Home Is Where the Heart Is (Welcome To Redemption) (12 page)

“I’m fine,” she said in a soft voice, touched the man even thought to ask about her with all that had happened.

Drew grew quiet suddenly, gazing down at her with an intensity that nearly stole her breath. She recognized the look, and her body responded as he rolled them over, pinning her beneath him. He captured her mouth with passionate need, craving the same comfort she sought from him.

They made love again, slowly this time, savoring each touch, each caress. Lindy ached for him in ways she’d never before experienced. Until Drew, no man had ever made it past her defenses, had ever evoked such a passionate response from her, and she reveled in her newfound sexual freedom. She’d given him a rough time of it from day one, but he’d given it back ten-fold. Drew was her match in every way, and Lindy thrilled at the possibility of a future with him.

As their bodies cooled, Drew pulled her tight against his chest, spoon-style. She closed her eyes with a sigh of pure contentment, exhausted and blissfully happy. She’d have a lot of thinking to do after tonight, that was for sure.

He nipped at her ear, then whispered, “You’re amazing, you know that?”

“You’re pretty awesome yourself,
Lou,
” she teased, her cheeks sore from smiling. Had she ever smiled so much in her life?

He gave her ass a slap. “Sassy witch. I think you need a spanking.”

“Somehow, that doesn’t sound like punishment.”

Drew laughed and gave her another playful swat. After a moment, he asked, “So how long until the plant’s up and running?”

“We plan to open the doors on May 1
^st
, and thankfully, we’re right on schedule.” Then it’s back to L.A. and civilization. At least until she could sell her condo and race back to Mayberry. The thought didn’t cause her even a single quiver of concern. In fact, her writing had come alive since arriving, the words flowing like they never had before.

She wasn’t sure if it was her imagination, or if she was looking too much into it, but Drew stiffened and withdrew from her a bit. Regrets? Already? God, she hoped not. Not when she’d all but made the decision to relocate here. No...no, she was being paranoid. She’d just had the most incredible sex of her life—twice. No way could he not be feeling what she was feeling.

Could it be about his father? Had Drew expected her to offer the man his job back just because they’d slept together? The thought that Drew could have very well assumed just that brought an uncomfortable ache to her chest.

He sat up and swiped both hands through his hair. He looked haggard, suddenly, and she wondered if he was thinking about his mother. Of course, that had to be it. She could only imagine what hell the man was going through, not to mention the burden of worrying about his father and sister on top of dealing with his own grief.

He threw the covers back and sat on the edge of the bed for a moment, as if collecting his thoughts, then picked his boxer briefs off the floor and slipped them on. Lindy snuggled back against the pillows and watched him shrug into his shirt though sated eyes. The man had the body of a Greek God; anticipation thrummed through her as she imagined the next time she’d have him naked in her bed.

Fully dressed, he turned, but barely looked her in the eye as he said, “It’s been fun, Hot Stuff, but I have to get going. Lots to do tomorrow.”

It’s been fun?
“I don’t understand. Is something wrong?” When he didn’t immediately respond, her pulse sped up. “Drew?”

His eyes narrowed, grew cold; distant. “Don’t you mean
Lou
?”

“I was kidding.” She frowned. “You know that.”

He blew out another hard breath and scrubbed a hand over his face. “Yeah, you were kidding. Listen, seriously, I have to go. We’ll talk later.” With that, Drew took off as if his feet were on fire, slamming the front door on his way out.

Lindy wrapped her arms around herself, tears burning her eyes, and gazed unseeingly out her bedroom window. This had to be about his grief over his mother. Maybe something she’d said reminded him of her. Or maybe in his vulnerable state the solace of her arms wasn’t the only comfort he needed. Maybe tonight he needed to grieve with his family.

And crap, she’d completely forgotten to mention the party. Not that he or Hannah would be in a celebratory mood anytime soon. But it wasn’t for another ten days, so hopefully they’d feel up to it by then. In the meantime, she would have some faith and do something she’d never done before in her life. Give Drew his space and wait for him to call.

Chapter 11

Lindy had just washed down the last bite of her burger down when Hannah entered the diner. The younger girl hung her coat and tucked her purse away, apparently about to start her shift. Lindy hoped she’d come over and say hello before she did since Lindy hadn’t had a chance yet to offer her condolences. Also, Drew hadn’t called since the night they’d made love, and while Lindy understood he had a lot going on right now, she couldn’t help but worry.

Hannah spoke with Hutch for a moment before turning to face her. The despair in her eyes put Lindy on edge. God, she hoped nothing else had happened in the last few days.

When Hannah reached her table, Lindy stood up and wrapped her arms around her. “I’m so sorry about your mother. If there’s anything I can do for you, please let me know.”

“Thanks, Lindy. I appreciate that.”

Lindy sat back down and gestured for Hannah to join her. “Just for a minute.”

With a reluctant nod, Hannah sat down across from her.

“I haven’t heard from Drew in several days and…well, I wanted to make sure he was all right…?”

A flare of surprise lit Hannah’s eyes. “I’m really sorry, but…I assumed you knew. Drew decided to stay in Michigan after the funeral.”

“For how long?”

“Indefinitely.”

Stunned, Lindy could only stare at Hannah. Stay in Michigan indefinitely? She had to have heard her wrong. “I don’t understand. He has a business to run. He...”

He what? He was madly in love with her? Ready to build a life with her? The only thing she knew for sure was they’d had mind-blowing sex—twice—then he ran off as soon as the sheets cooled. In fact, he ran out on her a lot. The man owed her an explanation if nothing else, though she was starting to doubt she’d get one.

Pity swam in Hannah’s gaze. Talk about humiliating.

“I wish I knew what to tell you. When I asked him what was going on, he said it was nothing. I sort of assumed you two had gotten into an argument or something.”

Yeah, or something.

Willing herself not to tear up, Lindy changed the subject. “I need to speak with your father. Any chance I might be able to catch him at home?”

The question brought a smile of relief to Hannah’s face. “He just dropped me off, so he should be home any minute.”

“Thanks. Hey, did Matt happen to mention the party I’m throwing next Friday? I hope you can make it.”

“I’ll definitely try. Sounds like a blast.”

When Lindy arrived at Drew’s house, she sat in the car for a moment, more than a little anxious to face the elder Mr. Porter again. She planned to offer him his job back, and sincerely hoped he would accept. What had happened was unfortunate, but she had a lot of sympathy for the man now that she knew the whole story, and was willing to scratch the incident from the record for a fresh start.

And her decision had nothing whatsoever to do with sleeping with his son. After thinking about it from every angle, Lindy knew even her hard-nosed father would agree—Andrew Porter deserved a second chance.

Her thoughts collected, Lindy got out of the car and crossed the street, taking a deep, calming breath before rapping on the door. The night had grown bitterly cold, and she became engrossed in the way the moonlight glinted off the icicles hanging from the gutter above her head as she waited for him to answer the door. Nervous energy started her toe tapping and her head bopping from side to side as she softly hummed the theme song to her favorite sitcom.

The door swung open, taking her by surprise. Andrew Porter squinted in confusion for a moment before recognition dawned. A hesitant smile quirked his lips. “Miss Spalding. I wasn’t expecting you...was I?”

Lindy laughed, though the sound was born of awkwardness. “No, and I’m sorry to bother you at home. I was hoping we could talk.”

With a cautious nod, Andrew stepped back to allow her inside. He closed the door behind her and motioned her into the kitchen. “I just put on a pot of coffee. Would you like a cup?”

“I’d love one, thank you.” She glanced around, careful not to appear too nosey. Naturally, she had a healthy curiosity about the Porter clan. From the father, who’d loved his wife so much he’d never given up hope, even when faced with mental illness, to the daughter, who’d accidentally stumbled upon Lindy’s deepest secret, to the son, who despite the intimacy they’d shared was still such a mystery.

“There’s cream and sugar on the Lazy Susan,” he said as he set a steaming mug and a spoon on the table. “Please, sit.”

With a nod, Lindy set her purse on the chair beside her and sat. She took her time stirring powdered creamer and sugar into her mug while she contemplated the easiest way to get to the point.

“I’m, uh, glad you stopped by,” he said after a moment. “I’ve been wanting to apologize for my behavior the other day. I’m completely mortified and sorrier than I can say. I’m just relieved you weren’t hurt.”

“Drew explained what happened. I’m so sorry for your loss.”

Andrew pressed his lips together and finally sat down across from her.

They sipped their coffee in quiet contemplation until the silence became deafening. Finally, Lindy came to the point. “I’d like to offer you your job back. I have it on good authority that you’re the best plant manager in the Midwest, and I’d be a fool to try and replace you.”

He fingered the rim of his mug, a small smile chasing away his mournful grimace. “Matt’s been singing my praises, hey?”

“And then some.”

He laughed. “I’m pretty fond of him myself.”

“So?”

Andrew held out his hand and she grasped it. “I know I don’t deserve a second chance, but I’m truly grateful for it, so thank you. I swear you won’t regret it.”

“I have no doubt that’s true.” When she would’ve let go, he clung to her hand, his expression shifting, growing more thoughtful.

“I don’t want to stick my nose into your business. But I know you and my son...well, I know there’s something there. I need to explain a few things to you so you’ll understand.”

Lindy’s pulse sped up at this unexpected turn of conversation. “Understand what?”

“My son.”

“No disrespect, Mr. Porter,” she slipped her hand from his, “but I think I know everything I need to know about your son.”

“I’m fairly certain he’s in love with you, though I doubt he’s ready to admit it. To you or himself.”

Swallowing down the flare of hope his pronouncement ignited, Lindy gave a negative shake of her head. “I’m sorry, but you’re mistaken. Drew couldn’t get away from me fast enough the other...” Her cheeks flamed when she realized what she’d been about to admit. She instantly became annoyed with herself. She and Drew were both consenting adults and—

“I won’t pretend to know what happened between the two of you. However, I
do
know my son, and I’ve never seen him so twisted up over a woman before. It’s a new experience for him, trust me on that.”

Trust was not a word she could easily associate with Drew Porter. Unreliable, yes. Indecisive, absolutely. But trustworthy? Hardly. After the way he’d run out on her, not to mention his decision to stay away “indefinitely”, how could she trust anything when it came to that man?

“He seemed pretty clear about what he wanted when he...when he walked out on me.”

There, she’d said it; admitted aloud just how hurt she’d been by Drew’s disappearance. She also realized how desperately she wanted his father to assure her of Drew’s love and his intention of returning home. Hopefully, before she had to head back to L.A. To either put her condo up for sale and break the news of her relocation to her parents, or settle back into life in the city and forget about the only man who’d ever made her feel…anything.

“Drew took his mother’s abandonment hard,” Andrew quietly explained. “She loved her children, she truly did. But she was sick. Some days she’d hug him tight, whisper how much she loved him. Others he couldn’t do anything right. If she wasn’t ranting and raving about some small infraction, she ignored him completely. To say he grew up with a confused sense of what motherly love is would be an understatement.”

“I don’t know what to say. I can’t even imagine...those poor kids.”

Staring off into the past, he gave a sad nod of agreement. “Hannah’s several years younger than Drew, so thankfully she was spared most of the mind games. Drew wasn’t so lucky. He’s as cynical as the day is long when it comes to women. Frankly, I never expected that to change.” He met her gaze. “But then we were getting a sandwich at Hutch’s about a week back, and some punk made a crude comment about you. Drew told him if he so much as spoke your name again, he’d bust his jaw.” Andrew chuckled. “I think mine about hit the floor.”

“Mr. Porter—”