* * * *
Lois was adding the sugar and pectin to the strawberries before she placed the concoction into the pot to boil. She added a little lemon juice and Dora’s secret ingredient, a butter mixture. As the strawberries cooked, she looked at the display of jars they’d already made and watched Dora add homemade labels to the jars.
“The jellies came out delicious,” Lois said as she prepared the next set of jars to be sterilized and used for storage.
“Thank you. I was going to say that your cookies are incredible. You have your own recipes?” Dora asked her.
“I have a lot of different recipes. Just some things I learned over the last couple of years. I would run the bake sale at the nursery school Kenny attended,” she said and then lifted up one of the labels that Dora was using to place on the jars. They were simple, and yet the design drew Lois in. It had the Brazos Farm name on it, a vine of strawberries, and the list of natural ingredients on the back, as well as a place to stamp the packaging date. Dora had the stamp on the table, too.
“This is so cool. I just can’t get over it. Making your own jellies and selling them with the Brazos name on it. It’s so old-fashioned and comforting. You’re so lucky to have such a large family.”
“You and your sister don’t have any family at all?” Dora asked.
Lois looked at her and shook her head. “Valentina and I basically raised ourselves. We don’t know our dad. He took off when my mom was pregnant with me.”
Dora stopped what she was doing. “That must have been rough on all of you and especially your mom.”
“She didn’t handle it well. Got involved with one jerk after the next and then she hit the bottle. I hated going home, and once Valentina graduated from the police academy, Mom died in a car accident. That was it for us. Valentina took over taking care of me, or at least trying to.” She picked at the edge of the wooden table.
“I didn’t make it easy on her. I thought I was so mature, and could handle anything. Yet it turned out I was a lot weaker than I wanted to admit.”
“You mean because of Kenny’s father?” Dora asked and kept working while she talked to her. Lois found it easy to talk to Dora. She was so kind and understanding.
Lois shook her head as she leaned back in the chair. “I was so young and stupid. He said all the right things and made me feel loved and appreciated. I never had that. I’m not as strong as Valentina. She’s always ready to fight for what’s right and to not give up. I thought I was like that, too, until Caden. He was dominant, controlling, and always in charge. Part of me needed that. At least that’s what the therapist tells me,” she said and then felt a little awkward saying that.
“I think we all can appreciate a man or men who are dominant and in control. That masculinity and toughness helps to make us feel safe and protected. A woman shouldn’t have to be ready to fight all the time or to defend herself physically. A good man, a tough man who is protective of her will take on that role because he cares.”
“A normal, good man might have that thought process and mean it, but then there’re men like Caden. He used power, manipulation, and force to get his point across, and I couldn’t see it. Valentina did. She didn’t like him from the start and they butted heads a time or two. When I got pregnant I saw the disappointment in her eyes. It was only for a moment, but I saw it. Again, she’s a fighter, and so determined to make life a success. She didn’t want me to end up like my mother. She’s the reason why I survived.”
“Well you’re both lucky to have one another. I wasn’t so lucky with one of my sisters. I have three, but one of them took the wrong path. She wouldn’t accept help from any of us, not even my father and mother.”
“What happened to her?”
“She wound up with the wrong man. He sucked the life out of her. She chose him over the family and it’s been years since we talked to her. We don’t get to see our nieces and nephews, and the last we heard, she still ends up in the ER every now and then.”
Lois felt the tears fill her eyes.
“He’s abusive?”
Dora nodded.
“Kills me to think about it, to know she has suffered all these years and refused all of our help. She got so caught up in his control and power that she lost herself. She lost that fight, that desire to not only live a good, safe life, but to also provide one for her kids. I hate to even think about any of the abuse they sustained.”
Lois thought about that day again. It was constantly on her mind—the fear of getting caught up in emotions, the power Caden had over her.
She couldn’t believe it when he called her the week before and demanded she do a job for him. He knew where the nursery school was. He knew where Valentina worked and had taken pictures of her and said he could take her out in one sniper shot, and the same with Kenny, if she didn’t cooperate. She went and did that job. She’d seen that man, Cornero, and when Cornero had touched her and told her that she was going to be his and he was going to take care of her, she’d lost it.
She told Caden over the phone and he’d threatened to hurt Valentina and Kenny at the apartment. She wasn’t going to let him get away with that. She didn’t want to be a victim anymore, a doormat for him to walk all over. She had to make a stand and stop him from coming around.
She hadn’t thought through her decision. She let her anger lead her as she headed to the spot she knew he’d placed the drugs and guns. He was going to screw Cornero over and take off. He didn’t even need her. He had basically been handing her over to Cordero to be his slut, yet he wanted her to know that she would always be his no matter what. Maybe he wanted her one last time?
She was angry and disgusted as she took the drugs and guns and hid them elsewhere. When she got to the apartment, she hadn’t expected him to be so angry or to have locked Valentina in the bathroom while Don held poor baby Kenny on the floor.
Lois felt a hand on her hand and she gasped and jumped up from the seat.
“Oh, God. I’m so sorry. I was lost in thought. So silly of me,” she said and smiled and then went over to the pot to stir the cooking berries.
“You can tell me to mind my own business, but I like you, Lois. I like your sister and the kids and think of you like family.”
“That’s so nice of you,” she whispered and continued to stir.
Dora stood up and walked closer.
“I think you’re hurting, still. Maybe feeling like you’re alone even though you’re not. I want you to know that I’m here for you if you need to talk. I know you have a professional you speak with, but we all need good friends, too.”
Lois smiled.
“Thank you, Dora. I appreciate that. I’m just trying to live day by day without any great expectations. Just hoping to stay safe and be able to provide for Kenny so he can have a full, happy, and successful life.”
She smiled.
“I think we all want that for our children. To not have them feel pain. But as they get older and go through things, they need to be the ones to take control and make decisions. You’re heading down the right road now, and not all men are like Kenny’s father. You remember that,” she said and winked.
“I’ll try to,” Lois said and then immediately thought about Dora’s sons. It surprised her.
“You know, maybe you can whip up some batches of cookies and package and label them to try selling some at the storefront. We can place them near the jellies.”
“What?” Lois asked, shocked at Dora’s suggestion and still trying to recover from instantly thinking about her sons.
“You know, sell your homemade baked goods. Maybe it will take off and you’ll get special orders.”
“You think they’re good enough?”
“Are you kidding me? They don’t last long at all when you make them. Do you think you could bake a bunch and I could help you package them?”
“Seriously?” Lois asked, feeling the excitement as the tears filled her eyes. She was suddenly thinking she could do this. She could maybe
make some money and establish something of her own she personally accomplished.”
“Of course. I can have Evan make up the labels. Maybe they can say Lois’s Sweets.”
“Wow, this is crazy. You really think they’re that good?”
“Oh, yeah. Why don’t I text Evan, and you two can get together to come up with a label? He’s a whiz at computers. He can print them off right in the office.”
“I could probably figure it out on my own,” she said and felt nervous about Evan helping her.
“Lois, Evan would want to help you, and he knows what he’s doing. You don’t need to waste time messing with a computer program when you could be making cookies. I’ll text him right now.” Dora pulled out her phone and began to text.
Lois felt her heart racing and an excitement, a desire to succeed, fill her heart. Maybe she could be successful doing this and maybe make some money, too. She wouldn’t have to work out of the home and worry about not being here for Kenny after school every day. It would work out great. Maybe things were finally going to start working out for her just fine. Maybe she had a chance after all?
* * * *
Ford Brazos was walking by the main office on the farm when he caught sight of Lois heading his way. He’d stopped by while on duty to see Laverty and ask him about one of the guys who used to work on the farm, who had gotten into some trouble in Tranquility and had the police looking for him.
The wind blew gently, a breeze caressing Lois’s blonde hair, sending the strands dancing behind her shoulders. She shyly pushed them away from her cheeks and then looked around, not even noticing him. Then he saw the door to the main office open and Evan appear. He smiled widely and gave her a wave. Ford wondered what was going on as he adjusted his Stetson and headed that way, too.
“Afternoon, Lois,” he said to her as she looked at him and paused a moment. She nibbled her bottom lip and looked toward Evan and then back to Ford.
“Afternoon. Did you need Evan for something? I could come back,” she said, stopping a few feet away from him and Evan and pointing over her shoulder like she would leave.
“No, don’t be silly. I’m free now. I told my mom that when she called. I’m excited to help you,” Evan said and smiled.
“Help her with what?” Ford asked, keeping his eyes on Lois. She looked really pretty today. Her blue eyes looked even prettier and bolder because she wore a matching blue shirt and a beige skirt that landed past her knees. She sure did dress conservatively. He didn’t think women her age wore skirts longer than above the knee.
“I’m going to be helping Lois make some labels for her new business venture,” Evan said and opened the door to motion her inside.
“New business venture?” Ford asked, following them into the office.
“Hello, Lois. Ford, what are you doing here? I thought you were looking for Laverty, Ford,” their father, Bane, asked.
“Got him on the radio. I told him to meet me here at the office in a few minutes,” Ford said and then looked at Lois, who seemed tense.
“Heard you’re going to be selling those delicious cookies you make. What a wonderful idea. I’m certain you’ll be getting private orders in no time,” Bane said.
“I’m going to give it a try, sir. We’ll see what happens. I’m not getting my hopes up,” Lois said. Bane squinted at her.
“You should be excited. Those are the best chocolate chip cookies I’ve ever tasted. That batch you sent over last night mysteriously disappeared in an hour,” he said and looked at Evan and Ford.
“They’re good.” Evan winked, sitting down at the computer.
“Really tasty,” Ford added and put his hands in his pockets.
“Kind of wish we had our own,” Evan said to her.
“Well, thank you all for the compliment.”
She walked over toward Evan and he patted the seat next to him.
“I came up with a few ideas, but we can change or add what you want. I figured you might like something simple, like ours for the jellies,” he said and started pulling up different pictures.
Ford moved closer and placed his hands on the back of her chair. When she shifted he caught a glimpse down her shirt and was surprised by the deep cleavage of her breasts. He wet his lips and felt his throat dry up.
“Maybe we’re jumping the gun. I don’t even know if people will buy the cookies and like them,” Lois whispered.
Evan gave her shoulder a nudge. “Are you kidding me? They will buy them, and we’ll be printing these out in the hundreds.”
“Oh, God, that’s a lot of cookies to make and sell,” she said and then pressed her fingers to her temples.
Ford reached down and placed a hand on her shoulder. She seemed shocked as she turned and looked up at him. He gave her a soft expression. “They’ll love them, and if you want to be sure, then make some batches of cookies and we’ll be your test tasters,” he offered, surprising himself and obviously his brother, too, who snickered.
“You better take Ford’s offer, because he never volunteers to do any taste testing. Especially not the jellies.”
“Why is that?” she asked him. Ford held her gaze.
“I have very particular tastes, darling. Once I find something I really like I’m not really interested in anything else.” He saw her face turn a nice, bright red and he knew she felt the attraction for him like he felt for her. Just then, the door opened and Laverty appeared.
“When I find Brosnan I’m personally going to kick his ass, that stupid son of a—”
He stopped short as soon as he saw Lois and she leaned closer to Evan. Ford squeezed her shoulder and gave Laverty a mean look.
“What are you doing coming in here, carrying on cursing?” Ford asked and released Lois’s shoulder. He stepped closer to Laverty who pulled his hat off his head and gave Lois an apology. “Sorry, Lois. I didn’t know you were in here. Evan, Brosnan never fixed that fence this morning and didn’t do any of the other things he was supposed to do. We have those deliveries in town and then we’ll need to come back here and do his work.”
“Where the hell is he?” Ford asked.
“I have no idea, but we need to get moving now on those deliveries or we’ll be working in the dark with flashlights later. I got a few of the guys to help us out.”
“Shoot. Do you need me, too?” Evan asked.
“No, I got the guys helping. I just came in here to let you know if you see Brosnan, then you give it to him. What did you need from me, Ford?” Laverty asked his brother.
“Good luck picking out a label. I can’t wait to get those samples, either,” Ford said and winked at her. She sealed her lips and blushed as he headed toward Laverty and placed his Stetson on his head. Once they were outside Laverty smiled. “What’s going on?”
“I’ll explain. Hopefully it means we’ll have the opportunity to help Lois to trust us and maybe get a little closer to her.”
“She looked pretty damn timid in there, and Evan is the most calm of all of us.”
“He’ll ease her mind and get her to see we’re good guys. I can’t stand seeing that fear in her eyes. I want to see her smile. She’s damn beautiful when she’s smiling,” Ford said and walked with Laverty over to his truck.
“So what’s going on in there anyway?”
“Cookies. Get ready to taste test lots of cookies.”
* * * *
Evan couldn’t help but inhale Lois’s perfume and the scent of her shampoo as she sat next to him. He was showing her how to change the design with the program he was using and when he covered her hand that sat on the mouse she turned to look at him. He stared at her lips and then her eyes. She looked intimidated.
“You smell really good,” he whispered to her, and her face flushed pink.
“Evan,” she whispered and then turned away from him.
“Thank you,” she said to him. He couldn’t believe how nervous he felt.
“I think this is a really great thing you’re doing. I know you’re going
to be successful.” He felt her pulling her hand from his and off the mouse. She placed her hands on her lap.
“I hope it will be successful. I’ve never done anything like this before,” she said, lowering her eyes. He reached over, clenched her chin, and tilted her head up toward him.
“You can accomplish anything you set your mind and heart on doing. Remember that, and that I’m here for you, too.”
“You’re doing so much. I’m probably taking you away from important work to help with this.”
“No, nothing is more important right now than spending time with you and helping you.”
“Evan, please don’t say things like that to me,” she said and started pulling away.
“Lois, don’t. There’s no pressure here. I want to get to know you. I want you to feel comfortable with me and not pull away or look so scared, baby.” He took her hands into his and placed then against his chest. She tightened up.
“I hate seeing that scared expression and I’m wondering how I can take that away.”
She shook her head and then swallowed.
“You can’t,” she said and held his gaze.
He gave a small smirk. “Oh, you don’t know me and how determined I can be. You’re too perfect, too beautiful, and too sweet to look so scared all the time.”
“I try not to look scared,” she admitted and he lowered her hands, placing them on his thigh. He licked his lower lip and held her gaze.
“Well, it’s a start.” He then reached up to cup her cheek and gently caress her jaw. She firmed her lips and held his gaze. He smiled softly.
“So, what time should I come by for the taste test and to help you bag those cookies?”
She chuckled low and shook her head, but she didn’t tell him not to.
Chapter 4
Valentina jumped when she felt the thick, heavy arm wrap around her waist from behind. She was leaning against the doorframe in the living room and watching the scene in the kitchen. Sparrow and Ridge were tucking the kids in and Jace stood next to Beck.
The American Soldier Collection 17: Love a Woman Right (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Page 5
