Chapter 2 #2
My shoulders draw up. “Yes. I’ll borrow a ladder from one of the neighbors.
” Aware Ronan probably thinks I’m being irrationally stubborn again, and really, I don’t blame him, seeing as how I could have broken my neck only minutes before, I add, “I promised Haley I’d do special lights for her this year.
Lights on the whole house, like her friends have. ”
“But—”
“Her friends all have dads,” I explain quietly.
“Dads who go all out with decorations and build their daughters treehouses and custom dollhouses. Dads who show up to the annual Daddy-Daughter tea that the school hosts. I can’t do most of those things for her.
But the lights… I thought I could do that, at least.”
I’m not sure why I’m telling Ronan all of this. Maybe it was the fall. Maybe it’s being in close proximity to him without anyone else around. Or maybe it’s just this something in his eyes as he looks at me.
He gazes at me for a few seconds, his expression unreadable.
“Forget I said anything,” I hurry to add. “I’ll just… figure something out.”
Another moment passes. Then Ronan shakes his head. “No. It’s not safe.” He angles his chin at the couch. “You stay here. I’ll finish the lights.”
“What?” I start to get up. “You don’t—”
His jaw sets. “I’ll do it. Where do you want the lights? Along the eaves, obviously. And Hazel said something about the windows.”
“Wait, what?” Now I’m really confused. “What does Hazel have to do—”
Oh.
Hazel sent him. Lovely Hazel who thinks everyone should be in love now that she is. Hazel who likes to tell me how great Ronan is at least a few times a week. Hazel who was still working at Blissful Brews after I finished my lunch shift.
And what did I tell Hazel I was planning to do after? The lights.
“She sent you over, didn’t she?” I ask.
“She didn’t send me,” Ronan corrects. “She asked. I said yes. So I’m here to help.”
“You don’t have to,” I start.
“I know that.” His expression leaves no room for argument. “I’m putting up the lights. So. Eaves. Windows. Anything else?”
I’m torn. Part of me wants to argue with him. Give him an out. But I really don’t want to go back up on a ladder, either. “Just those, if you’re sure.”
“I’m sure,” he replies firmly. Taking several steps towards the front door, he pauses and turns back to me. Indecision flickers across his face. “Although, maybe I should stay inside with you, in case you start feeling dizzy.”
“I’m really fine,” I insist. I’ve never had a concussion, but I’ve seen enough medical dramas to know the symptoms. And I’m not experiencing any of them. “Like I said, the snow was a good cushion. I guess I can’t complain about the early snow after all.”
“You should still rest.” Ronan pins me with a stern do what I say look that I’m guessing used to serve him well in the Army. “I can find everything I need outside.”
“What about the ladder, though? You can’t use mine. It’s not safe.”
He continues toward the door. “I’ll ask one of your neighbors. I’m sure they won’t mind.”
No, they probably wouldn’t. Especially considering that in Bliss, the GMG guys are basically local heroes. “Are you really sure?” I press. “You must have things to do—”
“Angel.” He pulls in one cheek, like he’s trying to keep from smiling. “I came over to help. So that’s what I’m going to do.” When he reaches the front door, he opens it, then turns back to me. “Relax. I’ve got this under control.”
Easier said than done, I think as the door shuts behind him. Relaxing is a luxury I never seem to have time for—not with a full-time job and a nine-year-old daughter to raise and an eighty-year-old house to keep up with.
I don’t begrudge my busy life, far from it. Despite the struggles that come with being a single mom, I wouldn’t change a thing. Haley is my heart and soul and everything I do is for her, which is the same as my mom did for me.
But as I spot Ronan marching across the snowy lawn, presumably en route to one of my neighbors, that annoying little voice pipes up again.
You wouldn’t change anything? Really? You wouldn’t like to have a man like Ronan around to put up Christmas lights and fix loose shingles? You wouldn’t like to feel those delicious shivers again like the last time he touched you?
Maybe I would, but it’s not going to happen. First off, Ronan is only here because Hazel asked him to. He’s only staying because he’s a nice guy. He’s not here because he’s interested in me.
Even if he were, that’s a risk I can’t afford to take.
A buzz from my phone, still zippered into my inner jacket pocket, jerks my thoughts away from nonexistent relationships and back to the present. Worried that it might be about Haley, I quickly unfasten my jacket and yank out my phone.
I release a relieved breath when I see Hazel’s name on the screen.
Hey, how are the Christmas lights going?
Smiling at her attempt at subtlety, I send a reply.
How do YOU think the lights are going?
Three dots blink for a few seconds.
Good, I hope?
Before I can respond, another message appears.
I mentioned it to Ronan when he stopped by earlier. About you putting up the lights. I may have suggested that he stop by to help. I hope you’re not mad.
I shake my head in silent response. Even though I’ve told Hazel plenty of times that I don’t need a man, I can’t be mad at her for meddling. Not when her intentions were good.
And maybe, judging from your response to his hands on you, the annoying inner voice whispers, she’s on to something.
Choosing not to follow that train of thought, I focus on my reply instead.
No, I’m not mad. But I told you, I’m perfectly happy being single.
Hazel’s reply appears quickly.
So is he there?
I have to laugh at her persistence.
Yes. He’s here. He’s helping with the lights, just like you asked him to. Probably wishing he was home, relaxing, though.
The three dots blink again.
I’m sure he’s not. Ronan’s not like that.
No, he probably isn’t. From what I know of Ronan, he’s spent the better part of his life helping people. Risking his life for them, even.
But still. Putting up Christmas lights isn’t a life or death matter. It’s not protecting innocent women from stalkers and vengeful criminals, like some of the cases Green Mountain Guardians takes on. It’s not traveling into foreign countries on top-secret missions where death is a real possibility.
No, Hazel didn’t tell me that part. I looked it up online not long after she got together with Alec, curious about what a Green Beret did.
Then she let it slip one time that Ronan was actually a Delta, so I had to look that up as well.
There wasn’t a ton of information available, but it was enough to understand just how much danger they put themselves in.
I’m just about to reply when I hear the familiar sound of the school bus pulling to a stop outside.
Crap!
I jump up from the couch. All the sore spots on my body groan in protest.
Haley’s home. And Ronan’s outside.
Not that I’m concerned about the two of them being together.
But Haley loves to talk, and I’m not sure Ronan’s prepared for that.
Plus, if he’s already up on the ladder, and she gets in the way…
She wouldn’t mean to, but she’s still a little girl and as smart as she is, she might get it into her mind that she’s helping instead of interfering.
But when I burst outside, at least part of my worry is eased.
Ronan is still standing on the ground, just beside a shiny metal ladder that’s now propped against my house.
The coil of lights is in the snow by his feet, and he’s holding the open staple gun in his hands, as if he was just inspecting it.
Was, is the operative word. Because there’s no way he’s getting any work done with Haley in front of him, chattering away.
As I draw closer, I hear her say, “I wanted to get the twinkle lights for the house. The ones that have all the different patterns. So one day, we could have blinking, and another solid. Odd days, we could do color, and even days could be white. But Mom said we already had these lights, so we should use them. I guess they’re okay, too.
But I’m going to save my money for new ones next Christmas.
Mom said maybe I could put the lower lights on myself when I’m ten.
I’ll be ten in April. So that’s not too far away.
I tried to convince Mom that I was old enough to help with the lights already, but—”
“Haley,” I interrupt. As they both turn towards me, I have to swallow back a laugh at the flummoxed expression on Ronan’s face.
He’s met Haley in town before, but only in passing.
He’s never been exposed to her chatterbox ways before, and even as her loving mom, I have to admit sometimes it can be a lot to handle.
“Mom!” Haley drops her backpack on the ground and hurries over to me. She flings her arms around me and squeezes hard. As hard as I try to hide my wince, Ronan notices, and his expression shifts to one of concern.
“Hey, Hales,” I reply while gently extricating myself. I give her a quick kiss on the top of her head. “How was art club?”
“Good! We painted.” Which I should have realized already, given the speckles of green paint on her face. “I can’t tell you what I’m making,” she continues. “It’s going to be a present. For Christmas.”
“Oh, I see.” I give her another kiss. “Well, I definitely don’t want to ruin the surprise, then. But I can’t wait to see it.”
Haley beams at me. “It’s going to be great. Mrs. Richards said I’m a natural artist. Just like you are.”
Something I love about living in Bliss is having Haley go to the same school I did as a kid. And it’s extra nice when she has a teacher I used to have. Almost like everyone in town is one big family.
“You’re a very talented artist,” I agree. “And I’m glad you had a nice time at art club.”
“I did,” Haley enthuses. “It’s my favorite club. Well.” Her smile fades slightly. “I bet ski club would be my favorite, too. But—” She stops. “Anyway. Art club is great.”