by Nan Dixon
“But a bad man hurt her other papa. There was yelling. Guns. Her mom told her not to talk to anyone.”
“Not to talk to anyone?” What was Heather hiding?
Cheryl squeezed his hands. “Are you sure her mother is really in rehab?”
He shook his head. “I can’t find her. I called the county where she was arrested two years ago, but they don’t know anything.”
“Maybe you can find this other papa.” She touched his cheek. “If there was a shooting, there might be a police report.”
“I don’t even know who to look for. Or where to look.” He leaned closer. “Can Josh get a name?”
She shook her head. “Issy didn’t say.”
He swallowed, but the lump blocking his throat didn’t move. “How can I help, if I don’t know what happened?”
“Oh, Nathan.” She touched his cheek. “You can help by holding her and telling her you love her. By being there. Maybe a therapist will be able to break through.”
“What if that’s not enough? She has to start talking sometime. Otherwise, what will happen to her?” He dropped his forehead to hers. “I know what it’s like to be stupid. I don’t want that for my daughter.”
Her hand cupped the back of his head. “You’re not dumb. You know that, don’t you?”
“That’s what my mom always told me.” His hands rested on her shoulders. “But she didn’t have kids laughing at her when words screwed with her brain.”
“You survived.” Cheryl’s second hand stroked his cheek. “You need to show Issy she’s loved.”
How could she stay positive? How could she keep going?
“How do you do it?” Nathan asked. “You’ve struggled, but you put me to shame. You know what you want. I’m sinking.”
She laughed. Her minty breath lured him closer. It was as if last night hadn’t happened.
“I’m the opposite of together. I’m scared. All. The. Time. I freeze. I want to hide, but because of Josh, I can’t. He makes me a better person. He’s the one who gets me through.” Her lashes fluttered closed.
He lifted her onto his lap and she curled into his arms. The tension in his chest eased. “We’re quite the pair.” He buried his face in her hair, not wanting to ruin this moment. He wanted her. And he wanted her help with Issy.
“What do you think I should do next for Issy?”
He didn’t want to ask about them.
“Ask what happened to her mother and other papa.”
“I’ll try.” He wasn’t sure how to get his daughter to talk.
“When is her psychologist appointment?”
“After the Fourth of July.” Her silky hair soothed his cheek. “Thank you.”
“I didn’t do anything.”
“You talked to Josh. Got more information than I’ve gotten in weeks.” His arms tightened around her. “And you’ve given me...” Damn, words wouldn’t come.
“Help?”
“Yes, but...support. You’re supporting us. Issy and me.” It still didn’t feel like the right word but it was better.
“This isn’t one-sided.” Her voice was almost too low to hear.
His heart skipped a couple of beats. “What do you mean—not one-sided?”
“You’re helping me, too. I couldn’t go to school without you. Abby won’t consider me for a restaurant job if I don’t take classes.” She tipped her face. “And what you and I have together, it’s not one-sided.”
She closed the distance between their mouths. Her kiss was a little awkward, bumping his nose with hers, and too short. It was also everything he wanted.
He slanted her head with his hand and urged her mouth open.
Her fingers gripped his hair, tugging him closer. Her aggressiveness stole his breath, making his heart race. He licked her mouth, tasting mint and Cheryl’s sweetness.
Eventually she eased away. “I need to breathe.” But she laughed.
Nathan hugged her, relieved. And there was no reason to feel any relief. Issy was traumatized. Cheryl hadn’t made a commitment. Hell, before Issy, the word commitment had never crossed his mind.
She wiggled closer. “I guess the best way to approach this is to...keep our relationship from Josh.”
His relief soured a little. She wanted to sneak around.
“You could just tell him.”
“Let’s give this some time.” She sighed. Her breasts brushed against his chest. “I’m sorry about this morning.”
“Me, too.” He pulled her closer. “If I’d known I could talk to you about Issy’s picture, I might not have freaked out as much. You keep me...grounded.”
“I wish I hadn’t reacted so badly.”
“This is nice. Making up is nice.” He kissed her again.
“I hope Issy sleeps through the night.” She traced a finger under his eyes. “You need sleep.”
“I know this isn’t perfect timing, but could we go out sometime? No kids.” He set her on her feet, trying to make his question casual.
“Like a date?”
He nodded.
“Wow. I didn’t think I’d ever go on one of those again.”
“You haven’t dated?” Heat surged through his chest. He was the first man she’d considered dating. “I’d love to...have dinner, go to a movie. Even take a walk.”
Her fingers traced a pattern on his chest. “I’d like that.”
“Let’s see how Issy does.” Because she was number one in Nathan’s life. “Just in case, when’s your next night off?”
“The night before July Fourth.”
He cupped her face. “I’ll find a sitter.”
CHAPTER TEN
CHERYL BRUSHED MASCARA ON, smiling at her reflection. In less than an hour she would go on her first date in...she didn’t know how long. She and Brad had lived frugally, not making big deals of anniversaries or birthdays. She hadn’t minded making a special dinner for him instead of going out, or watching a movie at home instead of going to a theater.
Which was why she would enjoy the thrill of her first date. Her body hummed with anticipation. Nathan’s kisses had her so wired, she had trouble thinking. For the past few days, she’d worried about cutting her finger or dropping a tray at work.
Issy hadn’t said anything more to Josh and had had only one nightmare. So this date was a go.
Nathan hadn’t told her where they were going or how to dress. She twirled and the skirt flared on the light blue sundress she’d found at a vintage store.
Exhaling, she collapsed on the side of the bathtub. Would she sleep with Nathan? Whenever he kissed her, she wanted to take the next step. But now? Her stomach did a backflip.
They were so different and this was a dinner date. She didn’t have to sleep with him. There was no reason to rush anything.
There was a pounding on the bathroom door. “Whatcha doing?” Josh yelled.
“Inside voice, please.” She opened the door.
Josh barged in, dropped onto the toilet seat and stared at her dress. “I thought I was getting pizza tonight. Are we going someplace?”
“I told you last night, I’m going someplace.”
“You never wear a dress.” He crossed his arms. “Where are you going?”
Sometimes she wished Josh wasn’t quite so observant. “Out.”
“Where?”
“I’m not sure. It’s a surprise.”
“Then who will be with me?” He pouted.
“Remember? Mr. Dan and Miss Bess are watching you and Isabella.”
“Yeah.” Josh’s eyes narrowed. “Why are they watching Issy, too?”
“It’s a favor.” She didn’t want him to press her. She wouldn’t lie about going out with Nathan, but she didn’t want Josh freaking out, eith
er. “Why don’t you draw a picture of Carly for them?” Josh loved their dog.
“Okay.” He frowned, but left her alone.
She swished on blush and spritzed perfume. “Done.”
When the doorbell rang, butterflies invaded her belly. She pushed back her curled hair. Since her hair was fine and stick-straight, the style wouldn’t last long in Savannah’s humidity, but she’d made the effort.
Josh was in the living room, waving a paper in Bess’s face. “Did you bring Carly?”
“She’s in the greenhouse.” Bess looked over at Cheryl and her eyebrows went up. “You look gorgeous.”
“Thanks.” A blush heated her face.
“Where’s Mr. Dan?” Josh tugged on Bess’s hand to get her attention.
“He’s getting Issy.” Bess ruffled Josh’s hair. “We’re going to Abby’s house to make pizzas. Then we’ll cook them in the outdoor pizza oven.”
“I helped make the oven.” Josh’s chest stuck out. “I laid the first brick, Mom.”
“I know.” The Fitzgeralds were so kind to them.
Bess held out her hand for him. “Why don’t we go see what Abby’s got for pizza toppings? Daniel and Issy are meeting us there. It’s going to be a party. Dolley and Liam and Mr. and Mrs. Forester are all coming.”
“Thank you,” Cheryl said. “I can’t believe you’re doing this.”
“You’re welcome.” Bess gave Cheryl a quick hug. “I’m doing this because you’re part of our family,” she whispered.
Cheryl’s mouth dropped open. All along, she’d thought the Fitzgeralds had invited her to their celebrations because she was on her own, not because they cared about her personally. “Th-thank you.”
Bess pulled away and grinned. “Besides, I’m hoping Issy and Josh will wear Carly out and she won’t crawl on our bed tonight.”
Cheryl laughed at the image of a dog that outweighed Josh climbing into bed with Daniel and Bess. “I hope they can.”
“Have fun.” Bess waved. “Daniel’s got a key so we’ll get the kids into their beds.” Bess swept Josh out.
Cheryl was alone. Now her stomach did swan dives. What was she thinking? She was a mom. Putting her needs before Josh’s made her a bad mom. She should stay home. Make sure Josh knew he was the most important thing in her life.
There was a knock on the door. Maybe Josh was sick or hurt. She yanked it open. Nathan filled the doorway and everything melted inside her.
He wore khaki shorts, a silky-looking polo shirt and boat shoes. For once, his hair was tamed. She missed his messy hair.
She swallowed. “I’m overdressed.”
“You’re perfect.”
His face lit up as his gaze took a leisurely trip from the top of her head to her toes. Toes she’d painted a dark purple. She never wore nail polish. What was Nathan doing to her?
“I don’t get to see you in a dress very often. You look good enough to eat.” He held out his hand. “Let’s run before the kids spot us.”
She grabbed her purse and locked the door behind her. Her sandals clacked on the wooden steps.
Instead of Nathan’s truck, he led her to a vintage Mustang.
“Is this yours?” she asked.
“Daniel lent it to me.” The engine roared as Nathan started it.
“He’s a nice man.”
“He lectured me on not hurting you.” Nathan glanced over. “Did you and my brother ever have a...thing?”
“Never.” She grinned. “You sound jealous.”
He reached across the console and squeezed her hands. “I think you might be right.”
“No one’s ever been jealous over me.”
“Not even your husband?” He stared out the windshield. “Unless you don’t like to talk about him.”
“Brad? No, he was never jealous.” She shrugged. “He knew I’d never look at another man.”
“You’re kidding.”
“Once I met Brad, that was it. For both of us, I think.”
“Tell me about him.”
She squeezed her fingers together. Could she tell Nathan about the boy she’d loved for most of her life? “I was a freshman in high school when we met.”
“A freshman?”
She nodded, but he was looking at the road. “I was quiet. I didn’t like people noticing me.”
“I would have noticed you.”
“You would have been with the popular crowd.”
“That was Daniel. I was with a crowd you wouldn’t have hung around with.”
Maybe she should ask about Nathan instead of talking about herself. She’d heard about the trouble he’d gotten into, drugs being the worst. But other than alcohol, there hadn’t been any signs of that since he’d moved in next door.
“I worked in the library after school,” she said. “I’d stayed later than usual, reshelving books. By the time I left, football practice was over and a couple of players hassled me.”
She shivered. Even after all the years she could still feel the hot breath on her neck as they caged her next to her locker. Every time someone frightened her, she froze. “Brad saved me. They were his teammates and he stood up to them.”
“You started dating that long ago? You were how old? Fourteen?”
“Fifteen.” Her chest ached with the loss of the boy she’d loved. “Brad was a junior. He left school two years before I did. Headed to boot camp.”
“When did you get married?”
“After I graduated. I took a bus to his base. He’d just come back from overseas. We were married in the chapel.”
“Did your mom go with you?”
“No!”
He glanced over at her. “Not a fan of Brad?”
“She was...” Nathan had fantastic parents. How could she explain that her mother resented her only child? “She was an alcoholic. My existence ruined her life. She...hit me.”
“I’m sorry.” He reached for her hand again. His touch was warm and comforting. “Too bad you didn’t have my parents. I made their life miserable. It would have been better for me to be born to your mother than burden mine.”
“I’m sure they don’t feel that way.” She’d witnessed the Forester family bonds. She’d wanted that kind of connection growing up. She hoped she was making it with Josh.
“In high school, I was...wild,” he said. “I gave them gray hairs and sleepless nights.”
“But you’ve changed, right?”
He turned into the marina. “Absolutely.”
“Where are we going?”
“Out on the water.”
She sighed. “That sounds nice. I’ve only been out once since we arrived in Savannah.”
“Have you been on Daniel’s boat?” he asked.
“Josh talked Gray into taking us out with him and Abby last summer.”
“Well, that’s where we’re headed.” He parked in the lot. “I was kind of hoping you hadn’t. I’d like to be your first something.”
She turned and touched his hand. “You are. My first date.”
“Cool.” He grinned. “Let’s have fun.”
“I’m game.” She slipped out of the car. He grabbed a basket from the backseat.
“I saw Abby packing that,” she said.
He wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “Well, I couldn’t ask you to make a picnic supper.”
She bumped her head into his shoulder. “I would have done it.”
He hurried up the gangplank and held out a hand to help her aboard. A marina employee cast the lines to Nathan.
He fired up the engine and steered them out of the docked boats, sending her to the bow to check his clearance.
“To the left,” she called.
He adjusted.
“T
his is incredible.” She sucked in a breath filled with the brackish scent of the river. “Thank you.”
He stood at the wheel, looking like a captain. Who was this man who wanted her? He looked perfect building the restaurant. He looked at home playing on the floor with Isabella. And when he’d talked about shading and perspective with Josh as they’d sketched in the mural, he’d looked perfect there, too.
Why did he want to have anything to do with her? It didn’t make sense.
“A storm passed over your face. What’s wrong?” His smile slipped. “Where do you go when that happens?”
She stared at the rocking deck. “I was thinking about you. How...comfortable you are with work and Issy and...everything.” She looked back at him. “I don’t understand why you’re interested in me.”
His mouth dropped open. “Come here, please.”
She did and he took her hand, reeling her in until she was tucked under his arm.
“I’m not sure who you’re talking about. I’m out of my element with Issy, with work, with you.” He brushed a kiss on her forehead. “I can’t compete with your hero husband. I’m the family screw-up.”
“You are not.” She planted her hands on her hips. “If you were a screw-up, you wouldn’t have taken in your daughter. You wouldn’t be helping me. You wouldn’t know how to make Abby’s dream come true.”
He shook his head and the wind caught his hair. “I have a daughter who’s afraid to talk. I’m helping you out because you’re helping me. And construction is all I know.”
“You’re an artist. I’ve seen the mural you’re making for Issy.” She poked him in the chest. “Stop running yourself down.”
He blinked. She’d made him speechless. Not a bad thing.
“You’re amazing.” She straightened his hair. And then ran her hand down his chest. “What’s for dinner?”
* * *
NATHAN TOOK A deep breath and inhaled the scent of apples and something spicy.
Cheryl thought he was amazing.
His heart beat faster than it did the few times a week he ran. Well, he hadn’t run since Issy arrived.
“You’re hungry?” His voice cracked like he was a teenager.
