Even Heroes Cry, Fords of Nashville, Book 1

by Hildie McQueen

  “Thank you.” Adam stood behind her, close enough Tesha swore his body heat warmed her back. She didn’t dare turn around. “The woodworking in your home has to be the best I’ve ever seen.”

  "The craftsman is from Nashville, a friend of the folks. He does great work."

  "I doubt I could afford him."

  "He's a nice guy, would probably work around your budget." Adam walked around her to the center of a large kitchen, thankfully hidden from the waist down by a tall counter or she would have had a hard time keeping her eyes from wandering.

  Sandstone countertops took her attention next. The appliances were all hidden behind the cherry wood cabinetry. An enormous farm style sink with a gooseneck faucet had room for any size pot. Unlike the rest of what she'd seen, the kitchen was fully furnished with four barstools in front of a high counter as well as an oval, matching cherry wood dining table and six chairs.

  Adam motioned to a barstool opposite of the counter. “Please sit. I’ll get this stuff out of the oven. It’ll only take a moment.”

  Although he spoke politely, she couldn’t call him friendly. He’d yet to smile, his expression more stoic than anything. His southern manners came into play when she sat. His deep voice held a slight southern accent. “I apologize for not coming to introduce myself when you moved in a few days ago." He glanced to the oven and took the kitchen towel from his shoulder.

  Tesha smiled at his attempt to make casual conversation. "It's fine. In Atlanta no one introduces themselves, so I didn't even think about it. This is all new to me." She watched him open the oven door and pull out a casserole dish then place it on the counter. Afterwards, he took out a second one and did the same. "Lasagna?"

  Adam nodded, eyes on the dishes. "Yes. My mother's birthday gift. Mom insisted she wanted my lasagna." He threw the towel back over his shoulder in what she pegged to be a habit and opened the refrigerator.

  While he disappeared behind the door, she stood and walked closer to the food. Not just to get another whiff, but it gave her a better view of his backside. "Does your mother live near here?"

  He straightened with two soft drinks and held one out to her after popping the top. "About an hour and a half away, in the outskirts of Nashville."

  Wearing a tank top with what looked to be a tomato stain on the front, she was able to admire his bulging biceps. He replied to her questions but did not ask or elaborate. Tesha drank the sweet liquid and realized he was being polite but not inviting the conversation to continue.

  Suddenly she felt awkward. She'd overstayed her welcome and needed to get to the reason for her visit. "I..." His eyes immediately locked to hers and her throat went dry. She took another sip of her drink. "I came to talk to you about my plans for a gated garden on this side of the house." Tesha motioned toward her house. "Do you have time to walk around with me so I can tell you what I have in mind and make sure you don't have a problem with it?"

  "I can't right now."

  "Oh. Of course, I don't expect you to do it right now. I can wait until a better day." Actually she did expect him to walk outside with her as he didn't seem particularly busy. But maybe he had plans she'd interrupted with her impromptu visit.

  "I'll come over, maybe later today." Although he looked at her as if he was a starving man and she the last ham sandwich on the planet, he did not move, instead remained frozen behind the kitchen island, his untouched drink in front of him.

  It was time to leave. Tesha wondered how she could make a graceful exit. She couldn't figure out if he was bothered by her visit and wished her gone or if perhaps this would be a good opportunity to invite him over for a meal and maybe get to know him better. She did a quick scan of the surrounding spaces. No woman's touch anywhere. He was definitely not in a relationship.

  Chapter Two

  For the first time since returning to Tennessee, two years earlier, Adam was glad to have moved into the huge, empty Victorian.

  Other than the recently renovated kitchen where he spent a great deal of time, the house served as a constant reminder of things best left forgotten.

  She stood just a few feet away, separated by the kitchen counter. The new and astonishingly gorgeous next-door neighbor. Thank God for kitchen counters, the obstacle kept him from moving closer and making a total fool of himself.

  Every time Tesha Washington spoke, the musical sound soothed his mind. He could listen to her talk all day. Her voice had a slight southern lilt, while at the same time she spoke with the fast precision brought on from living in the city.

  But it wasn't her voice that shook him upon opening the front door. It was seeing how stunning she was up close. The small woman struck him as the perfect mixture of innocence and sexiness. Somehow she managed equal measures of elegance, grace, and down-to-Earth easiness. Dressed casually, she made a pair of tight jeans and simple soft pink t-shirt mind-blowingly sexy. Her fingers caressed the soft drink bottle, her short nails painted in soft pink. His attention on her hands, he wondered what those fingernails would feel like digging into his back.

  Adam cleared his throat and considered what to say to keep her just a bit longer. It was moments like this he hated his shy nature. Although long silences didn't bother him in the least, it made others uncomfortable.

  She was an exception to the stretches of silence. Instead of seeming discomfited, she took the time to look around and take in the kitchen details. Her eyes flitting here and there, landing on him on occasion, before moving to take in something else. He could see the wheels turning in her head, taking notes for her upcoming projects. When she bit her lip and cocked her head to look at the side of the counter, he held on to the one in front of him to keep from lunging toward her and tasting the very morsel her white perfect teeth teased.

  Days earlier, he'd spied her from his second story window. The day she and her man moved in. The couple stood facing the front of the neglected house, his arm around her shoulders with the familiarity of two people who've known each other for a long time. While her companion looked on bemused and not at all happy, the expression on her face was something he'd never forget.

  Completely enthralled, with a wide smile, she'd stared at the old white house in awe. But it was her eyes that mesmerized him. They were filled with pure raw adoration, seeing the possibilities in beauty hidden by years of weathering and abandonment.

  What he wouldn't give for someone to look at him like that one day. He'd seen the look of pure affection before, when his parents looked at each other. If ever anyone had any doubt true love existed, they were proof it did.

  Once he'd thought to have found it with his ex-wife. But he soon discovered she adored his money and social position he provided more than him.

  Tesha ran her hand over the counter top and down the side. "This sandstone works perfectly with the other details in the kitchen. I would have not considered it. I love how it brings out the tans and browns in the wood flooring and cabinetry."

  "I think so too."

  Where was her husband? The man left the next morning and he'd not seen the sporty silver Camaro since. What fool would leave a beauty like her alone for so many days? Someone very secure in his relationship he supposed.

  Each time her gaze swept over him, his body hummed with awareness he long thought dormant. Adam did his best to control any reaction she caused from showing. It was unfortunate the day she came over all he'd done was pull on a worn set of sweatpants over his bare ass. He moved to stand closer behind the kitchen island, the second barrier helped. But not much.

  No way was he walking outside with her right now to look at property lines and such. The thin material of his pants did not come close to hiding very much.

  She lifted her hand and ran her fingers through her short-cropped hair. Tesha's thick black hair was styled in a short modern cut with a long sweep of bang that she hooked behind her right ear. She was petite, about five-four he guessed, with delicate bone structure. Her brown eyes were slanted on the outside corners, a very striking feat
ure. Her lips were pouty and naturally curved up, making her look as if she were keeping an adorable secret.

  She sipped from her bottle, her eyes on the casserole dishes he'd just pulled from the oven. The lasagna his mother insisted he bring over for her birthday. It was an excuse for him to visit.

  Miriam Ford's attempts at getting him to the family gathering were obvious. At the same time it assured him that his parents never stopped loving him and tried as best they could to understand what he went through.

  He'd already planned to attend his mother's birthday celebration, the one day every year he made sure to show up at his parents’ home. It had been too long since he'd seen all his brothers together. Maybe it would keep them from dropping by as often, as they tended to do on occasion. Each of his brothers visited with a range of excuses, the same shadows of worry, they tried without success to hide in their expressions.

  He loved his family more than anything but it was exhausting to keep the demons hidden from them. When he returned from spending the day with his family it could turn into a hard night. But it was worth it.

  His guest put her bottle on the counter and stood. "I better get out of your way. When you have a chance, just knock on the door and we can walk around the area where I'm planning to set up the garden. I'll show you what I have in mind and make sure you are okay with the part that will face your house." She smiled and let out a breath and Adam fought to keep from gawking at her breasts.

  She continued. "I will make sure it's attractive from both sides of the fencing."

  Tesha placed both hands on the counter, the specks of its color almost matching her bronzed skin perfectly. He'd think of her alluring skin each time he'd look at the counter now. How soft it must be to his touch. Soft and supple under his lips.

  Adam realized she was waiting for a reply. "I'll come over." He motioned for her to walk ahead of him to the door. He had two good reasons for it, a good view of her curves and not having to worry about her catching his body's reactions to her tantalizing scent, a mixture of vanilla and lavender. He followed and inhaled all the while his eyes roaming from her proud shoulders to the enticing curves of a small waist and round little bottom.

  Tesha stopped and waited by the door. It was obvious she'd been raised in a home where manners and etiquette were followed. He pulled the door ajar, moving to stand partially behind it. Tesha lifted her face to look at him. "See you soon, neighbor." Her lips grabbed his attention. He could swear she purposefully taunted him, somehow knowing he found her irresistible.

  "Nice to meet you, Tesha Washington."

  He watched her prance down the stairs and cut through his side yard toward hers. Suddenly his yard took on a magical appeal. Adam walked outside to stand on the porch and stared at her retreating form until she disappeared into her house. Now, should he change into jeans and go over later today, or wait until after he returned from his parents’ home?

  His cell phone jingled. Without looking he knew it was his mother calling to make sure he was coming this weekend. She'd not relax until he reassured her. He glanced once more toward the neighboring house. It was best if he went to visit Tesha later today. After visiting with his large family, he'd need a few days alone just in case.

  Adam took the same shortcut Tesha had earlier to her house a couple hours later. Since the renovation was completed, it was rare that he spent any time in the yard other than to mow grass and trim hedges. He'd dedicated all his time to repairing the interior of house. It took him an entire year to renovate the inside. He'd hired a carpenter from Nashville to complete the needed repairs and then spent the last nine months on the exterior, replaced what needed to be, stripped and painted every inch.

  Once he stepped over the property line, it was obvious no one had taken care of the lawn. Although it had been recently cut, more weeds than grass covered the ground. He'd caught sight of men with lawn equipment making quick work of trimming and mowing. Tesha must have hired a lawn service to give the land some semblance of control of the overgrown greenery. When he reached the side door, he wondered if perhaps it was best to round the house and go to the front.

  Before he moved, the side door opened and Tesha greeted him with a bright smile. "Hi. I'm so glad you're here." Instead of inviting him in, she climbed down the two wide stairs of the small side deck. "Now I can plan a trip to the nursery tomorrow or the next day." She grinned and he swallowed looking toward the ground to keep from staring at how stunning she looked in the shadows from the setting sun. "I've only recently began gardening, so I can't wait to start one here. I have a feeling it will flourish."

  Her smile dimmed and she turned away. "I'm sorry. I know I'm babbling. It's crazy not having anyone to talk to for days. I don't mean to go on and on."

  It was his fault that she'd stopped smiling, so he tried to come up with something to say. "I like hearing you talk. Your excitement is great." Adam rested his palms on his hips.

  "Oh." Once again, she gifted him with a wide smile. "Don't tell me that. I'll talk your ear off." Her laughter was light and airy. "Now, picture this. Stand here." Tesha instructed taking his arm and pulling him to the side of the stairs. Her hand was soft and the warmth of her touch was too brief.

  "All right." She faced him and gestured to her right with a sweep of her arm. "I am thinking to have a short four-foot brick wall built from the edge of the front of the house to here." She shimmied backward and held her arms out. "Across here with an arbor over here." He couldn't help being mesmerized by her hurried moves as she rushed to stand to the opposite side of her imaginary front wall. "The other wall will be here almost to the side of the house. I will have a gate on this end." She exhaled. "Hope to find an old wrought iron gate to recycle."

  He nodded and pictured what she planned to do. It sounded like she had it all calculated. Adam didn't understand why she needed to talk to him about it. Not that he minded it one bit. "You have it all planned out. Why do you need walls?"

  Shadows crossed her face. Her eyes fell to her feet as she deliberated how much to share. He knew the look, had seen it many times in the faces of soldiers he'd served with. The tug of war between trust and only sharing enough to allow a point to come across. "I need a space for quiet time. Outside with fresh air, but at the same a feeling of privacy."

  When he nodded in understanding, once again Tesha became animated. "I will plant English ivy that will eventually cover the bricks and the arbor. Also there will be some shrubbery on the outside to keep it from looking too obvious. I don't want to ruin any view you may have from your house."

  Ah, so she was taking him into consideration. Ensuring her plans did not bother her neighbor. Tesha Washington was not only a beautiful woman, but caring and thoughtful too. She stood waiting for him to say something, and Adam considered that if he agreed too fast, their time together would end and he'd not have an excuse to spend time with her again. "Who is building the wall?" He kept a stern look, his brows drawn together. "What color brick."

  She hurried back to the stairs and picked up a brick he'd not noticed. "I found these behind the house in a pile. The rest will come from this fireplace that will be demolished." He stalked after her when she rushed to stand by a partial brick fireplace. "I'm having it removed. This sidewall will be all windows." Tesha made swiping motions with her arms at the side of the house. He found it adorable.

  He'd run out of questions. As was his habit, he shoved his hands into the front pockets of the worn jeans and pretended to ponder what she'd explained. Tesha touched his arm and he looked to her. "The garden will come to here." She pulled on his arm again and walked alongside until they stood beside each other a few feet away, facing his house. "I am pretty sure it's safely within my property line."

  A new excuse to see her again struck. "Yes, it's nowhere close to it. I'll check to make sure but I may have some bricks in the shed out back. I can bring them over when you're ready to start. I have no problem with anything you're planning." Although he'd hate to lose the chance t
o catch glimpses of her while she worked on her garden. Then again, he would be able to from his second floor bedroom window.

  "Thank you so much." Tesha beamed and threw her arms around his middle giving him a quick half hug. Hell he'd tear down a wall with his bare hands to bring her the bricks now. "From the porch of your house you should be able to see the garden. I'm hoping it will give you a nice view too."

  Lightning flashed overhead. A summer storm would bring rain in a few minutes. A different set of lights flashed in his mind and Adam knew he had to get away from Tesha. "I have to make a phone call. Have a good night." Not even giving her time to respond, he rushed home. Before he made it to his door thunder clapped and boomed above. His breathing was harsh. Instead of his house, he saw entirely different surroundings.

  Adam fumbled with the doorknob and managed to stumble indoors before falling to the floor.

  Within minutes panic seized and he lost control. Flashes and thunder roared and he began to lose the battle against reality.

  His face wet with perspiration, Adam dragged his convulsing body to the closest corner and rolled into a ball to wait for the panic to subside. Although it never helped, he covered his ears with his hands to wait for what could be hours or sometimes even days. It couldn't be days. He prayed for it to be over soon so he could make it to his parents’.

  Chapter Three

  The first view of the contractor's truck coming to her house should have brightened her morning, but instead she groaned and rushed to the bathroom to splash water onto her face. Tesha doubted she got three hours of sleep the night before.

  Atlanta summer storms rarely lasted as long as the one last night in Lovely. The rain raged on for hours. The booms of thunder shook the house and frightened her awake several times. She'd managed to fall asleep after it stopped sometime in the early morning hours, only to wake up gasping for air from a nightmare. Any memory of her dream was gone, but she supposed it must have been terrible by the way she'd been trembling.