by Kay Correll
“AJ saved me from a man who was getting rough. The man punched me, and AJ stepped in.”
Delbert turned to him. “I’m sorry… I just assumed…”
“Right. I know. My family always assumes the worst of me.” He turned away from his cousin.
The lady stood by his side while the police led the other three men out of the club. She turned to him. “Really, thank you so much for your help.”
“Are you okay? You took a pretty good punch there.”
She rubbed her arm. “I’ll be okay.”
“If you’re sure you’re okay now, I’ll be leaving.”
“I’m fine. I can’t thank you enough for your help. My name is Lynn. Lynn Miller.”
“Nice to meet you, Miss Miller. I hope the rest of your evening is uneventful.”
“AJ, wait.” Delbert reached out his hand and caught his arm.
AJ shook his head and shrugged off Delbert’s hand. He turned on his heels and, without a word to Delbert or Camille, strode out of the club and into the fresh night air. Out of the noise. Away from the accusations.
He climbed into his car, rolled down the windows, and let the warm night air sweep over him. He headed back to Belle Island. The island called to him with its sweet siren lure of tranquility and peace.
AJ slept fitfully and finally dozed off in the early morning hours. He awoke with the sun streaming in his windows, much later than he usually slept. After a quick shower, he wandered down to the kitchen in search of coffee.
His grandmother stopped him as he entered the room. “Ashton, your father has already called this morning. He’s not pleased.”
He let out a long, tired sigh. “What is it this time?”
Granice held out the paper, folded precisely so a photo of him, blood on his face, stared back at him.
“Oh, that.” He couldn’t believe that skirmish hit the gossip page.
“He asked you to stay out of trouble.”
“I have. I—” He thrust the paper back to her. “Everyone in this family always thinks the worst of me. That photo—it’s not what it looks like.” He stalked to the kitchen and poured a cup of coffee.
“Ashton, wait.” Granice tried to stop him, but he bounded up the stairs to his room to drink his coffee in peace. He didn’t even try to explain to her. He was done explaining to his family.
He walked out onto the balcony and sat on a stool by the railing. He refused to admit it stung that Granice had jumped to the conclusion he’d gotten into some kind of brawl. Which, if a person wanted to get technical, he had. But it had only been to step in and help that woman. What was her name? Lynn something. There was no way he could have just ignored that man pestering her. The man had punched her, for Pete’s sake. Who could ignore that?
He watched as a sleek boat glided along the shore with a swell of wake following along behind it. A family of four had placed a pop-up canopy near the shoreline, and two school-aged boys frolicked in the waves, their dad standing at the edge of the water, watching them, and their mother settled in a chair, reading. Just a normal family.
Not that he had any clue what that would be like.
Chapter 11
Courtney, Tereza, and Tally took a quick break after the breakfast rush. Tally poured them each a tall glass of iced tea. Courtney sank gratefully into a chair, glad to have a few moments to rest her feet. Tereza and Tally grabbed seats across from her.
“It’s going to be a hot one today. Temperature is already at ninety.” Tereza fanned herself with a page of the newspaper. They always had papers scattered around for their customers to read with their breakfasts.
“I heard a storm is coming in tomorrow. That should break this heat streak.” Courtney took a sip of her tea then pressed the cool glass against her forehead.
Tereza looked at the paper she held in her hand and unfolded it. “Hey, look at this. It’s AJ.” She handed the paper to Courtney.
She opened the paper and stared at the photo of AJ. He had a bit of blood on his face, his hair was rumpled, and police stood at his side, handcuffs in hand. She scanned the story. “Looks like he was in some kind of bar fight at a new club in Sarasota.”
Tally reached for the paper. “Hmm. Not many details. Just says he was involved in a scuffle at the club. Wonder what happened?”
“Well, I guess I’m even gladder I didn’t agree to go out with him again if he’s the type who gets into fights in bars.”
“He asked you out again?” Tereza pushed damp wisps of her hair away from her face.
“He did… but I said I didn’t think it would be a good thing.”
“Because?” Tereza scowled at her with an accusing look.
“Because Bobby scares him. Because… well, look. He’s fighting in a bar.”
“Don’t you think you should hear his side of the story for this photo?” Tally set the paper on the table. “And some people aren’t used to kids. Haven’t been around them. Doesn’t mean they can’t figure it out.”
“Tally, are you still trying to fix us up?” She dipped her chin and sent Tally an I-know-what-you’re-up-to look.
“I’m not trying to do anything. I just like the man. I think you could give him a chance.”
Eddie hurried up to the table, a huge smile on his face. “Well, I did it.”
“Did what?” Tally looked up at him, a spontaneous smile on her face.
Eddie swooped into a chair beside Tally and dropped his arm around her shoulder. “I made all the plans for our getaway. We’re going this next weekend.”
“We can’t.” Tally’s eyes grew wide.
“Yes, you can,” Courtney and Tereza said in unison.
“But the restaurant and Bobby and… well, everything.”
“We’ve got Magic Cafe covered, don’t we, Tereza?”
“We sure do. We’ll make sure everything goes smoothly.” Tereza raised her glass, and Courtney clinked hers against it.
“See, everything is set.” Eddie beamed.
Tally’s eyes were filled with doubt. “But—”
“Really, Tally, I promise everything will be fine. Go on a trip with Eddie. Just go and relax and have fun.” She reached over and took Tally’s hand.
She just hoped she was right and she could keep everything running smoothly while Tally and Eddie got a much-deserved vacation.
AJ walked to Magic Cafe after the lunch crowd should have abated, hoping to see Courtney during the afternoon lull. He wasn’t hungry but thought some sweet tea would be good. He hadn’t realized how much it had warmed up, and how little breeze there was today. His shirt clung to his back. AJ stopped at the spigot by the stairs and splashed water on his face, the cool water refreshing on his hot skin.
He climbed up the steps from the beach, and Tally gave him the genuine welcoming smile he was beginning to get used to and like. “AJ, good to see you. Let me get you a table.”
She led him to a table directly under a ceiling fan. “This should help keep you cool. It’s a scorcher today.”
“That it is.” He sank into the chair and relished the breeze from the fan.
“Can I bring you something to drink?”
“Sweet tea, thanks.”
“I’ll send it over with Courtney. It’s about time for her break. I’ll get her to join you.”
He was liking Tally more and more. Here she was doing half his work for him. He smiled as she walked away. She stopped and talked to Courtney. It looked like Courtney argued with her then went over to the bar.
Soon Courtney arrived with a tea and two large glasses of water. “You look hot.” She handed him the tea and one water.
“Join me?”
She nodded, sat across from him, and shoved some locks of hair away from her face. Her face blushed pink from the heat. “Tally practically ordered me to take a break. I can only sit a few minutes, though.”
He took a long swallow of the ice water. “That is just what I needed.”
“You walked over?”
“I did. Didn’t reali
ze there wasn’t much breeze today.”
She pressed her glass against her face, and condensation ran down her cheek then down her neck. He swallowed and turned his stare from trailing after the drops of water.
Unaware of his gaze, Courtney leaned back in her chair. “So… I saw your photo in the paper today.”
Here it comes. The chastising, the accusations.
“What happened? You okay?”
He sat there, a bit stunned someone was actually asking him what happened instead of accusing him of something. “Well, there was this lady, and this drunk was getting pushy with her. He wasn’t taking no, and I kind of stepped in.”
“Like a knight in shining armor kind of rescue?” She rewarded him with a grin of amusement, her eyes lighting up mischievously.
“Something like that.” He relaxed in his seat, basking in her teasing and her acceptance of his explanation. “Bit of a mix-up with the cops until the lady straightened things out.”
“You’ve got a bruise on your face.”
He reached up and touched his cheek. “Yeah, one of the guys clipped me good.”
“I’m glad you weren’t hurt worse, and I’m glad you were there to help the woman. It was rather… gallant of you.”
Gallant. She thought he was gallant. He could feel a goofy grin spread across his face. He figured he’d press his advantage. “So, does that mean you’ll go out with me again?” He sent her his best boyish charm smile.
She sat for a moment then nodded. “I guess I can’t very well refuse to go out with a hero, now can I?”
“It’s probably against the official hero protocol.”
She smothered a smile. “I’m not well versed in hero rules of dating, but I guess I can learn them.”
“Now would be as good a time as any.”
“I’m off tonight if that’s not too late of notice.”
He was liking how this day was turning out. “Not at all. I could pick you up about six?”
“That sounds great.” She took one last sip of her water and stood. “I’d better get back to work. I’ll see you tonight.”
“I’ll see you then.” He watched her walk away, grinning at his good luck.
Chapter 12
Eddie offered to watch Bobby while Courtney went on her date. He seemed glad she was going. She couldn’t get used to having family here. Family who offered to help all the time, family who watched Bobby for her. She’d gotten so lucky and never stopped appreciating that Eddie and Tally were in her and Bobby’s lives now.
She pulled on her one other sundress she owned. She’d now worn every outfit she had that was “date worthy.” She took one last look in the mirror to check if she’d wiped away the last vestige of damage from the oppressive heat today and went out into the main room, picking up stray toys and punching some pillows into submission on the couch.
Promptly at six, she heard a knock at the door. With a quick tuck of a flyaway wisp of hair, she hurried to the door.
AJ stood with a bouquet of flowers and smile. “These are for you.”
“Thank you.” She reached for them then stepped aside. “Come in. I’ll put them in some water.”
He slipped past her, and she closed the door behind him. She walked to the kitchen, and he followed her. His fresh, woodsy scent she’d come to recognize floated around her like a warm, welcoming quilt.
AJ watched while she set the flowers on the counter and opened one cabinet then the next one. Her face was flushed again, either from the heat or nerves, he wasn’t sure. Whatever the cause, she looked lovely. A wave of attraction plunged through him.
“I can’t seem to find a vase.” Her tone said she was oblivious to the tension he was feeling.
She opened another cabinet and started to reach inside.
“You look very pretty tonight.”
She paused in her search and turned to him.
In an instant, he was at her side and thrust his hand out to catch the vase teetering on the edge of the shelf before it crashed to the floor.
She screamed and shrank away from him, her eyes wide with pure fright.
“I… uh… the vase.” He held it precariously in one hand and took a step toward her.
She backed away, both hands held up in front of her. Fear was clearly etched across her face. Her eyes burned with a dazed confusion.
He frowned and stepped back, carefully setting the vase on the counter. “The vase was falling.”
“I—” Her hand went up to her neck.
“Are you okay?” He narrowed his eyes, concerned and searching for what he’d done to cause her reaction. She must have been startled from the falling vase? Though, she didn’t seem the skittish type.
She looked to the left and the right of him as if searching for an escape. He stepped back again. “Courtney? Are you okay?”
She crept back another step, tears hovering in the corner of her eyes. She shook her head.
He reached out a hand, but she backed away again even further. “Okay, it’s okay. I’m sorry I scared you.” He lowered his voice and murmured the words. “It’s okay.”
She leaned against the counter, clutching the edge with one hand, her knuckles white.
“Court…” He didn’t know what was wrong, but something was. Something was very wrong. He took another step back, giving her space.
She swiped at a tear trailing down her cheek.
“Tell me. What’s wrong?”
She shuddered and sucked in a long breath. As she released it, her hand dropped from the counter. “I… I’m sorry. I overreacted.”
“I didn’t mean to frighten you.”
“I… I thought… I thought you…” She shuddered again. “I thought you were going to hit me.”
He stood in stunned silence. Her pale face emphasized the truth of her words. She’d thought he was going to hit her.
Hit. Her.
“I… I can’t imagine what I ever did…” Why would she think that of him? He’d thought she was different, but she was just like all the others, thinking the worst of him because he’d had his photo in the paper. A stupid scuffle in a bar. He’d explained it. He’d thought she understood.
So much for her words about him being a hero or gallant.
She was afraid of him.
“Don’t worry. I’m leaving.” He backed away, holding out his hands, palms up. He whirled around, headed to the door, and jerked it open. “I wasn’t going to hit you. I’m sorry you think I’m the type of man… I can’t believe you think that of me. Goodbye, Courtney.”
He strode out the door and closed it firmly, just barely resisting the urge to slam it behind him.
“AJ, wait.” But her words were barely above a whisper. She took a step forward, to go after him, but her legs gave out. Sinking to the floor, she stared at her trembling hands. She clasped them together.
Her heart pounded in her chest, and she gulped the air, trying to suck in enough oxygen to catch her breath. Hot tears trailed down her cheeks, and she didn’t even try to stop them.
She’d been so certain he was getting ready to hit her when she saw his hand rise up by her face. It was like history repeating itself. She’d steeled herself for the coming pain of the blow.
But it hadn’t come.
AJ hadn’t been reaching to hit her, he was rescuing her vase.
She reached her hand up to her cheek like she had so many times before, but this time there was no sting, no pain, no blood. No need for makeup tomorrow to cover an angry bruise.
This.
This is what her life had become. Kurt had ruined her. Ruined her chances to have a normal relationship with another man.
She just couldn’t bring herself to trust.
She let herself cry ugly sobs, her whole body spasming with each gulp of air until she had no more energy left. Then, slowly, she got on her knees and pulled herself up with the counter’s edge.
She knew what she needed, what she wanted. She reached for her cell phone and called Tall
y.
Chapter 13
Tally tapped off her cell phone and turned to Tereza, worry rushing through her. “I have to go. It’s Courtney. You got everything here?” She glanced around Magic Cafe and the busy crowd. “I hate to leave, but…”
“Not a problem. I’ve got this. Go see what Courtney needs.” Tereza grabbed a tray of food, balanced it on her hip, and grabbed a pitcher of water.
“Thanks.” Tally hurried out, wishing she had her car, but she’d walked to work tonight. She walked at a brisk pace to Courtney’s bungalow.
She knocked on the door. “Courtney?”
The door swung open after a few moments. Courtney stood in the doorway, her face pale and eyes red from crying. Tally opened her arms, and Courtney collapsed into them. Tally maneuvered them both inside and closed the door. “There, there.” She patted Courtney’s shoulder.
Courtney finally pulled back and swiped her palms across her cheeks, streaking the stream of tears.
“Now, can you tell me what happened?” Tally led her over to the couch, grabbed a tissue, and pressed it into Courtney’s hands.
Courtney dried her tears, blew her nose, and took a deep breath. “I… I thought that… I thought AJ was going to hit me.”
“What?” Tally sank onto the couch next to Courtney and frowned. “He doesn’t seem like—”
“He’s not.” Courtney leaned back on the couch. “He was just reaching to catch a vase that was falling from the cabinet. But when I saw his hand coming toward my face… well, I freaked out.”
“That’s understandable.” Tally patted her leg, trying to reassure her.
“But… I just lost it. I couldn’t quite wrap my head around the fact he wasn’t… hitting me.”
Tally leaned forward and hugged her granddaughter. “I think that’s a normal reaction after all you went through with Kurt.”
Courtney nodded. “But I think I hurt AJ’s feelings. I told him I thought he was going to hit me.”
“But you explained why you thought that, right?”
