The Fireman's Ready-Made Family. Jules Bennett
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it was none of his business, but he had a feeling whatever war she was battling, she wasn’t finished yet.
Everything in him wanted to get to know her more. He knew he needed to move on, knew Andrea would want him to find happiness. And Marly was the first woman since Andrea who had sparked this much emotion inside him, so he couldn’t ignore it.
What if he wasn’t ready? What if he tried to get closer to a woman and he couldn’t follow through?
Damn it, he couldn’t live in fear. He wouldn’t live in fear. Going slow with Marly, working on gaining her trust, was the best step to take.
He focused on those dark eyes as they looked back up at him. “Can I ask you something?”
Her gaze held his as she nodded.
“Do I scare you?”
“A little,” she murmured. “It’s nothing you did. It’s just...”
Unable to help himself, he rested his hand on her shoulder, keeping his touch light when she started to tense. “I don’t want you uncomfortable around me, Marly.”
“There’s a lot of stuff I’m working through,” she told him. “Sometimes it hits me harder than others.”
Drake knew all too well about painful memories creeping up at random times, cutting you off at the knees when you least expected it. He’d be lying if he said he was over Andrea’s death, but he’d at least learned to conquer those demons when they threatened him. He was stronger than a year ago, and he wanted to help Marly build on her strength.
“I’m a pretty good listener,” he said, giving her shoulder a slight squeeze, pleased when she didn’t pull away.
“I’m sure you are, but I...” She shook her head and sighed.
Drake stepped closer, fully aware that he was teetering on a thin line where her emotions were concerned. But that damn pull between them crackled in the air, making him want to hold her, to offer some comfort.
His other hand came up to cup her other shoulder as he eased forward. “Sometimes it only looks as though there’s no hope,” he told her. “Trust me.”
Damp eyes came up to meet his, and the punch to the gut was swift and unexpected.
“My trust was shattered,” she whispered, keeping her wet eyes locked on his. “I can’t face this... I can’t get close to anyone, if that’s what you were thinking.”
Shocked that she’d called him out, Drake slid his hands from her shoulders and let them drop.
“I wasn’t looking for anything more than friendship, Marly. I want to help Jeremy and I’d like to be your friend.” He met her gaze, ripped apart at the sight of those big brown eyes brimming with unshed tears. “Before you can learn to trust others again, you need to trust your heart. What’s it saying about me?”
With that loaded question, he walked from the lounge. His own heart beat fast in his chest as he made his way out to the parking lot and to his truck. Once he settled in behind the wheel, he took a deep breath, closed his eyes and leaned his head back.
When he’d told her to trust her heart, he’d been talking to himself more than anything...but now he realized it was solid advice.
Drake knew Marly was a strong woman, but someone had pushed that strength aside and had taken advantage of her. He intended to honor his promise of friendship and not press for more. Marly was special, she was worth being patient for, and Drake couldn’t wait to see what happened next.
What had she been thinking, agreeing to this plan? Hadn’t she already mentally scolded herself for getting too close to Chief St. John? She should be steering clear of the man, yet when he’d looked at her with those mesmerizing eyes and offered compassion and support, she couldn’t deny him anything.
Which was why she was now straightening her home like a maniac, picking up random toys and stray shoes while Willow ran the vacuum. Thankfully the rental home was small, so the cleanup wasn’t too hard—it was more the pressure of having Drake in her home that had her nerves on edge.
The vacuum shut off and Willow wheeled it back through the hall and under the steps where the cleaning supplies were kept.
“I better get extra pizza for all that sweeping,” Willow mumbled as she came back through the house.
Putting away the last of the clean dishes, Marly smiled. “I’ll make sure you get extra. And maybe even dessert for all your help.”
Willow’s smile widened. “Like brownie delights?”
Marly shrugged. “I’m not sure if we’ll make brownie delights or not, but I’m sure we can come up with something.”
Climbing onto a wooden bar stool at the small center island in the kitchen, Willow rested her head in her hands. “What’s the chief coming over for?”
“We’re going to try to figure out a way to help Jeremy’s family,” Marly explained, hanging her plaid kitchen towel over the oven handle. “Medical bills can be expensive, and Jeremy will need a lot of extra special care to make sure he’s all better.”
“We’ve been making him get-well cards in class. Jeremy likes trucks, so I drew him a big red truck on my card.”
Marly reached across the island and smoothed stray strands from Willow’s forehead. This morning her blond mass had been tamed into two braids, but now, well, apparently recess had gotten the better of the hairdo.
A tap on the front door jerked Marly upright. Heart pounding heavily, she knew the second Drake entered her home, she’d start getting all fluttery, and the last thing she needed was her daughter picking up on any vibes. Not that a five-year-old was very in tune with adults’ feelings, but Marly couldn’t take the chance. Kevin didn’t need more leverage in his attempt to get full custody.
This was just an evening of acquaintances getting together to collaborate on how to make a family’s life a little easier. Any feelings toward Drake that wanted to take root would have to be removed before they could grow. Any type of relationship at this point, especially with a man, was not a smart move.
When her doorbell rang again, Marly pulled herself from her thoughts. To assume Drake had feelings on his end was very presumptuous of her. Yes, he’d seemed interested, but did that mean he was going to act on anything? She was borrowing trouble when she had too much on her plate to keep her mind occupied already.
“I’ll get it, Mama.” Willow ran by her and headed to the front room. “Can I let in the chief?”
“Yes, and thank you for asking before letting someone in the house.”
Marly smoothed a hand over her ponytail, then made sure her side bangs were covering the scar. Even though her hair was still in the same shape it had been in at work, she’d at least changed from her scrubs and put on her ever-dressy yoga capris and V-neck T-shirt. Hey, she wasn’t inviting him over for anything romantic, and this was the real her. Nothing fancy, no jewelry, no makeup, plain-Jane hair.
The days of always worrying about her appearance had long since passed. And to be honest, she loved the Marly she was rediscovering.
“Wow, pizza?” Willow jumped up and down. “You’re the coolest, Mr. Chief.”
Marly stepped into the front room and smiled. The sight of Drake in a gray T-shirt pulled taut across his shoulders and faded jeans did nothing to help her motivational speech she’d just given herself about not having time to think of him as anything other than a friend.
How could she ignore such a visually tempting man? And the fact that he was concerned about a helpless little boy only made her heart clench more. Oh, and the way he’d handled a parking lot full of kindergarteners... Yeah, the man was fast becoming more and