Tonya stared at him for that verbal outpouring, but she didn’t interfere.
Kevin shook his head. “Don’t think so.”
“Good. I have her things in my truck. Cat box and litter—Tonya will have to decide a good place for that.”
“In the alcove by the stairs to the basement?” she suggested.
“Sounds good.” Again he put his arm around Kevin, ignoring it when the kid stiffened. “I have a brush for her too. She loves being brushed. And some food and her dishes.”
“Those can go in the kitchen.”
It almost made him grin, how Tonya struggled to keep up.
“Got her some toys and catnip too. She’s nuts on the nip, so protect your toes. She likes to pounce.”
Kevin looked at the cat and grinned—and damn, but that almost floored Jesse. That grin made him feel twelve feet tall, and at the same time it put a vise around his throat. “You have great teeth. Anyone ever told you that?”
Blinking, Kevin said, “Uh, no.”
“You do.” He clapped him on the shoulder. “You’re a good-looking kid. Tall. Broad shoulders. Strong enough to help me with the heavy lifting.”
Tonya protested. “Hey, I want to help too. I think I’m strong enough.”
She had more strength than any woman he’d ever known. He smiled at her, checked her biceps and pretended to think about it. “Hmm. What do you think, Kevin?”
Ducking his face, Kevin hid a smile. “Up to her.”
“Then I guess she can help. A little. But I was thinking it’d be nice to make it a surprise for her.”
“I do love surprises,” she said, playing along.
To Kevin, Jesse asked, “Wanna help me carry stuff in?”
“Sure.”
Love jumped up to Kevin’s mattress, circled a few times, then snuggled down into his pillow.
Appalled, worried, Kevin glanced at Tonya.
Reassuring him, she smiled. “Isn’t that sweet? Will you mind sharing your pillow?”
“No, I don’t mind.” Poor dude exhaled in relief, scrunched up his brow, then blurted, “I brought this old cat in once, but Mom had a fit and made me put it back out cuz it got on the couch and stuff. She said no one wanted an old mangy cat hanging around. She said if I wanted a pet, she’d get me a cute little kitten.”
Jesse and Tonya exchanged a look over how he’d suddenly shared all that.
“She never did though. We never had any pets.” Still frowning, Kevin stepped over to pet Love. “Probably a good thing, I guess.”
It surprised Jesse, hearing Kevin open up so much. “A lot of people like kittens more, but I think Love is perfect. For one thing, she doesn’t have to be box trained, and she already knows not to shred anything with her claws.”
Kevin nodded.
“And she’ll have kittens,” Jesse reminded him, in case that appealed to him.
“Yeah.”
Going one further, Tonya said, “I know not everyone lets pets on the furniture, but it’s never bothered me. You’ve met Merrily and her menagerie. They all go wherever they want.”
“We’ll have to introduce the animals to one another.” Jesse watched how gently Kevin petted that cat, and how the cat loved it. “Brick might want to help with the room. He’s a handyman himself. His brother, Evan, is pretty good too. Have you met him? He’s a gym teacher at the elementary.”
“Evan and Cinder were by a few nights ago,” Tonya told him. And then to Kevin, “You remember them, right?”
“Yeah.” Kevin stepped away. “Want me to just get the stuff from your truck?”
“Sure, if you don’t mind. Thanks. It’s on the floor of the passenger seat.”
After giving the cat one last look, Kevin jogged out.
With gratitude shining in her eyes, Tonya sent Jesse a silent but heartfelt thank you. When she heard the front screen door drop shut, she added, not so silently, “I can pay you for the materials—”
“You heard what I told Kevin.” He scooped her in close for a one-armed hug and got her moving. “I already have everything I need.”
“Which you paid for.”
“It’s just scrap material, leftovers from other jobs. But enough to make the room work better for him.”
They were in the hallway, out of sight of adolescent attention, and to Jesse’s surprise, Tonya pressed him back against the wall.
Her hands to his chest, her face tipped up, she gave him a solemn smile. “You make it seem so easy.”
Since she’d never before initiated things, Jesse took advantage by putting his hands on her waist and keeping her close. “What’s that?”
“Dealing with him.”
“I was his age once.”
“It’s not the same, and you know it.” She took another step in and snuggled against him. “I angst over every little decision. I’m so damned afraid of making things worse for him.”
“You could never do that just by caring, by trying to improve his life.” By loving him.
Her hands moved over him, creeping up and around his neck. “He tries so hard to be tough when I know he has to be fragile.”
“Boys that age are a lot more resilient than you think.”
“He’s so...moody.”
“Honey, he’s twelve.” He kissed her forehead. “He’s been through hell, I know. But trust me on this, moodiness is not uncommon for any kid his age.”
The front door opened and dropped shut again, forcing Tonya to step back away from him. They watched Kevin cross into the kitchen, his arms loaded with cat paraphernalia.
“You gave him some direction.” She looked back at Jesse. “A way to be a part of things.”
“So you don’t mind the cat?”
“Of course not. It’s brilliant. And she’s beautiful. And you’re...wonderful.” Her face showed many emotions. “Again, thank you.”
“You’ll let me help?” He wanted her agreement. He wanted her. Hell, he was starting to think he wanted it all—Kevin included.
“If it was just me...but you got him to smile.” Her eyes glistened before she blinked fast and gave him a smile of pure happiness. “Yes, please, I would love your help.”
“That’s a start.” Hopefully, eventually, Jesse would get her to love everything he had to offer—forever.
CHAPTER TWO
TONYA COULD HEAR male laughter coming from down the hall, and it filled her heart with hope. In such a short time Jesse had performed miracles. With the house. With Kevin.
With her heart.
There was still a long way to go, at least with Kevin. But her nephew had opened up enough to show occasional enthusiasm over the changes in his room, the addition of a cat and working with “the guys.” He thought Brick, Jesse’s best friend and Merrily’s fiancé, was hilarious. He and Evan, Brick’s brother, discussed school, making that transition easier. And in his quiet, resigned way, Kevin so obviously idolized Jesse.
And why not? The man excelled at everything he did, including getting close. To Kevin, and to her.
She’d worked so hard at resisting him, denying everything he made her feel. Then he’d shown his caring for a hurt boy, diving into a situation most men would avoid, and in the process he’d forever stolen her heart.
She already knew she loved him.