by Tijan
bottle, but he’s always harping for a place to sleep.”
Dani poured herself a mug and sat down. She couldn’t help wondering if it was Barney who Mae was even talking about now.
“He don’t got anyone. Why’s he here?” She stopped scrubbing, brushing some of her hair off her forehead. “Yeah.” Her voice was quiet now. “He should go, but he never does. Never will.” Then it was like she remembered Dani was there. Mae blinked a few times, dropped the washcloth on the counter, and looked at her. “What are you doing here at this hour?”
Dani went for the easiest answer. “Jake stopped by earlier.”
“He did?”
“Yeah.” Dani took a sip as Mae leaned against the counter right across from her. “Julia doesn’t want me out at the house. She doesn’t even want me to see Aunt Kathryn.”
Mae pushed back up from the counter with a sharp movement. “That—!” She heaved a deep sigh to calm herself. “Can’t say I’m surprised. She’s not going to like you being home.” She eyed Dani. “She’ll be worried you’re going to take Jake away.”
Dani felt there was a little more to that statement when Mae said it, and she put her mug back on the counter. “Is she the only one thinking that?”
Mae lifted up a shoulder. “People are talking. They’re wondering.”
“People are wondering about me?” Dani leaned forward, resting her elbows on the counter. “Or are you wondering?”
Small towns meant big mouths. Dani knew that. She’d always known that, but this gossip had been fast. Then again, she ran into Kelley Lynn. Maybe she should’ve expected it after being in town only for one day.
Mae grabbed the washcloth again and began cleaning the counter where Dani sat. “I did before. I don’t anymore. You’re not the same you from before.”
“What do you mean?” She reached for her coffee, but only sat there. Her hands grew cold, even holding that hot mug.
Mae shrugged again, finishing up her cleaning. She tossed the washcloth to the back kitchen. “You’re not the same girl who left these parts ten years ago. I can see it in you, and I’m guessing that you’ve seen some of what life has to offer. I’m betting it’s not the side that goes to operas and sings church hymns. It’s big news when the middle O’Hara comes back to town after vanishing ten years ago. It’s even bigger news when she left a slip of a girl and comes back a stunning young woman. Even if others can’t tell, I can. You’ve got a backbone now. And this is the same girl who holds the title First Love on Jake’s love life, but the question isn’t how is Julia going to handle you being back.” Mae watched her steadily. “It’s you, so what are you going to do Dani? Is Jake the real reason you came back home?”
The air grew thick with tension.
Dani cut some of that tension as she said, “I didn’t come back for Jake.” That only answered part of her aunt’s question, and the other part was a question she was starting to realize maybe others had as well.
Was she going to take him back?
Dani and Mae had a nightcap, and a conversation that was purposefully kept light-hearted, though Dani made sure to get some information on Jonah Bannon. She wanted to know whom she was dealing with, but after a second drink, she was able to sleep a few hours on Mae’s couch. And it wasn’t long after when she woke again, but this time it was from jet lag. No nightmares. Hearing Mae’s soft snoring from her bedroom, she didn’t want to wake her as she let herself out. Knowing she had no food at the cabin, other than what Mae always kept stocked there, she was in the grocery mart when she heard Jonah Bannon’s slow drawl again. “Milk, eggs, cheese, yogurt, and, let me guess, you can’t forget the chocolate. Every female I know has to have chocolate.” He was right behind her.
His hair was wet like he just showered. He was clean shaven, and those same dark eyes that had been laughing at her yesterday still held their distinct cocky twinkle. Wearing a black hooded sweatshirt that molded perfectly to his form, Jonah looked good in the early hours of the morning, but Dani wasn’t surprised.
She had a strong suspicion that Jonah always looked good.
“Please.” She opened the freezer for a bag of frozen vegetables. “Mae told me you used to be a big shot head hunter before you came back to town. That means you’re smart. I’m sure you could identify five food products every female has to have, but maybe stick to something that’s not so stereotypical. We need to have our chocolate for our periods, right?”
Jonah cut a grin. “I heard you were the nice, shy O’Hara. You’re not nice and shy now.”
“My nasty side tends to come out when I have a thorn in my side. You, Jonah Bannon, are becoming that thorn.”
She moved to another aisle, and he kept pace with her. “Okay, okay. I’m getting the message. The car’s not for sale, but what about a ride?”
She stopped and shot him a look.
He held up his hands. “I know what you said before. No rides. But man, that is a seriously sweet car. You don’t understand the agony of seeing it out and about, and not being able to give it a ride. Can you really blame a guy for trying?”
She grabbed a carton of milk, and started forward again.
Jonah got in front. “Put yourself in my shoes.”
She frowned at him. “Is this really about my car? Or is there something else going on?”
“Huh?” He lowered his hands.
She was being paranoid. “Nothing. Sorry. I started to think you were another one of my sister’s minions.”
His eyebrows shot up. “You’re funny, too. I’ve never met an O’Hara who was funny.” He shook his head. “No. I’m not here because of your sister.”
Their eyes caught and held, and an undercurrent passed between them. Dani couldn’t help but murmur, “Not that sister, anyway.”
Jonah sobered, resting his hands on the end of her cart. He said, quietly, “I wasn’t sure if you remembered.”
She nodded. Her insides swirling again. “I remembered.” He dated Erica for a week. It hadn’t been long, but Erica shouted it from the rooftop. It was one of the only arguments she had with Julia. Their oldest sister hadn’t loved having Jonah Bannon dating their littlest. She kept claiming it was because he was a bad influence. Everyone knew it had nothing to do with that, and everything to do with her own jealousy.
“You didn’t think Erica was funny?” Dani remembered his earlier words. “Everyone thought Erica was funny.”
“Erica thought she was funny. That’s good enough for most.”
“But not you?”
His grin slipped a notch. “Are you trying to trip me up? Is that what this is?”
“I just want to hear some truth. Everyone raves about my sister. I didn’t think there existed a person who didn’t.”
“Besides you?” Jonah searched her face. “And no, I didn’t think Erica was funny. That’s my truth.”
“You just went up a notch, but only a notch.” She bit the inside of her cheek to keep from grinning as she passed him to the checkout counter. “And I’m still not selling you my car. That’s my truth.”
He groaned, falling in line behind her. “A ride? One ride?”
They heard a gasp, and both looked over. The clerk had her hands pressed over her mouth, but she slapped them on the counter and came around. “If it isn’t… Oh my goodness. I heard you were in town, but I didn’t quite believe it. If it isn’t little Dani O’Hara!”
Dani paused, eyeing the clerk for a moment. She was in her forties and it took a little bit for Dani to recognize her. “Mrs. Tatums.” She taught piano to all three O’Haras. Julia and Erica excelled. Dani quit.
She grasped Dani’s face in her hands and shook her. “I cannot believe it! It’s been ages! How are you?” She pulled her in for a hug.
“I’m good.” Dani’s mouth was pressed into her shoulder.
“Oh dear!” She gushed again as she pulled back and held Dani at arm’s length. “Mmmm mmm mmm. The rumors are indeedy true. You, my dear, left an ugly duckling and return
ed a swan. I can’t get over this.”
Then her eyes fell on Jonah, and went flat. “What are you doing here, Jonah?”
His grin was easy. “Early morning breakfast, Karen. I loved that coffee cake so much I ate it in one sitting.”
“Stop playing with a married woman.” Her cheeks reddened. “I have my mother’s talent. The best coffee cake in seven counties now. It won champion at the fair last year, you know.”
“Let’s hope it wins again.”
Mrs. Tatums tried to look disapproving, but the coffee cake won out. “Oh, you, Jonah. So charming.” She returned behind the counter and began ringing Dani’s things up. Her eyes slid to Dani. “You better watch out, Dani. If you’re seen with the likes of Jonah Bannon, there’s going to be other rumors spread around.” She winked at her. “If you know what I mean.”
She didn’t, but she could guess. Dani’s smile was a little more forced as she waited to pay for her things. She held her tongue, waiting as everything was bagged up. After paying, she waved to her old piano teacher, and headed for the door. She muttered under her breath, “Now I remember why I quit after five lessons. You old bat…”
She trailed off, seeing Jonah right behind her.
His smile spread a little wider and he held his hands up. “I didn’t have anything to buy, and I have some advice for you.” His head leaned forward an inch. “If you want to get out of a conversation with her, just bring up Mr. Mells. You can say anything about him, but he was her competition in town. Both taught piano lessons and she hates him. If she thinks you’re going to start gushing about him, she’ll end that conversation real quick.”
“Thanks. I’ll keep that in mind.”
She stowed her things in the back seat, and reached for her door. She paused. “Um.” She looked back up. “You haven’t said anything to make me think this, but just in case your interest really isn’t about my car, I’m not here to compete with either of my sisters.” Before she knew what she was saying, she heard herself being more honest with him than anyone else. “I left a really great man behind and I didn’t come back to find a replacement for him. I’m not home for any of that.”
She got inside, or attempted to. Jonah stopped her. Just as she was about to close the door, he caught it. “Hey. Wait.”
Before he could say anything more, she added, “That might not be what’s going on here. I know. I could be speaking out of turn and you might really only want to drive my car, but it doesn’t matter to others.” She pointed around the street and sidewalks. “They’re already talking about me, and as much as I hate to give that Old Bat some credit, she is right about one thing. If people see us talking, or you driving my car, you know what they’re going to think. I didn’t come back to deal with any of that either.”
He shifted closer to the door, lowering his voice. “I know what my reputation is and sometimes it’s earned. Other times it’s the furthest from the truth. I get what you’re doing, but here’s my advice to you—you don’t have a reputation yet. People can’t figure you out right now because you’re not the same as when you left. That could be bad for you. They’ll give you a rep you might not want. Your ex, for one. People are going to assume you’re here for him, until you show them you’re not.”
“I’m not here for Jake either.”
“Okay.” He pointedly nodded to the car. “Then let yourself be seen with me. Being seen with me will counteract any other rumor.” He leaned even closer to her. “If it’s not me, it should be someone else. It won’t hurt you to be seen with someone other than Jake Sullivan.”
“Jake was my best friend all my life.”
“He’s engaged to your sister, and you’re going to need friends.”
“That’s what you’re offering?”
“If I can get a joyride in this magnificent piece of machinery, then yes.” He tapped her car door. “I’m offering.”
“You sure your reputation is only half-true?” Dani grinned as she got inside and started the engine. Jonah closed the door for her. “My aunt also said you’re a ladies’ man. Been with half the town.”
He grinned down at her, and Dani ignored the little flutter she felt. He winked at her. “Let me come by the cabin later and I’ll show you how much of a gentleman I can be. You know I’m itching to get underneath this hood.”
Her body grew warm, and was getting warmer the more they talked. She schooled her features so they were almost a glare. Or she was trying. “You better be talking about my car.”
“Of course.” That dimple was winking again at her. “What else would I be talking about? I’m a gentleman, remember?”
She groaned, but then she heard herself answering, “I’ll be around this evening.” What was she doing?
“Sounds good. See you around six, and I like my steak medium-rare.”
Steak? She had to cook for him now? He held a hand up and headed across the road. She was about to pull out into traffic when she heard the short warning signal of a cop’s sirens.
She looked over.
Jake had pulled up next to her.
Shit.
Dani cut the engine and sat back to wait. Jake had a partner in the passenger seat, but when he climbed out, his partner stayed. And it wasn’t Jonah this time, but a woman. And judging by the glower on his face, he didn’t look like he wanted to have a few words. He looked ready to rip into her about something.
Before Jake could say anything, she nodded at his car. “Who’s your partner?”
“My partner.”
“Yeah. Got that. Who is it?” Dani craned her neck, trying to get a better look around him.
“Oh,” Jake remarked, a bit sheepish. “That’s Kate Daily.”
“Kate Daily’s a cop?!”
Kate Daily was the female version of Jonah, or her reputation claimed. She probably felt the counselor and principal’s office were second or third homes to her own. She’d been known for cutting class, smoking on school property. Thinking back, Dani knew the girl had been into more than just sex, cigarettes, and skipping school. The tracks on her arms announced it to the world.
Kate Daily was now a cop. Dani was stunned.
“Yeah.”
“I didn’t know small-town cops got partners.”
“It’s new. We’re trying it out.”
“Julia likes that you have a female partner?”
“Dani.” He shook his head. “Don’t start.”
There it was. The old Jake and Dani. He spoke to her, using his soft voice, how he used to when they dated. And like back then, she answered. The wall fell, and for a brief moment, they were eighteen again. Dani watched him, her head against her seat’s headrest, and a silence fell over them.
Jake began to drum his fingers on the door.
Dani grinned. That was his thing whenever he was anxious, but didn’t know what to say. His fingers would strum up and down on whatever surface they were resting on. Jake always prided himself on being a stellar poker player, but it just wasn’t true. She knew all his tells.
He cleared his throat. “You sleep good last night?”
“I slept alright.”
“I know that cabin is a good distance from civilization.” He tugged at his collar, hunching his shoulders forward. “If you’re ever scared, you know, just give me a call.”
“And wake Julia? And have her know that you’re running off to help me?” Julia would throw a fit, and they both knew it. “So the next time I wake up at three in the morning, I’m supposed to call you, and Julia will be okay with that?”
“Don’t play this game. I know what you’re doing. You’re pushing my buttons, and you’re trying to piss me off.”
“Is it working?”
“It’s too early for something like this. I don’t want to play games with you.”
“Well, tough.” Dani expelled a deep breath. She was over Jake, had been for years, but a bubble of anger rose up in her. “You screwed me for years, screwed Erica after that, and now you got Julia. You don’t
want to play, you should date outside the O’Hara pool.”
“What happened to you?” He took a step back. “You were never this bitter before.”
“I come home and find that you’re still playing puppet to one of my sisters. Don’t act outraged that I’m tired of it.”
“Dani—”
“Let’s get some things straight. You asked where I was, but we both know you want to know why I left. You were part of the reason, but you weren’t the total reason.” She narrowed her eyes. “And when I say you were part of it, I’m meaning that you’re the one who kept me here. Once you were gone, I was gone.”
Jake glanced over his shoulder. Kate had gotten out of her seat
