As soon as she stepped onto the roof, the view stopped her breath. They rose above the treetops, earning them a clear view all around. From this vantage point, the town of Granite Pointe gleamed like a ghost in the waning light of the setting sun. She turned to her left and glimpsed the majestic steel-gray ocean. In the distance, a freighter slid silently through the water.
Jack drew her over to the chest-high wrought iron railing encircling the walkway, the only barrier to stepping over the edge. He rested his forearms on the top of the rail and trained his gaze to the distance.
“This is ideal.” Jem took a place at his side, her fingers curled around the slender iron balusters. Perfect for the view and a flawless setting to share her news with the glorious man who’d become more than her entire life. She sighed out a breath, basking in the scene around her. Gripping the rods harder, she shook, feeling a minuscule amount of give. “Is it safe?”
“I was up here when we replaced the roof and noticed some rust at the base of the rails. We had an ironworker come in and reinforce it. It’s tough enough to stand in the strongest hurricane winds. So, yeah, we’re safe. I’d never let anything happen to you, sugar. Especially not something that would cause any pain.”
“About that, Jack.” She faced him, resting her hip between the slats of iron. She tipped her head and bit her lip to hold back the smile aching to get out. She forced her tone to be serious. “Some pain you can’t take away.”
“If it were in my power, you know I would.”
“I know.” She sucked in a deep breath and continued. “But some pain is a woman’s to bear alone.”
Jack tilted his head, brows furrowed as he rotated his body toward her. He drew his fingers along her cheek, his thumb under her chin, and lifted her face to his. “You’re being a little cryptic here, Jem. Is this about Mary’s diary?’
At the mention of her distant relative, a breeze kicked up, a curious mixture of cool and warm. Jem took it as a sign that Mary’s spirit was near. Happiness fizzed in her heart at the idea of sharing her news with Jack and Mary. But as a spirit, Mary might already know. Which could explain the sense of welcome Jem had felt when she’d walked through the front door.
She couldn’t contain the smile any longer. She pressed a kiss on his lips, the electric pulse of his touch crackling through her. She answered his question with one of her own. “What would you say if you learned I’d be in great pain, but ultimately, it would be worth it?”
“You in pain would crush me. It would never be worth it.”
“Not even, say, the pain of childbirth?”
Jack’s fingers tightened on her chin, eyes widening. He bent at the knees and peered into her eyes. “Are you... You’re—”
Tears crowded the corners of her eyes as she nodded her head. “We’re going to be parents, Jack.”
The joyous whoop he emitted bounced off the steel roof. He wrapped his arms around her waist and spun her in a dizzy circle, raining kisses on her face. Locking her arms around his neck, she held on, laughing like a giddy schoolgirl. When he set her on her feet once again, he grasped her face between his palms and sealed his mouth to hers. The kiss held shared joy and reverence, promise and love.
Jack prolonged the kiss, telling her with his lips of his happiness. When he finally pulled away, his breath rushed hard. Pressing his hand over her flat belly, he bent his head and examined her body. His heart thudded under her palm. “You’re pregnant. We’re pregnant. Oh, my God! We’re having a baby.”
“Sometime in May.”
The month Mary had borne Olivia. Coincidence or divine fate? Jem had despaired of getting pregnant before Jack had begun the restoration project on the Sea View. So much had come to light since she’d first stood outside the house at Jack’s side. The whimsical side in Jem longed to believe the spirit she’d felt whenever she was in the house had some small role in their conception. The part of her that believed she’d seen Mary, been touched by her whenever Jem was in the home built in love.
“Jack, I like the idea of moving here once you complete the renovations. I want...no, I believe Mary wants to have us and our children here.”
Concern and hope colored his eyes a shade of cobalt. “What about the café? Right now, your commute at oh-dark thirty in the morning is only ten minutes. Moving this far out will add at least fifteen minutes.” He continued to stroke his thumb over her abdomen.
It had been a brief concern. But she’d set on the answer months ago when the prospect of opening a catering operation out of the Sea View had first arisen. “I’ve been thinking about letting Avery take the lead in the early morning shift. He’s ready, and with a baby coming, well, let’s just say getting up before the sun loses its appeal. He’s ready, and I’ll be tied up here more.”
“I love your plan, and I predict Avery will even more.”
“Jack,” her voice was soft. “Would you mind if I offered him a partnership? A share in the profits? He’s been with me from the beginning. I’d have been lost without him.”
“Sugar, it’s your business. You should do what you want. But honestly, although Avery is just nineteen, I think he’ll make a solid business partner. But enough about him. I want to talk about our baby. About our future. Jem, I love you so much right now, my heart is near bursting.”
“I love you too, Jack.” She pressed her hand over his where their child grew safely, further anchoring their lives together. “I love you, too.”
Chapter 11
Jem stood by the staircase greeting their costumed guests with Mal on one side in a cute flapper outfit. Avery stood at her right, his face still flushed red over the ribbing he’d taken when Jem and Mal had teased him about his disguise as Sam the butcher from The Brady Bunch. But since Marissa had dressed as Alice, right down to the tea towel tucked into her apron, it made sense.
Jem had followed through on her intent to come as Mary Baron. Hair rolled into a bun in a style befitting the era, she’d draped Mary’s locket around her neck with pride. On the bodice of her rented navy blue dress, she’d pinned a lace hankie, similar to one she’d seen in the book Amy had given her. Jack had played along and dressed as Edward, complete with the double-breasted coat with shiny brass buttons. The tapered fit accented his broad shoulders to perfection. He’d even managed to dig up an old commodore’s hat with gold braided accents. All he needed to complete the picture were mutton-chop sideburns, but he’d drawn the line there.
Laughter and conversation filled the air around her. Wooden paneling in the parlor gleamed in the light of the antique chandeliers. The entwined hearts carved over the fireplace stood highlighted under a strategically placed spotlight.
All her guests had embraced the Halloween costume theme. And everyone appeared to be having a wonderful time. The wait staff Jem had hired remained in place behind the scary monster themed banquet tables. Each station featured a different monster. The only one Jem hadn’t been sure about was the zombie table. The serving dishes looked gross nestled in the ripped and torn clothing. But judging by the crowd around it, it was a hit.
From her position by the ornately carved and painstakingly restored balustrade, Jem observed Jack laughing with Sam, their dad, Bruce, and Silas, Sam’s grandfather-in-law. Silas had moved to the cottage at the rear of the property shortly after they finished restoring the building.
Near the conservatory doors, Eileen, Jem’s mother-in-law, chatted with Elizabeth and Walt Childers, Avery’s parents. Calm claimed a spot in Jem’s chest as she greeted another guest. She relaxed, undaunted at the thought that all these people were here to help them celebrate the launch of this new enterprise.
The new logo Chloe had designed for them prominently featured entwined hearts nestled over a pen and ink sketch of sea lavender. Their first event with a paying customer was in three short weeks, an early holiday party for a law office from Boston. Malin had worked with the attorney when she and Gunnar had been fighting for custody of Gaby.
Mal seized Jem’s hand and sq
ueezed. “Oh, my God. Suddenly this all became very real to me. Jem, we’re running a bona fide event space.”
Jem’s chuckle was low and light. “It only just now got real? Not when we started writing checks for equipment and supplies?”
“You did all of that. I was busy dealing with customers.” Mal had booked ten events over the next two months. And she was pursuing another five for day-long conferences. They’d be busy.
“And you did great. When I checked the post office box there were three more signed contracts. One for January and two for February. We’ll stay plenty busy.”
“Decorating for Christmas will begin in earnest right after the Seibok wedding the first week of November,” Mal reported. She turned to greet a friend from their darts team.
When the woman moved on to the bar set up in the corner, her husband in tow, Jem continued their conversation. “I’ve already enlisted the Kerrigan women to help. But with Christmas decoration up, no one wanted to have Thanksgiving here. So Jack and I are hosting it in the café. You, Gunnar, and Gaby are invited. Plus Ben.” Jem had a soft spot for Mal’s dad. He was a warm, funny man who’d conquered alcoholism. At least for now. She knew Mal remained on constant alert for signs he’d dived into the bottle again. “It will be crowded this year. Jack wants to invite his entire crew. Plus, of course, all their families and the entire Kerrigan clan.”
“Tell you what, I’ll supply the flowers. I’ve been working on a cornucopia design.”
Avery slumped against the balustrade. “Are we about done here? My face hurts from smiling so much.”
Jem scanned the entry hall. Most of the guests had moved from there into the parlor and conservatory. She turned a grin on her new café manager. “Yes, sir. You did great tonight, Avery. I’m going to check on the kitchen. You go play.” His relieved sigh was audible as she waved him toward the mingling guests. But he spared her once last smile as he left. She adored his sunny demeanor when he unleashed his happy side.
“Me, too?” Mal asked as the door opened again and Gunnar entered. His colorful pirate costume was a perfect imitation of Johnny Depp as Jack Sparrow, right down to the guy-liner. The black kohl around his eyes turned them icy blue. It was the perfect complement to Mal’s saucy wench costume.
Gunnar greeted Mal with a kiss before enveloping Jem in a bear hug.
Jem patted her hair, tucking in a few strands that had escaped. “Sure, sure. You are officially off-duty now.”
Jem’s gaze followed their progress as the couple left holding hands. They stopped to talk to Silas. Gunnar wrapped his grandfather in another hug. Affection abounded everywhere in the house. It was a home built from love, restored in the same manner, and Jem was pleased to fill the space with friends, family, and other people who would embrace the living emotion in the building.
She pressed a hand against her tummy and caught Jack’s gaze across the room. His sexy smile swept straight into her heart, warming her all over. They’d decided to hold off sharing the news of Jem’s pregnancy until they were through the first trimester, which would coincide with Thanksgiving. But Jem and Jack both cried tears of joy when her doctor had confirmed the existence of the tiny life they’d made. Now, he made his way toward her.
Amy Mastin approached her before Jack joined her by the stairs. “I can’t get over what a great job Jack did.” She’d chosen a librarian costume with an extremely short skirt and fishnet stockings. Old-school card catalog slips stuck out of every pocket.
“He did work some magic.” She smiled as Jack joined them. He laced his fingers with hers and tugged her close.
“That’s me. I’m magic.” Jack laughed as he extended his hand toward Amy. He managed to hold back a wince when Amy grasped his hand in return.
Amy pulled one of a folded piece of paper from her pocket and twirled it around in her fingers. “I’ve had a chance to research Captain Baron. I think you’ll find this interesting, Jack.” She handed the sheet to him.
As he studied the writing, he drew his brow together, the skin on his forehead pinched tight. “Really?” he asked.
“Really.” Amy’s eyes illuminated with the force of her smile.
Jem craned her neck, trying to get a glimpse. Was that, like, a genealogy chart? “What? What does it say, Jack?”
“Edward Baron’s mother was Matilda Demarais.”
“Why is that name so familiar?” She’d heard it before, but at the moment, confusion reigned, and she couldn’t put her finger on it.
“My mom’s maiden name is Demarais.” Jack’s voice filled with wonder. He shook his head, then shot a glance toward where his mom stood with a cluster of people. “Holy shit. I’m related to Edward. That explains so much.”
Jem tipped her head to the side. “Like what?”
“You know how you’ve been having dreams about Mary? Well, Edward’s been in mine.” Dull red swept up Jack’s cheeks, and he twisted his lips into a sheepish smile.
Jem tapped his bicep with a closed fist. “You never told me.”
“I kind of didn’t believe it myself. I couldn’t figure out why I’d conjure him into my dreams when I didn’t know anything about him. When you told me how he’d really died, I didn’t want to cause you more anxiety. You were so upset.”
She had to give him points for wanting to spare her. She had taken Edward’s death very hard, even though it had happened nearly one hundred years ago.
Amy cleared her throat. “I checked the line as far forward as this generation. Your mom is Matilda’s great, great, great niece if my figuring is right. Seems like you two were fated to be together and in this house.” Amy tucked a wisp of blond hair behind her ear, setting into motion her dangling earring.
Jem plucked the paper from Jack’s fingers and studied it. Amy had drawn an elaborate family tree showing each branch of Mary and Edward’s families, until they met in the middle with her and Jack’s names filled in. An enchanting and spooky feeling unfurled in Jem’s chest. This relationship explained the close connection Jem had felt to the house and its previous owners since the first time she’d walked through the front door.
Squeezing Jack’s hand, she excused herself to go to the kitchen, leaving him in deep discussion with Amy about his heritage.
Jem pushed through the swinging door into the kitchen, bemused by the turn of events. She put it aside in favor of checking on the catering crew. After a quick inspection of the banquet carts to ensure they had back-up appetizers for their guests, she dusted her hands over the smooth merino wool of her dress. The sensible Oxford shoes on her feet pinched her heels a bit, and the heavy cotton stockings that completed her costume itched the back of her knees. But her outfit wouldn’t be complete without them. Assured that everything was under control, she turned to make her way back to her guests.
Leaning against the wall, Jack waited in the marble-floored hall for her. Holding his captain’s hat in one hand, he handed her a glass of lemonade. “Thought you could use a drink.”
“I could use a beer. You don’t think anyone will question why I’m not drinking, do you?”
His grin was lightning fast, drawing her heart toward his. “You can just tell them you’re on the job. Everyone knows you’d never drink while you’re working.”
“Good point.” Jem took a sip of the tart beverage. Lemon juice and sugar danced on her tongue. “I think we should tell your mom and dad before Thanksgiving. They’ll keep the secret. You know how eager your mom is for more grandbabies. I don’t want them upset that we didn’t share with them first.”
“Whatever you want, sugar. That’s what I want.”
“Hmmm, is this where I wish for world peace or a couple of million dollars?” Jem laughed, stretched up on her toes, and pressed her mouth to his. When she pulled back, he licked his lips, as if enjoying the taste of her and the lemonade.
He tightened his arms around her shoulders. “Anything for the mother of my child, ”he murmured against her temple. He corrected, “Children. I think three or f
our.”
The entry door eased open, and a lemon-scented breeze brushed across Jem’s face. She turned in Jack’s arms to face the front of the house as new guests walked in. When she caught sight of the pair standing in the center of the elaborate entry hall, vertigo washed over her, but she smiled nonetheless. Jack flexed his muscles and snugged her closer to his chest.
“Jack, do you see them?” she whispered. “Please tell me I’m not imagining this.
“Yeah, sugar. I do see them.”
Party activity continued around them, but the noise was sucked away, as if they were in a vacuum. Apparitions, or the spirits of Mary and Edward Baron, shimmered in the glow from the ornate chandelier in the center of the entry. Edward towered behind Mary, his arms wrapped protectively around her. The smile on his face was a perfect imitation of Jack’s, right down to the curve and depth of the dimples gracing his stubbly cheeks. His hair and sideburns were longer, and his eyes were brown, but otherwise he could be Jack’s twin. The ghostly pair were clothed in a mirror image of Jack and Jem’s costumes.
Confusion needled Jem’s consciousness. “I’ve never seen Edward before.”
Jack’s chest brushed Jem’s shoulders when he moved his arms around her waist, mimicking Edward’s position behind Mary. His breath tickled when he whispered in Jem’s ear. “We never knew I was related to him. Maybe now that we know, he’s comfortable appearing. Or maybe he’s just returned from a long otherworldly sea voyage.”
Mary’s hands rested on Edward’s arms. For the first time since she’d begun appearing to Jem, the smile on her face wasn’t sad. Both spirits wore a look Jem recognized, a look of love for each other. That look alone was enough to convince Jem these spirits would never do harm.
“Jack, other people will think we are crazy.”
“Except for Amy. She’s seen Mary as well.”
Jem swept her hand over her belly, hoping to send to Mary a message that their lines would carry on in this house their love had built. Mary’s smile broadened, and she cast a glance over her shoulder at her husband. He gave a slight nod, then lifted one hand to his brow and sent a salute across the space to where Jem stood with Jack. As he lowered his hand, their images faded away until nothing remained of them. The noise level of the party returned to normal and life around them resumed.
A Spirited Love (A Five Senses Short Book 2) Page 10
