Page 32 of Elsie's Strong Shelter

It was her turn to lay down her cards and squirm. “Between owning my business and volunteering at the shelter, I don’t have much free time. Throw in how much time I spend with Jimmy, and most men turn heel and run.”

“Men are idiots,” he said with a derisive snort.

“Really? Do explain.”

The humor dancing in her eyes made him bark out a laugh. “Well, the way I see it is you owning a business shows you’re a hard worker with brains to back it up. The hours you spend at the shelter tell me you have a kind heart. And Jimmy? Hell, who couldn’t love that kid? Your relationship with him, and Mila, is a sign of how loyal and committed you are to those you love. Who would want to run from a woman with those qualities?”

A pretty blush stained her cheeks. She folded her hands around her mug before lifting it to her mouth for a small sip oftea. “You’re right, men are stupid, but not all of them. You don’t appear to be an idiot.”

The countless arguments he’d had with Gina after he’d been injured on the job flew to mind. “I’ve had my moments. Didn’t always listen to my wife’s needs. Didn’t see that the decisions I made affected her so much until it was too late.”

“And since?” Elsie asked.

He thought back on the past year. His growth and self-reflection. His contentment with the smaller things in life. “Well, it’s taken me some time to move on. When I thought I had my future figured out, only for the rug to be yanked out from beneath me, it hurt like hell and threw my whole life off balance. They say time heals all wounds, but I think that’s bullshit. Some wounds stay forever, they just don’t always hurt quite so much.”

Her face fell. “I understand that.”

“I’m sorry,” he said, kicking himself for getting too philosophical. “I didn’t mean to bring your mind back to Mila.”

She shook her head, her long hair spilling over her shoulder. “I meant my older brother. He died in a car accident when he was seventeen. Changed my entire life. Wrecked my family. The pain of losing Brad will never go away, no matter how much time passes. So I get it. Some of those expressions people make up because they don’t know what else to say—don’t know how else to offer comfort. But those of us who’ve been through the war know those battles will continue forever.”

“I’m so sorry.”

She let out a long breath and stood. “I’ll need a raincheck on the rest of those questions. If I stay up any longer, I won’t make it back to the bedroom. Good night.”

Fighting the urge to follow, he sat and watched her disappear down the hall. Elsie was a woman who’d already been to hell and back, losing someone she loved. Yet she kept her heart open andlived her life with kindness and compassion, not bitterness and resentment.

And life had dealt her another shitty hand.

But this time would be different. This time he would do whatever he could to bring home the person she loved—or at least give her the answers she needed to heal and move forward.

He’d do whatever he could to make Elsie happy.

13

Needing at least one moment of peace before starting her day, Elsie tiptoed into the kitchen, brewed a single cup of coffee, and stepped onto the back deck. Most mornings were too hectic to allow her the time to sit and soak up some quiet before tackling her day.

But not today. Today she had nowhere to be. No child to help get ready. No store to open.

Despair threatened to grab hold of her and suck her into its ugly vortex, but she fought against it. There was plenty of time to dwell on the negative. She’d take a few seconds to sip her hot coffee and watch the sunrise over the mountains.

“Good morning.”

She jumped at the sound of Dean’s husky voice, sloshing coffee over the side of her mug. “Sorry. I didn’t know you were awake.”

He sat at the two-person table tucked at the back of the deck. His laptop was closed in front of him with a blue mug beside it. “I’m an early riser. I like to start my day out here with Boo. Get my head on straight.”

“I can go back inside if you’d like to be alone.” Not as if she wanted to but she felt an obligation to make the offer. She was already intruding enough on his space.

Then there were all the feelings he’d stirred up inside her. Their little game night was supposed to distract her from all her troubles but ended up placing even more on her mind. Mainly Dean and the ex-wife he left in California. His willingness to open up had shocked her, but something didn’t sit right about using a game to make him talk.

“No, sit,” he said. “I’m not used to being out here by myself to watch the sunrise. Makes me miss my dog.”

Crossing the worn wooden planks to sit across from him, she wrinkled her nose. “We can pick him up if you’d like. It was nice of you to let Boo stay with Jimmy, but I’m sure he’s dying to come home.”

Dean snorted. “Doubt it. When he senses someone’s turmoil, he sticks to them like glue. That’s why he hasn’t left my side much this past year.”

“Well, I know Jimmy’s enjoying having him around.”

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