Sweet Rose: Baytown Boys

by Maryann Jordan

  She lay her head on his shoulder, her arm draped across his abs as he encircled her tightly to him.

  “I love you, Jason,” she said sleepily.

  A smile split his face as he lay in bed with her, his arms wrapped around the mother of his unborn child, and kissed her hair before saying, “I love you too, Sweet Rose.”

  20

  The early morning light streamed in through the lacy curtains Rose had hung over her window. Her mother always hung lacy curtains in upstairs windows, saying that they gave her privacy and yet softened the sunlight that came through.

  Smiling at the memory, she felt the warm heat at her back and a heavy arm across her middle. Her smile widened as she shifted to her back, turned her head, and watched as Jason’s eyes blinked open, the pale blue holding her captive.

  “Good morning,” she said softly.

  He leaned over and kissed her, mumbling against her lips, “Yes, it is.”

  They lay in bed quietly for a few minutes, each to their own thoughts as their gazes continued to hold.

  Finally, he asked, “Whatcha thinking, babe?”

  Sucking in her lips for a moment, she said, “I want to know about your family.”

  He blinked for a second, and she realized it was not fair to say something like that without explaining. Shifting again, she turned so that she was facing him and reached up to smooth his long hair from his face. “You know so much about my parents and me. About our lives when I was young and growing up working in their shop. But I don’t know anything about your family, Jason. If we’re going to be together, then they’re going to be part of us. Part of our baby.”

  She saw something dark move through his eyes, and suddenly wished she had kept her mouth shut. She quickly blurted, “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t pry—”

  “I’ve got no secrets, sweetheart,” he said, interrupting her.

  His words may have told her there were no secrets, but the tone in his voice gave evidence to pain. Before she could assure him that there was nothing she needed to know, he sighed heavily.

  “I was born and raised in North Carolina. Both my parents, like yours, ran a business and worked it together. They owned a little diner in our town. The kind of place where neighbors came in and everybody knew everybody. I grew up learning how to bus tables, wash dishes, mop the floor, fill up salt and pepper shakers, and could flip burgers with the best of them.”

  Rose grinned at the thought of a little blond-headed Jason running around a diner, charming the patrons. A flash of what their son could be like moved through her mind.

  “By the time I was a teen I didn’t want to be flipping burgers with my parents anymore. We had a neighbor who ran a garage, and every spare minute that I wasn’t in school or at the diner, I was with him learning about cars and engines. Through him, I met someone who owned a tattoo shop and loved that as well."

  “Were your parents okay with you not working in the diner and wanting to take over that legacy?”

  Nodding, he smiled and said, “My parents were cool. They never expected me to take over the diner and just wanted me to do whatever I wanted to do. College was never for me, so when I graduated from high school, I worked in the garage during the day and the tattoo shop at night and helped my parents in the diner on weekends.”

  “So that’s where that work ethic comes from,” she teased. “I should’ve known you were always an overachiever.”

  He chuckled and said, “I watched my parents work hard, and they instilled that in me as well. But after a couple of years, I was itching to get out of that little town. I had a couple of cousins who joined the Navy, and their letters made it sound like that was the life. That was the first time I did something that my parents weren’t all that crazy about. I joined the Navy as a mechanic."

  Her attention was now riveted, and she kept wondering where the dark in his eyes had come from earlier. So far, his story seemed normal…even good. But she felt something coming and slid her hand to his shoulder, holding on.

  “I was no damn hero,” he continued. “I joined the Navy because I wanted to get out and see some of the world besides that little town in North Carolina, but I figured since most of the fighting was on land, the Navy would be a safe bet. I had no fuckin’ idea that the real threat was back home.”

  The dark in his eyes had returned, and she said nothing, continuing to dig her fingers into his shoulders.

  “My parents were finishing up late one night when some strung-out asshole came in, pulled out a gun, and demanded money. Didn’t look like my parents gave any fight at all, and my dad would’ve never done anything to put my mom in harm’s way. But I guess the guy got twitchy, afraid they might identify him, and he shot them both."

  A gasp ripped from her chest as her entire body jolted. Tears hit her eyes as she rasped, “Oh, my God, Jason. I’m so sorry, sweetheart.” In that instant, it hit her that not only had he lost his parents, two wonderful people that had made him the man he was, but that she would never be able to meet them. And neither would their child. Tears rolled down her face as she stared at the blatant grief etched on his face.

  “I was on a fuckin’ ship, Rose,” he added, hoarsely. "I get notified that my parents were dead, and I was on a fuckin’ ship.”

  She had nothing to say to that other than to hold on tight, hoping that he could feel her love and strength through her touch.

  He drew in a ragged breath and said, “I left the Navy at the end of my enlistment and never looked back. I had no desire to stay in North Carolina but felt lost. I had money from the sale of the diner and from my parents’ small inheritance, plus all the money I saved while in the Navy. Zac gave me a call and told me about Baytown and how they wanted to encourage veterans who didn’t have a home to come to, to move here. I did a little research and found out that the town’s only garage owner had died, so that began my new life’s goal.”

  They were quiet for another moment, then she said, “Jason, I honestly don’t know what to say to your story. My heart aches for you and your loss. Your parents sound wonderful, and I know you miss them, and now I’ll never meet them either, just like you’ll never get to meet my dad."

  “I thought the same thing, too, baby,” he said. “I loved meeting your mom but hate like hell that I’ll never meet your dad and you’ll never meet my parents.”

  “I’m so glad you had that, though," she said, gaining a questioning expression on his face. “You were raised in a good, loving family with two parents. So was I. And I want that for our baby.”

  His confusion morphed into a beautiful smile, and her breath caught in her throat just as he pulled her tighter to him, his lips sealing over hers.

  Storytime over, they stayed in bed, discovering each other’s bodies in the early morning light of day. And she decided that was the best way to wake up.

  Rose was excited when she was able to take delivery of some of her non-perishable food items and paper products that morning. She had barely begun opening the boxes when the bell over her front door jingled and in walked the entire gang led by Katelyn and Jillian, with Tori, Jade, Belle, Madelyn, Lia, and Sophie. She could see the concern on their faces as they rushed to her.

  She assumed the only reason Ginny was not there was that as a police officer, Ginny would be in the know about what had happened the previous day. But then, considering that Tori, Jillian, Jade, and Belle were also involved with law enforcement, she assumed they knew about the discovery and her subsequent freakout and trip to the ER.

  Her friends swarmed around her, all wanting to make sure that she was all right, and as much as she hated the interruption to working in her shop, she had to admit it felt nice to have so many people concerned about her.

  It only took a moment for her to realize that they were not there to question her about the discovery since those who were involved with police officers already knew about the find. It seemed the news had made the rounds about town. She assumed since her shop was not the scene of a crime but the sc
ene of a historical find, the news would quickly fade.

  After explaining the letters that she had read, the shock of seeing a skeleton, being checked out at the hospital, and assuring them that she was fine, a collective sigh was heard around the room.

  Jillian admitted, “Grant would kill me if he knew I was saying this, but he admitted that when he went down in the cellar to see it, he was kind of freaked out, too.”

  “Lance didn’t admit that he was freaked out, but I think he was stunned that it was there,” Jade said.

  Madelyn walked over and gave Rose a hug, saying, “I hate to leave, but I’ve got to get back to the office. I just had to come and make sure that you were all right.”

  “Well," Jade added, bending over and looking into one of the boxes, “I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t spring break, but I talked to Lance, and he doesn’t see any reason why I can’t help you out during the busy summer season as long as my pregnancy goes fine. The school is out in early June and doesn’t start up until the beginning of September. So, just let me know when you’re ready, and I’ll come in, and you can teach me everything you know about ice cream extravaganzas!”

  Rose laughed, glad to have something to focus on besides the events of yesterday and said, “I’ve got two teenage girls that have already come in and expressed an interest in working after school and then more hours during the summer. With you, that will be perfect!”

  Katelyn’s phone buzzed, and she looked down to read an incoming text. Throwing her arms into the air and screaming, she said, “Ginny’s gone into labor! Brogan’s taking her to the hospital! Lia—we’re going to have a niece!”

  Excitement ensued as Lia and Katelyn rushed out the door, shouting their goodbyes. Jillian and Tori gave Rose hugs before hurrying after the other two women.

  Now that the shop was a little quieter, Belle stepped up and said, “I was so worried when I heard about yesterday, but I want to assure you that your mom doesn’t know anything. You can tell her as much as you want to tell her, but some of our assisted living clients get newspapers and watch TV, so she might hear from someone else first.”

  Smiling her gratitude, she said, “I’ll see Mom soon.” She looked over as Sophie spread some of her design information on the countertop. They had just begun to discuss some of the decorating when the bell over the door rang again. This time the sight was not as welcome when Corwin Banks came marching in, followed by Paul Gillespie and Ben Sommers.

  “Mayor,” she began, “can I help you?”

  “I want to make sure that you’re not going to speak to the press!” Corwin began, his jowls shaking as he blustered.

  “I haven’t had anyone ask me any questions other than the police—”

  “That’s how these things begin. Rumors. Ugly rumors!"

  Paul placed his hand on Corwin’s shoulder and said, “Now, Corwin, nobody is saying anything that could be construed as a rumor about your family.”

  Brow scrunched in confusion, Rose glanced over toward Ben, who shot her a sympathetic look as he shrugged his shoulders. Looking back at the Corwin, she said, “Mayor Banks, I don’t understand your concerns.”

  Lifting his hand, he exclaimed, “My family owned this building for years. My aunt ran a business out of it for years. The last thing I want is to be connected in any way, shape, or form with a skeleton in the basement!"

  Paul once again began trying to calm Corwin down, and Ben sidled closer over to Rose. “I’m so sorry, Rose. He came storming into the real estate office this morning, blustering about how he didn’t want you talking to the media in case this got out and it was somehow connected to his family once owning this building. Paul and the Mayor have been friends since childhood, and he decided to come along with Corwin in case he needed to calm him down.” Glancing over at the two men, he said, “It looks like it’s a good thing he did. I came just in case you needed a friend in your corner.”

  She started to mention that so far, Ben had not done anything to help with the situation when the bell rang over her door again. This time it slammed open, and she felt the heat of fury roll into the building. Looking over, her gaze landed on Jason, filling the doorway just before he stalked toward Corwin. His muscles were tight, the swagger in his hips from a man who was confident in his body without being cocky. His long hair was flowing out to the sides and down his back, and his pale blue eyes shot first to her, scanning her up and down before turning to ice when he looked back over to Corwin.

  Not giving Corwin a chance to speak, he growled, “I saw you walk into this shop, and I came out of my garage just to see if I was needed. I can fuckin’ hear you yelling all the way across the street. You do not threaten Rose. If the media comes around and she wants to talk to them, that’s her business. Not everything in this town involves you or reflects on you. You stick to bein’ the Mayor and leave others in this town to do their jobs and have their lives.”

  Corwin opened and closed his mouth several times, working up to bluster again, when Jason towered over him. Lifting his finger and placing it right in the middle of Corwin’s chest, he said, “A good Mayor would know not to burst into a place of business and pitch a fit. A good man would know not to ever act like that to a woman. But just to make myself perfectly clear, you will never talk to my woman that way again.” Taking a step back, he added, “Now, I think it’s time that you gentlemen leave.” Shooting a glare toward Ben, who was still standing near Rose, he said, “All of you.”

  Sophie winked toward Rose and whispered, “And that’s how a man makes sure a woman knows he’s in her corner.”

  Corwin, his face red, muttered as he stomped out, closely followed by Paul. Ben glanced apologetically at Rose before leaving as well.

  Jason turned on a booted foot and walked straight to Rose, not stopping until his arms banded around her, and he pulled her close. First kissing the top of her head, he then leaned back, dipped his chin, and held her gaze. “Are you okay, babe?”

  “Can I just say that that was incredibly hot?” she asked, eyes still wide.

  Barking out a chuckle, he dipped further to place a light kiss on her lips, and said, “Yep, you’re okay.”

  Sophie looked at Jade and said, “I can’t believe I didn’t pull out my phone and get that on video. That really was hot, but it was also hilarious. I would’ve slapped that video up on social media so fast Corwin’s head would spin.”

  Rose heard Sophie and Jade laughing in the background, but her eyes were full of her avenging angel, and she lifted on her toes to kiss him again.

  “Babe, don’t ever take shit from anyone, especially not that blowhard Mayor. But if he ever gets to you, then you don’t hesitate to call me.”

  She nodded, afraid that if she spoke, she would say something about how lucky their child was to have him for a father, but with an audience, she was not ready for that knowledge to be known. Instead, she simply lifted on her toes and kissed him again.

  As he got ready to go back to his shop, he checked once again, “Are you sure you’re okay?”

  “Ginny’s getting ready to have her baby. Sophie’s got my logo and is working on the decorations. I’m going to teach Jade how to make waffle cones. And tomorrow I get in all my dairy and fresh ingredients so that I can start making ice cream to share with my friends until I get my dad’s recipe exactly right. So, while it stinks that the media might be coming around to ask me questions and the Mayor is pissed at me, I think I’m good.”

  Grinning, he started to leave when she called him back, and he stopped, turning to face her again.

  “Belle told me that my mom didn’t know about yesterday and probably wouldn’t, but I don’t want to take a chance that she would hear from someone else. Will you go with me tonight to talk to Mom?”

  His blue eyes melted, sending warmth throughout her as he said, “No place I’d rather be, babe.”

  After he walked out, she turned to the others who were staring at her with wide eyes, and she grinned, asking, “Who wants a waffle
cone?”

  21

  Rose and Jason flanked her mother as they walked down the hall to the library in the assisted living facility. Glancing to the side, she could tell Jason was nervous, both of his hands held out toward her mom in case she fell. But Peggy was very steady, and once they made it to the library, they assisted her to a comfortable wing-backed chair that faced a loveseat they settled on. The room was not large but lined with built-in bookcases filled with books of all genres, a computer station, and a tall window flanked with dark green curtains. It was the type of space Rose could imagine her mother spending hours in, enjoying a good story in relative quiet.

  Turning toward her mother’s inquisitive face, Rose went over the events of the other day, not leaving out any major details, but skimming over the part where she fell in the street. Once her mother had been assured that she was all right, Rose was not surprised at her curiosity about the letters between Charles and Millicent.

  The walk had made her mother a little breathless, but nonetheless, she wanted to know more. “Was there nothing else in the cellar?”

  Rose shook her head and answered, “No. It was completely empty except for the trunk.”

  “But why?”

  Rose glanced at Jason to see if he understood her mom’s question, and he gave a short shake of his head. Looking back over, she said, “I don’t know what you mean, Mom. Why what?”

  “Why would she go there?”

  “Oh…um…I don’t know. Maybe they kept cold food items down in the cellar—”

  Her mother shook her head emphatically and said, “Nothing there.”

  Understanding dawned, and she reached out and grabbed Jason’s leg, welcoming his hand covering hers. “Oh, my God, you’re right, Mom. There wasn’t anything else down there or in the trunk.”

  Jason gave her hand a squeeze and said, “Babe, there’s no reason to get upset about it. Whatever happened, it happened over a hundred years ago. It’s tragic, but I don’t want you upset about it.”