Danny's War (Rolling Thunder Series Book 3) (13 page)

“Why not? I think you can tell I’m attracted to you. You’re a very beautiful woman and I’d like to get to know you a bit better.”

“Thank you, but I have a boyfriend and I’m not interested in replacing him.”

“Ah, yes, the boyfriend.” Standing Zeke walked around the chair he’d been sitting in. “I have a few calls to make, but you should know, I can be very persuasive when I want something.”

Holding two fingers to his brow, he saluted her as he walked out the door. Tammy sat motionless for several minutes mulling over their conversation. He is incredibly arrogant and sure of himself. When you look like that and have money falling out of your pockets, it’s probably easy.

“What are you daydreaming about?” Sally breezed past Tammy’s office and into her own, not even stopping to hear Tammy’s answer. Mustering up the courage to see what she was up to, Tammy stood. She looked down at the outfit she’d chosen this morning, gray slacks with a wide black belt, a white cami and bright yellow cardigan. Dressing down to keep Zeke from lusting after her; the man was positively in heat all day long. Danny was as well.  Last night was mind-blowing. He took her by surprise, in a good way. She shivered and grew moist just thinking about it. She felt her nipples pebble and fanned her face as she walked around the desk to face the music this morning.

She tapped on the open door of Sally’s office and then froze. Sally sported a shorter but very stylish bob, which had been colored the hue of honey. She was wearing a tight fitting light blue dress with a scoop neck and a chunky blue necklace and matching bracelet. Standing over her desk and straightening the paperwork that’d been left strewn around, Sally looked up and smiled brightly at Tammy. Not expecting that, Tammy snapped out of her surprised muteness and decided the best tactic was to complement Sally. Clearly, she was intent on snaring Zeke while he was here.

“Wow, your hair’s beautiful. That color looks perfect with your skin tone, Sally.”

Beaming Sally stood and touched the back of her hair. “Thank you, I absolutely love it. I don’t know why I waited so long.”

“I’m curious why you didn’t tell me what was going on here. I thought we got along great and that you trusted me. I don’t understand.”

Tammy’s intent hadn’t been to blurt that out, but, there it was.

Sally stopped fussing with the papers and faced Tammy. “I don’t know really. I’ve always admired your work and you’ve been dependable and reliable more than I ever dreamed.  You’ve taken on the tasks of running this home with such love and fervor that I couldn’t see anyone else running this home. But, then the video came out, and my confidence in you was shaken. I just couldn’t comprehend that someone as smart as you seemed would put herself in that situation. Then FMS started talking about selling because the funding was falling through. So, I decided to play it out and see how things went.”

Sliding her hands into the pockets of her slacks, Tammy’s brown eyes, which now shined with the tears that threatened, clashed with Sally’s blue eyes. “I didn’t know he was videoing me and I never would’ve allowed it. I’m the victim here. I can’t believe you’d throw that in my face and hold it against me. You know how hard it’s been this past year getting over that. Trying to get the damned thing removed from the Internet is a non-stop endeavor.”

“Yes, I’m aware it’s been difficult for you. That’s the other reason I didn’t say anything. You were dealing with enough as it is. I didn’t want to add more to it.”

Sally almost looked sorry for Tammy, almost. Then she straightened and preened and Tammy knew Zeke was standing behind her.

“What did you have on your plate that was so heavy?”

Tammy froze. Her heart beat wildly. Thank God she wore slacks this morning to hide her shaking legs. Clenching her hands into fists in her pockets, Tammy held her breath waiting to see what Sally would say. She watched Sally’s face as she smiled brightly at Zeke.

Glancing briefly at Tammy before speaking, Sally tucked her hair behind her ear and louder than she needed she said, “Last year Tammy had a bad breakup with a boyfriend. But she got over it. Look at her, she has a new boyfriend now and life is grand.”

Tammy slowly exhaled and immediately felt light-headed. Waiting for Zeke to respond she stared at the painting of the ocean behind Sally as Sally watched Zeke move into the room and stand beside Tammy. Tammy heard him chuckle and then, clearing his throat he said, “Okay, let’s get down to business. Today I want to go over some ways we can make Stateside more profitable.”

***

Are the days getting longer or does it just seem that way?
Tammy practically dragged herself to her car. Spending another day watching Sally trip over herself to get Zeke’s attention was exhausting and kind of embarrassing. Most of the day Tammy’s mind drifted to Danny and last night. Holy hell…amazing. The man positively did it for her. He listened to her, he talked things out with her, after they made love last night she’d drifted to sleep and woke an hour later wrapped in Danny’s arms, feeling completely safe and warm. She laid and listened to his soft even breathing. She stared at his handsome face and gave in to the urge to touch him. Her fingers softly fluttered over his handsome features, tracing his lips, his nose and his brow. She leaned forward and placed a soft kiss on his lips and intended to nestle back into him and sleep, but he woke and they sat and talked for two hours. Tammy shared her day, he shared his. When they were exhausted, they went upstairs to bed, for the last time. Today, the Rolling Thunder guys were all coming over to move Danny’s bedroom downstairs. Tammy couldn’t wait to see it all finished. She’d tried leaving at lunch, but ended up having to stay and have lunch with Zeke and Simpering Sally.

***

“It’s perfect, just perfect. Thank you for all you both have done for Danny.” Janice Schaefer hugged first Joci Sheppard, then Jeremiah. Standing in the living room, after spending the day getting his bedroom furniture set up, clothes and the bathroom supplies moved down, the rest of the men who helped had gone back to Rolling Thunder. Joci, Jeremiah, and Janice Schaefer were the only ones from the hoard of men and women who’d converged on Danny’s house to help get him situated.

“We’re happy to help him,” Joci said as she touched Danny’s arm. Smiling brightly, Joci continued, “Jeremiah’s thrilled to have you working with him at the shop. I hope you like it there, Danny.”

“I love it. I know it’s only been a couple of days, but everyone’s been great to work with. I appreciate the opportunity.”

Jeremiah wrapped his arm around Joci’s waist and said, “Great, we’ve been expanding faster than my mind can get around and it helps having good people I can depend on. Your knowledge of bikes and the mechanics certainly is a boon to us. Welcome aboard.”

Hearing the door from the garage open, Danny turned his head in time to see Tammy round the corner into the living room. “Hi. Come on in and see what we’ve accomplished today.” Walking the few steps to greet her, Danny wrapped his arms around Tammy and hugged her close. He lightly kissed her lips, smiled and winked. Pulling her to the group he said, “Mom, you remember Tammy don’t you?”

“Of course. It’s a pleasure to see you again, dear. I think you’ll like how everything turned out.”

“It’s nice seeing you again as well. Hi, Joci. Jeremiah.”

Joci leaned forward and hugged Tammy. Stepping back she said, “You look tired, sweetheart. Long day?”

Tammy smiled. “Yeah. We’re being bought out by a new company and it’s been long days getting through this preliminary stuff. It’ll get better.”

“That’s brutal. I’m sure it’ll turn around in no time. We’ll leave you all to it then. I’m about to fall asleep standing up.” Joci chuckled and Jeremiah squeezed her again.

Danny’s eyebrows pushed together. “Thanks again. Sorry Joci, I keep forgetting about your accident. You shouldn’t have been working so hard, especially being pregnant.”

Joci waved off the worry. “I’m fine and honestly, Jeremiah doesn’t let me overdo it. It’s just been a long day today. I’m starting to have to get up and pee at night, so, sleep isn’t that great lately. Only about three months left now.” She patted her baby bump as Jeremiah smiled down at her.

Jeremiah waved and pulled Joci toward the door. “See you tomorrow, Danny. Bye ladies.”

Tammy waved then looked up at Danny. “Show me.”

He smirked; he’d show her alright, later. In the meantime, he took her hand in his and walked her toward the bedroom door.

Her eyes grew large as she took in the beautiful chocolate-colored walls and light tan carpeting. The cream-colored trim and crown molding set off the dark color perfectly. The dark wood bedroom set showcased the beautiful brown suede comforter. It was rich and dark and cozy.

“Oh, Danny, it’s absolutely beautiful.” She slowly walked into the room. She twirled around, looking at everything. They’d hung the pictures from upstairs down here. The orange glow from the setting sun shone through the windows, creating a mellow glow in the room.

“It’s better than I could’ve imagined. You’ve got to come and see the bathroom.” Taking her hand he pulled her toward the bathroom and flicked on the light. The large jetted tub sat along the far wall, candles placed on either end of the decking around the top. The glass shower allowed the elegant tiles in tans and browns to show. The rainfall shower-head and multiple water jets gleamed. The double sinks sitting in front of individual oval mirrors set the room off perfectly.

“Wow. I’m simply speechless. It’s the most elegant bathroom I’ve ever seen.” Looking around in awe Tammy caught Danny watching her in the mirror. She smiled and turned to face him. “You deserve this and so much more. I’m so happy for you, Danny.” She flung her arms around his neck and kissed him. He kissed her right back.

When they needed air, he chuckled in her ear. “My mom is still here or we’d be climbing in that tub and relaxing together. But, we will later.”

Remembering Janice in the other room Tammy tried pulling away, but Danny held her firm. “Don’t pull away from me. She wants me happy. You make me happy.”

“I just don’t want to be rude or look like a slut.”

“You don’t look like a slut.” Kissing her again, he whispered in her ear, “Though I’d like you to be slutty in a little while.”

Tammy’s face burned bright from the flush of emotion that raced through her body. She’d be slutty all right. He turned them and took her hand to lead her out to the living room. Janice was in the kitchen wiping down the counter. When they entered the room she smiled at Tammy.

“What did you think?”

“It’s fabulous. They did a knock-out job on the rooms, the decorating, everything.”

Janice nodded. “They sure did. I told Danny he should get Molly over here now to take some after pictures for him.”

“That’s a great idea. We could invite her and Ryder over for dinner. Would you like that?” Tammy looked up at Danny.

His face splitting into a big grin, “I’d love that. I’ll let you set it up.”

Tammy nodded and clapped her hands. “I can’t wait.”

“BECAUSE I WANT
to meet him, Tammy. I’m your mother, I want to know who has you giddy one minute and pensive the next.”

Tammy watched her mom as she continued making the fruit salad for supper. Denise Davis was a beautiful woman. Her short brown hair glowed with tiny streaks of caramel-colored highlights that wisped around her face. Green eyes concentrated on the task at hand, her brows slightly pinched with concern. Tammy leaned over the sink and rinsed her hands, watching the water, tinted pink from the strawberries she’d been cutting, swirl down the drain.

“I’ll see if he’s up to it. This is all fairly new, you know. It’s kind of early to meet the family. I don’t want him thinking I’m pushing him down the aisle or anything. Besides, he doesn’t make me pensive, this situation at work makes me contemplative. It’s been a tough week.”

“Oh for crying out loud, I’m not asking him to come over here and get fitted for a tux. We would just like to meet him. Have you met his family?”

“Well, yeah, but it’s a little different.”

“How is it different?”

“It isn’t like I went to their house and had a meal or anything. They were at the build and it was a brief meeting.  Then I saw his mom at his place when they moved his bedroom downstairs. That’s it.”

Denise put both of her hands on her hips as she turned to square off with her daughter. “Do you like him?”

“Of course. Geez, mom.”

“Do you love him?”

Tammy folded her arms across her chest. “No. I don’t know.” Ramming her hands into her hair on either side of her head and holding them at the back of her head, she softly said, “I think I’m falling in love with him.”

Denise walked forward and wrapped her arms around her only daughter. She kissed the top of her head and whispered. “It’s scary isn’t it?”

Tammy nodded slightly as she let out her breath. “Yeah.”

Giving her daughter a squeeze Denise stepped back, her hands on Tammy’s shoulders and said, “Call him and ask him to come over tonight. And all you can do about work is play your cards and see where they land. If things go bad, dad and I are here for you.”

Tammy’s brown eyes bored into her mother’s green ones. Seeing no end to the argument, Tammy huffed out a breath and pulled her phone out of her pocket. Walking down the hall to her old room, she swiped her finger over the face of her phone and upon seeing Danny’s handsome smile she smiled back as if he could see her and tapped his nose to connect the call. She sat on her old bed, leaning her back against the headboard. Staring at the picture on her childhood dresser of her and Molly on graduation day, smiling and hugging each other, Tammy’s smile grew.

“Hey. I was hoping I would hear from you soon. What are you doing?”

Tammy giggled. “I’m at my parents’ house and apparently won’t be allowed to eat if I don’t present you to the family this evening. Please tell me you don’t have dinner plans or I’ll starve.”

Danny pushed open his front door and stepped into the living area. He dropped his keys in the bowl on the little wooden table his mom had given him. “Ha, well with an invitation like that, how can I refuse?”