Finding a Hero, page 11
She pulled Rachel in and wrapped her arms around the girl who held her heart. “So we have money from the sale of the land and from what I’m making now. So yes, we can go shopping for new clothes.”
They hugged for a long moment, then Shiloh cupped Rachel’s cheek, seeing tears shining in her niece’s eyes. “Okay, enough for tonight. Go brush your teeth.”
As Rachel fairly danced into the bathroom, Shiloh looked down at the voluminous, white nightgown she wore that covered her from neck to ankles. She thought of the way Tori and the other women dressed—classy, comfortable, fun colors and styles. And she thought of Joseph and the way he looked at her when he’d asked her out. It wasn’t with the same flirty way he looked at others, nor like he was staring at her as though she was an oddity to figure out. Instead, he looked at her as though he was really interested. And even though she tried to tell herself she didn’t want to encourage him, she suddenly wanted to cast off the old ways. Calling through the bathroom door, she said, “Why don’t we go shopping together? I wouldn’t mind getting a few new things for myself.”
“Oh, Shiloh!” With toothpaste still on her mouth, Rachel rushed out and threw her arms around Shiloh’s waist, pulling her in for another tight hug.
Laughing, Shiloh hugged her back. “Maybe it’s time for both of us to release a few more of the chains that held us back and begin living the way I know we should.”
A little later, as they both lay in their beds, thoughts swirled in Shiloh’s head, threatening to pick her up, twirl her into the clouds, and drop her back to the ground like a tornado. It wasn’t that she didn’t believe in romance or dating, but she’d never seriously given it much thought. She and Edward were friends, and while there was genuine affection, there was very little romance. She had become resigned that it would always be that way for her. But when he died and Isaiah made his desires known, she was sure there’d be no romance there either.
Pastor Parton had said she was strong, and while she valued her self-worth, she couldn’t imagine what Joseph saw in her. Certainly not compared to the other women he flirted with or the other women she’d met. All beautiful. Educated. Accomplished.
For her, life had become about survival, leaving little room for dreams. Or just going out for fun. Isaiah had certainly made sure of that.
Hearing Rachel toss and turn in her bed, she knew sleep had not come to her niece either. She assumed Rachel was thinking about her friends and possibly the new young man who had captured her attention. Just when she was ready to ask if she needed some warm milk, Rachel spoke.
“Shiloh?”
“What is it, sweetie?”
Very softly, almost in a whisper, Rachel asked, “Isaiah wasn’t the voice of God, was he?”
Her breath caught in her throat as she realized how deeply Isaiah had influenced not just their actions but their thoughts. She remembered the news article and Pastor Parton using the word cult. Sucking in a deep breath, she let it out slowly, the quiet sound splitting the silence in the room. Rolling over in bed, she could see Rachel’s opened eyes peering at her by the moonlight coming through the window. Shaking her head slowly, she replied, “No, Isaiah was not the voice of God. He was simply the voice of a man who liked being in charge. One who liked telling others what to do. One who liked being thought of as a leader.”
“Then why did we all follow him?”
At Rachel’s question, Shiloh felt a tear slide down her cheek. She and Edward had always tread carefully around Rachel, not wanting her to inadvertently talk about their doubts to others for fear of retribution. But as Rachel matured, especially during the last year when it was just the two of them together, she’d given more voice to her doubts while keeping her deepest suspicions to herself. Shiloh had known this day would come when Rachel would ask more questions and prayed that she could give her the correct answers.
“Isaiah played on people’s insecurities and fears. For those of us tied to the land and the community, his way simply became the way of life, and we followed his edicts until they seemed right and natural and others were wrong. He did it in such a way that made us feel like we were following God if we followed him.”
“And you don’t want to ever live that way again?”
“No, Rachel, I don’t. And I don’t want you to either.”
They were quiet for long moments in the dark, and just when she thought Rachel had finally fallen asleep, she heard her whisper call out into the night.
“Thank you.”
12
Joseph walked into the basement of the Methodist church where the Baytown American Legion meeting would be held. He’d only been to a few meetings since he’d been out of the Navy, missing most of them while he was in training in Virginia Beach. But now that he was back on the Eastern Shore for good, he was welcomed with open arms and glad to be there.
The group had grown with men and women ranging in age from their early twenties and just out of the military service, all the way to members in their nineties who had tales of the Vietnam and Korean wars. For him, it was a family affair, including his grandfather, father, and brother in attendance. The meeting room was also filled with most of his friends, many of his coworkers, and even some of their family members.
An active chapter started by Mitch, they were involved in multiple community service projects, one of the most popular being the youth baseball teams they sponsored. At no cost to the parents, it allowed children of all abilities and backgrounds to have a chance to enjoy sports.
Before the meeting got started, he spied Mark alone near the coffee table and made a beeline to chat with the Seafood Shack manager without anyone else around.
Seeing him coming, Mark lifted his chin and smiled. “Hey, Joseph. How’s it going?”
“Good, good. It’s nice to be back, working in a job I love.”
“I don’t get out on the restaurant floor as often as I want until the dinner shift, but I see you getting lunch at my place several times a week. Thanks for the business!”
Laughing, he nodded. “Well, it doesn’t hurt that you’re right next to our station, but you do have great food.” He was filled with a strange sense of nerves as he glanced around to see they were still alone. “I wanted to ask about one of your new servers. Shiloh.”
“Shiloh? You haven’t had a problem with her, have you? I can’t imagine that anyone would have a—”
“No! No problem at all! I just haven’t remembered seeing her around before,” he fumbled.
Mark’s face split with a wide grin. “Oh yeah… she's new to the area. She’s really great. It helps that she’s more mature than most of the servers I get. I mean, geez, between the teenagers who miss because they can’t get a ride or the college kids who can only work summers, scheduling is really a mess sometimes. Did you know that—”
“Um… about Shiloh?” he interrupted, trying to bring Mark back to the subject he wanted to know about.
“Oh yeah, sorry. Well, she’s wonderful. She shows up on time, works hard, and will stay late if needed. She’s super polite, just a real sweetheart. My customers love her!” Leaning closer, he added, “I was worried about her at first.”
His brow lowered. “Worried? About what?”
“I wasn’t sure she could handle a crowd. She was really shy. Super soft-spoken. I mean, that’s fine! Lord knows we’re a family restaurant, and I don’t want the girls yelling all over the place. You know how some of them—”
“Mark! We’re talking about Shiloh,” he huffed.
“Right, right. Sorry. Anyway, she actually fits right in. She’s quiet and friendly, so she gets good tips.”
It struck him that he’d be jealous of Mark’s effusive praise if he didn’t know Mark was happily married. But at the same time, it also struck him that he couldn’t remember ever being jealous. Fighting to hide the irritation that others seemed to know more about her, he tried to figure out how to ask questions without exposing his interest.
“And I find that the men who come in alone like her, too. I think it’s the whole vibe of her, you know? Just real… she’s just real.”
Now the desire to punch out any of the men who’d basked in her soft smile or gentle words threatened to overtake his desire to find out more.
Mark didn’t seem to notice Joseph’s tight jaw or fingers curling into fists at his side. He continued to sing her praise. “Honestly, I’d employ her full-time if she didn’t already have another job.”
Blinking, his chin jerked backward in surprise. “Another job?”
“Yeah, she works for Tori Evans at the Sea Glass Inn.”
Someone else interrupted when they walked over to talk to Mark, so Joseph moved away, his mind rolling with the new information. When he glanced to the other side of the room, his gaze landed on Mitch, and he headed over to dig for more information. Walking through the others milling about before the meeting started, he hoped he looked nonchalant and not like a man on a mission. “Hey, Mitch.”
Mitch looked up and smiled. “Joseph, glad you’re back here with us full-time and can be at our meetings.”
Nodding politely, he glanced around, then plunged ahead. “Um… listen, I was wondering about Tori’s inn—”
“Have you got visitors coming into town? She’s pretty booked on the weekends.”
“No, sorry. It’s not for me. I was just wondering about her new employee. Shiloh?”
“Yeah, Shiloh Wallen.” Mitch’s gazed morphed from friendly to assessing. “Why are you asking about her?”
Trying not to squirm, he replied, “I met her at the Seafood Shack and thought she was new around here. I just heard she also worked for Tori.”
“Yeah, she’s new to town. She and Tori had corresponded over the past year, and now that she’s here, Tori has taken her under her wing.”
Corresponded? “It sounds like there’s a story there,” he continued, fishing for more.
“Oh, there’s a story there, for sure.” Mitch nodded. “But I’m afraid that’s Shiloh’s story to tell.”
Trying to keep the huff from escaping his lips, he nodded just as Ryan walked over.
Mitch inclined his head to the side. “Ryan’s fiancée, Judith, also knows Shiloh.”
Joseph stared dumbly at his boss, now ignoring Mitch’s pointed gaze. “I didn’t know you knew her, Ryan. You never mentioned that.”
Ryan chuckled, shaking his head. “I wasn’t aware I was supposed to report on who I do and don’t know to you.” Joseph blushed, but Ryan continued, “Actually, I don’t know her well. Her niece is the same age as my daughter, Cindy, and they’ve become good friends.”
She has a niece here? Jesus, does everyone know more about her than me? He wondered how to ask more without the entire group realizing how interested he was in her. When he saw the shared look between the two men, he should have known with Mitch and Ryan being excellent detectives, they didn’t have a hard time figuring out his reason for the questions.
“Have you asked her out yet?” Ryan asked.
Plopping his hands on his waist, he nodded, deciding to give up the pretense of being cool, considering his attempt at secret intel gathering was shit. “Yeah, but she shot me down.” Looking back at Mitch, he continued to prod. “Is there anything you can give me?”
Mitch shook his head slowly. “Normally, I’d tell you to find out for yourself, and that’s still going to be my advice. I don’t know a lot, but Tori has shared some. I will say that Shiloh’s story is one that she’ll have to share with you if she wants you to know. But she’s come through a lot and is a very strong, amazing woman.”
George MacElvey walked over, forcing his way into their little group. “I’ve found Shiloh to be a delightful patron of the library,” he said, nodding as he smiled. “Amazed at her desire to read everything and made sure her niece had her own library card this summer before school started. Do you know that Shiloh has never had a library card?”
Just then, Pastor Parton walked by, then stopped, and turned back to look at the four men. “I’m so sorry to interrupt, but were you talking about Shiloh?”
Joseph blinked, his body jerking. Fuck, everyone does know about her except me! “You know her, too?”
“I met her when she was out for a walk and gave me some well-timed assistance. We had lemonade together, and she opened up to tell me some of her history. I was so impressed with her. She’s come through great loss and has a unique situation that she escaped from. Oh, such a wonderful woman, and I hope to spend more time with her.”
George, seeming to want to one-up the pastor, puffed out his chest. “Well, she asked about an author, and I helped her find a book by Germany Kent. Told her it was excellent, and I recommended it highly.”
“I’m the one who told her about that author!” Pastor Parton replied in haste, his bushy brows lifting.
Mitch was called to the front of the room, and the pastor wandered off with George, both still trying to see who’d had more influence with Shiloh, leaving Joseph standing with Ryan. “Damn, it seems like everybody knows her better than I do.”
Ryan laughed. “Well, I don’t know her very well, but her niece seems really nice. Cindy sings her praises, and they’re now proclaimed best friends. I even think Colt’s son, Jack, has been hanging out with them.”
As Ryan walked away, Joseph looked toward the other side of the room to see Colt and wondered about asking if he knew anything about Shiloh. This is getting confusing and fuckin’ ridiculous!
“What’s fuckin’ ridiculous?”
So lost in thought, he hadn’t noticed Wyatt approaching, nor that he’d muttered aloud. No longer pretending not to be into her, he blurted, “I’m finally interested in a woman who’s new in town. I asked her out, but she turned me down. I just found out it seems like other people know a lot more about her. So why not me?”
“Talk to her, dumbass,” Wyatt said, shaking his head. “Don’t flirt with her. Actually talk to her. Stop trying to be charming. If she’s smart, she sees right through that shit and doesn’t want to have anything to do with it.”
Before he had a chance to reply, the meeting was called to order. He made it to a seat, but his head was so muddled that by the time the meeting was over an hour later, he couldn’t remember anything anyone had said.
Driving home, he thought over all that he had learned. A history. A story. A library card. Desire to read. Sweet. Kind. Has come through a lot. Strong and amazing. A niece she takes care of.
Now, more than ever, he wanted to know her. And more than that, he wanted to be worthy to know her.
Joseph threw open his front door, an engaging smile on his face as he leaned forward to kiss his mom on the cheek. “Hey, Mom.”
Sherrie Newman smiled as she reached up to cup his face. “So handsome, so sweet, and such a handful!”
He laughed as he stepped back to allow her to enter the living room. “You’ve been greeting me the same way for as long as I can remember.”
“Well, the words have been true for that long!”
He caught a whiff of whatever delight she had in the plastic dish in her hands, and his stomach groaned. “Oh, Mom, you didn’t have to bring any food, but I’m sure glad you did. Didn’t get lunch today, and I’m starving.”
Her brow lowered before she turned and walked into his kitchen, setting the dish on the counter. “Is everything all right?”
He followed, appreciating how she didn’t fuss about him not eating. With both sons having served in the military and now in law enforcement, she was well aware of their odd-timed shifts and how they worked overtime and often through meals. “Yeah, Mom. Just had a rash of crab pot thefts, and it took most of the day to sort out.”
She nodded and reached for a dish from his cabinets. After plating some of the cheesy chicken and rice casserole and adding sliced toasted garlic-butter bread, they sat at the table together. He hated to shovel in the food, but as soon as the delicious cheesy sauce hit his lips, he couldn’t eat fast enough.
“Slow down.” She laughed. “It’s not like when you were a child and afraid that Wyatt or Besty might steal some of your food!”
“They only tried to take my cookies,” he muttered between bites. Finally pushing the empty plate away, he leaned back and patted his stomach. “Mom, you can cook!”
“Well, if you’d settle down with a woman who could cook, too, then I wouldn’t have to worry so much.” As soon as the words left her lips, she shook her head. “Good grief… that was the most sexist thing I think I’ve ever said. Let me rephrase that— if you’d learn to cook, then I wouldn't have to worry so much. And, if you’d settle down with a woman who made you happy, then I definitely wouldn’t worry so much!”
He stood and carried his plate to the sink, rinsing it off before placing it in the dishwasher. Looking over his shoulder, he caught a Cheshire-cat expression on her face. “What are you thinking about?” He poured more tea for both of them and sat back in his chair.
“Well, I just heard from a little birdie that you were interested in someone.”
Shaking his head, he reached up and squeezed the back of his neck, feeling the tight muscles. “I should have known someone would start yapping. Who was it?”
“Actually, it was Wyatt. He and Millie were over last night, making their final wedding plans, and he mentioned that you had become rather infatuated with a new young woman in town.” Her nose scrunched as she added, “But don’t worry about him saying too much. That was all he said, so I thought I’d come over and see what information I could get from you.”
“Then I’m afraid you’re going to be disappointed. There’s nothing much to tell.” She lifted her brow, and he continued, “So far, it’s taken a couple of months just to even have a conversation with her.”
