Jardin's Gamble (Haven, Texas 9)

“Alec?” she asked instead.

“My oldest brother. The stick-in-the-mud I was talking about earlier. Mia’s his wife.”

Okay, she was going to give in even though she felt bad for talking about Alec and Mia when she didn’t even know them. “What would a husband do?”

“He’d spank her.”

Her heart raced. “You’re lying.”

He grinned. A perfect grin with a row of white teeth. “Maybe I am, darlin’.” He stood then leaned down. “Then again, maybe I’m not. Why don’t you come to Haven next time with Jardin and find out?”

Her heart skipped a beat. Fuck, was she excited by that idea?

“Who knows? You might like it so much there you’ll stay and find yourself a Haven man. Unless you’re hoping my cousin might get his head out of his ass someday and see what’s right in front of him.”

“There’s nothing between Jardin and me.” Oh, but she’d thought about it. Every night since she’d started working there. But there was no way a man like Jardin Malone would ever look at her twice. Besides the fact he was her boss, he was one of the Malones. Rich and gorgeous, their family had lived in New Orleans for generations. She wasn’t anywhere near his league.

“Well, then, there’s nothing to stop you from coming to Haven, is there?”

The truth was, she was way more tempted than was healthy.

5

By the time the end of the day came around, Thea was exhausted. Trying to do everything with one hand was harder than it sounded.

She didn’t see Jardin much for the rest of the day, he’d been in meetings all afternoon. Her brothers went to her neighbor’s every day after school. Juanita was a godsend. Thankfully, the bus dropped them off not far from her house. Still, she felt guilty as hell about it. She wished she had more time to spend with them.

But she also needed money to buy them

food and clothes. And growing boys needed a lot of both.

She got out of the town car that Jardin insisted she use to get home. She’d had it drop her off outside her neighbors’ place, where the boys were. Fuck, her neighborhood was creepy in the dark. She walked quickly across the street, her gaze roaming her surroundings. It felt like someone was watching her.

Her instincts warned her to run. But she knew better. If someone were watching, it would be like dangling a red flag in front of a bull. By the time she reached Juanita’s, her breath was coming in sharp pants and she was sweating.

Christ. Way to overreact to nothing.

She knocked on the door. Ella, Juanita’s thirteen-year-old daughter answered. She had on way too much makeup and her clothes were several sizes too small. Hard eyes stared out at Thea before she turned and walked away without saying anything.

Thea got it. Living in this kind of neighborhood eventually sucked your soul. It could crush you. That was why she was determined to do better for Ace and Keir. She’d make sure they didn’t end up in some gang or dead from an overdose before twenty. They were so smart they’d qualified for a scholarship to go to a private school. They were going to do something with their lives. Be better than she was.

The sound of the boys yelling greeted her, and they rushed down the stairs, brandishing fake swords, which were actually just large sticks, and horsing around. Diego, Juanita’s youngest son, was with them.

“Guys!” she yelled. “It’s time to go home.”

“Aw,” Keir said, turning with a pout. “Can’t we stay? Diego’s mom’s making tacos.”

And all they’d likely get at home was scrambled eggs and toast. She got it. She wished she had the time to make them proper meals. But she was already dead on her feet.

Juanita popped her head out of the kitchen. “Hey, chica. Get in here, take a load off.”

“Hey, Juanita, thanks for having the boys. But we should get going.”

“Stay for dinner.”

The boys whooped and took off. Guilt filled Thea. Juanita had four kids. And while her husband had a job, they weren’t much better off than Thea. Yet they always had extra food for whomever walked through their door. They were good people. They took great care of their kids and it was clear they loved each other. Thea often found herself jealous of the way Juanita’s husband looked at her, like she was his whole world.

“Don’t give me that look,” Juanita told her. “There’s plenty of food. Sal’s working a double shift, so he won’t be home until later. Sit. Tell me what’s happening.”