Cinderella Wore Tennis Shoes: A Novella (9 page)

“Dan doesn’t love me, but he’s honest about it. He rode like a knight in shining armor to my rescue more times than I can count.”

“So you’re going to be a trucker?”

“No, but I’m going to work at a trucking company.”

Harriet shook her head. “Well, I wipe my hands of you. When this man throws you out and you have nowhere to go, don’t come crawling to me and think I’ll comfort you.”

“I never would have imagined that you would, Mother.”

Harriet Eaton turned and made an exit with all the pomp and precision of a fairy-tale queen.

Charlie watched her go and felt regret. Not regret for the fact that she might have just passed an irreconcilable milestone in her relationship with her mother. No, she felt regret for what they might have had.

Once upon a time she’d wanted a mother who would love her.

Someone who would tell her everything would eventually be all right.

Someone who thought Charlie deserved her own happily-ever-after.

The regret came with the final realization that Harriet would never be any of those things, that she’d never think of Charlie’s happiness, only her own.

“You okay?”

She looked up at Dan. The distance that had existed between them all day suddenly seemed to lessen.

“Did you mean it?” she whispered.

“Mean what?”

“The part about coming home to take me to bed?”

She needed him. Charlie might know that nothing would last between them—she’d seen the horror in Dan’s eyes when Harriet had spoken of love—but it didn’t matter. Right now, at this moment in time, she needed Dan to hold her, to make her feel for just one moment in time that she was normal, that she mattered to someone. “I want you to take me to bed.”

Dan blushed. It was a sight she’d never get tired of watching, and even worse, at least for Dan, it was a fascinating sight that she didn’t mind instigating.

“Is that a yes?”

“Charlie, I simply followed your lead. It was all an act, just like yesterday with Winslow.”

“Oh.” Her beautiful idea of snatching just a moment in time with Dan faded. “I guess I should have known.”

“Known what?”

“That you wouldn’t want me either. Did I tell you that all the time I spent with Winslow, we never had sex . . . never? You might as well know. It seems that Winslow and my mother have discussed it in depth.”

“It’s not that I think sex equals love,” she added, in case he got the wrong idea. “But there wasn’t even the desire. I should have realized that meant something. There should be some passion. Our relationship was about as passionate as wet toast.”

She waited, hoping he’d say something. When he didn’t, she simply continued, “I thought he held back because he respected me, but I think maybe it was that he didn’t feel anything for me, except that I’d be malleable. I mean, look at how I let Harriet push me around. What man wouldn’t want a docile, obedient wife?”

“You’re not malleable,” he finally said.

“Gee, thanks. Turn me down, then insult me, or maybe compliment me?”

“It was neither, just a statement of fact. I’d call you many things, but malleable wouldn’t be one of them.”

“What kind of things would you call me?”

“Special, Charlie. You’re a special lady.”

She snorted.

“I mean it. Your mother just walked out of here, unable to see how very special you really are, and you? You’re just as blind. You can’t see how special you are either.”

“Ha.”

Dan ignored her retort and continued talking. “And you can’t see how very much I want you.”

“Then why won’t you take me? I’ve tried everything but stripping naked and throwing myself at you.”

“Charlie, I’m a boy who grew up in a series of homes, never knowing when family members would get tired of my brother Mark and me and pass us on to someone else.”

Images of two little boys being passed about like some unwanted burden sprang unbidden into Charlie’s mind’s eye. Sorrow for the boys swept through her, but she was sure Dan wouldn’t welcome her pity.

“Maybe we’re more alike than I thought,” she whispered.

“What?”

“Never mind,” Charlie said. “I’m sorry that you had a hard time as a child, but could you maybe spell out why we can’t sleep together again? I still don’t think I get it.”

“Don’t you see? I’m a bad risk. I don’t know anything about long-term relationships, about how they work. I’ve never had a woman in my life for more than a few weeks, and I’m okay with that. I don’t want a family.”

What he didn’t say, but Charlie heard beneath his words, was,
I don’t want a family who will eventually leave me
.

“I can never be the type of man you deserve,” he continued. “I know right now you think you want me. It’s just a game with you, but it will get old. Just like Winslow got old. And when you’re tired of playing, where will you be?”

“That’s not what you’re really asking. You want to know where will you be if I get tired of you? Right?”

“Maybe,” he admitted.

Softly, she asked, “What if I told you that I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of whatever this is that sparks between us?”

Dan didn’t have an answer.

Charlie thought that was the saddest part of all.

CHAPTER SEVEN

Charlie tossed and turned that night. She had remade her life.

Okay, not quite remade it. She was rebuilding, but not quite rebuilt yet.

She was a work in progress.

And her relationship with Dan was going to progress as well.

Why? Why did it matter to her so much? Was she just using him, like he thought? Using him to recover from Winslow? Her rebound guy?

No. She discarded the idea.

Did she feel sorry for him, for the quiet man who hid a scared and lonely little boy inside? Maybe a little, but sorry though she was, his lonely past wasn’t why she wanted him.

Maybe it was his eyes. She’d originally thought Dan had kind eyes, but the more she stared at those fathomless gray eyes, the more she saw the sadness there. His quietness was just another wall he’d erected between the world and himself.

She wanted to rip down that wall. She wanted to hear him laugh, to see those dusty gray eyes sparkle with humor. He didn’t laugh nearly enough. Actually he didn’t laugh at all. Maybe she could teach him to laugh? Maybe, a little voice whispered, just maybe she could teach him to care for her?

She wasn’t quite sure where the thought came from, but it didn’t go away during the rest of Charlie’s long, restless night.

But restless nights aren’t always bad. This particular one wasn’t just not bad, it was good. It left Charlie Eaton with an idea. Yes, that was exactly how she thought of it, in all caps.

She wasn’t just going to wait for Dan to see how good things could be between them, she was going to show him. Oh, was she going to show him.

He wanted her, and sooner or later he was going to realize that. Charlie was betting on sooner.

“Mr. Estoban?” she said the next day at work.

“Charlie?”

“Remember that lunch you wanted to share with me yesterday?”

Con nodded, and a lock of his dark hair fell across his forehead. Charlie smiled as she reached across the desk and brushed it aside. “Well, I’m here to see if I can collect a rain check on it?”

“You want to go to lunch with me?” He looked as perplexed by the suggestion as he had yesterday when she’d refused to have lunch with him. “Is Dan busy?”

“I have no idea what Dan’s doing for lunch. I’ve spent my whole day in his office, rearranging files and doing busy work.” It was evident that if Dan had his way, she’d never leave his office, never leave his side. And that’s what she wanted, but not at his side filing papers. She had other ideas entirely.

“So, is that a yes or a no?” she asked.

Con’s blue eyes, which seemed so out of place bordered by his dark hair and complexion, studied her. Charlie suddenly realized why Con had seemed so surprised when she’d turned him down yesterday. Most women would adore having that type of intensity focused on them. At least they would if they hadn’t met Dan.

“So?” she pressed.

“He’s not going to take this well.”

“Who?”

“Don’t play innocent with me. You know who, and he’s made it abundantly clear that you’re strictly off-limits. And I don’t think I was his only concern. I do believe my buddy Dan has staked his claim.”

“Which might not bother me if he bothered to do any prospecting on that claim. But, here I am, totally prospectless, other than a kiss yesterday.”

“So, why not ask for another kiss, rather than ask me to lunch?”

“I did more than ask for a kiss, I threw myself at him. But it seems your old buddy wasn’t in the mood to catch. I’m hoping that seeing some other man with me might make him feel a bit more inclined.”

“So, you want me to help you make him jealous?” Con asked.

“I’m sorry. You two are friends and partners. I should have thought of that. Never mind. I’ll find some other man to—”

“Oh, I don’t think so. I’d be happy to help you out.”

“But Dan . . .” She paused.

“Needs a nudge,” Con said firmly. “And I’m friend enough to do it.”

“But he’ll be mad.”

“He’ll get over it.” Con rose. “So where do you want to have lunch?”

“I was thinking maybe we could order pizza and eat it at the picnic table outside.”

“Where Dan can’t help but notice us?” Con’s smile telegraphed his approval. “You’re a devious woman, Charlie.”

“When dealing with a stubborn man, I’d better be devious.” She picked up the phone and handed it to Con. “So, who delivers good pizza in Erie?”

Con made the call. “What do you want on it?”

“Everything,” Charlie said. “I want everything.”

The pizza arrived just in time for lunch. Con and Charlie had just settled themselves at the picnic table when Con said cheerfully, “Don’t look now, but we have company.”

Charlie took another bite of her pizza and wiped the excess sauce off her chin. Chomping merrily on her bite, she watched her white knight charge to her rescue. He might not know it, but this time she was going to do the rescuing.

“What’s going on?” Dan bellowed.

“Some pizza?” Charlie asked sweetly. She pulled out an especially huge slice and set it on a napkin. She pushed it toward him.

“What do you think you’re doing?”

“Eating lunch. Maybe you should take a piece of pizza.” She patted the seat next to her. “Something in your stomach might improve your mood.”

“I think I’d best be going.” Con rose.

“Sit and finish your lunch,” Charlie said. “Just because Dan’s in a bad mood doesn’t mean you have to interrupt your meal.”

“My mood’s fine. It’s your work skills that aren’t. You have work waiting for you.” He stood, glaring at her, ignoring the pizza.

The man needed to eat to keep his strength up. Charlie had plans that would require all Dan’s strength. “I know, I know, Dan. It’s imperative that your filing system be totally reorganized. I mean, goodness knows what’s going to happen to the trucking company if it’s not done today.”

“Right. Now, get to work.”

“I will . . . as soon as we’re done eating. Sit down,” she barked at Con, who was trying to nonchalantly make his escape. She pushed the box toward him. “Another slice?”

Con stuffed the last of his crust into his mouth. “I think I’m full,” he mumbled around the huge bite.

“You only had one piece,” she scolded.

“And one was more than enough,” Dan growled. Reluctantly he took the seat next to Charlie.

“One piece is more than enough,” Con echoed as he beat a hasty retreat.

“Coward,” Charlie called after his fleeing back.

“You invited him out here on purpose, didn’t you?” Dan reached for the piece of pizza and took a bite.

“Sure. I thought it would be wise to get to know my other boss,” she answered, deliberately misunderstanding his meaning.

“You’re not going to get to know him,” Dan warned.

“Why?” Charlie picked a stray anchovy off her slice. When she’d told Con to order everything, she’d forgotten the squishy things. She hated anchovies.

Dan didn’t seem to mind them. He finished his first bite and helped himself to a sip of her cola. “Con’s a womanizer.”

“So? Like I said last night, I want to be womanized, but you won’t help me out. Maybe Con will.”

“Charlie, you’re vulnerable . . .”

The pizza lay forgotten on the napkin while Charlie toyed with the can.

“. . . you have no idea what you’re doing,” he continued.

She slammed the cola can onto the table. “Are we talking about the fact that I want to seduce you?”

“Yes.” Dan’s own slice of pizza was forgotten as well. His gray eyes studied her.

Gently she reached up and stroked his cheek. Even though he’d been clean-shaven when they left the house, there was already the faint rasp of stubble. Charlie liked the feel of it.

“Getting into your bed is a very good plan, Dan. After that kiss yesterday, there’s no doubt in my mind we’d be good together.”

That kiss had left her wanting more . . . so much more. If only she could get Dan to cooperate.

“You’re on the rebound.”

“Nope. Like I said, I couldn’t get over Winslow so fast if I’d truly loved him.” She was so over Winslow. He was just an annoying man from her past. The man next to her, the one whose cologne filled the air, was her future.

“You don’t love me.”

“Never said I did.” And she never said she didn’t either, she realized.

Love Dan?

Was it possible to fall in love so fast? Maybe in a fairy tale, but Charlie wasn’t ready to pin the word
love
on the emotions she was feeling.

Maybe she did love Dan, she’d have to think about it, explore whatever it was she felt for him and try to define it. It was more than simple lust, of that she was sure.

But whatever she felt, she wasn’t going to make a mistake and admit it. Not to him. She wanted him. They could be good together, but she’d already used the word
love
with Winslow. Look how that had turned out. No, she wasn’t going to say she loved Dan.

And yet . . . love? It was a deep and scary word—Winslow had taught her that. And what she felt for Dan was deep, but not the least bit scary.

Love?

She put the thought away and concentrated on getting Dan into bed. Lust was an emotion she could handle.

“I said I wanted to seduce you. I have no delusions about how things will end up. You’ll go your way, I’ll go mine.” The thought was like a knife plunging into her heart, but Charlie wouldn’t allow herself to dwell on how this fairy tale would end. All she knew was she needed Dan more than she’d ever needed anyone, or anything.

“But before we go anywhere, I think we should do something about this thing that’s between us.” Her hand dropped from his cheek to his chest. “I think you feel it too.”

“I want you,” he admitted reluctantly. “But I’m not going to commit to you.”

She reached out and put her hand on his chest. “I’m not talking forever. I’m talking about stripping off our clothes and . . .” Charlie felt warmth spread through her body.

“Stop that.” Dan grabbed her hand.

“Why? Tell me you don’t want me.”

“I want you.” He set her hand on her own lap. “But I’m not going to take you.”

“Fine.” She stood. “Then don’t come charging out like some outraged lover when I have lunch with another man.”

Dan looked like he was about to say something, but instead he rose, turned on his heel, and stalked back into the office.

She’d won the first round when she’d eaten lunch with Con, and Dan had once again ridden to her rescue. He wanted her—he couldn’t deny it any longer.

Round two went to Dan, she realized. As she watched him storm back into the building, she realized she didn’t just want to seduce him.

Love?

She hadn’t known him long enough to define her feelings for him with that word, and yet all the things she felt for him made that word keep moving to the forefront of her mind.

Love?

She loved him?

Leaving Winslow had been easy because Charlie had never loved the man she’d been ready to marry.

But Dan . . .

Losing him was going to be unbearable. And given her track record, losing Dan was inevitable. But she wasn’t going to worry about losing him. While she had him, she would savor every minute because . . . she loved him.

The feeling was enormous and threatened to explode from her chest.

She loved Dan Martin.

Why?

Was he right? Was it just some rebound effect?

She thought of how he’d picked up a hitchhiking bride. How he’d bought her food and offered a practical stranger a roof over her head. How he’d helped Ida on the highway. How he’d stood up to her mother. How he’d stood up to Winslow. How he touched her and how those touches made her feel.

Dan was everything Winslow hadn’t been. Kind and caring. A true hero. Yes, she loved Dan. And maybe she couldn’t keep him, but she could certainly try to love him enough in whatever time they had to last her the rest of her life.

Yes, maybe they’d each won a round in whatever game they were playing. Charlie smiled as she thought of round three.

She planned on winning that one . . . big-time.

Dan was not having a good day. Watching Charlie reorganize his files—in a four-drawer filing cabinet that required a great deal of bending—was driving him nuts.