Deacon Johns Read online

  “It’s true.” Etta’s voice came through the Bluetooth earbuds in Mica’s ears.

  “Is that even real?” Mica hurried to set the pan on the counter beside the stove.

  “Of course it is.”

  “Sounds more like a parapsychological thing than a psychological.”

  “Call it what you want, but it’s real.”

  “And Deacon is one—an empath, I mean?”

  “Yes.”

  “How could you know that, Etta?”

  “Because I’m one.’

  “Well fuck. So you and he both know what other people are thinking even when we’re not talking?”

  “No, we know what people feel.”

  “Fuck, I’m toast.” Mica went to the table and sat down. “He knows? As in he knows I have the hots for him or he knows all the things I’d like to do with him?”

  “I think the former.”

  “Oh, thank God.”

  “Really? You must be thinking some kinky stuff, girl.”

  “You have no idea. But seriously, I owe you a thanks for letting me know. I just don’t quite know what to do with the knowledge.”

  “Be honest with him.”

  “It’s not like I’ve been hiding the fact that I’m interested.”

  “I know, but you can be honest and let him know you’re aware of his ability. And on that topic, maybe you should let him know that you have some abilities as well.”

  A tiny tendril of fear wafted through Mica and she bolted to her feet. “What do you mean?”

  “You have an ability, but I’m not sure what to call it. You read people, and I think maybe home in on their desires, what makes them tick.”

  “I think you’re projecting.” No way Mica was going to confess to anyone about her abilities.

  “Maybe, time will tell. Anyway, good luck with dinner and I’ll see you tomorrow for our run.”

  “Yes, seven a.m. I’ll be there.”

  “Okay, bye.”

  “Bye, Etta.”

  A knock at the front door had her turning to look at the clock on the stove. It was way too early for Deacon to show up. She hurried to answer and found Nellie Mae standing on the porch with a big plastic container in her hands.

  “Hi, Nellie Mae.” Mica smiled and held the door. “Please come in.”

  “Thank you, hon.” Nellie Mae stepped inside, looked around, and sniffed. “I see you haven’t made many changes.”

  “No, ma’am, not yet. But I plan to. Come on into the kitchen. I was just about to put the roast into the oven.”

  “Did you remember the secret ingredient?” Nellie Mae asked.

  “I did indeed.” Mica wasn’t sure that a can of cream of mushroom soup was going to make the difference, but since Nellie Mae swore by it, she’d followed the recipe to the letter.

  “I brought the pie.” Nellie Mae set the container down on the countertop.

  “Can I see?”

  “Well, of course you can, sugar. You’re going to need to put this into the refrigerator.”

  “Ooh!” Mica put her hands to her face. “It’s a work of art.” It was, in fact. The meringue was perfect, tall and whipped to fluffy peaks and browned just the right amount. “I can’t wait to dig into this.”

  Nellie Mae smiled happily. “Well, if my pot roast recipe doesn’t earn you a date, this pie will.”

  “I have no doubt. And again, I can’t thank you enough for all your help.”

  “Oh, don’t you mention it, hon. It was my pleasure.”

  “Well, I have a little something I’d like to give you as a small thanks. Please, have a seat.” Mica crossed the room to get a wrapped package from the standing wooden cupboard. She returned to give it to Nellie Mae, who was sitting at the kitchen table.

  Mica smiled as she watched Nellie Mae tear into the wrappings, her eagerness as enthusiastic as a child’s. She removed the lid from the box once it was free of the paper and her mouth rounded.

  “Oh, oh, my goodness.” She lifted the bracelet from the box and turned it over and over in her hands. “This is beautiful. Just beautiful.” She looked up at Mica. “But, honey, I can’t take something this expensive.”

  “Yes, you can. I don’t make a lot of jewelry, but this one is one of my favorite pieces that I’ve made, and I’d really like for you to have it.”

  “You made this?” Nellie Mae looked again at the bracelet. It was a silver cuff about two inches wide, with lace agate set into the top, from top to bottom edge, and adorned with intricate engravings and small buttons of agate along each side.

  “I did.”

  “It’s just stunning.” Nellie May put it on her arm and turned her arm back and forth, admiring it. “Stunning.”

  “I’m glad you like it.”

  “Are you sure you want to part with this? It must have taken a long time to make something so beautiful.”

  “I want my new friend who’s been so kind to me to have something that will make her think of me every time she sees it.”

  Mica was touched at the tears that gathered in the old lady’s eyes. Nellie Mae dabbed at her eyes, still smiling. “You’re such a dear. I will cherish it.”

  “And I’ll cherish you.” Mica leaned over and gave Nellie Mae a kiss on the cheek. “Now, what do you think? Should I dress down, like jeans and a shirt, or do the dress and heels thing?”

  “Hmm, dress and heels might be too much. After all, he’s just coming to break bread with you and your brother, right?”

  “Yes.”

  “Then go with the jeans. But tight ones. And a top that shows off your assets.”

  Mica laughed. “You’re wicked, Nellie Mae.”

  “I do have my moments. And speaking of moments, I need to get moving. I’m meeting Netta at the church for service and then we’re having lunch at the diner with the other ladies in the Red Hat Society.”

  “Well, thank you for making the pie and bringing it to me. I’ll let you know if I wrangle a date from the dinner.”

  “Oh, you will, sugar. How could a man resist my pot roast and pie and your looks?”

  “We do make a hell of a team, don’t we?” Mica asked and chuckled.

  “Indeed, we do.” Nellie Mae got to her feet. “I can’t wait to show off my new bracelet. The girls in the Red Hat are going to be green with envy. Thank you again, hon.”

  “You’re so welcome.” Mica walked Nellie Mae to the door and hugged her before she walked out. “Drive safe, okay? I’ll see you soon.”

  She smiled as she watched the old lady toddle down the short sidewalk and get into her car. As strange as it might seem, she really liked Nellie Mae and was certainly grateful for all the cooking help Nellie Mae had offered.

  It had been a very long time since Mica had known genuine kindness and it meant a lot to her. They might be worlds apart in almost every way, but that didn’t matter. She’d appreciate the kindness she’d been shown.

  She closed the door and returned to the kitchen. After putting the pot roast into the oven and the pie in the refrigerator, she cleaned the kitchen, set the dining room table, and then headed for the shower.

  Mica had gotten ready for more events, evenings out, and entertaining clients than she could count and yet none of those things had ever meant a tenth what today’s dinner did. But then, she’d never found herself in this position before. For the first time, she was falling for a man.

  It was thrilling and unnerving. For a woman who had always been confident of her appeal to the opposite sex, it was also a little scary because she was afraid that Deacon might never let go of the idea that he was too old for her.

  *****

  It was crazy. Here he was, a grown man who had fought in wars, traveled the globe, and faced danger many times over and he was insecure as hell over a damn dinner. His palms were sweaty, and he felt like he wasn’t on his stride.

  If this was the effect Mica Gray Horse was going to have on him, it might serve him well to attend this dinner, thank her and Mathias,
and then stay far away from her.

  Chicken. Damn it all. That was Etta’s voice in his head, taunting him. Okay, it wasn’t really her, but she’d called him chicken and he didn’t mind saying that it rankled. Deacon wasn’t sure why Mica affected him this way.

  Yeah, right. This time the voice was his own and he had to acknowledge the truth of it. He wanted her. And maybe if he just treated her like any other woman, took her to bed and had his fill, then he could be done and move on with his life.

  Was that the answer? Maybe so. Yes, definitely. He’d let the age thing get him worked into a knot when there was no cause. She’d already said she wanted him, so the flirtation stage was already accomplished.

  Time to move to the second phase. He could do that. Had done that. More times than he could count. She was no different and this short-lived affair they’d have would be no different than any other.

  With his mind made up, the pressure that had been building since he woke finally abated. It was like the start of a mission. He’d worry and plan and strategize, but then when the time came, he got down to it and took care of business.

  That was exactly what he intended to do. By the time he arrived at her house, he was humming to himself. He parked behind their old trucks, got out and walked to the front door.

  Mathias opened the door before Deacon raised his hand to knock. “Hey, Commander, come in.”

  “Thank you.” Deacon took off his hat as he entered the house. “How’s it going, Mathias?”

  “Good. Just hang your hat there, sir.”

  Deacon hung his hat on the rack beside the door. “How’s business?”

  “Not bad. Kyle Stadler is giving me all his business and his recommendation got me all the work for the Weathers. Have a seat, sir. Dinner will be ready soon.”

  “Thank you.” Deacon took a seat on the sofa as Mathias settled into the oversized recliner adjacent to the couch. “And you have the contract with Sanctuary, right?”

  “Yes, sir. Thank you for putting in a good word for me.”

  “You’re a good man.”

  “Indeed, he is.” Mica’s voice came from the door leading into the kitchen. “Good day, Commander. I’m so glad you’re here.”

  “Deacon. And good day, Mica. I’m happy to be invited.”

  He hadn’t known what to expect, but her appearance was a surprise. She had on a pair of faded jeans and a plaid shirt with the sleeves rolled up, worn unbuttoned over a white scoop neck top. Her hair was in a long braid and she didn’t appear to be wearing makeup.

  Not at all the appearance of a woman interested in seducing a man.

  “I hope you brought your appetite,” she said as she settled onto the arm of Mathias’ chair.

  “I did.”

  “Good. I’m just waiting on the bread, but it shouldn’t be long now. How are things going with the new facility? Etta tells me that you’re expecting to have it completed in a few months.”

  “If we’re lucky and don’t have any setbacks.”

  “I’m a little confused. I thought Sanctuary was privately owned. How can it be run by the military and be private?”

  “The training facility is being built by and for the military, a joint venture that’s a first. It will be a center for all branches, specializing in Special Forces training.”

  “Like the SEALs.”

  “Yes.”

  “Will SEAL training still be in Coronado?”

  A repeated beep came from the direction of the kitchen and Mica got up. “Sounds like things are almost ready. Excuse me.”

  Deacon watched her leave the room, taking note of the glance she gave him over her shoulder.

  He asked Mathias questions about the people he was doing farrier work for to keep from sitting in silence. Mathias answered, but as was common for him, in as few words as possible. Deacon tried not to watch Mica as she entered and left the dining room, which was in his line of sight. She placed platters and bowls on the table and some pretty delicious smells started to waft in.

  “Okay, come and get it.” Mica walked back in and gestured toward the dining room.

  Mathias was out of his seat almost before she got the words out of her mouth. They all took seats and Mica asked Mathias to cut the roast.

  “This smells different,” he remarked.

  “It’s a recipe my new friend, Nellie Mae gave me.” Mica replied and added. “She swears it will make the two of you my slaves for life, it’s so good.”

  “Have to be some kind of good for that,” Mathias quipped, which shocked Deacon but only made Mica chuckle.

  “Isn’t that the truth?”

  Once all the plates were served, Deacon noticed that Mica waited for him and Mathias to sample the food. “This really is good,” he said and meant it. Everything was delicious.

  The smile that came on her face was so genuine and happy that it touched something inside him. How many people got that much pleasure from such a small compliment?

  “It’s real good, sis.”

  Mica purely beamed at the compliment from her brother. “Thank you. Actually, thank Nellie Mae.”

  “Is this Nellie Mae Baker you’re referring to?” Deacon asked. He’d heard all about Nellie Mae and her infamous friend Netta Bloom, the Gossip Girls, or so they’d been dubbed by people in town.

  “It is.”

  “She’s an elderly woman, isn’t she?”

  “She is. The first time I saw her was the night I had dinner with you, Etta and JJ at the Honky Tonk. She was standing at the bar in this really colorful denim outfit, with hair teased a mile high and enough makeup to start a Maybelline distributorship. I thought she was kind of funny but cute.

  “Then the other day when I went to the store to buy meat, she was there and she helped me pick out a roast and we ended up talking and she was just adorable. I took her to breakfast. Oh, you already know—we ran into one another in town. That’s who I was meeting.”

  “And it doesn’t bother you that she’s been labeled the town gossip?”

  “No, why should it?”

  “I don’t know. Some people seem concerned that she can’t keep a confidence and that anything you tell her, she will repeat to anyone who will listen.”

  “Oh, well, I don’t know that’s entirely true. I think she’s a nice lady who just wants to be liked.”

  “Then you didn’t give her any gossip to share with her friends.”

  “Oh, I didn’t say that. After all, she did give me this pot roast recipe, not to mention the fact that she baked a coconut cream pie and brought it to me so I could seduce you with my cooking skills.”

  “Seduce the Commander?” Mathias asked and laughed. “That’s a good one.”

  “Isn’t it?” Mica looked directly at Deacon.

  “It is, indeed,” he replied, a bit surprised that she’d said what she did.

  “So, how am I doing?”

  “Better wait until after the pie to ask.”

  Mica chuckled and raised her glass of tea in his direction. Deacon smiled and dug into the meal. So far, this hadn’t been anything at all like he expected.

  When everyone finished eating, he insisted on helping her clear the table. Mathias said he had to work in the smithy for a few hours to get ready for the upcoming week, so that left Deacon and Mica alone.

  It surprised him how enjoyable it was to clean up after the meal. She told him things about her and Mathias growing up on the reservation, mostly about times they spent with the blacksmith.

  “Did you hear about the festival in the park in town?” she asked as they washed the last of the dishes.

  “What kind of festival?” He dried the platter she handed him.

  “I’m not entirely sure, but it’s an event being held by one of the churches and there’s music and games and cotton candy and oh, candied apples. Cody said it was a lot of fun.”

  “And you want to go?”

  “I do.” She handed him the last pot and unstoppered the sink. “But you know, sadly
, I don’t have a date.”

  Deacon couldn’t help but smile. “Miss Gray Horse, would you do me the honor of being my date to the—what do you call this festival?”

  “The thing in the park?”

  “Okay, my date to the thing in the park?”

  “Why I’d love to, Commander Johns. But don’t you want to taste my pie before you ask me out?”

  “I think I’m properly seduced.”

  “Oh?” She dried her hands and leaned back against the counter. “The pot roast did it, eh?”

  Deacon put the drying cloth on the counter and moved closer, placing his hands on either side of her and leaning down so his face was even with hers. “You had me at hello.”

  “I didn’t say hello. I said good day, Commander.”

  “You don’t have to call me Commander.”

  “But you are.” Her eyes turned a shade darker as he watched.

  “I am what?”

  “In charge.”

  “And you know that how?”

  Her smile was pure seduction. “I know things.”

  “Do you now?”

  “I do.”

  “And just what kind of things do you know, Ms. Gray Horse.”

  “You don’t want me to just tell you, do you? Where would be the fun in that?”

  “So how am I supposed to find out these things you know?”

  “You’re a smart man. I have no doubt that you’ll figure a way.”

  “You’re a wicked little thing, aren’t you?”

  “Commander, you don’t know the half of it.”

  Deacon smiled and straightened up, pulling her with him. “Come on, Sassy, let’s walk off that pot roast and see if we can’t find you some cotton candy.”

  “And a candied apple? Those are my favorites.”

  “You want both?”

  “You have no idea what this girl will do for a candied apple.”

  “Then get a move on, girl.” He gave her a swat on the ass and laughed at the way her eyes rounded and then a sexy giggle burst from her lips. Suddenly, for the first time in longer than he could remember, Deacon was having fun.

  Chapter Eleven

  Mica saw and even felt the change that had come over Deacon since he’d arrived at her house. What precipitated it was a mystery, and she didn’t have to know why. In her experience, it was more often than not better to be ignorant about the why’s. He might have decided that the difference in their age didn’t matter, and that was a reason that would make her happy.