“Oh my,” Miss Sebastian says.
“What?” Max and I bark at the same time.
“Cool your bedazzled asses,” Miss Sebastian answer. “I can see the baby’s head crowning. This little guy is in a hurry to get out. It’s time to push, Mamma.”
When Gabs groans painfully, I dart off the bed and start to stalk up and down the small motel room.
“Fuck,” I whisper when I hear her cry.
“Language,” Max snaps, then I hear him say, “I’ve got you, babe. You’re doing so well.”
“You can do this, Gabs,” I say to encourage her as well.
The next ten minutes takes years off my life until I hear a baby cry.
“You have a healthy baby boy, Mamma,” Miss Sebastian says.
I slump down on the bed again as tears fill my eyes. Hearing as Mike’s son takes his first breath is something I’ll never forget.
“You did good, Gabs,” I whisper.
Max’s voice comes over the line. “I’ll send you a photo of Gabs and Michael. Gotta go.”
“Catch you later, Brother.”
When the call ends, I stare at the screen until a message from Max pops up.
A tear slips down my face as I look at Michael.
“You have a beautiful boy, Mike.”
CHAPTER 29
EMILIE
Why did I even bother confirming his details with the Navy? It’s not like I’m going to say yes to him working here.
Hayden Cole.
There’s something about him that feels familiar.
It’s because he called you ma’am. It reminded you of Eagle.
“What should I do, Eagle? The help would be great, and he’s retired from the Navy. What would you do?”
Peanut barks, yanking me from my thoughts.
“Are you hungry, Peanut?” I ask as I walk to the kitchen. Grabbing the dog food from the pantry, I go to fill his bowl.
I watch as Peanut gobbles half the food down before Jelly comes to join him.
“Is it healthy for you to eat dog food?” I ask Jelly. Shaking my head, I walk back inside. “Crazy horse.”
I pick up my phone and stare at Hayden’s text message with the information he provided about himself. Commander Foster confirmed that Hayden has retired.
“That’s good, right?” I whisper and then start to worry my bottom lip.
Damn, the work would get done so much faster if I had a man helping out.
But… I don’t know if I can handle being around another person right now. What if I say yes and on the first day he’s helping me, I freak out?
I’ve been coping because I’ve been alone.
Feeling restless, I walk back outside. Looking down at Peanut I ask, “Should I give him a chance?”
Peanut barks, and not sure if that’s a yes or no, I ask, “Is that a no?” Another bark. “Are you saying yes?” Another bark.
I roll my eyes as I shake my head.
When I hear the rumble of a motorcycle, I walk around the house. My eyes latch onto the motorcycle as it comes down the road. I walk down the drive, needing a closer look to see if it’s Hayden.
He must’ve spotted me because he starts to slow down.
“Shit, Emilie you’re an idiot!” I snap at myself as my heart starts to beat faster. “You should’ve stayed inside. Now you’ll have to give him an answer.”
I start to chew on my bottom lip as I watch him get off the bike.
Damn, I might not like people, but the man sure is something to look at.
“Morning,” Hayden says as he walks toward me. Confidence radiates off him with each step he takes closer to me. There’s just something about him that makes him come across taller and bigger than he is. Not that he needs to be any taller. I already have to tip my head back just to make eye contact. Being five foot seven, that’s not something I’m used to doing. Both my ex-husbands were at eye level with me.
“Hey,” I squeak, giving him a lame wave.
God help me, I'm so pathetic right now.
His lips curve slightly, and it’s so damn sexy I can’t help but stare.
“Did you confirm my details?” he asks.
“Uhm… yeah.” I shove my hands into the pockets of the worn jeans I have on.
“Do you need more time to think about it?” he asks, tilting his head slightly.
I look up at him, needing to search his eyes. They’re vivid green, not dark like mine. There’s an intensity in them which I rarely see in people, but there’s something else as well. Pain?
“Maybe we can give it a try,” I say even though I’m not so sure it’s a good idea.
“Great,” Hayden says, smiling again, and when the smile doesn’t reach his eyes, it just confirms what I’ve been thinking. This man is in pain.
Just like me.
CHAPTER 30
HAYDEN
“I’ve bought some paint, brushes, and other stuff,” Emilie rambles nervously as we walk toward the barn.
She’s been on edge ever since I got here this morning for my first day of work. I was actually surprised that she agreed to me helping her fix the place up.
“Oh,” she stops suddenly, and I move quickly to the right, so I don’t bump into her. She turns around, and a flustered look reddens her cheeks when she sees how close we’re standing to each other. She takes a step back and looking everywhere, but at me, she says, “We still need to talk about how much I’ll be paying you.”
Fuck, that slipped my mind. I’ll have to up my game. Although I know everything about Emilie, I have to start asking questions, or she’s going to grow suspicious of me.
When I don’t stay anything, she lets out a burst of nervous laughter. “I have no idea how much to pay you. Help a girl out.”
I glance up, not having a fucking clue what amount to mention. I feel like I’ll be ripping her off if I take any money from her. After all, I’m being paid to do a job already.
Then again, if I offer to work for free, she’s going to know I’m bullshitting her.
Remembering the balcony I saw behind the barn, I ask. “Is there a room up there?”
“Up where?” she asks, glancing over her shoulder to see what I’m looking at. “Oh, yeah. It looks like a loft. It needs a lot of work though. The place has been standing empty for a while.”
“I’ll make you a deal. Let me stay in the loft, and you don’t have to pay me anything.” I’m taking a huge fucking chance, but it would make my job easier if I were living closer to her instead of in town.
“Stay?” she asks, her eyes widening. “In the loft?” She starts to blink faster and for a moment I worry that she’s going to freak out. “You want to stay… here… on the property?”
Fuck, she’s going to freak out. I pushed too hard.
“Or not,” I say quickly, hoping to defuse the problem. “You can pay me whatever you want, ma’am.”
“Ma’am,” she whispers, and she gets a distant look in her eyes. It’s as if they’ve glazed over with memories.
“Should I call you something else?” I ask.
She keeps staring at nothing, and when the seconds keep ticking over, I really start to worry.
“Emilie, are you okay?” I ask as I take a step closer to her.
Nothing. She’s hardly blinking.
“Emilie,” I say a little louder, and as I place my hand on her shoulder, she snaps out of it with a jerk.
She blinks rapidly, and her breaths start to speed up as she puts some distance between us.
“Sorry, I forgot I had to do something.” She walks away from me, and over her shoulder, she hastily says, “You can move into the loft… if you want. The paint is in the barn. Paint… you can start painting… something.”
I force myself to stand still as she runs away.
Her file said she was coping well after the trauma she suffered during the kidnapping.
Bull-fucking-shit.
Having PTSD myself, I know the symptoms well. Emilie isn’t coping a
t all. She’s avoiding.
I’ve been painting for about two hours when Emilie comes out of the house.
She stops a safe distance from me, and keeping her eyes on the ladder, she says, “I made you a ham and cheese sandwich. Oh, and some iced tea. I hope that’s okay. I didn’t know if you’ve had breakfast yet.”
I wish I could tell her that she can relax around me, but I doubt whether it would be of any help. It would probably only make her more anxious.
“Thank you,” I say as I climb down the ladder. I place the brush on a piece of wood I found in the barn so it won’t stick to the grass, then wipe my hands on an old rag.
As I take the plate and glass from her, she spins on her heel and hauls ass back inside the house.
After I’ve finished eating, I drink the last of the iced tea and decide to take a calculated risk. Hopefully, it won’t blow up in my face.
When I near the porch, I see only half of the horse sticking out from the back door.
“Get out, Jelly!” Emilie snaps. “You’ve had the whole damn packet of Twizzlers.”
The horse wisely backtracks, and I stand to the side so Jelly can get down.
Not knowing what to call her seeing as ma’am is an obvious trigger, I knock on the door.
Emilie’s head pops up from behind a counter, and when she sees me, she quickly scrambles to her feet. Her hands are full of sticky red Twizzlers.
“Sorry, let me just throw this out. Jelly eats everything in sight and leaves a mess behind. I’ll take the plate and glass now,” she says as she tries to get the stuff off her hands and into the trash.
“I’ll just put it in the sink.” As I step into the house, I’m relieved when she doesn’t stiffen.
She’s so absorbed in getting the mess off her hands that I get to watch her for a second.
Emilie is actually beautiful. It’s the kind of beauty that creeps up on you. As always, her hair is tied back in a ponytail, but today she’s wearing jeans and a light gray t-shirt. Still no makeup, and still the same sneakers. She’s definitely not out to make any fashion statements.
When it’s clear she’s losing the battle with the candy sticking to her fingers, I grab a cloth hanging nearby and wet it quickly.
I walk over to her and taking her hand, I say, “You’ll never get it off like that. Let me help.”
“Ah… ” She watches me with huge eyes as I clean her hands, and when I’m done, I make a point of placing the cloth on the counter and walking out of the house.
“Thank you,” she calls from the back door.
“You’re welcome, ma–” I catch myself just in time, then ask, “What should I call you?”
“Emilie,” she says, laughing for the first time since I’ve met her. “Just call me Emilie.”
CHAPTER 31
EMILIE
Besides the mortifyingly weird moment I had yesterday, things have actually been going much better than I thought they would.
I stare through the kitchen window like a stalker as Hayden moves a couple of things into the loft.
“So far it’s only a couch, a bag, and a chair,” I whisper to Peanut. “I wonder where he got the truck?”
Hayden suddenly looks in my direction, and I duck so fast I almost slip and lose my balance. Laughter bubbles up my throat, and I sit down on the floor next to Peanut. Scratching him behind the ears, I shake my head.
“I'm stupid, right?”
Peanut looks up at me, his eyebrows scrunching together.
“Besides, I shouldn’t take any interest in him. He’s male–” I shriek when there’s a knock on the door.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you,” Hayden says as he leans against the door frame with his shoulder.
I grab hold of the counter and pull myself up, feeling my face heat from almost being caught talking about him.
“I’m heading back into town. Do you need anything?” he asks, looking so self-assured that I can’t help but admire him.
There’s too much I like about this man. The way he walks. The way he stands. His eyes. His broad shoulders.
The way he says ma’am, which he hasn’t done since I freaked out.
Damn, and it’s only day two of working with him.
“Could you pick up some carrots and apples?” I grab my bag and dig in it for a couple of dollars.
“Don’t worry, I’ve got it,” he says, while I’m still searching for money.
“Oh no, you don’t have to,” I say quickly, as I find a few dollars.
“Let me. It’s the least I can do.” He doesn’t wait for me to argue but disappears as fast as he came.
I turn around and watch him as he walks across the yard to where he parked the truck.
My stomach flutters and I immediately slap my hand over it.
NoNoNoNoNoNoNo.
“You’re done with men, remember? Two failed marriages are enough,” I snap at myself.
Needing to stay busy so I won’t think about my attractive new neighbor, I go outside to paint.
CHAPTER 32
HAYDEN
I’ve gotten some furniture for the loft from a second-hand store in town. Nothing much. Just a dresser, a chair to go with the table that was already there, and a couch. I also bought a bar fridge, a coffee maker, and stocked up on snacks.
Seeing as I’m not planning on staying here long, I’m not going to bother too much with making the place homely. I’ll maybe get a bed at some point.
I drag the chair out to the balcony and sit down as I call Evie.
“Daddy,” she shrieks as she answers the phone. “Are you okay?”
Letting out a chuckle, I say, “I’m okay.” As I glance back into the loft, I add, “I’ve settled into my new room.”
“That’s great. I miss you. Is work okay?”
Hearing the worry in her voice, I put her at ease. “Work is boring. The most dangerous thing I’ve done is climb a ladder. You really don’t have to worry.”
“Okay,” she replies, sounding relieved. Evie clears her throat. “I went to check on Max and Gabs. They’re doing well. Max will be going for the surgery on his tongue on Thursday, so you need to call him.”
“Will do. How’s Rhett? Are the wedding plans coming along well?”
“Rhett’s driving me insane, Daddy,” she says as she lets out a deep sigh. “He wants a huge wedding which will cost thousands.”
I chuckle as I picture the two arguing. “Is Rhett paying?”
“Yeah, but that’s not the point.”
“It is. Let the guy do this for you. It’s not a bad thing that he wants to give you the world, Evie. You deserve the best.”
“Daddy, you’re not helping, and you’re not supposed to take his side,” she grumbles.
“It’s not about taking sides. I want the best for my daughter.”
“Aww… now you’re gonna make me cry.”
I smile, glad that we’ve actually managed to have a normal conversation.
“I’ve got to go, Evie. Tell Rhett to treat you like the princess you are, or he’ll have to deal with me.”
Evie laughs, then says, “He knows, Daddy.”
“I’ll call you in a couple of days. I love you.”
“Love you too, Daddy.”
I place the phone on my thigh, soaking in the fleeting happy feeling I have after talking to my daughter.
Staring down at the floor it doesn’t take long for my thoughts to turn to Mike, Dave, and Axel.
The guys would’ve loved it out here. They would’ve loved Emilie. She’s easy to get along with. A quiet soul.
After getting some sleep on the couch, because I still have to buy a bed, I take a walk down to the lake.
At four in the morning, it’s serene out here. The silence is different, peaceful.
Deciding to grab some coffee, I walk back, and as I pass the house, Emilie’s bedroom light goes on.
Looks like she’s an early riser as well.
I’m a few feet away from passing by th
e porch when the back door flies open, and Emilie rushes out of the house.
She’s only wearing shorts and a tank top, her hair hanging over her shoulders. With her hand on her chest, she takes deep breaths.
Realizing that something’s not right, I walk closer.
“Emilie, are you okay?” I ask softly, not wanting to give her a heart attack.
Her head snaps up, and she nods quickly.
“Yeah. Fine.” The words are sharp, clearly telling me she’s the opposite of fine. “Just needed some fresh air.”
“I’m about to grab some coffee. Do you want to walk with me?”
She glances back inside the house for a moment, then to my surprise she nods. I try to ignore how good she looks in shorts. She has legs that go on for miles. It’s hard to believe she’s in her forties.
She falls into step next to me, and I don’t break the silence.
Emilie is skittish as hell, which is totally understandable. But I won’t deny that it’s a good feeling that she’s starting to feel comfortable around me.
Remembering how trusting she was when we rescued her, I realize that I want that again. I want her to feel safe. Everyone needs at least one person in their life they can let their guard down with.
The urge to tell her who I really am burns the tip of my tongue, but I bite it back. Telling her might make things worse. She might lose her shit because I’m a reminder of what she went through.
“Being in the Navy, you got to work with a lot of people right?” she suddenly asks.
“Yeah,” I answer not sure where her mind is at that she’s asking me about the Navy. Does she just want to know more about me?
“Did you know any Navy SEALs?”
Fuck.
I keep my posture casual, not tensing.
Climbing the stairs to my loft, I respond, “I knew a couple.”
As I walk inside, I head to the kitchen to make the coffee.
Emilie stays outside on the balcony, her arms crossed over her chest as if she’s cold.
False Perceptions Page 11