“You going to a party?”
The question jerked Connie from her crazy creeper gawking and she opened her mouth to answer when Sherry Pierce swept back into the room. “Isn’t it lovely? And it will compliment that dress perfectly.”
Connie tore her eyes away from Jacob to see what his mother was holding. The wrap was indeed lovely; black, peacock blue, and green swirled together in an iridescent shimmer. “It’s beautiful, thank you.” She cleared her throat and glanced back at Jacob before quickly returning her eyes to Sherry. “Thank you so much. I’ll be sure to have everything dry cleaned for you and returned when I get back.”
Sherry gave a little wave of dismissal. “There’s no hurry, as you’ve seen, I have plenty of options should the need arise.” Sherry glanced at her son who remained at his place in the doorway and frowned before glancing at her watch. “I’m afraid I’ve kept you longer than you expected, Connie. Didn’t you have to get to the salon today?”
Connie nodded and began putting the dress and the wrap in the garment bag. “Yes, I have a color at eleven and I have to get set up.”
“Well, have fun at your party, dear, if I don’t see you beforehand.”
“Thank you, and thanks again for your help.” Connie said as she draped the garment bag over her arm and made for the door. Jacob straightened from his slouch, but she still had to turn sideways to avoid brushing against him. As soon as she was clear, she power walked straight for the door. It was probably just her imagination, or perhaps wishful thinking since he had clearly moved on, but she could swear she could feel Jacob’s eyes on her until she left the house.
Chapter Four
Jacob closed his eyes and inhaled, trying to hold on to the scent of Connie for a few more moments. He had been so hopeful when he’d seen her SUV in the drive. His first thought was that she was finally going to put him out of his misery and tell him that she had been wrong to ask him to keep his distance. He’d done that. Since the end of winter he’d avoided her and when he couldn’t avoid her, he’d made sure to keep things casual – just two people who happened to live in the same town, saying hello – while inside he was dying to hold her and tell her how much she meant to him. Here it was almost fall and he was damn tired of internalizing his feelings. It felt like he’d been doing it his entire life; first because of her interest in Conner, and now because she had asked him to back off. He was sick of it. Something had to give.
“Two visits in one day. What’s the occasion? Or has the reason just left?”
His mother’s words had Jacob opening his eyes and pushing away from the doorframe. His mother wasn’t stupid and he wouldn’t treat her as if she were. Shrugging, he moved into the room to help her gather up the remaining garment bags. “I was curious.”
“One of her friends is getting married. She needed a dress for the engagement party.” Sherry said as she headed for the door with the last bag draped over her arm. Jacob fell into step behind her with a grimace. The party would no doubt be filled with fancy men in tuxedos, with fancy manners, who would be falling all over themselves to talk to a beauty like Connie and try to impress her. Men who weren’t him.
“I can hear your teeth grinding.” His mother said with a sigh and Jacob unclenched his jaw.
Entering his parent’s bedroom, Sherry hung up her garment bag in the closet and then reached for the ones he had carried. As she hung those as well she said, “I thought you were done with her.”
Jacob ran a hand through his hair in frustration. “I was just giving her some space. I figured with a little time she’d see…” He growled. “This never would have happened if certain people had kept their opinions to themselves.”
“They care about you.” Sherry said, motioning for him to follow her back out of the room. “Are you hungry?”
“No. And if they cared about me, they’d realize what they’ve cost me. Do you know how long I’ve wanted her?” Jacob asked, his voice turning to a snarl in his agitation. “And finally, finally, she agrees to go out with me. We had a damn good time too. Connie and I had a real chance and they ruined it!”
Entering the kitchen, Sherry poured herself a cup of coffee, unruffled by his outburst. “Perhaps you’ll feel differently once the females I invited arrive. After all, your choices up until now have been extremely limited.”
Jacob didn’t want to think about those females; had no desire to even meet them. He knew what he wanted, and that was Connie. He had always wanted Connie. “A few females, hell, a hundred females, aren’t going to change my mind.”
His mother took a sip of coffee, eyeing him over the rim of the mug, and then frowned. “Oh, do stop pacing, Jacob, and sit down.”
Jacob let out a low growl of annoyance but flopped into one of the chairs. Taking a seat at the kitchen table as well, Sherry continued carefully. “She’s not a very strong female. She’s too concerned with what everyone else thinks. She may be the only female wolf in the pack near your age, but she sorely lacks backbone. I blame her mother.”
Sherry let out a disdainful snort. “As if everyone in town didn’t realize what Margaret was up. Constance probably never would have paid a bit of attention to your older brother if it wasn’t for Margaret. Conner’s too hard, too dominant to attract someone as soft as Connie. And for her to continue to come after him time and again despite his obvious lack of interest? No. That’s not Connie, that’s Margaret Tully pulling her daughter’s strings.”
His mother took another sip of coffee. “Despite all that, I actually like Connie. And, while I do expect you to at least meet the women I invited, and be sociable while they are here, if none of them catch your eye or change your mind about Constance, I will accept your choice.”
Jacob was shocked. His mother may have invited those females to tempt Conner away from his human mate, but he had assumed she would be pushing hard for him to choose one of them as well. His expression must have given his thoughts away because his mother sighed. “Despite what you, or your brothers, may think, I do want my sons to be happy.” She reached out and snagged his hand with her much smaller one and squeezed. “And if you’ll be happy with Constance Tully, then I’ll happily welcome her into the family. Besides,” she added with a wink, “what woman wouldn’t want someone as talented as Connie is with hair and make-up in the family?”
Jacob chuckled and shook his head. A weight he hadn’t realized he was carrying, lifting off his shoulders. He hadn’t envied his older brother when he had found out his mate was human. Their mother’s reaction had not been pleasant, and while Jacob didn’t need his mother’s approval, the last thing he wanted was for Sherry to make Connie’s life unpleasant. A definite possibility if his mother didn’t approve. Now, with that hurdle removed, Jacob was excited. He wanted to immediately find Connie and continue his courtship, tell her all the reasons why they’d be great together. He squelched that idea. If he came on too strong, she might freak. He’d just take it slow so he wouldn’t spook her. Connie had asked him to stop coming around, but she never said forever. He’d wait a day or two and then come up with a reason to visit either the salon or the bed and breakfast.
As it turned out, he couldn’t even wait a whole day. He had gone back to his little workshop positive that it would keep his mind off of the woman he wanted. It was what he’d done for months; burying himself in work so he wouldn’t be tempted to go scaling the walls of The Cedars and crawling through Connie’s bedroom window. After all, he definitely had enough to keep him busy. L.J Mason who owned The Powder Keg in town needed some help keeping up with his orders, and while Jacob wasn’t able to do the fine carving that L.J incorporated in his custom gun stocks, he could do the initial sawing to bring the lumber down to a workable size. He was also working on new cabinets for a kitchen remodel he’d been contracted to do, and a new mantel piece he wanted to gift his parents for their anniversary. Unfortunately, he couldn’t keep his mind on any of it. He kept picturing Connie in that dress, laughing, dancing, having a good time, while me
n in tuxedos charmed her and flirted with her.
When he realized he’d messed up the cut on yet another piece due to lack of attention, he turned the table saw off. He needed to see her, needed to talk to her, even if it meant coming up with a lame excuse to do so. He’d just recently had his hair cut when he went with Conner to pick up a few things in Rochester, so he couldn’t use that excuse. He ran a hand over his jaw. He couldn’t even have her shave him since he’d shaved that morning. The salon had other services as well, but Connie would probably laugh her ass off if he went in and asked her for a manicure. He glanced at his hands. Workman’s hands, calloused and rough, scarred from years of swinging hammers. Would someone like Connie want hands like his on her skin? He growled, the fancy men in tuxedos probably had smooth hands. The thought of any man other than him touching his Connie had him clenching his jaw so hard it hurt.
Heading up the stairs to his loft, he stripped off his clothes leaving a trail behind him. He’d shower and drive to the salon. He could think up an excuse once he got there. Right now he just needed to see her again.
Chapter Five
Connie took a big bite of the burger she’d gotten from the diner on her lunch break and moaned. So good. After today she’d be on salad and water until after the party. That dress was form fitting and she wanted to look amazing. Picking up a gooey chili cheese fry, she stuffed it into her mouth. But today she would indulge.
“You’ve got the place stinking of onions now.” Flora complained as she opened a window.
Connie grinned and held out her takeout container. “You know you want some, Flora.”
The older woman huffed and shook her head. “If I eat that I’ll end up with heartburn. I hope you have mints or your two o’clock will need to hold her breath.”
Connie laughed. “I’ve got it covered. Wouldn’t want my onion breath competing with the stench of perm solution.”
Catching sight of herself in the mirror, Connie frowned, wiped off her fingers on a napkin and slid them through her hair just above her ears to separate the top section. Holding the top in a ponytail, she frowned thoughtfully. Her eleven o’clock color had been a teenage girl staying at the campsite with her family and she had wanted unicorn hair. It had taken up a big chunk of time, but the girl’s hair came out fabulous. Connie wondered how she would look with bright locks underneath – maybe a hot pink or bright blue.
She was just about to pass the idea by Flora when the bell over the door chimed. She was so surprised to see Jacob walk in that she forgot she was still holding her hair up. Luckily, he greeted Flora first so that she had a moment to finger comb her locks and repair the damage she’d done. Feeling a bit more in control, she turned to greet him. He smiled and butterflies exploded in her belly. That smile. That expression on his face like he was pleased to see her, so different from his cool, disinterested greeting earlier that day. Something had changed. She wasn’t sure what, but she certainly wasn’t going to complain because Jacob like this made her breath catch and her heartbeat stutter.
He’d recently showered and changed clothes. She couldn’t resist inhaling. He always smelled so good to her. If only… She stopped herself. How many times had she said that? If only she hadn’t gone after his brother. If only their one date hadn’t been so wonderful. If only she hadn’t gotten her hopes up. If only the town hadn’t gotten involved. And then there was the latest one, the one that was entirely her own fault: if only he hadn’t stopped wanting her.
She didn’t know how long she just stood there staring at him but Flora finally broke the silence. “What can we do for you, Jacob?”
Jacob slowly pulled his gaze off Connie and she wondered if it was just wishful thinking on her part, that hesitation to break eye contact. After all, since she had told him to back off, the last few times she’d seen him, she may as well have been no different from any other person in town. He’d smile if he saw her, and say hello – perfectly cordial – but that special connection, that heat in his gaze that made her giddy, had been missing.
Connie was so deep in thought that she missed what Jacob said to Flora, but she snapped back to attention as he approached her. He motioned to the little table where her half-eaten lunch was sitting. “That smells good.” He said, stuffing his hands in the pockets of his faded jeans.
She had to resist the urge to take that one step that separated them, wrap her arms around him and bury her face in his neck. As if Flora could read her mind, she caught the older woman’s scowl in the mirror. Right. She was using Jacob to get close to Conner. The whole town thought it, so it must be true. Her lips twisted into a frown for a moment before she checked herself and smiled. “My last day of indulgence before I diet so that I can pour myself into that dress your mother is letting me borrow.”
Jacob’s warm brown eyes moved down her form and she watched in fascination as they brightened to amber. His wolf was coming closer to the surface and it thrilled her. She’d caused that slight lack of control and right now she didn’t care if it was wrong to be so pleased by that. It felt good. His words pleased her as well, “You don’t look like you need a diet. You look good in everything, Connie. You’re beautiful, inside and out.”
She could feel her cheeks warm with a blush. It wasn’t so long ago that her insides would have been classified as bat shit crazy rather than beautiful, but she was pleased with how far she’d come and even more pleased that Jacob had noticed. After all, Jacob had been witness to some of her more humiliating moments and he still seemed to like her. “Thank you.”
He motioned again to her food. “You should finish eating before it gets cold. Mind if I join you?”
Connie hesitated. She still didn’t think her and Jacob was a good idea; knew that if he wasn’t having doubts about her now, that didn’t mean he wouldn’t later. Especially if the town insisted on reminding him of her past the way they so often did with her. But… would it really hurt to truly have just this one day of indulgence, not just with food, but a moment to bask in in the giddy feelings Jacob instilled? Keeping her gaze averted from the mirror and a disapproving Flora, Connie made her choice. Sitting, she motioned for Jacob to do the same. She’d catch hell from her boss later, but right now she didn’t care.
Nudging her container of food toward him, she asked “Chili cheese fry? They’re so good.”
“So tell me about this party.” Jacob said as he reached for a cheesy fry and separated it from the mass.
Connie chewed her bite of burger and swallowed. “My friend from school, Victoria is getting married. She lives in New York, Flushing, but the engagement party is at some fancy hotel in Manhattan.”
Jacob nodded thoughtfully and then pulled loose another fry. “When is it?”
“Next weekend.” Connie grinned at him. “Kind of short notice but according to my friend Tanya who is going with me, Vic and her fiancé have this whole whirlwind thing going on, so I’m not surprised.”
The door to the salon chimed to announce a customer and Connie checked the clock. Almost two. She needed to prep for her next appointment, and brush her teeth. Standing, she motioned to the remainder of her lunch. “I need to get ready for my two o’clock appointment, but you can have that if you want.”
Jacob stood as well, a hopeful look on his handsome face. “Can I see you after work?”
Connie bit her lip. Her brain yelling at her to tell him no, but her heart beating double-time with a resounding yes. She opened her mouth to tell him all of the reasons why it wouldn’t be a good idea, but an enthusiastic “Yes, okay, I’d like that.” Spilled out instead. What the hell, mouth? You’re supposed to consult the brain!
Before she could take back the words, Jacob was grinning, grabbed up her leftover lunch and with a “See you tonight,” he was out the door.
Chapter Six
It didn’t take long for the lecture to start, first from Flora, then Mrs. Crain chimed in as Connie rolled the older woman’s hair. Connie listened with gritted teeth, her face becoming redder,
her chest tight as breathing became harder.
It didn’t seem to matter that Jacob was the one who had come to Connie’s workplace. That he had sought her out for conversation. She was still being painted as the villain in this piece, while Jacob was seen as a poor sweet boy blinded by Connie’s beauty, unable to see through to her true intentions: to use him and discard him. It was all a bunch of horse shit, she knew that, but it still hurt so much.
Under the other women's derision, Connie could feel the giddiness that Jacob had instilled, shrivel and die. She shrunk into herself, her stomach rolling and her head pounding. This is what the town thought of her - she wasn't good enough for Jacob Pierce and they would never let her forget it.
Connie couldn’t wait to lock up the shop and get out of there. She just wanted to go home and cry at the unfairness of the whole thing, but she still had to deal with Jacob. He was waiting for her as promised, leaning against his motorcycle with an extra helmet sitting on the seat. His eager smile made her want to burst into tears. Why couldn’t something have come up where he would have been forced to cancel?
“It’s supposed to be a nice night, so I thought we could go for a ride.” He said, walking toward her, still smiling, anticipation lighting his eyes.
Connie tried to take a breath, to steel herself for what she had to do, but it came out as a ragged gasp and she was pretty sure her lower lip was trembling. “I can’t do this, Jacob.”
The sight of that light in his eyes dimming broke Connie’s heart even more. His lips pinched into a tight line. “Let me guess. The gossipy old biddies decided to give you their opinion and now you’re running scared.” He growled low. “Did it ever occur to you that their opinion doesn’t mean shit?” He asked, pacing in agitation as Connie twisted her fingers nervously. “Just tell them to piss off. It’s none of their business.”
Whole-Hearted: A Malsum Pass Novel Page 3