Page 16 of Mine to Keep

It had been a profound moment in Jamison’s life, and he’d never forget it, but the woman hadn’t stuck in his mind the way Bryn did now. Something about her tugged at his heartstrings. It wasn’t her sad story, though that twisted his gut. He couldn’t imagine what it would be like to have to raise a baby alone.

It was more than that. Maybe it was her fierce need to do things her own way. That was something he could relate to.

“Yeah. I figured that out. I wish I could do more to help. I’ve already reduced her rent to the point where I’m only paying my bills on this place.”

“I bet that pissed Erica off.”

“You have no idea. I think I’ll be sleeping on the sofa for a few nights until she cools off.” Chip raised his beer. “I can’t pay you for any of the work you’re doing today and can only reimburse you for a few things you purchased.”

“I don’t expect you to, and I’m sure Erica understands.”

“I’m sure she does, too. She’s just tired of me holding onto the past.”

“You’ll get there when you’re ready.”

“You’ve had one too many therapy sessions.”

Jamison didn’t tell many people his personal business, but Chip knew enough. However, he didn’t want to talk about it. “What do you know about Bryn?”

“Not much. She paid both first and last plus security deposit. All her paperwork was in perfect order, and you know me, I’m a sucker for someone in need. And you, my friend, don’t know how to say no or stop doing things for people, like buying all this stuff.” He waved his hand around at the patio furniture.

His standard response would normally be:It’s in my DNA.But that wasn’t something he could say anymore so he sipped his beverage instead.

Jamison could tell that Bryn was a proud woman and she wouldn’t let him do all this for nothing. That was something he could understand. But he wasn’t sure he could take a single penny from Chip or her. He’d have to find something to barter.

“You’re never going to make being a part-time handyman pay off if you don’t start taking money for your work, or at the very least, let me pay for some of the materials.”

“Trust me. I’ll get this business off the ground and make it profitable. And I’ll take some pictures of what we’re doing here today and tomorrow to put on my website.”

Chip tossed his head back and laughed. “Because you actually set one up and know so much about computers.”

“I will eventually.” Jamison had started doing side jobs when he got married. A firefighter’s salary wasn’t anything to brag about, and his ex-wife had a taste for the finer things in life. He had loved her, though, and had wanted her to have some of those things, so he was willing to take on extra work to make his wife happy. But nothing he did was ever good enough.

Now, he could certainly live on his income, but he preferred to be busy, and this gave him something to occupy both his mind and body. Not to mention, it would keep him out of trouble. “I need more work than I’m getting from word of mouth.”

“I’m always recommending you.”

“I appreciate that.” Out of the corner of his eye, he saw his mother’s police SUV turn the corner. Inwardly, he groaned. In the last two years, he’d thought about moving several times. He’d even gone so far as to reach out to a few fire chiefs in other towns. But he couldn’t bring himself to leave his hometown. He’d always thought that he’d raise his family in Lighthouse Cove.

Of course, that dream had left the building when Cheryl, his ex-wife, decided that he wasn’t a good enough provider. That what he did would never be the right profession. When she found out that Steve was his biological father, she’d wanted Jamison to ask him for a job.

Never going to happen.

It had been a year since his divorce, and while he’d dated, he hadn’t found anyone that he was willing to risk having his heart ripped to shreds for again.

That thought brought him right back to Bryn for some reason.

She had a certain strength that he admired. A fierce, independent streak. But behind that was a vulnerability that he couldn’t ignore. He’d felt the loneliness that seeped from deep within her soul. And he could tell that she wanted to hide the pain that’d brought her to this seaside town. Whatever it was, though, she wanted to bury it and then forget it.

Only, of all people, he understood that wasn’t possible. When he’d first found out about Steve, Jamison had taken all his vacation time and left for six weeks. He hadn’t told anyone where he was going, except his ex-wife. He’d begged her to come with him. To help him through his difficult time, but she’d chosen to stay at home.

And get to know Steve.

That didn’t help.

Jamison didn’t call home or answer his cell. He’d spent nearly the entire time on a friend’s boat, fishing in the Bahamas.

And drinking.

---