Cherishing You (Thirsty Hearts Book 3)

by Kris Jayne

  “Good Lord, I have to stop crying.”

  Chapter Forty-Seven

  On Monday, Kim volunteered to pick Shannon up to go furniture shopping since Shannon received her first check from the insurance company for the loss of her items. They planned to hit some stores and head to work together, both working the later shift.

  The sound of the door knocker at a quarter to noon startled Shannon, but she figured Kim got an earlier start than she expected. She didn’t even check the peephole before swinging the hotel room door open, coming face-to-face with Tom Moran.

  “How did you know I was here? I didn’t even tell Jonah I was here.” Her question and statement came out as an accusation.

  “Perhaps I’m more motivated than my son to find you.”

  Shannon glowered at him. “What do you want?”

  “Must we have this conversation in the hallway?”

  “Yes.”

  Tom stuck a foot in the door as Shannon went to close it.

  “I’m not letting you in, so accept it or get ready for me to scream bloody murder.”

  “I’ll chalk up this fit of temper to pregnancy hormones.”

  “Whatever makes you feel better.”

  “I want to talk to you about Aaron Godfrey.”

  Shannon’s face flamed. How did he know about Aaron? No way Jonah would tell his father anything until the paternity test results came back.

  “What about him?”

  “I think you know.”

  “I do?”

  Tom sighed. “Are you going to make me say it?”

  “Since I’m at a loss as to what it is you think you know, yes.”

  “He’s the father of this baby.”

  Shannon laughed. Tom didn’t know anything. If he did, he would know that this was an open question. After all, even if he thought that Shannon and Aaron were a secret couple, obviously, Shannon and Jonah weren’t celibate.

  “Good-bye, Mr. Moran.”

  Shannon pushed the door closed. She heard another knock and opened the door a crack. Instead of speaking, Tom simply held up a cashier’s check for five hundred thousand dollars. With Shannon stunned, Tom stepped into the hotel room.

  “I have your attention.”

  “Your wife has already offered me money to go away. I told her no.”

  “She told me, but that was when you and Jonah were still steeped in bliss. Now that things have fallen apart, I thought you might reconsider.”

  “No.”

  “Listen—”

  “No. Save it. I know what you’re going to say before you say it. This is my big score. Jonah isn’t going to marry me, so I have no shot at getting my grubby hands on your money except that check in your hand. Think about my baby’s future. Blah, blah, blah. Save it.”

  “Don’t be stupid. Do you think my son is so blinded by you that he’ll raise another man’s baby?”

  “You seem awfully sure that this isn’t your grandchild, and I don’t understand why.” Shannon held her swelling abdomen with both hands.

  Tom tried to hide his consternation, but couldn’t. He had Aaron’s name for some reason, but didn’t have a clue as to what it meant.

  “You had an affair with some ne’er do well friend of your ex-husband. The one who killed him.”

  “No. I didn’t, and even if I did, you don’t know that I’m not carrying Jonah’s baby.”

  Tom’s eyes iced over. “I don’t care. Trust me, and think about what I’m offering. You take this money. Go have your baby anywhere you want—except anywhere near Dallas. Start over. Go to school. All you have to do is not look back.”

  “Cards on the table, Tom. Jonah has asked for a paternity test. We’re getting the results in a few days. Aren’t you premature with your offer? What if the baby isn’t Jonah’s as you suspect? I’ll already be gone with your money.”

  “I want to eliminate all possibilities.”

  Shannon stopped to absorb the hidden agenda behind the timing of Tom’s appearance. “You’re the one who thinks Jonah might raise a baby who isn’t his. That’s why you’re here. That’s flattering, but you overestimate me. Or you underestimate your son. Whichever it is, I’m not taking your money.”

  “You’re full of bluster today, but you should think it over.”

  “I could take this money and still not leave, you know?”

  “You wouldn’t do that because you wouldn’t want to make an enemy of me. We could take your baby. We could help Aaron Godfrey take your baby. You have no family. No friends with any clout. Take the money and run, Shannon.”

  Tom placed the check on the dining table and walked out without another word.

  Shannon had done many foolish things in her life. Tearing up that check as soon as Tom left might be at the top of the list, but being a fool had never left her breathing easier.

  * * *

  Jonah woke up feeling surprisingly fresh on Monday morning. After a midday jog, he returned to the house and saw a terse text message from Shannon.

  > Call me

  He did. While the line rang, his heart pounded. What if something happened to the baby? What if she’d heard from Aaron?

  “Hello, Jonah.”

  “Hi. What’s wrong?”

  “I’ll keep this short. Tell your parents to stop showing up with checks trying to buy me off and get me to leave my life and everything I know. Tell them to keep their money, and while you’re at it, keep yours.”

  “What have they done?”

  “First, your mother offered me half a million dollars to break up with you. That’s when I slipped and let her know I was pregnant. Then, your father came by an hour ago and offered me the same amount of money to leave town and never speak to you again. I’m not going anywhere.”

  “I would never ask you to, Shannon. I had no idea my parents were pulling these stunts. Why didn’t you tell me about my mother?”

  “Because she told me she’d make my life with you a living hell, but since I don’t have a life with you anymore, it doesn’t matter. Does it?”

  “Shannon, I’m so, so sorry for my parents. I’ll talk to them, and this will never happen again.”

  “I’m tired, Jonah. You and your family and all your money. You think it puts you in charge of other people. Y’all pat me on the head and tell me I should be lucky for whatever you have to offer me because I’m alone. I have nobody. But that’s not true. I have friends. I have my daughter. I have Jeff and Taryn on my side. I am not alone.”

  “I know. I had no idea my parents were causing you trouble.”

  “How did your father even know about Aaron? He shows up here accusing me of having an affair.” Something in Shannon broke, and her voice chilled. “He has no idea what happened. None—and neither do you—so let’s just end this for good. If you have something to say to me, you can talk to my lawyer. I’ll text you her contact information.”

  “You’ve hired an attorney?”

  “I already have one. She represented me in my custody case with Jeff.”

  “Oh.” Of course, she had a lawyer. Jonah ran his hand through his hair. “What about when the test results come back?”

  “You’ll get a copy, and I’ll get a copy. If you get news that concerns you, you can have your lawyer talk to mine.”

  “Shannon, can’t we be civil about this?”

  “This is civil. Where I come from, if I wasn’t being civil, you’d know.”

  Then, the line went dead.

  His parents had pushed her too far. Gone was any hope of working things out between the two of them. Gone was the Shannon who hoped that he might come around. If the test results came back and he wasn’t the father, she would never speak to him again.

  Sure, she worked for his sister, but he doubted that would last now. Shannon sounded sick to death of any and all things to do with his family.

  Jonah closed his eyes and prayed that the test came back in his favor.

  * * *

  He took a risk showing up unannounc
ed on Vivienne’s doorstep. She had spent New Year’s weekend with her favorite brunette in New Orleans, flying back early this morning because her girlfriend has some work thing to do.

  Only Vivienne could talk him through this latest fiasco with their parents.

  Jonah rang the bell and waited. The door flew open, and Vivienne stood there in flannel pajama bottoms and a sweatshirt.

  “I’m fairly certain our mother raised us to call before showing up on people’s doorsteps.”

  “I know. Am I interrupting?”

  He peeked around his sister into the house.

  “No one’s here. Come in.”

  Jonah followed her into her kitchen and parked on a barstool.

  “What is it this time?” she asked.

  Jonah took a breath and launched into every detail of his conversation with Shannon.

  “You still didn’t ask her what she meant about what happened with Aaron?”

  Jonah processed the question, realizing that he should have. All along, he should have. The first afternoon after they left the police station, he should have let her tell him. She asked him to listen, and he’d called her a bitch.

  His fell forward and banged his forehead on the counter, repeatedly.

  “I never have,” he groaned. “I’ve been too pissed off and hurt. Then, she’s been too pissed off.”

  “Then have the conversation.”

  “She told me she didn’t want to talk to me.”

  “You’re going to have to push.”

  “She’s tired of us pushing.”

  “She’s tired of us trying to push her around. She’d not tired of you fighting for her.” Vivienne smacked her brother on the back of the head. “I can’t believe I have to tell you this. I’m so glad I don’t have to date men anymore.”

  “Okay. I’ll call her.”

  “What was the other thing you wanted to tell me when I got back in town?”

  “Oh, Jesus.” Jonah had forgotten the small matter of their having a half-brother. “I don’t even know where to start so I’ll just say it. Trevor Stiges is our half-brother.”

  “That little worm who tried to blackmail me?”

  “He’s not a little worm. He was looking after his mother.”

  “He extorted money out of us.”

  “I gave him money because I felt badly for what our dad did to his mother. I had no idea at the time that Dad was his father.”

  “Dad has another son? Did he ever tell you about this?”

  “No. He didn’t know, or so he says. I just found out the other day. I didn’t want to tell you over the phone.”

  “How could he not know? Who was his mother?”

  “A woman who used to work for the company. Dad paid her off, and she told him that she had a paternity test and he was off the hook. He believed her. It might be that he wanted to. Paying her off seemed easier, I think.”

  “God, if I were Shannon, I wouldn’t want into this family either.”

  “Our family doesn’t have to be this way. You and I can do things differently.”

  Jonah embraced his sister, and she clung to him for a second, murmuring into his ear.

  “We can. You start.”

  “I will.”

  Chapter Forty-Eight

  Not knowing when Shannon had to work, Jonah arrived at the Scarlet Maple as soon it opened on Tuesday, camping out in the bar.

  He hated ambushing her in public, but since she wouldn’t return any of his messages, he had no way of arranging a more ideal time and place. Hopefully, she wouldn’t punch him or have him thrown out before he could talk to her.

  Shortly after two thirty, the bartender wiped down the counter and picked up plates left over from the lunch rush.

  “Can I get you something else?”

  “Not right now. Thanks.” Jonah swiveled around on his barstool to take another gander at the dining room.

  “She’s still not here yet, but she should be here around three.”

  Jonah didn’t respond.

  “Shannon. You’re her boyfriend, right? It’s probably none of my business, but I figure that’s why you’ve been sitting here all day.”

  “Thanks.”

  At exactly three, the door to the kitchen area swung open, and Shannon came out. The black apron sat higher on her waist to accommodate her increasing roundness. No one else might notice, but he did.

  “Shannon.” The bartender waved at her and pointed to Jonah, who could only wait to see how she’d respond to his presence.

  Her chin lifted and her shoulders rolled back, she stalked toward him. A sharp glance at Randy sent him scurrying away.

  “You can’t just show up at my job.” Her spark of anger deepened the blue of her eyes and quickened his pulse, but it didn’t deter him.

  “I need to talk to you, and you won’t return my calls.”

  “What did I say, Jonah? Talk to my lawyer.” She pressed her hands in front of her as if to push him out the door. “I have to get on the floor.”

  He stood up and treaded carefully toward her. “Five minutes. That’s all. Just give me five minutes.”

  “Two. You can have two minutes—when I finish my shift.”

  The restaurant closed at ten. She might not get done until ten thirty.

  “I’ll be at the end of the bar.”

  Jonah parked himself back in his spot with his iPad, threw on his headphones, and waited. Time stretched, and he stared at his work, unable to focus as his mind kept drifting to Shannon and how he could make things right with her. He lost himself in contemplation until he felt a tug on his sleeve.

  “Penny’s letting me go early.”

  He rolled over his wrist to read his watch. Seven thirty.

  “Can we go somewhere?”

  “I’ll meet you in the back parking lot.”

  “It’s hard to have a conversation in the parking lot.”

  “You get two minutes. Not a conversation.”

  Jonah followed her out the front door and around to the back of the building where she stopped by her car. She turned and leaned against the trunk with her arms folded.

  “What?”

  “I never gave you a chance to explain.”

  “I don’t have anything to say at this point,” she shot back through trembling lips.

  “Please. I didn’t listen. You were trying to tell me something and I said…I regret what I said. I know I can’t take it back, but I’m here because I want you to tell me what you were going to tell me.”

  “I can’t.” Her tears appeared and fell in a rush. “I’m tired, Jonah, and it doesn’t matter anymore. You won’t believe me anyway.”

  “I’m here because I already believe you. Whatever you have to say, it doesn’t matter. I’m sorry. I forgive you if you’re to be forgiven. Forgive me if I need forgiveness. I want to start over.”

  “Did you hear from the clinic already? No one called me.”

  “No. I don’t think we’re supposed to hear back until next week with the holiday and all. This doesn’t have anything to do with the damn test results. I want you to tell me what you couldn’t before.”

  His words tore an anguished wail from Shannon, and her hands flew to cover her face. “I can’t.”

  Jonah did what he’d wanted to do since she stormed at him back in the bar hours ago. He enveloped her in his arms and buried his face in the curls stretched nearly straight by the tight bun fixed at the nape of her neck.

  He couldn’t possibly feel her heat through their coats, but warmth washed over him.

  “Tell me.”

  “I didn’t know what was happening.” Her words came haltingly until she stopped, took a deep breath, and told him. “One of Laura’s friends put something in my drink. They thought I was being a snob—not drinking and not partying. Laura wanted a party. They put something in my Coke, and I got dizzy.”

  “Why would they do that do you?”

  “It was a joke. That’s what Lindsay told me the next day. They t
hought it was a joke, but it wasn’t. Obviously. I wasn’t feeling right. Kid showed up, and there was a fight when Lindsay tried to get him to go. That guy Aaron was there. He helped get Kid away from me and then helped me inside. I couldn’t walk real well. I fell. I remember that part. I fell in the hallway. Then—”

  Shannon had her eyes closed, but the tears kept streaming.

  “He was holding me up, and then I was getting more and more confused. For a second, I lost track of where I was. I thought you were there, but then he kissed me, and I knew it wasn’t you. I pushed back, but I just couldn’t…I don’t remember anything else until the next morning. I woke up, and everyone was telling me that I made out with Aaron and that he took me into the bedroom. But I don’t remember.”

  “That bastard raped you.”

  And Jonah had been almost as big a bastard, or maybe he was worse. Calling her a bitch. Not letting her tell him what happened. She trusted him, and he failed her.

  “We need to go to the police.”

  “I can’t do that right now. I can’t take that on with everything else. Anything I did would be a fight. I don’t have the energy at this point.”

  “You were drugged. He took advantage of you. I should have punched that guy in the mouth when I met him. I should have known.”

  “I’m prepared to move past it. I’m crossing my fingers that I don’t ever have to see him again, but—”

  “Then, we’ll tell him that the baby is mine.”

  “But what if it isn’t?”

  “He doesn’t have to know.”

  “I can’t do that. I can’t lie to my baby. You know, I never knew who my father was. I never knew. My mother went to jail, and I lived with my aunt for a while, and then went into foster care. I never knew my real family. A kid deserves to know where they came from. Good or bad.”

  Jonah wanted to argue with her. The best way to keep Aaron out of their lives was for him to never know the truth—if that was the truth. They’d know in a few days.

  The wait seemed more unbearable to him now that he knew what was at stake for Shannon. What if the father of her baby was a rapist?

  “I’ll keep him away from you.”