Page 23 of Deception and New Direction

Jack reached over, grabbed my hand, and squeezed it.Hisfingers lightly rubbed over the back of my hand, andIenjoyed it more thanIprobably should have.Ilet him keep ahold of it so as to not offend him.Notbecause it felt nice or anything.

Okay that was a lie.

I thought back to my childhood—memories thatIhadn’t put too much weight into at the time, now suddenly had a different meaning.

I specifically remembered one night right beforeIgraduated high school.Mybrother had broughtMalover, and he was blatantly flirting with me in front of my dad and brother.

I may not have had enough dating experience, butIwatched enough movies to know that most dads and brothers were not cool with that.Exceptapparently mine.

“I know you like him,Jason, but can you tell him to lay off me,”Itold my brother. “I’mnot interested.”

“You’re gonna need to find a husband sooner or later so you can get out of my house,” my father replied. “Malis a good option for you.Mostlybecause for some reason he finds you appealing, but he also has a good, solid job so he can take care of you and any sons you have.”

I noted that he hadn’t said daughters.Itried not to let that hurt more than it should.Iwas used to comments like that by now.

“If you don’t likeMal, that’s fine,” my dad added. “Butjust make sure you come to me or your brother first before you decide to marry someone else.Justso we make sure you aren’t making a terrible decision.”

Terrible decision, my butt.Ithought now.Helikely just wanted the option to find out if the man could help him out with getting money from his cash cow.

“Sis,Iagree with dad here,” my brother, ever the peacemaker, added. “Justmake sure you let us meet him before you elope.It’smy job as your brother to protect you from some idiot.”

“Chances are if she picks him, he’ll definitely be an idiot,” my dad remarked. “Atleast by then, she’ll be his problem and not ours anymore.”

It was memories like these that kept coming back to me during the ride, after we got toJack’shouse, and asItried to fall asleep.Ihad a feelingIwas in for a restless night.

* * *

I couldn’t sleep.Everythingfrom earlier in the day ran through my mind.EvenDashgave out an exasperated sigh because he was not a fan of my tossing and turning in the bed.Apparently, my inability to get some shut-eye was affecting his beauty sleep.Ifinally gave up and decided to go out to the kitchen for a drink, hoping that would help.

SinceIwould only be going a short distance,Iopted for only one crutch under my right arm and made my way quietly to the kitchen as to not wakeJackup.

Dash did not follow me, choosing instead to stay snuggled in the big bed.

AsIexited the hallway and turned toward the kitchen area,Iwas looking to the ground, careful not to trip over anything.

“You okay?” a low voice said, causing me to gasp and jump back, andIsawJackstanding in the kitchen by the fridge.

“God,Jack,Ithink you just took three years off my life.”Iput my hand over my heart and felt it racing.

“Sorry.”

“I came to get some water,”Itold him asIwalked to the cabinet.

With one hand holding my crutch,Iused my free hand to grab a glass and filled it up.Iwalked back over to the counter and set my crutch to the side then turned back to faceJackwhileIleaned back against the counter for support.

“Penny for your thoughts?” he asked.

I stood there, taking a sip, asIlet both my heart rate and brain calm back down before answering him. “Icouldn’t get my mind to stop racing with everything that happened today.Ihate feeling scared and weak over this.I’musually much stronger.”

“Ruthie, you’re one of the strongest womenIknow.Feelingapprehensive about this situation doesn’t make you weak.Itactually makes you smart.Youhave the instinct to recognize when something doesn’t feel right, and you have to trust that feeling.It’sokay to tell me how you’re feeling.Youshouldn’t keep that bottled up.”

I looked up at him and for the first time noticed he was just standing there in flannel pants.Noshirt, just his bare chest.

I slowly scanned over his chest and noticed several small marks that marred his chest and right shoulder.BeforeIthought better of it,Iasked him what those were.

“Shrapnel,” he answered matter-of-factly. “IEDwent off nearby, andIgot hit with some debris.Iwas lucky.”

“You consider getting hit by shrapnel lucky?”Hisdefinition was clearly different than mine.

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