Romancing the Wallflower

by Michelle Major

  “He tried but Jenna fought him off.” His hands fisted at his sides. “He knocked her around pretty good, but my mom came home from work. He went after her, too, but a neighbor called the cops and he was arrested.” He turned to her, his eyes bleak. “I should have been home that day after school. We didn’t even have baseball practice, but some of the guys were hanging out so I went with them instead.”

  She grabbed his hand and forced open his fist, lacing her fingers with his. “It wasn’t your fault, David. You were a teenage boy. How were you supposed to know something like that would happen?”

  “Jenna asked me to walk home with her,” he whispered. “She didn’t like being alone in the apartment with Mom’s boyfriends. I told her she’d watched too many after-school movies and she was just trying to get attention.” He blew out a breath. “She never forgave me.”

  Erin moved so she stood directly in front of him and waited until he finally looked down at her.

  “She hasn’t forgiven you? Or you haven’t forgiven yourself?”

  Chapter Fourteen

  David stared down into Erin’s luminous brown eyes, unable to speak. To his knowledge, Jenna and their mother were the only people in the world who knew about what had happened that afternoon. They were the only ones who truly understood how badly he’d failed them.

  Until now.

  He’d been reluctant to share the memory with Erin, terrified it would change things between them. How could she not despise him after how much his selfish choice had cost his family?

  But instead of judgment, her gaze was filled with sympathy and...could that possibly be understanding he saw when she looked at him?

  “What’s the difference?” he asked when he finally found his voice. “I failed her. I failed my mother.”

  “Your mother’s boyfriend was at fault. You were a kid.”

  “I was the man of the house,” he insisted, because that was the truth he knew. A tear spilled from the corner of her eye, and he caught it with his thumb. “Why are you crying? The last thing I want to do is make you cry.”

  She gently pushed at his chest, but when he started to take a step back, she leaned in and wrapped her arms around his waist. “You big oaf,” she said into his jacket. “I’m crying for you. For all the years you’ve carried that guilt around inside you and punished yourself for something that was not your fault.”

  Her words stunned him. He’d never cared about anyone’s opinion of him. David made his own luck in life—good or bad—and he told himself that’s how he liked it. But something unfurled in his chest as he held Erin, looking out to the town that had become his true home. She still wanted him despite his failures, and the realization made him almost dizzy with relief.

  “Don’t cry, sweetheart,” he whispered, resting his chin on the top of her head and rubbing her back. “I’m not worth a single one of your tears.”

  “You are,” she insisted, sniffing loudly. “You’re worth a lot more than you believe. I hate that you can’t see the man that I do when I look at you.”

  He closed his eyes and breathed in the scent of her, let it wash away all the bad things he believed about himself—if only for a short time. Hell, it was good to feel truly happy. “I think that makes us even,” he told her, “because I hate that you think you’re ordinary.”

  She gave a soft laugh and wiped her face on his jacket. “That’s different.”

  He tipped up her face and kissed her. “You are beautiful, extraordinary and special to me.”

  Her lips curved into a smile against his. “This is the best date ever.”

  “And we haven’t even hit the hot tub,” he said, earning another laugh.

  Feeling lighter than he had in years, David led her back down the trail to the ATV. He insisted she drive back to the cabin, a fact he was pretty certain thrilled her given how many times she let out whoops of delight as she maneuvered through the trees.

  They changed into bathing suits kept at the cabin for guests, and he opened a bottle of wine before climbing into the bubbling hot tub with a breathtaking view of the surrounding peaks.

  The wine lasted longer than the bathing suits, and it wasn’t long before he carried Erin into the cabin’s master bedroom and made love to her again.

  He’d assumed being with her would make the pounding need inside him lessen, but every touch and whisper that crossed her lips only made him want her more. There had never been anyone like her in his life. For the first time ever, he wanted to claim a woman as his and never let go.

  The sun dipped over the mountain far too soon and they made their way back down to town.

  He’d called both his mother and Tracie from the cabin’s landline to check on Rhett and how the day was going. The boy had been thrilled with all the attention he was getting during the day, but when he heard his uncle was with Erin, he begged David to bring her home to have dinner with them.

  “Is your mother going to be okay with that?” Erin took his hand as they drove down the mountain road.

  “My guess is she’d rather have you there than me,” he told her.

  “That’s not true. She loves you.” Erin squeezed his fingers. “She’s your mother, David.”

  “Right. And when do I get to meet your mom?”

  Immediately she tried to pull her hand away from his, but he quickly interlaced their fingers.

  “My mom and dad wouldn’t believe we’re together,” she told him.

  He felt embarrassment wash through him and struggled to keep his voice even. “Because I didn’t graduate from college?”

  “No,” she insisted. “Not at all. You’re a former baseball star and you own the hottest bar in Crimson. She’s even been to Elevation. My mom likes the honey wheat beer and the artichoke dip.”

  “It’s a real crowd pleaser, but I think you’ve got it all wrong. I could throw a ball and now I make beer. It’s not the same as what you do, Erin. You change kids’ lives.”

  “Kindergarten is just colors and shapes and noise control according to her.”

  “It’s a big deal,” David told her, willing her to believe him. To recognize how amazing she was and all she’d accomplished. “How long have you been a teacher?”

  “Seven years.”

  “So your first class of students is in sixth grade?”

  She nodded. “Their last year at the elementary school before junior high.”

  “I bet more than a few of them still visit you.”

  “Of course. They come in at recess or help me during my planning session.”

  “Do they do that for all the teachers?”

  He studied her face as he waited for an answer. He could see her mulling over the question and how to respond. “It’s just that I’m the most accessible,” she said finally.

  “Crimson Elementary is one building. All the teachers are accessible. You make an impression, Erin. How many famous people have you heard refer to teachers who made a difference in their lives?”

  She rolled her eyes. “They’re talking about college professors like my father was or acting teachers or vocal coaches. Not kindergarten.”

  “You’re making a difference to Rhett.”

  “Because he’s a great kid.”

  “Jase Crenshaw told me his stepson with Asperger’s still asks for you to be his teacher.”

  “Davey is really special, too.”

  “Which kids aren’t special to you?”

  He turned down the alley behind Elevation and parked in his spot in back of the kitchen.

  “They’re all special,” she answered immediately.

  “You have to admit some of them are little pains in the neck. I know I was.” He turned off the ignition and braced himself for her response.

  “Don’t say that. I’m sure you were ado
rable at five.”

  “I was a hellion.”

  “The kids I have are amazing.”

  “What about Isaac Martin?”

  She hesitated, then said, “Well, I never had him as a student because they moved to Crimson last year. But I’ve been getting to know him in the after-school program and he’s actually quite sensitive. I think the trouble between his parents caused him to act out, but his mom changing things around will help.”

  “You proved my point.” He hopped out of the truck and walked around to her door. When she climbed out, he took her hand. “You’re the kind of teacher who believes in the potential of each of her kids.”

  “Kindergarten is all about potential.”

  “Tapping into that potential is all about you.”

  She opened her mouth, as if to argue with him, then snapped it shut. Her eyes widened and a smile lit up her entire face. “I’m good at what I do,” she said softly, as if it were a new revelation to her. “I’m really good.”

  “The best,” he agreed. “Don’t let anyone make you feel like you don’t matter. You do.”

  They walked through the narrow space between the buildings, and David unlocked the door leading up to the apartment.

  “This day was perfect.” Erin leaned in to kiss him.

  “You’re perfect,” he said. And for the first time in forever, David felt totally at peace with his world.

  * * *

  The following week, preparations were well under way for the town’s Oktoberfest celebration, although that meant Erin hadn’t seen as much of David as she would have liked.

  She’d had dinner with him, as well as Angela and Rhett, most evenings and last night he’d knocked on her apartment door at nearly midnight. He’d clearly been exhausted but showed up holding a small bouquet of flowers, which had become his calling card.

  “Courting,” he whispered into her hair as he wrapped her in a tight hug. “I hope I didn’t wake you. I know I should have called or texted first, but I had to see you.” He kissed her, then stifled a yawn.

  “If this is the kind of energy you put into a booty call,” she said with a laugh, leading him into the apartment, “you need to work on your skills.”

  He nuzzled his face into the crook of her neck. “I have mad skills.”

  “Trust me, I know.” She set the flowers on the counter and turned in his arms. “But you also have dark circles under your eyes.”

  “Are you offering me makeup?”

  “I’m offering,” she said, tugging him toward the bedroom, “a few hours of decent sleep. In a real bed, not the couch.”

  He let out a soft moan. “I hate to admit how good that sounds. I came here with every intention of having my wicked way with you.”

  “Save your energy for Oktoberfest.”

  “Only if you promise to wear a dirndl to the competition.”

  “To match your lederhosen?” she asked, pushing him down onto the bed.

  “You know you love my lederhosen,” he said sleepily, bending forward to take off his boots.

  Erin’s heart swelled as she watched him undress. There were so many things about this man that she loved. The way he tried so hard at everything he did—from the brewery to taking care of Rhett to repairing his relationship with his mother. The way he made Erin feel both cherished and challenged—as if he had no doubt she could handle everything life threw at her.

  She would have never guessed that the crush she’d had on him for months could so quickly turn into a much deeper connection. But somehow they fit together perfectly. She softened some of his rough edges and he’d helped her unlock her confidence. His belief in her helped her realize she needed to believe in herself.

  She’d even gone to see Mari Clayton from the Aspen Foundation, asking the woman to reconsider funding Erin’s after-school program. Before David, Erin would have simply accepted the foundation’s declining her request. But the program with the kids was too important to give up and she had no doubt any longer that she was the one meant to lead it.

  Sugar rose from her place on the pillow next to Erin’s and slowly walked over to rub against David’s back. He’d even won over Erin’s cantankerous cat.

  The past month hadn’t been easy, and they were both being pulled in a hundred different directions. But the time they spent together was precious, and Erin wanted to believe they had the basis for something strong and lasting.

  She was already in her pajamas, so had no issue crawling into bed next to him when he held up the sheet and comforter. He pulled her in close so her back was against his chest, then draped an arm around her.

  “I really did mean to ravish you,” he said, dropping a featherlight kiss at the base of her neck.

  “Sleep,” she whispered, and within seconds felt him relax and heard his breathing slow.

  She snuggled in tighter and closed her eyes, happy to fall asleep in David’s arms and even happier when she awoke an hour later to find him unbuttoning her pajama top.

  “I got my second wind,” he told her, and proceeded to make good on all his promises about ravishing and wicked ways.

  They made love deep into the night, but he left at dawn, wanting to be back at his place before Rhett woke up.

  “Jenna will be out of rehab soon,” he told her as he put on his jeans and boots. “She’s doing well and can’t wait to get back to her son.”

  “Do you think she’s going to be able to stay healthy this time?”

  A shadow passed over his face. “She loves Rhett more than anything.” He sighed. “I definitely hope she loves him enough to make the alcohol and drugs a thing of the past. My mom is going to stay in town for a while, and I plan to be more involved in Jenna’s life, whether she wants it or not.”

  “You’re bringing your family back together.” She sat up in the bed, tucking the sheet under her arms. “I’m proud of you.”

  He stilled as color crept into his cheeks. “Thanks.”

  “I like making you blush.”

  “I don’t blush,” he said, sounding offended, which made her smile.

  “You’re definitely blushing,” she told him with a wink.

  Pulling his sweater over his head, he moved toward her, then tugged on the sheet.

  Erin yelped and held it tight to her body, but let it slip when he kissed her deeply. “First you hint that I need a nap and now you accuse me of blushing. What’s next?”

  “Next is you go home before I have my wicked way with you,” she said, squealing when he tickled her.

  “So tempting,” he whispered. “When my life gets back to normal, I’m taking you away for the weekend. You and me and a hotel room all weekend long.”

  “I think I’d like that.”

  “I think you’d love that.”

  She had to bite her tongue to keep from whispering, I think I love you.

  But he must have read something in her eyes, because he pulled back suddenly, like she’d scalded him. Definitely too soon for I love you, but he was planning weekend trips, which meant something.

  He brushed her hair away from her face. “Thank you for tonight.”

  “Literally my pleasure.”

  He flashed a lopsided grin, then walked out of her bedroom. She waited until she heard the apartment door close then threw on her robe and went to lock the door. She parted the front curtains and watched him drive away, wondering if she’d ever get used to the thought of David McCay belonging to her.

  Chapter Fifteen

  “Stop messing with your hair,” Melody told Erin Friday night as the two women walked toward the park at the center of downtown Crimson. “You look beautiful.”

  Erin immediately pressed her hand to her side. “I wasn’t messing with my hair. I’m just not used to wearing it down and styled.”<
br />
  “It looks pretty,” Melody’s daughter, Elaina, told her. “Like you’re a princess.”

  Erin felt a bit like a princess tonight, the first evening of Crimson’s Oktoberfest celebration. Melody had convinced her to have her hair done at a local salon and buy a new outfit for the event. Although it was out of her comfort zone, Erin had chosen a chic but casual fitted sweaterdress from the small boutique they’d gone to in Aspen. It had been over her budget but too perfect to pass up. Paired with her vintage cowboy boots and some chunky jewelry she’d borrowed from Melody, she felt amazing and couldn’t wait to see David’s reaction.

  “Thank you, sweetie,” Erin said, and smoothed a hand down the girl’s blond braid. She nudged Melody, who was pushing her son, Lane, in the stroller. “Do I look like the kind of woman who could attract the town’s hottie brewmaster?” she whispered.

  “I don’t think you need to worry about that,” Melody answered with a laugh. “You’ve already caught him—hook, line and sinker.”

  “That’s right.” Erin took a deep breath and whispered, “David McCay is mine.” A tiny bubble of happiness floated up inside her. She’d done it. In the space of a month, she’d turned her ordinary life into something extraordinary. It wasn’t just David. Karen Henderson, the elementary school’s principal, had called Erin into her office the previous afternoon. Apparently she’d fielded calls from several families requesting to be put on a Kidzone waiting list.

  While Karen admitted she’d been skeptical at the beginning, Erin’s program was turning out to be a valuable asset to the community and great PR for the school district. Mari at the Aspen Foundation had agreed to do another site visit and allowed Erin to resubmit her grant proposal along with letters of recommendation from eight of the ten families who had kids enrolled in the program.

  “Where’s Daddy?” Elaina asked, gripping Melody’s leg. “There are lots of people here.”

  “He’s keeping everyone safe,” Melody said gently. “We’ll see him when he gets off duty in a little while.”