Page 18 of Ironside
Brass, Trooper, and Hades leaned forward with interest, eager to hear my response.
At that moment, Keely finally returned, and I was saved from giving an answer. With some small twinge of disappointment, I relinquished Dot back into her mother’s arms.
But Jenny wasn’t prepared to give up that easily. Like a dog with a bone, she pursued me as I fled into the kitchen, looking for coffee. Or a stiff drink, even though it wasn’t noon yet.
“I know where you live, Reuben,” Jenny quipped. “You can’t run from me forever. I know that smile and what it means. You’re in love. Who is she?”
“Keep your voice down, woman,” I growled, turning to face her. “Don’t rat me out to my whole club.”
She gripped my forearm, beaming with excitement. I sighed. At least she wasn’t throwing things at Hades anymore. So I took that as a win.
“I promise, I won’t tell a living soul," she insisted. "But I need details immediately. Is she pretty? What is she like? Have I met her before? Is it someone I know?”
“Jesus Christ, Jenny, I can’t get a word in edge wise here.”
She bit her lip, looking apologetic.
“I’m listening. Go on.”
I hedged for a moment, debating how much to tell. Lena and I had only been on one date so far. Everything was still so new. And as much as I liked spending time with her, there was still a tug of doubt in the back of my mind.
What if I was wrong again? What if I fell just as hard for Lena as I did for Denise twenty-five years ago?
“She’s…” I hesitated, searching for the right words.
She’s perfect. Smelling faintly of roses and lilacs and lavender. Soft strawberry blonde curls. Flushed skin andsparkling eyes. An endearing level of shyness that showed she wanted more when a strong hand was there to guide her into it.
“It’s still new,” I admitted. “That’s all I’m saying.”
“Oh, that’s so exciting,” Jenny said with a wistful note in her voice. “To feel that special spark with someone. To get all those butterflies in your stomach when you’re near them. It’s so thrilling to fall in love for the first time. Thrilling and nerve-racking and wonderful.”
I huffed a dry laugh and shook my head.
“Says the woman who hasn’t dated anyone except her ex-husband for years."
Jenny wrinkled her nose.
“I’ve thought about dating again.”
“Thinking about it and actually doing it are two totally different things, sweetheart,” I pointed out, retrieving a mug from the cabinet for coffee.
She waved me off.
“We’re not talking about me right now. We’re talking about you and your special lady.”
I pointed at her.
“Don’t go spreading gossip all over my club, Jenny. Keep your mouth shut.”
She folded her hands over her heart with solemn sincerity.
“I won’t tell a living soul. I swear.”
Except her ex-husband, of course. Despite their divorce, they were still practically attached at the hip. This little tiff they were having wouldn’t last long. Then Jenny would spill this juicy piece of news to Hades.
And I had no doubt in my mind that Jenny would tell Keely. They shared the bond of motherhood now. They could talk for hours about their husbands, their kids, married life, raising a family and keeping a home. There was no way that Jenny would keep something like this from Keely.
I rubbed my forehead as I realized the gossip wouldn’t stop there.
