Page 39 of Fighting Temptation (Men of Honor 1)
Jaxson smiles, “I’ll bet she likes that.”
I smile, “That she does, the woman loves her margaritas.”
We walk through the front doors and head straight into the dining area that’s filled with people. I spot Grams at the back of the room laughing with a few of her friends. One of them points me out and she turns around with a beaming smile that dies quickly when she sees Jaxson. She brings a shaky hand to her throat and stares at him in shock. My heart pinches when I look over to see Jaxson with his hands in his pockets, looking unsure of himself. Grams walks towards us, her stunned gaze frozen on Jaxson.
“Jaxson?” she asks as if she’s imagining him.
Jaxson clears his throat nervously and nods at Grams, “It’s me, how are you doing Miss Margaret?”
“Oh Jaxson!” Grams says sobbing while she wraps her arms around his waist, “I’m so glad you’re okay honey.” My eyes sting and my throat becomes tight at Gram’s emotional state. She knows about Jaxson getting hurt and everything that happened when I went to Germany.
Jaxson pats her back uncomfortably, “It’s good to see you too.”
Grams stands back a little then reaches up and grabs his face making him have to bend over for her to reach. She gives him a kiss on each cheek, “You’re even more handsome than I remember. How is that possible?”
I roll my eyes, the man doesn’t need his ego boosted anymore. “This is the best birthday present I could have gotten.” Geez, really? I knew Grams would be happy to see him but I didn’t think she would let him off the hook so easily.
Finally she turns and acknowledges me, “I told you he would come back sweetheart.”
“Grams,” I say sternly under my breath.
Grams snickers at my embarrassment, “Come here honey,” she hugs me tight, thankfully on my good side. She gasps when she leans in to kiss my cheek.
“Julia, what on earth happened to you?” she asks looking at my stitches.
“I had a little fall last night Grams, but I’m fine, it’s nothing to worry about.”
I glare at Jaxson when he grunts, making me look like a liar.
“Julia Sinclair. What aren’t you telling me?”
I let out a frustrated breath. I guess she’s going to hear about it sooner or later. Nothing stays quiet in this town. “I had a minor altercation with Wyatt is all.”
“Wyatt did this to you?” she asks in outrage, “I knew that boy was trouble, he has always rubbed me the wrong way, same with his father.” She looks over at Jaxson, “Did you kick his ass?”
“Grams!” I scold her, Jaxson doesn’t need any further encouragement.
“Damn straight and I’m not done with him either.”
“Good boy!” She says patting his shoulder. I roll my eyes frustrated at the both of them.
“Really Grams, it was just a misunderstanding. I need to use the ladies room. I’ll be back.” I mumble as I quickly walk away.
I watch Julia walk away and know she’s pissed that I made Margaret aware of what happened.
“Come on honey, have a seat,” Margaret takes me over to a table. When I sit down she surprises me by slapping me on the back of my head.
“That’s for hurting Julia mister,” she says shaking her finger in my face.
Shit! I knew it wasn’t going to be that easy with her. I clear my throat and try to explain it to her. “I’m really sorry I hurt her, but trust me when I say it was for the best. She wouldn’t have been able to handle seeing me like I was.”
Margaret puts her hand over mine affectionately, “I’ve told you before Jaxson, she’s stronger than you think she is. You hurt her bad when you sent her away like that. I worried she was never gonna come out of it.”
My chest constricts with guilt, “I’ll make it up to her.”
“I know you will honey, but I’m warning you it isn’t going to be easy.”
“I know, but I won’t stop until she forgives me.”
“Good!” she says patting me on the back, “and while you’re asking for forgiveness you may as well tell her you love her.” I snap my gaze to hers while panic seizes my chest. “Oh don’t look at me like that. I’ve always known you love her Jaxson. I’ve waited a long time for you to come to terms with it, but you’re a little slow on the up-take honey,” she says snickering.
I shake my head, “She deserves better than me Margaret. She needs someone who can love her the way she deserves. I don’t know how to love, it’s something I was never around.”
“Jaxson, love isn’t always something you learn, it’s something that you feel. And I know you feel it, I can see it in your eyes every time you look at her.”
“I’m really messed up Margaret, even more so after what happened in Iraq.” I’m uncomfortable admitting this to her but I’m trying to get her to understand.
“Oh honey!” she says with tears in her eyes, “if you would let her, she could help heal you Jaxson. I don’t know anyone else who will love Julia or protect her more than you. Just look what happened with that no good scoundrel Wyatt,” she says angrily.
My body tightens with anger when I’m reminded about last night. I’m pissed at myself, knowing if I had been here in the first place none of it would have happened. I always thought I was doing the right thing by staying away but look at the mess that’s happened.
Margaret snaps me out of my thoughts when she touches the side of my face, “Jaxson, all I’m saying is for once think with your heart, not your head. See where that leads you.”
We get interrupted when one of the staff comes walking up to us.
“Hi Margaret, is this your grandson?” the girl smiles at me flirtatiously, flicking her hair over her shoulder.
“No! He’s Julia’s man, now get out of here!” Margaret says harshly, surprising the hell out of me.
