Holding a Hero

by Layne, Lyssa

  I watched him disappear in the back and then took a sip.

  “Damn, that’s tasty. Now if only it came caffeinated.”

  Derek chuckled. “You’re one of those, huh?”

  I didn’t follow. “One of what?”

  “You know, one those people who think enough coffee can take the place of sleep.”

  “I happen to know for a fact that it can.” I took one last drink and then pushed the glass away even though it was still filled three quarters of the way. I’d never been a big drinker. Even less now. “Speaking of, I think I’ll hold off and have the real deal when I leave here.”

  Derek didn’t seem to be making much headway with his beer either. Probably a good thing considering he was working with power tools.

  “What brings you down here today anyway? I mean, I’ve been on this job for a month now, and you don’t seem to make a regular appearance.”

  I’d completely forgotten. “Shit.” I jumped down from my barstool and went to walk around the bar. “Bobby! I totally spaced it, but I’ve got all your stuff in the back of the truck. It’s all wide open. We should probably go unload it before someone else comes along and does it for us.” I turned back to Derek. “And you’re right. I don’t come out this way much anymore, but while you’re working on fixing up the new space, I’m working on stuff to fill it with. Brought the first load of tables and chairs today.”

  Bobby came out of the cooler a second later. “Ready?”

  “I’m waiting on you, asshole.”

  “Well, let’s do this then.”

  Together the three of us headed for the front door and outside, where my old Bronco was parked on the curb. The back door was still open, revealing several chairs and tables I had skillfully crammed back there. Thankfully everything seemed to still be just the way I had left it. Of course, it would have taken some serious skill to untangle everything I had so carefully fit together like a 3D puzzle in my trunk.

  One by one, I pulled each piece out and handed it off to the guys.

  “Wow. This is nice. You did this?” Derek was inspecting my work on one of the chairs.

  “Yup.” I handed him a second one.

  “Maybe sometime you could come over to my place and check out my bedroom. I could show you some stuff in there I think you’d really like.” It was obvious the second he quit talking that hearing the words out loud hadn’t sounded quite the same as it had in his head.

  I lifted my left brow suspiciously. “I don’t know, are you about to bribe me with a piece of candy to take a ride over there in your sketchy looking van?”

  He laughed, clearly embarrassed. “Yeah, that didn’t come out right. What I meant to say was, I just picked up a whole set of bedroom furniture at another job. It’s old and worn, but it’s solid wood with some amazing detail work on it. I think you could really turn it into something beautiful. If you wanted to.” Then he turned back, glancing up the side of the street lined with cars. “Oh, and I drive a truck. Not a van. But I do have a box of Mike and Ikes in the glove compartment I’d be willing to share if that sweetens the deal any for you.”

  “That actually doesn’t hurt.” I unloaded the last of the pieces, a table, and jumped out of my Bronco just as Bobby came back for another set of chairs, leaving Derek and me to bring in the table together.

  Once everything was set up inside, it only seemed natural to take a seat and have a test drive of the new furniture.

  “I dig it.” Bobby nodded, peering around the room from his spot. “They’re comfy enough, but not bulky. Nice to look at, but not girly. These will work. How many more you got coming for me?”

  I shrugged. “Depends on how much room you’ll have over there and how much of it will be designated for a dance floor. I did score three different pub style tables and barstools when I went garage sale-ing last weekend, which I think will go really well up along the wall. So, you know, those for sure.”

  He ran his hand across the table’s surface. “And this shit is waterproof, right?”

  I rolled my eyes. “Obviously.”

  Derek chuckled. “I’m starting to see that brother sister thing. It’s actually pretty clear now.”

  My attention shifted back to him as he said it. When our eyes met, he flashed me a smile. Not a cocky, hey baby what’s happening smile, but a genuine, sweet and almost familiar smile that gave me the tinglies in the pit of my stomach. For a moment I thought maybe the sushi I had for lunch had given me food poisoning. Then I remembered what those feelings were. I was attracted to him. Fuck around.

  “Well, I think I’m done here.” I stood up from my chair rather abruptly.

  “When can I expect the next load?” Bobby asked, tipping his seat so far back, two of the legs were no longer touching the floor.

  “When you have some solid ground to put it on.” I tipped my head at Derek. “So, hurry that shit up, would you?”

  He grinned. “Yes, ma’am.”

  “Hm. Alright then.” I turned to make my exit.

  ***

  “Shit.”

  I looked over at Bobby. “What?”

  He was thoroughly amused with something. “No, it’s just Joss is going to be pissed when she realizes I still have her keys.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a key chain that appeared to have a spoon dangling from it amidst the keys.

  “What the fuck is that?” I reached for them to have a better look.

  “She wasn’t kidding about liking old shit and finding new ways to use it. Guess she scored a whole silverware drawer at some yard sale a while back. You don’t even want to know all the different things she’s made out of forks and spoons. Pretty sure my aunt has a necklace and earing set that could come in handy the next time she goes camping.”

  I laughed, flipping the spoon around in my fingers. She had a quote stamped into the medal.

  “I shall not weep. I shall not disappear in sleep. I shall not accept defeat. Not as long as I have promises to keep.” I glanced back at Bobby. “What does that mean?”

  He shrugged. There was no sign of the previous lighthearted grin. “Just means I should probably get those keys back to her before she leaves.” Bobby stood up and held his hand out.

  I dropped my arm to my side, keeping the keys out of his reach. “I’ll go catch her. I was going to ask her about something anyway.”

  Bobby made a face like he wasn’t happy, but he didn’t argue. “Cool. But hurry. She really needs those.” He nodded toward the door, but I was already on my way.

  I caught Joss just as she was locking up the back of her Bronco and preparing to climb into the driver’s seat.

  “I think you forgot these.” Standing behind her I dangled the set of keys over her shoulder.

  She grabbed them and spun around slowly. Suddenly we were standing closer than I’d expected.

  “Thanks.”

  “No problem. Hey, about that bedroom furniture. Did you want to come by and take a look at it sometime?” I was smiling. I could feel it. It wasn’t intentional, it just kept fucking happening.

  “Sure.” She sounded hesitant, but for some reason that didn’t stop me from pushing the issue. After all, it was strictly a business deal from which we both stood to benefit, right?

  I leaned my head back slightly in the direction of my truck. “I’ve got some time right now…”

  “Now works.” As soon as she said it I had to run down the list of things I had to do that day. Now was not a good time, which Bobby would likely confirm if I consulted him. Of course I didn’t plan to. Nevertheless, I couldn’t help but wonder what parts of my body were currently not on speaking terms. Clearly my mouth had been communicating with some part other than my brain when it opened up.

  “Cool. I live just up the road. You wanna just follow me up there?”

  Joss made face. “I thought I would have access to Mike and Ikes.”

  She caught me completely off guard. “Oh. Well, yeah, you can obviously ride with me. I didn’t think you’d b
e comfortable with that.”

  “Dude, I’m going to your house to check out your bedroom. Getting a ride sort of pales in comparison.” She smirked. “Besides, Bobby seems to think you’re okay.”

  “Bobby likes everyone.” I said it slowly. I knew I wasn’t helping my case.

  “I know.” She pointed up ahead. “So, which one’s yours?”

  CHAPTER TWO

  There was a brief moment of awkward silence as Derek pulled his truck out into traffic. Then, “So, you’re Bobby’s little sister.” He was shaking his head like he still couldn’t believe it.

  I snorted. “Not exactly, but thanks. I’ll be sure to tell him you thought so.”

  His head turned toward me. “Wait, are you saying you’re the older one?”

  I nodded, still enjoying the unexpected compliment. “By three years.”

  “No way.”

  “Yes way.”

  The drive took less than five minutes. Next thing I knew I was getting out, still chewing my first handful of Mike and Ikes.

  “You live here?” It wasn’t that I couldn’t believe it. Okay, it was that I couldn’t believe it. This place was nice. At least an acre of land, beautiful landscaping all around, including some fruit-bearing trees I could make out just by glancing around the perimeter. The house itself was stunning. Old. Antique, really. So me. Wrap-around porches, shutters on the windows and high peaks in the roof. It had a total dollhouse goes to the farm vibe about it.

  Meanwhile, Derek was leading the way up to the front door, smirking. “Not the kind of place you were expecting?” Then he pointed at the trailer parked in the driveway alongside the house. “There’s all your tubs by the way. I can haul them over to your place sometime this weekend if you really want them.”

  “I do.” I was nodding. Not because of the tubs, although Derek probably interpreted it that way, but because I was so in awe of everything. The whole exterior of the house had been completely redone and restored. Every little detail was flawlessly finished while still maintaining its unique character and aged grace.

  Once inside, things only got better. I mean, it was clearly a work in progress, but damn, Derek did nice work. I was about to try and get a better look when a huge German Shepard came bounding toward us, tail wagging with excitement.

  “Hey, Hattie.” She reared up on her hind legs, reaching her front paws toward his neck as though she was giving him a hug. It was the sweetest freaking thing. “Alright. Down, girl. There you go. That’s a good girl.”

  I was still standing there like an idiot just staring at the two, when Hattie had her fill of Derek and came to check me out. Suddenly she was slightly less adorable and quite a lot intimidating as she sniffed me pretty seriously.

  “Um, am I going to pass the inspection here, you think?”

  Derek laughed. “Time will tell.”

  Not exactly the reassuring answer I was looking for. I was about to ask if he had any cheese or meat lying around that I could present as a peace offering when I felt something wet in the palm of my hand. Hattie’s tongue.

  “I think you’re good.” Derek smiled. “Hattie, let’s give her some room to breathe, huh?”

  As if she had understood him word for word, the dog glanced up at me briefly, gave me one last lick and then moseyed back over to Derek.

  “You could have done that sooner, right?” I tipped my head to the side suspiciously.

  “Maybe.” It was pretty clear that he was enjoying my near panic attack upon meeting his dog. “So, you want to come and see the furniture?”

  “That is what I came here for.”

  He nodded and led the way, Hattie practically glued to his side.

  “Is this your home or your project?” I teased as we passed the kitchen. There were no appliances, and much like my brother’s bar, no flooring.

  “A little of both for now.” Derek grinned sheepishly. “I like to keep busy.”

  “Obviously.” Not that I couldn’t relate. My place looked a lot like this. Only in my case, all of the reconstructing was taking place on what filled the house and not the house itself. “How long have you lived here?”

  He continued through the house and up the stairs. “About six months. Just kind of working my way through the place one room at a time, starting up here.” He opened the door to the master bedroom, gesturing for me to enter.

  “Wow. This stuff is gorgeous.” It was all solid wood, Victorian. The pieces had definitely seen a shade, or a hundred, of paint in their time, and it would require some hardcore sanding just to get back to a raw surface I could actually work with, but it would be so worth it.

  He went to stand beside the dresser. The way he let his finger glide affectionately across the top, I could tell he truly appreciated the treasure he had found. It was weird though because I’d never seen anyone else be quite as fond of old crap as I was.

  Derek tilted his head toward the king-sized bed. “Think you can salvage this stuff? The headboard’s got some water damage toward the bottom. Wherever they were storing it must have gotten wet. I was going to see about replacing the back legs myself, but I’d rather an expert take on the job, you know?”

  “You’ve come to the right place, my friend. I would love to work on these pieces. Just drop them by my place along with the tubs and I’ll work them into the rotation. I’ve got a few small projects in the works, but other than that the only job I’ve got is Bobby’s and at the rate you’re going I’ll have plenty of time to fit in some bedroom pieces before the Monk is ready for further furnishings.”

  He chuckled. “I’m going to let that one slide since I really want you to do me next.” He shook his head. “Damn. Why do I keep doing that?”

  I watched as his cheeks turned a bright crimson and I couldn’t keep from laughing out loud. “Your game is lacking, buddy.” Which was weird really because Derek didn’t look like the kind of guy who had ever struggled in the chick department. He was tall, tan and built. Like, seriously built. Never mind his shaggy blond hair, bright baby blues and ever-present half-smile which was both adorable and delicious looking to the point I wasn’t sure if I wanted to kiss it or lick it.

  Shit. Now I was blushing, too.

  “I should probably get you out of my bedroom before I say anything else that really creeps you out.” He came to guide me out toward the door and I felt his hand land gently on my lower back. It only added to the overall chaos of awakening urges running amok in my body.

  “You are pretty creepy, Derek.” It seemed like the safest response even if it couldn’t have been farther from the truth.

  Back downstairs things only became increasingly awkward and we wasted no time in climbing back into his truck and returning to the bar where he dropped me off with my Bronco.

  “I’ll just get your number from Bobby if that’s cool, and we can work out a drop off for this weekend.”

  I opened my door and climbed in halfway. “Yeah, that works. If I don’t answer, just text me. For the love of GOD, do not leave me a voicemail. I won’t listen to it and seeing the little icon in the corner of my screen will drive me to the brink of madness.”

  Derek’s half smile spread. “Don’t want that.”

  He waited for me to get all the way in, then closed the door for me, tapping the roof of my cab twice, signaling the all clear.

  I waved and took off, watching him in the side view mirror for as long as I could. I was halfway home before I realized he had stayed out there doing the same for just as long.

  I was tempted to call Bobby and get the lowdown on Derek from him, but I didn’t. What would be the point? Sure, I was pretty certain there was a mutual attraction there, but what difference did that make? None. That’s what.

  When I pulled up in front of my house, I wasn’t surprised to hear music blasting through the open windows of my home.

  I took the steps up to the front door and danced my way inside. My keys had barely hit the small dish on the foyer table when Wyatt came storming over, jumpin
g up and wrapping his arms and legs tightly around me.

  “Mommy!”

  “What’s up little monkey man? Let me guess, you had blueberries with lunch.”

  He looked up at me with wide eyes. “How did you knowded?”

  “Because mommies know everything. Now go wash your face.” I set him back down and scooted him toward the bathroom while I walked deeper into the house following the sound of Janis Joplin belting out Bobby McGee.

  “Hey Debbie.”

  Aunt Deb was the tie dye sheep of our family. Which naturally made her my favorite.

  “What’s up, Wacko-doodle?” Clearly, I was hers as well.

  I was about as certain she was adopted as I was that Bobby was fathered by the milkman. Unlike the rest of our uptight clan, Debbie was a free spirit who reveled in all things metaphysical and energy healing. She also happened to have a passion for some old school rock and roll. All in all, in lieu of present parents, I knew I was always in good hands with Aunt Deb. And so was Wyatt.

  “Drop off went well, plus I scored another gig while I was down there.”

  Debbie turned down the music. “Oh yeah? What kind of gig?”

  “Bobby’s contractor. He’s got a bedroom set for me to work on. It’s stunning. You’ll see. He’s dropping it off this weekend.”

  She stared at me curiously, but didn’t respond.

  “What?”

  “There’s something else. What are you not telling me?” Her eyes were drawn into suspicious slants.

  I turned and began to walk away. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “Ha!” She was already right behind me. “I knew it!”

  “You know nothing. There’s nothing.” I was protesting way too much. Now when I finally broke down and told her about Derek, she’d make a much bigger deal out of it than was necessary. Crap.

  “There’s definitely something. You might as well just tell me what it is because you know I’m going to find out one way or another.” Deb had both of her hands on her hips, looking all kinds of motherly.

  “What are you going to do? Consult your spirit guides?”