Grabbing a potholder, she pulled a tray of perfectly toasted, buttered sandwich rolls out of the oven. She nodded toward the fridge.
“Could you get the blue bowl? I mixed up a spicy tartar sauce to top these.”
“Sure.” He moved to get it while she grabbed a tong and set the fried filets on a paper towel covered plate. Then she moved the toasted buns to two dinner plates and topped each with the catfish.
“Where’d you learn how to make these?”
“A… friend of the family. She’s an excellent cook. I picked up a lot of skills just hanging out and watching her.”
Hammer nodded. “They look fantastic and smell delicious. All I’ve ever done was poach them in some butter. I’ve never tried anything like this. You make it look so easy.”
“They are.”
“Yeah, sure. I didn’t even know I had all this stuff. I know I didn’t have those rolls in the house.”
“Before I drove over, I asked Sherry what was in the fridge. She told me about the fish, so”—she shrugged—“I brought over a few things. It’s no big deal.”
“Well, thank you. I appreciate the meal.”
She set the two plated sandwiches on the bar top.
Hammer picked them up and jerked his head. “Let’s eat at the dining table instead.”
“Okay.” She followed him with her glass.
He set one plate at the head and the other right next to it.
Tink set her water down, and Hammer pulled the chair out for her. She sat, tilting her head up to smile at him. “Thank you.”
He returned the smile. This felt good. This felt nice. He looked over his shoulder at the bedroom. “I’m gonna check on the little guy.”
“He’s sleeping.” She held up the baby monitor.
“I know. I just want to look at him.”
She smiled. “Okay. Just don’t wake him.”
“I won’t.” Hammer moved into the darkened room. The girls had set up a nightlight. It projected a scene on the ceiling—a cow jumping over the moon. He moved to the portable bed and looked down at the sleeping boy. Ethan lay on his side, and with his angelic face, he looked so sweet and innocent—everything that was good in the world. Hammer tucked his fallen teddy bear back under his arm and brushed his finger along his little brown curls. “Sleep well, peanut.”
Ethan let out a soft, wheezy snore.
Hammer smiled. There wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do for this child, and was quickly getting attached. He liked checking on him when he came in at night, and had even begun to look forward to it. Sometimes Ethan awoke crying in the middle of the night, and he’d walk the boy around until he fell back to sleep. Hammer knew Ethan missed his mom, but he’d finally stopped asking for her.
Hopefully Slick would find something out before the end of the week, and Hammer would be able to bring Josie home. Damn it, Josie, you’re missing so much. How can anything be more important than your own child?
“Mama will be home soon, sweet boy. I’ll find her, I promise.” He patted his diapered butt that puffed out under his pajamas and walked out.
Tink looked up from the monitor when he returned to the table, and he realized she’d seen and heard everything.
“That was sweet.”
“What was?”
“You with the baby.”
He sat down. “I’m gonna miss him.”
Tink nodded. “Me too.”
Hammer smiled. “You want kids? I mean one of your own?”
“I don’t know. I guess so. Someday.”
Hammer studied her a moment. She was still young, barely old enough to get in the bars. She had plenty of time to worry about marriage and babies.
Her big green eyes blinked back at him. He picked up his sandwich. “Let’s eat.” He bit into it and flavor flooded his mouth. The breading was wonderful and the fish tender. “This is amazing.”
“Thanks.” She looked truly pleased by his praise.
“I’m impressed. Do you like to cook?”
She stared at him, thinking a moment, as if it was the first time she’d ever actually considered the question. “Yeah, I guess I do. It makes me happy.”
“You ever thought about doing it for a living?”
Tink coughed and took a sip of her water.
“You okay?”
“Yes, it just went down the wrong way.” She set the glass down. “I guess I never thought about it.”
“I hear you’re studying nursing.”
She looked surprised. “Did one of the girls tell you?”
“Ghost. Guess he heard it from Jessie.”
“Oh.”
“Was it a secret or something?”
“No, I—I just don’t talk about my personal life.”
“I get that.” He tilted his head, studying her. “I could see you as a nurse. You’d be good. Cheerful and happy.”
She grinned. “You think?”
“Yeah. You’re perky.”
“Perky?”
“That’s a compliment.”
“If you say so.”
“I ever tell you I was in a wreck once?”
“A bike wreck?”
“Yeah. I was on a winding road. Guy came around a corner at me. He was over the line. I swerved. Ended up runnin’ off the road into a ditch. Hit a tree. Busted up my leg. Had to have pins put in it.”
“I’m so sorry. Did it hurt terribly?”
He chuckled. “Like a mutha.” His eyes dropped to her grin. He liked when he got her to smile. It was so much better than the way she usually avoided him. “Anyway, I had this nurse. She was the only one of any of the shifts who was cheerful. She took good care of me. I appreciated that.”
Tink looked down. “I’m not sure that’s me.”
“What do you mean?”
“My mother was a nurse. I just sort of was expected to go into nursing.”
“But you don’t really want to be a nurse, do you?”
“No. In high school, I never really thought about doing anything else. It was just kind of expected of me.”
She was finally opening up. They’d never really talked like this before. He liked getting to know her—he liked knowing this wasn’t just about getting into some chick’s pants. This was far beyond that for him. He cleared his throat. “Your parents never asked you?”
“Maybe they did. I don’t remember. I just know nursing was the expected answer.”
“And now?”
She leaned in her chair. “And now I’m starting to wonder why I’m doing this—studying for a career I’m not sure I want.”
“Not sure?” He pinned her eyes. “You seem kinda sure to me.”
She toyed with her glass. “You’re right. I am sure. It’s not what I want to do.”
“Well, the world just lost an excellent nurse.”
She huffed out a laugh. “How do you know that?”
“I just do.”
“Well, thanks.”
He took another bite of his sandwich and groaned in pleasure. When he swallowed, he looked at her. “Seriously, this is good. You ever think about a food truck?”
She shook her head. “Hardly. That takes money.”
“How about a chef in a restaurant?”
She toyed with the rim of her water glass some more. “I—I don’t know. Maybe.”
His cell phone went off. He looked down at the screen. Slick. “Excuse me. I’ve got to take this, babe.” He pushed out his chair.
Ethan started fussing over the monitor.
Tink stood. “I’ll get him.”
“I’ll take this outside.” Hammer walked out the door and stood on the porch. “Yeah, man? You find something?”
“Maybe. Been monitoring several of her friends’ Facebook pages. Somebody posted about a party next week. She commented she’s gonna be there.”
“Where?”
“Montgomery.”
“You able to get the address?”
“Yeah. I already took it to Butcher. He wa
nts Shades and some of the boys at your back on this.”
“I’m not asking the club to—”
“It’s a done deal, Hammer. The shit with the DKs—we need your head in the game, and that’s not gonna happen until this shit’s handled.”
Hammer ran a hand down his face. He’d never meant for this to become a club issue. “I can do this, Slick. I don’t need—”
“Hammer.” Slick cut him off. “We’ll talk about it Thursday. Club’s meetin’ up at Mug Shots for Bike Night. Celebrating 12Guage’s two year mark.”
“That’s right; he gets his ink.” Hammer looked out over the valley. Seemed like just yesterday the boy was a prospect.
“Yup. Doin’ it at Black Dragon Ink next door to the bar. I’ll see you then.”
“Thanks, Slick.” Hammer disconnected and blew out a slow breath. Maybe Slick and Butcher were right. Maybe havin’ the boys at his back could be helpful. Who knew what kind of crowd she’d hooked up with. If they were into drugs, then there were probably weapons around.
He ran a hand down his face and walked back inside. He didn’t see Tink. The place was dimly lit with just a light in the kitchen and a lamp in the living room lit. He moved quietly into the dining room, but she wasn’t at the table.
A soft melody drifted to his ears—a children’s lullaby.
He moved near the door and saw her silhouette against the floor-to-ceiling windows. It was dusk, and the last of the sun cast a purple light over the valley.
Tink sang softly and swayed, Ethan’s head on her shoulder, his little mouth open in a bow shape, and his eyes closed. His arm hung down.
Hammer stood in the shadow, watching. Tink was unaware of him, and he took in the quiet moment. She was good with the baby. Someday she’d make a wonderful mother. For a moment he allowed himself to picture them as a family—to see the dream of it and allow that hope to flare to life.
He swallowed. She was leaving town and wanted nothing to do with him in that way. Reality crashed in.
Was he going to stand here and let that dream slip away? Was he going to accept that, or was he going to fight for what he wanted? She was worth a fight. She was worth it all.
Maybe he just needed to be patient, to take this slow, to give them both a chance to see if this thing between them could grow into something more, something powerful, something lasting.
She moved to lay Ethan down and bent over him to rub his back.
Hammer stood in the doorway, and she spotted him and froze. He stepped back, not wanting to make her feel uncomfortable. Above all, he wanted her to feel relaxed in his home. He wanted her to feel safe here.
She walked into the dining room.
“You’re good with him.”
“He’s a good baby.”
Hammer picked up his empty plate and reached for hers. “Are you through?”
“Yes, thank you.”
He carried the plates into the kitchen, her footsteps echoing close behind.
“Was there any news about your sister?”
He set the dishes in the sink. “Might have a lead. Slick thinks he found some info on a party he thinks she’ll be at next weekend. Boys and I are going to follow up on it.”
“Oh. So it’ll be at least another week—with the baby, I mean.”
Hammer leaned against the counter and folded his arms. “I guess so. Look, I understand if you can’t keep comin’ out here to help. I know I promised only a few days, and it’s already been a couple weeks.”
“No, I’ll help. I said I would.”
“Yeah, but not for this long. This isn’t your responsibility, but I’m grateful for the help you’ve given me, Tink.”
“You’re welcome. It’s no trouble, really. He’s an angel.”
Hammer let out a huff of soft laughter. “Well, I don’t know about that.”
Tink smiled.
“Look, you want to go on home”—he jerked his head to the door—“it’s fine. I got this. If he wakes up I know what song to sing to him now.”
She frowned. “I can stay. I’ve only got an empty apartment to go home to, and… it’s nice here.”
“Yeah? You sure?”
She nodded.
Hammer smiled, his spirits lifting. He’d given her an out, and she hadn’t taken it. “Good. Since you’re not driving home, how about we have a glass of wine? There’s a nip in the air tonight, and I could light a fire.”
Her face lit up. “You found my weakness.”
“What, wine?” He grinned.
“A wood burning fire.”
“Ah, a girl after my own heart. It was one of the few things I knew I had to have when I designed the place.” He took a bottle of wine down and dug through a drawer for a corkscrew. “There are some wine glasses in that cabinet. You want to grab them?”
She did as he bid, taking down two goblets.
“You drink much wine?”
“Me? Nah. I think someone gave me this bottle last Christmas.”
“That’s right—you had a Christmas party out here.”
“Yeah.” She hadn’t come, but Hammer didn’t want to make a big deal out of it. At the time, it had crushed him.
“I’m sorry I couldn’t make it. We had drama at home.”
“Anything you want to talk about?”
“Nope.”
He popped the cork, and they walked into the living room. He poured them each a glass and set the bottle down. Then he got to work building a fire. “I always look forward to fall when I can build a fire.”
“Me, too. I love when the air turns crisp, and I can pull out sweaters and jackets.”
He squatted down, pushing the screen aside. He stacked some kindling and put a couple logs on top, then lit it. Soon he had a small blaze going. He stood, watching the flames, then turned.
Tink’s eyes were on him. He picked up his glass and sat on the opposite end of the couch. Darkness had fallen outside, and the reflection of the fire glowed in the floor-to-ceiling windows that faced the back acreage.
She faced the fire, and it gave him a moment to study her profile. Her white-blonde hair shone in the flickering glow, and her eyes were like two pieces of green glass. His gaze trailed down her long graceful neck, and all he could think about was tracing soft kisses along it and nuzzling her nape, her ear, pressing an open-mouthed kiss under her jaw and sucking until she moaned and he felt the vibration through her soft skin.
She turned, catching the look in his eyes. He knew desire was probably plastered all over his expression. He didn’t hide it. He let her see it, wondering if she’d turn away.
But she didn’t. She held his gaze, and then her eyes dropped to his mouth.
He was turned at an angle toward her, and his arm extended along the back of the couch. Without thought, his hand reached up, his fingers touching the hair around the shell of her ear.
Her eyes slid closed, and she leaned into his touch. He moved in. He couldn’t help it. She drew him like a magnet. He cupped her jaw with his other hand and brought her face to his. He paused, his mouth an inch from hers, and she opened her eyes. He could drown in those emerald pools.
Her mouth parted, and he took the invitation, covering her lips with his in a soft, gentle kiss.
It was sweet and seductive and everything a first kiss should be. He wanted more. He wanted so much more, but he didn’t want to scare her off, not when he was knocking on heaven’s door. This was everything he’d always wanted—Tink, soft and pliant in his arms.
He broke the kiss and looked down at her. Her eyes opened, and he saw only trust and curiosity and desire in them. No fear, no loathing, no disgust.
He ran his thumb over her plump lower lip. Then he dove back in, this time for a deeper, more thorough exploration of her mouth. Her tongue danced with his, and her head tilted back, letting him lead.
He had no problem doing that, one hand cradling the back of her head while the other dropped to her waist and pulled her closer.
She let him, melting a
gainst him, and God, it felt good. She was petite and fit perfectly against his chest. He groaned, and his hand slid from her waist, down her thigh to hook the back of her knee and pull her legs across his lap.
In a moment he knew he’d press her to the sofa and follow her down, but her body froze up, and a moment later she pushed out of his arms and scooted back.
He let her go. It took everything in him, but he let her go. “I’m sorry.”
“No, it’s okay. I just—I can’t. I’m sorry.”
“I understand.” He huffed out a laugh. “I say I understand, but I don’t. Not really.”
“Hammer—”
He held up a hand. “It’s okay. I shouldn’t have pushed it. You looked so pretty sitting there.”
She reached for her wine glass, her movements fidgety. The moment was gone. He wondered if he’d ever get it back or if it was gone for good. One kiss—that may be all he ever had of her.
“You don’t feel the same way as I do. You’re not attracted to me; I get it.”
She turned to face him. “It’s not that. It’s not. I just—I can’t. Okay?”
He nodded. Not okay with it, but what could he do but tell her he was?
“I—I’m tired.”
“Of course. You take the bed.” He lifted his chin toward the bedroom. “I’ll take the couch.”
She put her wine glass down and stood. “Okay, well, goodnight.”
“Goodnight, Tink. Thanks for dinner.”
“You’re welcome.” With that she fled.
Hammer stared into the flames of the fire and thought about that kiss.
***
An hour later, Tink lay awake in Hammer’s bed. Her hand drifted over the adjacent pillow, and she imagined him next to her. She brushed her fingers lightly over her lips and remembered his kiss.
He was a big muscular man, and he could have easily overpowered her as small as she was, but instead, he’d surprised her with his gentleness. He’d held her like she was fine crystal, like she was something to be treasured and handled with care.
She’d never had a man treat her like that.
Soft moonlight shone in through the windows; the dark silhouette of the gently swaying trees illuminated beyond the glass.
His bed was big, and she imagined him in it with her, here in the dark with the silhouette of his body moving over her to take her.
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