haircut.
“There’s always a choice.” When Cyrus shifted his weight in his chair, she sent him a quelling glance to stop any interference. “We could figure out a way to stay. Maybe. There’s no guarantee anyone will hire me.” And certainly not at the salary she’d made as a deputy.
“You’d do that for me?”
She squeezed her son’s hand. “Of course I would. You’re the most important person in my world. I want what’s best for you.”
A spark of relief flared in his eyes but vanished as quickly as it had appeared. “I hate the thought of leaving but staying here would put us both in danger. Cyrus is right. Deputy Wilkes is gonna be a problem.”
“You let me worry about him.” There’d been something different about Wilkes earlier.
He’d always been pushy and arrogant, but for some reason he seemed to feel entitled to her attention, possessive even.
It was more than a little troubling. She’d responded to enough domestic abuse cases over the years to have a fair idea what some men were capable of. Her biggest concern was Adam’s safety.
“Mom.” He drew the word out as though it had two syllables.
“No, I’m the grownup here. You need to concentrate on what’s happening with you and let me handle the rest.” She’d been dealing with Wilkes and the town her entire life. If Adam wanted to stay, she’d find a way to make it work. She had no idea how, but she’d figure something out.
“You’re not the only adult in the room,” Cyrus pointed out. “Whatever you decide, we’ll face this together, all three of us.”
“You’re right.” It was second nature for her to tackle the hard things on her own. It was also wrong. Cyrus had proven ready to stand beside her when things got tough.
Adam shook his head and huffed out a breath. “We need to leave. It’s not safe for either of us here.” That was stark knowledge reflected in his eyes. “Not anymore.”
It hurt her heart that he had to face that harsh reality. “I appreciate you handling your room, Adam. Pack what you want to take, throw out anything that can’t be donated or sold.”
“What about furniture? You taking all of it or select pieces?” Cyrus asked.
And so it continued until Adam said good night and stumbled off to bed. He’d had the brilliant idea of putting pieces of green painters’ tape on things they were going to sell. There was more of that than she’d expected.
Beyond exhausted, she dropped down on the sofa she’d just marked with tape. “This thing is twenty years old. There’s no point in taking it. I remember when Mom bought it. She was so excited.” She rubbed her hand over the faded floral fabric.
“You don’t have to get rid of it.” Cyrus sat down beside her, stealing the bulk of the space with his sheer size.
“It’s time for a fresh start. Besides, floral fabric isn’t my thing.
” As hard as it would be to leave, it could be good for them to start over in a place where no one knew them or had any preconceived ideas about who they were.
“Most everything in this house belonged to my parents.” She’d been focused on paying the bills and raising her son.
Things like furniture hadn’t mattered. It had been easier to go with the flow and keep things the way they were.
“I want to keep a few special pieces, like the old pie safe in the kitchen. That belonged to my great-grandma. Both my parents were only children, so they inherited everything. They didn’t keep a lot, but what they did keep is special.
It’s the only family history I have to give Adam.
” Her eyes unexpectedly filled with tears. She turned her head away and blinked.
“Hey.” Cyrus caught her chin in his hand and turned her face toward him.
His thumb brushed aside a lone tear that escaped to roll down her cheek.
“You’ve given Adam something more priceless than a house or belongings.
He’s grown up with an unshakable bedrock of love, with the knowledge you’ll support him no matter what, that you’ll spend a week searching the woods for him, never giving up.
You’ve taught him loyalty and the value of hard work and respect.
I don’t know him well, not yet, but he’s strong, confident, and caring. That’s all due to you.”
“And my mom. She adored him from the second he was born.”
“He’ll carry that knowledge with him wherever life takes him.”
“I know you’re right. I’m tired and maudlin.” She swiped at her eyes, refusing to shed another tear. Still, she soaked up his praise. As a single mom, she constantly questioned if she was doing enough or doing the right thing.
“You, Vinnie Grant, are one hell of a woman.” He continued to rub his thumb over her cheek.
It would be smarter to put some distance between them.
Instead, she leaned into the small caress.
It had been so long since a man had touched her, and this wasn’t any man.
This was Cyrus. Her body remembered how good it felt to have his hands stroking her skin, the play of his lips against hers.
He made a rumbling sound in his throat and tilted her head back.
His eyelashes were ridiculously thick for a man, but they in no way softened the harsh masculine planes of his face.
His eyes were dark as midnight and filled with secrets.
It threw her back to that night long ago when she’d lost herself in his arms.
The softness of his beard tickled her palm when she cupped his face. “Thank you for being here.” He’d dropped everything to help her. Not many men would be willing to do that, let alone take on an almost grown son he’d known nothing about all these years.
“There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.” His deep voice was rough with desire and rang with truth. When she licked her lips, he groaned. “Tell me to stop.” He leaned forward, his breath a soft puff on her face.
How could she tell him to stop when she wanted this as much, maybe more than, he did?
She closed the distance between them, sighing when their lips met.
Molten heat swam through her veins. This wasn’t smart considering Adam was sleeping a short distance away.
If he heard a noise, he might decide to get up and investigate.
Then Cyrus made another one of those growling sounds and nibbled at her bottom lip.
With a promise she’d stop after one kiss, she gave herself over to the carnal delight awaiting her.
Ignoring the warning bell in the back of her brain, she savored the taste of him, the way his beard brushed her skin in an erotic caress, the woodsy smell of his soap. The kiss was slow and very thorough and made her toes curl.
“We need to stop,” she managed to get out. As amazing as sex would be, it wasn’t smart considering their situation. She’d used him once to forget her problems, but she was older and hopefully wiser now.
“We do,” he agreed, but rather than pull away he dove back for more. Tongues tangling, he deepened the caress.
She’d forgotten what it was like to want a man, to be wanted in return. Dating had always seemed like too much trouble. Coupled with her need to be careful in a small town where tongues wagged and gossip flowed freely, it had been easier to avoid getting involved.
Or that’s what she’d told herself. The truth was that after the evening in a motel with her mystery lover, every other man paled in comparison.
Kissing Cyrus, it was impossible to hide from the certainty that no other man would ever measure up.
He’d barely touched her and her entire body was humming with desire.
He’d truly ruined her for anyone else. Part of her resented him.
Another part longed to give herself to him again.
He’s Adam’s father.