Page 49 of Night Prey
“What do you have?”
“Coffee, tea, hot chocolate, cider.”
“Hot chocolate sounds good.”
She spun and went to the kitchen to take out a cherished recipe from the box on the counter. “This is my mom’s recipe. She kept all of our favorites in this box, and I grabbed it before we left. I’m so thankful it was never misplaced or stolen.”
Ian sat on a barstool. “Not likely something that would bring big bucks on the black market.”
She thought about it.
“You look puzzled,” Ian said. “Did I say something wrong?”
“It wasn’t only things of value that disappeared in foster care.” The memories assaulted her, and she hurried to the cabinet by the island. “Other kids were often mean and destroyed things out of spite. As an adult, I understand they were just lashing out. Maybe they’d lost something important, and it helped them cope by destroying something someone else loved.”
He reached out to take her hand. “I’m so sorry you had to go through that.”
She didn’t move. The connection felt good. “Don’t feel bad for me. It was the path God had for me, and my struggles made me who I am today. So much good is coming from my understanding of being orphaned. I can relate to the homeless teens I work with in a way I couldn’t have if I hadn’t experienced the loss.”
“But I don’t want to see you hurting. Not ever. I…” He tightened his fingers around hers and looked at her hand. “I’ve come to care for you. Deeply. Beyond my high school crush.”
“You.” She jerked her hand back. “You had a crush onmein high school?”
“Is that so hard to believe?” He leaned back against the counter, looking at home in her house.
“You didn’t let on at all.”
“But I was there, right? Where you were? Events, clubs. Ever since Junior assaulted you, I thought it was my job to be your defender.” He reached for her waist and drew her to stand between his knees. “Corny, I know. But I still feel that way.”
She didn’t know what to say, so she just looked at him.
“You’re probably way too independent to need a defender.” He reached up and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.
She wasn’t too independent to love his touch. She wanted to place her hands on his shoulders, move closer. She swallowed and remained where she was standing. “I like the thought of a defender. Of you having been there watching over me in case I needed you again.” She held his gaze. “But you had to know I was mooning over you. Why didn’t you tell me how you felt?”
He leaned back but kept his hands on her waist. “I don’t think I’d be any good at a serious relationship, and you always struck me as a serious relationship kind of girl.”
“Okay, that’s a lot to unpack, but I’ll start with the relationship. Have you had a bad experience?”
“Nothing serious, but I also haven’t had good role models. My parents have been married for thirty-seven years, which, for Hollywood, is noteworthy, but for them it’s all about how they can band together to make the most money. Then spend it as fast as they make it. It’s more like a business partnership than anything.”
“But no love?”
He shook his head in sad resignation. “They lead separate lives most of the time. They’ve both been having affairs for as long as I can remember. They don’t come right out and talk about them, but they don’t bother to hide them either.”
Her heart broke for him. She’d at least had six years of being raised by parents who loved each other. “You’re right. Not good role models, but you recognize that and know you want the real deal.”
“But can I do it, or will I fall into the kind of relationship my parents had because that’s what I’ve known?”
“I don’t know you all that well, but I do know you have a sense of commitment and know right from wrong. You’re a believer who seems to live your faith, and God provides good instruction in the Bible on love.” She gave in and rested her hands on his shoulders. “I know you would be a great husband, and any woman would be lucky to have you.”
“I’d like to think you’re right, but old habits die hard, as do old beliefs.”
She didn’t know what else to say to help him, but she would think about it later and try to find a way to help him. “So tell me why you think I’m a serious kind of woman?”
“You have a depth to you, a depth I don’t think I could ever fully unearth. You don’t seem frivolous and easily swayed. And you’re serious in your approach to life. So, why wouldn’t you be in your love life too?”
She shook her head. “My love life? I don’t have one. Never have.”
