by Rita Herron
“Is that a fact?” Jake asked. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Hannah shudder.
Grammy slapped a bony hand on her thigh. “Yep. We’ve had a lot of jailbirds in this family. He wasn’t the first of the Hartwells to find himself in trouble with the law. Uncle Roy did a stint back in ’89, and Aunt Martha got arrested for burning the flag in the seventies. Of course, she was burning her bra, too. One of them hippies.” Grammy laughed, obviously thrilled to have Jake’s undivided attention. “She’s a saleslady at Victoria’s Secret now. Sells bras instead of burning them.”
Jake chuckled.
“Grammy, do you have to tell Jake about all the Hartwell black sheep?” Hannah asked.
Grammy laughed. “Honey, every family’s got ’em. Why hide the fact?”
Exactly, Jake wondered, unless she didn’t want to raise suspicion.
“Oh, look, Grammy, there’s you and Gramps,” Alison said.
They sat through the next four years, Wiley boasting about each of the girls and how much they’d grown, recounting stories about the gifts they’d begged for and the adventures he’d had trying to locate the more difficult-to-find toys. Hannah finally relaxed enough to laugh as Mimi danced across the screen, wearing her Little Red Hen costume. One year, she’d received a dress-up box with dozens of costumes and they’d put on an impromptu version of Cinderella. Alison had painted the set with her fingerpaint kit while Hannah had added props.
Hannah had been the princess.
Jake’s gut tightened at the sweet innocence in her childhood expression; the kind of joy that was missing from her face now.
“You used to love fairy tales, Hannah,” her father said wistfully. “You’d climb in that maple tree outside and pretend you were trapped like Rapunzel, waiting on a knight to storm in and rescue you.”
“I was only a kid,” Hannah said, her cheeks turning pink. “Thank goodness I grew up and stopped living in fantasy land.”
“Oh, look, there’s the Sleeping Beauty doll you got for your birthday one year.” Mimi turned her head, her brow furrowed. “Whatever happened to your doll collection?”
“It’s in the attic where it belongs,” Hannah said. “Why don’t we turn it back to the parade? Jake must be bored out of his mind.”
“Not at all,” Jake said, enjoying himself. “This is very entertaining.”
The next clip featured one of Wiley’s famous ads.
“That first ad aired on your birthday, didn’t it Hannah?”
Hannah nodded. Jake watched her face cloud over as if she was suddenly lost in memories. Judging from her expression, they weren’t all happy.
HANNAH REMEMBERED the day the ad had aired in painful clarity. The Christmas-in-July ad had first been shown on Hannah’s ninth birthday—the day her mother had deserted them.
Wiley was dressed like Santa, his big belly shaking with laughter as he rang bells above all the specials for the month. Her mother had stormed out, her suitcase in hand, just as he’d shouted “Ho, ho, ho” on the screen. Hannah’s excitement over the commercial had quickly faded as she’d listened to her mother’s tirade. She’d accused Wiley of embarrassing her with his stunts, claiming that if Wiley loved her, he’d end the foolishness and get a respectable job. Maybe even work for her father.
Wiley had balked, saying he’d never be bought by her dad or stuck in a boring office from nine to five pushing papers around a desk, wearing a tie that her father picked out for him. Then Hannah had overheard the reason her mother and her father had married in the first place—the unwanted pregnancy. Her.
When Hannah emerged from her memory, she heard Mimi relating the story about their mother leaving that day. Another clip started, taken on the next holiday. The doll collection was suspiciously missing. So was the joy in Hannah’s eyes.
A warm hand covered hers, and Hannah realized Jake had slipped her hand under his own. The warm contact sent her nerves skittering in a thousand directions. She stared at their joined hands for several seconds, then lifted her gaze to see him studying her intently.
Thank goodness, her sisters were unaware. They were laughing at Mimi, who had received a toy guitar that day and was dancing across the screen performing Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.
Wiley suddenly jumped up. “I think something’s burning.”
“Oh, no! It’s probably the rolls!” Mimi pushed to her feet and raced toward the kitchen. Hannah saw Alison staring at her hand intertwined with Jake’s and quickly jerked it away.
Mimi appeared in the doorway, holding a pan of charred biscuits. Hannah laughed. So much for her contribution to dinner—although the ones Mimi held still looked more tasty than her homemade ones.
“DINNER’S SERVED,” Wiley announced a few minutes later.
Alison helped Grammy Rose from the rocking chair, and Hannah automatically reached for Jake’s arm to help him. He frowned and pulled away. “I can manage.”
“Did you bring your doughnut to sit on?”
“I don’t need it,” Jake muttered through clenched teeth.
“But, Jake—”
A muscle ticked in his jaw. “Drop it, doc. Don’t humiliate a man any more than he already has been.”
Hannah nodded. “I’m sorry, I simply wanted you to be comfortable.”
Jake shrugged. “I didn’t mean to snap, but I’m not accustomed to people hovering over me.”
“Sorry, I’ll try not to hover. But you need to take it easy. Oh, and come in next week and I’ll remove the stitches.”
His jaw tightened again. “I’ll find another doctor if you don’t mind.”
“Of course not,” she said, stiffening. “Now come on, let’s eat.”
“Lead the way. I’m starved.”
Hannah guided him to the maple dining table. Everyone had seated themselves, conveniently leaving two empty places side by side for him and Hannah. Grammy and Alison both giggled. From Hannah’s frown, Jake sensed her displeasure over the devilish two who had conspired to play matchmakers. He’d simply have to suffer through the women’s devious meddling.
Jake settled himself in the chair a little awkwardly, but the rest of the crew continued chatting about the food and hardly noticed his stiff movements.
“Let’s say grace,” Wiley said.
The family instantly extended hands. Jake shifted, uncomfortable with the family tradition, but Hannah and her grandmother each took one of his hands to include him.
Wiley began by giving thanks for the food. “And thank you for allowing our family to be together today. We’re glad Grammy Rose can be with us. And bless our new friend, Jake Tippins, who risked his neck to protect my business.”
Everyone muttered “Amen” while Jake struggled with guilt. He’d never had anyone pray for him and thank him, especially one of his own suspects.
“When did you come to work for Wiley?” Grammy Rose asked.
“A few weeks ago.” Jake scooped mashed potatoes onto his plate and tried to make room for Wiley’s oyster dressing. “So, how long have you been in the used-car business, Wiley?”
“Let’s see, about thirty years now.”
“The business has been good to you?” Jake noticed Hannah’s wary look, and wondered if his question had hit too close to home.
“We get by,” Wiley said with a laugh.
Mimi’s gold loop earrings dangled as she turned her head toward the door for the hundredth time. “I wonder where Joey is.”
Jake wondered the same thing—was DeLito doing business on Thanksgiving?
“He’ll probably show,” Hannah said, patting Mimi’s hand. “Maybe he overslept or something.”
Jake’s gaze shot to the bright wall clock shaped like an orange. Apparently Wiley’s taste in flamboyant clothes extended to his tastes in furnishings. Was DeLito really sleeping at two o’clock?
“He had to take care of a few things for me this morning,” Wiley said, raising Jake’s suspicions. “But I imagine he’ll be along soon.” Wiley gave Mimi an affectionate look
. “He wouldn’t miss one of your desserts, would he, sweetheart?”
Mimi giggled. “He’d better not, or I’m going to cut him off.”
“Mimi!” Hannah’s cheeks turned pink.
“From chocolate,” Mimi said with a devilish grin.
“How long have you two been going out now?” Grammy asked, her lips pursed.
“Just a couple of months,” Mimi said. “I met him at Dad’s place.”
Alison laughed. “How do you like working at the car lot, Jake?”
Jake’s jaw tightened, but he took a sip of tea, trying to disguise the movement. “It’s fine. Your dad certainly has a knack for advertising.”
“Those early-bird specials are really working,” Wiley agreed. “I think we’re going to make a killing this year.”
Jake thought so too, only he didn’t think the profit would be due to the early-bird specials. “Erma Jean’s such a sweetheart. Does she take care of all the books?” Jake asked.
Wiley and Hannah exchanged odd looks. Finally, Wiley cleared his throat and replied, “Yeah, I don’t know what I’d do without her. You sure do ask a lot of questions, son.”
“Sounds to me like the boy wants to get ahead in the business,” Grammy winked, as if giving her stamp of approval. “You don’t learn things if you don’t ask, do you, son?”
“No, ma’am, you don’t,” Jake said.
“Have you decided to stay here in Sugar Hill?” Alison asked.
Hannah coughed. “Alison—”
“I was just curious.” She flipped a strand of her dark hair over her shoulders, her young face full of innocence.
“I don’t know how long I’ll be here,” Jake said truthfully.
“But you’re considering staying?”
“I don’t know.”
“Don’t you want to settle down some day?” Grammy Rose asked.
Hannah cleared her throat. “Grammy…”
“I’m afraid I’m not the settle-down type, ma’am. I don’t even have a dog, too much to take care of.”
“Everyone needs a pet,” Mimi said. “I take in strays all the time. Maybe you should think about adopting a dog. They’re great company.”
“I’m not home enough to take care of an animal,” Jake said.
Grammy lifted a forkful of mashed potatoes to her mouth. “So you don’t want children of your own some day?”
“I don’t know the first thing about kids,” Jake said, shifting uncomfortably.
“Neither did I when we had Hannah,” Wiley said with a chuckle. “But a man learns. And these girls have been the light of my life.”
“Oh, Daddy,” Mimi gushed.
“You’re the best,” Alison said.
Hannah stared at her plate, her cheeks flushing.
“There aren’t any hard and fast rules for parenting,” Grammy said. “You learn as you go along.”
A knock interrupted the conversation and Mimi sprang from her seat. “It’s probably Joey.”
Seconds later, Mimi returned with the tall man on her arm. Joey DeLito had thick black hair, combed away from his face, a dark complexion and a jagged scar running along his jawbone. Although DeLito didn’t have a record, Jake imagined he was so slick he hadn’t yet been caught, or he could be operating under an alias. He turned on his charm with the women customers, flirting with them as if he’d do whatever it took to win their business. He doubted Mimi knew that side of him. He didn’t understand why Wiley allowed his daughter to see the man. Jake had taken an immediate disliking to DeLito, and DeLito reciprocated the feeling. Jake would love to bring him down.
DeLito greeted the family, nodding curtly at Jake. “Where have you been, Joey?” Mimi asked, ushering him into a seat. “You missed the home videos.”
Joey shrugged. “Sorry. Maybe next time.”
“We could show some more after lunch,” Mimi suggested.
“No,” Hannah replied quickly.
Jake watched quietly as the girls bickered good-naturedly. Grammy Rose frowned at Joey, though, and he wondered if the elderly woman detected DeLito’s devious nature.
“Let’s have dessert in the den with coffee,” Wiley suggested. “I have a surprise for everyone.”
The girls emitted a collective groan. “What now, Dad?” Hannah asked.
“I’ll show you when we’re all settled.”
Clearing the table quickly became a group effort, everyone bustling around to carry dishes into the big homey kitchen, bumping into each other and laughing. “Here, let me take your plate, Jake. You go sit down,” Hannah said as they turned sideways in the doorway to pass.
“I’m not an invalid,” Jake said tightly.
“Look, you’re under the mistletoe,” Alison squealed. “You have to kiss her, Jake.”
Jake looked down into Hannah’s face and read panic.
“Go ahead,” Grammy Rose said. “It’s tradition.”
“It’s silly—”
“Hannah!” Alison chided. “Kiss the man!”
Jake didn’t give her a chance to fight him. He swept his arms around her, lowered his head and claimed her mouth, gently pressing his lips around hers so she had to kiss him back. When they finally pulled apart, Hannah’s eyes seemed slightly glazed, stunned. His own breathing sounded erratic.
Alison clapped gleefully.
Hannah darted away from Jake. “Um, let’s get dessert.”
“Mercy me.” Grammy Rose fanned her face with a gnarled hand.
Minutes later, they all sat with coffee and chocolate pecan pie in the den. Grammy Rose perched in the rocking chair, knitting needles and yarn in her hand. Alison stretched out on the floor on her stomach, Joey and Mimi took the sofa, leaving Jake to squeeze onto the love seat by Hannah. He was still thinking about that kiss, remembering the sweet heaven in Hannah’s lips, the blazing heat in her body.
But Hannah did not look happy. Her frown grew when Wiley reached for another tape.
“No, Dad, not another one!” Hannah groaned.
Alison waved for her to be quiet.
DeLito slung an arm around Mimi, remaining suspiciously quiet. Wiley punched the remote control button and the screen flashed with images of the group decorating the car lot. Music blared in the background, the camera zoomed across the lot at the lights, recapturing the fun-filled evening. The camera focused on Jake for a moment, and Hannah squirmed. Jake prayed no one else noticed the raw look of hunger between them as they’d conversed.
“I’m thinking of using this as an ad for family specials for the holidays,” Wiley explained.
“No, Dad, you can’t,” Hannah said.
Wiley scratched his head, his eyes narrowing. “Why not, honey? I’m already working on a slogan. Would you sign a waver, Tippins? DeLito?”
Jake opened his mouth to mutter a reply, but Joey protested first. “I’m not sure I want to be featured in an ad.”
“Trust me, Dad. It’s just not a good idea,” Hannah said. “You have to come up with something else.”
Jake remained silent, hoping Hannah would save him a reply by convincing her father not to use the clip. He didn’t want his face plastered across the southeast on a car ad. It might blow his cover. And if Joey had been using an alias and was masterminding the illegal theft ring, he certainly wouldn’t want to be exposed.
But why was Hannah so against the ad?
Wiley walked over and massaged Hannah’s shoulder. “Okay, honey, we’ll talk about it later. I simply thought a family angle would be nice, and it would tie in with the holidays.”
Jake had never been at a family gathering per se, and an odd feeling stirred in the pit of his stomach. Maybe it was the indigestion, he thought, refusing to acknowledge that his sudden bout of emotion might be related to this family and their obvious love for one another.
Like Hannah, he’d stopped believing in fairy tales as a kid. That was something they had in common. It was the very reason he’d reached for her hand—because he’d felt some silent connection.
&nbs
p; Only now, he didn’t like that connection. He didn’t want to like Hannah Hartwell or any of her family. Liking them would only make it harder to turn them in. And he would turn them in if he had to. Because that was his job, and Jake Tippins lived and breathed for his work.
Hannah Hartwell seemed to be open and trusting and caring and he…well, he plain out wasn’t and never would be.
Chapter Twelve
Hannah bristled as she pulled into her driveway, anxious over the fact that Jake had followed her home. Being in close quarters with him all day had been difficult enough—she certainly didn’t want him making himself comfortable in her home, imprinting images of his big sexy body in various parts of her house, leaving his husky male scent in the air to torture her.
But when Wiley had shown concern, so atypical of him, Jake had insisted he’d follow her home, just to make sure she made it safely. Jake had done his own share of insisting also—right before they’d left, Wiley had asked her and her sisters to get a tree the next day. Mimi had begged Joey to go, then Jake had insisted on accompanying them. She had no idea why—he’d certainly made his feelings on families clear. He didn’t intend to marry or have kids. She wanted both some day.
And why had Jake asked so many questions about her dad’s business? She’d sensed tension between him and Joey, too. Maybe Jake was more ambitious than she’d first thought. Maybe he wanted to move up the ladder of success at the car lot and saw Joey as the competition. Could she manage a relationship with Jake if he became a permanent fixture at Wiley’s? If he did decide to settle down?
Hannah locked her car and walked up the sidewalk, well aware Jake had parked and was climbing out of the El Camino. Glancing at her neatly manicured lawn, she tried to ignore the fact that, even injured, Jake exuded an air of masculinity that put all the other men in her life to shame. Apparently seeing the shrink hadn’t helped her one darn bit. She was still wildly attracted to the man.
“Let me go check out the house,” Jake said.
“That’s not necessary.” She quickly inserted the key, unlocked the door and slipped inside the doorway. “But thanks for making sure I arrived home safely. I don’t know what’s gotten into my father. I’ve been on my own forever and he’s never worried about me before.”