A Daddy for Jacoby

by Christyne Butler

  Maybe it was all in her head.

  And her heart.

  Gina steered her focus to the book again, losing herself in the story. The inflections she used in her voice added a bit of flair and drama to the words and the children sat forward, their faces reflecting delight at her theatrical approach.

  She’d been surprised when her mother told her just last night as she got back from vacation that she’d volunteered Gina to take over the library’s story hour. But the girl who normally read to the kids needed emergency surgery, so Gina agreed.

  After she finished, everyone clapped and then stood to pull on their jackets. She spoke with a few kids and their parents, but her gaze continued to snag on Jacoby standing off to one side by himself, his tattered pillowcase clutched in one hand.

  Once alone, she waved him over and dropped to a crouch in front of him so they were eye to eye. “Hey, I’m glad to see you here.”

  “Wow, you’re so brown.”

  Despite daily lathering of sunscreen, Gina was sporting a brown glow thanks to a touch of Native American heritage in the Steele family bloodline. “I just got back from vacation. Spent a lot of time on the beach and swimming in the ocean.”

  “Cool! I’ve never seen the ocean, except on television.”

  “Well, it’s even more beautiful in person. All shades of blue and green, from the lightest aqua to deepest navy. And warm enough you can bathe in it.”

  Jacoby giggled. “Gee, that’s not like our lake. The water is supposed to be blue, too, but it looks black to me and it’s cold. We worked on the dock yesterday and my dad said I could put my toes in the water. Brrrrr!”

  A flutter crossed Gina’s heart at hearing Jacoby call Justin by that special title. Don’t ask, don’t ask, don’t— “So, where’s your dad now?” So much for willpower.

  “He’s in the truck.”

  Gina frowned. “You’re alone? Why would your dad send you in here by yourself?”

  “He didn’t.”

  Jacoby had opened his mouth, but the words, low and deep, came from overhead.

  From a pair of battle-worn work boots planted right behind the little boy, Gina allowed her gaze to travel upward over faded denim, a worn leather belt and a black T-shirt partially visible beneath a threadbare jean jacket. Rising slowly, she continued her perusal over broad shoulders and a day’s worth of stubble that only seemed to harden angular cheeks and jaw. She reached dark eyes staring at her from beneath the frayed rim of a baseball cap that had seen better days.

  “Justin.” Darn, her voice still held that husky tone. “Hello.”

  His gaze slowly trailed the length of her before zeroing in on her mouth for a full second. Then he looked into her eyes. “Hello yourself.”

  “Did you get it, Dad? Did ya?”

  Justin handed whatever it was he carried to the boy. “Right where you left it on the front seat.”

  Jacoby took the paper and tugged on Gina’s hand at the same time. “Look! I drew this!”

  It took a hard blink to break the hold of Justin’s gaze on her. She again dropped to her knees, this time to look at a crayon drawing. Two figures with matching dark hair stood in a kitchen while a fire blazed in the nearby fireplace. “Wow, this must be of the two of you, huh?”

  Jacoby beamed. “We’re baking cookies. We did it twice this week, peanut butter and snickerdoodles. Those are my favorites.”

  “And what’s this?” Gina pointed to an oversize box near the fireplace.

  “That’s our new television. Dad and I love to watch the vinege cartoons together.”

  “Vintage.” Justin offered the correct word.

  “Vintage,” Jacoby repeated, then leaned in closer and dropped his voice to a whisper. “That means old.”

  She smiled. “Which old cartoons are your favorites?”

  “I like Tom & Jerry. Dad likes the Justice League. He says Wonder Woman is his favorite.”

  That caused Gina to look up at Justin. “Wonder Woman?”

  He offered a casual shrug. “What can I say? I’m a sucker for a woman in a strapless one-piece.”

  How about a strapless bikini?

  The silent question echoed in Gina’s head as she thought about the skimpy bathing suit—purchased on a whim—she’d been wearing just over twenty-four hours ago.

  Happy that she’d managed not to ask the question aloud, Gina turned her attention back to Jacoby. “Well, that’s a terrific picture. You did a great job.”

  “It’s for you.” Jacoby thrust the paper into her hands.

  “Me? Are you sure you don’t want to give it to your dad?”

  “Naw, he’s already got lots of my drawings hanging on the fridge and stuff. He says I’m a regular P-Pablo Picasso. He’s a famous painter, you know. Besides, I signed it to you.” Jacoby pointed at the writing in the corner. “See? Right there.”

  She did see. In shaky block letters it read: TO GINA. LOVE, JACOBY.

  A sudden lump in her throat kept her from answering, but she nodded her thanks. Just then, a red-headed boy called Jacoby over to see something.

  “That’s Dustin. Can I go?” Jacoby asked.

  Gina stood, her eyes glued to the paper, but saw Justin hesitate for a moment before giving the boy a quick nod. She turned and laid the drawing on a nearby waist-high bookshelf, smoothing the creased corners with her fingertips.

  “He worked really hard on that.”

  She whirled around. Justin had moved in behind her, trapping her in a corner. “I can tell. It’s beautiful and I’ll treasure it.”

  Something hot flared in his eyes, darkening them. He started to take another step toward her, then shoved his hands deep into his pockets and inched backward instead. “I need to talk to you.”

  It was noisy in the children’s section, so Gina took a step closer to hear him. “Ah, okay.”

  “Can we go somewhere so I don’t sound like an idiot?”

  His whispered voice was far from idiotic. Heck, his soft tone was turning her insides to mush just like that night in his kitchen. And where had that led? To her feeling like a fool for the second time in a matter of days.

  Kissing Justin had been the last thing on her mind when he’d called asking for help and yet they’d ended up in each other’s arms. Thanks to her. She’d kissed him first. Of course, he’d quickly taken over, literally sweeping her off her feet. Who knew where it would’ve led—

  “Gina?”

  Her face flamed at being caught in the memory and at the desperate need to repeat that mistake, right here and now.

  Hoping her tan hid the evidence of her embarrassment, she grabbed her jacket and purse, noticing the number of fascinated glances from the other parents. “I—I need to get to work. It’s my first night back since—”

  “Your sudden vacation. Yeah, I know. Come on, I’ll walk you to your car.” Justin held out Jacoby’s picture to her, his voice at a normal level as he turned toward his son. “Come on, bud. We’re out of here.”

  Jacoby raced over to them. “Dad, did you hear? A famous race car driver from right here in Destiny was in a real bad car accident!”

  Jacoby’s friend and the older man with him, obviously his father from the matching strawberry-blond hair and freckles, joined them. “He’s talking about Bobby Winslow,” the man said. “One of the other parents just heard it on the radio. I guess he crashed while getting ready for an upcoming race.”

  The sound of a whispered curse had Gina looking at Justin, the strong line of his jaw clenched tight, concern etched on his face. “Are you okay?”

  He glanced at her, then tugged his cap a bit farther down on his forehead. “I’m fine. Is he hurt bad?”

  The man shrugged, waving to someone who called his name. “All the report said was that he’s in critical condition. I’m guessing they’ll have more about it on television tonight. I’ve got to run.”

  The murmuring of the crowd grew louder as the news of the accident spread. Gina didn’t know Bobby Winslow personally
, but he’d graduated from high school with Gage and was a local hero to many in the town. “That is just terrible. I hope he’s going to be all right.”

  “Yeah,” Justin paused and swallowed hard as he motioned for Gina toward the rear entrance of the library. “Me, too.”

  “Did you know him, Dad?” Jacoby tugged on Justin’s jacket as he walked between the two of them. “The guy in the accident?”

  They reached the back door and Justin held it open for everyone to walk through. “Bobby and I are—were friends, a long time ago. At least we were until he and Leann Harris started dating. We haven’t kept in touch since he left to go into the army, but I’ve followed his career. Kind of nice to know the kid who used to race along Destiny’s mountain roads made good.”

  They headed across the parking lot, dusk closing in fast. Gina shivered in the night’s chill, but maybe it was because Justin’s hand, warm and firm against her lower back, guided her.

  Jacoby raced ahead to Justin’s truck parked beside her car at the far end of the lot. Their driver’s side doors were next to each other as she’d backed into the space when she’d arrived.

  When they reached the vehicles, Justin dropped his hand to unlock his truck and open the door. “Come on, Jacoby, jump in.”

  Jacoby lifted one foot to climb in, but then spun back around. “Oh, Gina, I forgot to tell you! I’m a Beaver!”

  Gina smiled, not sure what the boy meant. “You are?”

  “Yep, I’m playing baseball. Actually, it’s T-ball, but after a couple of years I can move up to a Little League team.”

  “That’s wonderful. What position do you play?”

  “Left field. It’s kinda boring ’cause most kids can’t hit the ball that far, but it’s still fun. Will you come see me play sometime?”

  “Of course.”

  Jacoby gave her a big smile and then climbed in the truck.

  “What are the rules?” Justin asked him.

  “Put my seatbelt on and don’t touch anything on your side.”

  Justin nodded and started to close the door, when Jacoby popped back into view. “Hey, did you get the picture of me and Jack while you were on your trip?”

  “Yes, I did.” Gina pulled out her cell phone and brought up the image. She stepped closer, wedging in between Justin and his truck to show it to the boy. “Thanks for sending it.”

  “Cool!”

  She stepped back again so Justin could close the door, tucking her phone in her purse, her keys already in her hand. She had no idea what he wanted to talk to her about, but her instincts told her it had something to do with those few minutes they’d spent in his darkened kitchen last week and how his simple request for help had turned into—

  “Oh, hey, Dad?”

  Justin yanked the ball cap off his head. He rubbed his forehead with the back of his hand in obvious frustration and braced one arm on the open truck door. “Yes?”

  “I had a friend named Bobby. He was hurt in a car accident, too. I don’t know if he’s okay now ’cause we moved, but my teacher told me he would be.” Jacoby sniffed and wiped at his nose with his sleeve. “Anyway, I’m sorry your friend got hurt.”

  The surprise on Justin’s face and the sincerity of Jacoby’s words had Gina blinking back the sting of tears. The newly formed bond between these two was so clearly visible that she almost felt like an outsider.

  “Thanks, buddy.” Justin reached out and put his cap on the boy’s head. “Now, scoot in and get your seat belt on.”

  Jacoby pushed the bill of the cap upward from where it’d fallen over his eyes and grinned. “Roger.”

  Justin closed the truck door with a soft click and stood there, his hands pressed against the glass.

  “You two have come really far over the last week.”

  “Not as far as you think.” He didn’t look at her as he spoke. “For all the cookie baking and cartoon watching, there’ve been a few times when he’s woken up screaming from nightmares he can’t…or won’t talk about.”

  “Oh, Justin, I’m so sorry.” She couldn’t stop herself from touching him. Gripping tightly to his jacket with one hand, she laid the other on his wrist, feeling the leashed power of his constricted muscles. “I don’t know what I can do, but I’ll gladly listen if you want to talk.”

  He pulled from her touch and dropped his hands. He then tried to step back deeper into the shadows, but a large tree at the edge of the parking lot blocked his path. “That’s not what I wanted—not why I asked you to come out here.”

  Gina gripped her keys tight, fighting to maintain a casual air despite the tension that hung heavy between them. “Okay, then, what was it? I’m going to be late for work.”

  “I owe you an apology.”

  His simple words surprised her. He wanted to apologize? For what?

  Oh, no, was he going to say he was sorry about kissing her?

  “I’ve been really hard on you, more than I should have, in light of all you’ve done since Jacoby showed up.” He tunneled his fingers through his hair, his gaze focused on the night sky. “Right from the start you’ve been great and I’ve been behaving like a horse’s ass—”

  “I already accepted one apology from you in the diner. I think that’s enough.” Gina needed to stop this right here and now. He was working his way up to something and she couldn’t stand to hear him say he was sorry about that kiss. “You needed help, so I helped.”

  “You came over to the cabin that night when you could’ve—hell, should’ve hung up on me.” He kept talking, pausing to gesture toward the truck before his hand fell to his side. “You easily figured out what was keeping Jacoby from going to bed and how did I show my thanks? By doing the one thing I promised myself I’d never—”

  “Like I said, it’s no big deal.”

  Get in the car. Now.

  The words flashed inside Gina’s head and she shouldered past him. It took two tries but she managed to get her key into the lock without crushing the rolled picture from Jacoby.

  “I—I would’ve done the same for anyone,” she sputtered. “And don’t think twice about that kiss. It was no big deal.”

  Silence filled the air before he spoke. “No big deal?”

  He echoed her words in a low tone that warmed her neck. He must’ve moved in behind her. If she leaned back the slightest bit…

  She twisted the key, popped the lock and yanked her door open. “Yes, just a spur-of-the-moment thing. It’d been a long weekend, you were exhausted and I caught you off guard.” She was babbling, which was better than letting him talk, so she kept at it as she wiggled into the driver’s seat.

  “It was just a friendly kiss between two consenting adults. We can do that, you know? Be friends? So, let it go. Okay?”

  Friends?

  Justin watched the taillights of Gina’s car fade in the distance as he stood next to his idling truck.

  What the hell just happened?

  When Jacoby first asked to come to the library’s story hour specifically to see Gina, Justin had tried to talk him out of it. Not even a burger and fries from Sherry’s Diner had been enough to change the kid’s mind. Finally admitting he wanted to see Gina as much as Jacoby did, he’d relented and they arrived after the story hour had already started. The sight of her bright blue eyes, brown curls still sporting that vivid pink band and her golden tanned skin had him mesmerized.

  He’d watched her smile, listened to the natural huskiness of her voice as she’d told the story and even with his head still in a fog over all Leeann had told him earlier, he was more determined than ever to give Gina the apology she deserved.

  The apology he should’ve given her in his darkened kitchen after he’d managed to do the last thing in the world he’d wanted and pulled away from her.

  So, how had their conversation gone from his trying to say he was sorry to her declaring they were friends? And the kiss she’d laid on him was no big deal? What did that mean? She would’ve done that for anyone?

  He dou
bted she meant it the way it sounded, but it bugged him all the same. It’d been easy to tell she didn’t have a lot of experience in the kissing department, but what she lacked in style, she more than made up for with untapped passion.

  A passion that almost drove him to do the stupidest thing in his life.

  Hope.

  Hope that she’d meant it when she crawled into his arms, sighed into his mouth and wrapped that sweet body around him. Hope that she might care for the boy who seemed to have too few people concerned about him in his young life. Hope that maybe he, too, could have the same things in life that other people took for granted.

  Friends?

  Damn, he was really in trouble now.

  Justin turned, but when his hand landed on the truck’s door handle, he knew he wasn’t alone. Widening his stance, he quickly pivoted back again.

  “I think it’s a disgrace,” a woman said, staring at him.

  Justin guessed that she and the man with her were in their midfifties. He didn’t think he knew them, but something was familiar. “Pardon me?”

  “There is no excuse for you.” The woman, dressed in a long overcoat and sensible shoes, her hair pulled back off her face, continued. “We don’t think you’re a proper guardian for that young boy.”

  Justin was dumbfounded. “Is that right?”

  “That’s right.” The man beside her spoke up, the Stetson pulled low over his eyes making it impossible to see his face. “Believe me, child services is watching you. You’re too much like your old man and your brother to be any good for that kid. The last thing we need is someone raising another Dillon to cause nothing but trouble.”

  “And just because your sister managed to hook up with the good sheriff doesn’t mean you’ve earned the right to be here.” The woman tugged on the man’s arm. “We don’t want your kind in our town. Come on, Harold. Let’s go.”

  Shock turned to anger, rushing to life in a black fury that boiled in his veins. A veiled voice of caution struggled to overcome his rage. When it reached him it sounded sweet and soothing.

  It sounded like Gina.

  He pressed his boots to the concrete, successfully fighting the urge to race after the couple and show them just what he thought of their advice. Intense gratitude filled him that the rolled-up windows kept Jacoby from hearing the couple’s words as Justin watched the two of them walk away.