by Jillian Hart
Too. Late. He’d misjudged her approach and she caught hold of his elbow.
“Son, is this Ben’s sister and her lovely daughter? I’ve heard so much about you, Debra and Mia. I can’t tell you how happy I am that you came to our little church this morning.”
And even happier, Jonah guessed, to find them with him. “Debra, Mia, I’d like you to meet my mom, Naomi.”
“Lovely to meet you, Mrs. Fraser.” Debra accepted Naomi’s hand.
Jonah’s mother, being her typical loving self, wasn’t happy with a handshake, so she wrapped Debra in a hug. Already she was smiling ear to ear. Apparently Debra met with her approval. “Goodness, you can’t know how we’ve looked forward to meeting you, Debra. You, too, Mia, dear. Oh, aren’t you adorable? Why, we’ve all known Ben since he was a little guy. The Cavanaughs are some of our dearest friends.”
“Ben and his family certainly speak well of you and your husband. Mia has been dying to come to one of your husband’s services, right, sweet pea?”
“Yep. It was so totally awesome. Mrs. Fraser, it’s lovely to meet you.” Mia was obviously trying hard to hold back her enthusiasm. “I love your church. It’s awesome. It’s really old, right?”
Jonah watched his mom “ahh” in adoration. She was clearly completely charmed by Mia and he knew exactly what his mother was thinking. He hadn’t been a member of the Fraser family all his life without picking up a thing or two.
As his mom answered Mia’s question about the church, talking about the eighteenth-century construction and the original woodwork and the historic cemetery out back, Jonah touched Debra’s elbow to get her attention. The fine wool of her coat felt like velvet against his rough fingertips.
“Mom has her sights on you, so watch out.” Jonah kept his voice low, leaning close so only Debra could hear. “My mother is fully cognizant of our last two rendezvous.”
“Is that military vernacular for the tree-lighting ceremony and our bookstore meeting?”
“Exactly. Hey, I see that. You’re trying not to laugh.”
“Who’s laughing?” Debra did her best to hold down her mirth, but the truth was, she felt so light. Weightless. As if the burdens weighing her down for the last thirteen years were starting to lift. She’d actually enjoyed the service and the only way to explain that was she’d misplaced her cynicism. Not that she expected it to last, but she was enjoying the moment. “I didn’t know that my having two cups of hot chocolate with you qualifies as a big deal.”
“Trust me. Big deal.” Jonah ambled slowly at her side. His limp looked a little worse today. “When I was in Force Recon, I couldn’t begin to top her ability to gather covert information. My mom could outdo the CIA and military intelligence combined.”
“I’ll be on my best behavior. I promise.” She lay her hand on his, it felt like a natural thing to do. “We don’t want your family to get the wrong idea.”
“Exactly. Not that it will stop them, but I thought it was only fair to warn you.”
“So, you are one of the good guys.”
He winced and withdrew from her touch. “Sorry, far from good. I’m too flawed for that.”
She wasn’t able to argue for the line at the door had moved forward again and there was Reverend Fraser, taking her hand in a warm greeting.
“Debra Watson. No introduction is necessary.” The warm, fatherly minister had a smile and a manner to match. “I’ve heard so much about you. Welcome. I hope you enjoyed this morning’s service.”
“I did. It has been a long time since a service has touched me so much.” It was the truth, she realized with a startle. Maybe it was the historical, breathtaking structure and simple design of the church, but she felt authentic and peaceful here. “Our home church in Baltimore is a little more ornate, but I think this feels a little closer to heaven.”
“I like to think so, too.” Reverend Fraser had a hint of Jonah’s smile and the same straight, unerring nobility of spirit.
Must be a family trait, and, she supposed, one that was rock-solid. Good to know, not that anything could come of her wishing, but a girl never knew what was around the bend. Today she felt so light, anything could happen. “Jonah has been kind enough to befriend us.”
Mia piped in. “Yeah, Jonah is totally cool, and he’s going to brunch with me and my mom.”
“Well, isn’t that just fine?” Naomi’s pleasantly round face pinkened with pleasure. “Don’t let us keep you, then. Debra, you must come to dinner with us before you leave. I’m looking forward to getting to know you and your beautiful daughter better.”
Mia, unable to contain her excitement, spoke first. “We’d love that, Mrs. Fraser. We really, really, really would.”
Debra internally groaned. Mia was simply being Mia—she loved everyone and this was the minister and his family and faith was very important to her. But what about Jonah? She could plainly read on Naomi’s face the hopes for her son. Didn’t every loving mother want her grown child to be married and happily settled?
Before she could think of something to gently point out the truth to Naomi—that Jonah was certainly and most definitely not romantically interested in a mother with a teenaged girl, Jonah broke in.
“We’d best get to the diner. Mom, I’ll talk to you when I get home.” He shot his mother a meaningfully glance.
Naomi, such a dear, gave a “tsk” and waved her son on his way. “Go, then. Have a lovely time with Debra. It was so very wonderful to meet both of you.”
After saying goodbye, Debra let Jonah lead her through the high doorway and into the frosty winter day. Snow fell like blessings, so sweet and plentiful, mantling the world.
For the first time in a long while, Debra felt renewed. Centered. At peace. She followed Mia down the steps toward the street crowded with departing cars. She was able to let her troubles go and enjoy the crisp, clean day, the beauty of the snowfall and the friendly company of the man at her side.
Across town, Lynda Matthews unclasped the diamond-studded wristwatch her husband had given her as a showy gift. Her hand was unsteady and her fingers fumbled with the clasp. She was afraid. She set it on the kitchen counter and sighed. There, that was the last thing. She wanted to take nothing of Douglas’s—or anything that he had given her—with her to remind her of the lie she’d been living. Or of the pretense he played like the actor and liar he was and the shambles he’d made of their marriage.
Now that she’d carefully weighed everything and made her decision there was nothing to do but to leave. It hadn’t been an easy decision, but Douglas had helped her make it. She hadn’t truly believed he would go too far. She should have stuck with her safety plan. She should have left before he’d hurt her so badly and in front of her son.
“Come along, Logan.” She held out her hand. “Don’t forget your fuzzy bear.”
“Yes, Mommy.” Her sweet little boy plodded along the kitchen cabinets, head down, his black hair falling to hide his eyes. He needed a haircut, but that would be taken care of in Richmond. He halted in front of her, looking up at her with his serious blue eyes. “Where’s D-Daddy?”
“He’s busy this morning. Don’t you worry. It’ll be just you and me going for a ride today. We can get a drive-through cheeseburger meal, the way you like.” She took his little hand in hers.
“Okay.” His little shoulders slumped. Not even the prospect of his favorite fast food would cheer him up.
No child should wear sadness like a shirt. That’s how she knew she was doing the right thing. She still had a lot of worries. But it was the pastor’s words she remembered now. He’d told her that abuse is a sin.
She grabbed her purse. She’d already slipped two small suitcases into the back of the minivan. They were ready, leaving with only a few clothes and Logan’s most beloved toys. She plucked her keys from the counter and caught a reflection of her face in the mirror on the wall. Fresh bruises stained her jaw and cheekbone, the reason why she’d not attended church this morning.
Doug
las had handed her this blessing in disguise, in a way. He watched her so closely, but with the importance of his upcoming Christmas show on the local network he felt he could not miss Sunday service. She slid the van key from the key ring and left the other keys next to the diamond watch.
She was done with Douglas Matthews.
Noting the time, she realized church was just getting out. Douglas would be heading to another one of his all-important meetings with that agent of his, pretending to be the good man he was not. He’d probably be calling in to check on her in a while. Best to leave now.
As she let the door click shut behind her and buckled Logan into his car seat, she wondered how long it would take him to realize she was gone, truly gone, for good.
Please, Lord, she prayed. Please understand and forgive me. I just want to be safe. I want my son to be safe.
She didn’t know if God heard her. With trembling fingers, she eased her sore body into the driver’s seat and turned the ignition key. The van’s gas tank was full, there were snacks and sandwiches in a little insulated carrier on the floor to see them to Richmond where her family would take her in.
She felt like a scared rabbit fleeing like this, but the weight of her deep unhappiness lifted as she drove down the driveway. She did not look into her rearview mirror once. Ahead, that’s where she kept her eyes and her thoughts.
She never wanted to think of Douglas Matthews again.
Chapter Eight
Starlight Diner was packed. Jonah knew nearly every person in there, including Douglas Matthews who was standing in the entryway, unaware he was blocking the entrance, furiously dialing his cell phone. He was an odd one, although Jonah couldn’t say exactly why. He shielded Debra and Mia from him and the jostling crowd.
“Looks like we’ll be lucky to get a table,” he told her. Maybe that was for the best, considering this probably wasn’t the kind of place Debra and Mia were used to.
“This is so cool!” Mia hopped in place as she glanced around at the ’50s-style decor. “It’s like retro.”
“How fun.” Debra sounded as if she meant it. “And the food smells wonderful.”
“It’s one of the best places for brunch in town.” He noticed a few friendly faces—his buddies, mostly—watching him with shock. Considering he hadn’t dated at all since he’d been honorably discharged, he’d figured being seen with a woman like this was bound to get folks talking.
Luckily there was a booth near the back against the long bank of windows. Jonah felt a little better with his back to the wall and out of the line of sight of all those friends of his who were bound to be asking questions later.
“Hi, hon.” Sandra Lange whipped out her order pad, her green eyes traveling from him to the lovely woman and her daughter across the Formica tabletop. “I heard from Ross you had yourself a new girlfriend.”
Jonah watched Debra flush to a rosy red. Debra was cute. Real cute.
She fumbled with the laminated menu on the table in front of her. “Oh, no. I’m Ben Cavanaugh’s sister and this is my daughter—”
“I know who you are.” Sandra winked and poised her pen on the pad. “My girl, Kelly, is married to one of Jonah and Ben’s good friends. You have to know we’ve all been rooting for him to find happiness. You plannin’ on staying in town long?”
Jonah didn’t want Debra to feel any more on the spot than she already was, so he cut in. “Debra, Mia, this is Sandra, the owner of this fine dining establishment. She makes the best eggs Benedict in the state.”
Debra elegantly folded a wisp of hair behind her ear, her gaze meeting his. Her cheeks were still pink with color, but her blush was beginning to fade. “Then eggs Benedict it is and a cup of tea. If I have this straight, then the crib Jonah was making for Ross and Kelly’s baby would also be for your grandbaby.”
“Oh, it surely is. You want to see a picture?” Beaming, the proud grandmother pulled a plastic packet of photos from one of her many apron pockets. A solitaire diamond winked on her left ring finger. “Cameron came a little early, three whole weeks, but he and his mama are doin’ great now. You may not have heard all the goings-on. I’ll let Jonah fill you in. Isn’t he a sweetheart?”
“A complete sweetheart.” Debra leaned in to study the snapshots. “He looks so tiny.”
“He’s already grown a bunch. He’s thriving.” Sandra glanced at the pictures before she lovingly tucked them away. “I see you noticing my new ring.”
“Is it new?” Debra asked. “It’s a lovely princess cut. That’s a very fine quality diamond. Congratulations. Who’s the lucky man?”
“I would be the lucky one, seeing as my husband-to-be is over there. I’ve never been happier.” She nodded toward a familiar man a few tables away. Debra recognized him as the man who played Santa at the tree lighting at the Mayor’s mansion. “Now, what’ll you have, darlin’?”
Mia was biting her lip, uncharacteristically quiet. She’d been studying the baby pictures over her mom’s shoulder. Now she slid back into the seat. “Can I please have a glass of orange juice and what Santa Claus over there is having?”
Two booths over, Tony Conlon was sipping a cup of tea. He had a big stack of blueberry pancakes and sausages on the table in front of him. The man really did look like Santa Claus, even without the red suit. Maybe it was the white beard and his merry look.
“Pancakes it is, darlin’. I’ll be right back with your drinks. You let me know if you need anything, you hear?” Sandra sauntered off, pausing at Tony’s table to check on him. The look the two shared was pure love.
How wonderful to see that love could come into a person’s life even later in the game, Debra thought. Then she noticed the man at the booth on the other side of Tony. The black-haired, perfectly coiffed man looked familiar to her and he was rudely signaling for the waitress.
Jonah must have noticed where she was looking. “That’s our local celebrity. Douglas Matthews. Do you know him?”
“I know of him.” She’d never met him, but she didn’t think she wanted to meet him now. Douglas Matthews looked agitated as he exchanged words with Sandra. She knew her publishing company had considered a six-figure book deal with the talk-show host, but her brother Brandon, the president of the company, had decided to pass after a few questionable pictures had made their way into the paper. “It doesn’t look as if he’s having a good day.”
“No, it doesn’t.” Jonah nodded at another table at the other side of the diner. One of his friends, probably. “That’s Ross and Kelly Van Zandt. Sandra’s daughter. Kelly was in a car accident not too long ago when she was pregnant with Cameron. That’s why he was a little early.”
“How scary. Sandra mentioned both mom and baby are okay.”
“Kelly broke her wrist and went into early labor, but everything’s fine now.” Jonah took a sip of water. “Someone tampered with her car. Her brakes gave out.”
“Tampered with? Intentionally?” Debra glanced over her shoulder to the happy little family on the far side of the restaurant. They were hard to see, but there was no mistaking the husband’s dark handsome look and Kelly’s golden sweetness.
Shock filtered through her. “Kelly’s the one who runs the adoption agency,” Debra remembered. “What kind of man would tamper with a pregnant woman’s car? Knowingly cause an accident? I can’t imagine such a thing. Someone like that, well, I suppose he’d do anything. He must not have a conscience. Is she still in danger?
“We don’t know the answer. It could have been more serious. They were lucky.”
“They have a baby, too,” Mia broke in, biting her bottom lip, her forehead furrowed with thought.
Uh-oh, Debra mused. I know that look. She had no idea what the girl was thinking now. “I’m glad mom and baby are fine. It seems like a lot of your friends are starting families. Ben and Leah have little Joseph. Everywhere we turn, it seems there’s another one.”
“It’s nice to see my friends happy.” Jonah fidgeted a little.
“I’m so
rry. I should have known. Talking about babies makes all bachelors uncomfortable. I think it’s some kind of a rule.”
“Maybe.” Jonah chuckled. “I’m getting used to it. Did you notice how my mother jumped to conclusions when she met you?”
“I saw. She was wonderful. I have one question about her.”
“You want to know how a big rough guy like me ended up with such a sweet little mom, right?”
“Those weren’t the words I would use, but, yes, something like that. She looks like a soft touch.”
“I told you. Mom should have been CIA. She’s a softy, but she’s stalwart. I’m blessed to have the parents I do.”
“I was thinking the same thing—”
“Jonah.” Mia leaned her elbows on the edge of the table, although she had better manners than that. Just as she knew better than to interrupt, but she did it anyway. “Do you like kids?”
“What do you think?” He shot a glance at Debra, the molten-gold strands in his dark eyes shimmering with mirth.
“I think you like ’em.” Mia decided with definite certainty. “Where do you live?”
“I’ve got an apartment not too far from here. Is that okay with you, Miss CNN?” Jonah paused as Sandra approached and set down the juice and two cups of steaming tea. She promised the food would be right out before she hurried away.
Mia didn’t miss a beat. “How come you don’t have a house?”
“Because it’s just me. A house is a lot of space for one guy.”
“Then you like houses.”
“Sure. Who doesn’t like houses?” Jonah pushed the tray of condiments in Debra’s direction so she could use the honey first.
She couldn’t say why it was the little gestures that touched her so deeply. Maybe because it was something her father would have done for her mother; something Mia’s father had never done for her, even before their breakup.
Mia didn’t blink as she kept asking questions. “How come you’re not married?”
“No one’s said yes.”
“Do you have a Christmas tree yet?”