Waiting for You(21)

Her gaze drifted down. There was a wrench sticking out of his left back pocket, and the sight drew her attention to another part of his anatomy that was worth a second look.

Would there ever come a time when she wouldn’t react like this? When she could look at Jake without this fluttering feeling in the pit of her stomach?

She was tempted to chicken out, to slink out the door and tell Jake later she couldn’t work with him after all.

But then she remembered the conversation she’d had with Allison a couple of days ago, when they’d met for breakfast one morning.

“So…Jake told me he gave you a ride home after the wedding.”

Erin felt herself blushing but hoped her friend wouldn’t notice. “His truck is better in the snow than my car.”

“Uh huh.” Allison’s look was speculative, and Erin tried to head her off at the pass.

“Nothing happened, if that’s what you’re wondering.”

“That’s what he said, too.”

He’d talked to his sister about her?

“He also told me you’re designing a website for him and Mark.”

That was a much safer topic. “Yes. I’m no expert, but I’ve seen pictures of some of his bikes, and they look amazing.”

Allison nodded. “He really is good. He’s a genius with engines, and he can do anything with metal. He’s got an eye for design, too.” She hesitated. “I’m glad you’re doing his website, Erin. I’m glad you’re in his life. I mean, I know you guys are just friends, but…I think you could be good for him.” She bit her lip. “Sorry. That sounds weird, right?”

Erin shook her head. “You’re worried about him.”

Allison looked almost ashamed. “I am. The whole family is. He’d be furious if he knew I said that to you, or to anyone, but…yes, I’m worried. If he’d only talk to us…” she sighed. “You didn’t see him right after he got home, did you?”

Erin shook her head again. “I didn’t see him until the night of your wedding.”

“He came home about three months before that. When we first saw him…Erin, it was awful. He was like a different person. Like…like he was dead inside. He’d never been like that before, on any of his leaves or anything. Up until a year ago, he’d tell us about the war if we asked. Not everything, of course. He was awarded the Silver Star a few years ago, and he would never talk about that. I think a lot of soldiers died that day. But he’d tell us about his daily life, the guys in his unit, the local people he met.”

Allison frowned. “But after he got out…nothing. He won’t even talk to Jenna, and they used to be so close.” She took a deep breath. “He blows up at the idea of seeing a therapist. I don’t even suggest it anymore.”

What Allison was telling her fit in with what she’d seen herself—the cool impassivity of his expression, and the flickers of something else underneath. “What does Irene think?”

Allison sighed. “Mom says we just need to be patient. He does seem a little better, lately. A little more…alive. He’s different when he talks about his work, and—” she met Erin’s eyes “—when he talks about you. And that’s why I think you could be good for him. As a friend, of course,” she added quickly. “Or, you know, web designer.”

So Jake’s family was worried about him. From the little she’d seen, she thought they probably had reason to worry. She couldn’t even imagine the kind of things he’d experienced in the last ten years, or what had happened in this last year that had changed him so much. But to keep it all bottled up the way he did couldn’t be healthy.

Allison thought she’d be good for Jake, and Erin hoped it was true. As long as they kept things on a business footing, she could protect her heart and still be in his life. Maybe they could even be friends, eventually.

At least that’s what she’d thought until she actually saw him again, and all her bones felt hollow.

But she wasn’t going to chicken out. Jake was a good man, and the only real hero she’d ever known. He might not be her knight in shining armor but he was a knight in shining armor, a veteran who’d given ten years to his country, serving in the most difficult and dangerous situations imaginable.

And she was a grown woman capable of putting her own feelings aside to help him settle back into civilian life—even if all she was doing was building him a website.

So she took a deep breath, opened the door, and went into the garage.

Her resolve faltered the moment Jake turned around and saw her. He grinned, and her stomach did a little flip.