She snuggled into the blankets and pillows as she swiped her screen on and opened her photos app.
After a few swipes, she found a video she’d taken last summer. Dad and Bobby were front and center, and she was holding the phone. They were telling her dad that they were engaged.
Dad had the biggest smile on his face as he glanced back and forth between them.
“Are you serious?” he asked, his deep voice booming.
“Yes,” Isabel’s voice squeaked with excitement.
“We’re getting married!” Bobby exclaimed as Isabel’s hand came into view. He kissed her fingers and Isabel giggled.
“I’m the luckiest man alive,” her dad said, reaching forward and pulling her into a hug. The camera was smushed against his shirt and there was a scratching noise as the material brushed against the microphone.
He held her for a moment before he pulled back with tears in his eyes.
“You’ve made me the happiest dad in the world.” His hand disappeared, but Isabel knew what he was doing. He was wiping her tears away.
“Thanks, Dad,” Isabel said.
“And maybe soon, some grandkids?” her dad asked, raising his eyebrows.
“Dad! One thing at a time.”
Her dad’s gaze intensified as he stared at the camera. “I want to see some babies before it’s my time.”
There was some silence before Bobby clapped her dad on the shoulder and changed the subject.
Isabel stared at the screen as she pulled up the covers. She paused the video on her father, tears welling up in her eyes.
This was what her father wanted. This was what was going to make him happy. This was why she couldn’t give up on Bobby.
If she could give him just a sliver of happiness, she was going to.
Her dad deserved it.
Exhaustion took over, and before Isabel knew it, her eyes drifted closed and her body began to relax. Sleep was just within her grasp, but not before she made a promise to her dad all over again.
She was going to do the one thing that would make her father proud of her. She was going to show him that even when he was gone, she would be taken care of.
And Bobby was the person to do that.
* * *
Isabel woke up the next morning to the sharp sound of someone knocking on her door. She blinked a few times as she stared up at the ceiling, waiting for the sound to come again.
Knock, knock, knock.
Great. So it hadn’t been her imagination.
Sighing, she pulled off the covers and slipped her feet onto the floor. After grabbing her robe and pulling it around her body, she padded down the stairs and over to the front door. She peeked through the sidelight.
Jimmy Braxton was standing there with James, Josh, and Jackson behind him. They were talking and laughing with each other.
Completely confused, Isabel unlocked the bolt and pulled open the door. “Yes?” she asked, squinting against the bright morning light.
Jimmy grinned down at her. “We’re here to help,” he said.
Isabel furrowed her brow. “I’m sorry, what?”
“You want to get your dad home, we’re here to do that.” He waved her to the side as he stepped into her house. After slipping off his shoes, he made his way into the living room with his tape measure.
Josh and James followed after him. Josh had a clipboard and pen and jotted down the measurements that Jimmy rattled off.
Jackson lingered by the door, leaning his shoulder against the doorjamb. “Hey,” he said, offering her a soft smile.
She stared at him. “What’s going on?”
Jackson ran his hands through his hair as he dropped his gaze to the ground and then looked back up at her. “We’re here to help you get your dad back home. Dad’s going to outfit your house with a ramp and fix any hazards he sees around the house. You know, so your dad can get around better in a wheelchair.” He shifted his body until his back was resting on the frame. His hands were shoved into his front pockets as he studied her.
“Why?” she asked, emotion choking her throat.
Jackson’s brows furrowed as he met her gaze. “You need help, and we can help.” He gave her a soft smile. “We’re friends, after all. Isn’t that what friends do?”
Isabel blinked a few times, hoping to dispel the tears that were threatening to spill. “But…”
Jackson cleared his throat and straightened. “Isabel, you’re important to our family, and we help family.” He reached out and rested his hand on her shoulder. Warmth emanated from his touch and caused butterflies to erupt inside of her. “We’re here for you.”
Too scared to meet his gaze, all Isabel could do was nod. It had been a long time since anyone had cared for her like the Braxtons were doing right now. She felt safe and taken care of—something that Bobby never managed to do for her.
“Can I pay you?” she whispered.
Jackson shook his head. “Nope. It’s on the house.”
“Knock knock,” Beth’s soft voice said from behind Jackson. Isabel glanced back to see Beth’s wide smile. “Hey, Isabel.” She waved to Tiffany and Layla, who were standing behind her. “We’re here to help as well.”
Isabel nodded as she stepped back to let them in. Jenna made up the rear, and as she neared, she pulled Isabel into a one-armed hug.
Not sure how to take all of this kindness, Isabel just stood there. It was almost scary, opening herself up to these people. She didn’t feel as if she deserved any of it.
“We’re here—might as well put us to work,” Layla said, raising the garbage bags in her hands. “We are here to help declutter and tidy up.”
Isabel nodded as tears formed on her lids. She’d always wanted to update her dad’s house but never had the time nor the knowledge to do it. The fact that these people—people who weren’t even her family—had taken this upon themselves… Well, she wasn’t sure how she was ever going to repay them.
* * *
It was amazing how fast time went by when there were many hands to help. By late evening, Isabel’s house was cleaned out of all unnecessary or outdated items. And Beth and Layla had written up a list of furniture for her to get that would help liven up the house.
Tiffany, Isabel, and Jenna spent the day painting and laughing as they gave the walls a facelift.
The guys spent a lot of the day outside, breaking down her crumbling front porch and replacing it with a ramp. They also added a ramp to the back door. Then they moved inside and took down any unnecessary walls that would impede her father’s mobility when he got home.
Isabel couldn’t help the tears that slid down her cheeks as she stood back and surveyed the work. Most of the helpers had left, declaring they were headed to get drinks and dinner at the local diner. Isabel wanted to go, too, but figured she should stay back.
They’d already helped her enough. There was no need to force herself into their family time.
“What do you think?” Jackson asked from behind her.
Startled, Isabel turned to see him standing there with his hands in his pockets. There was a dirt smudge across his face that made him look even more adorable than she’d thought possible.
She shook her head slightly, forcing those thoughts from her mind. Jackson wasn’t hers. For all she knew, Tori and Jackson had hit it off last night and were now an item.
His helping her with her house was just one friend helping out another. Hadn’t that been what he said?
This meant nothing, romantically speaking.
“Thanks,” she whispered as she wiped at a tear. “I mean it. You didn’t have to do any of this.”
Jackson studied her. “Yes, I did.”
Isabel scoffed. “Why?”
Jackson blew out his breath and pushed his hands through his hair. “Because I care about you, Isabel.”
His words surrounded her, warming her skin. Her heart picked up speed. What did that mean? “You do?”
Jackson held her gaze and then blew out his
breath as he turned to look at her house. “I ran away back then, and I shouldn’t have. I was too scared about what you would say if you found out…” His voice drifted off as he nudged the ground with his toe.
Confused, Isabel stared at him. “Found out what?”
Jackson’s jaw was clenched as he studied his feet. He looked as if he wasn’t sure what he should say.
“Jackson,” Isabel said, reaching out and resting her hand on his forearm. His skin was warm under her fingertips and sent jolts of electricity through her body.
There was a familiarity in touching him, and she couldn’t imagine ever letting go.
Jackson’s gaze made its way over to her hand. Then he sighed and glanced up at her. “Never mind. It’s in the past. What happened, happened.” He gave her a soft smile. “I’m just happy I was able to help you with this.” He turned to face her, effectively breaking their connection. “You deserve to be happy.”
She studied him as his words washed over her. He was right. Happiness was what she was searching for, but right now, she wasn’t sure that she was actually accomplishing that goal.
There was nothing about marrying Bobby and moving halfway across the world that was going to bring her happiness. Leaving Honey Grove was the last thing she wanted to do, and being with Jackson was helping her realize that. If she did want that complete joy she was looking for, being with Bobby wasn’t going to bring that.
“Thank you,” she whispered as she glanced up at Jackson.
He furrowed his brow. “For what?”
She genuinely smiled for the first time in a long time. “For helping me see just what I needed.”
He cleared his throat. “And what was that?”
She studied him and then moved her gaze over to her house. “Happiness.”
When Jackson didn’t respond, she glanced at him to see that he was staring down at her. There was desire in his gaze. And it caused her heart to pound harder in her chest.
“Good. You deserve it.” His voice had dropped an octave now. It was warm and intense. It was filled with so many memories and emotions that Isabel wasn’t sure if she could breathe.
“Jackson, I—” The sound of a car pulling into the driveway behind her drew her attention. Staring at the yellow taxi, Isabel tried to figure out who it could be.
It wasn’t until Bobby’s six-foot frame climbed out of the backseat that she realized who it was. Her heart pounded harder as she glanced over at Jackson and then back to Bobby.
“Hey, baby,” Bobby said as he dropped his suitcase and rushed over to her, wrapping both arms around her and pulling her close. He pressed his lips to hers and held them there for a moment.
Feeling uncomfortable with kissing in front of Jackson, Isabel pulled back and stepped away from Bobby, who growled his protest. Isabel chewed her bottom lip as she glanced over at Jackson. He was staring hard at the ground in front of him.
Bobby extended his hand toward Jackson. “Bobby Johnson,” he said, introducing himself.
Jackson glanced up at Bobby and then met his handshake. “Jackson,” he muttered.
“Jackson? Like, the Jackson?” Bobby asked as he glanced over at Isabel.
There had been a few times Isabel had mentioned Jackson to Bobby, but she didn’t realize he’d actually heard her. Apparently, he had.
“Yeah. His family was just here. They helped me upgrade the house so Dad can come home,” she said.
Bobby glanced at the house and then back over to Jackson. “That’s nice of them. You could have waited until I got back,” he said as he wrapped his arm around Isabel’s waist and pulled her close.
Shock took over her body as she stared at Bobby. “You were on your way to Australia,” she said, hoping that she could hide the hurt in her voice.
Bobby chuckled. “That was before I missed my girl and had to come back.” He turned her hips until she was facing him. Then he leaned down, resting his forehead on hers. “Let’s get married this weekend,” he murmured.
It sounded as if he were trying to be romantic, but right now, it was just irritating. “What?”
Bobby pressed his lips to her cheek. “I want to marry you right now. Let’s get your dad and find a justice of the peace.”
Isabel pushed against his chest as she stepped back.
“I think I’m going to go,” Jackson said.
Isabel turned to see that he was already halfway down the yard. She wanted to call after him. To tell him not to go, but she couldn’t find the right words to get him to stay.
“See ya,” Bobby said, waving Jackson away.
Isabel studied Jackson as he made his way to his car. She hoped he’d turn around to say goodbye, but he didn’t. Instead, he climbed into his car and drove away, not once meeting her gaze.
Feeling defeated, she glanced back at Bobby, who had a smug look on his face. He dropped his hand and entwined it with hers. “I missed you,” he said.
Isabel studied him, wanting to say the same thing, but she couldn’t get the words out. Had she missed Bobby?
Maybe.
Or maybe she’d just missed the thought of him. He was the representation of everything she’d thought she wanted. Someone to care for her so she didn’t feel alone anymore. A wedding. Someone her father approved of.
But now she wasn’t sure that he was the right person to fill that void.
“Why are you here?” she asked, allowing him to guide her up the brand-new ramp and into the house.
Bobby shut the door behind them. Turning, he wrapped his hands around her waist and pulled her close. “I missed you. I thought about what you said, and I don’t want to be without you again.”
Isabel studied him as she tried to read his intentions. Then she stepped out of his arms and made her way into the living room to sit on one of the only chairs left from Beth and Layla’s purge.
“What happened to all of your furniture?” Bobby asked.
Isabel pulled her knees to her chest and hugged them. “I’m trying to start over. The Braxtons are helping me.”
Bobby stared at her for a moment before he huffed and took a seat next to her. “What about me? I can take care of you. Help you.”
Isabel stared at him. “You? You’ve been gone for months. I’ve been doing everything by myself.”
Bobby ran his hands through his hair as he glanced around. “But I’m here now.”
Isabel tipped her head back on the chair and closed her eyes. She allowed her breath to escape as she nodded. “True.”
“And I want to marry you. Did that Jackson guy want to marry you?”
Isabel swallowed at Bobby’s question. Once, she’d thought he wanted to marry her. But that had all changed when Jackson ran away.
Maybe she was a fool to think that things had changed between them. After all, Jackson did say that he was helping her as a friend. And friends don’t marry each other.
Maybe Jackson felt bad for abandoning her. Maybe he felt bad that her life had spiraled out of control. That she was alone when he had this great big family to take care of him.
And why would she put her trust in Jackson? After all, if she left Bobby and Jackson decided that he wanted nothing to do with her, she would be right back where she’d been before.
Alone.
And that was a risk she wasn’t sure she was willing to take. Or could take. Not when her heart was squeezing itself in two.
“You want to get married this weekend?” she asked, straightening her head to glance at Bobby.
He’d moved to the far wall and had his hands shoved into his pockets. “Yes,” he said.
Isabel shifted in her seat and stood. “Good. ’Cause I want to get married as well.”
Bobby whooped and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close. He pressed his lips to hers, and Isabel tried to force her feelings for him to surface.
It was probably just because he’d been gone for a long time. After all, they hadn’t seen each other in a while, maybe they just needed to get back
into a groove.
When Bobby pulled away, he didn’t act as if there had been anything different about the kiss. Instead, he smiled down at her. “I have a surprise for you.”
Isabel studied him, a smile emerging on her lips. Maybe she had been wrong. Sure, Bobby had been gone for a while, but him showing up to marry her early and arranging a surprise, on top of paying to fix her car, made her think that maybe she’d read everything wrong.
“Really?” she asked.
Bobby nodded. “It’s coming tomorrow, so you’ll have to wait until then.”
Isabel nodded, forcing down the nervous feeling inside of her. She was going to be okay. She was.
This was what she wanted.
Right?
Chapter Sixteen
Jackson’s stomach was in knots as he drove down the street and away from Isabel’s home. Every emotion from sadness to rage was coursing through him at that very moment.
It was taking all of his strength not to turn his car around and face Bobby What’s-his-name head on. He wanted to tell him off. To ask him why he would just leave Isabel alone the way he had. Or why he had shown up unexpectedly and demanded that they get married right away.
Where had he been while Isabel was going through the pain of watching her father slip away? Why hadn’t he been there for her, taking care of her like a fiancé should do?
Jackson gripped the steering wheel and pressed on the breaks as the light ahead of him flipped from yellow to red. He wanted to blow through the light and take off down the road, leaving his troubles in the dust. But he knew that would inevitably lead to a traffic ticket, and that would only push his already sour mood over the top.
Besides, he wasn’t even sure running away would make him feel any better. Even if he left tonight, he’d just be right back here in Honey Grove for Jonathan and Tiffany’s wedding.
No matter how much he wanted to go, he would stay.
So he flipped on his blinker, and when the light turned green, he took a left toward his parents’ house.
Her Ex: The Braxton Brothers Series Page 12
