AllFreeNovel
Share Us
"Put me down," Charlie moaned, kicking his feet halfheartedly.
"No way. You're so fast, I'm pretty sure Eva should sign you up for football or something. We could call you Touchdown Charlie," Jake said, jerking his head toward the exit. "Allow me to carry your purchase to the car, madam."
Seeing Fancy dodge Mildred, who still looked as sour as a persimmon, Eva nodded and hustled toward the door leading to the parking lot. The waning day with its paintbrush sky met her when she stepped out. Her smile died, and she closed her eyes, breathing out, "Jesus."
"My mother would say to call on him, and in this instance, I think it's a good idea," Jake said, warmth coating his voice, making her relax. This is what the man was good at- making things easier. Making the tragic bearable.
Not that this was tragic... but she was worried about her brother. Obviously, she'd patted herself on the back a bit too early. The kid had issues, ones that scared her.
"Yeah, I probably should hit my knees more."
"I'm gonna leave that one alone," he laughed. Eva felt the blush hit her cheeks.
"Only you." Which was exactly right.
Wasn't that pretty much her motto in life? Only Jake.
Her knight in a denim button-down walked to her car, sliding Charlie from his shoulders. He held the little boy up under his arms and gave him a slight shake to get his attention. Her brother lifted a rounded, tear-streaked face to Jake.
"You do realize that your sister loves you?" Jake brought the kid closer to him so that their noses nearly met.
Charlie merely screwed up his face and started crying.
"No sense in crying about it now, kiddo. You didn't act nice to her in there and everyone saw that. What do you have to say to that?"
"I'm...I'm...sor...sorry," Charlie cried, lifting his hand to rub at his eyes.
"That's a good start, Charlie.” Jake said, setting the boy down, ruffling his hair. At that moment, Eva saw a spectrum in Jake she'd never seen before. Jake would be a helluva dad. Firm but kind. Funny and yet sensible. Approachable, loving, and not too far off his own father.
''Okay,” Eva said, grabbing her brother and giving him a hug. "I know things have been hard. I forgive you. We all make mistakes, but we have to do better. Okay?" She looked at Jake, her words carrying double meaning.
Charlie nodded against her neck. She felt a suspicious dampness that was likely tears mixed with snot, but she ignored it and hugged him tight.
How could she want to both throttle and hug someone at the same time?
Jake watched them with a tender expression. "Guess everything's okay now?"
Eva nodded, pulled her keys out of her pocket, and unlocked the car. After she got a sniffling Charlie settled, she shut the door and turned back to Jake. "Thank you. That was an awkward situation for me. I actually thought about pulling the fire alarm but it seemed redundant for a firefighter."
Jake chuckled. "Naw, B Shift would have to answer."
"Seriously, though, thank you."
"That's what friends are for, right?" He reached out and tucked a piece of the hair she'd left unbound behind her ear.
Eva swallowed. "That's right. We'll always be friends."
He pressed a gentle kiss on her forehead and stepped away. "See you later, alligator."
"See you soon, you big baboon."
The flash of his teeth in the twilight was like a crumb of bread to a starving prisoner. She wanted more. But she'd make it past this craziness in her life- all of it. She had to. More thanherheart was on the line. Charlie's sat right alongside hers, which meant she didn't do what she wanted. She did what she needed. And even if Charlie wasn't her responsibility, Jake Beauchamp would never be a wise decision.
She had to accept that he was a heartbreaker.
14
JAKE GAVE HIS sister a wave and backed his truck out of the recently repaired driveway of Laurel Woods, his niece beside him in the truck.
