A Secret to Shatter by Katie O’Connor

Chapter Eighteen

Ira watched her hurry away. Why had he rushed her? What was he thinking? He scraped his hands through his hair and scratched his chin. He snorted in amusement at himself. He was thinking, no he knew, he was ready for more with Honey. Maybe a lot more.

Learning about the loss of her parents, her entire family, had given him insight into her waitressing career. She had a point and it was the same one Sue had made. Her being happy was enough. Between her two jobs, she seemed to have enough to live comfortably on. Why did her career matter?

Abruptly, he realized it didn’t. Honey was who she was, and he liked her the way she was. Pretty, kind, intelligent, outgoing, observant. She was so many things all rolled up into one delicious package. In a nutshell, it was why he’d blurted out his clean bill of health.

He picked up their empty glasses and followed her inside. He’d check on her and then put some potatoes on the barbecue. Potatoes, corn on the cob, and chicken breasts. Maybe a salad. He’d feed her in exchange for fixing his computer. He knew better than to offer money.

He was wrapping the potatoes in foil when she came into the kitchen.

“It looks good. I’ve started the second scrub program. This one will go faster. It’ll only take about half an hour. One more after that. Then a clean and defrag of your hard drive and you’ll be as good as new. And, I’ve had a clean bill of health too.”

She blushed adorably.

“Good to know. Thanks for telling me. Did you want to help make a salad while the potatoes bake? Or would you rather take a walk?”

“Don’t the potatoes need to be rotated on the barbecue?”

“Nope.” He pulled a basket from under the sink. “I’ve got this specialty adaptor for my rotisserie. An army buddy designed it. The spit goes through here and a potato on each side. I close it and clip it shut. Now, I’m free to do whatever I want. We won’t go far. I don’t like to leave it totally unattended. Maybe a stroll down to the creek. I’ve got a swimming hole.” He waggled he eyebrows.

“I’d love to take a walk. Your land is beautiful.”

“Are you sure. You did work all morning. Your feet aren’t too sore?”

“Not at all. I only worked four hours. Short shift today. I’ve been sitting since I arrived. Honestly, a walk will be ideal. Not sure about swimming though.”

“Great. Just let me hook this up and grab a leash for Bill. He’s pretty well trained, but I don’t want him running off after squirrels.”

“Lead me to your creek,” she teased with a mock salute.

“Wrong hand, girl. But I’ll let it go this time.” He kissed the tip of her nose and grasped her hand. “Come on, let’s walk.”

They walked across the lawn toward an opening in the trees. At the edge of the trees, he paused to open a gate in the white, three rail fence to let her pass through.

Beyond the gate, the trees towered above them. She could see through them easily. “Where’s the underbrush?”

“It’s all cow mowed. This whole area is actually pasture. Cows eat all the underbrush and low-level leaves,” he explained. “The main yard is fenced off, but the rest of the land, which includes some great clearings and the stream, was used for cattle. The cows are gone now, sold off when I bought the place. I’ll get my own herd. Eventually.”

“From soldier to gentleman farmer. I like the transition.”

“Me too.” He reached over and grasped her hand and gently tugged her to his side. She came without resistance. “It’s not far to the creek. And on a hot day like today, we might want to dangle our feet in.”

“Oh look,” she whispered and pointed to the left. A doe and two older fawns grazed nearby. “Why aren’t they running away?”

“Mule deer aren’t as flighty as White Tails. Last week, I left the gate open by mistake and I had a herd of ten in the yard. They didn’t even twitch when I brought my breakfast outside. I watched them for an hour.”

“Incredible.” She sighed and leaned her head against his shoulder.

He slipped his arm around her waist, content to be with her and watch the deer in the silence of mother nature’s forest. He felt…blessed. This must be how Honey felt when she sought the good in everything. He smiled. He could get used to this feeling.

Ten minutes later, he led her through a break in the trees. They opened into a clearing where a small stream ran into a deep waterhole. Lush green grass with several large rocks scattered on it surrounded the waterhole.

“Oh, it’s beautiful. What a great place for a picnic. How deep is the water?” she called over her shoulder as she abandoned him to rush toward the bank.

“Knee deep around the edges, but it gets deep in the middle; about four feet or more. The former owners had it dug for their kids. The bottom is fine gravel. I think they had it brought in. The rocks where the water comes in and goes out are much larger.”

Honey kicked off her sandals and hurried to the edge. She dipped her toe into the water. “Oh, it’s not too cold at all.” She edged her way deeper until she was past her knees, the water level rising dangerously close to the bottom of her skirt. “Aren’t you going to join me?”

He laughed. “I am wearing jeans,” he said wryly.

“Take them off. Your shirt is probably long enough to hide the important parts.” Her laugh rang out over the clearing. “I dare you!”

What the heck? Why not?

“Turn your back. While I strip down.”

“What?”

“I’m modest,” he joked.

She turned her back to him. He quickly shucked his shoes, socks and jeans. His western dress shirt dropped low, but not as low as he might have liked. He was actually modest; he hadn’t been teasing. He didn’t typically undress in front of women he wasn’t in an intimate relationship with. He folded his jeans and placed them on top of his boots. When he looked up, she was staring at him, a silly grin on her face.

“Hey! I told you to turn around.”

“And, I did. I just didn’t stay turned around. You need to be specific.”

“You’ll pay for that.” He hurried across the grass and the two feet of small rocks surrounding the swimming hole. He raced into the water and lunged toward her.

She jumped to the side, disrupting his plan to grab her. He crashed into the water and went down. Fully submerged. He came up sputtering.

“Oh, you did not. I’ll get you for this. You’ll pay. You’ll be as wet as I am when I catch you.” He rose to his feet and stormed toward her, a wide grin on his face.

Squealing in glee, she hurried through the water. She ran him through a merry chase, but his legs were longer and once she hit deeper water, she floundered a bit, allowing him to catch up.

“Gotcha.” He made one last jump to grab her. He latched on, and because he overestimated the distance, they both went down. Into the water. Over their heads. His knees connected to the bottom and he shot upward, surfacing with a splash.

Honey didn’t surface.

Where was she? Panic wracked through him, stealing his breath and the mirth he’d enjoyed only seconds ago. “Honey, where are you?” He pivoted in a slow circle looking for her. He dove under, eyes open searching the water for her. He couldn’t see her anywhere. Gasping, he surfaced again.

“Looking for me?” she called.

He spun in the water toward the bank where they’d left their clothing. She stood there; arms crossed over her chest. Laughing.

Laughing at him.

Relief pounded through him. She was safe.

Thank God!

He’d lost too many people. His mother. His grandmother. Seven comrades in arms. Too damn many. He wasn’t about to lose her too. With sudden resolve borne from that moment of terror, he realized he couldn’t lose Honey too. In a short time, she’d become important to him. Damned if he hadn’t fallen in love with this beautiful waitress.

Even dripping wet, she was lovely. Her hair hung in limp curls, her shirt and skirt clung to her body like a second skin. Dang!

“You’ll pay for scaring the daylights out of me,” he growled and snatched her into his arms. He pulled her close and after giving her a full three seconds to object, crushed his lips down onto hers. Her lips were cool but heated quickly under his. Her arms wrapped around him, their chill filling his body with heat.

He kissed her, pouring every emotion into the simple contact. His tongue stroked her lips and they parted in welcome. They kissed until he was breathless and light headed. Slowly, he pulled away. Smiling softly, he pressed a kiss to the top of her head. “Wow.”

“Yeah, wow,” she said, her words shaky.

“I’d like to kiss you all day long, but you’re shivering.”

“You shouldn’t have dunked me,” she countered. “I was just cool until then. The water was a nice change from the heat of the air. But I think I better go home. I need dry clothing.”

Home? Regret slammed him. “Home? Are those clothes dryer safe? I can lend you something while we dry those out. Stay for dinner. Please. I won’t assault you again.”

She scooped up her shoes and smirked at him. “Pity.” She raced up the grassy path toward the house.

He grabbed his clothing and chased after her. Small twigs and bits of stone jabbed at his feet. How did she run so fast barefooted? “Wait up.” He minced his way toward her. Her hair glistened in the sun of another small clearing.

“What’s the matter? Delicate feet?” She threw back her head and laughed at his grimace.

She was beautiful. Exquisite.

“Apparently your feet are tougher than mine,” he agreed.

“I love being barefoot. Come on, you owe me dinner and I need dry clothing.”

An hour later, dressed in one of his T-shirts with nothing on under it, she sat across from him at the glass topped table on his deck. She leaned back in her chair. “That was the best steak I’ve ever eaten. Thank you.”

“You are welcome. Thanks for fixing my computer. I can’t believe it works again. I am impressed. You’re a woman of many talents.”

“Yes, I am. I have one you haven’t seen.”

“What’s that?” He had no idea where this conversation was going, but he eagerly anticipated finding out. She intrigued him.

“Dishes. I can wash dishes.” She stood and loaded their plates on the tray they’d brought from inside. “I’ll wash. You dry.”

“Or, we could just put them in the dishwasher. It’s nearly full already.”

He opened the door for her and she slipped inside.

“More wine?” he asked.

“No, I don’t think so. I have to drive home,” she demurred.

“Working in the morning? Or tonight?” He didn’t want her to leave.

“No. I’m off for two days. At least at the restaurant. I could probably skip my other job tonight. But I’d have to make up for it later. I get paid by the hour with a set number of hours a week.”

“Stay,” he urged.

“I don’t know…”

“Have a glass of wine. Stay the night. I have a spare bedroom.” She looked torn and he was certain she’d refuse. After a ridiculously long minute, she spoke.

“I guess I could stay, but what if I’m afraid to sleep alone?” She gave him a coy look which stole his breath and his sanity.

He swallowed hard. “Then I’d consider it my sworn duty, as a former military man, to protect you from all the things that go bump in the night.”

She set the tray on the counter and strolled toward him, hips swaying. “Pour the wine, soldier boy.” She lifted up on tiptoe and pressed her lips to his. Her arms wrapped around him, one hand dragging his head closer to hers. She kissed him hard and fast. “Maybe the wine will wait.” She stepped back, took his hand, and led him toward the bedroom.