Hold Me

by Alexa Verde

  Besides, turning up on Jeannie’s doorstep in this condition would be embarrassing enough without being carried there. Hopefully Jeannie was home by herself. If she had people there...

  Aileen’s cheeks flamed up just thinking about it.

  She might not be the shy, insecure girl she’d once been, but she still didn’t want to be a public spectacle. Especially since her mother’s drunken outbursts when she told everybody who’d listen—or try not to listen—how she’d nearly become a famous actress, talking between burps and slugging down more drinks. Protesting when her husband tried to take her away.

  Or when her mother had gotten so drunk at a party that she’d fallen into the swimming pool and then walked around in wet, clinging clothes like nothing had happened. Aileen hadn’t been at that party. But the entire school talked about it the next morning, and she’d wanted to shrink into herself. Her gut tightened, even so many years later.

  Enough embarrassment to last a lifetime.

  “At least, take my arm.” As always, Roman’s concern touched her. Except from her father and Mrs. MacPherson, she’d seen so little of it while growing up.

  “Let me see your back, first.” If he was badly injured, she’d be checking if her cell phone survived its swim in her jacket pocket, and calling 911.

  Slowly, he turned. Blood covered his back. Her hand rose to cover her mouth and stifle her instinctive gasp. Steeling herself, she peered closer.

  Phew! It looked worse than in was, because she’d unintentionally spread the blood around. “I think you have a large graze. But I can’t see any deep cuts.”

  “Good. Let’s go.” He offered his bent arm for her to cling to, but she went one better and wrapped an arm around his waist. Careful not to press on the graze and cause him more pain, of course. He slipped an arm around her shoulders.

  Leaning on each other’s support, pressed against each other side-by-side, they slowly walked toward the house.

  Thank You, Lord. Thank You that Roman rescued me. Thank You that he’s not more seriously injured. Please help him heal fast. And please, help me to do the right thing next time he talks about our future. Um, whatever the right thing is.

  The prayer bubbled up, without conscious thought. A wonderful feeling spread through her. Being able to pray again felt amazing. But something was still missing in her relationship with the Lord. Hopefully, as her ability to pray returned, whatever that missing piece was would also return.

  Before they even made it halfway to Jeannie’s big old wood-frame Victorian, she hurried to meet them, clutching a blanket to her chest. “What happened?” Concern sharpened her voice.

  “I fell in the river. Roman rescued me.” That covered it all.

  “Let’s get you warmed up.” The pretty, blonde, thirty-something unfolded the cream-colored blanket, clearly intending to wrap it around them.

  Roman lifted the hand that wasn’t twined around Aileen. “I’m bleeding. You’ll ruin your blanket.”

  “Blankets wash. Hypothermia doesn’t.” Jeannie draped it around them anyway.

  As she let the blanket go, they grabbed a corner each and pulled it closer around them. Aileen sighed as the welcome warmth enveloped her. No wonder Jeannie had clutched the blanket so close to her chest. To warm it. So typically Jeannie to think of something like that.

  “Now, come straight to the house. Each of you, into a long, hot shower to warm up and wash the river dirt off you. I can lend Aileen a change of clothes.” As Jeannie looked Roman up and down, her lips twisted to one side. “Hmm, I don’t have anything to fit you. But you could wear Uncle George’s old bathrobe while I launder and dry your jeans?”

  “No need.” They resumed plodding toward the house. “I always carry a change of clothes in my truck. The truck keys are in my jacket, left behind in the orchard. Along with my sweater and shoes.”

  “I’ll go fetch them for you, and get your clean jeans from the truck. All fixed.”

  Not much more than an hour later, showered, shampooed, wearing clean dry clothes, and warmed from within by Jeannie’s ginger tea, they clambered into Roman’s truck.

  Aileen’s entire body ached like she’d done the workout to end all workouts. No doubt Roman felt the same, or even worse. He settled cautiously into his seat. Though Jeannie had examined, cleansed, and applied an adhesive dressing to his wound, it must hurt. As would the tetanus shot she’d advised him to get first thing tomorrow.

  As Roman started the engine, he turned to Aileen and grinned. “We survived. Not just the river, Jeannie’s hospitality, too. She’s a wonderful person, but she is kinda bossy.”

  “But in a good way.” Truth be told, she admired Jeannie’s confidence. And envied it, too.

  Roman drove back into the main part of town, but as they neared the turning for her house, Roman steered the truck straight on, along the road leading to the tiny cliff-top chapel.

  “Huh?”

  He parked the truck as close as he could to the chapel, turned to her, and grinned. “I hope you didn’t want to go home just yet. It’s later than I intended, so we’ve missed most of the sunset color. And I’m guessing neither of us feel up to walking to the chapel. But the view from here is still okay.”

  More than okay. It was glorious. An orange glow still lingered along the western horizon, where the sky met the sea. Light from the almost-full moon overhead danced on the white-capped waves. Pinprick stars already dotted the sky.

  But even better than the view outside was the view inside the truck. She turned to gaze at Roman, instead, giving him an uncertain smile.

  His smile in return held equal uncertainty, as he reached for her hand and engulfed it in a warm, gentle clasp. “We still need to finish our interrupted conversation. The one about our future.”

  Her future felt so uncertain.

  She’d taken out huge loans to open her business, just like her mother had racked up a large credit card debt for her plastic surgeries, a debt that had become worse from medical bills. Then five years ago, Mom left for another man, managing to leave Dad with all the debt.

  Aileen didn’t want to do that to Roman. But she couldn’t imagine walking away from him again, either.

  “Let’s just enjoy this time together, okay?” She pushed the words past the lump in her throat.

  His gaze lingered on her face. “Okay,” he said at last.

  She suppressed a sigh. Resisting her attraction to him was getting more and more difficult. His dark eyes drew her in like magnets. Maybe bidding on him on the bachelor auction wasn’t a great idea.

  Or being alone with him now. Not that he’d do anything against her will, of course. He leaned toward her, a silent question in his eyes.

  Her heartbeat became a rapid staccato. She’d never initiated a kiss, no matter how much she’d wanted to. Ever since the first boy she’d liked had made fun of her, she’d shied back, afraid of ridicule. Being the daughter of a drunk, she’d been afraid to attract any kind of attention.

  But this was different. This was the man who’d treated her with kindness always, even after she hadn’t been kind to him. The man who’d had her heart for so long she didn’t know how she’d lived without him all these years.

  If she only had this one day with him, how could she miss the opportunity to have his lips on hers one more time? To feel butterflies in her tummy and be carried away into the wonderful world where she could be held tenderly, kissed passionately, and maybe even loved sweetly?

  She shifted toward him.

  His eyebrows arched, and she gave him a barely perceptible nod.

  “Aileen…” His voice became husky.

  Somehow, she managed to work up the courage. “Hold me. Kiss me. Just… be beside me.”

  He didn’t need to be asked twice. His fingertips raised her chin, sending delicious currents of anticipation through her. Then he dipped his head and claimed her lips.

  There was familiarity in that kiss, like coming home. But as he deepened his kiss, her heart sang in
delight from the precious feeling of being in his arms, so close to him. Oh, how much she needed it! How much she’d dreamed of this incredible moment in the rare times when she’d allowed herself to dream of it, not even hoping it would become a reality again.

  She felt as light as a feather, carried away into the beautiful country called Love. Her heart beat as if it wanted to leave her body, and another wave of delicious sensations rippled through her.

  Oh, the wonderful feeling of being held!

  As she slipped her hands around his neck and deepened the kiss herself, she didn’t want it to end. She never wanted it to end. Yes, this was familiar, but at the same time, a new feeling blossomed inside her chest.

  She loved this man.

  She’d love him until her last breath.

  Her phone ringing made it through her mental fog, and she took a few moments to come to her senses. Reluctantly, she pulled back.

  “Sorry. It might be Jonah.”

  She snatched her phone from the pocket of her borrowed jacket. Still in the pleasant aftermath of the best kiss of her life, finally feeling something was right and certain in her life, she smiled at the name “Shannon”. Since her son started, um, talking to Shannon, that phone number and her parents’ numbers seemed important information Aileen needed to have.

  But why was Shannon calling her? Premonition squeezed Aileen’s rib cage as she swiped the screen to answer.

  “Ms. McKenzie, come quick, please! They’re going to kill Jonah!” The girl’s frantic, terrified words sent horror ripping deep into Aileen’s soul.

  Chapter Fifteen

  “WHO’S GOING to kill him? Where are you?” Aileen glanced at Roman and groped for his hand.

  Without needing to be asked, he started his truck and reversed out of the parking area.

  Aileen’s heart beat wildly as she pressed the phone to her ear.

  “Clark and his friends. The linebacker of the football team. He asked me out before, but I said no. Now, he’s not happy I’m with Jonah.” Shannon sobbed into the phone. “We’re at Levi’s house. Levi stayed in another room so Jonah and I could, um, talk.” She probably realized the way it sounded because she added, “We didn’t do anything bad. Honest.”

  “Levi’s house,” she repeated, adding the address so Roman knew where to go. “Tell me what’s happening now?”

  “Clark and his buddies showed up, and Levi opened the door for them. They’re arguing now, but I know Clark. He beat up the other guy I went out with. That guy doesn’t even talk to me now. It’s all my fault.”

  “No, it’s mine.” She was a horrible mother.

  Yes, she was a horrible, horrible mother. She’d been enjoying her date with Roman while her son was about to be beaten up by older boys. She’d talk to him later about lying to her about spending the day with Levi, when he intended to be with Shannon.

  Roman took off, peeling rubber.

  Aileen’s head spun. The important thing now was to help her son.

  “Hold on, Shannon.” Thankfully, it wasn’t far to Levi’s.

  As the lump grew bigger in her throat, a prayer appeared in her mind.

  Lord, please help my son. Please keep him safe.

  Roman navigated the streets fast. “We’ll be there soon.” He sent an encouraging glance in her direction.

  The pressure in her chest eased a little. “Shannon, we’ll on our way. Please try to remain calm. And please make sure you let your parents know.”

  “They are going to kill us all.”

  Aileen swallowed hard. “Clark and his friends?” They’d already reached Levi’s neighborhood.

  Lord, please help us get there in time.

  “No, our parents,” Shannon whispered. “Or maybe they won’t even care. I tried to interfere with Clark and his buddies, honest, but it only made things worse. Everybody is going to call me a snitch for letting you know, but I don’t care.”

  “You did the right thing by calling us.” Aileen peered intently out the window. “That’s the house!” She pointed to a redbrick two-story building to the right.

  “We’re here,” she said into the phone. “Hold on there and open the door for us. I’ll have to disconnect now.”

  “Okay.” The girl’s voice perked up.

  Aileen disconnected the call and slipped the phone into her purse. As soon as the truck stopped at the curb, she jumped out, not bothering to see if Roman followed. A tight band squeezed her rib cage as she sprinted toward the house.

  If she hadn’t decided to give herself this one day with her first love—fine, her forever love—her son might not be in this situation. She’d have to think it over later. Jonah’s well-being was her priority now.

  She didn’t even know what she’d do once she got inside the house. Stand between Jonah and the bully? That would only embarrass her son and not help him in the least.

  Her thoughts in turmoil, her mind only then registered Roman’s steps beside her.

  “I’ll go in first.” His gruff voice didn’t allow any argument.

  A tight band around her lungs let go a bit.

  In Portland, she’d had to deal with issues alone, because her ex couldn’t care less. Gary had seemed to have as little interest in his son’s life as her mother in hers. That was doubly difficult for a woman like her who liked a safety net, who’d needed support so badly. She’d felt like she’d been suffocating sometimes.

  Now, God sent her Roman. Roman’s presence near her seemed to fill her lungs with fresh air.

  Yes, she’d come home.

  Roman opened the door and charged inside. A different sort of twinge pinched her heart. As much as she wanted her son to be all right, she couldn’t help thinking Roman striking a bully could end up very badly for Roman.

  Cheers sounded from the living room, and anger surged through her. Those kids cheered on a younger boy being beaten up!

  Roman’s eyes narrowed as he charged into the circle of teenagers. He made it through first, and she stepped through the opening as boys let her in.

  Her eyebrows shot up. There were only two boys in the middle of the circle who were wrestling, a bigger and older boy in designer clothes and her Jonah in simple T-shirt and jeans.

  Incredibly, Jonah managed to pin the bully to the floor and held his arm behind his back.

  The older boy wiggled and groaned. “Let me go!”

  “Not until you apologize for what you said to Shannon.” Jonah’s voice was surprisingly calm, though his muscles strained and his breath came in quick puffs.

  “Let me go!” the boy grunted.

  “Apologize!” Jonah seemed to tighten the hold.

  Shannon started chanting, “Jonah! Jonah! Jonah!” and more than a few boys joined her.

  Roman gave Aileen a quick glance and slightly inclined his head to the back of the group. He moved further away from the crowd, and she followed him.

  “I apologize, Shannon,” the bully breathed out.

  Jonah let him go, and the guy rose to his feet without looking at anybody. Then he shot out of the house, nearly bumping into the wall in his haste.

  As soon as Jonah got up, two teenagers stepped to him and shook his hand.

  “You have my respect,” the taller from them said before heading out.

  “Yeah, man. This won’t happen again.” The rest of them followed.

  Shannon rushed to him and planted a kiss on his cheek, leaving an imprint of orange lipstick. “You were amazing!”

  Air left Aileen’s lungs. She’d talk to Jonah later that physical force wasn’t everything and there were diplomatic ways to resolve issues. Probably.

  Jonah’s neck pinked. “It’s nothing. My new dad taught me this move. Well, Mr. Roman is not my dad yet. But my mom is dating him.…” His eyes widened as he turned their way and finally seemed to notice them.

  “Oh, Mom. Hi. Hi, Mr. Roman.” He shifted from one foot to the other. “Um, Levi had to go… somewhere. And um, Shannon happened to be nearby, and…”

 
Shannon hung her head, her pink and blond hair splaying over a papaya-colored sweater dress that skimmed matching boots. She tucked locks of it behind her ears, exposing handmade earrings in the shape and color of oranges. “I called them. So your parents know everything. I hope you don’t think I’m a snitch. I was scared to death for you.”

  Aileen opened her mouth to correct the girl’s slip. Roman wasn’t Jonah’s parent. Then she glanced at Roman and kept her mouth shut. In many ways, just in a matter of days, Roman was more of a parent to Jonah than his own father in all his life.

  “Shannon did the right thing. Jonah, you shouldn’t have kept secrets from your mother.” Roman stepped forward.

  “Young man, I’ll have to talk to you about lying to adults, and especially to your mother.” She used the sternest voice she could come up with. “About taking responsibility for your actions.”

  A deep sigh left Jonah’s lungs as he scuffled his shoes, smudging the hardwood floor. “I’m sorry I lied to you. I shouldn’t have.” Then he flashed a grin. “Yeah, but did you see what I did? They’ll stop bullying Shannon now, too.”

  Okay, this wasn’t going well. This parenting thing was tough, but at the same time, she felt like mountains fell off her shoulders. She didn’t have to do this alone.

  God had always helped her.

  And now God gave her Roman.

  Of course, if she allowed Roman back into her life.

  A woman with disheveled hair colored blonde only on one side rushed inside the house. “Shannon! Darling! What’s happening?”

  Shannon snatched Jonah’s hand and stepped in front of her mother. “Mom, I told you about the guy in school I liked? Please meet Jonah. You should’ve seen how he stood up for me!”

  The woman’s lips, covered by bright pink lipstick, pursed. “Shannon, you’re too young for all this.”

  “I agree. I’m Aileen, Jonah’s mother. And this is Roman.…” She searched for the right word.

  “My mom’s first love and the guy she’s dating now,” Jonah helped.

  Aileen suppressed a groan while Roman chuckled. “We already met.”