“My, don’t you look like a wet puppy dog.” The man smiled. A young boy of about eight and a little girl of four or five stood on either side with wide smiles.
“Hi, I…” Ann’s explanation stalled on her tongue at the sight of the little girl. Her resemblance to the one she had to leave clenched her heart. She’d still be her nanny if the girl’s dad hadn’t… No, I’m not going there.
“You’re pretty even if you’re a wet dog,” giggled the girl. Jacob interrupted her laughter as he threw open the door and collided with Ann.
“Whoa, are you all right?” Jacob caught Ann around the middle and twirled her around to face him.
Anger welled up inside her at the sight of his crooked smile. Would this man ever get tired of making her uncomfortable? As she drew her eyes up to meet his, she mellowed.
There, if only for a moment, she caught him unguarded. His eyes had taken on a softness that had earlier been absent. Perhaps there was more to this man than he let on. The feel of his protective hands supporting her waist added to the depth in his eyes, softened her heart. Also, the burning feeling returned in her stomach. Her brain told her to flee, but her flesh rejoiced.
The older man stepped around them to shut the door. “I’ll get some towels, ‘cause you two’s gonna need ’em.”
Ann moved away from Jacob’s hold, though her side still burned from his touch and acknowledged the children. They smiled eagerly.
The boy extended his hand. “Hi. I’m Ethan, and that was Pa, and this is—”
Before he could introduce the girl, the storm reminded them of its presence. The rain poured down in sheets. A bright bolt of lightning lit up the sky and the small girl jumped into Jacob’s arms. He laughed and tried to pull her arms loose from around his neck.
“Honey, you’re going to be soaked.”
“I don’t care, Daddy, I’m not gonna let that storm get me…I mean you.”
Ann blinked against the stinging of tears. The family made a beautiful scene, something she’d always wanted but accepted she’d never have.
Jacob smiled and gently sat her down. “Now we both need to get some dry clothes.
He looked over at Ann, but she read his initial intentions. Then a softened curiosity colored his gaze. Had he noticed her emotional slip?
Ann dropped her chin and shifted her weight from her cut knee. “I’m fine. My coat took the worst of it.”
He glanced past her coat. “I’d have to argue that. It looks to me like your hands and knee took the worst.”
She had to acknowledge Jacob was right. Her hands were a mess, and bits of gravel embedded her knee.
Jacob shifted to the bench. “Let’s leave our shoes here, and then we’ll get you cleaned up.”
“Oh, I can manage on my own if you’ll just show me a sink.” In an attempt to keep her courage, Ann avoided Jacob’s eyes.
He didn’t answer, and Ann knew she was on losing ground. If she wanted an opinion at all around this man, she would have to fight for it.
Ann sat beside Jacob and struggled to untie the soaked laces of her hiking boots. Not only were her fingers numb, but her abrasions burned with each movement. Jacob reached over and deftly finished the job then gave her a polite nod of his head. For the first time, true gratitude sprang up inside her for his help. As she removed her boots and socks, the children giggled.
“Looks like you could ring a river out of that.” The grandpa teased as he pointed to the cause of the children’s laughter, her dripping sock.
“I think I stepped in a hole out there.” Ann smiled back at the amused faces and pointed toward the door.
Jacob reached over and took the wet socks from her hand. He stood and tossed them by the wood stove. “They’ll be dry soon enough. Emily, you get some dry clothes on. Ann, you can follow me.”
Ann raised her brows and wrinkled her forehead as she looked toward the older man, but he only smiled.
Jacob crowded the sink in the tight-quartered bathroom. She had only been a few steps behind but he already had the water running and disinfectant at hand. After he washed up, he turned to her. “Let’s see the damage.”
Ann stood as far back as she could, which wasn’t much, given the lack of space. She held out her hands and tried to keep as much distance from the bewildering stranger as possible. Jacob reached for her wrists and pulled her to him, which caused her body to lightly bump against his.
Sparks flew.
“I can see better under the light.” His deep voice had a way of rumbling that seemed to ricochet off her heart. She resented the reaction.
“You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?” Ann clenched her teeth behind tight lips and tried to fight the tide of emotions that rocked against her core.
He kept his attention on her hands. “If you mean having to go out after a cantankerous and stubborn lady in the middle of a thunderstorm and getting myself soaked, then I’d have to disagree.”
Silence fell between them. His hand rubbed across her palm, his soft touch sent a pleasing sensation through Ann. Did he feel it too?
She studied his profile as he continued to brush the dirt from her hand. When he lifted his gaze to hers, she couldn’t turn away, but felt the heat of a blush creeping up her neck. His assured smile caused her to divert her eyes to the sink. She’d been caught. But what did that matter? It didn’t mean anything. Did it?
His calloused hands finished cleaning her abrasions with a ginger touch. He took his time as though he didn’t want to cause her any extra pain. She wished the medicine was as thoughtful.
“Ouch, that stings!”
“Alcohol does that.” He blew over her hands. “So toughen up, because from the look of blood on your jeans, your knee’s going to be a lot worse.”
Ann glanced down and grimaced. Jacob was right, yet again. This is getting tiresome. As soon as she let the thought loose, guilt riddled her conscience. Jacob had changed her tire, came back for her in a storm, and now helped to clean and bandage her cuts. True, he was arrogant and at times condescending, but who was she to complain? If only she could hold on to that grateful attitude throughout the evening, she might be able to put up with him.
“Now trade me spots, and you can sit while I take a look at your knee.”
Ann knew any amount of rebuttal would be met head on, so she complied and proceeded to move around Jacob’s bulk. The small size of the bathroom caused their bodies to graze against each other as they switched places.
Fireworks danced inside like the fourth of July. She peered up at Jacob. The contact wasn’t lost on him, either. His eyes darkened and grew more intense. Desire beckoned her to give in to his stare. Ann could feel her body will itself toward him. It didn’t make any sense. What was wrong with her flesh, and why didn’t she fight against it?
Her knee made contact with the cabinet of the basin and pain flared at the site of her cut. She gasped and blinked away any tears. Jacob guided her by the arms and helped her sit, then turned his attention to her knee. He placed his fingers on either side of the rip of her jeans.
Did he intend to tear them further? She grasped his hands to stop him. “Don’t. This is all I have with me.” Just as quickly, she pulled them back, startled by the powerful electricity that sizzled between them. “I can pull them over my knee.”
His steady gaze bore through her. There was no denying the fact, he felt it too. “I’m not so sure, but sit back and I’ll give it a try.”
Jacob balanced on the balls of his feet and placed his hand under her calf muscle. He raised her leg so her foot sat in his lap. Cautious, he pulled up the hem of her jeans to examine the cut. Ann‘s bare foot left her leg more exposed. As if to add to her vulnerability, she noticed Jacob observe the shape of her leg then trail his eyes down the short length of her foot
I’m glad I painted my toe nails. She inwardly cringed. No, I mean I shouldn’t have. I don’t want him attracted to me. Right?
He’d replaced his hand beneath her leg and allowed it to fol
low his gaze.
Ann searched her heart for signs of alarm but couldn’t find any past the feel of excitement as it coursed through her veins. Still, for the sake of control, she pursed her lips to scold him, but when he looked up her mouth went dry. Jacob’s eyes grew determined as his hand continued back up her leg. He leaned forward just as Emily’s voice broke the spell.
“Is she hurt very badly, Daddy?”
He kept his gaze on Ann and replied without turning around. “She’ll be fine, Hon’. We’ll be out in a minute.” Satisfied, Emily skipped toward the kitchen to wait with Ethan and Grandpa.
Jacob cleared his throat and shifted his focus back to Ann’s knee. He released a low whistle. “You did a number on this one. Looks like you caught a sharp piece of shale.” Giving his tongue a click he added, “Hold your breath, ‘cause you’ve got some gravel in it, too.”
Ann usually prided herself on her level of pain tolerance, but with the uncertainty of her future looming over her, coupled with the disastrous events of the day, exhaustion claimed her convincing front. As Jacob dabbed at her knee with the wet cloth, she flinched with each movement.
He looked up in time to see a tear escape her lower lashes. Quickly, so as to beat him to it, Ann swiped it away with the back of her hand. Her flesh had already proven unreliable and if she had to stay here for the night, she’d have to limit as much physical contact as possible from this intriguing man.
Jacob stood and reached toward the medicine cabinet. “Your cut could use some stitches,” Ann’s quick intake of air caused him to pause. “But since we’re in the predicament we’re in, we’ll just use some tape. It’s what we do in place of stitches out here, and it always works fine.”
Ann nodded. She could only hope he would forget about the alcohol. As he knelt back on the floor, Jacob again propped her foot against his thigh. He appeared reluctant at first, but soon resumed his task and administered the disinfectant.
Her knee felt like it doubled in size as the burning sensation ignited every nerve. Ann clasped Jacob’s broad shoulder. “Blow, blow, blow!”
Jacob blew on her cut in between his erupting smiles then finished with the tape and gauze. He gently pulled the leg of her jeans back down and reached over with his right hand to take hers from his shoulder. He stood, pulled Ann to her feet, and with a husky voice asked, “All better?”
Frustrated at the ease in which he made her speechless, she commanded her voice to respond, though barely audible. “Yes, thank you.”
As if casting a spell, he stared at her. She grew uncomfortable and tried to pull her hand from his warm grasp.
Jacob held on to hers. “We’ll keep a check on it, and I’ll replace the gauze in the morning.”
Was he trying to make a point she was staying with him tonight? He released her hand and turned down the hall to change into dry clothes.
Stunned, Ann stood alone for a moment before moving. What was she supposed to interpret from all of this? Jacob’s advances, if they were indeed that, were unlike any she had ever experienced. As a waitress, and unfortunately, also as a nanny, she learned how to read men’s intentions fairly well, or so she thought. She tried to shake off her bewilderment and focus on the grandfather. His presence would keep a balance to all of this.
Chapter Four
The children’s grandpa had two plates prepared when Ann returned to the kitchen. “I figured after your exciting evening you could use something warm in your belly. Have a seat by me, and I’ll sip my coffee while you tell me and the kids all about yourself.”
Ann looked around and bit her bottom lip. There was no rescue this time. She complied with the sweet, older gentleman and took the offered seat. Ethan seated himself across from her and his sister sat on the edge of her grandpa’s lap, her face beamed.
“You’re real pretty. What’s your name? Mine’s Emily, and I’m four.” Emily held out four stubby fingers in an attempt to draw further attention to her proud age.
Ann laughed softly. “You’re also quite beautiful. I bet you keep a constant energy in this house.” She appreciated the conversation resting on Emily for the moment, unaware of Jacob as he entered from the hall.
His voice startled her when he spoke. “That she does, but I’m afraid you’ve not answered her question. We’d all like to know who, exactly, you are.”
A dark blue pullover blanketed his chest and heightened the intensity of his blue eyes, which at that particular moment pinned Ann to her chair. “You mentioned an uncle but never gave his name.”
Ann cleared her throat and shifted uncomfortably in her chair. “I’m Ann McHaven. My aunt and uncle are the Garrets that live just off the highway.”
She returned his accusing stare with false confidence, as though his authoritative demeanor had no effect.
“I’ve met them. But why were you driving down this road? Have you ever tried crossing the creek before?”
Ann’s gaze dropped to the floor. “No. I was only going for a drive, and the road looked appealing.”
In typical four-year old fashion, Emily interrupted the would-be interrogation with enthusiasm. “Daddy lets me stay up late when it’s stormy!”
“Only for a little while.” Jacob’s baritone voice rumbled with affection as he gave a loving glance toward his daughter.
Ethan leaned forward, interested in joining the conversation. Or so it seemed. “Ma’am, did you hear anything following you while you were out there?”
Ann breathed a sigh of relief, thankful for the children and their skill at moving conversations forward. “Unfortunately, just the wind and the rain, and they caught up with me.” She smiled as she touched her wet hair.
“Oh, and an owl.” She waved off the comment as though it were nothing. She didn’t want to give way to her momentary fear and have to explain her wild imagination.
“Well, Dad says we have a cougar eating our calves and we hoped you wouldn’t meet up with him.”
Ann’s mouth dropped. She hadn’t expected this turn of the conversation. Did that explain the shadow and her feeling of being followed? Goose-bumps trailed down her arms. She turned toward Jacob then his father. “Is he serious?”
“Yep, my son found the tracks this morning.” He nodded toward Jacob, for him to continue.
“Maybe you’ll keep that in mind, next time you decide to run around in a truck with rotted tires.” He pushed off the wall where he’d leaned and crossed his arms over his broad chest.
“I beg your pardon, but…” Ann wanted nothing more than to tell him off, but remembered her young audience and settled for mumbling, “There won’t be a next time. I can assure you.”
Jacob’s dad cut into the tension. “Your dinners are going to get cold if we keep this up. Go ahead and eat, and we can talk more tomorrow.” He kissed the children on top of their heads and ambled toward the door where he pulled on his coat and boots. “Well, I’d best be going and check on Candy while there’s a lull in the storm. You know how fearful she gets.”
Ann spun around in her chair. Her frightened eyes pinned on the older man. “You’re coming back, right?”
“Tomorrow sure, but I’ve got my own place.” He smiled gently. Had he picked up on her anxiety?
“You couldn’t be in better hands, honey, and Candy’s an old dog who needs reassuring. Kind of like that little one right beside you.” He glanced at Emily before he turned to talk with Jacob who had joined him at the door.
Ann felt the room shrink. The grandpa had eased her discomfort with his gentle manner. Where Jacobs’s eyes were probing and intense, his father’s drew down at the corners and his brows went upward like a rooftop, which gave him an honest and amiable appearance. Without his presence she felt vulnerable around Jacob. He had a way of getting what he wanted. His children obeyed his first command. Even Ann, caught herself quiet and obedient toward him some of the time, for which she definitely had an aversion.
What if he expected something more of her? And where would she sleep? The cabin
was bigger than she first assumed, but aside from the couch, she guessed there to be only two bedrooms.
She drew in a deep breath, refused her mind anymore worries, and turned her attention to Emily. “Do storms keep you restless as well?”
“Uh-huh.” Emily’s eyes widened as she nodded her head. “I can’t sleep ‘cause I get scared.” She paused and smiled. “Miss Ann, I bet I could sleep better if you’d read me a story.”
Ann fully enjoyed being around the innocence of children again. The worst part of losing her nanny position had been leaving the children. “I’ll do better than that. How about I sing you a song that tells you how to be brave during storms?”
“You can do that?” Emily whispered.
“You bet. But you will need a teddy bear.”
With the exception of the cougar story, Ethan had been reserved most of the evening as if assessing Ann’s motives. He probably had to grow up a bit faster than his sister, since there didn’t seem to be a mother present.
Their mother’s no concern of yours, Ann. Remember what you’ve been told, “Don’t get attached.” She twirled a strand of hair. But, every child needs a mother.
She paused and let her mind wonder. And then there’s Jacob, apparently without a wife.
Emily ran down the hall and Ethan moved from his place at the table. “I think I’ll go to bed now, too.”
Jacob shut the door as his father left. The sound echoed like a final note in her mind. Don’t do anything to lead him on. Thoughts of their shared electricity returned and made her stomach churn. I think it’s too late for that.
Jacob turned to Ethan. “You and your sister will sleep in my room tonight.”
Ann’s shoulders tensed. Where did that leave her?
“And we’ll let Ann have you kids’ room and Em’s bed.”
Emily emerged from her room and held a bedraggled brown bear with a pink ribbon around its neck. She ran to Ann and clasped her hand and giggled. “Come on, I’ll show you Daddy’s room. I get to sleep in the big bed!”
Abandoned Hearts (The Ozark Durham Series) Page 3