A blush filled her face and a slow smile spread across her mouth. “I’ll be there.”
He sighed, realizing there was no use in denying it anymore. He liked her. “Good. Then I’ll see you later tonight.”
He hurried from the hospital. He’d promised to see her later, and for the first time in a long time he accepted the fact that he couldn’t wait.
SEVEN
Keeping up with Jessica wasn’t always easy. Andrew discovered she had a tendency to do as she pleased whenever she pleased. She was used to doing things on her own, but she was trying to keep him aware. He appreciated that. He wasn’t looking for total control of her life, but it made him feel better to know she was safe, especially since he didn’t want anyone else to suffer because of his sister’s poor choices.
Today, she’d agreed to let him accompany her to an appointment at Roman Middle School to do a presentation on domestic violence.
As usual, Jessica was at her best—beautiful and passionate about a cause in which she believed. He was certain she had every eye in the classroom on her...including his.
He’d heard her speak before about domestic violence and violence against women, but today seemed different—she seemed different. Though he realized it was probably only he who had changed. This whole matter with Sarah had been impacting him for months and meeting Jessica, well, he’d certainly evolved since then. She’d pushed him, challenged him to rethink his views and opinions about domestic violence cases. It was because of her that he was becoming a better man.
“Have you ever had a boy who asked you to spy on his ex-girlfriend and report back to him who she was seeing and what she was doing?” Several of the girls nodded, recognizing the behavior. “We call that stalking by proxy. If anyone ever asks you or a friend to do this, you need to tell him no. Not only is he using you, he is also exhibiting controlling and manipulative behavior with the other girl. Oftentimes in cases like these, it doesn’t end with just reporting back. He’ll often ask you next to do things that make you uncomfortable, like stealing personal items from her or placing notes or reminders from him where she will find them. That’s an emotional form of abuse and harassment.”
One girl raised her hand and Jessica called on her. “What should we do in that situation?”
“Good question. You should tell someone who can help you, a parent or a teacher. Someone who can put a stop to this type of behavior before it escalates to more serious physical abuse.”
“Why should we tell?” another girl commented. “No one will do anything. My mom’s boyfriend hit her and she called the cops and two days later this guy was out of jail and back at our house. No one does anything to help.”
“Well, that’s why I brought my good friend A.D.A. Andrew Jennings along with me today. Andrew, would you come stand up here with me?”
All eyes in the room turned to look at him. Andrew felt put on the spot. That was a dirty trick for Jessica to play on him. He reluctantly stood and walked toward the front of the classroom.
“You see, girls, A.D.A. stands for Assistant District Attorney. It’s Andrew’s job to prosecute these fellows that beat up on women. Isn’t that right, Andrew?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“And how would you, as a representative of the District Attorney’s Office, respond to what this young lady just shared?”
Was she baiting him, trying to rope him into a philosophical debate? “We at the District Attorney’s office take violence against women very seriously. It’s our job to prosecute the offenders to the fullest extent of the law.”
“Sounds like a bunch of baloney. What about my mom?” she asked.
He looked at this young girl and realized they’d already lost her to the cycle unless someone—someone like Jessica—intervened and reminded her that she had worth. He pulled a business card from his pocket, knelt before her desk and handed it to her. “Next time that man comes back, you tell your mama to call me.”
* * *
Andrew helped her carry in her day’s purchases. Today, she’d focused on buying necessities for the shelter—washing detergent, toiletries, even new air filters. The common room was empty and Jessica noted the shelter seemed quiet. She didn’t worry. According to the schedule posted on the wall, Mia had taken the ladies to a Bible study sponsored by a local church.
They deposited their bags in the kitchen and began unloading. She had to admit she’d expected Andrew accompanying her everywhere would be annoying, but she enjoyed having him along. It felt good to have someone else to depend on for once, someone to help her carry the load she shouldered. And it helped to have a big strong man carry in the heavy items, too.
She ripped the cover off the air filter and grabbed the stool. The vent was in the hallway and it was better to change it while she was thinking about it.
“Let me do that,” Andrew said, but she stopped him. He’d come from work and was wearing a suit and tie. “It’s been quite a while since I’ve changed this air filter. I’d hate for you to get dirt on that suit.”
She reached for the vent and the stool wobbled beneath her feet, then tipped over, sending her falling...right into Andrew’s waiting arms.
“I’ve got you,” he said, his breath warm against her face.
She stared into his beautiful sea-green eyes. His amused glint darkened and his body tensed. She could feel the strength in his arms on her back and legs as he held her and the line of his shoulders as she clung to him. His gaze roamed her face, zeroing in on her lips. He wanted to kiss her and, despite the way her pulse raced with fear and anticipation, Jessica knew she would let him.
The musky scent of his aftershave overwhelmed her senses. She inhaled but found dust particles mingled in. She sneezed.
“Bless you.” Andrew dropped her to her feet, their intimate moment gone.
Had she imagined the desire she’d sensed in him...or in herself?
He picked up the new filter, climbed onto the stool and had it installed in only a moment’s time. “There you go. Nothing to it.”
Sure, no problem for him and his six-foot-two stature. “Thanks for the help.”
He deposited the old filter into the garbage bin then dragged the can toward the kitchen.
She washed her hands in the kitchen sink, noticing as she did the dust covering his suit. “I’d really like to have that suit cleaned,” Jessica said as he swatted at the dust on his jacket.
“It’s just a suit. Don’t worry about it.”
“But I’m sure it cost a pretty penny. I’d feel better if you’d let me.”
He draped his jacket over the back of the chair. “I’ll tell you what. You give me a slice of that cherry pie and we’ll call it even.”
She glanced at the pie Deloris had made. She said baking relaxed her, and it made Jessica feel good to have ingredients around for her to indulge.
Jessica took two plates from the cabinet. She left the doors slightly open so he could see the full shelves.
“Looks like you’ve done some shopping since I was here last.”
“Oh, that.” She shrugged as if it was no big deal. “We had a very generous donation arrive.”
“I’m glad.” He cut into his piece. “A place this size probably takes a lot of work, maintenance-wise, I mean. How do you handle everything?”
“I try to do what I can myself. I have volunteers from Margo’s church that sometimes come and make minor repairs. They’re a real blessing for our little shelter.”
“Why do you do it, Jessica? What made you want to open a place like this? A woman like you could be doing anything.”
“A woman like me?”
“Smart, strong, attractive. You would probably make a great litigator. You’re certainly more fearsome than any defense attorney I’ve come up against in court.”
Jessica felt her face warm. Had he just called her attractive? “I have to be strong. Some of these women don’t have anyone else to stand up for them. They’re not as fortunate to have family like Sarah is.”
He gazed at her. “They have you. I’d say that makes them very fortunate. But I’m curious. What makes a person wake up one day and say ‘I think I’ll open a shelter for battered women’?”
She hesitated. What would he say if he knew she’d been given this revelation only after becoming one of those battered women? Would he be shocked? Would he still think her fearsome?
She fell back on her standard response. “This is my calling. God made all of this possible. His provision is what keeps us operating, and His strength is what keeps me going.”
Andrew stared at her, his eyes curious and suspicious of her answer. She could see he knew there was more to the story and was debating on whether or not to push it. She didn’t give him the chance. “What about you? What made you wake up one day and say ‘I think I’ll be a prosecutor’?”
“I’ve always hated people that take advantage of others. I think people should know there are consequences to their actions. Unfortunately, what I’ve seen is that there are always people willing to be taken advantage of. People like Sarah who let any lowlife take control of their lives.”
“There’s a very complex psychology behind that kind of behavior.”
“The thing is, Jessica, it doesn’t seem complicated. Someone hits you, someone threatens you, leave. You get out. How hard is that?” He shook his head as he stroked his fork over his plate. “I love my sister, but I don’t understand how she let this happen.”
Jessica sucked in a breath. He could be talking about her. He was talking about her. Hot tears burned at the back of her eyes. She batted them back. She wouldn’t let him see her cry.
She jumped up and took both their plates to the sink. She didn’t understand what was coming over her. She’d dealt with this type of bigotry before. She had educational material on the psychology of battering. But all she could think of, all she could feel, was humiliation that she’d been one of them.
She heard Andrew move behind her and felt his hand on her shoulder. “I’m sorry. I’m just trying to understand all of this.”
She took a deep breath, got a grip on her frantic emotions and turned to face him. “If you really want to understand then I’m sure I can find you some material to read.” She pushed past him and headed down the hallway toward her office. She heard him following. When she reached her office, she grabbed a handful of pamphlets and held them out to him.
“Some of these are very helpful in understanding the battering behavior.”
He reached for her hand instead of the pamphlets. “Jessica, what did I say?” He moved close to her and slipped his other arm around her waist, pulling her to him. His voice became a whisper against her skin. “You’re not like these women. You’re strong and independent and amazing.”
Her head spun as he tightened his arms around her. He was definitely going to kiss her. She longed to get lost in his embrace and feel protected and safe. He was not like other men she’d encountered. He was kind and gentle and he protected those he cared about. She would never have believed such a man really existed.
But he had existed—Dean—and Mitch had killed him. The man she’d let into their lives had killed her brother. And as Andrew said, she had to live with the consequences of her choice.
“I can’t.” She pushed him away. She’d vowed never to fall for charisma and a handsome face again, but wasn’t that was she was doing? She knew almost nothing about Andrew yet here she was falling into his arms at the first sweet words he uttered.
“What’s the matter?’
She stepped into her office shaking her head. “I’m sorry. I just can’t.” She shut the door and leaned against it as tears streamed down her face.
No matter how her heart craved it, there could never be anything between her and Andrew. He was attracted to a woman who didn’t really exist, and she was bound by a trust to her dead brother.
* * *
Jessica holed up in her office trying to do paperwork, but her mind kept replaying her encounter with Andrew. She couldn’t deny the attraction to him. It had felt so good to be in his arms, but more than that it had felt good to have someone to lean on. Someone to talk with. And it emphasized the emptiness in her life that she’d refused to acknowledge.
The scent of fried chicken drifted into her office. She smiled, knowing Deloris was cooking. It was good to know she was able to have a purpose again. Jessica wished she could as easily give all the others the same sense of purpose.
Jessica put down her work. She wasn’t getting anything done anyway, and it was time to get Andrew off her mind. Fellowship with other women was just what she needed.
“I like that boy,” Deloris was saying as Jessica entered the kitchen. “He’s good to his sister. That’s always a sign of good character.”
Jessica noted the group gathered in the kitchen included Mia, Joan, Danielle, Pamela, Deloris and even Margo.
“I thought it was how he treated his mother that showed a sign of good character,” Joan said.
“Mother, sister, whomever. The way a man is with the women in his family is how he’ll be with the woman he loves.”
Jessica poured herself a cup of coffee. “Who are we talking about?”
“Andrew Jennings,” Danielle piped up. “We all think you should go for it with him, Jessica. You deserve some happiness in your life.”
Jessica choked on her coffee, coughing and struggling to catch her breath. She looked at Danielle. “What? Who said there was anything going on between me and Andrew?”
All heads turned to Mia. “Well, I did catch you two kissing in the hallway this afternoon.”
Jessica stared at Mia, stunned by her revelation. “You did not.”
“Well, I saw something. If he didn’t kiss you, he definitely wanted to.”
Sarah entered the kitchen. “Who wanted to do what?”
Danielle piped up again. “Your brother. He likes Jessica. And Jessica likes him back. What do you think, Sarah? Don’t you think they’d make a cute couple?”
Sarah looked at Jessica then shrugged. “I think a relationship would be good for him. Maybe then he’d butt out of my life.”
Jessica was surprised to hear the bitterness in Sarah’s voice. “What do you mean? He’s looking out for you.”
“He’s always thought he knew what was best for me. I’m tired of him second-guessing my decisions.”
“Well, honey, since you’re here, I’d say your decisions needed second-guessing,” Deloris told her.
Sarah looked stunned by her words, then angry. “Why can’t you all just leave me alone?” She stormed from the kitchen.
Jessica started to go after her.
“Let her go,” Deloris advised. “She’s just feeling a little confined, I think. Her whole world has been turned upside down. I know the feeling. Give her some time and she’ll get her head together.”
“I don’t know,” Margo said. “The last time I heard you talk like that, Deloris, you went back to Ray.”
Jessica shook her head. “How can she say such things about Andrew? He’s been nothing but good to her.”
“He does call her a lot,” said Pamela, a recovering addict who’d been stalked and raped by her boyfriend. “And she always goes off by herself when he does, like she doesn’t want anyone to hear. I understand wanting privacy and all, but why such secrecy with her brother?”
Joan nodded. “I’ve noticed that, too. And she’s getting more and more irritable by the day. Maybe her brother isn’t the nice guy we all think he is.”
Danielle nodded her agreement. “It wouldn’t be the first time we’ve been fooled by a handsome, charming man. I don�
�t think a one of us can claim to have great judgment in that area.”
Several of them nodded and looked as if they were processing that. Jessica was surprised by their lack of trust. “Andrew isn’t like that. I would know.” She noticed the looks that passed between them. They thought she was being blinded by her attraction to him.
She looked at Margo, knowing she could always count on her for an honest opinion. “What do you think?”
“Well, there’s no record of any assault or domestic violence calls to his residence.”
“You ran his background?”
Margo shrugged. “Of course. I do background checks on most men I meet. I know, I know, it’s obsessive. I’m working on getting better.”
“So you think he’s okay?”
“He’s a public figure, so I think I would have heard if there were anything fishy about him, but it’s hard for me not to be wary of a man who’s getting close to someone I care about. Just don’t fall too hard for him until you’re sure you know him.”
Jessica glanced around the room. All of these women, including Margo, were so wounded. How could they possibly make sound decisions about a man’s character? But wasn’t she one of them? How could she trust her own judgment? She thought Andrew was a good guy, but then she’d been wrong about Mitch. Was it possible Andrew was not what he seemed? And what about these mysterious, secret phone calls?
She had to at least consider the possibility.
* * *
He gathered up files and headed home. He would have a lot of reading to do tonight, but that suited him fine. Andrew wanted to get as much background information as he could on Professor Shroud, whether or not Jessica could convince Amy Vance to press charges against him.
He stopped by the deli and picked up a roast beef plate for supper. Too bad Jessica wasn’t coming over to help him. He liked the way they meshed on this case. Why had he ever been so annoyed by her?
No Safe Haven Page 10
