Chapter 1
“Miss Coleman. Miss Coleman, I dink my sagwich gave me a belly ache.” Billy stood by Faith’s desk, holding his belly and looking sad. She gave him a soft smile as the other children rested for ten minutes after recess.
He looked really pale and she scrunched her eyes together and told him to come closer. “What do you feel, Billy?”
“My head hurts, my belly’s tight and rumbling. I’m hot,” he said and she felt his forehead.
“Aw, baby, you’re heating up.” She could tell he had a fever, and she picked him up and let him lay his head on her shoulder as she called down to the office.
A few minutes later one of the office assistants brought Billy down to the nurse. She smiled as he gave her a weak smile. For a minute she thought about these children. About the classes she had before them and how much she wanted to have a family one day. There were a lot of fears, and it didn’t seem like she was meeting anyone who was husband or father material. She was still young, twenty-five, and was pretty set in her life. This was her career, a school teacher, and she was making good money, had her own little house a block from the beach, and she could handle her finances. Her family was small. One brother who was in the service, and basically never returned home to New Jersey. He lived abroad and he took one assignment after the next. Her parents lived in New Jersey and were retired, going on trips out of the country and basically focused on themselves. She got tired of sitting around trying to establish roots when there was no one there to establish those roots with. Faith realized pretty quickly that she needed to learn to be alone, that no one stayed forever.
On a whim she applied for the teaching position online, drove down here, to South Carolina for the interview and got the job. She remembered being so shocked and then the panic set in. The fears of truly being on her own but she did it. She remembered standing there in her small apartment and it hit her. There was no one to call to celebrate her good news. No one to discuss options with. The decision was hers and hers alone. Her parents focused on themselves and her brother focused on himself, so why shouldn’t she do the same?
She packed everything up from her apartment, drove down here with her car and her things, and found a place with help from Principal Margaret Hutch, her first friend in Mercy.
She met Brook and Emma only a couple of weeks later at a fundraising event and then they started hanging out at Corporal’s. There, she got friendly with Kai, North, Amelia, April, Casey, Emma, and Afina, but Brook she was extra close to. Brook she considered a best friend, and she also came to her aid that one dreadful night.
She swallowed hard. She didn’t hang out much but there was a bond there, and then when she was out one day shopping, she met Andrew. He seemed so perfect. He was a gentleman, and he was a soldier like the other men her friends hung out with. He was good-looking, sort of aggressive, which made up for her shyness. He took control so she didn’t have to, and she accepted that. She was thrilled to finally meet a man and start dating. A man who made her feel like she was perfect, even though she felt she wasn’t, and she wanted him to meet her friends. He refused to. He didn’t want to meet them, and had become very overprotective of her. He was always working and trying to move up in the construction company he worked for. He was always complaining about the boss and how anti-American he was and how that boss had something against Andrew. It was a constant conversation between them and a sure indicator that something was going wrong. She ignored it because she wasn’t a confrontational person and ultimately Andrew scared her. He had been in the military. He shared some stories of some things he did and some training he had. He even placed her into a hold one night to show her how weak and vulnerable she was. He never offered to teach her anything. It was like he wanted her to know that he was more powerful and it worked. He controlled her and she allowed it.
She swallowed hard as the children took their naps and rested from recess and tried not to think about Andrew or over a year ago. It was hard though. Especially at night when she was alone. There were so many signs that she should have accepted as warnings, but she didn’t. Her self-esteem was low. She wasn’t the kind of woman to flaunt her assets or to dress sexy to flirt with men or to make her boyfriend jealous. She didn’t see herself as beautiful.
One night when they were out on a date, Andrew walked away to take a call because the bar was loud. She was sitting all alone and some guy approached and flirted. She told him she was with someone and he didn’t listen. Things got out of hand quickly and Andrew lost it when he returned. He threatened the guy, and the guy gave him a shove and Andrew punched him. One hit, and the guy went down. Andrew grabbed her arm and ushered her out of there, hurting her, he was holding her so tight. When they got to his car he raged. He screamed at her and told her that she belonged to him and him only and if any other man touched her or she allowed another man to ever do that he would kill them. She was crying. She remembered it clearly, and she was mixed up, confused and uncertain what to do. Was this normal behavior for a boyfriend? Her gut clenched. Thank God she hadn’t slept with him, but instead hugged him, apologized for what, she didn’t know, and she calmed him down.
It was a smart move.
Her shyness was a negative attribute as far as she was concerned. It made her fearful of her judgment and all because of Andrew. Several months of dating and she nearly slept with him. How much she would have regretted that at this point. A year ago she was battered, bruised, and calling Brook for help. Then she was back to laying low, going out only here and there because she feared Andrew’s return. She hadn’t dated anyone. No one even asked her out. Well, not the right types of men anyway. She was blinded by her own insecurities and fears. She was a bad judge of character so it was better to not date at all. She was starting to think that something could be wrong with her. Her other friends were dating, and enjoying their twenties. Why couldn’t she put Andrew behind her? Why was she afraid of every man she met who flirted or acted interested?
Her heart had been broken by Andrew despite not being intimate with him. He had been her first true boyfriend. He had manipulated her mind into thinking of how she needed to behave with a boyfriend and what was expected. She feared upsetting him so she walked on eggshells. Faith still was afraid. Afraid that he may return and cause her trouble, hurt her, force himself on her or even hurt her friends to get to her. She remembered his threats against other men. Perhaps in the back of her mind that was why she didn’t date and why she found something wrong with every guy that asked her out. It was like she feared Andrew finding out and then hurting the guy.
It wasn’t like she loved Andrew. She didn’t hate him either and that was probably why she wanted to avoid violence. She was a good person and a forgiving person, but perhaps to a fault.
She sighed and got her mind back on the class and the last two hours of the day. It was a Friday and tonight she would relax with a bottle of wine and a nice, hot bubble bath. Her big Friday night plans? Tomorrow was a fundraising event in town hosted by Guardians of Hope and she told Kai she would help to run one of the tables, or do whatever was needed to assist. She loved helping out with anything having to do with raising money for first responders and Guardians of Hope. Not only because of her brother, but also because of the many parents she met who were part of such organizations as military, law enforcement, and firefighters. She knew the sacrifices they made and she supported them wholeheartedly.
Who knew where Kai might place her, so tonight she would relax and tomorrow be energized for whatever would come her way.
Chapter 2
“Thermo!” Kai reached back and removed his hand from her ass. They were behind the counter running the fifty-fifty raffles, and also signing in everyone who was volunteering. It was a bit chaotic this morning and she felt a little overwhelmed.
Thermo pressed up against her back and held her hips. He whispered next to her neck.
“You know I can’t help but to cop a feel every chance I get. It’s been non stop all
morning,” he complained and she couldn’t help but to blush and lean back against him. She reached her hand up as she turned toward him and cupped his cheek.
“I feel it, too, Thermo, but there are a lot of people around and children, too, so watch those stray hands,” she scolded and tapped his jaw. He narrowed his eyes at her and she almost felt intimidated. She was way past being fearful of Thermo, Selasi, and Zayn. As big and bad as they were, she knew they loved her and she loved them. She also knew what she could get away with.
“Oh, you just wait until later.”
She giggled as Faith and Afina approached.
“Okay, boss, where do you need us?” Afina asked and Kai chuckled.
“Afina, you can stay here and help me with selling these raffles and Thermo can walk Faith over to the pavilion to assist Caden, Selasi and the guys getting donations for the fundraising dinner in two weeks and other donations,” Kai said and both women smiled.
“I’ll walk you over, Faith,” Thermo said and Kai could see the fearful expression on Faith’s face. She was intimidated. Kai couldn’t blame her, Thermo was a sight.
* * * *
“Thanks for helping out,” Thermo said to her and she nodded.
“No problem. I love all the work Kai does to help raise money for our first responders and military.”
“She said you have a brother in the military, right?” he asked.
“Yes, he’s very into it and I haven’t seen him in a few years now.”
“That’s a long time,” he said, seeming surprised.
“He’s out of the country and in a high position now so he can’t really leave.”
“You should visit him then.”
“I’ve thought about it but I teach summer classes for camp and the high school, too,” she said and then heard her name.
“Miss Coleman!” She heard the little male voice and looked to see one of her students walking with his parents. He ran to her and hugged her leg. They had just gotten to the table where Caden was. Everyone was saying hello and the parents knew Caden and Thermo. She bent down to talk to Hank, the little boy from class.
“Hi, Hank, are you having fun?” she asked him.
“Yes I am. I seen a bunch of friends, too.”
“Fantastic. I’m so glad that you’re having fun,” she said.
He scrunched his eyes at her and looked her over.
“Hey, you’re not wearing a dress.” He sounded like he was scolding her and she stood up just as Hank’s father shook her hand hello, laughing at his son, and then he waved to someone behind her.
“Rocky, what the heck are you doing here?” Hank’s dad said and she stepped to the side when Rocky appeared and reached over to shake the man’s hand. Their gazes locked and Rocky gave her the once over, and then quickly turned away as Hank’s mom greeted him, too.
“You smell good though so I guess it’s okay,” Hank added, hugging her again and they all chuckled. So did Faith.
She caressed Hank’s hair. “I do wear other things besides dresses when I’m not working.” She smoothed her hands down the short beige skort she wore and smiled at him. She had on a snug fitting T-back tank top with a white blouse over it.
“Say good-bye to Miss Coleman. We need to head to the car safety demonstration,” his dad said and they waved good-bye. She started to turn toward Caden and the guys when Rocky slid his hand to her waist. She gasped and turned to look way up at him. In the tennis shoes she wore he really towered over her.
“What are you doing?” she asked him.
He inhaled. “Hmm, the kid was right, you smell really good,” he teased, shocking her. She stepped from his light hold, pushed her glasses up a little, and moved toward the table and Caden. Caden squinted his eyes, seeming serious but then smiled at her.
“I’m here to help,” she whispered, her voice sounding shaky to her own ears. Rocky intimidated her. Not only because of his extra large size, muscles and military background, but because he was a flirt, and was older by a lot of years, experienced with women and someone who didn’t take women seriously at all. She didn’t know why he teased her, or even spoke to her. In fact, she wondered why he would take a protective stance next to her or even look her way when models threw themselves at him.
“Thanks so much, Faith, we could use the help,” Caden said.
“For the record, you look fantastic, don’t know why the kid was giving you a hard time,” some guy said to her and winked.
“Faith, meet Brian. Faith is a school teacher in Mercy Elementary,” Caden said and smiled.
She shook Brian’s hand and he held it a second longer than what would be considered normal.
“No school teacher looked like you when I was in elementary school,” he said.
Before she could respond, Rocky was next to her, brushed by her shoulder and spoke to Brian.
“Like she hasn’t heard that line before, kid? Move on. Don’t you have some redhead to flirt with?”
“What do you mean?”
“The chick you were all over last night at Gordon’s and the one you were making out with in the parking lot thirty minutes ago? Ring a bell?” he asked and Faith shook her head and then walked closer to Caden, who laughed.
“So what do you need for me to do?” she asked and Caden showed her the tickets to sell, that tables could be reserved, as well, but money up front, not at the door. She gathered the tickets, a pen and some change and then walked over toward the other end of the table. She could hear the conversation going on behind her.
“What the hell, Rocky, you trying to sabotage my chances with the Kindergarten teacher? She’s so hot, and is single. Everyone knows it.”
“Leave her alone and show some respect. She has class. Don’t make me warn you again.”
“Holy shit,” Brian said and then walked away.
“What?” she heard Rocky say to Caden and she turned to glance over her shoulder. The two men stared at one another and then Caden snickered.
“I’ll be damned. Good luck,” Caden said and she didn’t know why but then some guys with Mercy police T-shirts approached.
“Hey, gorgeous, is this where we buy the tickets for the dinner in two weeks?” one blond asked. He gave her a wink and eyed her over, along with his four buddies.
“Yes it is. Will you be buying single tickets or a whole table? It’s about twenty dollars cheaper if you buy a table of ten.”
“We could get ten guys to come,” one of the guys said and smiled at her.
“Or some dates,” another one chimed in.
“Are you going to be there?” the blond asked her.
“I’m not sure. So how many tickets?” she asked and they said they would buy a table and then guys chipped in and then she handed them their tickets and wrote down their names for a full table of ten.
“Just make sure your friends bring those tickets with them, okay?” she asked.
“What’s your name, honey?”
“Faith.”
One whistled. “Gorgeous name. Will you be my date that night?” the guy asked and his buddies moaned.
She laughed. “No thank you.”
“Why not?” he pushed.
She swallowed hard and then looked away then back at him.
“I have a date already.”
“Damn. Should have known.” They walked away and she waited and then another set of guys came over, flirting and buying tickets and then some women came over and they wanted to know if hot guys would be there. She had to laugh, they weren’t much younger than her. She wished she could be so brazen and take a chance but she knew she would screw up and choose the wrong guy. She was better off alone. It wasn’t worth the heartache when things failed.
* * * *
Rocky kept his eyes on Faith. It was difficult to not remain staring at her and checking out her body, inhaling her perfume or catch a glimpse of the deep cleavage of her breasts when her blouse blew open in a slow breeze. She was petite, sexy, yet conservative and seemed to be
trying to hide her full breasts. Somehow it made her even sexier. She had an adorable laugh, a really sweet smile, and a sophistication about her, as well. Between that blonde shoulder length hair and those designer eyeglasses she looked intelligent, sweet and sexy.
He didn’t know why he kept teasing her and flirting with her. She was too young for him, but shit, he would be lying if he said he wouldn’t jump at an opportunity to get to know her more intimately. He didn’t take women seriously though. Didn’t date at all, and looked at women as a means to satisfy urges when they became too much. Even that wasn’t a regular occurrence. He also wasn’t an asshole, and he wouldn’t play games with a woman so young and sweet as Faith, and someone who was such good friends with his friends.
He leaned back against the table with his arms crossed in front of his chest, and watched the multiple men that approached the table and even a few women. The women on the hunt for men in uniforms and the guys on the hunt for Faith. She let them down easy, in fact like a pro who regularly turned down dates and it made him wonder why. Some pretty decent guys her own age approached and could be a good fit. The thought brought on a surge of jealousy he hadn’t expected.
When he saw his brothers Paulie and Hendrick approach with a few friends from SWAT he was shocked when their eyes landed on Faith. Paulie got straight-faced, and Hendrick crossed his arms in front of his chest as their buddies flirted with Faith. When it was their turn to purchase tickets Rocky moved in behind her, placed his hands on her shoulders and felt her tighten up.
“Meet my brothers, Paulie and Hendrick,” he said and watched them closely. Paulie reached his hand out for her to shake, his eyes never leaving hers. He didn’t even really check out her body, his focus was on her lips. That meant something. Then Hendrick gave a nod.
“Nice to meet you. So, did you want to buy tickets to the fundraising dinner?” she asked, then lowered her eyes to the table and tapped the ticket stack as if they were making her nervous.
Healing Hearts 8: Teach Me What Love Is Page 2