Lost Innocence

by Jannine Gallant

  “A perfect evening to . . .” Nina spoke in an even tone, despite the way her heart rate had accelerated to warp speed.

  He brushed a wisp of hair off her cheek. When he stepped closer, his breath fanned her face. A trace of stubble around his firm mouth was visible in the glow of the porch light.

  “A perfect evening to give your dog a bath. You and Coco in the starlight. Doesn’t get much more romantic than that.”

  He grinned. “Funny.” The silver of his eyes darkened. “You are so damn beautiful.”

  Placing a hand against his chest, she pushed him back a few inches. “Friends, remember? That’s what we agreed is best. I didn’t take Keely to the beach with the intention of starting something.”

  “I know, but I’m only human.”

  “Let’s not complicate things.” Rising on her toes, she kissed his cheek. “Good night, Teague.”

  “Fine, you win.” He turned to grip the porch railing in front of him. “Good night, Nina.”

  As she walked away without looking back, she didn’t feel like a winner. She felt the way she usually did . . . alone. The difference was, she was no longer certain her own company would be enough to satisfy her.

  Chapter Eight

  Teague paced up and down the patch of withered grass in front of his house and held his phone a little tighter. “You want me to send Keely alone on a plane? She’s only six.” He forced himself to breathe.

  His ex-mother-in-law spoke in a reasonable tone, in sharp contrast to his current frame of mind. “It’s a short flight from Portland to San Francisco. You put her on the plane with all the attendants making her feel like the special girl she is, and Sterling and I will pick her up at the gate when she lands at SFO. Simple. That’s why they allow unaccompanied minors on direct flights. And don’t worry. We’ll pay for the ticket and extra fees.”

  The expense wasn’t his greatest concern, not by a long shot. “You want her for over a week. She’s never been away from me for longer than a couple of days.”

  “I realize it’ll be an adjustment for you both, but we won a family vacation for four to Hawaii, and we want to take our two youngest granddaughters with us on the trip. Sterling and I miss Keely, and she’ll have a great time playing on the beach with her cousin. How long has it been since she spent any quality time with Hallie?”

  “A while,” he admitted.

  “Carol is all for this trip.”

  Jayne’s older sister was divorced with four kids. She was probably thrilled not to have to deal with her youngest for a week.

  “I’m sure they’ll both have a great time.” He pressed a hand to his chest. “What day do you want her?”

  “Thursday.”

  “That’s only three days from now.” His voice rose. “Why such short notice?”

  “We had limited booking options to claim our prize, so we took a cancellation. Better right now than after the kids are back in school. Anyway, I already checked flights, and there’s one out of Portland on United that leaves shortly after three. It gets in close to the same time as Hallie’s flight from Denver, so we can make one trip to the airport to pick up both girls. They’ll spend the night with us before we fly to Hawaii on Friday morning.”

  “Sounds like you have it all figured out.” He stopped pacing when Nina’s car cruised up the street and turned into her driveway.

  “I do. You’ll have to check in at the counter rather than online so you can accompany Keely through security to the gate. Make sure you get to the airport early.”

  “Fine. Email me the details. Luckily I have Thursday and Friday off this week.”

  “How’s everything going since the move?”

  “We’re managing.”

  “That’s good to hear.” Her forthright voice softened a hint. “I’ll let you go, Teague. Please don’t worry about Keely. We’ll take excellent care of her and make sure she has the time of her life.”

  “I’m sure you will. Bye, Doreen.” He hung up, then rubbed the back of his neck as tension took hold.

  “Is everything okay? You look stressed.”

  He faced Nina when she stopped at the edge of the street holding a bag of groceries.

  “Yeah, life is just peachy.”

  She ignored his sarcasm. “If I can help . . .”

  “I’m afraid not. Keely’s grandparents want to take her and her cousin to Hawaii for a week plus additional travel days. Letting her go will be tough but probably good for both of us.”

  She gave him a sympathetic smile. “That’s not so long, and I’m sure she’ll have a wonderful time with your parents.”

  “Jayne’s parents. Of course I want them to remain an active part of my daughter’s life, but nine days . . .” He let out a sigh. “I expect she’ll be beyond excited when I tell her.”

  “Lying on a white sand beach and swimming with turtles sounds like heaven. I’d be overjoyed, too.”

  He smiled. “Maybe I’m just jealous. I haven’t been anywhere tropical since my . . . uh, in years.” His heart ached a little as he pictured the private beach in Costa Rica where he and Jayne had spent their honeymoon. But the twinge of pain was nothing like it had once been. Apparently time was finally doing its job of healing.

  “You’ll be fine, and so will Keely. When does she leave?”

  “This Thursday. I’m putting her on a plane in Portland to meet her grandparents and cousin in San Francisco.”

  “Oh, yeah?” She shifted the bag in her arms. “I was actually planning a trip to the city the end of this week. There’s a terrific shop where I get my extra-large canvases and framing materials. I have a couple of big projects planned before the Summer Art Fair.”

  “Couldn’t you just order everything online?”

  “Yes, but shipping is expensive. I also have a few things to buy for Leah’s bachelorette party. My friend Paige intended to go with me and make a day of it, but she had to bail. She’s out of town for an estate sale, and I don’t want to wait until next week to go.”

  “We could carpool if you want.” The words were out of his mouth before he paused to consider the consequences. Hadn’t he been the one to tell Nina they needed to keep their relationship casual? Keely wouldn’t be around for the three-hour drive home . . .

  “Actually, that might work out well for me if you’re cool with a couple of extra stops. Paige had planned to drive her van, and I was wondering how I’d be able to fit everything into my car.”

  “The Mini Cooper isn’t the most practical vehicle for an artist.”

  “I know, but I love that car.” Her smile lit up her face. “I have an open trailer I hitch to it for short trips to events in town, but I wouldn’t want to pull it all the way to Portland and back.”

  “Well, I’m happy to offer you a ride in my truck.” Probably more so than I should be.

  “Thanks.” She took a step backward. “I’d better go put these groceries away before my ice cream melts. See you later, Teague.”

  “Sure.” He told himself to head straight inside to deliver the big news to Keely. Instead, he appreciated each step Nina took, wondering if the woman ever wore anything but shorts that displayed her amazing legs to perfection. Not that he was complaining . . .

  When the door shut behind her, he pried his attention away. Time to put on a bright smile and tell his daughter she was going to Hawaii without him.

  * * *

  Nina was pretty certain every woman in the terminal had her gaze glued to Teague. Maybe because he was better-looking than every other man in the vicinity. Maybe because his confident stride and the way he filled out his jeans was pure sexy. Or possibly because the sadness shadowing his silvery eyes spoke of a tragic hero who needed saving. When he reached the bench where she was waiting, she stood but didn’t offer any platitudes, just took his hand and squeezed it.

  “Ready to go?”

  She nodded. “Are you okay?”

  “I will be. Watching my daughter walk down that boarding tunnel to the plane was har
der than I expected, and I didn’t think it would be a piece of cake.” His grip on her hand tightened. “She’s all I have.”

  “I know, so I won’t give you a lot of statistics about air travel being safer than driving in your own neighborhood. You’ll miss her. Maybe you can look at this as practice for when she goes away to college.”

  “Are you trying to make me feel worse?” He smiled. “Fine. No more whining.”

  They left the terminal to dodge between cars without using the crosswalk. When a cabbie laid on his horn, she laughed out loud. “See what I mean? We could get killed just walking across the street.”

  The hand still holding hers tightened painfully. “I certainly can’t argue that fact.” When they reached his pickup in the short-term parking garage, he finally released her.

  She kept quiet until they were both seated, then turned to face him in the gloomy interior. “What did I say?”

  “Nothing.” He gripped the steering wheel but made no move to start the engine. His voice was low when he finally spoke. “That’s how Jayne died. Crossing the street. She was a social worker on her way to see a client.” His knuckles gleamed white as he let out a long breath. “Granted, the neighborhood wasn’t the best, but it was only a half a dozen blocks from our home. She was gunned down in a drive-by shooting.”

  Nina covered her mouth and pressed hard to hold back a gasp. The pain in his eyes when he met her gaze broke her heart.

  “That’s horrifying. I don’t know what to say except how sorry I am.”

  “I don’t talk about it often. I’m doing my best to let go of all the rage that was tearing me up inside. That’s why I made the decision to move to Oregon. I needed some distance, physical and emotional, if I ever hoped to find peace.”

  “I can certainly understand why you’re protective of Keely.” She scooted closer and touched his cheek. “Letting her go today took a hell of a lot of strength. You’re an amazing man, Teague O’Dell.”

  “Let’s not get carried away.” His tone was laced with irony. “I’ve been a basket case since I agreed to this trip.” He kissed her palm. “I’m glad you’re here with me. Honestly, it helps.”

  The warmth of his lips on the sensitive skin of her hand sent a quiver through her. With an effort, she tried to defuse some of the emotional tension. “Do you know what will help even more? Picking out favors for a bachelorette party. I’m thinking decks of cards with hot guys who strip when you fan them out.”

  He reared back in the seat. “You’ve got to be kidding.”

  She didn’t even blink. “Not in the least.”

  “I guess cards that strip are better than actual men who do.”

  “Oh, we’ll have one of those at the party, too. Paige and I plan to send Leah off in style this time. We’re doing everything we didn’t do for her first wedding.”

  He started the engine and backed out of the parking slot. “This is your friend’s second marriage?”

  “Yeah. Her ex-husband is a total idiot currently serving time in jail for . . .” She paused. “Long story. Anyway, we threw a very sedate bridal shower for her first wedding, which is why we’re going a little wild this time in an effort to change her luck. Not that she’ll need it since Ryan is a wonderful man, but why tempt fate?”

  “Why indeed. You’re the navigator. Where are we going?”

  “The art store first, and then I’ll shop for the party. Turn right when you get to the main road, and don’t worry about getting lost. I have an excellent sense of direction.”

  “Good to know.”

  Two hours later, Nina walked out of the party store carrying a bulging bag. At her side, Teague avoided all eye contact.

  “I can’t believe you’re blushing. That’s hilarious.”

  “Pink balloons shaped like penises? People buy those things?”

  “I didn’t. The owner of Castaways, the bar where we’re holding the party, said we have to be discreet.”

  He pulled the car keys out of his pocket to click the remote. “I saw you toss that bag of X-rated sour gummies in your cart. Practically everything in that aisle was shaped like male genitalia.”

  “Men don’t think twice about objectifying women, but when the G-string is between the other cheek . . .”

  His blush deepened, and her heart warmed.

  “Aren’t you funny?”

  “I have my moments.” She opened the passenger door, then tossed her shopping bag in the rear seat with the art supplies. “Are you offended?”

  “No, but you don’t look like the type to sip your drink through a straw shaped like a . . . I can’t even say it.” He shook his head as they took their seats. “What the heck do women do at bachelorette parties, anyway?”

  “Probably nothing as horrible as you might think. At least not our group of friends. We’ll drink margaritas and dance and laugh a lot, maybe tell a few embarrassing stories about Leah and Ryan from their younger days. Oh, and then bring in the stripper.” She gave him an assessing look. “I don’t suppose you want to show up in your fireman gear, then take it all off?”

  “Definitely not.”

  “Too bad.” She fastened her seat belt. “So, are we ready to head home now?”

  “It’s almost six. Do you want to go get some dinner first? Maybe find someplace decent instead of stopping for fast food along the freeway?”

  “Sure. I’d like that.” Nina pulled out her phone. “What are you in the mood for?”

  “Your mention of margaritas has me craving tacos carnitas.”

  “I could go for that.” She tapped her phone and scrolled through a list of restaurants. “Hmm, here’s a place with a four-star rating that isn’t super fancy and has decent prices. It’s only a couple of miles from here.”

  “Great. You haven’t gotten us lost yet. Lead on.”

  “Take a left onto the street, then your first right.”

  Not long afterward, Teague parked in the lot next to a restaurant with a red terra-cotta roof and glanced over. “We make a good team. Competency, trust, and no misdirection.”

  “Sounds like the slogan for a law firm.”

  “Good one.” He got out and shut his door. As she reached his side, he put a hand at the center of her back to guide her toward the lighted façade.

  The warmth of his palm penetrated the thin cotton of her shirt and heated her clear through. When they reached the entrance and he leaned into her to pull open the arched wooden door, she couldn’t resist resting her cheek against his shoulder for just a moment. Apparently her hormones hadn’t gotten the news flash that their relationship was friends only, because every nerve ending sizzled at the contact.

  Nina could only hope the blast of festive music coming from inside covered the little moan that escaped when he finally stepped away. Or maybe it hadn’t. When his glittering gaze locked with hers, she was pretty certain she wasn’t the only one affected by the contact.

  “Two for dinner? Right this way.”

  She tore her attention away from Teague and released a shaky breath as she followed the hostess dressed in a black skirt and red blouse toward a table in the corner, some distance from the noisy bar area. Taking a seat, she smiled her thanks as the woman laid menus on the table.

  “Your server will be right with you.” The hostess flashed a bright smile. “Enjoy your evening.”

  “Thanks. We will.” Teague leaned back in his chair after she walked away. “It smells great in here, like roasted peppers. I bet their salsa packs a punch.”

  “I like spicy, but not too hot.”

  “Is that why you rejected the bottle coolers with the sequined uh, you know?”

  She grinned. “Maybe. It’s also possible I’m still hung up on those old adages my mom used to spout when I was in high school, about being a proper lady or the boys would expect things. She never explained exactly what those things were, and I’ll admit I was tempted to do something a little wild just to find out.”

  “Did you?”

  She wai
ted to respond as a young man delivered chips and salsa and glasses of water to their table. “Can I get you folks something else to drink?”

  Nina sipped her water. “Shall we have margaritas?”

  “Go ahead. I’ll stick with a beer since I’m driving.” Teague glanced up at the server. “A Pacifico, please.”

  “What the heck. I’ll have a house margarita on the rocks.”

  “I’ll be right back with your drinks.”

  Nina picked up a still-warm chip and dipped it into the salsa. “To answer your question, not while I was in high school.”

  “Huh?” He crunched down on a chip.

  “I saved any wild tendencies for college in Paris.”

  “You studied abroad?” His eyes watered a little. “Careful. That salsa should come with a warning label.”

  She set down the chip and flipped open the menu. “Hey, it does. Three little red peppers next to it. Maybe we should ask for guacamole instead.”

  “This stuff is actually really good.” He ate another chip then gulped water. “How’d you end up on the Oregon coast if you studied in France?”

  “I grew up in Siren Cove before going to art school in Paris, where I met Keith. He was a few years older than me, a Marine stationed in Germany, on leave at the time.”

  “I guess dating a Marine could be considered wild.”

  Nina glanced down at her menu. “Our relationship started out as a fling, but we kept seeing each other whenever we could.” She couldn’t seem to stop talking as the words spilled out. “After he finished his tour, we got engaged. I’d graduated by then and wanted him to come home with me to go to med school on the GI Bill the way he’d originally planned.”

  Teague reached across the table and covered her clenched fist. “I take it he didn’t.”

  She shook her head. “He was hooked on the military life and reenlisted despite my protests. We put our wedding on hold.” She paused when the server returned with their drinks, and Teague released her hand.

  “Are you folks ready to order?”

  Nina snapped her menu closed without reading the choices. “I’ll have chicken enchiladas with black beans, please.”