Chapter Two
Linc hadn’t really planned on asking Harper to move into his house. But seeing the exhaustion and defeat in her eyes had led to the impulsive offer.
Then, he expected to regret the words the second they’d left his mouth. Instead, he’d found himself digging in and doing everything in his power to get her to accept his help.
Yes, they had a not-so-great history, but as he’d told her, that was twenty years ago. A lifetime. They’d both changed significantly.
Thanks to his military career, Linc was well aware locals saw him as a larger-than-life hero . . . but the truth was, he felt as if he was barely hanging on most days. And tonight, he saw that same desperation in Harper.
He realized they had more in common than anyone would think.
Which was somewhat amusing as, at first glance, they were nothing alike.
She was a single mother with too few pennies to her name, living with her dad because her options were limited.
He was a decorated Air Force pilot, medically retired, with more than enough money to do whatever he wished with his life.
But for both him and Harper, family came first. Full stop. They were also both hard workers. And they each had secrets. It wasn’t hard to see there was way more to Harper than met the eye. Just as there was with him as well.
Linc had no idea if having Harper in his home was a good idea, but seeing her in her car, at the end of her rope, and reading the emotion in her son’s words when he’d texted him, worried about his mom . . . Linc had no regrets in asking her to move in with him.
And he hadn’t lied. His house needed a lot of work.
Now that it was getting cold, he was finding all the places the insulation sucked and realizing how drafty the place was.
It was going to take a hell of a lot of work to bring the house up to snuff.
Harper and Kash might hate living there.
Might not like the cold, the creaky floors, the slight smell of mildew that permeated the place.
But . . . what was done was done. He wouldn’t take the offer back.
Linc had never lived with a woman before, and he certainly hadn’t cohabitated with a kid. In fact, he’d never even wanted children . . . something his mom would probably have a coronary over if she ever found out.
His mother had dreamed of grandchildren since the day Linc had turned eighteen.
She was over the moon that two of his younger brothers were finally giving her those grandbabies.
Britt, who was engaged to Chad, was due in the spring, and Marit, who was with the baby of the family, Zach, was also pregnant, due in the summer.
But Linc had never really felt the urge to procreate.
Especially since his accident, when he’d had to ditch his plane and parachute into enemy territory.
The thought of leaving a kid behind, of making a child lose their father, was horrific to him.
He’d actually thought about that a lot while on the run, and the decision to never have kids had basically solidified itself within him.
The week he’d spent evading the enemy was still as clear as day. He remembered every terrifying moment. Every step he took had been agony, and yet he’d had no choice but to put one foot in front of the other . . . that is, unless he’d wanted to become a “guest” of the enemy forces hot on his tail.
He’d received plenty of commendations for that week, but he didn’t feel as if he deserved a single one. He’d done nothing special. Simply been lucky enough to keep one step ahead of those after him.
His shoulder still hurt after all these years, and there was the small matter of him not being able to sleep through the night.
No, he was messed up deep inside, and the last thing he wanted was to bring a child into that world.
Linc was terrified his nightmares would manifest themselves into something physical.
Or that he’d eventually turn his frustration, anger, and pain outward.
And he’d never, ever put any child in a position where he or she might come face-to-face with the demons that lived inside his head.
To that end, inviting Harper and Kash into his home was risky, but he had no doubt as soon as Harper saved enough money, she’d move into her own place.
He was counting on it. As he’d told her, he’d just finished his big suite on the main floor of the house, which meant his guests could have the entire second floor to themselves.
That was really the only reason he’d felt safe making the offer.
Having that separation between them was for their own good.
Would hopefully keep them from hearing any of his nightmares.
Of course, one thing he couldn’t get out of his head was what Harper had said to him after she’d finally agreed to move in. How it didn’t obligate her to anything sexual with Linc.
Immediate rage had swum through his veins.
Hell, her statement still pissed him off.
And her quick apology for saying it—but not taking it back—hadn’t helped.
He’d been highly offended. He tried to keep in mind that they really didn’t know each other very well.
Only had the barest bit of contact when Linc brought Kash home now and then.
She didn’t know him, and he didn’t know her.
But he was smart enough to realize that the fact she even felt the need to clarify he wasn’t entitled to her body, no matter what he offered, spoke volumes about her history.
Linc hadn’t entertained a single thought of sex with Harper Bates when he’d made the offer for her to move in with her son. It was the furthest thing from his mind, despite the fact that he was a red-blooded guy, and Harper was an attractive woman.
A very attractive woman. Tall and curvy, with beautiful red hair pulled back into a simple ponytail more often than not.
She’d lived in New York City for years, had wanted to be a model once upon a time.
So he figured she’d had more than her share of come-ons and men making offers that definitely included strings. Big fat ones.
He sighed, begrudgingly respecting that she’d come right out and warned him that sex was off the table. Even if it pissed him off that she’d felt the need to clarify it in the first place.
He wasn’t an idiot. He knew sexual harassment and gender prejudice took place.
Including in the Air Force that he loved.
He’d known some kick-ass female pilots, but most never rose to the ranks they deserved simply because of the “good ol’ boy network.
” It was getting better, but prejudice was still very prevalent.
Turning his mind away from the violent thoughts creeping in about the nameless, faceless men who might’ve dared be inappropriate with Harper, Linc once more stood in his living room, staring out the large window with a cup of hot chocolate in hand.
This was exactly what he’d been doing the night before when he’d gotten Kash’s texts, the boy so clearly worried for his mom.
It was now morning. Kash would’ve been told that he’d be moving in with Linc, was probably eating breakfast, asking his mom a million questions.
He had no idea how mean old man Rogers might’ve responded to the news that his daughter and grandson were moving out. Maybe he’d be relieved? More likely pissed that they were leaving his house for one that belonged to one of the Young brothers.
Though, he kind of had advance warning. When Harper and Kash had been arranging to move onto Lobster Cove—onto land that Rogers coveted—rumor was, he hadn’t been happy. That move had fallen through, but the old man had to know his daughter was still looking for somewhere else to go.
Taking a sip of his hot chocolate, Linc felt it warm him from the inside out.
He was addicted to the stuff. Not coffee.
Not tea. Hot chocolate. It was childish and silly, but from the time he was a young boy, he’d loved it.
His mom made it with milk and double the chocolate.
Sometimes she’d even put marshmallows on top.
It had always reminded him of home, of winters in Maine, and even after moving out and joining the Air Force, he’d continued to drink the stuff.
The phone in his pocket vibrated with an incoming text, and Linc pulled it out, smiling as he saw it was from Kash.
Kash: is it really true r we really moving in2 your house
Linc: Sure are.
Kash: woooooooooooooooooooooo
Linc couldn’t help but laugh at the kid’s reaction.
Kash: thank u 4 finding mom last night
Linc: You’re welcome.
Kash: mom just told me to tell u that its no prob taking a different bus from school i should be there by 330 or 4 what project are we doing first
Linc laughed out loud again. The sound rusty and echoing throughout the room.
Linc: I was going to start with painting. Need to do that before I do the floors.
Kash: awesome
Linc: You might not think it’s awesome when you see how much needs to be painted.
Kash: ive never painted b4 its gonna b fun
The enthusiasm the boy showed was endearing. Linc knew the excitement would wane after a while. After reality set in about how much work there was to be done in the house.
Linc: How about we work on setting up your room first when you get here. Then we can see what else needs to be done.
Kash: would it b ok if we set up moms room 1st she works until 6 today and will b tired when she gets home
Linc’s heart lurched at how considerate Kash was toward his mother.
Linc: Of course.
Kash: cool i gotta go moms rushing me and i don’t want to miss my bus c u later
Linc: Later.
Linc put his phone back in his pocket . . . and realized a couple of minutes later, he was still smiling. He didn’t know what effect Harper and Kash would have on his life after they moved in, but he had no doubt it would change things.