The Hero (Thunder Point #3)(29)

He bent at the waist and peered at Mercy. “Wanna help old Rawley wash up dishes?”

Her little face lit up and Devon said, “Oh, Rawley, she’s just going to make a big mess.”

He scooped her up and planted her on the step stool in front of the sink. “I reckon. There ain’t no sharp things in there, I know what I’m doing.” He tied an apron around her neck and it fit her like a long dress. “Why don’t you take a break for once. Sit out on the deck and count seabirds.”

Devon wandered back into the bar. Cooper was alone behind the bar and he was smiling at her. She leaned on the bar. “How can I thank you?”

“You just did.”

“I can’t even buy you a beer in your own bar,” she said. “I’ll think of something special. Something that will show you how much it means to me that you’d take on that cleanup job for someone you barely even know.”

He leaned toward her. “Listen here, you’ve already done enough for me. For us.”

“But I haven’t done—”

His voice was lowered when he talked, as if this was just for her. “I’ve known that old boy in the kitchen for almost a year now. He’s a curmudgeonly old coot. He hasn’t had an easy life, he doesn’t trust people quickly. He’s been mostly alone and hardly anyone knows how big his heart is. I’m maybe the best friend he’s got and he makes me work real hard for a few words. But since you and your little girl have been around, Rawley’s a whole new man. Almost can’t shut him up. And he’s got a twinkle in his eye that I haven’t ever seen before. He’s been needing someone to take care of—he’s been needing family. And I wouldn’t be saying this but it’s pretty plain—you’re not just good for him, you’re good to him. That matters to me, Devon.”

“He’s a good man,” she said.

“He is that, hard as he might try to keep it a secret.”

She leaned toward him and in a hushed tone said, “I’m not his cousin.”

And Cooper whispered back, “I know.”

“He told you?”

Cooper shook his head. “I guessed, that’s all. It was awful sudden, you showing up, but as long as it works out...”

“I would never hurt Rawley.”

“That’s coming across loud and clear.”

“I can’t really talk about...”

“About why you cut off your pretty hair and won’t talk about where you’ve been? Look, hardly a one of us doesn’t have stuff to get over, so you don’t have to explain. I could make you blush with my past. In fact, let’s leave that alone. There might come a time you want to talk about whatever it is, but know this—it doesn’t really matter that much. What matters is that you find what you need, that Rawley is happy, that your daughter is okay.”

“That’s what’s important to me, too.”

“Then we’re bent on a single purpose. Now, what’s your pleasure? Coffee? Soda? Wine?”

She sniffed back some emotion. “Can I have a beer?”

“You got it,” he said, pulling a bottle out of the cooler. He popped the top and put it on the bar as she was struggling to open her wallet. He put a hand over hers. “Devon, I’m not taking your money. Don’t be ridiculous. The families of folks who work here eat and drink for free. Now find a place in the sun to relax—Rawley says you’ve been working day and night for a week.”

“I could just kiss you,” she whispered.

“I’ll take that,” he said with a handsome big grin. Then he leaned across the bar, presenting her with his cheek.

* * *

Devon sat on the deck with her beer. Down on the beach she saw Spencer throwing the football with Landon. So much for his shower. He was wearing the same jeans, but without his shirt or shoes. He had apparently been distracted by a little ball practice. He had amazing shoulders and arms, which she wished she hadn’t even noticed—but there was no denying it, he was a beautiful specimen. His boy, Austin, was fooling around on the paddleboard, very near the shore. There were a few people out on the water—a couple in a small skiff, rowing around the quiet bay. Two people were on paddleboards, taking them farther out into the bay.

Her eyes went back to Spencer and Landon. They threw long, powerful passes. This was the coach and his star player, and they were impressive. She could hear them shouting at each other and laughing. She just couldn’t believe she was here. Feeling for the first time as if she was actually living a normal life. Not just that, but in a setting millions of people would envy—the beauty of the rocky sea, the long peaceful beach. It felt as though right up to this very moment, this very second, she had worried and wondered what was coming tomorrow, that she’d been a little afraid each day that somehow the clock would be turned back and she’d find herself again behind that fence.

Sarah came out to sit beside her. Ham was by her side and Sarah sat down beside Devon. “What did you think of your duplex?”

“I was speechless,” she said. “You guys are my magic fairies. I don’t know what came over you.”

“I had a day off.” She shrugged. “I’m going to pay for it by sitting alert for the next two nights, but that’s okay. I’m almost done. I’ll be on paid vacation by the end of the summer.”