Damaged and the Bulldog (3 page)

“Okay,” Harlow said softly. “You know when I came to
Ellsberg, I was pretty messed up. My family was dead and I was in this new
place with strangers. Winnie took care of me. She became my sister and best
friend. I love her like she’s blood. Nothing personal, but if you hurt her,
I’ll have to kill you.”

“Fair enough,” I said, grinning.

“Smile all you want, buddy, but I’ve got moves.”

Harlow faked a punch, but I didn’t flinch. My mind was
already focused on tomorrow. I hadn’t talked to Winnie since the day Nick’s dad
showed up. I hadn’t seen her close up in weeks. I needed to be close to her
even if she couldn’t do more than hide behind her hair all night.

Lark Barnes wasn’t much older than me, yet she was
married and pregnant with twins. On bed rest for the last few months, she was
trapped in her updated Craftsman-style house. Thanks to Bailey, my new job involved
caring for Lark during the day.

Petite with spiky dark hair, Lark needed the help too.
She was all belly these days. In fact when I arrived at the house that morning,
I found her stuck in bed.

“I’m beached!” she cried as I entered the bedroom.

After a little effort, I tugged her out of the bed and
helped her into the bathroom. While she cleaned up, I started a load of laundry
and let out her two English Bulldogs into the backyard.

“I vaguely remember having a waist,” Lark said,
waddling into the room. “I could see my feet too. They weren’t great feet, but
I liked looking at them.”

“You’ll see them soon then you won’t appreciate it.
All the stuff that bothers you now will become a faint memory once you have the
babies.”

“How do you know?” she said, teasing me. “You read
that in a book? I get enough know-it-all crap from Raven who watched a TV show
and is therefore an expert.”

I brought her a glass of low fat milk and English
muffins with low fat cream. Lark frowned at the food then smiled up at me.

“If I sound bitchy, blame the hormones. You didn’t
know me before I was preggers, but I was a saint.”

Grinning, I handed her the remote and placed a pillow
under her feet.

“I had a baby a few years ago,” I said softly, maybe
hoping she wouldn’t hear.

Lark’s green eyes studied me. Normally, I would feel
judged, but not with her. Despite her hormones, Lark was incredible sweet.

“What happened?” she asked, taking my hand.

“A family from Bowling Green adopted him.”

A moment passed while Lark and I watched each other.
She wanted details, but I didn’t want to give them. Being smart, Lark backed
off.

“I’ll let the dogs back in,” I said when she remained
silent.

Afterwards, I fed Professor and Pollock, folded
laundry, changed the bedding, and headed to the store to pick up food.
Returning an hour later, I expected to find Lark dozing. Instead, she was
laughing with Harlow and Bailey.

“There’s Winn Dixie,” Bailey said. ”I like how you
have everyone calling you Winnie now. My great ideas really take off.”

Ignoring her comment, I smiled. “Hey, I can’t believe
you guys came here to help me with the groceries. You’re so generous.”

Bailey smiled. “I’m a very kind person. Ask anyone.”

After they helped me put away the groceries, I
remained in the kitchen with Bailey. We put together a huge salad for Lark,
complete with chicken, turkey sausage, cheese, raisins, and pickles. I used
anything I could find on the approved list of foods.

“This is nasty,” Bailey whispered.

“She needs to eat a lot of calories, but only healthy
stuff. This will fill her up until she enjoys her only happy meal with Aaron at
dinner.”

“I’m never having kids,” Bailey muttered.

When I stared at her, she stared back. Bailey was clearly
daring me to say what I was thinking. No way was I falling for that move.

Walking with the bowl into the living room, I found
Lark frowning.

“Salads are puke inducing.”

Harlow nodded until I frowned at her then she smiled.
“I like salads.”

“Nice save,” Bailey teased.

Once Lark caught sight of all the goodies in her
salad, she grinned at me. “I love you, Winnie.”

“We all do,” Harlow said, standing up and tugging me
towards the door. “I’m going to love her on the porch.”

Bailey wanted to come along, but Harlow put her hand
up as if telling our dog to stay. Though growling like Spud, Bailey obeyed.

“What’s wrong?” I asked while we sat on the porch
swing.

“I love you and would never do anything to hurt you.”

Panic struck me even though I couldn’t imagine what
Harlow might have done.

“You like Dylan and he likes you. The girl you saw him
with wasn’t a date. He’s waiting for you and I think we need to end the wait.”

“You talked to him about that girl?”

“Yeah, I also asked him out for tomorrow night and he
said yes.”

“You asked him out?” I asked, frowning.

“For you, dork.”

Both happy and terrified by this news, I stared at my
bruised hands. “I don’t know how to go on a date.”

“You know how to talk to people. You even talked to
Dylan before the stuff happened with the Devils. All a date is you and him
eating and talking. Nothing hard about that.”

“What do I wear?”

“I read on the internet the first date is always a
pink track suit.”

Laughing, I kicked her gently. “Did he seem like he
was only saying yes because you’re pushy?”

Harlow squinted at me. “He likes you and this is his
chance. The doofus was salivating at the idea, so I didn’t have to twist his
arm.”

Studying the quiet street, I thought about Dylan’s
hand on mine the day in the car. Instead of grossing me out, his touch felt
good. Even wanting to feel good again, I was scared to do something stupid on
the date.

“Don’t cry,” Harlow said, hugging me.

“I’ll mess it up. I’ll say something stupid or
embarrassing. Maybe I won’t say anything at all and he’ll think I’m a loser. If
I mess this up, I won’t ever have another chance.”

Harlow shushed me. “It’s a date. Everyone says stupid
things on dates or spends the entire dinner with something stuck in their
teeth. You’re a person and people are lame. Dylan will probably do stupid stuff
too. You just won’t care because you think he’s a sexy beast and want to stare
at him.”

I gave her a little grin. “I do think he’s sexy and
staring at him is fun.”

“And he thinks you’re sexy too. So sexy he likely
won’t care what you say. Guys aren’t really complicated,” Harlow said then
added, “Or so I’ve heard.”

Sighing, I wiped my eyes. “That girl he was hugging is
prettier than me.”

“It doesn’t matter if you think she’s prettier because
Dylan picked you.”

I hugged Harlow. “Thank you for doing this for me.”

“You’re not mad?”

“I’m too scared to be mad.”

Harlow caressed my face between her banged up hands.
“Don’t be afraid of Dylan. He’s not a normal guy who doesn’t understand you’re
shy.”

“I’m more than shy.”

“He doesn’t care,” Harlow said, standing up. “Want to
get dating advice from Bailey and Lark?”

Pulling at her arm, I whispered, “No. I can’t handle
the pressure of everyone knowing about the date.”

“My lips are zipped.”

We returned to the house and found Lark over halfway
done with her huge salad. Bailey sat at the end of the couch while massaging
Lark’s feet.

“I’m a princess,” Lark said with her mouth full.

We smiled at her happiness, but I knew she was
exhausted from even the smallest amount of effort.

“Everything okay?” Bailey asked suspicious now.

“Never better,” Harlow responded. “Why don’t we head
out and leave the quiet gals for their nap time?”

Likely thinking she would get info from Harlow once
they were alone, Bailey agreed to leave. Lark mumbled something to them then
returned to her salad.

“I don’t care about manners,” she told me once they
were gone. “I used to be nicer, but people show up then they leave without any
rhyme or reason. It’s like they drop by to check on the fat chick and make sure
I haven’t exploded yet. Then they go away. Oh, well. Once I get these babies
out of me, I’m going to show up at everyone’s houses, eat their food, and leave
without warning. You just wait.”

Sharing her smile, I suspected she would go through
with her threats and I didn’t blame her. People were weird when someone was
sick. They worried at first then got bored and awkward when the illness didn’t
go away quickly.

Even with my issues, people tried to be supportive,
yet they hoped I’d get over it long before I ever did. I didn’t blame them for
losing patience with me. I’d lost it plenty of times too. I only hoped I could keep
my problems in check during my date with Dylan.

After Harlow left the work site, my mind thought of
nothing except the impending date with Winnie. By the time I sat in my SUV and
watched her house, I convinced myself the date would go horribly. I would fuck
up and lose my shot forever.

Maybe I’d push her too hard or get too needy or ask
the wrong questions. My very presence might convince Winnie that I wasn’t right
for her. My girl needed gentle and I wasn’t really that guy. Hell, I lacked the
patience to have a damn dog.

When I arrived at her house the next evening, I was
ready for the worst.

Jace Todds answered the door and frowned at me like
I’d shit on the carpet. The kid had a dark gaze that screamed future sociopath.
I didn’t want to know what kind of douche he’d be in his teens. Yet he let me
inside after giving me the once over.

Moments later, Harlow appeared with Winnie hiding
behind her. They were both dressed in jeans, boots, and blue sweaters. Harlow
looked nice, but Winnie was like an angel with her long dark hair pulled up in
a ponytail. I couldn’t tell if she was wearing makeup, but her lips were pink
and perfect.

A lot of men might have been upset to find their date
unwilling to make eye contact. Winnie’s gaze was so focused on the floor that I
thought she might never look at me. I didn’t care though. I needed to be near
her. Besides, the hope that one day she might look at me again was enough to
satisfy me.

Yet Winnie peeked at me and her gaze made my heart
race. I was even struggling against tightening jeans, but her father’s
appearance put an end to that problem.

Tad Todds wasn’t a big guy like many of the Reapers.
He had a wiry build, affable face, and dark red hair. Tad was a nice religious
fellow who would have me killed if I crossed him.

“Good news,” Harlow said without looking too thrilled.
“We’re doing the chaperone thing and I’m the third wheel. Yippee.”

Tad smiled. “I thought since this was Winnie’s first
date that a chaperone would be helpful.”

“Okay,” I said instantly.

I didn’t give a shit if the whole family came along. I
needed to be close to Winnie. Looking pleased with my agreement, Tad hugged
Winnie then Harlow.

“You girls be home by eleven.”

Harlow saluted him then took Winnie’s hand and headed
for the door. I followed them into the cold evening. Tugging her coat tighter,
Winnie shivered then looked upward. Harlow and I followed her gaze to find a
star-filled sky.

“Where are we eating?” Harlow asked.

“I don’t care,” I said. “I mean, wherever you want.”

“Is Red Lobster too expensive because I could really
go for stuffed flounder?”

Giving her a slight smile, I focused my gaze on Winnie
who was still looking up at the stars. “Red Lobster will be great.”

Winnie suddenly looked at me and smiled for only a
moment before turning away. The moment was enough for me to live off for an
eternity.

In the SUV, Harlow sat in the backseat then leaned
over the seat to play buffer between Winnie and me.

“You like this old 1970’s music, huh?” Harlow asked,
making conversation since Winnie couldn’t.

“Yeah. My dad always hates it, so I knew it must be
good.”

“Your dad is on the city council, right? The tall guy
who smells likes peppers.”

I grinned at Harlow and nodded. “He does smell like
peppers. It’s his cologne.”

“I personally wouldn’t know, but that’s how Mom
described him. She’s not a fan.”

“Few people are.”

“He owns a car dealership too. Car salesmen are
notoriously sneaky. Are you sneaky, Dylan?”

Winnie had been staring out of the window until this
last question. She frowned at Harlow whose grin widened.

“Yeah, I’m sneaky,” I said, glancing at the two of
them.

“Honest though. Good to know.”

Winnie’s frown eased and she returned to staring
outside.

“As you probably know,” Harlow continued, “Bailey
gifted Winnie to Lark who is on bed rest. I am happy to report that Winnie
loves her new job and looks forward to helping with the twins.”

When I smiled at Winnie, she kept her head down. I did
catch her grinning though.

“Next week, I’m turning Aaron’s gym into a nursery.
Doing the project myself to make sure it gets done right.”

“Well let’s hope this date goes well. Can you imagine
how awkward it’ll be for you and Winnie to see each other, if you mess up and
order the wrong thing at dinner?”

Now I frowned at Harlow who leaned back into the seat.
“What a shame it would be for you to make that mistake.”

Concerned, I struggled to remember if the Todds had a
religious problem with any foods. I studied Harlow in the rearview and found
her grinning. When I peeked at Winnie, she was smiling too.

“She’s messing with you,” Winnie whispered.

“Well it worked.”

When Winnie covered her mouth and laughed, Harlow sat
forward again and nudged my shoulder.

“I got her to talk, didn’t I?” Harlow said. “Yeah, I
have a way of making people do what I want. I really ought to be a shrink,” she
added, sitting back into her seat. “Or a con artist.”

“Or a car salesman,” Winnie whispered.

Harlow laughed. “That’s cold.”

I smiled at the sisters teasing each other. Winnie
caught me watching them and the confidence deflated out of her. Crossing her
arms, she stared out of the window. I thought I caught her pinching her hands
too.

“Baby steps,” Harlow said from the backseat.

The rest of the drive was silent except for the radio.
A song by Joan Jett inspired foot tapping from the sisters. I memorized
everything about Winnie. How she pulled at her long fingers. The little waves
in her long dark hair. How she bit her full bottom lip.

When we arrived at the restaurant, Harlow took
Winnie’s hand and hurried ahead of me. I ran around them to open the door.

“Ah, he’s a gentleman,” Harlow said and Winnie grinned
behind her hand.

Once seated, I tried to care about the menu, but my
mind was on Winnie.

“Here’s the deal,” Harlow said to me. “Winnie doesn’t
order for herself. Can’t do it. I would do it, but I’m not her date. You’ll
need to be all macho and order for her.”

Winnie frowned at Harlow, but I could see she was only
partly embarrassed. I sensed she was happy to have her sister helping with the
date.

“What does she want to eat?” I asked Harlow while
looking at Winnie.

To my shock, Winnie held my gaze while Harlow
explained the order. No way could I look away when my obsession focused on me.
We stared at one another until the waitress appeared.

“Do you like your work, Dylan?” Harlow asked after we
ordered.

“Sometimes. I don’t love all the managing stuff. Being
a boss is a pain, but taking orders is worse. I like the hands on stuff
better.”

“What about it do you like?” Harlow asked, looking
completely uninterested in my answer.

Winnie cared though. I even wondered if these
questions were agreed upon before the date.

“When I was a kid, I spent hours building with LEGOs.
I liked taking things apart, figuring out how they worked, and putting them
back together. These days, my favorite jobs are fixing up a broken down house.
I have a few I bought and am renovating now. I’m thinking about keeping one to
live in since my apartment building is filling up with college idiots.”

“Fascinating,” Harlow mumbled while checking her
phone. “Winnie, did you play with LEGOs as a kid?”

“I don’t really remember,” she whispered. “I have a
bad memory.”

“I can’t spell for shit,” I said and Winnie’s eyes lit
up.

“Spelling is overrated.”

“Childhood memories are the same way.”

Winnie smiled like I was magic. Hell, if I didn’t feel
the same way about her.

“Heartwarming,” Harlow said, standing up. “I’m going
to pee.”

“Should I go too?” Winnie asked, alarmed.

“No, just hold it.”

Winnie frowned until Harlow winked at her and walked
away. Returning her gaze to me, she exhaled uneasily.

“I’m sorry my dad made us have a chaperone.”

Winnie was clearly lying, so she’d seem normal. I
didn’t give a crap about average especially when the alternative was this
beautiful creature.

My fingers tingled, desperate to feel her skin against
mine. Reaching across the table, I placed my hand over her bruised one.
Winnie’s gaze locked onto mine and I waited to see if she freaked.

“The girl I was with was a friend. You need to know I
meant it when I said I’d wait.”

“I have no right to worry about who you’re with. We’re
not together,” Winnie mumbled, likely thinking of Sera.

“If I saw you with someone, I’d go fucking nuts. I’d
want to tear his head off,” I said then added, “We’re on a date, so that means
we’re together now, right?”

Winnie nodded, yet her expression was filled with
uncertainty. Once her eyes focused on me, she whispered, “I like that you’d be
jealous if I dated another guy.”

Nearly leaping across the table to kiss her sexy pink
lips, I forced my ass to remain in the chair. Spooking Winnie wasn’t an option
when I was so close to getting what I needed.

Whatever Winnie saw on my face both freaked her out
and made her smile ever so slightly.

“I have bad taste in women,” I blurted out and
Winnie’s smile faded, thinking I meant her. “Every girl I liked was either a
super bitch or clearly off-limits. You’re the first good woman I’ve ever cared
about and I’ll wait however long it takes for you to be ready.”

Winnie’s expressive hazel eyes lit up like a kid on
Christmas. The emotions I saw calmed me in a way I didn’t think possible.

She remained bright-eyed after Harlow returned to ask
more childhood-related questions. I doubted Winnie heard my answers. I sensed
she was repeating the last sentence in her head. I know I was and I meant every
word.