by Moody, Diane
“So where’s Jason and Sergio?” he asked. Gevin, Marissa, JT, and Tracey had stopped by earlier to visit before they left the hospital.
“Laura said Sergio flew down to Orlando on business,” his mother answered. “She said he’d be back in a day or so to see you.”
“I’m sure Jason will be at the house,” Alli added.
Jackson leaned over to whisper in her ear. “What’s going on with him and Jennifer?”
Alli shrugged and looked out the window. “I don’t know. He’s been really quiet the last couple of times I’ve talked to him. Very evasive, y’know?”
“He ever mention Hannah?”
“No. Not a word.” Even the sound of Hannah’s name tugged at her heart. She and Hannah had become good friends in the brief time they’d known each other. Alli missed her. “No one’s heard from her either. I can’t imagine what she’s feeling right now. But then, I have to admit it’s been great seeing Jennifer again. I’ve always liked her. I don’t know, Jackson. I have such mixed feelings about everything.”
He leaned his head on her shoulder. The conversation died as they drove through the streets of Chapel Hill. Soon, his steady breathing told her he’d fallen asleep.
Ten minutes later, Bob woke him. “Jackson, wake up. Take a look at this.”
“What’s going on?” he asked sleepily.
They had just turned the corner onto the McKenzie’s street. For as far as they could see, the street was lined with people. Kids, teenagers, adults—all assembled to greet him.
“Unbelievable,” he whispered.
“Jackson—look,” Alli pointed to a banner held high above the heads of the crowd.
“WE LOVE YOU, JACKSON!
WELCOME HOME!”
Colorful balloons danced above the heads of the crowd as they waved and screamed and cheered the passing vehicle. A handful of policemen were on hand to maintain control, but these people were not here to cause trouble. They were here out of love.
After the emotional press conference, Alli thought Jackson had surely cried the last of his tears, but she was wrong. As a single tear trickled down his face, he smiled at the scene surrounding them. Alli laughed through her own tears, hugging him.
Bob handed his wife a handkerchief as she wept openly. “Reminds me of that unforgettable sea of well-wishers that night outside the hospital,” he remembered, his voice husky.
But Jackson had missed all that. And while they had described the scene to him over and over, in precise detail, Alli knew it could never have prepared him for seeing this with his own eyes.
Finally, as they neared the gated entrance to the McKenzie’s, Jackson regained his voice. Well, almost. “I can’t believe it. I had no idea . . .”
Bob Greer smiled. “Well, son, now you do.”
“Are you gonna eat that?” Sergio stabbed a fork into Hannah’s pie. She’d been toying with it, but hadn’t taken a single bite. He sliced a healthy portion and consumed it. “Mmm, this is delicious.”
She nodded, amused by his antics. In the past few days she had grown accustomed to Sergio Cruz’s unpretentious ways. She wasn’t the slightest surprised by anything he did. She smiled, sliding the dish across the table to him. “I’m not really hungry, I guess,” she teased. “Go ahead, hot shot. Help yourself.”
“Really? If you’re sure,” he asked, already devouring most of the hot pastry. “Thanks, Hannah. But you didn’t answer my question.”
“What question?”
“About going back with me.” He took a sip of coffee between bites, then wiped his mouth with the cloth napkin. Their waiter stopped by, refilling their cups.
“If we keep drinking this coffee, we won’t need a plane. We can just walk back and probably make it there in a couple hours.” She laughed quietly.
“Like I need something else to get me wired,” he added, finishing the pie with a flourish. “But we won’t have to walk. I told you—I’m flying back in the private jet. I want you to come with me. You’ll love it. All the comforts of first class and none of the hassles of flying commercial. Basically, anytime we need to get somewhere, the record company makes it available to us. It’s perfect for quick trips like this.”
“I don’t know, Sergio. I’m not sure I’m ready to go back.”
“Look, Hannah—your classes start Monday. You told me yesterday you didn’t want to miss any classes. Sounds to me like the perfect excuse to get your life back on track.”
She cradled the warm cup in her hands. “You make it sound so easy.”
“It’s gonna be rough. There’s no way around it. But you can handle it. We’ve had plenty of time to talk through it . . . you’ve had a chance to relax and bolster your courage a little. It won’t be easy, but I know you can do it.” His grin was crooked as he smiled across the table at her. “I’ve seen some pretty serious backbone surfacing the last couple of days. I think you are ready.”
“Sergio, how can I ever thank you for this?”
“For what? Dinner? No sweat. Besides, I ate your pie.”
“You know that’s not what I meant. I’m talking about you coming down here like this.”
“I told you—I was in the neighborhood.”
“Stop it!” She laughed. “I’m trying to be serious here, okay?”
“Okay, okay—I’m sorry. But it wasn’t like some major strain to spend time with you, Hannah. I’ve enjoyed it. I mean that. And besides, I think it’s been rather therapeutic.”
“How so?”
“Nothing gets you out of yourself like helping someone else with their problems.” He shook his head, his dark eyes dancing. “Laura is so devious. She practically roped me into this whole thing—first with Kylie, then with you—but all along I think she knew that I needed the help almost as much as you did.
“Think about it. She had to know if I was helping you through all this, I’d be distancing myself from my own pain. And she was absolutely right. Somehow, I think we both learned a lot from each other the last couple of days.”
He reached across the table, extending his hand toward her. Hannah returned his warm smile, allowing him to take hold of her hand. The gesture seemed to seal the friendship they’d found together.
“So it’s settled,” Sergio announced, standing to leave. “We’ll stop back by the motel and get your things, then we’ll fly back to Chapel Hill.”
A shiver trickled down Hannah’s back as she stood up, taking his hand again. “If you say so. I can’t say I’m ready to go home, but I know you’re probably right.” He led her through the restaurant, threading their way through the tables toward the entrance and carefully avoiding any eye contact on the way out.
Alli smiled at those around her. There was no place she’d rather be at this moment in time.
The McKenzie dining room was expansive but charming. An enormous chandelier with lights turned low reigned over the long linen-covered table, adorned with fine china and elegant crystal. Candles glowed, gently casting a sense of warmth among the guests. Fresh flowers cascaded along the center of the table. Those that lined the table were visibly happy this night as they celebrated Jackson’s recovery.
“Laura, you did it again.” Jackson patted his stomach. “I’m stuffed and every bite was delicious. It’s a good thing we’re leaving tomorrow or they’d have to cart me out of here like they did the last time. On a stretcher.”
Alli popped him on his arm with her cloth napkin. “Jackson! I can’t believe you said that!”
The laughter erupted in agreement. “Keep it up, Jax, and it won’t be the food that’ll getcha—it’ll be Alli,” JT teased. “That was a righteous snap, woman!”
Jackson feigned injury to his arm. “Got that right, JT. Do you see how mean she is to me? Hey, Laura, could you use some domestic help? I’ll leave her here on maid duty if she doesn’t cut me some slack.”
Jackson’s parents enjoyed the exchange, pleased to see their son’s sense of humor back in full gear. “Sorry, Jackson,” Bob said, “
but Alli’s the best thing that ever happened to you. Besides, she keeps you out of our hair.”
“What hair?” Jackson shot back.
Bob raised his hands in defense then ran a hand over his thinning head of hair. “This hair, thank you very much.”
Gevin nodded toward Jackson. “I think he’s back to his old obnoxious self, don’t you, Jason?”
Jason swallowed a bite of his dinner. “I think I liked him better when he was in the coma. Nice and quiet.”
“You guys are merciless,” Tracey yelled. “Rissa, are you sure you want to marry into this—”
“Oh, she’s sure all right,” Gevin interrupted before Marissa could open her mouth. “In fact, she is so sure—” he paused, grinning from ear to ear as he put his arm over her shoulder, “that she helped me set a date for the wedding.”
Congratulations rounded the table as everyone shared in the moment.
“And check this out.” Gevin lifted her hand to show the striking diamond marquis solitaire on her left hand.
“Oh Marissa, it’s breathtaking!” Laura said, taking a closer look.
Alli jumped up to give her a hug. “Rissa! It’s GORGEOUS! I’m so happy for you!” She looked over at Jackson, warmed by the understanding smile on his face. Their day would come. Things had changed. Maybe she’d have a ring on her finger before long . . .
“Nice rock, Gevin,” Jason said. “So when’s the big day?”
“Ah, ah, ah,” Marissa injected. “Nobody’s gonna know but Gevin and me. We’re on a ‘need-to-know’ basis on this thing. It’s going to be very small, very private, and very secretive. We’re not gonna let this wedding turn into another Blue spectacle. Until you need to know any more details, that’s all you’re going to hear from us now. Got it, guys?”
“What?” JT barked. “Well, if that’s how you’re gonna be, you can forget about asking me to sing at your wedding.” He threw his napkin down feigning a fake insult.
“Well, uh, JT, that’s not exactly a problem. Stevie Wonder’s already agreed to sing at our wedding.” Gevin maintained a straight face.
“You asked Stevie Wonder to sing at your wedding?” Tracey squealed.
“Tracey?” Jason whispered. “He’s kidding.”
“Oh. Sure. I knew that,” she quipped as her face reddened.
“But why won’t you tell us when the wedding is?” JT argued. “You don’t think you can trust us? Is that it?”
“AS IF you guys don’t leak like a sieve?” Alli laughed, taking her seat again. “Good grief, JT. Give me a break. Just whisper the date to Jackson here and we’d hear it on CNN in half an hour.”
Jackson acted shocked. “And just what is that supposed to mean?” He looked at his parents. “You see how mean she is to me? You see what I have to put up with? Laura, she’s yours. Make her the upstairs maid. Groundskeeper. Whatever. Just take her off my hands.”
This time he was prepared when Alli whipped her napkin at him. He grabbed it and wrapped it around her mouth like a gag. “There. Perfect.”
Jason leaned back in his chair, his laughter ringing through the room with everyone else’s. “Oh, Alli, Alli, what are we gonna do with him?”
“Mmggumm,” she mumbled, rolling her eyes then narrowing them on Jackson.
He let the napkin go and kissed her cheek. “Always and forever?”
“Not in this lifetime, bucko.”
“Okay, okay, enough,” Laura scolded her sons. “This is supposed to be a celebration, not a roast.”
The chatter slowed as they settled back for coffee and dessert. Finally, setting her cup back down on its saucer, Jane Greer looked at Jason. “Tell me what happened with that ridiculous reporter, Jason. How did you convince him to drop the charges?”
“I wasn’t the one who convinced him. Turns out he has a thirteen-year-old daughter who happens to be Blue fanatic. Apparently she hammered him when he got home. From what I heard, she threatened to run away from home if he didn’t apologize to me and drop the charges.”
“That is hilarious!” Jane laughed. “Laura, you must have been so relieved.”
Laura poured more coffee for her guests before sitting down again. “That’s an understatement. Sweet justice, isn’t it? I wish I could hug that little girl’s neck.”
“Oh, no need for that, Mama Mac,” JT added. “Your son personally stopped by her house and delivered her a huge bouquet of red roses along with tons of our merchandise to her—while her dad was at work, I might add. I’d say the case is closed, wouldn’t you?”
Jason grinned wide, his eyebrows dancing in mischief. “Hey, we take care of our own. What can I say?”
“So whatever happened to Hannah?” Bob asked. “Wasn’t that her name? The one we met at the hospital whose picture got plastered all over the news? Where’s she—”
“Dad,” Jackson groaned under his breath. When his father looked his way, he shook his head, entreating him to drop the subject.
“I’m sorry, did I—”
“It’s okay, Bob,” Jason said quietly.
A miserable silence fell over the room. Alli avoided looking at Jason, fixing her eyes on Jackson’s dad instead. When he looked her way, she shook her head, willing him to drop the subject. Gevin cleared his voice. Marissa, Tracey, and Alli exchanged nervous looks.
“Oh, Jason,” Bob said. “I’m so sorry. I apologize.”
Jason held up his hand as he finished taking a drink. “It’s okay. Let it go.”
Laura took the cue. “Would anyone like more dessert?”
“So . . . when is Sergio due back?” Alli asked, hoping to ease the tension.
“Aunt Laura, didn’t you say he was coming back tonight sometime?” Gevin asked.
Jason’s mother busied herself attending to her guests. “Did I? I mean, yes. I think so. Yes, tonight.” Everyone turned to look at her. She gathered empty plates then stopped, aware of everyone’s attention. “I said yes, he should be home tonight.” And with that, she popped into the kitchen.
“What was that all about?” Tracey asked.
Frank picked up the ball. “Oh, she’s just uneasy. What with Jackson leaving and all. She’s loved having you all here. Typical mother hen, you know. She likes having all her baby chicks in the house together.”
“Don’t you be callin’ me a ‘chick’ now, Frank,” Jackson teased.
“I don’t know, Jackson,” JT interrupted. “I love it here. Mama Mac always makes this place feel like our home away from home. Know what I mean? But Tracey and I are heading out tomorrow too, so that’s two more little chickies flying the coop.”
“Yeah, Rissa and I are going up to New York to tell her family about our engagement,” Gevin said. “Then we’ll head out to LA and meet up with you all later.”
“Well, I propose a toast,” Frank announced as he stood up, his glass raised. Everyone followed his lead, raising their glasses.
Laura returned from the kitchen. “What are we toasting, dear?”
“Three things. First, a toast for our guest of honor. Jackson, it’s good to have you back, son. We wish you a complete and speedy recovery, and we thank almighty God for sparing your life. To Jackson,” he said, raising his glass toward Jackson. Jackson smiled, his eyes glistening as he took a sip.
“Second, we’re toasting Gevin and Marissa on their upcoming marriage. May God bless you both as you join your lives together. May He bless you with a strong relationship that sees you through the good times and the tough times, and allows you to grow old together.”
“Here, here,” they all commended, clinking their glasses together and taking another sip. Gevin leaned over to kiss his beaming fiancée.
“And finally, I want to give a toast to the good Lord for seeing us through a difficult chapter in our lives over these past weeks. I wish Sergio was here with us, but I thank God for helping us stick together through it all. Through the tragedy surrounding Jackson’s shooting, to the initial rift at the news of this upcoming marriage, and to all the o
ther heartaches that have been hovering around us.”
Alli watched Jason who lowered his gaze. Frank cleared his throat and continued. “It isn’t mere chance or luck that has seen us through all this. I think you all know it’s much more than that. God has been very gracious to us. His protection has been the only thing that’s pulled us through. So I want to offer this toast to Him and to thank Him—for saving Jackson, for uniting Gevin and Marissa, and for keeping our boys together.”
“Here, here!”
Chapter 26
“So what do you think?” Sergio asked, buckling his seat belt.
Hannah felt like a princess in the middle of a fairy tale. “It’s amazing, Sergio. I’ve never been in a private jet before.”
“Would you like something to drink?”
Hannah looked up, shocked to find a flight attendant on the small aircraft, though she was dressed more casually, wearing a pair of tan khaki slacks and a starched white blouse.
Sergio made the introductions. “Hannah, this is Shelby. Shelby, Hannah Brooks.”
“Nice to meet you,” Shelby said with a genuine smile. “May I bring you a beverage before we take off?”
“Sure. A Pellegrino would be nice if you have it?”
“No problem. Sergio?”
“I’ll have the same. Any idea when we’re wheels up, Shelby?”
The tall, attractive brunette looked at her watch. “Brad will be right back. We should be in the air in about fifteen minutes. Is that all right?”
“Perfect. I need to make a call before we leave.” He pulled out his cell phone.
“Sergio, tell me the truth. Do you ever get used to this lifestyle? Is it second-nature to you now?”
He blew out a raspberry, as if astonished she’d think such a thing. “No way,” he answered, holding the tiny phone against his ear. “Still gives me goose bumps. See?” He held his arm out to her, laughing. “Laura! It’s Sergio,” he said, speaking into the phone. “You called?”
