Dawson's Stand (Welcome to Covendale Book 4) (10 page)

She opened her eyes—and immediately gasped. “Is that Covendale?”

“Every bit of it.” He smiled and squeezed her hand slightly.

“It’s beautiful,” she half-whispered. “Isn’t it?”

“Yes.” His own response surprised him. Normally he would’ve cracked a joke about how small and pathetic it was. But as he stared out, taking in the view of the whole town sprawled out below as if it were the first time—which it practically was, for him—he realized it was true. He’d never come up here just to look at the scenery. It really was an impressive sight.

She turned to him with a dazzling smile. “Thank you,” she said. “This is the nicest surprise I’ve ever had.”

“Well, it’s really not much,” he said. “Somebody must’ve done something a lot nicer for you. I mean, any guy would be crazy not to throw himself at your feet.”

She stared at him for a long moment. Then without warning, she started to cry.

“Kyla?” His voice emerged hoarse with concern. She wasn’t sobbing or breaking down. It was just a few tears slipping from her eyes, and he wasn’t even sure she realized it. Somehow, that seemed worse than a meltdown. “What’s wrong?”

She shivered. “I…don’t know how to tell you.”

“It’s okay. You don’t have to say anything.”

“I want to,” she said. “It’s just…” She drew a hitching breath. “Oh, God, I can’t do it.”

His heart ached. He wanted to hold her, to tell her everything would be okay, but he had no idea what was wrong—or if she’d even want him to comfort her. “Um, maybe you should sit down,” he said, gesturing toward the car. “We can get out of here, if you want.”

“No, I’d like to stay. I’m all right.” She looked at him and tried to smile. “Could we sit out here?”

“Sure. Luka doesn’t have anything in the car, but here.” He took his jacket off and spread it on the ground. “Have a seat.”

“Are you sure?”

He nodded. “That jacket’s been through worse.”

“I’m not sure I want to know what.” Her smile was a bit stronger this time. She sat down, and waited for him to join her. “I’m sorry about this,” she said. “Some not-date, right?”

“Hey. Didn’t I tell you not to apologize?”

“I guess you did.”

“Well, then.” He smiled and almost reached for her, but decided it would be better to let her lead. “You sure you’re okay?”

“Yes. Thank you.” She stared over the ridge for a long time, with a carefully blank expression. Finally, she said softly, “I’m divorced.”

He blinked slowly. Out of all the things he might have expected to hear, that was nowhere on the list. She couldn’t be more than twenty-two or twenty-three—not much younger than him. He tried not to many any assumptions, like a drunken night in Vegas or a shotgun wedding. “Er,” he said. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be.” The heat behind those words practically burned him. Her anger faded fast, and she said, “That’s why I was at the bar. I was celebrating, because my divorce was finalized.”

“With two drinks.”

She nodded. “One for me, one for Ralph. He’s my friend, and my lawyer.” She went very still. “He saved my life.”

Gage stared at her. “You sound like you mean that literally.”

“I do.” She shivered again and crossed her arms in front of her. “My husband…my ex-husband, Mike. He liked to hit me.”

“Oh, God.” All the breath went out of him, and he was sick with fury. “Kyla, I’m so sorry.”

“He hid it from everyone. Hid me—he wouldn’t let me leave the house much. Wouldn’t let me talk to anyone. Once he put me in the hospital for a week…the first time I tried to leave him.” She spoke in a monotone, her expression vacant and wooden. “I had to be more careful after that. It took months to plan a way out. Ralph helped me, and I managed to get some evidence to him. Then a year ago, Mike tried to kill me.”

Gage reached out and took her hand. She didn’t seem to notice. “Is that when you came here?”

“Yes. I got Mike to think I ran outside, and when he went to look for me, I slipped out the back. Made it to Ralph’s. Then he drove me to Miss Stella’s—it took all night and most of the next day.” She stopped abruptly and looked down at her hand in his. “I’ve never told this to anyone,” she said hoarsely. “Never…”

Without thinking, he moved closer and took her in his arms.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered.

“Please, stop apologizing,” he said. “There’s no way this is your fault.”

A harsh sob escaped her. Then she burst into tears.

Gage held her for what felt like a long time, with no idea what to do for her other than be there. There was plenty he wanted to do. Hunt down this Mike guy and beat him to death, for one. He wanted to tell her everything was going to be okay—but he knew from experience how hollow that sounded. So he held her, and waited.

Eventually she stopped shaking, and let out a watery sigh. “Well,” she said without looking up. “I could’ve handled that better.”

“Really? Because I don’t think I could’ve.”

Her shoulders slumped. “I just cried all over you,” she said. “We haven’t even been on a date yet.”

“And?”

She lifted her head slowly. “You don’t think I’m weak and pathetic?”

“Are you kidding me?” He struggled to hold back a flash of anger—those words sounded like something she’d been told. Probably over and over again. “Did you see what you did to Dean?” he said. “Not to mention his big, dumb friends. You walked into a five-man fight, and you stopped it. That took a lot of guts.”

“I was terrified.”

“Yeah, but you did it anyway,” he said. “Anyone who says they’re not scared in a situation like that is lying—and you’re even braver for admitting it.”

She gave him a tiny smile. “Thank you.”

“For what? I didn’t do anything.”

“Yes, you did. You listened.” She shifted a bit, but didn’t move away from him. “I’m afraid I have to get home pretty soon,” she said. “I’ve got work in the morning.”

“Luka’s making you work on Saturday?”

“No, it’s my other job,” she said. “I’m the weekend carrier for the post office. But I guess I can give my notice now.”

“So that’s where I’ve seen you before.” He held back the disappointment surging through him. Already, the thought of not being with her stung. “Well, I’ll get you home then,” he said.

“Wait.” She looked at him, and said, “Can we stay just a little while longer? I really like the view.”

“Me, too.” He smiled. “Just let me know when you’re ready.”

“I will.”

Gage settled back, enjoying the feel of her against him—and for the first time in his life, not wanting anything more.

* * * *

The ride home was a lot shorter than Kyla expected. She blinked, and they were turning onto her street.

She’d been absolutely mortified when she started bawling. The whole time she was explaining about Mike, she’d told herself she wasn’t going to cry. She was still telling herself that when the waterworks started. But Gage hadn’t been disgusted, or dismissive, or patronizing, or anything she’d expected.

He held her. He didn’t say everything was going to be okay. He treated her like a person…and he told her she was brave.

It was so easy being with him. All her life, she’d been passed around like a doll—by her parents, her so-called friends, her husband. Everyone told her she was helpless. A pathetic disgrace, barely good enough to be a wife, and wasn’t she just so lucky that rich, handsome Mike Finley wanted to marry her.

Gage saw something in her that she’d never seen. He made her feel…whole.

“And we’re here.” Gage pulled in and put the car in park. “Can I walk you to your door, ma’am?”

She laughed. “I’d like that.”

They got out, and he came around to her side. “You know, we never did settle that bet,” he said. “Who won?”

“I have no idea.”

“Well, I think it was a tie,” he said as they started walking slowly toward the cottage. “So does that mean nobody wins, or we both do?”

“Good question,” she said. “I have to tell you, I’m a pretty sore loser.”

“Me, too.” He grinned. “So how about it? Double win?”

“All right, but that means you have to tell me what you did to borrow Luka’s car.”

“Oh, yeah. Guess I do.” They reached the front door, and he made a face. “Okay, here goes. She made me try her garters on, and timed how long it took to get them off.”

She tried to keep a straight face, but laughter got the better of her. “Maybe it’s a good thing I don’t have any sisters.”

“She’s a pest, and she knows it,” he said with a smile.

“I think it’s sweet,” she said. “And…well, you won too.”

His expression sobered. “Yeah, but you don’t have to out with me because of a bet,” he said. “It was mostly a joke.”

“What if I want to?”

His breath caught sharply. “Do you?”

“Yes.” Her own lack of hesitation surprised her. “I’d love to go on a real date with you.”

“Same here.” He moved closer, and her pulse raced to warp speed. His eyes were so intense. “Kyla,” he rasped. “I think…I should go.”

“Why?”

“Because I want to kiss you. And if I don’t leave now, I’m going to.”

She laid a hand on his arm, and a delicious shudder went through her. “So kiss me,” she whispered.

He groaned. “Are you sure?”

“Positive.”

She’d barely drawn a breath before his lips were on hers, a gentle touch that flamed her to the core. He pressed a bit harder—and she threw her arms around him, tilting her head to feel the fullness of his mouth against hers.

His hands went to her hips. He moaned softly and deepened the kiss, hot and hungry. The sensations drew every part of her taut, until she was sure her heart would explode.

After what seemed like forever, he eased back slightly. “Now I’d really better go,” he murmured. “Otherwise you’re not going to get any sleep tonight.”

She almost asked him to stay. The truth was, she probably wouldn’t sleep much anyway—and she couldn’t think of a better way to stay awake right now. But the smart thing to do was to take this slowly, play it safe. To not take chances.

Even though she really wanted to forget being safe and take a chance.

“All right,” she finally said. “So, how about next Saturday?”

He nodded. “It’s a date.”

Gage insisted on seeing her inside. They said goodnight, and she went in—but as the door closed between them, she wished they were on the same side of it. The inside.

She leaned on the door and waited until she heard him drive away. Then, reluctantly, she went to bed alone.

Chapter 10

The Beast was not cooperating.

Gage had gotten up early Saturday morning—not that he’d been able to sleep. He couldn’t stop thinking about Kyla. It was hard to believe anyone could hurt her even a little, let alone violently and deliberately. She’d been through hell, yet she somehow managed to be the sweetest person he’d ever met.

And that kiss.

He honestly thought he’d die, that all his circuits would overload and he’d just fall lifeless at her feet. But he would’ve died happy. Kissing her had been so amazing, so
real
. It was like he’d never actually kissed anyone before that moment. No one else came close to what she made him feel.

This was going to be a long week.

He sighed and fitted the socket back around the last bolt in the oil pan. There was always one that didn’t want to come out. On his knees beneath the truck, with one hand keeping the wrench in place, he reached out to feel for the hammer he’d left on the floor.

His groping hand encountered a boot, and a voice said, “Does this mean you’re finally going to get that thing out of my spot?”

“Christ, Jonah.” It took a minute for his heart to start beating again. “What are you doing up? You just got home two hours ago.”

“Haven’t gone to bed yet.”

“Well, you should. You’ll be miserable tonight if you don’t,” he said. “Hand me that hammer, will you?”

After a beat, the tool was placed in his hand.

“Thanks.”

The bolt loosened after a few blows. He set it aside and lowered the oil pan onto the drain bucket, then crawled out from under the truck and stood. “Did you want something, besides scaring the shit out of me?” he said to Jonah.

His brother shrugged. “You’re up early. Just thought I’d see how you were.”

“I’m fine.”

“No more trouble with Deputy Dipshit?”

Gage laughed. “I’m avoiding him. As promised.”

“Good.” Jonah stepped back and nodded at The Beast. “Think you’ll have that running soon?”

“Probably. It’s just the clutch, but I figured I’d change the oil while I’m at it.” He grabbed a rag from the toolbox and wiped his hands. As he dropped it back in, movement outside drew his attention—a slight figure in a cap and blue shirt, headed for the house with a big bag of mail. “Excuse me a minute,” he said.

Jonah looked from him to the approaching person. “So that’s why you’re up early,” he said.

“Hey, it’s just a happy coincidence.”

Before his brother could make some unwelcome remark, Gage slipped past him and walked across the yard. Kyla had almost reached the door and the mailbox mounted next to it. “Good morning,” he said, trying not to startle her.

She turned with a smile. “Hi, Gage.”

“You don’t seem surprised that I live here.”

“Of course not. I’ve been delivering your mail for a year.” Still smiling, she thrust a stack of envelopes at him. “Here you go.”

“Thanks.” He took them and dropped the pile in the mailbox next to the door. “It’s not my day to check the mail, though. Mark would be disappointed if he didn’t get to do it. Usually it’s all for him, anyway.”

“Really, Gage. Could you be any lazier?”

He heard Kyla gasp a little at the sound of Jonah’s rumbling voice. “As a matter of fact, I could,” he said. “Want me to prove it?”

“I’ll pass.” His brother actually smiled. “Are you going to introduce me?”

“No. Go away.”

Kyla laughed. “Let me guess,” she said. “You’re Jonah.”

He nodded and raised an eyebrow. “Pretty good guess.”

“Gage told me about you.”

“Yeah? What’d he say?”

“That you’re the oldest.” She smiled and approached him with a hand out. “Kyla Harding.”