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A shade of red flickered in his eyes. His entire face hardened, his expression sober. “I wanted better opportunities. Economy was really bad back then, and it was hard for me to make a living here. Dina put her foot down and said no. She didn’t want to leave, and we were already having problems with raising Clint. She pampered the boy too much,” he said, then glanced away. “Didn’t let me parent him the way I wanted, with consequences for bad behavior. After I left, I kept in touch, and visited for the holidays for a number of years. I paid for his ticket to go see me in NY, but he only came once. From the moment he got off that plane, his mind was set on hating everything.”
“He was a teenager.”
He curled his fingers into a fist that she imagined he’d land on his own face. “Yeah. I tried. Not hard enough, obviously.”
“Look at me,” she said. “You didn’t leave him after he was born and never looked back. You wanted to build a better life for your family, and you have. You aren’t a monster.”
“Thanks.”
“Please promise me you won’t torture yourself for all the what-ifs. We can’t rewrite our past, but we can control our thoughts about them.”
“Sorry. You’re right. I don’t talk about this stuff much.”
She caressed his cheek. “I know. Because you’re a big, strong man, right?”
He traced his finger down her nose. “That’s right. A fucked-up big, strong man.”
Her heart fluttered. Joy welled up her throat, even if they were discussing a subject that was not particularly happy. He trusted her, and showed her his vulnerable side—for once. She outlined his shoulder blades. “I wouldn’t mind seeing more of this man.”
“Good. Because I’m getting to show you a whole lot more than I meant to.”
She hoped he’d meant it… because a part of her clung to his words like an armadillo to its shell.
* * *
“Howdy.”Bob, Josh’s dad, said as the chime of the shop announced his presence.
The best—and most honest—car mechanic in town, Bob towered over most folks. He was in his late sixties, and carried his weight well. He fumbled with his buckle, while glancing down at the cupcakes on the glass display.
“Can I help you?” Natalie asked. She’d seen him across the street in his shop, but he didn’t come often to actually buy sugary stuff.
He gave her a smile that creased the area around his gentle blue eyes. “Is Dina in?”
“No, she’s running late. She’s usually here this early,” she said, looking at the clock. “Do you want me to give her a message?”
Bob finger combed his mostly white, full head of hair. “I saw her at bingo last night, and remembered she likes peaches. So I was driving today, and bought some on the side of the road,” he said, then brought a small box of fruit to the counter. “Got some for her.”
Natalie stared at him, surprise rolling down her throat. Bob had a crush on Dina. Why else would he be all nervous, and bring her peaches first thing in the morning? She glanced at the soft, nicely ripened fruits. “I’ll be happy to give her these.”
“Thanks. Tell her I hope she enjoys them,” he said, stepping back.
“You bet.”
Bob scratched his head, then looked at her again. “Don’t tell her that. Just say they’re from me,” he said, as a wave of red quickly spread across his cheeks.
“You got it. I’m sure she’ll love them,” she said with a cheerful voice. She didn’t dare to bring up the subject or make things awkward for him, but shit… Dina deserved someone to love. She was such a nice, warm woman with a lot to give. Maybe that’s why she butted in Natalie’s life so much… she cared. And it was high time she had someone special to care for.
I sure do. Despite trying to talk herself out of her strategy to keep her relationship to Vincent strictly sexual, a part of her knew she cared for him.
Her cell phone beeped, and she fished it out from her apron. A text from Vincent.
There’s a carnival fair out-of-town this weekend. Wanna go?
