Gran June stood at the stove frying up bacon. “Jake had everything under control when I got here. This little one was sitting on her daddy’s lap, and they were playing pat-a-cake. It was so cute.”
“Where is he now?”
“In his room, getting cleaned up. Joanie shared a little of her oatmeal with him,” Gran June said. “I told him you’d help him wash it out of his hair.”
Ali’s heart thudded against her chest. “Gran, I can’t do that—”
“Relax. He won’t be taking a shower. He’ll be doing sponge baths for a while. But he’ll still have trouble maneuvering. So I told him you’d help wash his hair.”
“Thanks a lot.”
Gran June handed her a plastic pitcher. “My pleasure. Breakfast will be ready in fifteen minutes.” She motioned with her hands. “Now scoot.”
Ali grumbled as she made her way down the hall. Jake’s door was open, but the sight of him sitting in the wheelchair with only khaki boxers on startled her. She wanted to turn around and run. Instead, she averted her eyes. “Gran said you needed me?”
“Yeah.” He raked his hand through his hair. “I hate to ask, but can you help me wash this oatmeal out?”
“Your dad offered to send over a nurse.”
Jake gave her a stubborn look. “Look, if this is too much trouble, you can pass.”
“No, of course it’s not,” she said, a little breathless. “Lead on.”
He pushed his chair into the compact bathroom that barely had space for a toilet and shower stall, and managed to get turned around so he could back up to the pedestal sink. Ali’s heart pounded as she watched his large, muscular arms flex when he maneuvered the chair into position. She had to resist the urge to reach out and touch him. Instead, she waited until he was settled, then turned on the water, adjusted the temperature and filled the pitcher.
“You can lean back now.”
Jake did as she asked, and she poured some water over his thick hair. Her hand was trembling as she squeezed out a dab of shampoo from the tube. The familiar scent teased her nostrils, boldly reminding her of their one night together. The night she’d spent in Jake’s arms, sharing their needs and wants… and passion. Ali drew in a breath and tried to relax as she massaged the soap into his scalp. His hair had grown since he’d come home, and feeling the long silky strands of his hair between her fingers only worked to sensitize other parts of her body, as well.
“Oh, that feels good,” Jake groaned. “How are you on rubbing backs?”
“Haven’t had much practice,” Ali said before thinking about the implications. There hadn’t been a man in her life since Jake.
Jake opened his eyes, and his dark-eyed stare bore into hers. “I’m glad you haven’t had practice.” His voice was husky as he raised his hand and touched her hair. “When I’m able, I’ll return the favor. I’d love to get my hands in all this softness.”
Ali sucked in a breath. “Jake…” Warmth shot through her at the thought of Jake’s hands on her.
“What, Ali?” he whispered. “What is it you want? Tell me.”
“I can’t.” She met his gaze.
“Okay, don’t tell me, Ali. I can see it in your eyes.” He slid his hand through her hair and drew her head down. “You want what I want.”
Ali wanted to dispute it, but no words came. Then his mouth covered hers, and she was lost. What started out as soft caresses quickly turned into a hungry kiss as his mouth began to move over hers fervently. Passions flared as he cupped her head, burying his fingers into her hair. When his tongue parted her lips, she surrendered once again and released a moan, eagerly returning the kiss. She touched his chest, feeling his bare strength against her fingertips. Every inch of her ached with longing, a longing that only Jake could extinguish. Ali swept her hand down to his waist, and he sucked in a sharp breath.
Suddenly her grandmother’s voice at the bedroom door broke them apart. “Breakfast is ready.”
Ali jumped back, and somehow managed to speak. “Okay, we’re just about finished.”
Ali couldn’t look at Jake. Her cheeks grew hot as she busied herself rinsing the shampoo out of his hair, then she got a towel and handed it to him. When she started to leave, Jake grabbed her by the arm.
“You can’t keep running away from what’s happening between us.”
“You purposely set this up, didn’t you?”
He smiled. “Did I force you to kiss me?”
Ali refused to look away. Damn the man for seeing through her.
Jake’s expression grew serious. “Ali, I just want to be a part of your life.”
“You’ve moved into my house and you spend more time with Joanie than I do. Why can’t that be enough for you?”
“Because I want us to be a family.”
Ali wished it were that easy. But there were too many things stopping them. “Right now, that isn’t possible, Jake. You need to concentrate on your recovery. I think you should get to know your daughter. Maybe…after you change a few diapers, being a parent won’t look so appealing.”
“And what about after that, Ali? Will there be more tests?”
She closed her eyes in frustration. “We’ll see.”
His hold on her arm tightened. “All right. If I go by the rules, will you promise to stop running away from me?”
She wanted to run at that moment. This man could destroy her if she let him get too close. She wasn’t sure she was willing to risk it.
“I’ll stop running if you’ll stop chasing.” She turned and hurried out of the room.
Chapter Seven
Three weeks had passed since Jake had arrived at the Pierce home. Three long weeks during which he’d kept his promise, and his distance, from Ali. He hadn’t come near her since that morning in the bathroom. And in all that time, he had learned patience. Being forced to sit in a wheelchair will do that to you.
Thanks to one Johanna June Hawkins, he’d also discovered a lot about being a father. He’d learned to change a diaper, as Ali suggested. He’d also become a pretty good storyteller and found a secret of how to deal with Joanie’s fussy times. She loved getting rides in her daddy’s chair.
Well, today there was going to be another change, he thought as he pulled a polo shirt out of the drawer and slipped it over his head. Then he managed to put on a pair of black sweatpants to accommodate his cast. It was Joanie’s first Thanksgiving, and she was about to see her father stand up. Jake had decided he wasn’t going to come to the dinner table in his wheelchair. Although reluctant, Dr. Hostler had given Jake permission to use crutches, but only around the house.
Jake wanted to shout the pleasure of his small freedom. He’d been lying on his back for so long, he thought he’d never stand again. Well, he was going to do more than stand; he was going to walk.
He stood next to the bed, grabbed the crutches Harry had delivered, and placed them under his arms. Testing his weight, he took one small step, then another. Luckily he’d been doing upper-body exercises and lifting weights, knowing he’d need all his strength to maneuver around the room with his bulky cast. His ankle felt better, too. He hadn’t needed any painkillers for a while.
Over the past weeks, Jake had become more and more independent, handling on his own simple tasks like showering and shampooing his hair. He hated asking for help, especially from Ali. He wanted her to see him as a man, not an invalid.
He grinned. Maybe today things would start to change between them.
He couldn’t think too far into the future. Next week, he’d be getting a walking cast, but he still had to face months of physical therapy. He also had to go to a military hospital to have his case evaluated. He pretty much knew the outcome already. His army career was over. He would have to take a medical discharge. But he was still determined to be a whole man again. For his daughter…and for Ali.
He’d been given a second chance at life, and he was going to make the most of it. Ali was going to see a different man today.
He grinned
as he checked his appearance in the mirror. He opened his bedroom door and made his way down the hallway. He peeked into the dining room. The long cherrywood table had been decorated with the Pierce family’s best linen and china. Feminine voices emanated from the kitchen, along with the wonderful smells of spices and fresh bread.
Making his way to the door, he poked his head into the kitchen without being seen, and discovered June bent over the oven, basting a large turkey. Ali was seated at the table peeling potatoes while his daughter busied herself quietly in her playpen.
Jake smiled. This was a family. The family he wanted. Deciding not to disturb the women, he stepped back and closed the swinging door.
He made his way into the living room and saw the paper turkey on the piano. A familiar ache welled in his chest as he remembered the holidays when he’d been a kid. His dad had always been too busy to stay home. Since they’d had no other family—no grandparents, aunts or uncles—to fill the house, most times it was just him and his mother…and her tears. Then she would start drinking and get angry and, finally, to Jake’s relief, Carol Hawkins would go upstairs and pass out on her bed.
He rubbed his eyes, as if to erase the memories. Memories of a mother who tried to find happiness in a bottle. Why couldn’t her child be enough to keep her sober?
“Jake…”
He turned when he heard Ali’s voice. She was standing in the arched doorway. She looked like an angel, dressed in a long green-and-pink print dress. An old-fashioned lace collar adorned her graceful neck. Her hair lay in waves about her shoulders, and in her arms she carried their daughter, who was wearing an identical outfit—only in a miniature size.
Ali walked across the room. “Jake, what are you doing standing up?”
“Happy Thanksgiving to you, too,” he said a little sarcastically. So much for impressing her.
Her expression softened. “I’m sorry. Happy Thanksgiving. But really, Jake, should you be out of your chair?”
“Yes, I should.” Jake leaned forward and kissed his daughter’s cheek. “How’s my girl?” After he coaxed a smile from Joanie, he looked back at Ali. “If I don’t overdo. By the way, you look beautiful.”
Ali didn’t know how to handle Jake’s compliments—period. “Thank you. We kind of go overboard for the holidays around here, but it’s fun, especially for Joanie.”
“I remember the years I visited here.” He smiled, but it didn’t mask the sadness in his eyes. “Everything was wonderful.” He turned away. “So different from—”
Ali reached out a hand and touched Jake’s arm. “You were thinking about your mother, weren’t you?”
He leaned his weight against the piano and looked at his daughter. “Yeah, she would have loved this little one.”
Ali had never met Carol Hawkins, but she knew how much Jake had loved and missed her. Ali set Joanie down on the piano, but kept her hands on her. “Holidays bring out not only good memories, but sad ones, too. I remember one time when Mom left Darcie and me alone at Christmas at some motel room in west Texas.” Ali toyed with Joanie’s hair bow. “We were only five.”
Tears welled in her eyes, remembering how she and Darcie had huddled together on the bed, scared and crying, wanting their mother to come back. She shook away the old memory and felt Jake’s arm around her.
“What happened?”
She forced a smile. “I think the management called the police and they got a hold of Gran June. We came to live with her after that. Gran June and Grandpa had Christmas for us the next day, with a letter from Santa saying that he was sorry he was late, but he had a little trouble finding us.” A tear fell to her cheek. Jake quickly brushed it away.
“I’m so sorry, Ali.” Bracing his weight on his crutches, he leaned forward and feathered a kiss on her cheek. It wasn’t enough, and he moved to brush his mouth against hers.
Ali sucked in a breath, then raised her eyes to meet his dark gaze. He lowered his head again. Joanie had other ideas, and chose that moment to yell and grab for her mother.
“So you want attention, too?” Jake asked. “Have you ever heard of a thing called ‘bad timing’?”
Jake made a smacking sound against his daughter’s neck. The baby laughed and clutched her daddy’s head, messing up his hair.
Ali laughed, too, and tried to smooth Jake’s hair. “There. You’re as good as new.”
Jake stared at her, and her heart began to pound.
“I’ve missed you, Ali.”
“I’ve been here,” she said, nearly choking on her words. She had purposely stayed out of his way. Too bad it didn’t stop her from thinking about him.
He touched her hand. “I didn’t come here to live so we could avoid each other, Ali. I want to prove to you I’m not going to run out again. I’m here to stay—for Joanie…and for you.”
Ali couldn’t speak. She wanted to trust Jake, but so many things stood between them. His injuries, his army career, Darcie… Their lives were in upheaval. She couldn’t decide now.
The doorbell rang, and Ali found her escape. She picked up Joanie and hurried to answer the door. On the porch stood Sheriff Benson and his wife, LaVerne, who was holding a covered dish.
“Happy Thanksgiving,” Ali said as she ushered the couple through the door. Kisses were exchanged, then Ray took Joanie with him and headed for the living room as Ali escorted LaVerne into the kitchen.
Feeling a little shaky, Jake sat down on the sofa and slid his crutches under the coffee table. He’d just propped his leg on the ottoman when the sheriff walked into the room carrying Joanie.
“Good to see you moving around, Jake,” the sheriff said as he sat down with Joanie.
“Nice to be out of my chair, Sheriff.”
“Why don’t you call me Ray?”
Jake nodded. “Seems a little strange. I still remember when I was in high school and you picked me up for speeding.”
Ray smiled. “I remember. You had that fancy new car your dad bought you. It was right after you’d won the conference title.” Ray frowned. “I believe you passed for 183 yards and were named the most valuable player of the game.”
Jake blinked in surprise. “How did you remember that?”
“I was at the game—and, unfortunately for you, I was at the crossroad later when I clocked you going over ninety miles an hour.”
Jake cringed. “I guess I did a lot of foolish things when I was a teenager.”
Ray shook his head. “Not really. It could have been a lot worse. You could have been drinking that night, but you weren’t.”
“I don’t drink anymore,” Jake said stiffly. Not since the night he’d spent with Ali. The night they’d created a child.
Ray grew serious. “Well, I wish I could say that about the teenagers here in Webster High School. They think it’s so cool.”
Jake sighed. “We all think we’re invincible at that age.”
Ray studied him for a second. “You know, the Hawk is still talked about at the high school, especially with this being football season. Maybe you could come by and give a talk on alcohol safety.”
“What could I say?”
“You’re a father now, Jake. Just think about a drunk teenager out there on the road, endangering Joanie’s life.”
A cold chill went through Jake. “Tell me when you want me.”
“I’ll call you next week. We could use you for career day, too. What was your speciality in the army?”
“Intelligence. I was supposed to go overseas after my leave.” Jake rubbed his leg. “Then the accident happened.”
Ray nodded. “You know, when I was in the army, a lot of my buddies didn’t make it back.”
Jake studied the sheriff. “When were you in?”
“The sixties. I flew a helicopter in Vietnam.”
“Rough assignment.”
“Not as rough as some. At least I made it home to my family. I told myself I wasn’t going to leave Webster again. I ran for sheriff, and—” he grinned “—the rest, as they say
, is history.”
Joanie got restless and crawled across the sofa to her daddy. Jake captured her and placed her on his lap. Ray was right. Being a father made everything different. He straightened the child’s dress and touched her tiny white shoes. Joanie was his family now, and she needed him. Just as he needed to be around to take care of her. Somehow he had to convince Ali of that.
Joanie grabbed his finger and put it in her mouth and started to bite. “No, sweetie,” Jake said. “Don’t bite.”
Joanie shook her head vigorously. “N-nooo.”
“Hey, did you hear that? She said no!”
“Get used to it, son. She’ll be saying that to you for about the next twenty years.”
Jake kissed his daughter’s head. “No, you won’t do that to your daddy, right? Not my sweet little girl. You’ll be the best daughter ever.”
As if on cue, Joanie shook her head again. “No.”
Both men laughed.
The doorbell rang, and Ray got up to answer it. A few minutes later, Cliff came into the living room. Although his limp was barely noticeable, he still used his cane.
Joanie immediately began to chatter and wave her arms at her grandfather.
Cliff walked over to her. “There’s my beautiful granddaughter.” He handed the child a sack from the local toy store. Inside was a fluffy stuffed kitten.
He finally looked at Jake. “Hi, son.” Cliff glanced at the crutches under the table. “I see you’ve graduated.”
Jake tensed. His father had visited him several times to check on his progress. He was playing the good-father and family-man roles to the max, and it rubbed Jake the wrong way. “I’ll be using crutches from now on. You don’t have to worry about me anymore. I’m fine.”
Cliff smiled. “Good.”
Just then the ladies walked in, and Cliff looked relieved for the distraction.
The doorbell rang once again. Ali answered the door this time, then ushered in Margo and her boyfriend, Scott Walker.
Margo came up to Jake. “So you broke out of the chair.”
Jake smiled. “Can’t keep me down for long.”
Baby, Our Baby! Page 10