Not for Sale

by Iona Morrison

  “Pastor Kevin is willing to organize classes for the community if we bring in the instructor. I thought I should mention it so you can talk to Tom about it.” She walked into the kitchen to watch him as he filled the glasses with ice.

  “That sounds good. Maybe we can prevent it from happening again. The community can often be our best witnesses once they know what to look for.” He filled the two glasses with iced tea and went to answer the knock at the door. “Pizza is here.”

  “You do know a girl could get used to a man bringing dinner.”

  “I sincerely hope so.” He gave her one of his lopsided grins.

  The rest of the evening was quiet. Every time her eyes strayed from the computer screen, Matt was working on his files. She talked to Jeremy a few times. She chased a few leads when she finally stumbled on one.

  “Bingo, I think I found something.” She tapped her screen lightly. “The store is a partnership. The owners went to high school together. I bet you can’t guess where.”

  “Rocky Pointe?” He walked over to stand beside her.

  “Yes.” She nodded. “It doesn’t mention the owners’ names, but the managing CEO is Steve Murphy.” She scowled. “At least now I know why he looked so angry the other day. I was messing with his operations.” She grinned up at him. “Maybe I should go on that date with him on Friday and use my womanly wiles to get him to talk.” She bit her lip.

  “Like I would ever let that happen. You’re going with me.” He frowned and she giggled. “Although, I might let you dance with him while I watch closely.” He smiled, one eyebrow raised. “Keep digging. We have to be able to tie all of them together. So far, all we have are a lot of loose ends.” He collected his files, placing his glasses in his shirt pocket.

  “I’ll stop by the hospital to meet Lindsey tomorrow.” She stood up, walking over to him.

  “I knew I could count on you. Take care.” She could tell he was preoccupied with other things. Feeling a little disappointed she closed the door behind him.

  She was in the kitchen loading the last dishes into the dishwasher when she heard a light tapping sound at the door. She opened it to find Matt standing there. “I can’t believe I forgot this.” He gave her a quick kiss and left her standing with her mouth open. “Jess, you make it so easy.”

  She heard him laugh on the way to his car. She stood at the closed door smiling until she heard his car pull away. Jessie closed up, turned off the lights, and headed for her bedroom. She snuggled into her bed, reaching up to shut off the light. What was that noise? Where was it coming from? She peered into the dark, straining to hear.

  ****

  She heard their voices before their faces came into view and paraded in front of her like a ghostly nightmare. Their ashen skin and corpselike desolate eyes made her wonder if she was seeing the living or the dead. One faded from view, soon replaced by another. Tall, small, and sizes in between, they drifted in one after another, calling her name and crying for help. She found herself reaching for one child only to see that face melt and another take its place.

  Her heart raced, she covered her face with the blanket, but they were still there. Tears ran down her cheeks as she fought a fear that gripped her so powerfully that she no longer knew what was real or if she was going mad. She was near the edge of a precipice that threatened to swallow her up. “I want to help you. All of you!” She heard her own voice calling out to them. Suddenly they were all looking at her, thousands of little faces, from different backgrounds, with a look of hope and wonder in their eyes.

  Jessie sat up in bed, turned on the light, and wiped the tears from her eyes. This had happened when she was awake again. Shaken, she drew a deep breath. At least she thought she was awake. She went to her computer and wrote another in the series of “Not for Sale.” The sadness of children’s faces came through in the words on the paper. We cannot buy and sell the next generation, she typed, for they are our future. The sun was a few hours from rising when she finally finished, setting the manuscript aside to be proofed. She stretched, turned off the light, and went to bed.

  Chapter 21

  Jessie’s phone and alarm went off at the same time. She rolled over, turned off the alarm, and fumbled with her phone on the nightstand.

  “Hello.” She winced, her voice sounded groggy.

  “Jessie, is that you? Are you awake yet, girl?”

  “Barely, Grams, I had a late night.” Jessie sat up, rubbing her eyes.

  “I gathered that from an email I received in the middle of the night. Of course, I didn’t see it until this morning. Your words touched me, honey. That was one enlightening article. It makes me want to do something to help those kids whatever nation they’re in.” She paused. “Are you still there? I know you’re there because I can hear you breathing. Jessie, you’re so like me in so many ways. How are you holding up?”

  “I’ll live, but I was a little scared last night.” Jessie took a deep breath. She could still see the faces in her mind. “The one hope I’ve had since I was little was to be like you. It makes me happy to hear you say that I am.” She smiled to herself.

  “You know, don’t you, or maybe I’ve never told you.” Her grandmother paused. “I might not have told you, because your dad might have gotten wind of it and had me committed. I had similar experiences. They happened when I was working on important projects over the years. I don’t know what you went through last night, but it must have been powerful because your article gripped me from the first word.” She cleared her throat. “So you see, you’re more like me than you’ll ever know. When I come at Thanksgiving, you and I are going to have an honest and upfront talk, just the two of us.”

  “Sounds good, I’d like that.” Jessie got out of bed.

  “I found a couple of corrections you need to make and sent it back to you. I’ll let you get ready for work. I wanted to let you know how proud I am of you.”

  “Thanks, Grams.” Jessie headed toward the shower. The warm water trickling down over her felt almost heavenly.

  ****

  Jessie stopped by Joe’s to get her morning coffee. She’d just made it to her car when her phone rang. “Hi, Jeremy, what’s up?” She took a sip of her coffee.

  “I’ve decided to come early. I’ll be there tonight if that works for you.”

  “Of course, you’re welcome anytime! I’ve got some research we can get started on.”

  “I was going to wait until Saturday, but I’m bored. I’m in need of a little motivation, and I figured you’re just what the doctor ordered.” She could hear the laughter in his voice.

  “It’s a little early for you to be up and about, isn’t it?” She put her coffee in the cup holder.

  “I know, but I’m excited to get going. See you in a few hours.”

  Jessie smiled. That was so unlike Jeremy. Not only was he not a morning person, he never got excited about much unless it had something to do with his work. She would have to invite Katie to stop by tonight. Maybe she should try her hand at a little matchmaking and let Katie see how it felt. She smirked. It would probably just go over Katie’s head! She’d get into the spirit of it and think of it as a great lark. Jessie giggled. Katie could make a party out of just about everything. She drove across the street, parking her car in the church lot. She went through the side door, walking down the hall toward the office.

  “Hey, Blondie…” Melinda waved at her. “I opened your office for Reba. She’s in there waiting for you.”

  Jessie stopped. “Did she happen to say what she wanted?”

  “No.” Melinda shook her head. “She just said she’d wait, when I told her you weren’t here yet.” Melinda’s riotous red curls bounced up and down with her head motion.

  “Thanks, Melinda. I’ll check it out.” Jessie headed down the hall, wondering what Reba wanted.

  “Good morning, Reba.” Jessie stepped into her office. Reba was sitting, with her ankles primly crossed, and her hair neatly coiffed. Her clear brown eyes twinkled, softening
the smile lines at their corners.

  “Hello, Jessie dear.” She smiled. “I’ve come by to give you something.” She took out a beautifully wrapped box and handed it to her. “You can open it now, dear. It will be perfect to wear with your new dress on Friday.”

  Jessie shook her head but didn’t ask the questions she was dying to ask. She opened the box to find an oval sapphire surrounded by small diamond chips. She nearly gasped. “I can’t accept this.”

  “Oh yes, you can, and you will. It was my mother’s, and I had it reset just for you. I’ve come to think of you as the daughter I never had, sweet girl.” She patted the chair beside her. “Sit, my dear. This will be stunning on you with your hair coloring and eyes.”

  “I really don’t know what to say. Thank you, it’s beautiful.” Jessie felt her eyes filling.

  “As are you, my dear.” Reba smiled. “Now, let’s get down to business, shall we?”

  “What do you mean?” Jessie looked at her. “How’d you know I was going somewhere special on Friday?”

  “Nothing magical about it! Matt told me he had a date for the hospital’s Autumn Ball, and you are the only one he would ask. It was an easy deduction to make, my dear.”

  “He told you he had a date?’

  “He sure did, and may I add, he smiled the whole time he talked about it.” Reba frowned suddenly. “I’ve come to warn you that life can change in a moment. Be careful and on guard. It’s your turn to watch over your friends. You’ll find the strength within you to do it.”

  “Are you sure about that?” Jessie felt uneasy.

  “I only know what I felt. I can tell you that you will be strong enough when the moment arises, dear.” She started to stand. “If you haven’t got the new dress yet, it’s got to be a rich blue color. You’ll look beautiful in it.”

  Jessie stood up with her, and Reba wrapped her in a big hug. “You are a remarkable girl. Blue Cove is lucky you’re here. Have a wonderful first date, young lady. I’m not so old I can’t remember the first stirrings of love in the air.”

  “Thank you again,” Jessie called after her as she walked out the door. Reba smiled and waved at her.

  Jessie looked at the beautiful necklace in the box. It was exquisite. Once again her eyes burned. What a dear friend! The rest of Reba’s words left her troubled, however. How would she know who needed her help? Was she up to it? She definitely needed more practice time at the shooting range. She didn’t want any of her friends to be a potential victim.

  She sent a text to Matt letting him know Jeremy would be there this evening. Maybe she could get Jeremy to ask Katie to the ball. That way Katie would have to take a trip into the city to shop for dresses with her. She did a quick check of her favorite store online. She knew exactly what she was looking for. The perfect dress in the exact color she wanted, and they had her size, too. She called and asked them to set it aside. She couldn’t wait to see how it looked on her.

  She forced herself to get into her day. If she worked steadily, time would go faster, right? The clock, however, would not oblige her today. It seemed to be moving at a snail’s pace. More than once, she glanced at it hoping for a different result. She chalked it up to her excitement at seeing Jeremy. Finally, noon arrived—lunch—and at least she could think about something else.

  She grabbed her phone and called Katie.

  “What’s up?” Katie’s cheery voice answered.

  “Do you want to go into the city on Thursday? I have a personal day.” Jessie glanced again at the clock.

  “Why are you going?”

  “I saw a dress and asked them to set it aside for me. I need to try it on and see if it suits me. I’m going on a date.” Jessie held the phone away from her ear as Katie shrieked.

  “I can’t believe it, are you kidding me? You wouldn’t tease me, would you?”

  “No, I’m serious. It’s a mixture of business and pleasure, as I was told.” Jessie giggled, tilting her head back against the chair.

  “Okay, don’t hold back on the details. Who is the guy and where are you going?”

  “I’m going with Matt to the hospital’s Autumn Ball, and I’m thinking that I have a date for you, too.” Jessie smiled as Katie squealed again.

  “First of all, Matt and you on a date is way too cool! Where did you get the idea I need or even want one? I’m pretty good at taking care of myself.”

  “Hmm, seems I’ve said the same thing to you, but it didn’t stop you. Now did it?” Jessie laughed. “You would be doing me a favor. My friend is coming in from New York tonight, and I didn’t want to leave him alone on Friday night. Don’t you remember, I told you about Jeremy?”

  “I vaguely remember you telling me about him. Of course, if he asks, I’d go out as a favor to you.”

  “Why don’t you stop by tonight at about eight and you can check him out?” Jessie managed to keep a straight face.

  “I can do that.” Katie laughed. “We’ll shop! And just so you know, my nudge must have worked. I’m really good at this stuff.” Katie hung up. Jessie smiled. She would have to give Katie her comeback later. It was Matt who had sold the date to her, not Katie.

  Chapter 22

  Jessie arrived home just before Jeremy was due to arrive and scurried around doing a bit of last minute straightening up. Thirty minutes later, a loud knock sent her dashing to the door and straight into his arms. “Jeremy, you look so great!” She beamed up at him. He really was handsome, a real looker as all her friends told her often enough. His wire-rimmed glasses couldn’t hide his amazing chocolate colored eyes with small gold flecks that made them interesting. His sandy-blond curly hair, which was always slightly messy, gave him his boyish good looks. It was his brain that Jessie found the most fascinating. He was so intelligent. The conversations and debates they’d had over the years had been stimulating, to say the least. Sometimes she’d wished there had been some kind of chemistry between them, but he was the wonderful big brother she’d never had and that was all he’d ever been.

  “Hey, sweetheart, I’ve been looking forward to seeing you, too!” He laughed when she stepped back out of the hug. “Nice greeting by the way. I’ll stay away again so you can greet me any day.”

  She made a strange face, nudging him playfully. “It’s only been a few months, but it seems like forever. I’ve gone through so many crazy things since moving here. You remind me of when my life was actually sane.” She motioned for him to come in. “It’s really good to see you.”

  “Nice place you’ve got here.” He looked around, smiling as he walked to the front window. “Wow, would you look at that view. I understand why you’re here now.” He turned to look at her. “A man could get used to this.”

  “I love the view from there. You should see this place in the summer. The gardens are great.” She smiled and plotted. “You know my friend Katie owns the Inn and this cottage. She’s stopping by later.” She trailed off. “We’ll have to eat at the Inn one of the nights during your stay. She’s an incredible cook.”

  He brought his things into the house and settled into the guest bedroom. They ate a quiet dinner as they talked over her current case. She also mentioned her date on Friday with Matt and got him to offer to take Katie. Katie would be proud and maybe even a little envious of the way she had maneuvered him into thinking it was his own idea. She hid a smile as she carried dishes into the kitchen. She made short work of cleaning up and sat down at the computer. He pulled his chair up close and set up his laptop.

  ****

  Matt heard her laughter as he lifted his hand to knock on the door. He knocked and walked in to find them sitting side by side.

  “Hi!” She looked up from the computer at him for a brief moment. “Matt, this is Jeremy. Jeremy, Matt.” Her fingers went right back to work, flying over the keyboard.

  “It’s great to finally put a face with a name.” Jeremy stood up to shake Matt’s hand.

  “What are you two up to?” Matt was irritated. Jessie was laid-back with Jerem
y. She was never relaxed with him.

  “We’re doing a little research. Jeremy is helping me to do a little behind-the-scene sleuth work. I’m learning to fly under the radar, but only when he tells me at each step what to do.” Her blue eyes sparkled.

  He watched them for about ten minutes. Jealous, he felt the green-eyed monster nipping at his thoughts. It bugged the hell out of him, too. It wasn’t as if he was still in high school. Jealous! Damn, he didn’t like the feeling. When it came to Jessie, nothing was clear. He felt downright possessive. Matt was happy when Katie showed up and Jessie introduced her to Jeremy. Katie took charge, bless her. Matt had noticed the way Jeremy looked at Jessie, which hadn’t helped. Jessie might be detached, but Jeremy wasn’t. He was smitten; Matt saw it in his eyes. Oh, he knew that look all too well. Dylan had it, along with Kip and Tom. Jessie walked over and sat down next to him. “You’re scowling, mister. Did you have a bad day?”

  “Not at all, I’m just thinking.” He grabbed her hand, rubbing his thumb across her palm. “You look pretty tonight.”

  “Thanks.” Her cheeks took on a rosy glow. “And that made you scowl?”

  “Are you ready for our date Friday?” He leaned in close to her to whisper it.

  “Almost…” She smiled at him. “First I have a little trip to take to the city. On Thursday,” she whispered back. “I think Jeremy is going to ask Katie to the ball. I didn’t want him to be here alone. Reba told me she could get them some tickets. I think I maneuvered this pretty well.” She grinned. “I’ll give Katie a little taste of her own medicine.”

  “Aren’t you the little schemer?” He hid his grin. “I didn’t know you had it in you.”

  “There’s a lot about me you don’t know.” She chuckled, hitting him playfully with the pillow.

  “I’ve got the time and determination to discover it, sweetheart.”

  “Is that right?” Her eyebrows rose in challenge.

  “Yes, ma’am, this is one challenge I’m going to win and you’re going to be mighty thankful.”