“Okay.” She skipped into the kitchen.
When Jackson’s phone chirped a second time, without looking at the screen, he answered the call. “This is Jackson.”
Like other times, silence filled the line. He ended the call and looked at the caller ID. Another unknown number. Yesterday, when he scanned through the calls, a few had come in at two and three in the morning. Who would call at that hour? He might never know.
Melanie narrowed her eyes. “Was it another hang-up?”
“Yes, and this is about the third or fourth call today.” He tilted his head and crammed the phone into his pocket. “If this keeps up, I’ll have to get my phone number changed.”
“It might be a good idea.” She paused and tugged at the bottom of her sweater. “About what just happened—I know you didn’t mean to startle me, so let’s forget about it.”
He nodded.
Melanie rested her hand on his arm. “As for how I reacted when you kissed me, let me explain...”
The pain in her eyes pierced Jackson’s heart. He knew she wasn’t ready to talk...not yet. “It’s okay, Mel. We don’t have to talk about it right now.”
He’d be patient and hope she’d come to realize Sweet Gum was where she belonged. But what if she didn’t? Time was running out. He’d have to make his true feelings known—but could he?
Chapter Eleven
It was a typical Saturday morning. The Bean bustled with people. Chatter filled the restaurant, along with the sounds of sizzling bacon coming from the kitchen. A warmth filled Melanie’s heart while she took in her surroundings. People were actually talking to one another from their seats across the room. This was something she’d never seen in DC. People there didn’t even speak to the person they were dining with. Usually they had their faces buried in their phones. Upon inspection, Melanie didn’t see one cell in sight. She was in a different world. Was it one she could belong to?
“What’s going on in that head of yours?” Jackson approached her with a plate of scrambled eggs, two bacon pieces and two slices of wheat toast. “Here, you need to eat, because I know you probably had only coffee for breakfast this morning.”
The instant she caught a whiff of the cooked meat, her stomach grumbled. He was right—she hadn’t taken the time to eat this morning, and now she was starving. “How did you know I had only coffee? What if I said I made a huge breakfast of French toast and crispy fried bacon?” She arched her brow and smiled.
“I’d say you’ve got a pretty good imagination.” He handed her the plate. “Here, why don’t you go sit with Rebecca? I just about have her meal ready.” Jackson pointed to the table in the far corner of the restaurant, next to the window.
Melanie smiled and took the plate. “You’re right—I’m ravenous. The three cups of coffee are burning a hole in my empty stomach.” She turned and moved across the dining-room floor.
At the table, the sun beamed through the window onto the child’s golden hair. Unaware of Melanie’s presence, Rebecca had her nose buried in a picture book. Melanie watched while her tiny lips moved through the words on the page. Her little finger was in constant motion, twisting a stray curl. Melanie recalled her girls. They had always been oblivious to their surroundings when reading, just like Rebecca.
She cleared her throat. “Do you mind if I join you?” Melanie waited with her plate in hand before taking a seat. Behind her, Jackson stood with Rebecca’s breakfast. He placed it in front of her, winked and walked away.
A huge grin moved across Rebecca’s face. “Miss Melanie, I didn’t see you standing there.”
Melanie placed her breakfast on the table, anxious to take the first bite. “That must be a good book. You were off in another world.” She speared the scrambled eggs with her fork and took her first bite. They were seasoned with just the right amount of pepper and a little shredded and melted cheddar cheese on top. Jackson definitely knew how she liked her eggs. “What’s the story about?”
Rebecca placed her Dora the Explorer bookmark inside her book and closed it. “Well, it’s about a little boy, and he really wants a puppy. He goes to sleep one night and has a dream he lives on a puppy farm.” She fingered the corner of the book.
“That’s quite a dream,” Melanie said and took a bite of her toast.
“Do you think that can happen, Miss Melanie?”
“What?” She placed her fork on the plate and leaned in toward Rebecca.
“That if we really want something, we’ll dream about it?”
Many times, Melanie had dreams that her family was back with her, but that didn’t happen. She swallowed the lump in her throat. “I suppose it could.”
“Do you want to know something?”
“Sure.” Melanie’s pulse increased.
Rebecca’s blue eyes studied Melanie. She placed her hands under her chin and rested her elbows on the table. “Last night, I had a dream that you were my mommy.”
Melanie’s breakfast turned over in her stomach. She reached across the table for Rebecca’s hand. Inside her own, the warmth from this tiny hand was powerful. Melanie longed to stay like this forever. A tear escaped. “That’s the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me.” She wiped her eyes, but several more tears fell.
“I’m sorry, Miss Melanie. I didn’t mean to make you cry.” Rebecca bit down on her lip.
“Oh no, these are happy tears.” Melanie straightened her shoulders and leaned back in her chair. She smiled because they really were tears of joy. The past year, any thoughts of being a mother again had brought on a tidal wave of sadness. Now, sitting with this precious child, she didn’t feel the need to hide her past any longer.
“I’m glad they’re happy tears.” Rebecca tilted her head and smiled.
A powerful urge to share a piece of her past with Rebecca surged through her heart. At the tiny corner table, for the first time, Melanie spoke about her beautiful family who’d gone to heaven.
* * *
Jackson froze in his chair. Engrossed in telling her story, Melanie didn’t notice that he’d sat at a nearby table to tackle some paperwork, and that he could hear every word. His pencil rested on the ledger book. He didn’t intend to eavesdrop, but it was the only open table. As he listened to Melanie telling stories about her family, his heart ached for her and all she’d lost. He closed his eyes and pressed his fingers to his temples. Lord, please watch over Melanie. She won’t admit it, but she needs You.
When Phoebe mentioned Melanie’s difficult past, he assumed it was a nasty divorce. He never imagined such a tragedy. How does someone survive such a loss? Especially someone who doesn’t lean on God for strength? He rubbed his eyes. He began to understand why she’d wanted to move Phoebe. Without her aunt, Melanie was alone in the world.
“Well, hello there, Jackson Daughtry.”
The sound of Sara’s voice rattled him from his thoughts. With both hands on her hips, dressed in blue jeans, a red flannel shirt and a cowboy hat, Sara was obviously enjoying her day off from the hospital.
She pulled a chair close to him and plopped down, not waiting for him to extend the offer. “Don’t you ever take time off for some fun, Jackson?”
Jackson’s head dropped when he saw Melanie turn around at the sound of Sara’s voice. She appeared surprised to see him at a table so close to her and Rebecca. When she crossed her arms and eyed him, he wondered if maybe she was a little jealous Sara was paying him so much attention. He had to make it clear to Melanie that he had no interest in the nurse. His interest lay with a beautiful woman from DC. He turned to Sara. “Actually, I have had some fun recently.”
Sara’s eyebrow arched. “Really?” She glanced toward Melanie, who now wore a smile.
“Yes. Melanie and I went on a hike, and we had a picnic by the river.” He leaned back in his chair, released a sigh and smiled. “It was the
perfect fall day.” Jackson looked at Melanie and gave her a wink.
“Oh...that sounds nice.” She stood up and ran her hands down the front of her faded jeans. “Well, I’d better let you get back to work, then.” She threw a pinched expression toward Melanie, grabbed her purse and was out the door.
Rebecca sprang to her feet and jumped over to his table. “Daddy, can we all take Sam to the apple orchard this afternoon?”
Melanie slid into the chair next to Jackson. His heart pounded when he caught a whiff of vanilla. He didn’t know if it was her shampoo or her perfume, but the sweet scent made him dizzy.
“Please, can we?” Rebecca repeated.
“Yeah...please, Jackson. I think it might be good for us to get out for some fresh air,” Melanie pleaded with her eyes locked on his.
Would another visit to the orchard put the sparkle back into her eyes? Jackson picked his daughter up and placed her on his lap. “Miss Melanie was just at the orchard the other day.” He hoped she wanted to go. He’d love to spend every waking hour with this woman. His pulse raced thinking about it.
“Daddy, it was Miss Melanie’s idea.” She turned to Melanie for backup.
Melanie was busy shredding a paper napkin when she looked up at Jackson. “That’s right. I thought it would be fun to take Sam out there. Let him run around a bit.”
His grin widened, and he pulled his cell out. “Let me call Larry and make sure it’s okay for us to pick up Sam.” He stood and placed Rebecca in the chair next to Melanie. “We’ll head out after closing.”
Jackson stepped outside. The sun was so bright he couldn’t see the screen on his phone. He strolled under a Douglas fir, and after a few minutes talking to Larry, they were all set to pick up Sam.
And an hour later, The Bean was cleaned up for the weekend, and two adults, one child and a rambunctious puppy were headed to the orchard. They made a quick stop at the store for Rebecca’s favorite meal of fried chicken, macaroni and cheese and biscuits. Of course, Aunt Phoebe’s brownies were already stowed in the basket, slowly defrosting.
Jackson smiled, thinking he could get used to this outdoor dining, especially with Melanie coming along. His arm rested on the opened car window. The sky was clear and the air warm for October. The slight breeze carried the sweet smell of apples. He pulled the truck into the first empty spot.
“Can we ride the wagon, Daddy?” Rebecca yelled the moment she spied the carriage they used for the hayrides.
“I don’t think they’re offering rides today. We’ll have to wait for the apple festival. It will be here before you know it.” He hopped from the truck, and Melanie waited until he came around to open her door. He liked that. He took her hand and helped her from the vehicle. Jackson wore a silly grin, and their eyes remained glued on each other.
Rebecca giggled from the backseat. “Daddy, you’re making goo-goo eyes at Miss Melanie.” She grabbed Louis, her teddy bear, and buried her face to stifle the laughter.
Jackson and Melanie broke out laughing.
“I was not.” He examined Melanie more closely. “Was I?” He winked and slammed the passenger door shut. Once Rebecca was out of the truck with Sam in her arms, they headed off to Melanie’s favorite spot by the river.
“Rebecca, why don’t you put Sam on the leash? It might do him good to get some exercise.”
“Okay, but can Miss Melanie come with us to the apple festival?”
“Well, that’s up to Miss Melanie.”
Rebecca jumped up and down. Sam’s head bobbled. “Please, will you come with us?”
“Yes, please.” He plucked a brilliant red wildflower and handed it to Melanie.
She brought it to her nose. “Ah...it smells so good. Thank you.” Melanie glanced at Rebecca. “I’d love to go with you.”
With Sam on the leash, Rebecca skipped down the dirt path. She could hardly keep up with the dog. “Stay close, Rebecca,” Jackson called out while he watched her arm being nearly pulled from its socket.
“There’s nothing cuter than a child and a puppy together.” Melanie smelled the flower again as she gazed at Rebecca and Sam.
Jackson took a deep breath. “I think there’s nothing more beautiful than you holding that wildflower.”
He saw the color bloom on her cheeks.
He cleared his throat. “Listen, about today at The Bean. I hope you didn’t think I was eavesdropping on you and Rebecca.” He hesitated and watched for her reaction, but there wasn’t one. “I had some paperwork to do, and it was the only empty table.”
Up ahead, Rebecca stopped in the clearing while Sam investigated a scent behind an oak tree.
Melanie stopped and turned to Jackson. She reached for his hand. “I’m glad you overheard us talking. I should have shared my past with you. I’m sorry for not trusting you sooner.”
He knew all about trust issues, so he understood. But that was no longer the case with Melanie. She was getting into his heart. With the sun reflecting off her chestnut hair, he couldn’t take his eyes off of her. After all she’d been through, she was apologizing to him. Jackson couldn’t resist the urge any longer. He opened his arms and pulled her close to him, never wanting to let go. “You don’t have to apologize for anything, Mel.”
Chapter Twelve
Melanie let Jackson take the lead. He headed toward the river and spread out the blanket. So much had changed since she and Jackson had sat at this very spot. A tremendous weight was gone now that he knew she wasn’t moving Aunt Phoebe, but more important, there were no more secrets about her past.
With Rebecca and Sam occupied, now was as good a time as any to field questions from Jackson. Melanie took a seat next to him, their elbows touching. “Jackson, I want you to know everything that happened last year.” She took a deep breath and released it. “I’ll answer any questions you have. I’m sure, with all the noise in The Bean, you probably heard only bits and pieces.”
He reached over and held her hand. “Why don’t you tell me in your own way? But first, I want you to know how sorry I am for your loss.”
Melanie turned at the sound of a whip-poor-will bird from a nearby gum tree. “The past year has been a blur. Some days it feels like it just happened, and other days, it’s like an eternity ago.” She paused to wipe a tear she could no longer hold back. “It was my fault, Jackson.”
“What are you talking about? It was an accident.” With his index finger, he rubbed her hand in a circular motion.
She pulled it out of his grasp and ran her fingers through her hair. “I should have been with my family. If I had, I would have been the one driving, not Jeff. He was a doctor and had just come off a twenty-four-hour shift.” The ground beneath her started to spin. She gripped the blanket in preparation for another panic attack.
Jackson’s eyes widened. “Mel, are you okay?”
She took in short consecutive breaths until the spinning stopped. “Sorry... I have these spells sometimes.”
“Panic attacks?” He tilted his head.
She nodded and hoped Jackson didn’t notice the heat that filled her face. “That’s what the doctors say.” It was difficult to admit this weakness. She’d always thought people who experienced them were unable to cope. Now she was one of those people.
“Don’t be ashamed, Mel. It’s very common in cases like yours. Please don’t feel embarrassed.”
Melanie pushed her hair away from her face. “I’m getting better at keeping the attacks under control.” She smiled. “You would have liked him, Jackson...my husband. He was a lot like you.”
Jackson smiled. “How so?”
She turned to answer. “He was a wonderful father. The twins were crazy about him. Unlike me, he didn’t put work first.” Her hand gripped her pant leg. “Family was the most important thing to him.”
Jackson gave her hand
a squeeze. “Listen, I think you’re being too hard on yourself. The accident wasn’t your fault. It’s obvious from the way you talk about your family that you loved them more than anything. You have a demanding job. It sometimes must take priority.”
Melanie spotted Rebecca pick up Sam and head toward the blanket. It was time to end this conversation and rein in her emotions. “Work should never be a priority over family. I know now. I only wish I’d realized then.”
Rebecca jumped in the middle of the blanket and put the dog next to Jackson. “Daddy, we’re hungry.”
Melanie pulled Rebecca into her arms. Everything was right in the world when she was around. “You know, Rebecca, I didn’t get to thank you for listening to me talk about my girls this morning.”
Rebecca scrunched her forehead. “You don’t have to thank me, Miss Melanie. I’m glad you were a mommy, even if it wasn’t for a long time.” She tapped her tennis shoes against the blanket.
She kissed Rebecca on the cheek. “How would you like a big piece of fried chicken?” Melanie gave her button nose a quick tap.
A half hour passed as they ate their picnic and enjoyed the view. “That was nearly as good as Phoebe’s chicken.” Jackson rested his hand across his stomach. “I’m so stuffed, I couldn’t eat another bite.”
“So, I guess I can have your brownie, then?” Melanie snatched the dessert and brought it to her lips, pretending to take a bite.
He grabbed it from her hand and placed it back inside the basket. “Not on your life.”
Rebecca giggled.
When Jackson’s cell phone chirped, he frowned. He answered and quickly hung up. “That’s enough.” He tossed the phone to the side.
“Was it another hang-up?” Melanie’s eyebrows drew together. “I thought when I adjusted your settings it would take care of the problem with unknown calls. Do you want me to take another look?”
Second Chance Romance Page 13
