A Hero to Dance With Me Read Online Free PDF Page B

his arms, holding Jezelle’s slight form against his much larger frame. Steve and Leland locked gazes. For the first time in his life, Steve saw unadulterated anger and intense disappointment directed at him. He and his brothers had all gotten into trouble their fair share of times but, no matter what they’d done, there was always that invisible line that was never crossed. He didn’t have to see the look on his father’s face or hear his mother’s quiet sobs as she stroked hair away from Jezelle’s delicate features to know he’d not only crossed that line, he’d obliterated it. Without a word, Leland relinquished Jezelle to Steve then enfolded Vivian in his arms as she cried into his chest.
    It had taken Steve a couple of days to realize he might have overreacted. Just a little. It had taken another couple of weeks to realize how much he wanted to see Jezelle again, but he hadn’t been in a position to act on it. He hadn’t invited her to the family get-together because he had no idea what he would say to her or even if she’d still want to see him. Besides, the cookout had been in those first days when he was still panicked. Then, when he’d settled back into his routine on base, the gnawing feeling he’d given up something precious grew with alarming speed. Every night he’d woken up reaching for her. Every day he’d longed to see her lovely face. He’d thought about calling but had hung up the phone before it could ring. Since he hadn’t bothered to get her number, all he’d had was the restaurant’s. While her manager might be a good family friend, he might not take kindly to him making a date on company time. Besides, by then enough time had passed he wasn’t sure Jezelle would appreciate hearing from him, especially at work. Looking down at her face, the dark circles prominent under her eyes even through her dark complexion, Steve had never regretted anything more in his life.
    Her lids fluttered open and those lovely dark brown eyes met his. The depth of her pain nearly drove him to his knees.
    “Put me down,” she whispered. “I don’t want you near me.”
    “Just let me get you somewhere you can lie down and rest. Do you want me to take you to the hospital?”
    “No,” she hiccupped. “I just want to go back to work.”
    “Don’t worry about that, sweetheart,” Leland responded to her with a soothing voice. He stood over her in front of Steve, his hand going to her forehead. Much as he’d done when any of the boys had been sick as children. “I’ve taken care of everything. Your job is safe. Everyone just wants you to get better.”
    “I’m fine,” she insisted. “Let me down.”
    “Please, child,” Vivian pleaded through her tears. “Just let me take you home so you can rest for a while where I know you have someone to help you if you need it. It would ease my mind and I wouldn’t worry so much.”
    Steve could see Jezelle wanted to refuse but couldn’t quite tell his mother no. Vivian always had that effect and for once Steve was grateful for it. He could also feel his father’s eyes boring into him. Hell would be coming for Steve later. He was certain of that.
    With a sigh, Jezelle nodded, relaxing a little against him. He looked around and saw the entire family watching with a mixture of curiosity, shock, and a couple of grins—those coming from Rick and Chase. Like his father, Mike...wasn’t smiling. At all.
    “I’ll get the car,” Mike said. Lord, when his dad and Mike got hold of him, Steve was in for a beating. Well, he’d take it like a man. They obviously thought he needed it. Maybe he did.
    Once in the backseat of his father’s Expedition, Steve settled Jezelle into the seat next to him. He fastened her seatbelt and draped an arm over her shoulders, pulling her resisting form against his side.
    “Just because I’m trying to be nice to your mother doesn’t mean I have to let you touch me,” she said coldly. “Don’t.”
    “Jezelle,