Page 5 of Unruly Defender
“Hey.”I place my hand on her knee.“Don’t worry about it.I’m sure he has a lot on his plate and he just walked out of jail after such a long time.I would be groggy too.”
I better not mention the incident in my bedroom, how he received an eyeful of my sexy underwear, and called me out on it.
Maggie shakes her head.“There’s more to it.I shouldn’t be telling you this but I trust you, and you’re like a daughter to me.And from what Henley told me there could be some danger coming our way too.See, Henley believes my husband’s death wasn’t an accident like the authorities like to think it was.I’ve mentioned to you I own a construction company that belonged to my husband.Henley worked his way up to earn his place in the company.Meanwhile he branched out into other things when he started to invest and made some good business decisions.He became a silent partner, and it was the boost the construction company needed because then it started to do really well.My husband took a step back so they could oversee things and it would basically run itself by the people they hired alongside the main crew.I was thankful because my William hurt his back so he didn’t have to work as hard anymore.That’s also why we suspect the accident that caused his death wasn’t an accident, because he shouldn’t have been working at the construction site.He shouldn’t have been there at all because it wasn’t his part of the job anymore.”
Her voice cracks and I can see in the moonlight how a tear trails a path down her cheek.I lean against her and squeeze her knee in silent support.I knew she lost her husband, William—and the fact her son was in jail—but she doesn’t talk about them all that much.Other than the tiny things like how she misses them and about life being unfair.
I also know she inherited the construction company and I have found her sitting at the dining room table going over financial books more than once a month when someone named Yates brings them over for her to check.
She might be hitting the sixty mark but she’s always in full control about everything.Not only running this estate but also overseeing the construction company and the bar she owns that’s located down the street.
Or maybe it was the bar along with the compound next to it that belonged to her son that she looks after.It’s not like I asked to see the papers or anything.Like I said, she shares little details and I’ve never cared about technicalities such as ownership and money.I care about the person, not the bank account or anything else that’s in their name.
“I’m right here, Maggie,” I tell her.“For whatever you need.”
“Thank you,” she mutters and wipes away her tears as she adds, “I hope you extend that courtesy to my Henley too, he’s going to need a good friend.”
“Well,” I tell her and clear my throat.“A friend?Okay.But whatever he needs?I’m not so sure that’s going to work out all that well.He’s not my type, you know.Well, if I knew what my type was because you know I have no luck when it comes to the male species.”
A snort and a chuckle leaves Maggie’s lips, and it was what I was going for; to get her out of the sadness she’s wrapped in.
“You’re a good person, Gracy,” Maggie says with a smile in her voice.
“Maybe not that good a person, Maggie.Because I don’t intend to give Henley his dog back.Finn is mine.”
Maggie’s laughter fills the air and I’m wearing a big smile because the sound is warming my chest.In the time I’ve lived here she’s basically become my second mom and we share the kind of connection where we can work together but also tell each other straight up what’s bugging us or just sit together without saying anything.My life took a turn for the better the day I met her.
“That’s a sound I’ve missed hearing,” Henley’s voice breaks Maggie’s laughter and I glance behind me.
He’s leaning casually against the wall of the bungalow and I wonder how long he’s been standing there.Henley pushes away from the wall and strolls over to sit right next to me.
I guess I have my answer when he leans in and whispers, “Finn was never yours to own, Gracelynn.He’s mine.”
My breath catches and my heart starts to run wild inside my chest.All because his hot breath and whispered words stroked my ear.Shit.Like I said, he’s sex-on-heartbreaker-legs.This man probably doesn’t have to do anything other than smile and women will fall at his feet with their legs spread wide.
That thought sobers me up quickly.I look him dead in the eyes and tell him, “Shared custody.If you say he’s yours you should think about him first.He’s been with me day in and day out for almost nine months.You can’t rip him out of the steady life he’s been leading.”
The corner of his mouth twitches and I notice because I’m staring at his lips.“Are you sure you’re talking about Finn or yourself?Because I know for a fact Finn is easy to please.As long as he has somewhere to sleep, eat, shit, and hump, he’s the happiest dog on the planet.”
“Such a guy comment,” I mutter and shake my head.
Maggie stands.“I’m going to turn in for the night.Seeing the two of you are arguing aboutmydog, he’s coming with me.”
She scoops Finn up and stalks into the bungalow.Henley and I can only stare after her as she closes the sliding door with a big grin on her face.Shit.Something about two dogs fighting over a bone while a third runs off with it.
Henley groans and takes his head in his hands before he starts to rub his temples.“I know what she’s trying to do, but it’s not going to happen.”
“Like hell am I going to let her take my dog,” I grumble as I shoot a glance over my shoulder to see if she’s still standing there, but Maggie isn’t in sight so she did, in fact, head to her bedroom.
“No.”Henley releases a deep sigh.“She’s trying to hook us up.”
“What?”I gasp.“You’re crazy.She said you needed a friend.Besides, I’ve sworn off men.All men.Except for Finn.My dog.”I emphasize the last part so he knows who I’m talking about and how I’m not giving up my dog.
“Fine, we all share the dog, whatever.But just a heads-up, Gracelynn, I meant what I said, you and I?Not going to happen.”
“Okay, clearly your ears aren’t working properly because I just mentioned how I’ve sworn off all men.No need to throw out the ‘not going to happen’ statement again unless you’re saying it to remind yourself.And seriously?You go from ‘my dog’ to ‘we all share the dog, whatever,’ in the blink of an eye?That’s hardly standing your ground, more like falling back on your ass in the sand and rolling over.But you don’t strike me like a guy who would roll over easily,” I ramble.
He keeps staring at me for a few heartbeats until his head turns to stare into the distance.“I have a lot going on at the moment.Things that need my attention and can backfire at any time.My mother is smitten with you.I think over half the discussions we’ve had since I got back were about you.Finn clearly likes you, so who am I to argue?Like you said, I have to think about him and my head is already filled with other shit.”
