Heart of a Marine (The Wounded Warrior Series Book 1) (6 page)

He reached in the refrigerator and retrieved the ice-green bottle. “That’s what I told them. Rosie likes it that I built the house. I think that’s what sealed the deal for them.”

Marla reached for the juice glass he held. “I owe you one.”

He speculated on various ways he’d enjoy collecting his debt. None of which he could say out loud because there was a child in the house. But that didn’t stop him from imagining how Marla would look if he ever managed to get her naked. He cleared his throat and turned toward the sink. “Have a seat. I’ll grab the salad and get the bread from the warming oven.”

“Isn’t this the old Crocker house? I vaguely remember attending a Fourth of July party here one summer when I was a kid.”

“Yes. I swapped it for a vacation cabin I built in Montana. Old man Crocker decided he wanted to go fishing as much as possible after he retired. They have a small condo in San Diego to escape the winters. I palled around with their son, Ryan. Do you remember him?”

“Ryan! Oh, my gosh, yes. We were in the same class at Spring Grove High. He got married last year. I think he manages the Ace Hardware store Simi Valley.”

“He owns it. I give him a lot of business.”

Dwayne set a bowl of salad in the center of the table and put three different bottles of dressing next to it. Amber skipped into the kitchen with Marla’s mouse in her wake.

“Sit down, sweetheart. Do you want milk or lemonade?”

“Milk.” She turned her gaze to Marla. “Can Skipper have some?”

“Afraid not, honey. I’ll give him his regular food and put a spoonful of macaroni on top. That way he’ll think he’s getting the same thing we are. Dwayne, do you have a small bowl or saucer I can put some kibble in?”

He took a sauce dish from the cupboard. “Here you go.”

Marla dumped the contents of a plastic snack bag in the bowl. When Dwayne set the steaming casserole on the table he dropped a spoonful on top the kibble.

“Better let it cool a minute.”

Marla took a deep, appreciative sniff of the macaroni. “No kidding. It smells so good he’d wolf it right down the minute I set it on the floor.”

The minute he sat, Amber said, “I get to say grace.”

“Hey, it’s my turn.”

“You can have two turns in a row.”

“Promise?”

She clasped her hands and bowed her head. “Thank you for Daddy’s good macaroni and cheese, God, and please tell him to get me a new mom and especially a dog. Amen.”

Dwayne and Marla eyed each other and smiled. He winked and ruffled Amber’s hair. “You’ll have a dog one of these days. I promise. Soon as you’re old enough to take responsibility.”

Amber dropped her cheeks to her fists. “You always say that.”

“Elbows off the table, miss.” Dwayne dished up a portion of the macaroni for her and added a spoonful of salad. “Eat all your salad and I’ll let you have ice cream for dessert.”

She pulled a long face and stuck out her tongue. “Yucky. It’s green.”

He turned to Marla. “As you may have guessed, Amber has taken a dislike to anything green.”

“Charlene’s the same way. Except for greenbacks.”

He loved her quick retorts. She laced her comments with a tinge of sarcasm, but they never smacked of meanness. Maybe one of these days they could have a real conversation. She just needed to relax.

He’d ease off on the teasing. He hadn’t understood before Friday night how she had misinterpreted his remarks. While he’d been clumsy but sincere, she’d thought he was poking fun at her. That would stop as of now.

He extended a warning hand. “Amber, that’s hot. You’d better blow on it first.” Dwayne blew on his macaroni.

Marla blew on hers. Then she blew on the dog’s dish and tested the noodles with her finger. “Oh boy, Skip. You’re in for a treat.” She set the dish on the floor between her and Amber. “Watch how fast this disappears.”

Amber giggled when the treat was gone the instant Marla set it down. “He’s a little pig, isn’t he?”

“True. If he could get to his food without my help, I don’t think he’d stop eating until his little pot belly dragged the floor.”

She looked at Dwayne. “Oh, I almost forgot to ask you. Who are the men you have working today?”

“What?”

“The two men loading a truck. I saw them when we were on our way to my house and back here, but I didn’t recognize them.”

He leaped from the table so fast the dishes rattled and his chair teetered. He grabbed his cell phone off the counter and punched a couple of keys. “Pick up, pick up! Cluny? Dwayne. Get your ass over to the jobsite. Sure, bring them. Yes, double time. I’ll meet you there.”

Marla had a hand on her chest. “What’s the…?”

Snatching his wallet and keys, he headed for the front door.

“Dempsey!”

“Stay here!”

She jumped to her feet. “If you think I…”

“I said stay here, dammit!” He slammed out the door.

* * *

Stunned, Marla slumped back in her chair with a thump. Her heart clenched. Something was very wrong at the jobsite. Who did he think he was yelling and ordering her around? When Skipper leaped into her lap, she gasped and realized she’d been holding her breath.

A shaky voice interrupted her fury. “Daddy said bad words.”

The child stood by her chair, knees wobbling, face twisted with worry. Golden brown eyes swam with unshed tears.

Marla’s stomach clenched for the poor kid. She shooed Skipper away and lifted Amber onto her lap. “It’s OK, honey. Don’t worry about your daddy. I’ll be here until he gets back.”

“Daddy never says bad words unless it’s rilly rilly serious.”

Expressing confidence she didn’t feel, Marla rubbed Amber’s back and smiled. “I’m sure he’ll call soon.” She set Amber on her feet. “Let’s put your daddy’s plate in the oven so his dinner won’t get cold. We’ll finish ours, then sit with him and keep him company when he gets back. OK?”

On a big sigh, Amber took her seat. She pointed to the dog. “Skipper’s worried too.”

Marla chuckled. “Chihuahuas always look worried. It’s those too-big brown eyes. He’s fine. That’s his feed-me stare.”

“Can he have some more?”

“I suppose it won’t hurt this time. He’ll be thrilled if you take a small spoonful from your plate and drop it on his.”

Amber giggled with delight at Skip’s excited reaction. His entire body from neck to tail wagged when he realized he would get more of the cheesy noodles.

Marla’s mind wandered for the next few minutes while they finished eating. Dwayne’s abrupt departure had sent a stab of fear through her chest along with anger at his command. From his instant reaction, she figured he hadn’t authorized any of his men to be on the job today.

She glanced across the table. Amber had asked her something. “I’m sorry, sweetie. My mind wandered. What did you say?”

“Would you tell Daddy I ate all my salad?”

“Absolutely. If you eat all of it.”

A dramatic sigh and big pout preceded Amber’s reply. “I didn’t think you would.” She jabbed a fork in a piece of tomato. “This is the only part that’s not yucky.”

“You know what? I didn’t like salad when I was your age either.”

Eyes wide, Amber said, “You didn’t?”

“Nope. Then I realized that lettuce didn’t taste like anything. All I had to do was chew it and swallow. Besides, I wanted to set a good example for my little brothers.”

“You got little brothers?”

“They’re not so little any more. All grown up, handsome, twenty-year-old twins.”

“I wish I had a brother.”

Marla laughed. “Careful what you wish for.”

Head cocked like a curious puppy, Amber asked, “Why?”

The comment had gone right past the little girl’s head. Not used to talking to children, Marla realized she’d have to pay more attention to her words. “Nothing, I’m just teasing. Now finish up and we’ll clear the table.”

Another tortured sigh. “Ooookay.”

Marla rinsed dishes and placed them in the bright new LG dishwasher. Dwayne had updated the old Crocker house. She admired the top-of-the-line Jenn-Air stove. The cupboard hardware looked modern, and the faux-wood floor was definitely a new addition.

Amber handed over her empty plate and Skipper’s empty dish.

Marla smiled and took it from her. “See, that wasn’t so bad, was it?”

“No, but I still don’t like green stuff. Do you like Cinderella?”

“I love Cinderella! Why?”

“Daddy borrowed me a new DVD from the liberry, Barbie Cinderella. Wanna watch it?”

“I can’t think of anything Skippy would rather do than cuddle in your lap and watch Cinderella.” Marla hung the damp dishtowel on the oven door bar.

* * *

Dwayne’s truck peeled onto the gravel jobsite lot just as two men jumped into a truck loaded with tools and equipment. He slammed on his brakes, activated his car alarm, grabbed his Louisville Slugger, threw open his door, and ran toward them.

The red-bearded driver got the truck started just as Dwayne smashed the windshield and driver’s side window. The man threw open his door and knocked Dwayne off his feet. Then he jumped out and made a grab for his throat. Dwayne blocked him with a stiff-arm to the chin. The guy went down on his butt with a thump and raised a cloud of dust.

Exchanging punches, the two men struggled. Dwayne had gained the upper hand when the other guy jumped on his back and knocked him down again. A hard elbow to the jerk’s neck had him clutching his throat, gasping to breathe.

“Nobody messes with my boys!”

From the corner of his eye he saw Miss Emmaline charge from the door of the building wielding a broom like a weapon. “Get back inside!” he yelled.

She didn’t slow down. “Don’t you tell me what to do, young man,” she snarled, then walloped one of the men on the head with her broom. She landed another whack on side of the guy’s shoulder, then pointed the bristles at his face and jabbed.

He fell back howling and raised his arms to protect his eyes. “Stop it, you crazy old bitch!”

“That does it!” Dwayne’s jaw tightened. He struggled to his feet and slammed his elbow hard against the man’s nose. Bone cracked. Blood spurted as the bastard fell to his knees.

“Where do you think you’re going?” Emmaline growled at the driver trying to get back in the vehicle.

The creep scooped a handful of gravel and flung it at her. Her glasses went flying and she staggered back.

“Why, you cretin, you scoundrel.” She raised the broom again. Dwayne moved to shield her.

Cluny’s big green muscle car slid to a skidding halt a few feet from them. Doors flew open. Cluny, Slim, and Jack leaped out, all carrying baseball bats. Cluny ran to the man standing by the open truck door and slammed the bat hard into the guy’s solar plexus, doubling him over.

“Better think twice before you mess with a bunch of Marines, pal!” He shoved him to the ground.

Slim and Jack used their bats to break the headlights and the rest of the windows in the truck.

Dwayne shook his head at the ringing in his ears. “At ease, men.”

It was over as quick as it started. Sirens howled in the distance. A beat-up blue car that had been parked at the curb, engine idling, tore off like a rocket and disappeared around the corner. Dwayne was sure he’d seen the driver before but couldn’t place the bastard. Was he part of this crew or just a curious onlooker?

Dwayne retrieved Miss Emmaline’s glasses from the ground and put his arm around her bony shoulders. “What did you think you were doing, old woman?”

“Don’t you ‘old woman’ me, youngster. I can give as good as I get. Always could.” She straightened her spine and in a universal womanly gesture, smoothed her hair. “That’ll teach them.”

Dwayne laughed and swept her off her feet. Against her struggles, he whirled her around and gave her a crushing hug.

“What am I gonna do with you?”

She pounded his big shoulders. “You should be more concerned about what I’m going to do with you once you put me down, you good-for-nothing.” She kissed his cheek.

CHAPTER FIVE

Dempsey had been gone for three hours. The tension in Marla’s neck got worse by the minute. She tried his cell number only to hear it ringing on the floor by the front door. He’d been in such an all-fired hurry to leave he hadn’t noticed he’d dropped it. Amber slept against the cushions at the corner of the sofa while Skipper snored on the child’s chest, his nose buried under her chin.

At the sound of Dwayne’s truck engine, Marla jumped to her feet. Skipper’s ears perked up and he raised his head. “Good boy, Skippy, go back to sleep.” He buried his nose in Amber’s neck, and Marla tiptoed to the entry.

She extended a warning hand and put a finger to her lips before Dwayne had a chance to speak and pointed to the kitchen.

“In there.”

When they stepped through the door, she whirled on him and whispered, “Amber’s asleep. Where in heck have you been all this time? I’m ready for a big dose of Prozac!” She raised an accusing finger. “You charge out of here shouting orders like I was one of your workmen,” another finger up, “leave me in charge of your child,” a third finger, “you don’t call,” fourth finger shook in his face, “because you left your phone here, you…oh, holy goats! You’re bleeding, Dempsey. Are you all right?” She touched his cheek.

“Yeah.” He blew out a breath and nodded. “Sorry. I need to sit down and get off my leg.”

Without waiting for her reply, he brushed past her. Marla pressed a hand against the back of her neck and dogged his limping steps. More than his face had been hurt. Something happened to his leg.

She hurried to the sink, wet the dishtowel in cold water, wrung it out, and pressed it against his cheek. “Were you in an accident?”

“No, a battle. We caught some losers red-handed, stealing our tools and equipment.”

“We?” Marla lifted the wet towel to look at the cut on his cheekbone. She sucked in a sharp breath between clenched teeth. “Who’s we?”

“Me, Cluny, Slim, and Jack. We got there just ahead of the cops.” He chuckled, and that brought on a wince of pain. “Miss Emmaline called them when she heard my car alarm, then she jumped into the middle of the fight and gave one of those bastards a good beat-down with a broom.”