by Sable Hunter
Jonah marveled at how she saw him. “I wish I was half the man you think I am.”
“Isn’t it odd? How we see the world through different eyes?” She let her fingers play on the smooth skin of his solid shoulder.
“That’s the way it should be, I guess.”
“I think so. If two people who work together have different perspectives, they’re better equipped to face whatever life throws at them.”
“Are you saying we make a good team?” Jonah asked in a soft, intent voice.
“Yea, I suppose I am.”
“I agree.” He snuggled down into the sheets, letting out a sigh of contentment. “There’s no one else I’d rather have as a partner.”
What was he saying? Partner wasn’t exactly the most romantic of terms. Nevertheless, she would take it. “Goodnight, Jonah. Sweet dreams.”
* * *
The next morning, Delaney awoke alone. She sat up in the bed, but she didn’t hear the shower running. Springing to her feet, she hurried to John’s room. To her relief, he was awake but still in bed. “Morning sunshine, ready to face the world?”
“Yea, I suppose so.”
She could tell he still felt disoriented. He kept looking at his hands like they didn’t belong to him. “Can I do something for you?”
“No. I just want to go for a walk. I feel like the walls are closing in on me.”
“Okay. Let’s get dressed and go see if we can find Jonah. I’ll take you for a walk in just a few minutes.”
When they were dressed, she helped him to the first floor. Jonah wasn’t in the kitchen. “I have a sausage casserole in the freezer. Let me pop it in the oven and we’ll get some fresh air.”
He waited while she found the dish, unwrapped it, and put it on to bake. As she did, Delaney noticed the animals had already been fed. The coffee pot was untouched, however. This concerned her a bit. She didn’t remember feeling Jonah leave the bed. “I wonder what’s going on?”
John didn’t answer her, he just waited patiently.
“We’d better put on a jacket.” She fetched them each one from the hall closet. “Okay, ready?”
He nodded and fell into step at her side. “Can we go to the creek?”
“Sure. We’ll stop by the shop on the way and check on your son.”
Once they were outside, Delaney took a deep breath. “The air smells good. Like fall of the year.” There was a smoky hint in the air, like someone was burning wood in their fireplace.
“Look, Delaney. There’s a big motorcycle parked at Jonah’s.”
The sight of the Harley brought a pang of unease to Delaney’s chest. Before she could respond, John took off toward the shop.
“Hey, come back! What about our walk?”
He paid no attention to her, picking up the pace to go check out the Harley hogg. “Look at this, Delaney. She’s a fine piece of work.”
“John. Come on. Jonah’s busy.” She was very afraid the visitor was the woman she’d seen kissing him before. As she neared the open bay doors, Delaney could hear voices coming from the inside. Male voices.
“I’m sorry, Trick. You’ve got your wires crossed.”
“All I know is that Tressie is pregnant, and she says the baby is yours.”
“Not true. I didn’t have sex with your old lady.”
Trick gave a scoffing laugh. “I can well remember a time when you wanted to.”
“She just set out to cause trouble between us, that’s all.”
“She’s been here to see you though. She took a picture of your place the last time she was here. Rubbed it in my face.”
Delaney was frozen just outside the door. Listening.
“Yes, she was here. I didn’t know she was coming. She must’ve already been pregnant, Trick. If the baby isn’t yours, I don’t know what to tell you other that it sure as hell ain’t mine. This is a game with Tressie. It always has been.”
“Hell, how do I know you haven’t been meeting her? How do I know that was the only time she’s been here?”
“Cause I’m telling you that’s the way it is, friend.”
“And why should I take your word for it?”
“Because of the past! Because of what we’ve been through! We’ve been through hell together, man. You ought to know you can trust me by now. I let a maniac manipulate me into murder – just to save your life!”
Delaney jumped when she heard a crashing sound.
Unable to keep still, she grabbed John’s hand and led him into the mechanic shop. To her dismay, she could see Jonah struggling with a man as big as he was. A leather clad biker holding a tire iron over his head.
“Stop! Stop!” she yelled, stepping near them. “He’s telling the truth. I live with Jonah, and he hasn’t gone anywhere, he hasn’t seen anyone. He’s only been with me.”
Both men stared at Delaney in shock. Trick lowered his arm and stepped aside. Jonah stood up straight, his chest heaving.
“Who is this, Jonah?”
She answered before he got the chance to. “My name is Delaney. I am John’s caretaker.” She gave Jonah a quick glance. “And I’m your friend’s old lady. He hasn’t had time to be with another woman. I’ve kept him busy at home.”
Jonah couldn’t believe his ears. She was here. Standing up for him. “That’s right, Trick. I’m with Delaney now. I haven’t touched Tressie. I wouldn’t.”
Trick looked from one of them to the other, even giving John an apologetic nod of greeting. “Sorry about this.” He pushed a long braid over his shoulder. “I can be hotheaded. PTSD, they say.”
Jonah knocked some dust from his jeans. “I know your state of mind better than anyone, friend. We lived through the same nightmare. But know this – I would never have betrayed you. If Dad hadn’t gotten sick, I would’ve moved on anyway. I never intended to come between you and Tressie. She was just using me to make you jealous.”
“Yea. Maybe. But what’s her game now?”
Shaking his head, Jonah put a hand on his hip. “Hell if I know. If she is pregnant and you doubt it’s yours – have a paternity test done.”
“Damn. Can you imagine me taking her to the doctor for something like that? Getting lawyers involved? That’s not my style, man.”
“Yea, I know. You’ll work it out, Trick.” Jonah didn’t know what else to say. He glanced at Delaney, trying to read her expression.
Taking John’s arm, she met Jonah’s gaze. “Come on,” she muttered to John. “Let’s resume our walk. Give these men some privacy.” Hurriedly Delaney led Jonah’s father out into the daylight.
“Who was that?” John asked. “I don’t think I know him.”
“A friend of Jonah’s. From the war. I think they rode motorcycles together.”
“Oh.” Her explanation seemed to satisfy him.
As they strolled to the creek, Delaney could hear the roar of an engine. Apparently, Trick was leaving.
A few minutes later, she could hear footsteps coming down the path.
“Delaney! Wait up!”
She put a hand on John’s shoulder to slow his progress. “Jonah’s coming to join us.” Turning, she faced her lover. “Sorry to intrude.”
“No.” He wiped his hands on a rag and stuffed it into his back pocket. “I’m glad you did. I didn’t want to fight my friend over a lie. And that’s what it was, Delaney. A lie. I didn’t sleep with Tressie. If she’s pregnant, the baby isn’t mine.”
“I know.” Delaney had no doubt. “I trust you.”
Her simple admission almost brought Jonah to his knees. “You do?”
“I do. I ran into Cruz in the parking lot of the grocery store the other day. He explained everything about the pool.” She glanced down at the fallen leaves crunching beneath her feet. “Although, I’d already accepted your explanation as fact. You wouldn’t lie to me, Jonah. I believe that with all my heart.”
Jonah couldn’t help it. He took her in his arms and held h
er close. “No, I wouldn’t. I value our…friendship too much to jeopardize it.”
Friendship? Still in his arms, she cut her eyes at John who was watching them closely. She didn’t know if Jonah’s explanation was for her benefit or for his father’s. “Yes. Our friendship.” Of course, she was his friend. But was that all?
Reading the tone in her voice, Jonah moved back a few inches. “Our relationship. We’re more than friends.”
She studied his face and saw nothing but sincerity. Still, she was at a loss of words. With relief, she nodded over his shoulder. “You’d better go. Someone just drove up.”
“Oh, heck. Yea, an inspection.” He glanced at his phone. “Trick’s visit put me behind.” He kissed her on the cheek. “See you later?”
“I’ll leave lunch in the refrigerator for you. I’m going into town to meet the sketch artist.”
“I’ll give Officer Malloy a call. Tell him to meet you. What time?”
“Ten would be good.”
“Okay. Be careful.”
“We will.”
As Jonah hurried away to meet his customer, John touched her arm. “I’m ready to go back now. I’m hungry.”
“Okay. The casserole should be done. Sorry we didn’t get to finish our walk.”
“It doesn’t matter.”
As they strolled along, Delaney considered the things that did matter. John needed her. She and Jonah were starting something – she wasn’t sure exactly what – but she really wanted to see where this all led. And John’s test results would come back in the allotted time. Fingers crossed, they’d receive good news. In the meantime, she wanted to make the most of the time they had together.
Chapter Sixteen
Over the course of the next few days, Delaney and Jonah enjoyed their time together. They both took care of business, but every spare moment they could find they spent together. Delaney took joy in taking care of the two men. She hadn’t felt this connected to anyone since her grandfather. At night, they shared the meals she so lovingly prepared. And afterward they laughed and talked, learning even more about one another.
The twilight hours were spent in Jonah’s arms making love. Delaney never knew she could be so happy. The man thrilled her. He gave her more pleasure than she’d ever known existed. Spending nights in his bed, sharing the same pillow – she had no wish for anything more. Gone was the uncertainty for what her future might hold. She was content with her lot in life – as long as it included Jonah Callan.
When the weekend arrived, Cletus came to stay with John so Jonah could take Delaney on a date. Stepping into her shoes, she applied a bit of lip gloss and stared at herself in the mirror. “I hope I look okay.”
“You look radiant.”
Jonah held a small box in his hand. “I have something for you.”
“A gift?” Her eyes grew wide. “You do too much. The necklace. The dress. The little black nightgown. Now this?” She knew he wasn’t made of money. “I don’t need things from you, Jonah. I just need you.”
His heart swelled with happiness. “And that’s why I want to give you this. I know how you are. And I need to show you how much I appreciate you.”
She took the gift and pulled off the bow. “What is it?” Delaney couldn’t help but feel excited. Like any woman, she loved surprises.
“Open it and see.”
And so she did. Inside, she found a delicate ID bracelet. “Oh, it’s beautiful.” Delaney admired the way her name was engraved on the silver bar.
“Look at the back.”
She turned it over and her heart leapt when she saw the words, You are my sunshine, Jonah. “Oh, thank you! I love it.” She especially loved the sentiment behind it. “Will you help me put it on?”
“Of course.” She held out her arms and he fastened the bracelet around her wrist. “You look beautiful tonight, by the way.”
“So do you.” Delaney admired how the cut of his clothes showed off his killer body.
“Yea?” He turned around for her. “Some sweet woman washed and ironed this shirt for me.”
“Oh? I wonder who.” She grabbed her purse, anxious for their evening to begin.
“My favorite lady, that’s who.” He held out his arm. “Shall we be off?”
“Yes, please.”
After saying goodbye to John and Cletus, they made their way out to the yard. She handed him her keys. “You drive.”
Jonah took them and unlocked her door. “I’m sorry we have to take your car. I wish I owned a fancier vehicle I could use to escort you around.”
Delaney waited while he helped her in, fastened her seatbelt, then walked around to the driver’s side to get behind the wheel. “Jonah, I don’t need to be impressed. I love what you are.”
“A grease monkey?”
“I know you’re attempting to make fun of yourself, and I don’t like it.”
“No, I’m just stating facts. I don’t have anything to call my own. Every dime I make goes to just making ends meet. I’m thirty-two years old and I don’t have a savings account or a retirement fund. My name is not on the deed of the house or the shop. I own that junky wrecker and a Harley that’s gathering dust in the back of the shop.”
As they left the driveway and hit the road, Delaney listened as he spelled out what he thought to be his short comings.
“Like I told you, I’ve done things I’m ashamed of. I’ve faced charges in a court of law.”
“Your name was cleared.”
“Yea, but I have scars on my psyche. On my soul. Scars I’ll never be free of.”
“We all bear scars of our past. My father abandoned me. My mother couldn’t love me. People I was raised around looked down on me for the blood running through my veins.”
Jonah shook his head. “Yet, you made something of yourself. You have a college education. I don’t have a college education.”
“Big whoop.”
Delaney’s scoffed response made Jonah laugh out loud. “What did you say?”
“I said big whoop. So, I took some classes online. I attended a hole in the wall community college. I can probably make more money with my masseuse license than I can with my teaching certificate. Besides, I was let go from my first job.” She spread her hands. “I’m here because that job fell through.”
Jonah reached over to take her hand. “I didn’t mean this to turn into a contest for the most downtrodden. All I meant was that you deserve nice things.”
“So do you.” She took his hand in both of hers. “And I think you have them. You have a home and a father you’ve made peace with. You’ve got a thriving business and some good friends.” Delaney gave him a teasing smile. “And you’ve got me.”
Her last observation hit him in the solar plexus. “Do I?”
“Yea.” She let her eyes lock with his for the split second he could take them off the road. “For as long as you want me.” Her admission made her throat dry with apprehension.
“I don’t deserve you, Delaney. You can have anything you want out of life.”
“Maybe.” What if she wanted him? Afraid to pursue the topic further, she opted to change the subject. “Where are we going tonight?”
“Fine dining. Comfort style.”
To Delaney’s delight, Jonah took her to Cypress Creek Inn. No, the place wasn’t fancy – but the food was good, the people were friendly, and the atmosphere was festive. Jonah ordered for them both – Chili Enchiladas with all the trimmings. “Can I entice you to have a margarita?” he asked.
“Yes, I think I’d like that,” she answered as she fingered her bracelet, feeling so happy she could cry. “This is great, Jonah. Thank you.”
Jonah was pleased she was having a good time, but he also marveled at how little it took to make her happy. As they waited for their food, he gazed into her eyes. “If we’d never met that night at the diner. What would you have done?”
“Well, I don’t know. While we were sitting in tha
t booth, I think those two men were waiting for me outside. If you hadn’t been there, I might be south of the border or in some brothel in the Middle East.”
Jonah shut his eyes, feeling the pain of what might’ve been – of what he might’ve missed without her in his life. “I don’t like to think about that. I know we met for a reason, and I think that was why.” He waved his hand. “But let’s pretend those two outlaws don’t exist. What would you have done if Roy fixed your flat and you were able to move on from Comfort?”
Delaney thought a moment. “It’s hard to imagine. I guess I would’ve turned around and headed back to Louisiana.”
“What about your mother? You wouldn’t have gone to her?”
“I stopped in to visit the day before I met you. I stayed in a hotel. I enjoyed seeing her and Haden, but she made it clear I was a guest. Not family.”
“I’m sorry, honey.”
“It’s okay. I represent a time in her life that she’d rather forget.”
“I guess that’s what Dad meant when he let Claudette run me off and he chose to let me go.”
“Yea, but to your father you reminded him of good times that it hurt to remember. When my mother looks at me, she sees her weaknesses and her failures.”
“Rejection is still rejection, Delaney.”
“You’re right.” She stopped talking while the waitress placed their margaritas on the table. “Thank you.” After taking a sip, she continued, “If I’d returned to Louisiana, it wouldn’t have been to Zwolle. I think I would’ve moved south to Baton Rouge or New Orleans. I would’ve put my application in at all the school districts. If I got no response, I would’ve taken a job in a massage parlor. At least the tips would’ve been good.”
“I don’t like to think of you making a living that way. Too dangerous.”
“I don’t know. Maybe. How about you? What would you have done if your Dad never got sick?”
He thought a moment. “I would’ve left the Raiders one way or the other. My time with them was through.”
“Because of Tressie.”
“Mostly. As for where I would’ve gone.” He tried to imagine. “There’s always my dream of restoring vehicles but other than that…I’ve always wanted to be on the pit crew for a race car driver.”