“This is Mrs. Pierce’s house.” Carter patted Jaye on the arm. “Stay here, Miss Davis. We’ll keep an eye on you in case any ghosts appear.”
“Thank you. I feel safer now.” She watched the boys run up to the house, struck by a pang of nostalgia when she thought about her childhood Halloweens. Her parents never had time to participate. Their evenings were always filled with meetings, charity events, or overseas conference calls. Jaye understood those things were more important than dressing up in a costume, but she yearned for the chance to hold their hands and walk through a dark October night sweetened by lit pumpkins and candy.
A piercing whistle cut through the air. The boys changed direction to sprint toward a figure walking toward them. Jaye recognized his broad shoulders and athletic gait—Mitch.
He pounded the boys on their shoulder pads and bent to look into their eyes. “I can’t believe I missed you guys. Did you walk all the way to my house?”
They nodded. “Where were you?”
“I had to think, so I went for a drive. I would’ve waited if I knew you were coming.” He peered inside one of their pillowcases. “What did you get so far?”
“Not much, but the stuff you gave us is the best.”
His gaze flicked between the boys. “What stuff?”
“The huge chocolate bars.” Carter looked over his shoulder at Jaye and smiled. “For a second, we were afraid you forgot today was Halloween, but Miss Davis knew where you hid the candy.”
Mitch’s solemn gaze touched hers. “I’m glad she did.”
The husky statement sent a shiver up her sleeves that had nothing to do with the cold.
Brody gestured to Mrs. Pierce’s house. “Can we start trick or treating?”
“Yeah, go.” Mitch approached Jaye, his hands shoved into his jacket pockets. “I had no idea they’d walk all the way out to my house. Tell me they had the good sense to bring flashlights.”
“Yes. They did fine.” Jaye resumed walking, unable to resist the lure of a small-town street lined with porches laden with smiling pumpkins.
“In my self-absorption, I forgot today was Halloween.” He matched her gait and glanced at her. “Why didn’t you tell the boys I screwed up?”
“Because you love them.” She buttoned her blazer in a worthless attempt to trap some heat. “I knew you wouldn’t want to disappoint them, so I gave them the chocolate I had.”
He took off his coat and draped it over her shoulders.
The thick blue fabric contained residual warmth from his body. She put her arms through the sleeves, struck by his thoughtfulness. “Thank you.”
“I should be the one thanking you, but I have no idea where to begin. You covered for me even though I acted like a complete jerk tonight.” The muscles tightened along his jaw. He let out a growl and shook his head. “I meant to discuss your contract. Instead, I interrogated you like a criminal. I’m sorry for being such an ass.”
Her stride faltered. She wasn’t used to hearing apologies, particularly blunt, heartfelt ones like his. “I’m sorry for walking away in the middle of our argument.” She poked her hand out of the long sleeve and touched his arm. “I’m sorry for sounding like Nick hasn’t done anything wrong. Nothing could be farther from the truth.”
Mitch clasped her hand. “Apology not necessary, but accepted.” He glanced at the mountain looming in the distance, a black shape jutting up into the stars. “After I drove off, I realized why you took this job. Getting away from the man who hurt you was more important than the salary, right? You took this job to hide from your ex.”
She nodded. Escaping David was a big motivation, but escaping her family’s expectations was a bigger reason why she fled into Shinglehouse.
“Problem is, you’re not using every resource to protect you.” He lowered his voice. “You’re not using me.”
“I don’t want to use you, Mitch.”
“I’m volunteering for the job.” His hold tightened on her hand.
“No. I’m not hiring.” She noticed someone approaching and let go of Mitch, a habit picked up from her time with David, who never wanted to touch in public.
A young couple with two children walked past. Mitch greeted them by name and resumed walking beside her.
“There’s something you should know about me, Jaye. I grew up in a house where my parents didn’t talk about what mattered. They never fought. Most of the time, they stewed in silence. I hated not knowing what was wrong. When I moved into my own place, I promised myself I’d never live in a house of secrets. Sadly, you seem to have plenty of them.” He curled his hand around her elbow to stop her. “I can tell you’re hiding something about your contract, your ex, and maybe even your father. Tell me what’s going on. I don’t want to be left in the dark.”
“Please, let me pretend my life isn’t complicated for just a little longer.” She didn’t want her twisted reality to poison the rest of her time here. “This is the only place I’ve ever been where my personal problems almost disappear.”
“As far as I’m concerned, your problems are my problems.” He brushed the hair out of her eyes and cupped the side of her face in his calloused palm. “Let me make this clear. No matter where you are, I want to be the man you run to.”
Chapter Fourteen
Thick soles thumped across the linoleum.
Jaye glanced down, spotting Mitch’s work boot near her bare foot. The back of her neck tingled at his proximity. Even though he didn’t touch her, she could feel warmth emanating from him. He threw off heat like the factory’s furnace. Shifting her attention to the sink, she tried to act casual and squirted some dish soap into the frying pan. “Is Halloween over?”
“Yes. Brody and Carter are back home with twenty pounds of candy in their bags.” Mitch reached around her and braced a hand on the edge of the sink. “Did any other
