A few moments later, I heard her race down the steps and Winifred’s voice as she greeted Michelle.
She could run, but I wasn’t going anywhere.
Taking a deep breath, I went back to work. I’d make this place a home she wouldn’t want to leave, and I’d treat her with respect and patience for as long as it took.
When lunch approached, I went into her apartment and fixed everyone sandwiches. If she didn’t want to spend time with me, fine. But I’d still show her I was here to take care of her.
The boys raced up the stairs and reached the apartment first.
“Emmitt!” Liam said excitedly. “Are you cooking lunch today?”
The boy made me smile despite hearing his sister dragging her feet in the hallway.
“Yep. I thought maybe I’d eat with you guys.”
When she stepped in, I made sure not to look at her.
“How about we carry these sandwiches downstairs and eat on the grass?” I handed each boy a sandwich, took one for myself, and left with the boys.
It seemed to do the trick. She came downstairs and ate in the shade of the porch. She didn’t talk to us, but she didn’t run either...until I stood to go inside.
She’ll come around, Emmitt. Give her time.
I knew Winifred was right, but knowing didn’t make the wait any easier.
* * * *
The next day, it rained in the early morning. The rising heat and humidity made painting the exterior impossible, so while the kids ran through the sprinkler, I went outside to do some yard work.
Michelle was already on her blanket on the lower porch. Not wanting her to run, I kept walking to the garage. The weed eater leaned in the corner. From the looks of the yard, Jim didn’t use it often. Thinking of the kids, I grabbed it and walked out.
“Liam, save some water for me,” I said as I walked past the boys. He tried splashing me, and I grinned. He was a different boy from just a few weeks ago.
At the tree line, I gave the starter a pull and got to work. By the time I managed half of the back side of the yard, sweat was trickling down my spine. I pulled off my shirt and tucked it into the waistband of my shorts, letting the lazy breeze dry my skin. It didn’t help much.
When I finished the back section, I killed the motor and moved to start the long side.
“Emmitt, I think the water’s almost gone,” Aden shouted with a giggle.
I glanced at them, seriously thinking about running with them for just a few minutes, when I caught sight of Michelle. She was sitting on the porch, staring at me with the cutest blush. When she saw me looking, she lifted her book to hide her face.
Confusing.
When I finished, Winifred already had lunch made. We all ate together on the porch, Michelle keeping her distance from me. The boys talked about what they wanted to do when Jim came home. More sprinkler time and possibly some races.
As soon as they were back in the water, I borrowed Winifred’s keys and went to town. Michelle said blue was her favorite color, and I needed a gallon for her bedroom.
While I was in town, I spent some time looking at furniture and ordered a few pieces to pick up at a later date. I hoped she’d like everything and feel at home when I was done. By the time I had what I needed, the sun hung low in the sky.
When I got back, Winifred sat on the porch with the kids. Both were eating a cookie, but Aden didn’t look happy about it.
“What’s up, little man?” I said, ruffling his hair.
“Jim’s not home.”
I glanced at Winifred.
Any concern?
Yes. Quite a bit. Michelle is missing, too. When I asked Jim, he said she’s with him but won’t say where.
I struggled for control. Jim was my brother. I trusted him with my life. There had to be an explanation for why he’d taken Michelle off on his own.
“I’m sure he’ll be home soon.” I sat next to the boys. “Got any big plans for tomorrow?”
They talked through some ideas until Aden was smiling again.
I think I should go look for them.
I agree. I’ll keep the little ones company.
“Would you two like to watch a movie with me?” she asked Liam and Aden.
While they went inside to watch a movie, I quickly cleaned up and changed. Outside, I went to the garage and pulled out my bike. At least Jim had the sense to take the truck.
It wasn’t hard to find them. The black marks out of the driveway told the direction. From there, I followed the faded scent of the truck’s exhaust to the bar Michelle had visited once before.
I was going to kill Jim.
Cars crowded the parking lot and music blasted inside. My ears hurt, and I was still fifty feet away. Rolling my shoulders, I pocketed the bike key and went inside.
Jim wasn’t hard to spot. It worried me, though, that the stool next to him was vacant and there was no sign of Michelle.
“Where is she?” I asked when I stood behind him.
“Finally!” He turned to me. “You took forever. She’s avoiding you because being with you makes her want to share her secrets. Secrets she thinks will give you control over her. But, she’s promised to stop running away from you.” He grinned at me. “You’re welcome.”
I just stared at him for a moment. Of course he’d noticed she was avoiding me. And in typical Jim fashion, he’d taken it upon himself to “fix” the problem. It would have been easier to stay mad at him if he didn’t always deliver a solution, like the key to Michelle’s avoidance. I sighed, completely understanding how he could annoy Winifred so well.
“Where is she, Jim?”
“Bathroom,” he said, nodding toward the door.
I turned and looked across the crowded room. People had gathered in the space between the pool table and bar to dance to country rock. However, they didn’t block my view of the bathroom door as it opened.
Michelle moved into the main room and stood on her toes, looking my way. Our eyes met. She blinked slowly, a slight frown pulling at her dark brows. Before I could motion to her, someone stepped in the way, blocking her view.
Not far from her, a man caught sight of her and smiled. I felt the sharp edge of my teeth. Using a strong hand and empty, politely worded excuses, I pushed my way through the crowd, keeping an eye on Michelle. She made very little progress as she tried to move around the perimeter of the room. I saw the moment she changed directions to try to cut through the dancers. So did the man who’d been watching her.
Not happening. I moved to cut him off. When he saw me shake my head, he held his hands up good-naturedly and went another direction. I turned and came up behind Michelle. Fear and worry were completely absent. Actually, there wasn’t any emotion coloring her natural scent. Man, she smelled so good like that.
I caught her around the waist to stop her progress since talking would be useless. She looked toward Jim before turning to face me.
Even with all the noise, I heard her heart skip a beat when she saw me. This time, she didn’t look away or try to run. Instead, her scent changed slightly. It grew sweeter, more welcoming. Unable to resist, I leaned in and inhaled near her hair.
“Hi,” she whispered.
Encouraged, I wrapped my arms around her and turned her to the rhythm of the music.
“You had me worried,” I said softly.
“My driving’s not that bad,” she said, pulling back slightly.