by Pamela Stone
Here it came again. She was going to jump down his throat about encouraging Ashton. She glanced back at Vince. “Ashton, go take your shower. Let me talk to Vince a minute.”
Oh, yeah. This wasn’t going to be pretty.
Ashton went inside, but turned. “Thanks for the pizza. Kenzie said you’d have to talk to her.”
Now he was getting “I told you so” from the kid? “You’re welcome, Ashton.”
Hanna stepped out on the covered porch with Vince and closed the door. The rain dripped off the roof and splattered in a puddle behind the bushes. “Softball and asthma aren’t a good mix.”
“It’s important to him. How about if I promise to be at all his games to keep an eye on him?”
“Vince, I’m not sure what to say here. You aren’t obligated to look out for Ashton.”
He tilted his head. “I’m not doing it under any obligation. He’s a good kid and my daughter’s friend and, no offense, but he needs a guy around.”
She took a deep breath and reached one hand out and let the next drop of rain land on her palm, then turned her hand to let it drip off. Anything to avoid looking at him probably. “Yes, but how can we handle this after…”
Shoving his hands in his pockets so he didn’t touch her, he leaned around and captured her gaze. “We’re friends. That hasn’t changed. We have kids to raise. It’s a small town. I don’t want us to feel uncomfortable around each other every time we’re together. Truce?”
The corners of her mouth turned up. “We can try.”
“What happened in those two days was pretty cool. Too cool to let it ruin a good friendship.”
“It was more than cool.” She smiled, but nibbled her lip. “And I do value your friendship.”
He winked. “I’ll try not to picture you naked if you’ll try not to picture me naked. Deal?”
“Oh, that helps keep things casual.” She laughed. “It was childish of me to run away like that. I’m sorry.”
“And softball?”
“Let me think about that one.”
HANNA FINALLY GAVE IN and signed Ashton up for softball. He assured her that he was going to give it his all and that he’d use his inhaler anytime he needed it no matter who was watching. What convinced her was that he admitted he knew he might fail, but he wanted to take the risk. How could she deny him that chance when he was just beginning to fit in?
On Thursday, when the kids arrived at the bookstore, Kenzie went straight to the bathroom. Ashton dropped his backpack in one of the chairs by the coffee center. “Is it okay if Kenzie stays here and we do homework together? Then when Vince gets off, we’re going to her house to toss a few balls.”
“Sure. Offer her a cookie and a soft drink when she comes out.” She hugged his shoulders. “Just keep the noise level down.”
By the time Hanna had helped a couple of regular customers pick out some of the latest romance novels, Kenzie still hadn’t returned from the bathroom.
Hanna checked the ladies out at the register and put their books into a bag. Ashton was working away on his homework. Something was up or Kenzie would be out by now. As soon as the women left, Hanna walked to the back of the shop and knocked on the restroom door. “Kenzie, are you okay?”
Nothing. Not a sound.
“Kenzie?”
Finally a very weak “Yeah” came from inside.
“Are you sick?”
“Not exactly. My stomach hurts way down low.”
Hanna nibbled her lip. Twelve years old. Stomach cramps. Oh, dear. “Are you bleeding?”
“Yes. I’m not sure what to do.”
“Hold on. Let me get you something.”
Hanna went to her office, pulled a sanitary pad from her purse and returned to the bathroom. “Open the door.”
Slowly it opened, and Kenzie looked up at her. Her face was pale and she’d been crying.
Hanna handed her the pad. “Everything’s fine. Take your time and I’ll drive you home. Okay?”
Kenzie nodded and closed the door.
Hanna filled her mother in and told Ashton that Kenzie wasn’t feeling well. She gathered up Kenzie’s backpack and asked Ashton to put her bike in the office until Vince could come by and pick it up. Then she called Vince and told him what was happening.
His voice sounded shaky. “Is she okay? Do I need to come get her?”
“No, I’ll get her home. You might want to stop and grab a few supplies. Do you know what to buy?” Hanna figured the way Kenzie looked, she shouldn’t put her through stopping by the store on the way home.
There was total quiet for a few seconds. Vince at a loss for words: that was one thing she’d never expected. “Maybe I should meet you at the house and you can make me a list.”
“Okay.” Hanna wasn’t sure whether he just needed to see his daughter and make sure she was being taken care of or whether he was in shock. “She’ll get through this, Vince. We all do.”
Hanna led Mackenzie to the car and placed the backpack on the backseat. “You feeling any better? Maybe an aspirin would help.”
She shrugged. “I don’t think so. I’m not sure what ‘better’ is supposed to feel like.”
Mackenzie crawled into the car and buckled her seat belt, but leaned against the window as if the cool glass helped.
Hanna drove the short distance to the house, and Mackenzie darted into the bathroom and closed the door.
The shower started and Hanna heard the pickup door slam. Vince bolted into the kitchen. “Is she scared?”
On impulse she gave him a hug. “A little. Want me to run to the drugstore?”
He glanced down the hall at the closed bathroom door. “Maybe you should stay here and just make me that list.”
Wow, he really was feeling out of his comfort zone. Hanna quickly jotted down a few items. “You could also pick up some ginger ale and whatever kind of soup or comfort food she likes. She might be queasy tonight.”
“You sure you’re okay here?”
“I’m fine. Mackenzie will be fine.” She pushed him toward the door.
Hanna dug through her purse and pulled out another pad. She knocked on the bathroom door. “Kenzie, I’m leaving this right here by the door. I’m here if you need me.”
The shower stopped. “Thanks.” Hanna moved away from the door, but Mackenzie stuck her head out. “Where’s my dad?”
“He ran to the store to get what you need.”
“Does he know what happened?”
Hanna grinned. “Of course he knows. He was married to your mom for years. I’m sure this isn’t the first time he’s had to make an emergency run. Can I get you a nightgown?”
Mackenzie nodded. “Second drawer on the right. I’d like the blue one with the butterflies.”
So far so good. Surprisingly the room was neat and organized. The walls were bright yellow and the spread sported a white daisy pattern. Hanna located the gown and fresh panties easily enough. She handed the items through the crack in the door and went to the kitchen for a glass of water. By the time she returned with a daisy-painted glass of ice water, Mackenzie was snuggled under the covers, her knees drawn up to her tummy. She looked so young to be going through this. Her face was pale and her blond hair spread across the pillow, still damp from the shower.
Hmmm, how to approach her. “Feel better?”
Mackenzie nodded.
At least she wasn’t belligerent about Hanna being here. “I’m not sure what to say. Do you have any questions?”
The girl actually met her eyes. “The nurse talked to us and gave us all a pamphlet in health class. And I can ask Dad or Grandma.”
“Okay. But if you think of something, I’d be happy to try to answer. You hungry?”
Kenzie puffed out her cheeks. “My stomach hurts bad enough already.”
“Try to relax. That always helps me. I’ll be in the kitchen.”
Hanna actually felt sorry for Kenzie, although she didn’t seem like the same feisty girl who typically kept things st
irred up.
Hanna’s stomach growled, and she figured Vince would be hungry, too, since it was almost dinnertime. She rummaged in the fridge and made a turkey-and-cheese sandwich. She grinned. Even the plates had a daisy pattern that matched the canister set.
Gravel crunched as the pickup pulled in. She grabbed a soda out of the fridge and placed it on the bar beside the sandwich.
When Vince walked through the door, he put the bag on the counter and looked around. “Everything okay?”
“She’s resting. The thought of food makes her nauseous and she doesn’t want to discuss it.”
He pulled the Midol out. “You think this would help?”
“You could call her doctor and ask, but I don’t see that half a tablet could hurt.”
“Me, either.” He took out a knife and split one tablet. “I’ll go check on her.”
The door was open and Hanna could hear the conversation almost as if they were in the room with her.
“Hey, punkin’, how you feeling?”
“Like crap.”
Leave it to Mackenzie to put things into perspective.
“Here, see if this helps.”
The bed springs squeaked and Hanna heard a slurp of water. “So, are you okay, Dad?”
Short pause. “No, but we’ll get through this like we have everything else. It’s just nature.”
“Nature sucks green pond scum.”
He laughed. “You rest. Hanna and I’ll be in the kitchen. Yell if you need anything.”
“Can you turn on my new CD? Then maybe I can whip you at NASCAR later.”
“In your dreams. Ain’t gonna happen in this lifetime.”
Rascal Flats filtered through the air and the bedroom door clicked shut. Vince walked back into the kitchen. “Isn’t she sort of young for this? I thought I’d ask my mother-in-law to talk to her this summer, but I figured that might even be rushing things. Geesh. She’s barely twelve.”
Hanna watched as he paced the room. Instinctively she reached out and wrapped her arms around his waist. She’d never seen anyone who looked more like they needed a hug. Her body trembled the instant it touched his. San Antonio. River taxis. Intimate hotel rooms and rainstorms. She felt his heart rate accelerate as if they were sharing the same wavelength.
She pulled back before she gave in to the temptation to kiss him. “Next we’ll see how you handle Mackenzie dating.”
“Yeah, let’s not talk about that right now.”
All Hanna could think about was how homey and intimate the little kitchen felt. How she should not be nearly as sexually aware of the man in front of her as she was. She needed to get out of here.
She nodded toward the bar. “I made you a sandwich.”
“I appreciate all you’ve done today.”
What was she supposed to do with her hands? “Not half as much as you do for Ashton.”
That blue stare bored into her and held her captive.
“I need to go.”
“Don’t.” Before she could take a step, his hand reached out and he pulled her to him. His lips touched hers, demanding and receiving. His tongue exploring and enticing.
Pressing her body into his embrace, she rubbed her hands up his back and tangled them around his neck. The short hair at the nape of his neck tickled her fingertips, but she could do little more than groan in satisfaction at the familiar scent of shampoo and sweat.
“Hanna,” he whispered against her lips as he cupped her butt and held her tight against him. “I don’t want to be your friend.”
Chapter Fourteen
That evening Hanna scrolled through the pictures from both the tubing trip and the San Antonio trip, as she’d gotten in the habit of doing before bedtime.
Her body still tingled with sensation from Vince’s touch, his kisses. Who was she kidding? Vince was right. She didn’t want to be friends either, at least not “just” friends. She shut down the laptop and crawled into bed, imagining Vince’s hands on her body and his mouth on hers.
She snuggled under the covers and closed her eyes, but her mind was too awake to sleep. Could they make this relationship work? It was too soon. And she was taking a huge risk. And it might not work out. And…her cell phone chimed.
She glanced at the display and grinned. “Hey.”
“Hey,” Vince said. “Kenzie’s finally asleep.”
“She having a hard time?”
“She’s miserable. Stomach hurts, back hurts, head hurts and she’s irritable as a hornet. I called her doctor, and she said to give her a full tablet every four hours if she needed it. She also wants to see her next week.”
“That’s probably a good idea.”
The guy sounded exhausted.
“She decided she’d rather suck on a Popsicle than eat her Grandma’s vegetable soup. And it’s her favorite.”
“So are you going to keep her home tomorrow?”
“Unless she does a major turnaround, I don’t see her going to school. Maybe she’ll at least feel like doing her homework. My mother-in-law is going to pick up her assignments, and Kenzie will probably go home with her for the day.”
“Next month will be easier, I bet.”
She heard the bed springs creak. “I sure as hell hope so. If this is what I’m in for every month, I’m clueless. She never falls apart.”
Poor guy. He’d dealt with diapers, being a single parent, school and probably all the childhood illnesses, but this was more than he’d bargained for.
“Ashton asked what was wrong with Mackenzie,” she said. “I guess I pulled the same trick you did. Couldn’t figure out the right words. I’m stuttering, and he says, ‘So, is it that girl cycle thing?’”
“And you just answered yes?”
“Yep.” Hanna grinned at how well they could read each other. It was nice to have another parent who understood kids and wasn’t afraid to admit when he didn’t have all the answers. God, she’d just like to hold him. Sleep in his arms. “Vince.”
“Yeah?”
“I…I miss you tonight.” If she wasn’t careful, she could fall in love with this man.
“I miss you, too. We’ll make this work. Sweet dreams.”
BLUEBONNET BOOKS was getting busier each day, which was a good thing. With any luck, it was more than the novelty of a new shop in town and everyone would continue to stop by. Even if each patron only purchased one item, it could add up.
Hanna was getting ready to lock up when the front-door bell jingled. “Mrs. Maguire. Nice to see you. How is Kenzie today?”
“Much better this afternoon. Her father got home early.” There was a slight hesitation, but she nodded. “We do appreciate your helping out yesterday, but don’t worry about Kenzie. We can take care of her.”
We? As in “the family”? “I was glad I could be there for Kenzie and Vince.”
“Vince has handled things for the past nine years better than most men would’ve. He did sound a little out of his element when he called me last night.”
The woman’s tone was friendly enough, but her message came across crystal-clear. You’re not family. Vince called me. The last thing Hanna intended was to threaten Vince’s ex-mother-in-law’s role in his and Kenzie’s lives, but obviously her handling of the situation had done just that.
“I’m glad to hear that Mackenzie is better. Can I help you with anything?”
“Kenzie likes adventure books.”
Hanna showed her to the children’s section and the appropriate shelf. “Just sing out if you have any questions.”
“ARE YOU SURE THIS IS SMART?” Hanna asked as Vince closed the garage door at his house and helped her out of the truck.
“Not sure about smart.” He backed her against the truck and covered her mouth with his. “But you gotta admit it sure feels right.”
That it did. “And you don’t think Mrs. Haythorn will notice me walking into your house with you at 6:00 p.m.? People are getting home from work now.”
He laughed and pulled her close aga
inst his side. “Keep your head down until we get inside the house. Even if she does spot us, she won’t know who you are. It’ll give her something new to ponder.”
Hanna followed him across the lawn and tried to figure out just how much of this they could possibly hope to keep from burning up the phone lines. “And she’ll call my mom to ponder it with her. ‘Oh my, who is Vince Keegan sleeping with now? Is it Donna Martin’s daughter, Kim? Or perhaps some new victim?’”
“Kim? How the hell do you know about Kim? Oh yeah, you live with the town gossip. What other interesting incidents of impropriety have I had?”
Hanna bumped him with her hip. “They must not have been that interesting if you don’t even remember. But I’ll see what I can dig up for you when I get home.”
He flashed those deep dimples. “Just want to make sure I didn’t miss anything good.”
“Mrs. Haythorn will be positively gleeful when she discovers it’s me sleeping with you. My mom told the ladies at church about Mrs. Haythorn’s daughter having a bun in the oven and having to get married.”
“Seriously? A bun in the oven?” He dropped his bag on the chair and checked the messages on his machine. A couple from Gray and an invitation to dinner Sunday at “the folks.”
Why did it make her uneasy to think about how much a part of the Maguire family Vince remained after nine years?
Hanna wasn’t ready to expose their new relationship by having a dinner out, so Vince pulled bacon and eggs out of the fridge.
“The man is good in bed and he cooks.”
He placed the bacon in the skillet and then bowed. “Thank you, on both counts. My mother-in-law is not a fan of McDonald’s and was afraid Kenzie might become malnourished. She had us over almost every night and finally took it upon herself to teach me to cook. I make a mean beef stew with all fresh vegetables and corn bread that can warm you up on a cold night. I suck at pies, though.”
Hanna was torn between admiring Vince for remaining so close to Belinda’s family and letting it make her uncomfortable. How would they react when the news hit town that he had a new girlfriend?