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Dane closed his eyes and rubbed the spot between his brows. The image of Mac’s face remained in his mind, innocent, hopeful, beautiful. Dancing beside it was the delicate face of Sabrina Moss. The only girl he’d ever loved. The girl who’d left him dressed in a tux and waiting at the altar fifteen years earlier. No matter how hard he rubbed his head, he failed to dislodge either image.
“And you just walked away?” Jesse asked.
The incredulous tone in his sister’s voice grated on his already raw nerves and layered a headache on top of the puzzlement and self-loathing already roiling in his gut. He met her gaze across the console of his van.
“Do I even need to ask why?”
“No, and you don’t need to lecture me either. I didn’t pull you out of your office to hear a new verse to an old song.”
She looked at him over her glasses.
“I need you to talk to Mac.”
Jesse crossed her arms and leaned against the door, and a very unladylike snort echoed between them. “You’re crazy.”
“You owe me.” Dane insisted, prepared to call in a long line of forgotten sibling favors. “Remember all those notes I delivered to Ronald Hall—”
A second snort cut him off. “You must be more desperate than I thought.”
“Jess, please.” Dane ran a hand through his hair. “She just lost her mom, she’s vulnerable right now. I think the kiss surprised her as much as it did me. I know I probably hurt her feelings.”
“Ya think? Good grief, Dane. Do you remember what she told us about how she was raised? An arranged marriage at eighteen. Now she’s a widow. She’s probably never been attracted to a guy before.” Her look was disdainful as it swept him from head to toe. “Frankly, I don’t see the appeal—”
“Hey!”
“And she takes what must have been a gigantic step for her, and you just walk away without a single word of explanation.”
He rubbed his face. “Yeah.”
Jesse expelled a deep breath. “And you want me to tell her what?” The smile she directed at him contained a heavy dose of saccharine. “She’s probably already clued in to the fact that you’re an idiot.”
“She took me by surprise, OK?”
Jesse studied him. He didn’t like the sympathy and resignation he saw mixed in her stare. “I’ll give you surprise, but it’s time someone forced Sabrina out of your head and into the light of day where the sunlight can do the work it does on vampires. It’s been fifteen years since she dumped you. I know it hurt, but you have a lot of life ahead of you. Are you planning to give the greedy witch all of it? Because that’s what you’re doing.”
Dane stared at the floorboard. She was probably right but...
Jesse leaned forward. “You don’t think Mac’s attractive?” she persisted.
Dane closed his eyes. Mac’s delicate features seemed branded on the inside of his eyelids. More than attractive, beautiful. But I can’t... “What I think or don’t think isn’t the issue.” Liar! He grasped for something to make his sister understand. “I’m not ready to get involved with anyone.” He paused, ready to play the only card he had that might shut his baby sister up and her matchmaking tendencies down. “Even if I was, do you want me involved with an unbeliever?”
Dane smiled when his question forced Jesse back into her seat. The smile vanished. Then, a gleeful grin lit her face.
“You like her.”
“Yes, I like her, but—”
“No, you like her. And that, my great big strong brother, terrifies you.”
Not going there. “Look, would you go talk to her? Riley is making progress, and I don’t want my efforts with him interrupted over some...romantic illusion...that can’t go anywhere.”
“Can’t or won’t?” Jesse crossed her arms.
He stared at her.
“All right. I’ll talk to her.”
“What are you going to tell her?”
Jesse shook her head. “I don’t know.” When he opened his mouth, she held up a hand. “You asked for my help, big brother. You’re going to have to trust my judgment.”
* * *
THE FINAL BELL RANG, and the noise of Riley’s classmates scrambling from the room replaced the quiet of a second before. Riley gathered his books and stuffed them in his backpack. Dane required that he bring them all home regardless of homework assignments. There would be no I forgot the book excuses. Actually, he didn’t mind. He’d only been with Dane four days, but a lot of things were changing.
Across the room, Brinkley Green was stuffing her own bag. He watched her with an inward sigh. She was the cutest girl in his class, and he liked her...a lot. He’d considered those feelings strange, had done his best to avoid thinking about them, until this week. Dane acted so differently around women than any man he’d ever known.
Riley had watched the older man at work and at home this week. Dane didn’t lord authority or demand respect. He gave those things and received them in return.
Suddenly, Brinkley turned and smiled at him. He gulped as she crossed the room and paused at his desk.
“Have a good weekend, Riley.”
“Uh...” Something clogged his throat, and he had to cough before he could answer her. “You too, Brinkley.”
She tilted her head. “Are you in a hurry to leave?”
Riley looked at the clock. “My ride is probably waiting on me.” He straightened his shoulders. “I have a job now.” Was that admiration that lit her violet eyes?
She tossed her long blonde hair across a shoulder. “Can I walk out with you?” she asked. “I had something I wanted to talk to you about.”
“Sure...I mean...if you want.” He scooted through the door ahead of her and grimaced. Ladies first, remember? Beyond the door he waited for her, then fell into step next to her. “What’s up?”
“I just wandered if you had a partner for the science project yet. It’s fifty percent of our fourth quarter grade, you know.”
Riley groaned. “Don’t remind me.” Then he shook his head. “I haven’t asked anyone.”
“Neither have I. I was waiting...I thought maybe...” Small white teeth appeared as she chewed on her bottom lip. “Would you like to partner with me?”
His feet froze to the worn tile floor. “Really?
Brinkley paused and nodded.
“What did you have in mind?”
“It’s sort of complicated, and I know you’re in a hurry. Why don’t you think about it over the weekend? We could sit together at lunch on Monday and talk about it, if you’re interested.”
Riley pushed the outside door open and started through. He stopped at the last second and held it open for Brinkley. Outside, a few drops of rain dotted the sidewalk, and thunder rumbled in the distance with the promise of a spring storm. “I’d like that.”
His thoughts turned as dark as the clouds over his head when Rafe Landry shouldered between them, grabbed Riley’s arm, and swung him around. The action slammed Riley against the wall of the school and sent Brinkley stumbling for balance.
“You missed your deadline, punk.”
Riley swallowed and grasped for any available straw. “Rafe, man, my grandmother died—”
“Oh waa.” Rafe shook him. “I want my money.”
Riley glanced across Rafe’s shoulders. Brinkley stood to the side, eyes wide, taking it all in. His stomach dropped to his toes. Why did Rafe have to do this here? He swallowed. With the wall behind him and Rafe and his goons in front of him, Riley didn’t have a lot of options. “I told you. I got caught Monday. But I’m gonna try again, I promise.”
Rafe leaned into Riley’s space. “You want those pictures back?”
“You know I do.”
“That’s gonna cost you two hundred fifty dollars, you little puke.” Rafe’s eyes narrowed, and the other boys drew in closer, closing ranks and eliminating any chance of a peaceful escape. Riley prepared to defend himself. He bounced up to the balls of his feet, fists clenched at his sides. His gaze slid over Brinkley. She’d backed away, her bag clutched to her chest, her beautiful eyes round with fear.
Movement on the street drew his eyes from her as Dane’s van parked at the curb fifty feet away. The passenger side window lowered, and Riley could feel the older man’s eyes accessing the situation.
Oh, great. All I need is him rushing to my rescue. Talk about humiliation. Riley gave the slightest shake of his head and hoped against all odds that Dane would stay put and let him handle Rafe.
Riley straightened. “Look,” he hissed. “I’ll get the money, just give me some more time.” He held Rafe’s gaze, refusing to look at Brinkley. “Can we do this some other time?”
Rafe snorted and looked around. “Chasin’ skirts, Soeurs?”
He raised his chin, not liking the look Rafe sent in Brinkley’s direction. “And what if I am.” His fists clenched.
Lightening zig-zagged across the sky, and a mighty crash of thunder split the air. The sky opened, and rain came down in a deluge.
Rafe flinched at the noise and hunched his shoulders against the fat drops. “This isn’t over, punk.”
“Didn’t think it would be,” Riley answered as Rafe and his goons scattered like rats leaving a sinking ship. He grabbed Brinkley’s hand and pulled her to the van. “Come on.”
He slid the panel door open on the side of the vehicle and helped Brinkley in before diving into the front passenger seat.
“What was that all about?” she asked.
“Just Rafe being Rafe.” A yap sounded from between the seats of the van. “Hey, girl.” He scooped the pup up and settled her in his lap, pleased that Dane had thought to bring her. Maybe the puppy would distract Brinkley from the scene she’d just witnessed and the things she’d just heard.
Brinkley leaned forward. “Hi, Dane.” Her hands reached between the seats, fingers wiggling for the puppy. “Oh, let me see.”
Riley passed the puppy into the back seat and looked from Dane to Brinkley. “You know each other?”
“We go to church together,” Dane answered. He looked up at the mirror. “Do you need a ride home?”
Brinkley stroked the black and white fur. “I was gonna walk, but—” The air shook with another explosion of thunder. “I’d love a ride, if you have time.”
“Not a problem.” Dane started the engine.
“Thanks.” Brinkley shifted her attention back to Riley. “What’s her name?”
Dane cleared his throat and Riley sat back, pulled the seatbelt across his chest, and clicked the buckle home.
Brinkley did the same in the backseat.
“Not sure yet. I just got her this morning. I’ve been trying to think of a good name all day.”
He turned his head and watched Brinkley lift the puppy eye-to-eye. She nuzzled the pup’s nose with her own. “You look like a Jasmine to me.” The pup licked Brinkley’s chin. “Do you like that name?”
“Are you asking me or the dog?” Riley asked.
“Either...neither.” Brinkley’s voice was full of laughter. “But she will need a name.”
Riley considered Brinkley’s suggestion. Jasmine...sort of girly. But he could call her Jazz for short, and that didn’t sound so bad. He tried it out loud. “Jazz.”
The pup’s ears perked, and she turned her head to look at Riley, eyes shining, tongue lolling.
Riley chuckled at her response. “Jasmine it is.”
Dane stopped the van in front of a neat brick house with black shutters. “Here you go, Brinkley.”
Brinkley handed the pup back to Riley and gathered her books. “Thanks for the ride. I’ll see you Sunday.”
“I hope the weather clears between now and then,” Dane answered.
“What happens Sunday?” Riley asked.
“It’s Easter,” Brinkley told him. “We have a big picnic after church with egg hunts for the little kids and some things for the teens as well.” She tilted her head. “Would you like to come?”
Church? Riley looked at Dane.
“We’ll be there,” Dane said.
“Sure,” Riley said.
The rain had dwindled to a sprinkle, and Brinkley let herself out of the van. “See you then.”
Dane held his peace until Brinkley entered her house. He dropped the van into gear and looked at Riley. “Lunch Sunday, and you let her name your dog? Impressive work young man. Very impressive.”
Riley sat back, thoughts of Rafe and his threats pushed to the back of his mind. With Jazz secure in his lap and plans to see Brinkley again, all was right in his world.
That changed with Dane’s next words. “What was that scene about?”
Riley tried to think of a good lie.
“That Landry kid is trouble, Riley. Are you mixed up with him? Has he got something to do with the trouble you’re in?”
Riley took a deep breath. Rafe was trouble, but the pictures were worse. As much as he was beginning to trust Dane, he had to handle this on his own. “Nah, he’s just a goon trying to be tough. I don’t even really know him.”
Riley could feel the older man’s gaze on him. He pulled the pup closer and waited, grateful when Dane turned his attention back to the road.
* * *
MAC’S FINGERS DRIFTED to her lips for the thousandth time in the last seven hours. She couldn’t believe she’d kissed Dane. Couldn’t forget the feel of his lips against hers. Her eyes drifted closed on the memory and jerked back open. And she couldn’t dismiss the look on his face before he walked away from her without a word. She lowered her head to her hands. What was I thinking?
She needed a distraction, badly. She grabbed her Bible and opened it back to John. Mac forced her eyes to the page, and thoughts of Dane vanished as she read. This was not the Bible she’d been taught all her life. If this was really God, He bore little resemblance to the stern, forbidding being she’d been told was scrutinizing her every breath, waiting for her to violate one of the many rules. Instead, He’d condemned the religious rule makers of the day. He’d actually called the leaders hypocrites. What would Jesus say about the men in The Body?
Stories fell off the page and straight into Mac’s heart. A woman fetching water from a well, divorced or widowed five times. God’s son didn’t see her as damaged goods to be cast away. Another woman caught in adultery. The men of the city threw her at the feet of Jesus and demanded judgment. Instead of condemning her, he gave her words of forgiveness and grace. And two sisters who’d lost their brother. Jesus didn’t send them away to find comfort where they could. He’d wept with them.
Mac closed the Bible and smoothed her hands across the cover. Something foreign tugged at her heart. She still had more to read, more that she needed to study and understand, but some of the anger and resistance began to fade. “God, I...”
Her doorbell rang, shredding her concentration and sending what she’d been about to say scurrying into the darkness. She rose, Bible in hand, and looked out the small window. Jesse stood on her porch.
Mac rested her head on the door. She’d kissed Dane in a moment of insanity, and now his sister stood on her porch. It didn’t take a lot a discernment to know why she was here. Mac took a second peek. Jesse did not look thrilled to be there. Mac took a deep breath before opening the door. Won’t this be fun?