Her Son's Hero

She should have made more of an effort to be welcoming. She and Sean had been newcomers here once, too. They still were after a year and a half. It was nearly impossible for anyone to integrate into the tight-knit community.

A figure darted out onto the road and Fiona slammed on the brakes. Rubber squealed on asphalt. The car shuddered to a halt as another person dashed after the first.

And wouldn’t you know, it was Denise Kirkpatrick and her spawn of Satan, Rene. Fiona honked the horn.

Denise slowly straightened. She said something to her son, and he scooted his pudgy butt up to the sidewalk.

Fiona rolled down the window as Denise walked to the car.

“Morning, Fiona.” The brunette’s wide lips curved in a scythe-like crescent as she leaned in. One manicured hand gripped the roof as she casually leaned against the door. “Guess you haven’t had any coffee yet, huh?”

“Excuse me?” Fiona’s fingers curled around the steering wheel. “Your son just ran out into the middle of the road without looking.”

“Boys will be boys,” Denise said. “Here in Salmon River, they tend to be a little rambunctious.”

Fiona ground her teeth. Denise had lived here all her life; her ancestors had practically founded the riverside town. Since Fiona and Sean had arrived, the woman had taken every opportunity to point out just how much they didn’t belong among good, hardworking, decent folk. Denise had been among the most vocal gossipers when news of Mitch’s troubles had made it to town. And while outwardly she pretended to be friendly, there was no mistaking the poison beneath her polite veneer.

Denise peered around the leather interior of the Toyota Camry. “Good thing you have this fancy car, huh?” She patted the door. “Otherwise Rene might be just a stain on the road now.”

Considering Denise drove an electric-blue BMW coupe, Fiona didn’t understand what she had against her nine-year-old sedan. She’d once owned a Beemer herself, but she’d traded it in years ago for this more practical vehicle. She’d also wanted to cleanse herself of her old life when she’d moved here.

“Well, you have yourself a good day, and drive safe,” Denise said after an uncomfortable beat of silence. She slapped the roof of the car a little harder than Fiona thought necessary.

It was only as the woman was ushering her son away that Fiona realized she’d missed her opportunity to tell the mother about her little bully. She rolled up the windows and let out a string of expletives.

Minutes later, her mood now pitch-black, she parked her car behind Leeds Reads, the bookstore where she worked. She breathed deeply, submersing the ill feelings she harbored for the Kirkpatricks in the still waters of calm. It was going to be a busy day: this was the first sunny Saturday they’d been blessed with this May, and the weekenders would be flooding the town. It wouldn’t do to scowl at every customer who came in.

GOLDEN SUNSHINE AND A CLEAN, sweet breeze alternately warmed and cooled Dom as he jogged briskly to Sensei Mako Miwa’s dojo. The run into town was a good warm-up, but more importantly, it helped work off some of his frustration at not being able to finish moving all his stuff in. He was just glad the place came furnished; he’d never have been able to wrestle a sofa by himself. By the time he’d managed to find the box of sheets so he could fix up the bed, he’d been too exhausted to eat. Thank God for energy bars. He’d have to stock up on groceries today, as well.

Right now, however, he had to see his old karate master and get his training back on track. The most important fight of his life was coming up in September. He couldn’t afford to be distracted. His manager had staunchly reminded him of that this morning when he’d called to check on him.

“You need to get your mojo back, Dom,” Joel Khalib had said. “I’m having a hell of a time convincing Silverstreak to keep you on.” Silverstreak was the energy drink company with the biggest logo on Dom’s trunks. “I told them you’d be ready for the belt in September. You gotta prove me right on this.”

“I will.” He didn’t have the luxury of doubt.

“You sure you don’t want me to send some of the other guys over? I mean, if you have the space, a little work on your jujitsu and wrestling…”

“This is about more than physical training right now, Joel.” Dom knew his sad performance ever since his fight with Bruno DiMartino had been entirely rooted in his brain.

He still hadn’t called Katy DiMartino to offer his condolences…or anything else. He asked tentatively, “How’s Bruno doing?”

“No change.” Joel’s tone was grim. “But don’t you worry about a thing. I sent over a nice bouquet of flowers from you. Made sure Katy has everything she needs. I even got her a rent-a-maid. You know, so someone can help her clean house while she’s at the hospital.”

Dom had grunted noncommittally. “You know it’s not your fault, right?” Joel said. “You should really be seeing a sports psychologist, man. I have some great references for—”

“Thanks, but no thanks. Sensei Miwa has always been able to straighten me out. I trust him.”

He approached downtown Salmon River, jogging over the old stone bridge that spanned the fast-flowing tributary the town was named after. Fishermen were trying their luck from aluminum skiffs and old wooden rowboats, and they silently watched him go by.

Main Street looked like a life-size version of one of those miniature Christmas villages. Two-and three-story brick colonial-style buildings with tasteful signs and well-kept window boxes were designed to attract visitors for the quaint boutique shopping, gourmet and country home cooking—not to mention the scenic waterside view.

Dom slowed to a walk and pulled his hood down to cool off. The sun felt great on his head and shoulders and he took a minute to drink in the clean air and listen to the birds. Gaily colored banners advertising the Salmon River Arts Fair flapped from old-fashioned iron lampposts. A hardware store on the corner, a church, a dry cleaner and an electronics repair shop showed the thriving community would continue to flourish even after the tourists left. The smell of fresh-baked pastries wafted down the street. Dom’s stomach growled, but he ignored it—the last thing he needed was to be tempted by empty calories.

Most shops hadn’t opened yet, but Dom could see people heading out of one building. It was eight o’clock, which, if Mako Miwa still adhered to his rigorous schedule, meant his first class would just be finishing.

The familiar and comforting scent of rubber mats and sweat hit Dom as he entered the Five Elements Gym and Dojo. A couple students were speaking with Mako, so Dom slipped off his running shoes and hoodie, stuffing them into one of the cubbies provided for students and visitors. He approached the mat, bowed, then knelt, waiting for his old teacher, his sensei, to finish. When the students left, Mako turned to him, frowning. Dom placed his palms on the mat in front of him and touched his forehead nearly to the floor, bowing to the man who’d taught him almost everything he knew about fighting and about being an honorable person. “Sensei.”

Mako Miwa knelt and bowed back, then bestowed a smile upon his former pupil. Except for a few extra lines, his old master hadn’t aged a day. “Domo-san. Welcome.”

“Thank you, Sensei.”

Formalities over, Mako broke into a wide grin and embraced him, slapping his back. They fell into small talk, catching up on common acquaintances, and discussed how the dojo in Salmon River had been doing.

“Not bad,” was his teacher’s only remark, though Dom could see an infusion of funds wouldn’t hurt. Duct tape held some of the training pads together, the ceiling tiles were water-stained and a large crack in one of the mirrored walls had been hastily repaired with clear packing tape. It was a far cry from the facilities the renowned sensei had owned in New Orleans. But Mako Miwa had decided after Hurricane Katrina that the gods were trying to tell him something, and he’d moved his dojo here to Virginia. It made sense, Dom supposed, since the Five Elements’ sister dojo, Four Winds, was in Richmond.

“UFF still treating you well?” Mako asked.

Dom grimaced, unable to answer.

“Not so well,” his teacher concluded. He gestured for Dom to follow him into his office at the back of the dojo.

Sunlight slanted in through the dirty window behind the old desk, washing the tired-looking room in gold light. The fake-wood panel walls bowed with age, and a three-year-old calendar curled from a nail. Mako Miwa had never been much for aesthetics, but the man’s cool serenity and martial arts skills more than made up for the ghastly decor.

The karate master went to a counter where an ancient coffeemaker full of dark tea sat. Dom remembered that tea well—it tasted like floor varnish. “I heard about your fight with Bruno DiMartino,” the old man said as he poured. “How is he doing?”

“Still in a coma.” Dom rubbed his chin, and his hand shook a little as he said it.

“You know it was not your fault.”

People said that a lot to him these days. Martial artists who competed knew there were risks, knew safety could never be guaranteed despite the rules, the protective gear, the skill level and the precautions taken by competitors and judges.

“It was an accident,” his sensei went on.

“I have a hard time believing that.” Dom closed his eyes briefly. All he remembered was the blood, the sickening wobble of Bruno’s neck as Dom’s fist smashed the side of his head—

He shut the awful memory out.

“So, what brings you here, Domo-san?”

“I need you to retrain me.”

The karate master made a dismissive gesture and turned away. “You’ve already learned all I have to teach.”

Dom seriously doubted that. “After DiMartino, I lost three exhibition matches, Sensei. I need to figure out what’s wrong. Why I lost against three rookies.” The humiliation stung deeply. He’d been 15-0 for wins-losses until that first bewildering defeat. The blemish on his once-perfect record represented more than a simple lack of nerve or decline in skill—three consecutive losses meant his stats went down. And his sponsors didn’t want to back a loser.

“You already know why you lost.” Mako’s dark eyes studied him closely. “Doubt clouds your mind and your heart. Doubt and fear.”

“I’m not afraid, Sensei.”

“Not for yourself, perhaps, but for your opponents—” he nodded definitively, sharply “—yes. You feel pity for your adversaries. You do not think they are capable of defending themselves. This is not the way of the warrior, my friend.”

A long breath hissed out between Dom’s teeth. Mako was right, of course. Dom had been pulling his punches, hesitating too long before striking. He’d left himself open to his opponents’ attacks.

But he didn’t know what to do about it.

“Tell me what I must do to clear my mind, Sensei. I will do anything you ask.”

“Anything?” The older man chuckled. “Does winning mean so much to you?”

Dom thought about the UFF welterweight championship belt, the symbol of everything he’d worked toward since he was an angry young punk, looking for a fight. He’d traversed a long, hard road to get where he was today. “It does.”

Mako skewered him with a long, assessing glare. The smile dropped away from his face. “I will not be easy on you,” he warned.

“You were never easy on anyone, Sensei.”

“You will not complain or question what I make you do?”

“All I want is to get back in the cage and win the belt.”

“If that is all you want…very well.” He stood abruptly. “We begin now.”

And then a look of pure mischief appeared in Mako’s eyes. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

“I HEAR THERE’S A NEW MAN in town.”

Fiona looked up as she was paying for her coffee and cinnamon buns in Josie Baby’s Bakery and Café. She seriously needed the break after the rough morning she’d had. The weekend part-timer had called in sick and there was a ton of shelving still to finish.

Josie “Baby” Banner grinned up at her wickedly. “He moved down the street from you, apparently.” She pushed a stray lock of curly dark hair behind her ear. “I don’t suppose you’ve seen him?”

Fiona suppressed a smile. The rumor mill in Salmon River was as active as any other. If someone had seen her with Dominic…

But no, if they had, it would have been all over town by now. When news of Mitch’s crimes had reached Virginia, it had spread like wildfire and burned Fiona to a scandalous crisp.

“I spoke with him briefly.”

“Really? What’s he like? Is he cute?”

Fiona shrugged. She had to admit that Dom was stellar in the body department, with that T-shirt clinging to his sculpted form. He was dangerously sexy in a Vin Diesel kind of way. “I guess, if you like that sort of thing. Sean met him yesterday. He said he’s some kind of fighter.”

“Ooh, a bruiser.” Josie rubbed her hands together. “I love the rough-and-tumble types. He doesn’t have a girlfriend, does he?”

“I’m not sure. Maybe you should go over and see for yourself.”

“Maybe I will. I’ll bring him a welcome cake.”

Fiona shrugged again, a little irked how Josie was so eager to please. Then again, it was the baker’s effusive friendliness that had earned Fiona one very good friend and ally in Salmon River. She wasn’t sure she could trust a guy like Dom with her friend’s tender heart, though. He didn’t strike her as the kind who would appreciate Josie’s sweet and giving nature.

Coffees and goodies in hand, Fiona walked down the street, passing the Five Elements Gym and Dojo on the way. The wide windows on the corner unit gave passersby a good view of the goings-on within, and it seemed there was quite a show. Most of the hovering gawkers were women.

“Who do you think he is?” Fiona overheard one ask.

“I hear he’s renting the Patterson place on Geneva Street. John Patterson told me he was getting a new short-term tenant.”

“Oh! Look what he’s doing now.”

Fiona glanced through the window and felt her eyebrows rise to her hairline. Dom was doing an advanced yoga position, a one-armed plank on a medicine ball. The other arm stuck straight up, perpendicular to the ground. His body rippled with sinewy muscles beneath his clinging T-shirt. He made the exercise look effortless.

“Oh, my,” a woman said, fanning herself. “What do you suppose he does for a living?”

“With a body like that, I wouldn’t care if he was a garbageman.”

Dom got up from the mat and glanced out the window, his eyes connecting with Fiona’s. There was no mistaking the spark of recognition in his baby blues. He gave her a salute.

Fiona felt heat climb up her neck. Arms loaded with coffee and pastries, she could do little more than nod. His grin broadened.

Thinking he’d been grinning at them, the other women collectively swooned. Fiona shook her head as they started arguing over who he’d been making eyes at. She walked back to the bookshop, feeling just a little sorry for Dominic Payette. If he wasn’t careful, he’d be swarmed by Salmon River’s most ardent husband hunters and matchmakers.

THE SMACK TO THE BACK of his head made Dom flinch, not in pain, but in surprise.

“What do you think you’re doing, Domo-san?” Mako tapped a rolled-up newspaper against his hip. He used to punish him with a swat whenever Dom’s attention wandered during lessons. It seemed old habits died hard.

“I was just waving to a friend.” Mrs. MacAvery, her blond hair shining in the sun, her eyes dark and watchful. A small part of him had wished one of those coffees and whatever was in that box had been for him, since he still hadn’t eaten a proper breakfast. Beyond the window and the staring faces he saw her enter the bookshop across the street. Maybe she worked there?

Thwack! The newspaper came down harder, bouncing off his scalp this time. “You have more important things than girls to think about right now,” Mako admonished with a dour look. “Give me twenty rolls.”

Dom suppressed a grim but knowing smile. He knew his sensei would keep him on track.

CHAPTER THREE

WHEN FIONA FINISHED WORK at four o’clock, she went to get Sean from fun camp. Since so many people worked weekends to cater to the tourist crowds, the town’s family and community committee had set up the service so that parents would have somewhere to send their children who needed babysitting.

Sean shuffled over as she got out of the car. “Hey, sweetie.” Fiona didn’t lean in for a hug or a kiss; her son was getting to that age where he abhorred public displays of affection. She probably wouldn’t be able to call him “sweetie” soon, either.

Sean mumbled a reply, scuffing his toe against the ground.

“Did you have a good day?” she asked.

He shrugged thin shoulders. His T-shirt looked much more rumpled than usual. Then she noticed dark purple marks on his arm.

“Where’d you get that?” She pulled up the sleeve of his shirt and gasped at the sight of a huge new bruise. “Who did this?”

“Cut it out, Mom.” Sean pulled away and walked around the car to the passenger side.

“Ms. MacAvery?” The fun camp supervisor, Mrs. Madden, called. “Could I please speak with you?” It was practically a demand.

Fiona steeled herself. Seventy-seven-year-old Teresa Madden was a God-fearing widow whose acerbic tongue spared nobody. But her age, religious zeal and dedication to public service made her a paragon of virtue. She was active and volunteered her time to a lot of community causes. Fiona secretly suspected the old woman was like a shark, and would die if she stopped moving.

“Hello, Mrs. Madden,” she said, pasting on a smile.

The corners of the woman’s mouth were turned down so far it looked as if she’d drunk vinegar. “Sean was in another fight today. I had to pull him off Rene Kirkpatrick and send him to the closet for the entire afternoon.”

It was Fiona’s turn to frown. The closet was exactly that—an empty, windowless cubbyhole where ill-behaved students were sent to “think about their sins.” Unfortunately, it seemed the wrong kid had been punished again. Rene was half again as tall and heavy as Sean. Did Mrs. Madden really think her son could have pinned him to the ground?

“I don’t have to remind you about our three-strikes policy,” the woman said. She picked at the linty moss-green sweater she always wore, even though it was a balmy 78 degrees out. “And this is strike three. I’m going to have to ask you not to bring him here anymore.”

Exasperated, Fiona demanded, “Did you at least ask him what happened?”

“What was there to ask? I came out and saw your boy sitting on Rene’s chest. I may not be as young as you, but my old eyes still work.” Her mouth crimped in distaste. “If you don’t get a handle on your little hellion, he’ll end up in jail just like his father.”

Fiona reeled back in shock and anger. “I will not allow you to insult my son, Teresa. Sean is a well-behaved and polite young boy. If anyone’s to blame, it’s Rene. You know he provoked him to attack!” Her voice had risen to an angry pitch. “And Sean is nothing like his father.”

But her words bounced off the old woman’s thick hide. “Have a good day, Mrs. MacAvery. I don’t expect to see you or Sean here again.”

And that was that. Fiona could say nothing in protest, knew there was no one she could appeal to who would change Teresa Madden’s mind. She, like Denise, was a part of the Salmon River establishment. No one would raise a hand or a word against her better judgment.

Injustice burned through Fiona’s blood. She briefly considered flinging her purse at the old woman’s head, but counted to ten instead. Then she marched to the car, her hands balled into tight fists.

What was she supposed to do now? Saturday was the busiest day of the week at Leeds Reads, and her paycheck was dependent on those hours. But she couldn’t leave Sean at home alone all day.

Maybe Marion would allow him to stay in the back room of the store while she worked. Sean would hate it, especially now that the weather was so nice and summer break was coming up fast.

Her mind was scrambling for alternatives as she reached the car. Sean was waiting for her by the passenger door. He was staring intently at the tips of his shoes, his face beet-red as he held his breath, and held in his emotions.

Fiona sighed. Gently, she said, “Mrs. Madden says you got in a fight again.”

“It wasn’t my fault!” Sean whipped his head up. “She didn’t even listen to me!”

“I know.” Fiona’s heart broke at her son’s anguish. It was so unfair that he had to go through this. “Sean…she said you can’t go to fun camp any more.”

His cheeks drained of color. “I hate it there any how,” he muttered, and spun around so she wouldn’t see the tears gathering in his eyes. “No one there likes me.”

“I like you plenty.” Fiona tried for a smile, but her son just glared at her over his shoulder.

She grimaced. Sean needed friends his own age to play with. She couldn’t be everything to her son forever. “C’mon.” She unlocked the car doors. “Let’s go get some ice cream.” She couldn’t be his best friend, but she could at least try to cheer him up.

THE FAINT NOTES of the local rock station played in the background on the radio as they drove home, both thoroughly depressed. A trip to the park and a plain vanilla cone hadn’t cheered Sean up. He’d sat on a swing, grinding his shoes into the sand while kids played around him. Alone on a bench, Fiona could see mothers at the other end of the park glancing her way. And she’d wondered for a brief moment if worrying about her son’s isolation distracted her from thinking about her own.

A thin layer of cloud obscured the sun now, casting a wan silver light. The wind picked up as they drove.

When they crossed the bridge over the river, Sean sat up. “Look, it’s Dom!” It was the first time all day he’d appeared bright and alert.

Fiona saw her new neighbor jogging along the paved shoulder in a gray hoodie and sweat-pants. A mixture of anxiety and pleasure tumbled through her. She was still agitated by yesterday’s encounter, and didn’t really want to face him.

“Stop the car, Mom! Let’s offer him a ride.”

“Oh, Sean, I’m sure he…”

Sean rolled down his window as they approached, and stuck his head out, forcing Fiona to slow down. “Hi, Dom!”

“Hey, there, Sean.” Dom kept pace with the car, jogging backward. She struggled with the impulse to floor it and leave him in the dust.

“You want a ride home?” her son asked.

Dominic glanced past him to Fiona. “Climb in,” she said, wishing she could sound more enthusiastic as she pulled onto the shoulder.

Sean unbuckled his seat belt and got out, then climbed into the backseat. “You have long legs,” he said as Dom raised an eyebrow. “The front is better for tall people.” His legs were long. He wasn’t that tall, but in combination with everything else she’d seen, the proportions were perfect.

“Thanks, Sean,” he said. He climbed in and buckled up, then turned to her with another heart-melting smile. He smelled…clean. Mixed with the fresh air and vanilla ice cream, it was just a little intoxicating.

Fiona squirmed in her seat. What did she think she was doing, sniffing her neighbor?

“You raised him well, Mrs. MacAvery,” he said.

“It’s Miz, actually. Or, um, Fiona,” she offered after a moment. “Mrs. MacAvery” was what people called her mom, and it sounded way too formal.

“Fiona.” Dom flashed her another grin. “Funny, you look like a Fiona.”

Was he flirting with her? She concentrated on her driving instead of on the irregular pulse fluttering at her throat.

“I saw you head into the bookshop across the street from the dojo this morning,” he said. “Do you work there?”

“Oh, yeah, Mom loves it,” Sean answered before she could say anything. “And she gets me all kinds of stuff to read, too.”

“And how was your day?” Dom asked him.