by Linda Warren
She didn’t seem to hear him. She was locked in her own inner turmoil. “When I first met Kyle, I thought he was the man of my dreams. He was so attentive and considerate of my feelings and he understood that I wanted a career. We worked in the same field and everything seemed perfect. I married him three months after we met. The real Kyle soon emerged. He was jealous of my success at work and accused me of sleeping with every man I spoke to. Then he started drinking and became violent. He’d hidden his temper while we were dating, but after we were married, he made no attempt to control it. At times, I was afraid of him.”
She took a long breath. “I learned later that Kyle’s drinking problem began long before we were married. Another thing he hid from me. When he lost his job, that was the straw that broke the camel’s back, to use the cliché. I tried to be supportive, but he was impossible to live with. One night I came home late from an assignment, and he accused me of sleeping with the photographer. He was in a rage, and I had to get away from him. I told him I was leaving and started to pack a bag. That was like putting gasoline on a fire. He hit me so hard I saw stars and fell to the floor. As soon as I could get to my feet, I walked out the door. I haven’t looked back.”
She ran both hands through her hair. Damn. She couldn’t believe she was telling Jonas all the sordid details. But once she’d started talking, she couldn’t seem to stop. “I’m sorry,” she said. “I shouldn’t have unloaded on you.”
“It’s okay,” he said quickly. “I have broad shoulders.”
And did he ever. Gorgeous, strong shoulders.
She blinked and searched for something else to say. “I guess we should talk about finding Delores Alvarez.”
Jonas twisted the Coke can. “You did the right thing, Abby.”
She stared into his eyes. All her friends told her that, but it felt good to hear him say it. “Thank you, but sometimes I feel like a failure.” She hadn’t even realized that was bothering her until the words left her mouth. Maybe that’s why she’d reacted so strongly to her mother’s comments.
“It took a lot of courage to get out of a lousy relationship. Many women stay because they lack that courage. Consider yourself lucky.”
He sounded as if he knew what he was talking about. “Have you ever been married?”
“Nope.”
As if the questions were getting too personal, he got up and carried the bag to a trash receptacle. Her reporter’s instinct wouldn’t let it go.
“But you know someone who was in that kind of relationship?”
He straddled the bench with a brooding expression. Did she really not know? Hell, she had to. His family had been the gossip of the town for years.
His eyes met hers. “I’m sure you’ve heard the rumors about my family and I’m also positive your mother has warned you about me.”
Abby desperately tried to hide a flicker of acknowledgment, but knew she had failed.
“I see that she has,” he said in a hard tone.
Abby hated to see that expression on his face—the one that blocked out the world and everyone in it. Funny how she was beginning to recognize his moods. And she intended to change this one.
“Yes, my mother warned me about you,” she admitted truthfully. “But I haven’t listened to my mother in years. I’m not sure I ever did. I always make up my own mind.”
Jonas didn’t say anything, just gazed off across the park.
“All I know is that you were a wild teenager and in trouble with the law, but I can see you’ve gotten your act together…even the sheriff said something about it today.”
He still didn’t speak.
“Jonas, I really don’t know anything else, especially about your family. I know you are friends with Stuart and Brenda. They’ve mentioned you from time to time, but neither has said anything about your childhood.”
He finally looked at her. “The whole town knows. How could you possibly not know?”
She shrugged. “I was a kid and I didn’t pay any attention to those kind of things. Tell me about your family. Maybe it will jar my memory.”
“I don’t think so.”
“I could ask around, but I’d rather hear it from you.”
His eyes darkened. “You’re relentless and—”
She stopped him. “So you may as well tell me.” Abby saw his indecision and decided to give him a nudge. “I’m guessing since you were a wild teenager, you came from an unhappy home.”
“That’s putting it mildly.”
Abby thought about what had prompted this conversation. “Your father hit your mother?”
“Yeah,” he admitted quietly, and she had to strain to catch his next words. “He beat her on a regular basis, and when he grew tired of that, he beat me and my sister.”
“Oh, Jonas, I’m so sorry,” she said, but he didn’t respond. He kept talking.
“When I was twelve, he beat her to death. He then started on me. I hid my sister in a closet so he couldn’t find her. A neighbor called the police. He ran away before they could apprehend him. Two weeks later the police told me he was killed in a bar in Las Vegas. I wasn’t sad. I was happy. Happy he couldn’t ever hurt my sister or me again.”
Abby tried to swallow the lump in her throat, but all she felt was pain in her heart for the little boy who had suffered so much.
His eyes swung to her. “So you see, your mother was right. I come from bad blood, and you’d be wise to stay away from me.”
“I don’t believe that for a minute.”
He was speechless. All he could do was stare at her. There was no revulsion or disgust in her eyes, just empathy. He hadn’t expected this. She couldn’t be that open-minded. Could she?
Abby stared back at him. “What happened to your sister?”
“She was put into foster care. A couple from Wyoming adopted her, and she’s very happy. At first I was sad they had taken her. Now I’m glad she got out of this place and had a chance at a real life.”
“Do you hear from her?”
“Yeah, on my birthday and holidays I get a card and a phone call.”
Abby wasn’t finished with the questions. She needed to know what had happened to him after they’d taken his sister.
“And you? Did you stay in foster care?”
“No, I hated it,” he answered harshly. “I ran away three times. The last time, I made sure they couldn’t find me.”
“You lived on the streets?”
He didn’t miss the incredulous tone. Now he would tell her about the real Jonas Parker and it would put a stop to the questions…and everything else. She wouldn’t want anything to do with a man like him. That was the way he wanted it. The way it had to be.
“Yeah, I spent my days evading the sheriff and the social workers. Mick at Mick’s Tavern had a storeroom with a cot, and he let me sleep there. He also gave me food. Whatever else I needed I stole.”
He watched her closely, but he didn’t see the effect he wanted. All he saw was sadness and compassion. Dammit all to hell. What was wrong with this woman? She wasn’t doing anything he expected. He was trying to warn her and she wasn’t getting the message.
Abby knew exactly what he was trying to do—scare her off. It did just the opposite. Her heart ached for him, and she thought of her own childhood—happy, with two loving parents who were always there for her. She definitely had to apologize to her mother. But Gail had to understand that it was Abby’s life and she would make her own decisions. They would work out their differences…like always. They were mother and daughter, and nothing could shake that—not even Kyle.
Jonas crushed his soft drink can in his hand. The sound brought her concentration back to him. He threw a leg over the bench and dropped the can into the garbage. Abby got the hint—he was through talking. She wasn’t.
“How did you come to work for Mr. Brewster?”
He picked up his hat. “It’s late. We’d better go.”
End of conversation. She knew better than to pressure him because Jonas w
as a man who didn’t back down under pressure.
The gentle breeze played with the swings. The creaking sound reminded Abby of her childhood. “How long since you were on a swing?”
He frowned at her. Before he could reply, she jumped up and ran to a swing. She sat on the seat, gripped the chains and kicked off. Higher and higher she sailed—forward and back—faster and faster.
“Come on, Jonas,” she called, her voice brimming with laughter.
Jonas put his hat on his head and walked closer. Dusk had settled in, but it was a bright night and he could clearly see her. Her green eyes sparkled and her face was full of mischief. He felt himself being pulled toward her infectious voice, her fun-loving smile, and as much as he wanted to walk away, he found he couldn’t. Truth be known, he didn’t even want to. He wanted to experience everything that was her. Okay, that’s enough, he chastised himself.
“Jonas, catch me,” she cried playfully, and then she was flying through the air toward him.
In a split second, he raised his arms, but it was too late. She catapulted into him, knocking him to the ground. His hat flew off and he lay winded with Abby on top of him.
“You were supposed to catch me,” she laughed into his startled face.
“I tried, but you were too fast,” he managed to say, very aware of her soft body pressed into him. Her delicate perfume filled him and her feminine curves triggered other responses. Responses he was determined to ignore.
“Haven’t you heard the rumors about me? I’m a fast woman.”
“Abby, I don’t think…”
She moved against him, stopping him in mid-sentence. “Don’t think,” she warned and stared down at him. She wanted to be as close to him as possible, see the light in his eyes and that gorgeous grin on his lips. She’d had these feelings for weeks, and tonight she was acting on them. She’d never done anything like this in her life—not even with Kyle—but she was going to make Jonas kiss her. He had to…willingly. She wasn’t leaving the park until he did.
Her face was a few inches from his, and her blond hair softly caressed his cheek. He breathed in her fragrant scent and knew he was lost. All he could feel was her body, her hair, her scent, and he ached to taste every inch of her. He’d been dreaming of it for weeks, and now…he couldn’t. He couldn’t take what she was offering because… Why? As she moved on him, all logic left him.
God, he wished she’d stop that. He had to think. He had to—
She gently kissed his cheek, and he tensed. It didn’t stop her. She touched his other cheek.
“Abby,” he groaned.
“Yes,” she whispered against his skin.
The soft titillating voice broke his control. His hands slipped beneath her hair to her face. He stroked her cheeks and pulled her gently to his lips. The kiss was slow and sensuous, igniting a flame in Abby that had been dormant for a long time. She moaned and opened her mouth, giving him full access. He took, tasted and gave with such exuberance that she lost herself in the moment. She’d known he would kiss like this…warm, tantalizing, with an earth-moving intensity. The night wrapped around them as the kiss went on.
Suddenly, he tore his lips from hers and scrambled to his feet. He grabbed his hat. “We’d better go.” His voice came out low and hoarse.
Abby sat on her backside, staring at him in stunned muteness. Jonas walked to the picnic table and gathered the remaining trash. How could he kiss her so passionately and act as if it was nothing? He’d made her feel attractive and desirable for the first time in ages. And she’d needed that…
What was she doing? She was using him. She had tempted and cajoled him into kissing her without any thought as to how it would affect him. She wasn’t looking for a relationship or any kind of involvement. Her emotions were too bruised. She was attracted to Jonas and his rugged sensuality, but she was too old to be playing these teenage games. Jonas deserved better than that.
“I’m sorry,” she said, and stood slowly. “I shouldn’t have done that. I don’t normally do such things.”
“Forget it. It’s not important.” His voice was brisk and he didn’t look at her.
“I guess my mother’s right and I’m not myself.”
He looked directly at her. “Then, give up this crazy idea to avenge your father.”
Silence.
“I can’t,” she finally said. “I have to do it.”
“I just hope it’s something you won’t regret.”
Like kissing me, he meant. She pushed that thought aside, and asked, “When can we go to Mexico?”
“I’ve got trucks coming in tomorrow, but the next day seems fine. The faster we get this over with the better.”
He sounded as if he couldn’t wait to be rid of her, and she didn’t like that. But she didn’t want to analyze her feelings. She had to put aside her attraction for Jonas. They were going to Mexico to find Delores. That was the important thing. Finding out the truth about her father was her goal and nothing would divert her.
Her hand went to her tingling lips. Could she forget Jonas’s kiss? Sure, no problem, she told herself. She’d been kissed before.
But not like that.
CHAPTER SEVEN
THE DRIVE TO HER CAR was silent, and she knew she had crossed a dangerous line with Jonas. She had jeopardized their relationship by her need to make him notice her. Those feelings were tied to her divorce. She recognized that. She’d been spouting that she didn’t need a man for so long that she’d come to believe it herself. But the truth was, she longed to feel attractive and desirable again. Kyle had destroyed a portion of her self-esteem, and she had a desire to recapture her self-confidence.
Jonas was so different from her. He had character and strength, and there was no way a woman could make him feel less than he was. He was secure in his masculinity. She had no right to tempt him, especially after he had made it clear how he felt about her. She probably should apologize again, but she had a feeling he didn’t want to hear it. Oh, what had she done? She’d made a bad situation worse.
She was glad when he pulled up beside her car. “The key is under the mat on the passenger side,” he said in a wooden voice.
Obviously he wanted to get away from her, but she couldn’t go until they were clear on one subject. “Just because your parents had problems doesn’t make you a bad person.”
“You don’t know everything about me,” he replied roughly. His elbow was on the door and one hand was on the steering wheel. That hand clenched over and over. He wasn’t in a good mood—that was obvious.
“Maybe I don’t,” she admitted in a low voice. “But I know you could have done anything you wanted with me back there in the park. That doesn’t say a lot about me, but it says a great deal about you.”
He didn’t say a word, and she knew he wouldn’t. Still, she couldn’t get out of the truck.
“Will I see you tomorrow?” Heavens, that sounded pathetic even to her own ears.
“I’ve a busy day ahead.”
She swallowed, her pride on the outer edge of nowhere. “We have to talk about Mexico. If you don’t want to go, I’ll understand.”
“When I get free, I’ll call.”
“Okay,” she said slowly, taking that to mean he was still going. She had no choice now but to get out. She opened the door and stepped onto the pavement. She glanced at him. “Thank you, Jonas.”
Damn, why did she have to say that? Her soft lilting voice was getting to him. Hell, everything about her was getting to him.
Just go, Abby. Go home to your safe, secure world and remember that heated kisses in the night don’t mean a thing. They don’t mean a damn thing.
WHEN JONAS HAD SEEN her drive safely into her driveway, he headed for Mick’s. But he knew that wouldn’t ease the frustration she had created inside him. He turned the truck toward Brewster Farms.
He wasn’t the man for Abigail Duncan. She needed a man in a three-piece suit who had an important office job with a salary to match. A man who didn’t have
calluses on his hands and who knew what fork to use at the dinner table. She didn’t need someone to mess up her life…she had enough to handle. And so did he.
They were attracted to each other—definitely. He couldn’t deny that, but he sure as hell could do something about it. He’d stay away from her. Fast on that thought was one he couldn’t escape. The trip to Mexico. Dammit and damn Brewster for getting him involved. Maybe he could think more clearly tomorrow when his senses weren’t so affected by her scent, her touch. Tomorrow things would be different. He’d be in a different frame of mind.
He went to his apartment above the warehouse, took a cold shower and plopped down on the sofa in front of the big screen TV. He turned the volume up loud, blocking out any thoughts of Abby.
WHEN ABBY ENTERED the kitchen of her mother’s house the lights were on, and she knew her mother was waiting for her.
Gail rushed through from the living room. “Abby, sweetheart, you’re back,” she said and hugged her tightly. Abby returned the hug.
“I love you. You’re my baby,” Gail murmured with tears in her voice. “I would never want anyone to hit or to hurt you, and I know you tried hard to make your marriage work. Please don’t think otherwise.”
Abby moved toward the table and sat down. “I’m sorry I lost my temper,” she said. “But I did try to save my marriage. I put up with more than you’ll ever know.”
“Oh, sweetie.” Gail kissed the top of her head.
“There’s nothing to salvage from my marriage, and I’d appreciate it if you’d stop talking to June.”
“I’ll tell her not to call again,” Gail said and took a seat. “I never liked the woman, anyway.”
“Then, it shouldn’t be a problem.”
“No,” Gail agreed. “How about some tea?”
“Sure,” Abby answered absently, wondering where Jonas had gone after leaving her. Her mom said he hung out at Mick’s Tavern. Did he take advantage of the services offered by the girls who worked there? She didn’t like the feeling that came over her at the thought. She was becoming too fixated on Jonas and his life.
