Absolute Trust - Jeana E. Mann Page 0,60
for me in the lounge, dressed in his usual plaid shirt and tan trousers. His shoulders hunch forward as I explain the situation. He studies his gnarled hands before summoning a small smile. “Things can be replaced, my dear. At least you’re okay.” The pat of his hand is small consolation for the devastation on his face.
“I don’t think you understand. Everything is gone. Everything.” Tears burn my eyes. I blink them away, determined to remain brave. “I’m so sorry.”
He peers through the beige curtains of the nearby window and sighs. “Most of that stuff was junk and no good to anyone. All of my memories are in here.” The tap of his fingers to his heart renews my tears. “And let’s face it. The business was failing. Maybe it’s time to start fresh for both of us.”
“Cash wants you to stay with him. His house has a mother-in-law suite with a kitchenette and a separate entrance. There’s a beautiful lake. It would be like your own apartment. He has a housekeeper and a maintenance crew. You won’t have to do anything. And I’ll be there.”
“That sounds marvelous.” He leans back in the chair. “I humbly accept his offer. You thank him for me, will you?” His eyes grow round. “And Lucy? Oh, my goodness. What about Lucy? Is she okay?”
“She’s fine. Living the good life at Cash’s. He spoils her rotten. I think she likes him better than me.”
“So things are going well for the two of you?”
“He says he loves me.” The heat of a blush warms my cheeks.
“And you love him back.” It’s not a question, but I nod anyway. He chuckles. “I knew it. When’s the wedding? I’m ready for grandkids.”
“No, no!” I hold up both hands. The warmth of a different kind of love unfurls in my chest. Love for this man who cares for me like the father I never had. Despite my denial, I can’t help smiling at the suggestion. “It’s way too soon for that. We’re still figuring things out.”
“Whatever you say.” His knowing grin minimizes my sadness. “And when are you going to stop calling me Mr. Mercer? My name’s Bob.”
“I like calling you Mr. Mercer. It has a ring to it, you know?” I smile back at him. “It might take me awhile to break the habit.”
The visit with Mr. Mercer rearranges my priorities. As he suggested, the fire could be a blessing in disguise. I can either dwell on the negative or opt to find the positive side of the situation. With the burden of the store gone, I can concentrate on building a new business, one that belongs to me and fulfills my dreams. Thanks to Cash and Loretta, I have enough money to help support Mr. Mercer. Even the fire has a silver lining.
When I arrive back at Cash’s house, he’s hanging out in the kitchen with Em and Gage. As usual, he’s shirtless and barefoot. The ink on his neck and arms is on full display. The sight of him causes my heart to skip a beat. He greets me with an arm around my waist and a kiss on the lips. Mr. Mercer’s comments have spurred my thoughts in a new direction. How good would it feel to come home to this man every day?
“How was Mr. Mercer?” he asks.
“Fine. Good.” My stomach does a somersault when Cash’s brown eyes meet mine. He’s thinking about sex. I can tell by the way his lips curl upward at the corners. He tilts his head toward the stairs and lifts an eyebrow. Fire races up my neck then drops to settle between my legs.
Em is chopping onions. She glances up from her work. “We’re making lasagna.”
“You mean, I’m making lasagna,” Gage interjects. He’s hovering over a large pot of red sauce. “You’re my sous-chef.”
“It’s my recipe.” She scowls at him.
“Don’t play me. You got it off the Internet.” He snaps a dish towel at her rear end. She yelps and hops to one side.
“They’ve been like this all day,” Cash says, his lips curving into a smile against my temple. He lets go of my waist long enough to thread his fingers through mine. “Let’s go have a swim. Pretty soon, it’s gonna be too cold to use it. You can tell me about Mr. Mercer, and I want to hear what the adjuster had to say.”
We splash around in the heated water then sit on the edge of the pool with our legs dangling in the