CHAPTER THREE

THE FOLLOWING MORNING, Maiken woke up to the sound of a torrential downpour outside. The branches of the tree next to his bedroom window slapped the glass, causing an eerie noise. The wind blew hard enough that the house shook and the roof sounded like the shingles were being torn off. That was just one more thing he’d have to repair in the future. When he and Coleen bought the home, it was a fixer-upper. She loved taking on projects like that, so he agreed to give it a go. Now he was stuck with a house that was not only falling apart, but was a daily reminder of the life he used to have.

The positive in all of it was Lincoln though. No matter what kind of day he was having, he could rely on the boy to make him see a silver lining. Taking a deep breath, he sat up and decided to start his day. When he stood, his head whipped toward the door as a female shriek bellowed from downstairs. Darting toward the door in nothing but his boxers, Maiken hurried down the stairs and into the living room. When he got there, he found his houseguest by a broken window with shards of glass in her hands.

“What happened?” he asked.

“A tree limb crashed through it.” Her eyes were wide with fear and she was trembling.

“I’ll get some plywood to cover it. Step away from it before you get cut.” He motioned her away from the window where whipping rain spilled in, and onto the hardwood floor he’d put down only a few months ago. As she stepped away, he noticed blood dripping from her hand. “You’re cut. Let me see it,” he took a few strides, then grabbed her hand.

“I didn’t even feel it cut me,” she said.

“Come to the kitchen, I’ve got a first aid kit under the sink.” He guided her into the next room, and made sure she was sat at the table. Her entire body was shaking and for a moment, he felt bad for her. “Hold out your hand,” he took a seat with the kit and took a good look at her cut. “It’s pretty deep, but it doesn’t look like it needs stitches.” He poured rubbing alcohol on a cotton ball, then dabbed some of the blood away.

“That hurts,” she winced, pulling her hand free of his hold.

“Suck it up.”

“You’re just not a very nice person, are you?”

“The jury’s still out on that one.”

She laughed, then extended her hand once more. “Thank you for doing this,” her voice softened, causing part of his body to take notice.

He cleared the lump in his throat. “Can’t have you bleeding all over the floor, now can we?”

“I guess not.”

“So, what kind of work are you in?” Maiken needed the conversation to switch or he would be sucked in by her sensitive voice once more.

“I’m a fashion designer.” She held much pride when she said it.

“I probably could’ve guessed that.” He chuckled.

“Am I that obvious?”

“Like a damn black bear in a snow storm.”

“In my line of work, you have to act the part in a way. Hair, makeup and clothing.” She explained.

“So, you don’t enjoy having to get all dolled up?”

“Sometimes I just want to hang out in my pajamas all day and eat food that’s terrible for me.”

He continued to tend to her wound. “It’s your life, you can do what you want with it.”

“True, but image is everything. If I don’t do it, then I look like a fraud. I’m selling high end clothing to celebrities so I can’t very well show up in my short shorts and tank top.”

Shit, he’d thought the conversation was in the neutral zone but now he had the image of her long legs in a pair of shorts that showed the very bottom of her ass.

“All done,” he finished placing the bandage on her hand and stood. As he tossed the first aid items back in the metal box, Jessica placed her hand on his arm, shivers racking his body.

“I appreciate you doing that, I really do.” She smiled, her bright white teeth shining.

“Yep.” He needed to get the hell away from her before things took an uneasy turn.

“Daddy,” Lincoln said as he walked in the kitchen, rubbing the sleep from his blue eyes.

“Hey there,” Maiken lifted the little man into his arms. “What do you want for breakfast?”

“Fruity Pebbles,” he answered.

“A bowl of cavities, coming right up.” He sat Linc in the chair next to the one Jessica still occupied.

***

Jessica sat nervously beside the child. There wasn’t really room in her life for kids—what with her busy travel and design schedule. That’s the way she liked it though. It made her life seem less complicated.

As she sat staring at Lincoln, Jess’s thoughts were interrupted when Maiken sat a bowl of cereal in front of his son. “He won’t bite,” he laughed.

Lincoln spoke up, “Yes I will, someday.” She crinkled her brow at his comment.

“Well, unless you’re going to turn into a dog, I think you’ll be all right,” she laughed.

The kitchen grew silent after her statement—the only sounds were the pounding rain and thunder outside. When it stormed in New York, Jessica really didn’t notice it. Her spacious apartment was almost sound proof high up in her building.

“I’ve gotta take this,” he said after his phone began ringing.

Being nosy, she couldn’t help but listen in on his conversation. “Are you kidding me?” He headed upstairs but she could still hear his conversation. A couple minutes passed and soon he was coming back down the stairs wearing a pair of snug fitting jeans and no shirt. His voice rose with annoyance. “Yeah, I’ll have to wait until the water goes down. Thanks for letting me know.” He then hung up.

“Everything okay?” Jessica asked. She couldn’t help but ogle Maiken’s chest. It was smooth with just a smattering of hair. His six pack was cut and defined—perfect for running the tip of your tongue across it. Shit, she shook her head, trying to rid the lustful thoughts that played in her head.

“The rain is causing flash flooding. Water’s over the main road back into town.” He shoved a hand through his hair. “Looks like I won’t be taking a look at your car today.”

“What am I supposed to do?” she stood, crossing her arms over her chest, her thoughts shifted from naughty to worry.

“You’ll have to wait it out here. The town’s namesake, Blue Creek, is out of its banks. The last time I checked, I wasn’t able to control nature.”

“I didn’t ask you to do that—although it would be impressive—but I can’t stay here. I need to get back on the road.”

“What’s so important?” he lifted a coffee cup to his lips.

“Nothing,” Jessica snapped her mouth shut and walked out of the kitchen. She didn’t owe him any sort of explanation as to why she was taking the road trip from New York. It was no one’s business but her own. It wasn’t the most joyful of reasons, but it was something she had to do.

Digging in her suitcase at the side of the couch, she jumped when Maiken took a seat on the cushion beside her. “Listen, I’m sorry for being an asshole.”

“Daddy, you said a bad word!” Lincoln chimed in with the palm of his hand outstretched.

She watched Maiken lift his rear off the sofa, then reached around to his back pocket, pulling out his wallet. When he opened it and removed a dollar bill, Jessica cocked her head in bafflement. “Here,” he handed the money over. After he did, the child darted to the stairs and quickly ascended them. “He should have enough money in that damn jar by now to buy Microsoft.” Maiken laughed. “I’m now regretting the decision to have a swear jar.”

Jessica smiled at the idea of him and his son having a swear jar. It was just so, family like. Her upbringing was far from what was happening in Maiken’s home. It wasn’t terrible, she supposed, just, strict. When your Dad was a senator, things had to be more buttoned up in life.

“Do you mind if I take a shower?” she stood with fresh clothing and undergarments in her hands.

“You’ll have to use the bathroom in my room. The one down here doesn’t have hot water.” She nodded and made her way up the stairs.

It was strange to be in a house she didn’t know, but even being there for just one night, she began to feel at home. That sensation was certainly unwelcome as her home was in New York. When she entered the bathroom, Jessica glanced around. It was decorated in a camouflage theme, complete with a camo shower curtain and deer head toothbrush holder. Beside the sink was a hairbrush, its bristles were quite worn and it held a few strands of auburn hair. Sadness crept over her as she thought about Maiken losing his wife.  It must’ve been hard to live knowing your spouse was gone. Lincoln didn’t have a mom to help guide him through life and that was heartbreaking.

Letting out a sigh, Jessica pulled the shower curtain back and turned the knobs. Water sprayed out, Jessica testing the temperature with the hand that wasn’t cut. Maybe the hot water would relax and refresh her. Maybe it would take away the worry and stress she’d been carrying around for a few weeks. She could only hope that one shower would work miracles.