by Sable Hunter
Kissing another woman. “Oh.” His heart plummeted. “You saw?”
“Yea, I saw.”
Hearing the hurt in her voice hurt him. “Look, it’s not what you think.”
She threw her hands in the air. “Isn’t that the standard comeback? To hear guys tell it, it’s never what we think it is.”
“But it’s not, Delaney. If you’d watched long enough, you would’ve seen me push her away.”
“How long is long enough? How long did the kiss last, Jonah?” she fumed, then realized what she was doing. “No, don’t answer that, it’s none of my business.”
“Yes, it is your business. And the answer is no time. The kiss lasted no time. She took me by surprise, then I pushed her away.”
“I’m sure you did.”
“And about Tressie? We have a history, I admit – but it wasn’t a romantic one. I can explain it all if you’ll please listen to me. You’ve got it all wrong.”
Hearing the entreaty in his voice, she stopped but remained facing away. “Do I?” She shook her head, then hugged herself. “Maybe, I do. But it doesn’t matter, I need some time. Okay? Let’s just go back to the way we were for now. All right?”
What more could he say? He’d begged enough. “This is just a misunderstanding.”
Delaney bent her head. “Let’s just pretend none of this happened. Please? No kisses. No misunderstandings.”
Jonah felt sick over everything. “If that’s what you want.”
He stood there in the hall while she went to the living room.
“John? Are you about ready to eat? Supper’s done.”
Jonah could hear his father mumble a response. With a frustrated exhale, he returned to the kitchen. While waiting for the other two to join him, he saw the newspapers lying on the table. One of the headlines jumped out at him. Missing Woman’s Car Found In Comfort. Picking up the paper, he examined the picture. “Hey, this is the car I towed to the impound lot.”
Entering the kitchen behind Jonah’s father, she heard him make the observation about the newspaper article. Seeing an opportunity to move on from their embarrassing conversation, Delaney composed herself. “I wondered about that. Did the car you pick up have a flat?”
“No, the fan belt had come off.”
She thought a moment. “The car wouldn’t run though.”
“Not without a new fan belt, no.” He noted Delaney’s expression. “You think something happened to that woman, don’t you?”
Delaney shivered, remembering how the two men scared her. “The thought crossed my mind. I can see where the situation could be very similar to my experience.”
“Yea, I can too.” Jonah’s mind was spinning. Once a cop always a cop. “I wonder if they’re considering that possibility down at the station.”
“I don’t know. Like I said when I gave the police my statement, I think those men had more in mind than just raping me.”
Raping her. His body jerked as his entire being rejected the thought. Of course, he knew she was right, and God knows things like that happened all the time, regrettably – but the idea of Delaney being subjected to such horror was unthinkable.
While he wrestled with his emotions, Delaney continued to speak, “I can’t forget what one of the men said to me. He said they wanted to have a little fun before they turned me over.” As she talked, she dished up three bowls of beef stew. “Here you go, John.” She set a bowl in front of the older gentleman. “There’s salad too. What kind of dressing do you want?”
“Thousand Island.” John looked at his son. “What are you thinking?”
“I’m thinking this doesn’t sound good.” He turned a chair around to straddle it, propping his arms on the back. “I think I’ll do a little investigating of my own.”
“How?” Delaney handed him a bowl of the stew. Her hand shook as she did so. When their eyes collided, she couldn’t hold his gaze. “Do you want some salad?”
“In a minute, maybe. Thanks.” He took a bite, then savored the flavor. “Delicious as always. You’re a great cook.”
Delaney shrugged. His compliments made her feel uncomfortable. “Glad you like it.” She dished up a bowl of her own and took a seat. “Thanks for the phone.”
“You’re welcome.” Jonah noticed she chose the chair the greatest distance from him. Regret for what might’ve been tore through him, leaving his chest aching. “I should’ve thought of it before.”
“So, what kind of investigating do you plan to do?”
Glad she was speaking to him at all, he took another bite and considered his answer. “I have a couple of friends in the department. I’m going to ask around. I also know some truckers who regularly travel through here, I may check with them. Could you write down the same descriptions for me that you gave the police?”
“Of the men or the car?”
“Both. I can ask them all to keep their eyes open. If those fellows come back through town, maybe someone will notice them.”
Delaney nodded. “Okay, I can do that.”
“Find the funnies for me, Delaney.” John pushed one of the papers toward her.
“All right.” She thumbed through one of the periodicals until she located the page he wanted. “Here you go.”
“Oh, good.” John’s eyes brightened. “I love Beetle Bailey.”
For the next little while, they all ate in silence. Jonah stood up and turned his chair around, stealing glances at Delaney every chance he got. He was tempted to ask her to still take that walk with him, but he was afraid to do so.
When they finished, he helped her with the dishes. “How about we watch a movie together tonight?”
“Oh, yeah! Can we have popcorn?”
Delaney shook her head in disbelief. “You just ate, Duke. Can you hold more food?”
“I sure can!” John rubbed his stomach as he followed Jonah to the living room.
Delaney was tempted to leave them to their own devices and just go to her room. However, she didn’t think she should leave John.
“Are you coming?”
Hearing Jonah’s question, she closed her eyes in resignation. “Yea, I’ll be there in a minute.” Steeling herself, she pasted a smile on her face. She’d acted like a jealous teenager enough for one night.
* * *
For the next week and a half, Jonah seemed to walk on eggshells around her. Unerringly polite, the man seemed bent on giving her the space she so obviously needed – while she nursed a sore heart and struggled with how disappointed she was in her own reaction to the situation.
During this period, he made himself pretty scarce, showing up for meals but otherwise spending most of his time at the shop. Delaney noticed he was making progress on the pickup he was restoring for Libby McCoy. In fact, he’d made a few trips to Tebow. Once, she and John accompanied him so John could watch the horses and cattle frolic in the nippy fall weather. While Delaney made sure to stay out of his way, she did enjoy meeting members of the family. She learned from Libby that Jonah was to participate in a powerlifting competition representing the Tebow brand in a few days.
“You should come, Delaney,” Libby encouraged her. “The event takes place at Isaac and Avery’s bar, Hardbodies. Everyone will be there.”
“Sounds exciting.” Delaney was polite, but she made no commitment. After all, she wasn’t sure she’d be in Comfort much longer.
Yet…despite her best efforts, she knew she was getting attached. John was becoming very dear to her. He’d stopped calling her Miss Margaret and now used her name. As for Jonah…it took a while, but Delaney finally admitted she’d forgiven him. She didn’t have hope or plans to pick up where they’d left off, but she was more than ready to let bygones be bygones. Now, if she could just figure out how to rebuild the friendship bridge between them.
As she put a load of clothes in the dryer, Delaney recalled how her grandmother would mend fences with her grandfather. “Cookies. Snickerdoodles and Chocola
te Oatmeal. Always works.”
…Jonah let down the hood of Aron’s truck. “Looking good.” He was proud of the progress he’d made. The engine was completely rebuilt and running like a dream. Soon, he’d start on the paint job and the interior.
Checking the time, he saw the hour was getting late. With the shortening of the days, the sun was almost ready to set. Unlike the days before he’d effed things up, Jonah no longer looked forward to quitting time. If he wasn’t so damn tired, he’d just work through the night. He dreaded going to bed. He wasn’t sleeping worth a damn. The damn dreams were back. Plus, keeping his distance from Delaney – both physically and emotionally – was exhausting. Day after day, he searched for a sign she’d forgive him, but so far she seemed intent on keeping him at arm’s length.
“Well, enough is enough.” His feelings for her hadn’t changed. In fact, they’d intensified. She might be avoiding him at the moment, but she was treating his father like a king. Jonah could find no fault in her dealings with his dad. She was kind and attentive, going above and beyond to make John Callan feel important and secure. While he wouldn’t go so far as to say he was jealous – he was damn close. Jonah wanted some of Delaney’s attention for himself. He wanted to shower her with affection. He wanted to be close to her.
He wanted her.
So, tonight he’d try a different strategy. Nothing overt. He planned to be subtle. Thanks to a check Libby McCoy gave him, he had a little money for extras. His quick trip into town gave him just the thing he had in mind. A slight smile played on his lips as he imagined what she’d think about his little surprises. Now, all he had to do was sneak into her room and hide them under her pillow.
…About an hour later, Delaney was taking the last batch of cookies from the oven.
“I want one.” John held out his hand and smiled when she placed a still warm Snickerdoodle in his palm. Delaney laughed as he held out his other hand for seconds as he popped the other one in his mouth. “Good.”
“Great. I’m glad.”
After moving the cookies to a cooling rack, she took the top off the slow cooker to stir a big pot of chili. “Everything’s just about ready. Do you know if Jonah will be joining us tonight?”
“No idea. If he told me, I don’t remember. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be.” She gave him another cookie. “Now, no more. You’ll spoil your appetite for my homemade chili.”
“Oh, my appetite is bigger than you think, Delaney.”
“I hope so. I made a huge pot.” She filled glasses with ice. “Get the ketchup out of the fridge for me, will you?”
As they worked, Delaney heard the screen door open. Immediately, her heart began to race. “I think I hear him.”
“Yep.” He placed the ketchup on the table, then took a seat to wait. “Are you two gonna make me do all the talking again tonight?”
Of course, Jonah heard what his father said. Delaney blushed, not knowing how to start the process of reconciliation. Finally, she just went with the cookies. “Do you prefer snickerdoodles or no-bake chocolate oaties?”
The expression on his face went straight to Delaney’s heart. “You made chocolate oaties? With peanut butter?”
“Yes.” She gave him a genuine smile. “Have some chili first, then you can sit down with the whole platter if you’d like.”
“I just might.” Taking his seat at the table, Jonah put his napkin on his lap, then looked to Delaney with expectation. “I haven’t eaten any of those oatmeal cookies since my Mom died.”
“Really? I’m sorry.” She placed a bowl of Texas red in front of both men. “No one else would make them for you?”
John snorted as he crumbled crackers into his bowl. “Claudette was allergic to the kitchen.”
Whiz! Bang!
Before their very eyes, the silverware drawer flew open and a handful of knives, forks, and spoons came flying out, scattering across the floor in profusion.
All three witnesses sat with their mouth open, then began to glance at one another in shocked confusion. “What the hell?” Jonah whispered under his breath.
John pointed his finger at his son. “I told you. I told you I didn’t break those dishes. Now, do you believe me?”
“I don’t know what to believe,” he admitted softly.
Delaney sat unmoving, stunned.
“Are you all right?” Jonah asked her.
“Oh, yea. I’m fine.” Truly, she didn’t know whether to sit still or run and hide. She opted for sitting. At least here, she wasn’t alone. Jonah was nearby. “What could do that?”
“I don’t have a clue,” Jonah muttered as he stood to pick up the silverware and shut the offending drawer.
“Some really weird things have been happening. Do you think they might be related?”
“Of course they are,” John muttered as he raised his fist. “I’m on to you, Claudette. It’s time to stop all your monkey business.”
Boom!
Upstairs, another door slammed hard.
“Damn woman never would do as she was told.”
All three people sat for a moment, waiting to see what else might occur. When all seemed quiet, Delaney picked up her spoon. “Let’s eat while the food is still warm.”
Father and son joined in, but they all kept a watchful eye for anything else out of the ordinary. After eating in silence for a few moments, Delaney asked again, “What do you think just happened?”
Jonah shrugged. “I hesitate to guess.”
“I think we need to call a priest, get him to throw some holy water around. If I know…”
Delaney put her hand on John’s arm to stop him from speaking. “I don’t think you should say anything that might antagonize…anything.” The more she thought about it, the more she thought this might be what was going on. “I think you have a poltergeiest.”
“Not me. I think there has to be a logical explanation. Like my freethinking forbears, I tend to disbelieve anything I can’t see or touch.” Jonah scraped the bottom of his chili bowl. “May I have some more, please?”
Delaney jumped up “For heaven’s sake, yes. This is your house, your food.”
“Yea, but you cooked it.” He joined her at the pot to get another helping. “You’re an amazing cook, Delaney.”
“Thanks.” She held his gaze for a moment before lowering her eyes. “I think I might have problems falling asleep tonight.”
Jonah had to bite his tongue. He wanted to offer her a spot in his bed. Instead, his dad spoke up.
“You can stay in my room, like you did that first night. I’ll even trade places with you. I’ll take the chair and you can have the bed.”
“How sweet of you.” She kissed him on the cheek. “If I get too scared, I just might take you up on that.”
Jonah cleared his throat. “You can always call on me.”
“I know I can.” She gave him a nod and a grateful look. “I’m sure everything is fine. I’ve experienced a few strange things in my life. I’d forgotten how unnerving they can be.”
“Oh, yea?” John asked. “Like what?”
Delaney shook her head. “I’ll tell you some other time, when its daylight.”
“Scaredy-cat.” The older man gave her a saucy wink.
“A little bit,” Delaney confessed. “Who’s ready for cookies?”
“Oh, I’m more than ready.”
Jonah’s hungry reply made Delaney shiver. Yes, she’d missed their flirting. “Eat all you want.”
“I do have a big appetite,” he said in a meaningful whisper.
“Stop it,” she whispered back. He was getting a little ahead of her. “Please.” When his face fell, she added. “I do want to talk to you, but let’s not do it…”
He didn’t want to hear her dismiss any chance between them. “Okay.” He settled down with his cookies. “Just say the word.”
For the next few minutes, they sat in silence, eating their homemade treat. At
one point, Delaney nocied John glancing around aimlessly as if he were disoriented. He began shifting in his seat, then holding his head. “Are you hurting?” she asked him.
“Headache.”
“Let me get you some pain reliever tablets.” She walked to the cabinet where she’d seen some stored.
“I’ll refill his glass.” Jonah filled a glass of water and handed to his dad.
“Here you go, sweetie.” She gave him the tablets and watched carefully as he swallowed. “Do you want to go lie down?”
John rose and began to make his way to the stairs. “I’ll go with him,” Delaney announced.
“I’ll clean the kitchen while you’re gone,” Jonah offered.
“All right.” This surprised Delaney a bit. “Thank you.” Without further adieu, she accompanied John upstairs.
While she was gone, Jonah did as he said he would. He made quick work of straightening things, storing the leftovers, and putting on the dishwasher. When his task was completed, he pulled the note he’d written her from his pocket and reread it. Yea, this might be the cowards way out, but there was some things he needed to say now. If she wouldn’t allow him to do it face to face, this was the next best thing. Besides, what woman didn’t enjoy receiving a love letter? This thought made him smile.
Before he could chicken out, he ran up the stairs and hid them under her pillow. He could hear her speaking to his father as he made his way back to the first floor. After making them some hot chocolate, he went to the living room to wait by the fire. While he bided his time, Jonah found a book he’d been reading. It was hard to focus, but he managed to skim a few pages.
When he heard her steps, he sat up straighter, focusing on the spot she would soon appear. Jonah refused to contemplate on why he was so intent on patching things up between them. He liked her, yes. He wanted her, God yes. She was fast becoming a necessity to his father – and to him. Funny, he could admit the feelings but he didn’t want to analyze them too closely. Right now, he knew what he wanted. He wanted her. The time would come when he would need to come to terms with this feeling. For now, he just wanted to enjoy them.