Chapter 13 #2
A cool, soft hand rested on the back of his neck and stroked soothingly, and his heart tightened even more.
“I shouldn’t have made you coffee. It’s just too strong for a weak stomach.
Hot buttered toast and tea would have been much better.
That’s what my daddy always made for me when I drank too much in college.
” She gently massaged his neck. “Wait right here and I’ll go make you some.
And don’t you dare try to sneak out the door.
Just because you need help doesn’t mean you’re weak, Dawson.
It just means you’re human. Everyone needs help every now and then.
” She gave his neck a gentle squeeze before she removed her hand.
He missed it immediately. “And if you think a hot shower will help, the bathroom is right behind that door. Help yourself.”
Then in the soft slaps of slippers on wood, she left the room.
When she was gone, he lifted his head. He felt completely disoriented.
Like he’d just gotten off a playground merry-go-round.
Thinking that maybe a shower would help, he stood on wobbly legs and made his way to the bathroom.
The counter was filled with all kinds of female potions and cosmetics.
While he waited for the shower to heat, he stared at himself in the mirror.
He barely registered his appearance. All he could think about was one thing.
Magnolia believed him.
No matter how incriminating the evidence was against him—stealing his brother’s truck, getting drunk, starting a fire—she believed he hadn’t robbed Mickey’s.
Believed it so much she was willing to prove his innocence.
Not even his siblings had suggested looking for who did it.
Probably because they just wanted to forget that night.
Dawson certainly did. But Magnolia was willing to fight for the truth.
To fight for him.
He moved into the shower in a daze, hoping that the beating of hot water would help him make sense of it.
But there didn’t seem to be any sense to be made.
Magnolia’s actions were as confusing as they’d always been to him.
Like wanting to be his friend. Why would a sweet, extroverted girl from California want to be friends with an angry, introverted jerk who, when he wasn’t trying to shove her away, was trying to get in her pants?
And yet, she just kept coming back. She’d offered to help him find who was contesting the will.
She’d left the security of her home and braved a rough biker bar to make sure he was okay.
She’d refused to let him drive drunk. She’d become his wing-woman and brought him back to her apartment so he wouldn’t be alone.
And she believed in his innocence.
That fact just kept circling around his head like the steam rising from the hot water.
He couldn’t figure it out. Nor could he figure out the tightness in his chest. From the moment he’d met her, she’d screwed with his mind, but now she was also screwing with his heart.
Part of him wanted to run like hell and the other part knew it was too late for that.
Magnolia had already slipped past all the walls he’d built and had taken up residence in his mind and heart.
Now the question was what was he going to do about it?
The right answer hurt like hell.
Nothing. He was going to do nothing. And it wasn’t because she was Tully’s friend.
It was because she was his. What kind of friend would he be if he let her get in a serious relationship with someone as screwed up as he was.
He didn’t do serious. Hell, he hadn’t even been in a relationship.
He did one-night stands. Brief encounters that were purely physical.
Magnolia didn’t deserve an emotionally stunted man. She deserved so much more. She deserved someone who could express how he felt. He couldn’t even thank her for what she did for him last night. For how she believed in him.
When he finished showering, he stepped out of the bathroom to find a pair of Texas A&M sweats and a plain white T-shirt folded neatly on the bed with a note written in vibrant pink with little hearts dotting the i’s.
I’m sure Uncle Otis won’t mind you borrowing these.
He didn’t borrow the sweatpants, but since his shirt smelled like a mixture of whiskey, smoke, and cloying women’s perfume, he did pull on the T-shirt. Once he was dressed, he grabbed his cowboy hat and went in search of Magnolia, peeking into each room he passed.
The room next door had to be Otis’s. There were clocks and stacks of books everywhere . . . and pillow and telephone pajamas and fuzzy slippers lying on the floor next to the mussed bed.
The fact that Magnolia had given up her bed for him made his chest tighten even more as he headed to the main living area where he found a small kitchen. On the counter was a plate of toast, a cup of tea, and another note with heart-dotted i’s.
Eat. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.
His heart squeezed tighter. He knew if he didn’t get out of there, he was going to have a heart attack. If he wanted to survive, he needed to issue a quick thank you and escape ASAP.
Unfortunately, his little brother ruined that plan.
When Dawson got to the lower level of the bookstore, he found Huck leaning on the counter regaling Magnolia with a childhood story about Dawson trying to jump his bike over a ravine and ending up with a broken arm.
“. . . what was funny is that he didn’t even cry. He just got up and walked his bike home. I don’t think he would have said a word about it if Poppy hadn’t noticed the bone sticking out and started sobbing and screaming for Jaxon. That’s just Dawson for you. He’s really good at hiding his pa—”
Dawson cleared his throat and cut him off.
Huck didn’t look the least bit guilty. “There you are, Dawg. I must say you look a little worse for wear.” He glanced at Magnolia with a smirk. “Did you take advantage of my brother last night, Mags?”
Before Dawson could get after him for his teasing, Magnolia spoke. “Of course I did. I’m not the type of woman to miss out on a good opportunity. Although I might have to cut our illicit affair short if he continues to be so dang grumpy.”
“Notice that, did ya?” Huck winked at her. “You should have chosen the charming, funny Hennessy.”
“No, thank you. I hear he leaves broken hearts and destruction wherever he goes.”
Huck straightened, looking horrified. “Now who would be spreading those kinds of false rumors?”
“Probably every girl you’ve ever dated,” Dawson said dryly. “What are you doing here, Huck? Besides, annoying people.”
Huck raised his eyebrows at Magnolia. “You’re right.
He’s no fun at all.” He turned to Dawson.
“Mags texted Tully last night and said you were crashing here.” His eyes twinkled.
“Which leaves a lot of questions unanswered. But since I’m a gentleman, I’ll let them slide.
Although I doubt Jaxon will. He sent me to get you.
I guess Billy discovered who is contesting the will and wants to meet with us. ”
Magnolia gasped. “Oh my gosh.” She flapped her hands. “Well, what are you waiting for? Go on, and once you find out, I expect you to come right back here and tell me.”
Huck laughed. “I do love a curious woman.” He strolled to the door and opened it. “After you, Dawg.”
Dawson started for the door and then stopped and turned to Magnolia. Like always, words got stuck in his throat and everything he would have liked to say was condensed to two pathetic words. “Thank you.”
A smile spread over her face like the morning sun spreading over the horizon. He felt that tightening again around his heart. “Any time, Dawson Hennessy.”
He nodded and headed out the door, past Huck who wore a knowing grin Dawson wanted to wipe off with his fist.
Since Billy’s office was on the second floor of the town hall, just down the street, it took no time at all to get there. Poppy and Jaxon were already there. As soon as Huck and Dawson arrived, Billy got straight to it.
“Now before I give y’all a name, y’all have to give me your word that you won’t seek this person out and hassle her. Which I’m sure is one of the reasons she didn’t want her name released to y’all.”
“Her? It’s a woman?” Poppy frowned. “Well, that’s surprising. I didn’t think a woman would be so devious. Who is this bitch?”
Billy cringed. “That’s exactly what I’m talking about.
Y’all can’t cause problems for this woman, or it will only make your case worse.
She’s an upstanding citizen of this community and is loved by the townsfolk.
You harass her and they’ll never forgive you.
Not to mention, she’ll end up winning her case. ”
“What case?” Huck said. “We’re Rosie’s only kin? She has no case.”
“I know that, but she could still win on a technicality.”
Jaxon spoke up. “I’ll make sure no one in this family hassles her, Billy. Just give us her name.”
Billy cleared his throat. “Cadee Stockton.”