Protected (Jacobs Family Series Book 2)

by Vannetta Chapman

“Which you received today.”

  “Right.”

  “Man, you need to keep your head in the game.”

  Travis froze midway to the door and felt all his muscles stiffen and automatically tense up. “Erin isn’t a game.”

  “No, but all women like to be wooed, even the ones who are in love. She hasn’t been living alone on a real ARK you know. You stepped out of the game, and now you’re stepping back into it. Sort of missed a quarter.”

  Still scowling, Travis opened his door and stared out at the storm coming in with the darkness.

  “I’m saying go in easy. Assess what you’ve missed and where she’s at right now.”

  “I don’t exactly have free rein. Moring told me to ‘maintain a degree of public decorum’. How I can do that and let Erin know things have changed at the same time?”

  “You’ll find a way.” James grinned, shook his hand, and slapped him on the back, then walked through the door. Turning at the edge of his upstairs balcony, he grinned back. “I’ve got it. You can let her beat you at Donkey Kong. I remember that is a clear signal you’re cool about a girl.”

  Travis waved his friend away and studied the incoming clouds. He felt a storm brewing of an entirely different kind. Or maybe his nerves were talking. Either way it was time to find out what Erin’s reaction to him would be.

  James might have been on to one thing though. He had been out of the picture, and he’d completely forgotten about Russ Lawson. The conversation with the guy came back to him, suddenly, like the rain falling upon the pavement below.

  He was a kid, barely twenty-two if that. But then Erin was twenty-two. The thought twisted his stomach and was immediately followed by more just like it—how much the two had in common, how many Friday nights they’d spent together, how Russ really was a nice guy, how Erin might have needed help over the last few weeks and he hadn’t been there.

  Looking down at his hand, he saw he was holding his razor. Like the worker driving into the office who didn’t recall the route he’d taken, he didn’t remember walking back into the apartment and entering the bathroom.

  James was right. He needed to get his head in the game.

  He couldn’t afford to lose tonight like he’d lost this afternoon at racquetball. There was more at stake with Erin. This was their future, and he’d already bungled it once.

  Thirty-Nine

  Erin settled into the movie seat, grateful to be off her feet no matter what the flick was they were about to watch.

  Her new donkey had decided to escape his pen and had been in no mood to return. It had taken her so long to corral him, she’d barely had time to finish the rest of her chores, bathe Joshua, and make it to the church in time to drop him off with Mrs. Harrington.

  She sank back into the chair and relished the knowledge no one would need feeding or changing for the next three hours.

  “Is this seat taken?”

  She opened one eye and found Russ grinning down at her.

  “Uh, no. But most of the guys are—”

  “Great. I’ll take it then.”

  Erin bit back a grin and closed both eyes, determined to enjoy her few moments of reprieve. Mitzi and Elaine’s conversation to her right focused on shoes and holiday plans. Behind her Homer was discussing a steer he’d taken in to see Doc England. She relaxed in the sensation of being comfortable with this group—not needing to say a thing if she wanted to simply be with them.

  It was a novel feeling for her.

  “You look pretty tonight, Erin.” Russ settled beside her, and she was again reminded of a Labrador waiting for attention.

  “Thank you, Russ.”

  “Busy week?”

  “It was, actually.”

  “Heard about that snake situation. I have a nephew in the same class. Apparently, you made a real impression on the kids. Miss Hancock has been plagued with requests for books about animal rescuers and vet techs.”

  Erin smiled, but refused to open her eyes. “Glad to be of help.”

  She thought he might have turned his attention to someone else in the group when he cleared his voice and started again. “We have a couple of minutes until the movie starts. Could I bring you something from the snack bar?”

  Opening one eye, she offered him a smile. “Actually, at the moment, I’m pretty content.”

  Unfortunately, her stomach chose that instant to growl.

  “Ah-ha! You might be content, but your stomach is craving popcorn and a soda.”

  “Erin wants popcorn?” Homer leaned forward, stuck his ball cap, along with his head, in between them. “Buttered or plain?”

  “I’m buying.” Russ leapt to his feet. “Buttered or plain?”

  “I never eat butter—”

  “Plain it is.” Before he reached the end of the aisle, he pivoted back toward her. “RC, right?”

  Erin couldn’t have stopped the smile if a week’s donations were riding on it. Russ was such a nice guy, even if he wasn’t the right guy. “RC would be great, Russ. A small one though. Kid’s size.”

  “Sure thing.”

  He bounded down the stairs, and she sank back into her seat, allowing her eyes to drift shut again.

  “I’ve never seen a man so happy to buy popcorn.” Mitzi elbowed her arm off the armrest between their chairs.

  “I thought you were talking shoes.”

  “Doesn’t mean I can’t watch the drama going on beside me.”

  “Uh-huh.”

  “Puppy eyes. That boy has puppy eyes.” Mitzi turned back to Elaine, who was declaring the merits of snakeskin boots over leather.

  Erin allowed herself to sink back into that restful place. Soon the movie would start, Russ would return, and the evening’s activities would begin. It was an effort for her to keep her spirits up. She’d rather let her mind wander to the way things could be, even though she knew it was a dangerous daydream to indulge.

  It wasn’t unusual for her fantasies to become full blown—include even the scent of him. Like a dream she refused to wake from, she reached for the memory, sought the familiar even when she felt the seat beside her jostle.

  How had Russ possibly sprinted back so quickly?

  Before she could work her eyes open, his voice sent shivers down her spine. Her pulse kicked into a double rhythm as she turned and met his gaze.

  “This seat taken?”

  Blue eyes slammed into hers, and Erin knew she wasn’t dreaming. She couldn’t have dreamed up that smile if she’d tried, because she’d never seen Travis smile quite that way before.

  He plopped into the seat beside her, looking as if he’d hit a home run.

  “Actually that’s my seat, Williams. Find another one.” Russ had made his way down the aisle and stood waiting, his arms filled with snacks.

  “Oh, sorry.” Travis answered Russ, but continued to grin at Erin—and he showed no indication of moving.

  Erin searched her mind for an intelligent reply, but there was a light swooshing sound in her head. She could actually hear it, like the whisper of the wind through the pines at night. All she could think of was that he was here, and he’d actually spoken to her—in public—as if she were a real person.

  Mitzi came to their rescue. “I can move down, Travis.”

  “But—” Erin licked her lips, gripped the arm seat between them. Holding on was probably a good idea at this point.

  “It’s no problem at all.” Mitzi patted her hand and whispered in her ear, “This will be more fun to watch than the movie.”

  She had scooted down a seat before Erin regained her equilibrium.

  Travis finally stood, shuffled in front of her, and dropped on the other side, greeting the rest of the gang behind them as he moved.

  Russ proceeded to dump snacks in her lap, far more food than she remembered ordering.

  “They were running a special,” he explained when she began to protest. “And women like chocolate, at least I thought…”

  “I love chocolate, Lawson. I’ll t
ake those if Erin doesn’t want them.” Travis reached across and plucked the chocolate candy off the snack pack tray on her lap.

  Russ was quick though and snatched them back. “I bought those for Erin.”

  “She doesn’t look hungry. I hate to see good food go to waste.”

  “She was plenty hungry until you sat down. Maybe she lost her appetite looking at your ugly mug.”

  “Is that true, Erin? Did I take away your appetite?” Travis grinned down at her, and Erin wondered if she’d fallen asleep and possibly dreamed the entire absurd situation.

  Then Homer popped his head in, and she knew it had to be real. She couldn’t dream up anyone as comical and endearing as Homer. “I’ll take those if they’re going to be a problem. Or maybe I should come sit between the three of you.”

  “I think you all should quiet down.” Elaine leaned across and gave them a motherly scowl. “The previews are starting, and I love previews.”

  “No one loves previews,” Russ grumbled. “Previews are like commercials.”

  “Wrong. Previews are like mini-movies, and you get to see them for free.”

  Erin glanced Travis’s way in the midst of the bantering. The lights had dimmed, but she hoped to catch his profile. Perhaps find a clue as to why he was here—what had changed.

  He turned the minute she looked at him though, a scene on the screen flickered with light, and she was again drowning in those blue eyes she’d dreamed of every night since she’d last seen him.

  —

  Travis thought the movie would never end.

  Every moment was agony. Sitting next to Erin was like sitting in front of the tree on Christmas morning, waiting for his parents to wake up. He’d always been the first to crawl out of bed, and he’d have to wait, staring at the gift he knew held what he’d dreamed of for months.

  So close, but not able to hold it in his hands yet.

  That’s what the 124-minute feature felt like—heaven and agony combined.

  He wouldn’t have missed it for anything.

  He did feel a small slice of guilt that Russ had invested a good ten bucks in trying to impress Erin. Apparently, he was warming up to make his move. Which served to bring home the fact Travis had almost waited too long—not that she would have fallen for the kid, but Erin Jacobs was a beautiful woman.

  Seeing her as he’d walked up the steps of the theater he’d felt like he’d taken a baseball to the side of his head. She’d pulled her auburn hair back with little clips, but as usual small curls had escaped. The result was a look that had his heart racing as if he’d climbed a mountain instead of a few steps. He barely noticed the blue sweater she was wearing, except that it highlighted her light, creamy skin.

  He could have stood in the aisle and soaked in the sight of her for the entire movie, but he’d seen Russ come in the door and start up the stairs. There’d been no doubt in his mind where the kid was headed.

  Now the credits were rolling and they were headed out to dinner and an arcade? Good grief. He needed to talk to whoever planned these events—maybe offer a bribe.

  Erin had only glanced at him once after the lights went out, but it was enough. He could tell from the brief look how she felt. What had his dad said? It was just a matter of convincing her, persuading her.

  He thought of the time he’d spent on his boat, the gentle way he’d restored her, and smiled. He might not understand women, but he understood boats. He’d need to use the same gentleness.

  Following Erin into the lobby, their group formed a small knot as people made suggestions on where to go for dinner.

  Travis was about to recommend a restaurant in the next town, so they wouldn’t make it back before the arcade closed, when Erin reached into her bag and pulled out her cell phone.

  She studied the screen, looked up at him in alarm, and stared back down at the phone.

  “What is it?” He stepped closer, looked over her shoulder to read the text, then reached for his own phone as it buzzed.

  Several other phones went off at the same moment.

  “Oh my,” Mitzi said. “It’s Shirley.”

  Travis placed his hand at the small of Erin’s back and pocketed his phone as a smile spread across his face.

  “I don’t know about the rest of you, but Erin and I are headed to the hospital.”

  “I’ll swing by the burger joint and pick up some sandwiches,” Homer offered.

  “And I’ll drive to the house and find some cards and dominoes,” Elaine suggested. “If I remember correctly, her last baby took about twelve hours. Could be a long night.”

  “I’ll have to pick up Joshua,” Erin murmured.

  “You still have a few hours. Let’s see what happens.” Travis held the door open for her.

  “I can pick Joshua up and bring him to the hospital,” Russ offered.

  “Or one of us can take him to Evelyn’s.” Travis walked her to the truck and waited as she unlocked the door.

  “Thank you,” she whispered.

  “You’re welcome.” He didn’t offer any apologies or explanation for the weeks that had passed. He realized now wasn’t the time. Now was the time to be there for her, to let her enjoy this moment with her best friend. So instead he shut her door and jogged to his Blazer.

  A brand new baby born on the night he’d taken the first step to turning his life around.

  Seemed like a sign—a very good one.

  Forty

  Travis paced up and down the small waiting room. How could people play dominoes when a new life was about to begin?

  The door to the nurses’ station opened, and he nearly dropped his coffee. An elderly lady wearing a volunteer uniform moved past them at an unhurried pace, pushing a cart filled with flowers and baby balloons.

  Travis sighed and collapsed back into the plaid-upholstered chair.

  “You act as if you have a baby being born,” Erin noted.

  She hadn’t spoken to him directly in the last hour. He had given her space, thinking she was worried about Shirley.

  A raucous cheer broke out at the domino table, and he jerked his thumb toward Russ and the others. “How can they play games? I don’t think I could count the dots. And yes, I feel like it’s my child being born.”

  When she tilted her head and waited, he leaned forward and rubbed his hands through his hair roughly as if it would unjumble his thoughts. “I’ve never actually waited on a baby to make an appearance.”

  “What about your nephews?”

  “I was still in school then, except for the last one—and I was out of town. Missed the entire thing.” He felt self-conscious revealing his weaknesses. Then he thought again of his boat—the amount of care and patience he had put into it and how relationships had to be built one small act at a time—and he punted.

  “It’s all pretty frightening. The morning Shirley picked you up from my parents, I was so concerned about you I didn’t really stop to think about this life inside of her.” He stopped, searching for the right words, peeling through the layers. “I was so caught up in my own drama, I didn’t take the time to take an interest in her life.”

  “She’s a special person to me.”

  Travis slid out of the chair and sat on the floor in front of her so he could see into her eyes—speak directly to her without being overheard. “I can tell that, and I know…”

  He stumbled, forced himself to continue. “I know she’s been there for you when I haven’t. All my inadequacies pale beside this, beside what’s happening back there. It’s a miracle, isn’t it?”

  Erin’s eyes widened, and a small smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. More than any other moment tonight—and there had been many—it made him want to pull her into his arms and kiss her.

  He stayed where he was though, forcing himself to be patient.

  “Yes, it is a miracle. It’s going to be a boy, you know.”

  “She did say something about the team building stops with this one.”

  “They originall
y thought it was a girl, but the last ultrasound confirmed he’s definitely a boy.”

  “Another boy?” Travis jumped up, unable to sit still a moment longer. “They’re sure?”

  Erin laughed. “His name is Daniel. Daniel Scott.”

  Travis stopped mid-stride, turned, and walked to the domino table. “Did you hear that? The baby’s name is Daniel Scott.”

  “Welcome to the group, Williams. If you showed up a little more often, you’d know these details.” Homer laughed and slugged him in the arm. “By the way, I’m surprised you even received the text message. How did you get on the list?”

  “He’s still a part of the group, even if he’s usually too good to go out with us.” Elaine picked up the ribbing as she dealt the next hand of dominoes.

  Travis waved them off and returned to the windows. Another boy! Shirley and Jess with another boy. He looked over at Erin and caught her watching him. Was there any chance God had such a plan for him, for them?

  The idea shot his adrenaline through the roof, causing sweat to trickle down his back.

  “I think I need another soda.”

  “You’ve probably had enough caffeine.” Mitzi looked up from her magazine. “The last doctor who walked through here looked ready to sedate you.”

  “Yeah. All right. I’ll grab a bottle of water.” He smiled weakly at Erin.

  Suddenly, he could picture her pregnant, carrying his child. The thought had the coffee in his stomach tumbling. It also had him wanting to run out and buy a ring before Russ could snatch her up.

  He might be nervous, but he had no doubts anymore.

  Erin Jacobs was the woman he intended to marry, the woman he wanted to have his children. All he had to do was wait until after her court date to propose.

  —

  Erin watched Travis walk out of the waiting room. She could not fathom what had precipitated the change in him, but there had been a change. She could read it in his eyes, sense it in the honest way he responded around her.

  A baby cried somewhere and all of her group glanced up—her group. Even as the phrase entered her mind it brought a smile to her lips. Soon they’d have a new member, albeit a very small one. She glanced at her watch—still at least an hour before she needed to decide about picking up Josh.