Stonehill series collect.., p.101
Stonehill Series Collection, page 101
Daniel was going to kill him. He was going to hunt down Peter Reid and bash his fucking skull in. Digging his fingers into Jenna’s hair, he kissed her head and closed his eyes tight against the rage building inside him. He inhaled deeply, focusing on her scent and the feel of her body against his, forcing himself to remain calm when all he wanted to do was scream and break something—preferably her ex-husband’s face.
This woman, this beautiful and amazing woman, deserved so much more than that bastard had given her. She deserved to be praised and cherished. She deserved to be honored and lifted. And that fucker had stomped on her.
He couldn’t undo her past any more than she could undo his, but he was determined to help her resolve it. Just as she was helping him resolve his.
When her crying eased, he stroked his hand over her back and kissed her head one more time.
“I’m sorry,” she mumbled, and sniffed.
She pulled back, and though he wasn’t ready to let her go, he eased his hold on her. She put enough space between them to wipe her eyes. He grabbed some paper napkins from a stack and held them out to her. She muttered her thanks and wiped her face.
He could sense her embarrassment and cursed himself for not knowing the right thing to say to let her know that he didn’t mind. In fact, he understood both the breakdown and the tears.
He wasn’t big on sharing, but his counselor had let him know he wasn’t going to be able to move forward until he learned to communicate. Keeping everything bottled up all the time was a disaster waiting to happen. She had suggested he find a way to talk to Jenna since she seemed to be the only good thing in Daniel’s life at the moment.
He cleared his throat as he worked up the courage to push out the words that were sitting there waiting to be vocalized. “When I was a kid, I wanted to be a builder like Charlie. I didn’t see him much since we lived so far away, but on the rare occasion that we did visit him, he always helped me build something. We couldn’t afford a Big Wheel—remember those?”
Her voice was hoarse when she answered, “Yeah.”
“Charlie helped me put wheels on a board and we painted it. The other kids had three-wheelers, but I had this really cool homemade skateboard. Rode that thing till it broke. When it did, I tried to build another one. My dad caught me and asked what I thought I was doing. I told him I was going to grow up to be like Uncle Charlie. Man, that set him off. I was eight, maybe nine at the time. He stood over me the whole time telling me how stupid I was. When I couldn’t get the wheels on right, I decided he was right. I was too stupid, so I gave up. I threw it all away because my dad convinced me I wasn’t good enough. People like that, like my dad and your ex, they have a way of finding ways to break everyone around them. I was good enough to make that skateboard. And you’re good enough to own this café. And you deserve what your brother has. And any man who can’t see how beautiful you are without fancy clothes and makeup doesn’t deserve you anyway.”
She sniffed and wiped her nose before offering him a soft smile. “Thank you.” She hesitated and then walked into his arms again, this time with an embrace of her own instead of collapsing against him under the weight of his hold on her.
He hugged her back, and the need to kiss her hit him. Not like the comforting kiss to her head like before, but a kiss to let her know he meant what he said. He’d have been so honored to have a woman like her. To deserve someone like her.
For a moment, he recalled standing in the driveway of that house and seeing her standing there holding a baby on her hip, waiting for him to join them. Just like before, the sense of contentment that washed over him was something he’d never expected to feel.
“Jenna,” he said, once again preparing to let his words fly instead of forcing them down.
“What the hell is going on?” A voice boomed from the swinging doors.
Daniel instinctively turned, putting himself between Jenna and the intruder. Her brother stormed toward him, his eyes full of fury as he looked from his sister to the man in front of her.
“What did you do to her?”
“Nothing,” Jenna insisted. Then she moved between Daniel and Marcus. “I had a bad night. He was letting me vent.”
Marcus seemed to be weighing whether he should believe her before he focused on Daniel again. “Is this your new handyman?”
Jenna sighed and Daniel stiffened. “What are you doing here so late, Marcus?”
“We were expecting you at game night. When you didn’t show and we couldn’t get you on the phone, we got worried.”
Jenna moaned and turned to the petite blonde beside her brother. “Annie, I’m so sorry. I completely spaced out.”
“Are you okay?” she said, but her voice was a bit hard to understand. Jenna had told him she’d been hurt. This must have been a side effect of her injury.
“I’m fine. I just forgot about tonight.”
Daniel looked at Marcus to find the man giving him a hard stare.
He held his hand out, hoping to smooth things over a bit. “Daniel Maguire.”
“Marcus Callison.” His handshake was firmer than necessary. A silent way of asserting dominance.
“Were you crying?” Annie asked.
“I had a bad day. I was venting to Daniel and just… I forgot I was supposed to come over when the café closed. I’m sorry.”
Annie looked at him. “Daniel?”
“Yes. He’s…he’s my handyman.”
Annie smirked and her eyes twinkled with what Daniel could only suspect was a bit of mischief. He wanted to laugh, but Marcus was still standing, staring him down.
“Marcus,” Annie chastised, and then looked at Jenna. “He’s been out of sorts since you hired someone.”
Marcus sighed and turned to his sister. “We don’t know anything about you.”
“I know plenty,” Jenna stated quietly but harshly. “Don’t be rude.”
Daniel usually would have smarted off. Said something challenging. Asserted his own dominance. But Marcus was Jenna’s brother and he meant the world to her. If there were any chance at all that he’d have Jenna in his life for the long term, even just as a friend, he’d have to become friends with Marcus as well. He leaned against the counter and rested his hands on the counter beside either of his hips instead of crossing them in the challenge that he wanted to present. He shrugged and did his best to appear relaxed as he asked, “What do you want to know?”
“Are you licensed to do this kind of work in Iowa?”
“Yes.”
“What kind of experience do you have?”
“Twenty-five years in the army building shelters in war-torn countries.”
Marcus nodded. “So you’re originally from Iowa?”
“No. I grew up in Jersey but my uncle lives here. He has a construction company. Offered me a job when I got out of the army. And before you ask, I left because I lost my temper with one of his crew. I didn’t want to put him in a bad position.”
“Why’d you lose your temper?”
“The guy was bragging about beating on his wife. Didn’t sit well with me.”
Marcus drew a breath. “I can respect that. You’re aware of Jenna’s budget?”
“Yes, sir.”
“And you know about the plumbing issues?”
Daniel nodded. “Had my uncle in earlier this evening to give me a second opinion.”
“And what’d you decide?”
“We’re going to replace all the plumbing in sections so Jen doesn’t have to close.”
Marcus seemed pleased. “And the electrical?”
“I’ve already rewired the bad outlet by the coffeepots. But I’m not concerned enough to move the electrical to the top of the list. Jen wants the dining room updated first. Then I’ll hit the plumbing and electrical simultaneously while we have the walls torn apart.”
“Happy?” Jenna asked harshly, putting herself between Marcus and Daniel.
“I’m just looking out for you.”
“I know, but I’m not a complete idiot, Marcus. I can hire a goddamn handyman without you looking over my shoulder.”
Marcus softened his posture. “What happened today that had you so upset?”
Jenna sagged a bit and Daniel had to clench his hands into fists to stop from reaching out to comfort her again. “Doesn’t matter.”
“Well,” Annie said decisively, “now that we know Jen is safe and sound, we should go. Marcus,” she said more firmly when he didn’t move, “we should go. Now.” She smiled at Daniel. “It was nice meeting you.” She spoke more slowly when she addressed him, as if to make sure he could understand her.
He smiled. “You, too, ma’am. Jenna talks about you a lot.”
“Oh, good things I hope.”
“So far so good.”
“Come on,” she hissed, pulling at her husband. “Night, guys. We’ll lock up.”
“What’s the hurry?” Marcus asked as she shoved him through the swinging doors.
Jenna faced Daniel when they were gone. “Thank you for keeping your cool. I know it wasn’t easy.”
He tried to fight it, but couldn’t help but grin. “You saw that struggle, huh?”
“I did. And I don’t blame you. He came across a bit strong.”
“I don’t blame him. He should be protective of you.”
“Well, he is.” She glanced at the door before meeting his gaze. “So, um, I made salsa to take to game night at Annie and Marcus’s, but I think I’d rather just hang out and watch a movie or something. Want to join me?”
What he wanted was to pull her into another embrace and never let her out of his arms again. “I never pass on salsa.”
Musical laughter left her, an amazing contradiction to the sobbing sounds she’d released earlier. A bit of pride touched him, knowing he’d been the cause of that laugh. He opened the kitchen door and let her lead the way.
Chapter 14
Jenna was surprised she’d made it all the way to lunchtime before Annie and Marcus slid into a booth at the diner. Annie smiled and Jenna knew she was in for an inquisition. And she had no doubt it was about Daniel. Unlike Marcus with his questions about experience and licensure, Annie was going to ask the tough questions. Like how was it that there was such a handsome man in Jenna’s kitchen and she hadn’t told her sister-in-law yet?
Jenna sat, wishing she could use the crowd as an excuse, but the rainy day had thinned out the usual Saturday gathering. “I’m sorry about last night. I really did just forget.”
“Better day today?” Marcus asked.
“Much.”
“You’re working too many hours. You should start closing one day a week.”
Jenna and Marcus had this conversation at least twice a week. She would love to close an entire day, but she had to settle for opening late and closing early on Sunday. The after-church lunch crowd was just too good to turn away, and she had regulars Monday through Friday. And Saturday was usually a steady flow of people. She needed the income more than she needed the time off. She frowned at her sister-in-law. “Can you make him stop? Please.”
“Go away, Marcus,” Annie insisted.
He lifted his brows at her.
“We need girl time.”
“Oh, no,” Jenna moaned. She looked at Marcus. “Can you make her stop?”
His confusion slowly faded to disapproval. “You’re not dating the handyman, are you?”
“No.”
“Then what do you need to discuss that I can’t overhear?”
“Why she isn’t dating the handyman. Go.”
Jenna frowned as she stood and let her brother out. Then she plopped back down. “Are you and Marcus aware that I’m an adult?”
“We are,” Annie said. “And we’re so proud of the woman you’ve become.”
Jenna sneered at her sarcasm.
“Daniel’s cute.”
Like she needed Annie to point that out. The first time she’d seen him without his scruffy beard and hair, she’d nearly swooned. “Hmm.”
“Looks like he gives good hugs.”
“Oh, Annie. Get to the point.”
“He likes you.”
“Well, I’d like to think we’ve become friends.”
“Maybe more?”
Jenna shook her head. “I have to work with the man. I don’t need these thoughts in my head.”
“Oh, because you haven’t thought them already?”
She stared at Annie for a good twenty seconds before she chuckled. “Fine. Maybe a little.”
“How much is a little?”
“Not enough to make a fool of myself by acting on them. I’m sorry I made you worry last night. It won’t happen again.”
“Don’t dismiss me,” Annie warned, “or I’ll have to ask Daniel why he isn’t courting you yet.”
“You wouldn’t.”
She pointed to her head. “I have brain damage.”
“And you can’t always control your impulses,” Jenna finished. “How long are you going to use that excuse?”
“Forever.” She smiled innocently, but if she’d had horns, Jenna was certain they’d be shining brightly. “Come on, Jen. There was a handsome man standing in your kitchen at ten o’clock at night with his big, strong arms wrapped around you and you don’t feel that’s worth talking to your sister about?”
She hated when Annie played the sister card. They’d both grown up with only brothers, and while Annie now had two sisters-in-law via her brothers, Annie was the only “sister” Jenna would ever have. “Fine. Daniel is a great guy. He’s really nice, but he’s been struggling lately and he’s trying to get back on his feet. The last thing he needs is me getting in his way.”
Annie’s smile faltered. “Why would you be in his way?” Several tense moments passed before she nodded. “Oh. The Ghost of Husband Past strikes again.”
Taking a deep breath, Jenna lifted her shoulders and let them fall as she pushed her breath out. “I don’t want Peter in my head, but he’s there and he kicks my feet out from under me when I least expect it. I’d been doing really well, you know. Ever since Daniel started working on the café I’ve started feeling like I could really succeed at this.”
“Because you can.”
“Yeah. And then I started thinking how nice it would be if the café were successful enough that I could finally have a life outside of this building. Hire a few more people, have some time off…maybe even meet someone. And then there he was, reminding me how much of a loser I am. Daniel saw in my eyes that I was beating myself up and pushed to find out why. And”—she waved her hand in front of her face—“emotional vomit just spewed out of me and there I was sobbing and the poor man had to try to comfort me. It was humiliating.”
“He didn’t look put out, Jen. He looked worried. And he looked like he couldn’t wait for Marcus and me to leave so he could be alone with you.”
“He couldn’t wait for Marcus to leave and take his evil glare with him.”
“Your brother worries about you.”
“I know. I wish he wouldn’t.”
“It took me an hour to convince him you were perfectly safe with Daniel. You are safe with him, right?”
Jenna looked out the window, but she was seeing the way Daniel looked at her. He didn’t even try to hide it anymore. He’d used to turn away when she’d catch him staring. Now he just locked his gaze on hers and she was the one who had to fight to break away. Part of her didn’t want to; part of her wanted to stare him down—but if he could overpower her with his eyes, he could break her with his touch.
She was already broken.
“Jenna?” Annie asked, disrupting her thoughts. “Is there something I need to know about Daniel?”
She swallowed. “He’s…intense. I don’t mean that in a bad way. He doesn’t scare me or anything like that. In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever felt safer than when I’m with him. He’s so concerned about my safety. He’s concerned about me being in the café alone so much. He’s been teaching me some self-defense. He’s scheduled estimates with a few security companies and put new locks on all the windows. He tries to be subtle about it, but every night he stands outside to make sure I get to my door okay. He’s probably about as protective as Marcus,” she said with a light laugh.
“Those are all good signs,” Annie said. “Why do you look worried?”
“Because sometimes I think… The way he looks at me maybe…” She sighed heavily, frustrated at her inability to finish a sentence. “Look, I don’t think I should be dating or even thinking about it. Not when Peter’s memory can still get to me so easily. That’s just setting a new relationship up for failure.”
“Honey, the best way to stop letting that man get to you is to replace his voice with someone else’s. His negativity will drown out everything else if you don’t let some positivity inside your head. I have no idea if Daniel is the one, but if I had to judge by just the few minutes that I saw him with you last night, I’d guess that he’d like to try.”
“It’s not just that. Annie, you know me. I don’t have your strength. I’m a follower. I’m submissive. Daniel spent most of his life in the army. He’s strong and…overwhelming. He could swallow me whole. Just like Peter did. But he’s much stronger than Peter. Peter was charming and manipulative. Daniel is just…”
“Intense.”
“Yes.”
“First of all, you’re stronger than you give yourself credit for. You just haven’t learned how to exert that strength. Secondly, it’s okay to let someone else have control sometimes. You just have to make sure that the person who has control also has your best interests in mind. Peter never did. I don’t know Daniel, so I can’t speak to his motives, but you’re a smart woman and you learned a lot from your divorce. I think you’d recognize the signs a lot sooner now than you did when you were inexperienced in the world of devious men. Don’t you?”
Jenna sighed. “Yeah. I guess.”
“You’ve looked happier lately, Jen. Less burdened. It’s been a nice change.”
“Just because Daniel wants to fix up the café doesn’t mean he wants to fix me, too.”
“Trust your instinct. If Daniel isn’t the one, then he isn’t the one. But you’ll never know if you’re too scared to even consider it.”
