“Not at all. I mean, I am Eric Church’s number one fan after all.”
Scoffing, he runs his hand through his hair. “I can’t figure out what the problem is.”
“I spent three dollars on it at the thrift store, that’s what. It had a good life. Owen has tinkered with it a few times and got it going again, but it’s time to put it to rest. I’ll have to bite the bullet and buy a new version. I don’t think my tone deaf child is prepared to accept the fact she is not destined for a music career.”
Pushing the machine aside, Grant twists to face me. Taking my hand, he laces our fingers and sighs. Like with a yawn, I’m compelled to sigh alongside him. I allow myself only a few seconds to appreciate the quiet and the sound of music wafting from the television’s speakers.
“I told you I was an only child and joined the military at a young age.” Nodding, I don’t say anything as he continues. “I loved my job and the men I fought alongside. Working with young soldiers and setting an example for them filled me with pride. About ten years ago I was on leave, staying with my parents after my dad had his first heart attack.”
Squeezing his hand, I offer him support. Eyes focused across the room, he doesn’t speak immediately. When his gaze returns to me, I see a sadness in his eyes that wasn’t there before.
“Watching my parents together, my father recovering from something that could have killed him, I realized I wanted what they had. Until that moment, I hadn’t considered a life other than the one I was living. Being single fit the military life. I watched families destroyed by the life we lived, children forced to face tragedies nobody should ever endure.”
With a humorless laugh, he releases his hold and lifts his hands to his face, running them up and down like he’s wiping away the thought. Scooting closer, I slip my arm across his shoulder, offering him comfort.
“I couldn’t do it. There’s no way I could have both worlds. A family and a military life. I wouldn’t do that to the woman I married and I would never do that to my children. It was then that I had to choose my path. I mistakenly thought I had time, and when my leave was over, I returned to my normal life.”
“My dad had two more heart attacks over the next few years. He was never the same, and my mom never left his side. Within six months of his passing, she joined him. That’s who they were. Always together, never to be far apart.”
Resting my cheek on his shoulder, I want to absorb the pain rolling off him, but all I can do is hold him. If this were me talking, I’d be a blubbering mess. Grant is stoic, his emotions bubbling at the surface but not flowing over.
“I’m so sorry for your loss, Grant.”
Exhaling, he leans back, head falling to the rear of the sofa. His arm extends, pulling me into his side. Overcome with emotions, I don’t bother stifling the tears that fall. My mind will not even allow me to entertain the thought of losing my parents or my children.
“Losing them was hard but standing at my mom’s gravesite I realized I was alone in the world. Yes, I have friends and a military family but gone was anyone I share a blood connection to. That was when I put in for my retirement.”
Grant places a kiss to the top of my head and I snuggle in closer, draping my legs across his lap.
“I had accepted that my opportunity for fatherhood had likely passed me by. I hadn’t dated much, and we both know I’m no spring chicken.”
“Don’t sell yourself short, Grant. You are an amazing man. Kind, patient, caring, and I suppose some women may say you’re not too hard on the eyes.”
Chuckling, his laughter shakes me and I shift a little, my arm settling on his abs. His rock hard abs. We’re in the middle of a serious conversation and my mind still drifts to seeing him shirtless in low slung sweats last weekend.
“Thanks, I think. My point in all this is when I was here with you last weekend, sitting in the kitchen I wasn’t uncomfortable. Arizona’s question caught me off guard; I didn’t know what to say. Was I scared? A little. Not because of your girls or what it means to be in their life, but because I’m afraid I’ll screw this all up. I don’t know how to do this. How to care about someone like I care about you. The way—”
Pushing up from the couch, I stand in front of him before settling one knee on either side of him. Running my hands through his short cropped hair, I search his eyes. I’m not certain what I’m looking for exactly, but it doesn’t matter because what I find is so much more.
“I’m scared, Grant. Petrified in fact. I vowed to love a man once. I built a life with him, created two other humans and then he was taken from us. The choices I made after that, how I functioned was the lowest part of my life. But, I came through it a better person and now I see that I can have that again. That there is a chance for a second chance to love and be loved.”
Tears fall as I speak, leaving wet spots on his shirt. His thumbs wipe away the wetness on my cheek. Leaning forward, he seals our lips, a sweet kiss that sets my pulse racing and makes my heart soar.
“I don’t want to hurt those girls, Dakota. They deserve someone who knows what they’re doing.”
“Do you care about me?”
“Of course, I do.”
“Then you care about them. They are a part of me, and I know you would never make them feel anything other than loved. It’s how you make me feel.”
The look in his eyes turns from sweetness to pure desire. In one swoop, he rises, holding me tight to his body, the pads of his fingers leaving their mark on my skin. We’re almost there, in the home stretch to my bedroom when a loud crash outside stops us both.
Chapter 31
Grant
Slowly, I let Dakota slide down the front of my body. The movement results in a quick jerk of my dick before the feeling is doused by the sound of tires screeching in the distance.
“Stay here,” I instruct and jog to the door, opening it carefully and peering outside. The neighborhood is quiet, not even the sound of a dog barking to break up the ominous silence.
Stepping onto the porch, I close my eyes and listen. Something I learned early on in my military career was if I closed my eyes, everything I heard became clearer. Not only that but it calms me. If someone or something is out here, I need to be cautious but prepared. A calm heartrate will ensure I remain in control, that I don’t react off the cuff.
There aren’t any sounds that strike me as abnormal, so I step down from the porch and that’s when I see what caused the loud crash. Shattered into a dozen pieces is a lawn ornament normally nestled in the flower bed. Certain there’s nobody lurking outside and not wanting to step on any of the broken ceramic, I make my way inside and slip on my shoes.
“What is it?” Dakota asks, not having moved from the spot I left her.
Extending my hand, she hustles to me, bypassing my hand and wrapping her arms around my waist. She’s shivering and it isn’t from a chill. Placing a kiss to the top of her head, I say, “Slip on some shoes, I want you to come outside with me and see if something’s out of place.”
Nodding, she does as I ask. Switching on the porch light, I wait for her and then we make our way back outside. Dakota’s gasp lets me know I’m not overreacting to the little garden gnome now destroyed and scattered across the lawn.
“How did this get here? It was over there next to that weird shrub.” Following the direction she’s pointing, I step over the pieces, making sure not to step on anything and scan the area where the little guy used to sit.
“Honey, when did you water these?”
“This afternoon, why?” Her voice is closer and I put my hand behind me, hoping she’ll stay back which she does.
“There are footprints. Not very distinctive but there nonetheless.”
Squatting down, I look around the space. Other than the footprints, obviously those of a man, there are three or four scattered toothpicks. The sinking feeling in my gut isn’t new to me. Like a long lost friend I never wanted to see again. Fear. Someone was here. Standing in this spot. Rising to my full height, I note the vie
w. Straight into the living room. It’s a clear shot to the couch. Where Dakota and I were just a few minutes before we heard the noise.
“Grant?” Her voice quivers and I turn to face her.
“Let’s go inside.”
Taking her hand, I lead us back into the house. Locking the deadbolt, a memory from last weekend hits me straight in the gut. Kicking off our shoes, I pass by her and scoop my phone off the coffee table.
“What’s happening? You’re scaring me, Grant.”
“Honey, what did your mom mean last weekend when she said you should keep the door locked?”
“I don’t remember her saying that.”
Rounding the couch, I lean against the back, my feet crossed. I don’t reply to her right away and shoot a text off to Taylor and Connor that I need them to come over. Instant replies from both that they’re on the way, I slip the phone in my pocket and lift my eyes to my girl. Her eyes are wide, the pupils dilated.
“When she walked in Sunday morning, I remember her saying something about locking the door. The comment confused me because I remember checking the lock at one point during the night. Then, well, everything else happened and I forgot.”
Even more regret for being apart all week overwhelms me. I should have been here. I shouldn’t have been so consumed with my own shit to remember what her mom said. This is so unlike me.
“I don’t remember her saying that. She must have been mistaken.”
Pushing off the couch, I rub my hands up and down her biceps. Tugging her bottom lip between her teeth, I can tell she’s trying to remember something. “Tomorrow, I want you to call her and ask her what she meant. Will you do that for me?”
“I will but I don’t understand what’s happening. You saw footprints?”
“Yes. There was obviously someone there tonight.”
Gasping, she turns to look at the big window and then back to me. Realization paints her face and tears fill her eyes. Wrapping her in my arms, I hold her while she sobs. Knowing someone stood just feet away from us, watching, inserting himself into our moment makes me furious. But, it’s scaring the woman in my arms and for that I could turn homicidal.
Two knocks on the door startle her and she jumps, her breath hitching. “It’s Taylor and Connor. I’m going to let them in.”
Nodding, she lets me release her. I disengage the locks and open the door. Connor is still in the clothes he was wearing earlier but Taylor is now wearing a pair of pajama pants and a hoodie. His hair is standing up in all directions. The sight makes me laugh, which is a welcome feeling.
“If you were in bed, you could have said no.”
“Never,” he replies as they both cross the threshold and enter the house.
“Why don’t we go in the kitchen so the girls won’t hear us?”
Nobody replies but we all shuffle into the kitchen. Dakota keeps herself busy, brewing coffee and pulling boxes of cookies from the cupboard. She’s nervous and confused but she doesn’t speak. We’re all a little quiet until the coffee pot sputters its last drops.
“Did you see the busted gnome outside when you got here?” I ask my brothers.
“Yeah. What happened?”
“I’m not sure but there were footprints and discarded toothpicks in the bushes. Whoever was out there was peeking into the house through the front window.”
“A Peeping Tom?” Connor asks, accepting the cup of coffee Dakota places in front of him.
We all doctor our java in silence before I tell them about the noise and what we found outside. I let them know about Lydia’s comment last weekend and then it hits me.
“The flowers and the flat. That can’t be a coincidence.”
“Explain,” Taylor instructs. Dakota flinches at his gruff tone but I know he doesn’t mean offense. All three of us get this way when we’re debriefing like this. It’s easy to fall back into old habits instilled in us after years in the military.
My girl slides up next to where I’m sitting on a stool. Wrapping my arm around her waist, I pull her to my lap. She relaxes instantly.
“Dakota, tell them about the flowers.” I want her to be involved in what we’re discussing; this is about her safety.
“It’s nothing. I’ve received a few arrangements. I thought my family sent them but they didn’t. I’m sure they’re from clients.”
“Except,” I interrupt, “they’re delivered and left on the porch. None of them have come from a traditional delivery service. Then there was the tire. We came out of dinner from Mulligan’s to find her front tire flat. It had been slashed.”
Connor chuckles. “Cap, that could be from a nail or anything picked up on the street.”
“Nope. I talked to the shop and they said it was a slash. Could have been from hitting a curb or something but it wasn’t a puncture. I know it’s related.”
“We went through a lot last year with Red, but not every weird coincidence means there’s danger lurking.”
I don’t bother replying. He knows I’m not one to jump to conclusions, so it’s only a beat before he nods. Slipping the phone from the pocket of his hoodie, he starts scrolling before lifting the device to his ear.
“Yes, I’d like to request an officer come out to take a report. I’m not sure but we think someone was lurking outside a house. Yes. No, it’s not my house. I am. Taylor Cain. The resident is Dakota Jennings. Yes. Yes. Okay, thank you.”
With all eyes on him, Taylor slips the phone back in his pocket and lifts his cup to his mouth.
“Well!?” Dakota shouts before slapping her hand over her mouth.
“Oh, they’re sending someone out. Be about twenty minutes. I don’t know why you’re all just letting these cookies sit here.” Without another word, he pops a cookie from the plastic container it’s nestled in and takes a bite. Judging his behavior, you’d think nights like tonight are normal.
To avoid waking the kids, Dakota and I meet with the officer outside. He allows me to lead him around the yard and show him what we discovered. Then he goes through it again. And a third time. I understand why but it isn’t any less frustrating.
Unimpressed by my opinions or the items I demand he document, it isn’t until I essentially growl at him that the officer processes the toothpicks and slips them into an evidence bag. Of course I hear him mumbling under his breath and have no doubt he’s cursing me.
I’d love nothing more than for all this to be my protective nature running in hyperdrive. I don’t see that being the case. Taylor and Connor both agree. Both plan on doing a little sleuthing of their own over the next few days. Country Road is a popular bar in the area, and people come from the surrounding towns to let loose. None of us have any clue what we might learn but we have to try.
It’s late by the time everyone leaves. Dakota and I are both exhausted, our yawns loud and long as we get ready for bed. As she steps out of the bathroom, toothbrush moving up and around her mouth, her eyes follow my movements as I toss my shirt aside and flip the button of my jeans. Even though we’ve been dealing with something that has her frightened, it’s nice to know she’s still able to ogle me. I don’t bother hiding my smirk at the look in her eyes.
Realizing I never asked if she wanted me to stay, I ask, “Am I being presumptuous?”
“No, I don’t think I could sleep if you left. I’ll set the alarm so you can move out to the couch before the girls wake up.”
At her response, I widen the smirk and walk slowly toward her. My movements are predatory, nothing but the idea of tossing her over my shoulder like a caveman and making her mine in my head. Then, while wiping her mouth with a hand towel, she unleashes a huge yawn.
Another time.
Slipping past her, I spy a new toothbrush on the counter and go about my business while she settles under the covers. It only takes her seconds to snuggle into my side, molded to my body, her heart beating in time with my own. Unlike last weekend, we don’t talk, our minds full of thoughts and worries. Lightly, I run my fingers across her arm, t
he movement therapeutic for my soul. Before long her breathing slows and she’s asleep. I’m glad for her. She needs her rest to be ready for her girls in the morning. I know I won’t sleep; the idea of someone harming her keeps my mind going long after the night turns to early morning.
Chapter 32
Dakota
The house is eerily quiet. I’m not the only one who misses having Grant here for breakfast. For the last week or so, he’s been here each morning when the girls stumbled out of their rooms. He’s been here all night, sometimes arriving at dinner and staying long past when Ari and Cali were fast asleep in their beds.
We’ve not done more than taking things to what I would consider second base. Truth be told, I’ve struggled with sleep, only able to doze off if Grant is lying beside me, his arms wrapped around my body. Each beat of his heart lulls me into slumber. Then, he’d slip out of the bed before sunrise so little eyes wouldn’t catch him. And, I’d lay there. Staring at the wall wondering why this was happening.
The police called yesterday and said they were closing their file. Nothing else has happened and I could tell by the tone, they think we’re overreacting. I don’t blame them, it seems a little crazy, but the more I think of the last few months, the more I’m convinced something strange is happening.
“Mama, I can’t find my pink boots.”
Turning my attention from the mirror, I return the mascara wand to the container and toss it in my makeup bag. Biting my lip to keep from laughing, I take in Arizona’s chosen outfit. A bright pink T-shirt with a sparkly unicorn on the front, at least one size too small and looks more like a crop top on her. The skirt she’s wearing fits but it’s adorned with ghosts and witch hats. Not to leave a holiday out, she’s slipped on her favorite Christmas leggings under the skirt. At least the pink rain boots she’s looking for will match the shirt.
“Ari, you know our deal. I will save that shirt for Cali if you don’t wear it outside the house. This is a trip to the lake for fishing, I think a pair of shorts and a better fitting shirt are more acceptable.”
Cherish Her Page 18
