Abandoned Hearts (The Ozark Durham Series)

by Regina Tittel

  Unable to stop the force of excitement from this one little girl, Ann could only give Jacob a brief glimpse over her shoulder with hopes he understood she wasn’t purposefully intruding into his private space. Inside, Ann noticed the huge bed, which had been Em’s delight, was only a full size mattress set on a simple frame. The small room only had space for one large dresser and a night stand. How could any woman have ever lived here?

  She made her way to the side of the bed. Emily giggled and jumped under the covers with her bear. As Ann sat down, another bolt of lightning lit up the sky in view from the small window on the opposite wall. Emily jumped into Ann’s lap and wrapped her arms around her neck. Though surprised by the child’s instant trust, Ann savored the moment and returned the embrace. She allowed it to ease the ache in her heart for the girl she had to leave behind before settling her back on the bed.

  “It’s all right, Emily. Hold your teddy tight while I sing, okay?”

  Emily’s response faded in the background, as movement by the doorway stole Ann’s attention. Ethan shuffled inside but hesitated before going further.

  Ann gently smiled. “Emily would probably feel better if you were beside her.” Though it was likely she’d never see the children again, she still wanted this young man to trust her.

  “All right.” Ethan’s shoulders relaxed as if relieved by her offer. He casually walked to the other side. His desire to exhibit his father’s confidence was obvious. But when he climbed onto the bed, Ann caught sight of the tattered stuffed animal half-way concealed under his arm.

  Memories of her childhood surfaced. A fluffy pink rabbit with ears as long as its body always shared her bed. Each parent would come in to say good-night and tuck her in. Her youth had been full of security and love. Would she ever have that again?

  She glanced at each child now nestled in their father’s bed. They seemed to enjoy the same type of childhood, only they lacked a mother. As she sang, her heart twisted for the precious children.

  ***

  Jacob quietly listened from outside the door and relished the beauty of what unfolded. His children felt secure with Ann. Her voice held a simple purity that could easily erase their fears. He allowed himself to relax with one shoulder against the wall as he closed his eyes and listened.

  Chapter Five

  Ann stepped into the hallway and collided with Jacob. She threw her hand to his chest to stop her momentum and blushed with embarrassment. “Oh, I didn’t know you were there.”

  She slowly let her hand drop from his hard, muscled frame. Her breath hitched and her heart kept an erratic beat.

  Jacob broke the ensuing silence and cleared his throat. “Why don’t you grab a bite to eat and I’ll tell the children goodnight.”

  Unable to speak, Ann dutifully obeyed. Why hadn’t she moved her hand faster? How embarrassing. The reason was clear, however. The feel of her hand touching against his warm, firm chest was exciting. Vibrant sparks had danced between them like camp fire embers shooting skyward.

  Ann shook her head. Her wishing had always landed her too high in the clouds. In an effort to keep her feet on the ground she reminded herself of her past experiences with men.

  As a waitress, she hadn’t met an overwhelming amount of gentlemen. Flirting for tips had a way of back-firing. That much she’d learned. Hands would find their way to places they didn’t belong and lustful insinuations were the norm. Once Ann realized they were only responding to the message being sent she changed, but being more professional would take a different crowd.

  Thankful for a way out, another opportunity had presented itself and she willingly accepted. Though being a nanny hadn’t proven to be the answer either. Guilt filled her conscience. Had she flirted with him, too? Is that why…

  As though it were meant to drive her negative thoughts away, she heard Emily’s voice in a loud whisper, “Can we keep her, Daddy?”

  Ann hurried to the kitchen to busy herself so Jacob wouldn’t notice the effect he had on her. He sent her nerve endings into overdrive. She should at least be somewhat afraid. Instead, a growing intensity, not at all related to fear, threatened to overwhelm her. Unable or unwilling to sort through her feelings, Ann picked up a wet glass from the strainer and proceeded to dry it. She imagined Jacob’s dad would be disappointed to see their dinners sat cold, but her nerves had stolen her appetite.

  The back of Ann’s neck tingled. Jacob had reentered the room. She turned and found him watching her. “I’m sorry if I overstepped any boundaries…”

  Jacob closed the distance between them and Ann’s knees lost their strength. She grasped the counter’s edge for support. His fingers brushed against hers as he took the glass from her hand. “If you keep drying this, you’re going to break it. And I don’t think those fragile hands need another beating.” Their hands still touched as he spoke.

  Ann fought to keep her balance and finally broke her gaze from his as she looked down at their hands and swallowed. She quickly withdrew hers and rubbed one palm over the back of the other. “I just wanted to help clean up.” She stepped back. “If you don’t mind, I think I’ll call it a night, too.”

  Jacob looked at the full dinner plates. The steak and fried potatoes sat cold and unappealing. “You’re not hungry?”

  “No. It was nice of your father, but maybe we could just wrap my plate and put it in the fridge.”

  “Alright, I’ll take care of it and you can head off.” Ann was sure she detected disappointment in his voice. “You’ll find a night shirt on Em’s bed for you.”

  Her eyebrows shot upward. “Thank you.”

  Where would he sleep? She didn’t want to step onto personal ground, but for her own peace of mind, she needed to know where this man would be during the night. “Umm, you’re not going to sleep on the floor are you?”

  “Don’t worry about me.” He placed his hand in the small of her back and escorted her to the children’s room.

  As Ann was about to step through the doorway a loud crack of thunder sounded as if it would split the sky open. Ann jumped and let go of a small cry of surprise.

  Jacob leaned against the door jam and smiled. “So, you and Emily have something in common.”

  Ann jutted her chin forward. “I’m not afraid of storms.” He didn’t look convinced. “The loud sound just startled me. I’m sure it did you, too.”

  Jacob slowly shook his head. “You didn’t see me jump.”

  His lazy smirk broadened into a grin.

  Ann jumped again as the sound repeated itself, and hung her head. “Okay, so I startle easily. No big deal,” she said, as she unsuccessfully tried to hide her smile.

  “Good night, Ann.” His voice had taken on a husky attractiveness.

  She stepped further inside and turned to see where Jacob had placed himself. He remained in the doorway; his imposing frame filled most of it. His wide chest heaved outward as he took in a deep breath before pulling the door closed. Ann finally allowed herself to breathe and looked toward the bed to find the shirt.

  “Don’t be so silly, he’s no different than the others.” Ann tried to talk sense into the emotions that played hopscotch inside her.

  She picked up the well washed shirt by the hanger and assumed it must be one of Jacob’s, a light blue cotton button down, several sizes too big but comfortable to snuggle in. No longer willing to restrain herself, Ann drew the shirt to her face and inhaled Jacob’s scent.

  ***

  Jacob continued to stand outside the door and fought the urge to step inside. “God help me,” he absently pleaded. He’d never battled such strong feelings of attraction before. What was wrong with him? He was around other women every week with church and town. Why should this particular woman be any different? It didn’t make sense. There were at least three others who had made it clear they were interested, yet they didn’t move him in the slightest. And it wasn’t because they weren’t attractive. He simply didn’t see the need to complicate his life any further.

  Th
e fact that he even considered stepping inside her room alarmed him. Though he no longer talked to God, he still held to his Christian upbringing. There was an obvious difference between right and wrong. And the tantalizing thoughts that invaded his mind were definitely wrong.

  If only her eyes hadn’t revealed the same.

  Jacob threw cold water on his face at the bathroom sink in hopes it would clear his mind. It didn’t. Giving up, he put away both plates of food and joined his kids in the bedroom. A blanket and pillow tossed on the floor offered little comfort.

  Two hours crept by. Either he’d become soft, or the floor was harder than he remembered. Uncomfortable and restless from his thoughts, he shuffled to the living room and surrendered to the couch.

  Ann awakened places in him that’d been asleep too long. As if her spunky personality didn’t appeal to him enough, he found her strikingly beautiful. Her small frame held perfectly balanced curves that were accented by long, copper colored hair. And her bewitching, hazel eyes told of her every mood.

  His mind came to rest on Ann standing at the sink. That was the moment he knew he wanted her. He wanted her here to sing to his children, to find her at home in his house and to feel her next to him. Before he had the chance to consider the speed his thoughts were moving, he remembered Ann mentioned life had been insulting. An unexpected feeling rose in his chest. Had someone hurt her? He clenched his jaw. Was it a boyfriend? Jacob considered the notion and didn’t like it at all.

  ***

  The clock struck midnight as Ann turned over and stared at the door. Would she ever fall asleep? Though fear of her returning nightmare often kept her awake, tonight there were other parts to the equation. Such as the all too interesting feelings toward her rescuer. As disturbing as Jacob was, he was also equally appealing. Why? This was completely new ground. Of course she’d dated throughout the years, but no one’s touch had ever ignited an instant cascade of emotions like tonight’s experience.

  Frustrated by her circular thinking and quite aware it wasn’t producing any answers, Ann contemplated getting up. It’s quiet. Everyone must be asleep, so it shouldn’t matter if I slip into the kitchen for a drink. Although her borrowed night shirt hung to her knees, she still didn’t want to be seen in it. But if she were quick, she’d make it back to her room without being seen.

  Ann peered down the hall. The dim lighting of a nightlight mingled with the quiet hush of the sleeping house. With delicate tiptoes, she entered the kitchen. She filled the glass that Jacob last touched but never brought it to her lips. The image of his hands touching hers brought a wry smile to her mouth. If his hands cause that much excitement, I wonder what his lips do.

  “Couldn’t sleep?” A mocking baritone voice called from the living room.

  Ann flinched and spun around. Water spilled down the side of her shirt and leg. If the burning of her cheeks were any indication, she was beet red at this point. Guilt spread through her. What right did she have to think like that? Leading a stranger on while stuck in his home was the last thing she needed to do. Clean up your thoughts, Ann, and your actions will be clean. “Wh- what are you doing in here? I- I thought you were with the kids.”

  “The floor was too hard, or maybe I’m getting soft.” Jacob’s hand rubbed the back of his neck as he advanced toward her and removed a towel from the drawer.

  Ann tensed and kept her eyes on his every move. He wore the same clothes as earlier. Only now his shirt hung loose, which made him appear even taller. Was he considering blotting her shirt and leg? He’d better not try.

  Jacob wiped the floor, the muscles in his arm flexed with each movement. Ann pulled her thoughts away from his body and concentrated on his generosity. Experience taught her most men would’ve watched as she cleaned up. But, not Jacob—her host, the Pandora box. He flipped the towel onto the counter.

  Ann’s eyes darted from him to the counter. She breathed a sigh of relief then tossed her hair behind her shoulder and raised her glass. “This is all I needed, so good night again.” She stepped aside to go around Jacob when he took hold of her elbow and guided her to a kitchen chair. He tossed her the towel. “You and I both know you can’t sleep, so stop with the charade and we’ll have some coffee.”

  When Jacob says jump, does someone always respond how high? The thing that irritated her most was that this time she was the puppet. She considered arguing the fact she needed her jeans, but knew she’d be met with his stubbornness. Thus, she opted for drawing the least amount of attention to her legs by remaining silent and slid them under the table.

  Jacob turned back to the counter to heat their coffee. “I know most of the families who live around here, including the Garrett’s, but I’ve not heard of any McHaven's.”

  “That’s because my parents still reside in Illinois.” He waited for her to elaborate. “My aunt is originally from there as well, but when she met Uncle Carl she moved out here with him.”

  “How long have you been staying there?”

  “Is this the interrogation you wanted to start earlier?” Her smart-aleck attitude resurfaced.

  Now it was his turn to eye her warily as he turned from the counter. “Are you trying to avoid answering the question?”

  With a defeated sigh, Ann said, “I’ve been here for two months.” An idea formed in her mind. She bit back a smile and led him down a rabbit trail for her own humor.

  “After my release, it was agreed that I would spend the rest of my parole in this area, and with good conduct I can finish my sentence early.” Pleased, she sat back to admire her work and waited for Jacob’s response.

  Jacob’s eyes held a gleam she couldn’t place. “You’ll want to work hard at that. I didn’t, and it cost me an extra five years.”

  Ann dropped her jaw. The beat of her heart stalled as all warmth drained from her body.

  Jacob’s smirk exploded into hearty laughter. “Surely you’ve figured out I can see right through you. You may as well spill your guts, so to speak, or we’ll never get through this interrogation.”

  Ann drew a deep breath, grateful air could reenter her lungs and accepted the coffee Jacob offered. So, the man had a sense of humor. She’d have to work hard to stay one step ahead of him. Though that would be difficult, considering his every touch brought with it an absence of rational thought. Which didn’t make any sense at all knowing what she was in Missouri to recuperate from. Fear is what she would’ve expected, not the pull of attraction.

  She sat her cup down and leaned on the table as her hair spilled over one shoulder. “Like I said, I’ve been here for two months,” she played with one of her curls. “I came to visit for a while and my uncle asked if I’d house sit while they took an overdue vacation.”

  “Hmmm. Two months is a long visit. What were you doing before you came here?” He seated himself in front of her.

  She froze. Pictures of her past shot through her mind like snapshots. Her employer. His silhouette in her doorway. His body hovered over hers. Her hands pushed against his chest. His horror-stricken wife.

  She shuddered and steered Jacob away from personal ground.

  “All these questions are ridiculous. My knee’s getting stiff and I’m tired.” Ann meant to rise, but Jacob blocked her legs with his and grabbed her ankles with his hand.

  “You need to stretch your leg out.” He lifted her feet onto his lap.

  Her eyes narrowed. “And I think your being too possessive with my legs.”

  With his cup paused at his lips, he raised an eyebrow. “I think you’d agree, better your legs, than your body.”

  Ann fidgeted with her coffee cup. He made it clear he was attracted to her. So if conversation is what he wanted, then at least it was safe ground.

  He smiled and took a sip of coffee.

  “I was a nanny. I cared for a little girl named, Amy. She’s a year younger than your Emily.” Her gaze drifted to the wall behind Jacob, seeing nothing, then refocused. Though the unpredictable man in front of her made her feel uncomfor
table, she didn’t fear him. But, she still protected her secrets. “Now, I’m deciding what I want to do next.”

  Jacob listened intently and absently massaged her feet. Ann squirmed once when he touched a tickle spot. “Does anyone know of your whereabouts tonight?”

  Softly, she replied, “No.”

  “Is there anyone we can contact that might call to check on you, like a friend or a neighbor?”

  “I didn’t think of a neighbor,” she said, as she unsuccessfully tried to retrieve her legs. “Mr. Whitener may. He’s a good friend to my uncle. I’m sure my family won’t call. I’m usually the one to call them, and they won’t be expecting another call until next week.”

  Oh! Why am I telling him of all this? Yet again, she became the all too trusting girl next door and inadvertently gave out more information than needed. She hoped he didn’t have a motive to use it against her and searched for a change of topic.

  “Are you a farmer?” Ann twirled a strand of hair waiting for her host to answer.

  Jacob’s steady gaze fixed on hers as he ignored her question. “No one knows where you are or where to look?”

  His question alarmed her. What if she’d been wrong? What devious plans might he be contemplating?

  Chapter Six

  Ann squirmed in her seat. Had she misread him? “Just what are you implying?”

  “Usually when the creeks get up it’s days before we can get out again. I’m thought we should contact somebody tomorrow to let them know where you are.”

  Partially relieved by his temporary innocence, Ann studied his face before she replied. She wanted to gauge his motives correctly but finally had to step out on faith, unable to read past his calm, yet probing stare. Lord, protect me, I want to trust this man.

  “I guess we could call Mr. Whitener.” She pulled her eyes from Jacob to look around the room. Pine cabinets and vacant walls surrounded her. “Do you even have a phone?”

  “No, don’t have a need. When the weather gets like this my neighbors, the Stevenson’s, meet me by the creek and check on us. We have it smoothed down to a certain time, and it works just fine.”