Catching Serenity (13 page)

How
dare
he?
“There are worse things in life, trust me.”
Like spending it with the likes of you.
Her words dripped with barely-concealed loathing. To think he implied she’d be alone the rest of her life if she didn’t give into his selfish desires. How colossal an ego must this man have? One hand on the front door, Serenity hesitated, not willing to turn the key in the lock until Spencer was gone. Her hand trembled and she pulled it out-of-sight, not wanting him to see how much he’d affected her. If he dared to touch her again, she’d slap his face hard and not look back.

“
The lady asked you to leave, Quarterback. You’d best do as she says, you yellow-bellied, no good varmint.” Mrs. Marciano stood on the ground below the front steps, iron skillet at-the-ready. How in the world could such a seemingly frail, older woman handle a heavy cast iron skillet like it was featherweight? Dressed in her housecoat and fluffy pink slippers, the elderly woman pressed her lips together and her dark eyes flashed.

Serenity
suppressed the urge to run and throw her arms around the dear woman. Poised behind his mistress, Mr. Darcy kept up a steady stream of hisses at Spencer. From all indications, the cat was a better judge of character than she’d been. Gullible. That’s what she was. Why had she ever agreed to go out with him? How foolish she’d been to give Spencer the benefit of the doubt and fall for his sweet-talking ways. Never again.

“
Mind your own business and shove it, Granny.” Spencer’s words came out a rude snarl. “Go back in your little house and leave us alone. This is between me and Serenity.”

He turned back to her.
“You’d better watch it, Serenity, or you’ll end up all by yourself like Granny, a lonely old woman with a crazy cat to keep you company. That’d be a real shame.” Those words stung as much for her neighbor as herself. One thing her mother and father taught her was to never let anyone see you flinch.

“
Say whatever you want about me, but I can’t tolerate anyone who insults my friends.”

“
Look,” he said, raking a hand over his short hair. “Truce, okay? I thought...well, after what you’d been through—”

“
What, Spencer? That I might be a little lonely? That I might need a big, strong man to take care of me? Let me tell you something.” Another thing she couldn’t abide was arrogance from someone who thought they knew what she—or anyone else—needed. With one finger, she beckoned him closer. He complied, moving so close they were almost nose-to-nose. Serenity bit her tongue not to say what a year ago she
would
have said.

“
Sure. Tell me, babe.” Leaning one hand against the outside of the house, he gave her a salacious smile.

Raising her chin, she met his eyes.
You are a new creation in Christ. Let your words be seasoned with grace.
“I’ll...pray for you.”

He snorted.
Instead of turning away in disgust as she suspected, he surprised her by putting his hand around her waist and drawing her closer. “Religion’s a crutch. You can pray for me all you want as long as you let me—”

With a disgusted grunt,
Serenity pushed him away. He flailed his arms to catch himself as he teetered on the edge of the top step. “I’ll pray the Lord will teach you a few lessons, Spencer. I should have let Mrs. Marciano beat you over the head with that skillet when she had the chance. But I doubt even cast iron would penetrate your thick skull. I’ll take loneliness over being with a man like you any old day of the week,
babe.
”

“
Serenity! I saw Sheriff Harris patrolling the next street over. Want me to flag him down?” Mrs. Marciano sat on her front stoop, the skillet beside her. Bless her heart, she’d probably sit there all night, if needed. As foolish and embarrassed as she felt, Serenity adored her neighbor’s watch care over her.

Spencer scowled.
“I swear, that old snoop’s worse than a bloodsucking leech. Like I said, we could be real good together. Call me if you ever come to your senses.” Muttering under his breath, he stalked down the sidewalk. After closing the passenger door, he hurried around the front of the car and climbed into the Mercedes. The tires squealed as the car sped away from the curb and tore down the street.

Mrs. Marciano
scrambled to her feet and walked across the short expanse of yard that separated their homes. “You okay, honey? That overgrown hormone didn’t hurt you, did he?”

Serenity blew out a breath
and tried to shake off the lingering repulsion. She shivered and crossed her arms over her middle. “No, he didn’t hurt me. Thanks, Mrs. Marciano. You did me a huge favor tonight. I appreciate how you always watch out for me. I feel pretty stupid.”

“
That’s what neighbors are for, and no reason to beat yourself up about it. You learned your lesson and it’s time to move on.” She smiled. “Tony and Angela are on every night, you know. Back-to-back episodes.” The older woman eyed her. “You sure you’re okay? I could keep you company, or you can come over if you want. Mr. Darcy and I are good listeners.”

“
I’m tired, and I’m sure I’ll be better once I get inside and shake it off. I’m sorry Spencer was so rude to you. No one deserves that kind of treatment.”

She
shrugged. “That guy’ll get his due one of these days and then maybe he’ll understand you get back what you give in this life. Seems to me he’s doing his share of taking.”

Sad fact, but
also true. She’d pray for Spencer. Wasn’t that the right thing to do as a Christian? “How about I come over tomorrow night?”

Mrs
. Marciano brightened. “Sure thing. Seven o’clock. You bring the popcorn.”

~
CHAPTER 13~

On
Thursday afternoon, Jackson sat beside Serenity on the floor of his office. Oversized paint and wallpaper sample books were scattered around them. They’d been making selections—some permanent, some tentative—for well over an hour. Stretching her arms over her head, she stifled a yawn and shot him an apologetic grin. “Sorry.” She crossed her legs and balanced one of the books on her lap.

“
Late date last night?” Jackson adjusted his position so he’d carry the burden of the book’s weight as he casually thumbed through wallpaper samples. Although he moved his eyes across the page, he saw nothing.

“
I don’t date. Not really.” Reaching across his lap, Serenity’s silky hair brushed against his arm as she flipped a few pages. Long and straight, her hair reached halfway down her back. Smelled great, too. So many women wore their hair short these days, but he’d always preferred long hair. The color of spun gold, it was enough to drive a man to distraction. While surprised she didn’t swoop it off her neck like most women in town—probably because of the humidity—he was glad she didn’t. He’d lost some serious sleep thinking about her. For the last twenty minutes, he’d tried not to think about how great Serenity looked in her fitted jeans and pretty blue top. He liked how she didn’t wear much makeup, and her skin actually seemed to glow from the inside out, as ridiculous as that seemed. She was like a walking advertisement for healthy eating and clean living.

Matter of fact, he
hadn’t been able to stop thinking about her since Sunday afternoon. The woman was incredible, and not just physically. He liked the way she fussed over her crusty father, the close relationship she shared with Charlie and Maya, the carefree spirit she exhibited when playing in the waves with Maya later in the day, how she escorted her dad to supper at Hermann’s. They’d invited him to come along, but he’d declined, wanting her to have time alone with Clinton. Somehow he sensed that’s what they both needed. Then, as now, he’d tried to be discreet in how attracted he was to her, but he figured she’d noticed his frequent glances although he tried to avoid outright staring.

Her nearness
now had him conjuring up ways he could spend time with her without her accusing him of trying to date her. Serenity was right about one thing. Starting his new practice and renovating the playground should absorb most of his energies. He’d known his share of beautiful women, but the one sitting next to him now was different in more ways than he could count. Odds were, she’d laugh in his face if he told her he hadn’t dated anyone seriously the last four years. Sure, a few outings here and there, some kisses, but nothing he cared to take to the next level. His decorator would be more than annoyed if she suspected he wondered how soft her hair would feel sifting through his fingers. Wondered what it’d be like to take her hand in his, draw her close and kiss her...

He needed to stop this trail of thinking. Time to focus.
He’d gone too long without female companionship. That’s all he needed. Good old friendship. Right. More like the psychologist needed
his
head examined. Seeing Serenity with that slimy guy at church had bothered him. Sure, he’d been good looking, but Jackson could spot overconfidence and a wolf in sheep’s clothing a mile away. Not one to jump to judgment as a general rule, he’d irrationally disliked the man on sight. He was too smooth and impressed with himself.

S
erenity flipped over a few more pages before pointing to a pale yellow wallpaper with a small palm tree design. “This one would look great on the bottom portion of the walls if you want to do a chair rail.”

Jackson
snapped to attention. “What’s a chair rail? And why don’t you date...not really?” He tried to keep his voice even. Call him selfish, but if
he
couldn’t date Serenity, he didn’t want anyone else keeping her company.

“
That’s a two-fold question.”

“
I’ve got time. Remember, I like two-fold things.”

“
How can I forget?” With a small smile, she angled her head toward the long, empty wall behind his desk. “A chair rail is a dividing strip of molding lining a wall horizontally. It’s a good way to break up a wall and make it more visually appealing. A chair rail usually runs anywhere from two to four feet from the floor. There’s wallpaper below the wood strip and a solid color painted above it, so it’s a backdrop for paintings, photos or whatever you want to hang on the wall.”

She stopped, her brow furrowed
as she absently curled a long strand of blonde hair around one finger. It’d been a long time since he’d seen a fully-grown woman do it. The action was playful, almost wistful. “Did that sound as cut-and-dried boring as I think it did?” When he didn’t answer, she smiled. “Earth to Jackson. You’re staring at me.”

“
Am I? Sorry. And no, it wasn’t boring. Not at all. A chair rail sounds like the perfect solution to break up the monotony of the walls.” The way he felt right now, Serenity could tell him he needed a snake with ten heads mounted on the long wall behind his desk and he’d think it was the mark of genius. She was the decorator and knew best, after all. Stretching out his legs, Jackson chewed the inside of his cheek not to reveal the sharp pain in his bum knee when he lowered the book to the floor beside him. The bulk of its weight was too heavy and he shouldn’t have left it there so long. “What colors do you suggest for above the chair rail?”

“
Probably a solid but pale yellow, unless that’s too cheery or nauseating for you. It’s like sunshine. It’s happy, light, and a great color for kids. What’s the average age of your clients?”

“
Generally seven to ten.” Justin came into his mind. “Sometimes younger. Any older than ten and you get into a whole different dynamic with raging hormones and even more emotional upheaval. I leave it to the heavy hitters to handle the older clients.”

“
They might look at
you
as the heavy hitter since they’re perhaps more vulnerable when they’re so young,” she said. Interesting observation and he appreciated her perspective. “Why do you prefer working with the younger kids?”

Jackson
considered her question. “They’re perhaps more open to change, more likely to take what I say to heart. And, as a general rule, they’re more in tune to the ways the Lord can work in their lives.”

Tilting her head, watching him, Serenity
’s blonde hair tumbled to one side and an entrancing smile played about her lips.
Beautiful.
“So, are you saying when they’re younger, they’re more pliable—for lack of a better word—but when they’re older, they can be more jaded and resistant to change?”

“
It depends, but that’s usually the case, yes. Another thing I find interesting? For whatever reason, the majority of my patients are boys.” Serenity shot him a curious glance, and he raised a hand in the air. “I don’t personally ascribe to the theory that girls are more vulnerable or in any way the weaker sex. Not at all. If anything, what I just said proves it.” He paused, waiting until she met his eyes. “Even young girls can be uncommonly strong. Women never cease to amaze me with their resourcefulness and resilience. I’m looking at one right now, as a matter of fact.”

She
surprised him when she laughed, warm and genuine with a hint of huskiness. “Right. You’re only saying that to get on my good side.” Serenity nodded her head in the direction of a terrarium in one corner of his office. “So, who’s the creature over there?”

Jackson chuckled.
“That, my friend, is Señor Igor the iguana. Having animals in the office brings out nurturing qualities, helps form a bond and makes kids more inclined to talk. If this partnership is going to work, please tell me you can appreciate the aesthetic and esoteric qualities of Igor.” He gave her what he hoped was his most winning smile.

“
Oh, I can,” she said, “but cute as Igor is, he’ll forever be a
reptile.
Not all youngsters are fond of them, especially little girls. It could work against what you’re trying to accomplish. That, and using words like aesthetic and esoteric. Please don’t tell me you say things like that to your patients. They’d probably run away screaming.”

He liked her sense of humor.
Her sass. Her intelligence. Liked the slight curl of her lips. “I’ll keep that in mind. Besides,” he said with a shrug, “I only tossed those in there to impress you since they seemed like words you’d use, being a decorator and all.” He returned his attention to the sample book on the floor beside him.

Leaning forward, Serenity
captured his eye contact. “Okay, here’s what you do. Get a fluffy white cat and a cute puppy dog—not real, of course—with big, irresistible eyes and give them cute names. That’ll counteract the reptile effect.”

“
I’ll concede on that point, and I’d like a few animals to keep the giraffe company. Some of the stuffed persuasion, yes, but I’d also like to add some more of the breathing but non-threatening variety,” Jackson said. “At the very least, some exotic fish. But no piranhas since no self-respecting insurance company would carry my practice, and rightly so. And definitely no parrot.” He laughed at her raised brow. “Parrots repeat everything. Trust me, it’s not a good idea, especially when I’m often in the company of impressionable young minds.”

“
Is this a confession?”

“
No.”

“
Make you a deal,” she said. “I’ll pick out some cute, furry friends as long as you realize  you’re responsible for the general care and feeding of these living, breathing animals. And, please, nothing that’ll make your office smell bad.” She wrinkled her nose.

“
Are you saying Igor stinks?” He fought to keep a straight face. “Come on, these kids live near the ocean. They’re used to ocean smells, good and bad.”

“
We’re getting off topic here.”

“
Ah, and just when I was going to offer to let you hold Igor.”

“
Going to have to pass on that dubious honor, but there’s one other important thing we need to discuss.” Rising to her feet, she walked across the room and retrieved some kind of weird ruler from her tote bag.

“
What’s that thing?”

She tossed him a look.
“Don’t get excited. I need to take some measurements for the chair rail.”

“
Oh, right. When you’re done, you can tell me about your not-really-a-date with the quarterback.”

Serenity
’s eyes lit. She shook her head, but continued measuring. “Spying on me, are you?”

“
Hardly.”

“
Then how’d you know?”

“
Welcome to small town living, my friend.”

“
Right,” she said. “Nothing like throwing my words back in my face.” She didn’t bat an eyelash as she continued her work. “I suppose I could ask you the same thing.”

“
How so?”

“
How was your date with the prom queen?”

“
Excuse me?”

The corners of her mouth quirked.
“Word on the street is you’ve been keeping company with Hayley Foster.” Why did spending time with a woman—whether five minutes or five hours—start the rumor mill? Jealousy didn’t seem to be on Serenity’s radar, but he liked that she cared enough to pay attention. That was a start.

“
Hayley’s a nice woman and we’re friends,” he said. “She’s a social worker and we met through work. So we’re clear, Hayley’s not my girlfriend. Matter of fact, she’s not even my type.” Now that he thought of it, he’d noticed Hayley’s tendency to touch his arm, lean into him, laugh at something dumb he’d said like it was the most profound thing she’d ever heard. Yeah, no wonder people had gotten the wrong idea. He needed to be more careful.

“
Oh.” The tiniest frown creased her forehead.

“
Go ahead. Ask.”

“
Judging by recent behavior, I’d have to say the borderline neurotic, micro-organizer type might be right up your alley.”

He laughed.
“Sorry, but with you standing there holding that ruler thing, that statement strikes me as highly ironic. For the record, I prefer blondes. So, my turn. Are you going to tell me about your date with the stud?”