“She may be in love with you.”
Aiden laughed. “I don’t date women that young,” he teased.
Marina poured two cups of coffee. “Good to know.” She walked out back and took a seat on the top step. “I’d offer you a seat, but I don’t have any.”
“Hang tight.” Aiden skipped down the steps and cleared the fence separating the two yards with a simple hop. In less than a minute he was back with three folding chairs. “Not fancy but they work.”
Marina took a sip of her coffee and sat in the chair he offered. He took the one beside her, leaving the other vacant for Kellyn. “I’ve had fancy, and it’s not all it’s cracked up to be. Thanks for the chairs and the muffins.” She looked at Kellyn, who pumped her legs, trying to get the swing to move. “Most of all—” she swallowed the lump in her throat and pointed to the swing “—thanks for that. She’s really coming out of her shell around you.”
“I’m glad. I’d like to spend more time with both of you.” He looked at her with earnest eyes.
Her first instinct was to tell him it would never work out, but she wasn’t sure if that was true. He’d done nothing but be nice to them. He wasn’t asking to marry her, he was asking for her friendship. Friendship was free. Something she could afford.
After a long pause she answered, “I’d like that.” Then looked back at her daughter. “We’d like that.”
He stood and took a step toward Kellyn. “You want a push?” He didn’t move another step in her direction until her little head bobbed in a nod.
In long strides, he reached her to give her a gentle nudge. Just enough momentum to get her started. She did the rest.
Aiden returned to his chair. He leaned forward, then leaned back. Something about his posture told her he needed more information. It wasn’t every day a skittish woman with a silent child moved into the house next door. Give her the last name Caswell and a restraining order and there was definitely a story to tell.
“You can ask,” she said.
Immediately, his tense shoulders softened.
“The Caswells?”
Talk of them always made her throat tight and her mouth dry. “They aren’t good people.”
She could see the wheels rotating in his head. The question could have been written on his forehead.
“How bad was Craig?”
“Worst of the bunch.” She reached into the bag and pulled out a muffin. Saturday meant apple spice. “Although I wasn’t married to any of the others so I can’t say for sure.”
“Why’d you stay?”
She looked at her baby on the swing. “Her. I stayed for her.”
He nodded. “I understand.”
Marina shook her head. “I don’t think you do. I don’t think you understand the significance of what having her with me means.”
He twisted his body so he faced her and leaned back. “You don’t have to tell me anything you don’t want me to know.”
One more look at the joy on Kellyn’s face as she swung told Marina she owed him at least her story.
“I want to tell you, but first you need to understand that while I may be a victim of domestic abuse, I feel like a victor. I refuse to let what happened to me define who I am and who she is.”
He sat taller. “I respect that.”
“I married Craig Caswell two years ago after dating only a few weeks.” She could see by the tilt of his head that he knew the math wasn’t right. “Clearly, you’re a mathematician.”
“It doesn’t add up.”
“It will.”
He looked toward the big oak tree. “Okay, so how did you get out of the marriage with her?”
“I blackmailed them.”
Chapter Ten
Few things surprised Aiden. He’d been a cop in a big city where shocking things happened every day, but never did he expect that answer. Most people didn’t confess to blackmail. It was a crime. He was a cop. “Why would you tell me that?”
“Why?” She split her muffin and offered him half. “I guess you could say I feel safe with you. Safe enough to divulge my secrets.”
He took a bite and stayed silent while he swallowed the muffin and chewed on her confession. “Do you have lots of secrets?”
“No, and I don’t make it a habit to blackmail people. It was a necessary evil. I got the idea while eating a muffin in B’s bakery. I got the resources for my plan by turning Indigo, the pop star, back into Samantha White, the woman. I dyed her blue hair back to brown, and she paid me way too much money. Money I’ll forever be grateful to have had.”
He shook his head. “I’m confused.”
“I can see why. Shall I give you the short version?”
While the short version might satisfy his need for quick answers, something told him the long version would be best. “Start from the beginning.”
She let out a sigh. “One would think I married for the money. I didn’t. I was a hairdresser, and he came into my shop one day.” She looked to the blue sky as if the answers were there. “We talked while I cut his hair. He was charming, as all sociopaths are. He told me he was a divorcé and had a little girl. Her mother had abandoned her. He showed me Kellyn’s picture. God, Aiden, she was so tiny and looked so sad.”
“So you fell for a picture.”
She smiled. “Yeah, I guess I did. How could a mother abandon her little girl? On my wedding night, I knew why. He beat the living hell out of me. It was his way of showing me who was boss.”
“And you stayed?”
“How could I leave? Here was this little girl so traumatized by her yet-to-be-lived life. I knew I could make a difference. If I didn’t, who would?”
“Did you file a report? Seek any kind of help?”
She stared at him like he’d grown horns. “I’m not stupid. The next morning I drove down to the police station. I had a black eye and swollen lip and a hundred other bruises that couldn’t be seen. The biggest to my heart and ego.”
“Let me guess, you were taken to Chris.” He used the chief’s first name because it was easier to keep things straight.
“You know the story.” She lowered her voice to a baritone. “We don’t air our dirty laundry in the community. Internal problems are solved internally. Go home, Marina, and make your husband happy.” Her voice took on its normal sweet tone. “I went home and tried to make it work until I couldn’t.”
He fisted his hands. He wanted to hit something. Someone—Chief Chris Caswell, but when she saw him tense up, so did she, so he forced the tension to leave his body. She needed reassurance that he was different. “I’m so sorry, you didn’t deserve that.”
“No, I didn’t, but neither did she. I don’t know if he ever hit her. All I know is he didn’t when I was there. I can’t blame her mother for leaving, it was awful, but she should have taken Kellyn with her.”
“How’d you get her away from them?”
“I showed them indisputable evidence of which there were many copies.”
“You got video?” God she was brilliant. Most people in those situations couldn’t think past the last attack. Often they were trying to figure out what they could do to avoid the next one. Marina had known it was coming and used it to free herself.
“I did. You’ve got to love a nanny cam. The only reason I got away with it was because it’s an election year and Mayor Caswell expects to win.”
“What a family.”
“Oh yeah, real pillars of the community. After I turned over one copy to each of the Caswells, Craig went on a long vacation to a rehab center. I got a quickly processed annulment courtesy of the district attorney. I also received full custody of Kellyn. The only stipulation was that I stay in the state. It wasn’t because they wanted access to her. In truth, the Caswells don’t do damaged. They do the damage. In their eyes, Kellyn is broken and broken things are discarded. They want me close to control me.”
“I imagine they have a gag order in place.” His mind took notes as fast as she gave information.
>
“No, more of a gentleman’s agreement to stay silent. They didn’t want a paperwork trail. The only thing I have in writing is the restraining order because I demanded it. It’s hard to find unless you have access to those types of things. It’s buried deep in the system.” She gave him a like-you-did look.
“It wasn’t me, but it was my overzealous deputy. I’m sorry he crossed the line.”
“I’m not. Someone should know the whole story. You’re the only one who does.”
He reached out and covered her hand with his. “Thank you for trusting me. I know how hard that must be.”
She looked to where his hand lay on top of hers and turned hers over. It was no longer a single-sided gesture. She weaved her fingers through his until they held each other’s hands. “I have to start somewhere. I started with you.”
They watched Kellyn swing. Aiden liked how this moment felt. There was no need for words. The silence was perfect.
Minutes later Kellyn jumped off and went to check on her daisies.
“You’ve given her more than her father ever did.”
Aiden scooted his chair closer to Marina. “I’ll give her more if she’ll let me.” He turned toward Marina. “I’d love to take you both on a date. A real date. How about we go to Sam’s Scoops for ice cream later? And if you’re up to it, I’d love to make dinner for you both.”
He expected to see fear or uncertainty in Marina’s soulful blue eyes, but he found neither. If he wasn’t too far off the mark, he swore he saw hope and the sparkle of excitement.
“I’m a definite yes, but we’ll have to get the boss on board.” Without taking her hand from his, she pulled him down the stairs toward Kellyn. “Hey, Ladybug?”
She stood and handed a white daisy to Marina. Her eyes went to Aiden, and she plucked another flower and gave it to him.
He knew she wouldn’t be a hard sell either. The only thing Kellyn needed was to know she was safe. It dawned on him that she’d left the house without her colored blocks. Was that because she felt safe in her yard or safe in general? It would be interesting to see.
He kneeled down so he was at her height. “Thank you for the flower, Kellyn. I love when you give them to me. I still have the other one in a vase on my table.” Marina gave him an is-that-true look.
“Cross my heart. I’ve got it in a glass jar on my table because it’s so special.” He risked reaching out and touching her. His hand moved toward the hair that had fallen in her face.
She stood still as if she were challenging herself to not cower.
He brushed the long strands of her hair from her pretty brown eyes. “I hoped I could take your mom and you for an ice cream this afternoon. What do you think? Would you like an ice cream?”
Her expression turned from one of apprehension to joy. She looked up at Marina, who laughed.
“I already told him yes for me. I’m not missing out on ice cream, but choose for yourself. If you say no, I’ll stay with you. It’s perfect either way. We can get ice cream at The Corner Store together. No matter what, I win because I get you.”
Aiden loved that Marina didn’t press her to choose a certain way. Many parents manipulated their kids in the direction they wanted to go. Marina told her the truth. She’d love to get ice cream with him, but the world would not end if they didn’t.
Kellyn seemed excited but undecided. He would have loved for her to open her mouth and scream that she wanted ice cream, but the fact she considered it gave him hope.
Aiden stood. “Tell you what. I’ve got stuff to take care of.” He looked to his yard. “The weeds never stop growing. You girls decide if you want ice cream, and if you do, I’ll meet you out front in two hours.”
Kellyn looked to where his and Marina’s hands were still together. When she glanced up, he swore he saw her smile for the briefest of moments. He reluctantly let her hand go and walked to the fence, where he hopped over.
He went to work on his garden after days of neglect. An hour later, he’d removed the weeds that choked the life out of his squash and cucumbers. He’d peeked over several times to find Kellyn at the chain-link fence watching him.
If she were older, he would have told her how life was like a garden. You reaped what you sowed. Nothing happened if you didn’t plant the seeds of friendship and fertilize with happiness and love. Nothing grew if you didn’t water and nurture it. And sometimes, outside forces moved in to damage what you started. He would have told her that Craig Caswell and his family were weeds that had been plucked from her life for good.
With thirty minutes left, he put away his tools and went inside his house to shower. If he was fortunate enough to have a date with the two prettiest girls in Aspen Cove, he wanted to look good and smell better.
Chapter Eleven
Kellyn took the date thing seriously. She’d changed her dress twice and actually brushed her hair, which rarely happened without a fight. She hated it when Marina had to tug at the knots, but today she sat patiently while Marina braided it and put a bow on the top.
“You look pretty, sweetie.”
Marina had also changed her clothes. She wished she’d had time for a shower, but after they spent the first hour playing in the yard, she took the next to go over her dismal finances. While she had enough money to cover next month’s rent, the following month wouldn’t be so easy if she didn’t get a few clients. She would have to get the word out she was open for business even if it was only haircuts in her kitchen.
Five minutes before they were due outside, Kellyn picked up Mrs. Beasley and walked to the door.
“I’m coming.” Marina grabbed her purse, and they were leaning against Aiden’s red Mustang when he walked out looking like a model. She’d seen a lot of public servant calendars. Hell, she used to get the Aussie fire department calendar each year and hang it at her station in the salon. She told people it was because she loved the puppies. Their eyes would get big as they thumbed through the pages saying, “There were puppies?”
“Look at you two.” Aiden locked his front door and hopped off his porch. “You have her booster seat?”
She pointed to back of the car where she’d left it on the driveway. She loved that he paid attention. Could be because he was a cop, but she knew it was more than that. Aiden seemed to pay attention to the important stuff. She’d promised herself that she’d never rely on a man again but maybe she’d been hasty with that statement. She’d never rely on a man not worthy of her. Aiden was the type of man she could trust. She felt it deep in her bones.
He strapped the booster into the back seat and stood aside as Marina buckled Kellyn in. Sam’s Scoops was a good thirty minutes away. They were barely five minutes outside of town when she turned around to find her baby sound asleep with Mrs. Beasley tucked in her arms.
“She’s out like a light.”
“All that swinging can wear a kid out.”
Marina turned toward him. “When did you do it?”
He glanced quickly in her direction before putting his eyes back on the road. “When did I do what?”
“The swing. When did you put it in the tree, and how is that I never know you’re sneaking around my yard?”
“Early this morning. You don’t hear me because your room’s at the front of the house.”
They drove with the top down. The wind blew through her hair. Nothing had ever felt so good.
“She loves it. So do I.”
“I’m glad. Isn’t it time you had some nice things happen to you?”
“I could use nice.” She considered all the things she needed. Nice was certainly one of them. Another was work. “I could use some clients. If you know anybody who needs a haircut, a perm, or a color, send them my way.”
Aiden laughed. “I gave up perms long ago, but I could use a trim.”
“Done. On the house.”
“Not on your life. I’m a paying customer.”
She frowned at him. “Sorry, but no, you can’t plant my garden, bring us muffins, instal
l a swing, and not let me do something for you in return.”
He reached over and held her hand. “Marina, you’re in this car with me, and that’s the best reward. You’re sharing your daughter and your time.” He squeezed her hand gently. “I didn’t do those things because I expected something in return.”
Her heart skipped a beat. The last time it did that was when she came out of Kellyn’s therapy session and found Craig standing on the corner, but this was different. Her heart leaped with joy knowing that she could enjoy time with a man and not fear for her life or safety. She hadn’t been sure it would ever be possible. It might not have been if the man wasn’t Aiden Cooper.
“I’m not offering to cut your hair because I feel like I owe you. I want to give you a haircut because it’s the one way I can give something back—a way to water the friendship garden.” She lifted a brow. “Maybe I just want to run my fingers through your hair.”
“Is that right?” He pulled her hand to his lips and kissed the back. “You can do that anytime you want.”
She was certain her face was beet red because a wave of heat raced from her cheeks to her core. It was another thing she never thought she’d feel again—desire. It had been months since her annulment. Almost half a year since she’d had sex. Over two years since she’d had it willingly. Never in her wildest imagination did she think she’d feel the passion course through her veins like it did when Aiden was near.
Was it because he was kind and generous? Maybe because he was sexy. All she knew was she liked the way it felt. For the first time in a long time she experienced normal.
They pulled into a dirt turnout off the highway. To the side sat a half dozen picnic tables, and smack dab in the center was a trailer with a sign that hung from the open window that read Sam’s Scoops.
Kellyn woke when the engine stopped. She sat up and took in her surroundings.
“Are you ready for some ice cream, Princess?” Aiden reached in and unbuckled her. She went immediately into his arms. It was obvious it shocked him by the look of surprise on his face, but he settled her on his hip as if he’d done it a million times. With his free hand, he twined his fingers with Marina’s and led them to the window.
One Hundred Excuses (An Aspen Cove Romance Book 5) Page 7