Good Wood (39 page)

“Laundry, dishes, errands, paying bills…” I listed off automatically.

“So it’s not that you just need a break from me?” His serious expression pinned me in place.

I groaned. “Of course not, I just have stuff I have to do.”

He shrugged. “So do that stuff here. Live with me.”

“Baby.” I drawled, trying to sound more mature than I felt. ‘It’s one thing for you to want me here. It’s another for you to be stuck with me.”

“Then keep your own place. Keep it until the lease runs out. I have two bedrooms. You can take the other one. Whatever makes you comfortable. Just don’t make me spend another night without you.”

I stared at him in disbelief. “You’ve really thought this through.”

He nodded, the vulnerability in his eyes conflicting with the determined set of his jaw. “Do you trust me, Molly?”

“Of course.” I surprised myself at how sure I was of the answer. Joe’s face flushed, but he still seemed on the razor’s edge of being crushed. I couldn’t stand that look on him for another second, and certainly didn’t want to be the cause of it.

I cocked my head to the side thoughtfully, rolling my eyes up to the ceiling. I felt the curl of my smile betraying me. “I might need a little convincing.”

He jumped up and I squealed as he grinned and swept me off of my feet.

“What do I need to do?” He asked huskily, cocking an inquisitive eyebrow.

“Show me this bed you speak of so often.” I struggled to keep a serious expression in place.

“Oh, I’m fixin’ to, baby girl.” He replied, bounding in the direction of the bedroom.

“Oh, you’re
fixin
’ to, Tex?” I giggled and with an aloof once over he lowered me onto the bed, pressing the entire length of his body against mine.

“I’m
fixin
’ to paddle that sweet ass of yours until it glows in the dark.” He spoke in a low growl, pinning my wrists above my head as his mouth smothered mine with a yearning kiss.

When I finally broke free, I batted my lashes at him and sighed innocently. “Hmmm…” Well, it’s not gonna paddle itself now, is it, Joe?”

I WAS ABOUT to nudge the doorbell with my elbow when Betty Hildebrandt whipped open the front door and gave me a welcoming grin.

“Joe Jensen. You sly devil. Get in here out of the cold.” She stepped aside long enough for me to cross the threshold. I carefully balanced the two large boxes of wrapped presents I was carrying as she descended on me, planting a loud kiss on my cheek. “It’s been far too long since you’ve been over here! Merry Christmas!”

“Merry Christmas, Betty.” I responded, glancing nervously around the living room. Robin waved from her spot by the fire. One of her kids was snuggled up asleep next to her and though it wasn’t even noon, she was already working her way through a large glass of wine. At the sight of me, Granny Hildebrandt flopped up in her recliner and waved enthusiastically. Her ugly Christmas sweater defied description.

“Hey there, handsome!” She called.

“Hello yourself.” I replied, smiling broadly.

“Where’s Molly?” Betty asked, glancing over my shoulder.

“Probably trying to carry all the food herself. I have to help her. Where can I put these?” I nodded to the boxes in my arms.

“Here. Set them by the tree. We’ll unload them.” Betty waved a spangled wrist in the direction of the colorful seven foot evergreen which was already inundated with packages. I complied and then made a mad dash for the car.

Molly fumbled in the trunk trying to balance a tray, a casserole dish, and a picnic basket. Even as she struggled, my view of her behind was undeniably appealing. I crept up to her and pinched that perfect ass. She cried out in surprise and cackled that harmonious laugh of hers that always turned my insides into a puddle of goo.

“You shouldn’t sneak up on me. I might taze your ass.” She managed between giggles. I snorted and snagged the dishes out of her hands. On our way to Tamryn’s the day before, we’d stopped by a sporting goods store and I bought her two flashlight stun guns. I was pretty sure Draven would be out of the picture for the foreseeable future, but I knew enough about the justice system to want a backup plan. Molly resisted the idea at first, but once the salesman started showing us different options, she got into the spirit of things. Before we left the store she threw a pepper spray key chain and a Taser into the cart. As we pulled out of the parking lot, she started giggling manically.

“That’s an evil sound if I’ve ever heard one.” I glanced at her in alarmed amusement.

“Does it make me a bad person that I’m dying to test out the Taser on Mac?” Her eyes danced with mischief, and I belly laughed, knowing she wasn’t remotely joking.

A few minutes later, my mind raced through scenarios where she might actually need to use a weapon. “Molly, I want you to keep a stun gun in both food trucks. Clear?”

“Yeah.” She heaved a frustrated sigh, as she pried the pepper spray out of its package and attached it to her keychain.

After speaking with my family full of lawyers over Christmas Eve brunch, Molly had contacted an attorney to get a restraining order issued against Draven. With the criminal charges he was facing, Tamryn said the order would be a slam dunk. But, it was just a piece of paper, a Draven was a crazy fucker. If he came back, Molly would need something extra to help keep her safe. Since she wasn’t crazy about having a gun in the apartment, the Taser was the next best thing.

“Need any help?” Mac called, coming around the side of the house with his son trailing behind him.

“There are deviled eggs in the back seat.” Molly replied, smiling at Malcolm Jr. “Merry Christmas, Little Mac.

“Hey, Aunt Molly. Hey Uncle Joe.” The little smart ass began to chuckle right along with his father. Molly blushed as red as her sweater and she slapped the bill of his baseball cap down over his face in a swift movement.

“Get used to it, Joe.” Mac took a drag off his smoke and jabbed my arm. “You know you’re one of us when no one gives you special treatment.”

“Please tell me there’s alcohol.” Molly blurted to Robin who held the door open for us.

We were in the kitchen when Mason wandered in from the rec room with the other two kids in tow. He nodded at me, his expression about as uncomfortable as they come. I nodded back.

My phone vibrated, and I pulled it out of my pocket. Francis had apparently figured out the messaging function on his phone and had sent me the video footage of “the Draven incident”.

I scoffed and Molly peeked over my shoulder. She blinked in surprise and the most wicked curlicue smile appeared on her face.

“Am I going to hell for wanting to see you throw Draven down the stairs?” She asked and both Mac and Mason perked up, moving in eagerly.

“I told you…I didn’t throw him down the stairs.” I tugged her to me and tapped the screen. We all watched Draven raving at my door like an insane lunatic. I could see Mason bristle and Mac was fuming. Molly wore a neutral expression that made me uncomfortable. It was as if this behavior was something she was accustomed to. And that was as infuriating as it was mortifying.

The recording culminated with him taking a swing at me. I easily sidestepped him and he toppled down the stairs, bashing his face into the railing on the way down. Mac and Mason cackled like crazy and both fist bumped me. They proceeded to commandeer my phone and took turns sending the video to themselves. The rest of the day was a cornucopia of delicious food and overall adoration for the perceived heroics of my actions the day before. Mason launched into an argument for why Molly and I should come to Florida with them after the holidays. The way he directed the conversation to me, I understood the subtext. He and I were cool.

Mason’s kids tore into the gifts like wild animals. They seemed thrilled with everything they g-even the God awful sweaters Granny had knitted them. I felt apprehensive when I saw the figurines that I had carved being handed out. Betty loved the one I had made of her. Robin cackled and told me she was putting hers on the mantle once they got home. Mac and Mason groused a bit when they opened theirs. Then they ended up trading so each had the other’s carving.

Eventually, Molly’s niece handed her my gift. She shook it, eyeing me with curiosity.

“Open it, already.” Mac Jr. called and Robin popped him on the head with a Nerf sword that one of the kids had just opened.

Molly ripped open the paper and gasped at the heart-shaped box I’d made for her. She tried to pull the lid off, and frowned, turning it over in her hands.

“It’s a puzzle box.” I whispered, tucking a long strand of her hair behind her ear. “You’ll have to figure out how to open it to see what’s inside.”

She eyed me vengefully and flipped the box over for several minutes.

“Give me a hint.” She batted her eyes at me, but when I laughed and shook my head, she glowered. It was an adorable sight.

“Nope.” I put my arm around her shoulder and kissed her forehead. “Part of the fun is figuring it out on your own.”

“Molly, you are one lucky girl.” Granny stated, nodding at me. “I didn’t think they made them like
that
anymore.”

“Damn right I am.” Molly responded, and she winked up at me. I grinned down at her, and watched her expression turn serious.

“Joe…I want to show you your present.” She whispered casting a glance around. She seemed satisfied that no one was paying us any attention and continued. “Please keep in mind...I chose this before I found that stuff under the tarp.”

I squinted at her non sequitur, but nodded. “Alright.”

She took out her phone and pulled up the internet. With a nervous glance, she handed it to me.

I saw she’d pulled up a website. I zoomed in and flipped through the site. My eyes flew open wide and my mouth dropped at the name of the business.

Good Wood.

The wood grain letters of the title coaxed a laugh from me, but I choked it off after I recognized several of the images flashing before my eyes. Molly’s spice box, the figurines, her mother’s hand-carved cabinets.

“The site’s not published or anything. You don’t…you don’t have to use it. You remember my friends Jay and Lisa…from Bourbon Girl, right?”