"Gosh, sorry it took so long," Tiara said, pushing a wheelchair into the room. "I had to get permission to take Jayce for a ride from this little old lady nurse at the desk, who insisted on patting the top of my head for no reason I could fathom."
If Jayce could have jumped off the bed, she would've, to plant a lip-lock on Tiara for not leaving without at least saying good-bye. "Hey, Red. Are you breaking me outta this joint?"
"Not exactly, handsome," Tiara said, steering the chair along the side of the bed, leaning over and kissing Jayce's cheek. "Since Darla decided to have the baby while you were getting shot and probably so you wouldn't have to stay overnight by yourself, I figured you might want to go see the baby."
Jayce had never been happier to see anyone in her life. "I thought maybe--"
Before she could finish, Tiara kissed her on the lips, then drew back and whispered, "Hold that thought a minute." Tiara turned to Slim. "Would you mind waiting in the hall while I get Jayce ready for a trip to the Maternity Ward."
"Be still my heart," Jayce said, holding her chest. "I haven't proposed, yet." She knew Tiara didn't appreciate the comment, because her expression reflected distress. "All right, I'll shut up."
"We do need to talk, but I wanted to see the baby first."
It felt like the breath had been forcibly knocked from her. "Ah, back to the 'need to talk' line, which is never good." Jayce tried to appear composed. "Help me into my new wheels, Red."
Tiara did, wiping the sweat from Jayce's forehead with a tissue, before she bent eye level with her. "Don't go making yourself sick, honey. You've got to trust me."
Much as she wanted to trust Tiara, Jayce's gut told her the talk wasn't going to be an announcement of the outcome she wanted. Rather than trust her voice, Jayce nodded.
"Let's go take a peek at the baby," Tiara said, standing.
Jayce put on a happy face, but her heart felt like it was breaking all over again. "And the race is on," she said when Tiara set the wheelchair in motion.
They joined Slim and Aunt Edna in the hallway and made the trek to maternity. Sarah and Craig were standing in front of the nursery window making cooing noises. When they got closer, Jayce noted Mark was in a mask and scrubs cradling the newborn in his massive arms. At their approach, he brought baby Chester closer so Jayce wouldn't have to strain in her wheelchair.
"Oh my gosh," Jayce said, "look at all that hair."
Sarah put a hand on Jayce's shoulder. "Her name is Tina Claire Chester and she's six pounds, eight ounces and nineteen inches long."
"Little Tina is beautiful," Tiara said. For about fifteen minutes, all six stayed and stared in amazement until the nurse ushered Mark and the baby away. Tiara said, "I should get Jayce back to her room before they kick us out of here."
Jayce was grateful that the floor nurse followed them into the room to assist with getting her back into bed. Her head and leg throbbed in synchronicity, and it began to take a toll on her already sapped strength.
"She really needs some rest," the nurse told Tiara. "You need to say your good-byes."
Jayce's breath hitched at the choice of words the nurse used. Tiara must have noticed, as a hand clasped hers in a gentle squeeze as she nodded her agreement.
Tiara pulled a chair closer to the bed. "You know I've got to go, but I promise to be back as soon as can."
"For the wedding."
"And to see you," Tiara said. "So much has happened in such a short time and I'm having a hard time processing. But I'm trying, Jayce. One thing hasn't changed, honey. I have a responsibility elsewhere. I can't abandon my business."
So it really is good-bye, let's be pals, Jayce thought as her chest constricted tightly. "Will you still leave tomorrow?"
"I'll see you're safely home, first, however long it takes."
"You don't--"
"Of course I do," Tiara said. "I'm not going to abandon you, silly. I'll try to stay in touch as best I can." She laughed. "Hopefully no one will hide my correspondence this time."
Jayce smiled, though it was weak. "Or attack it with a red marker."
"Yeah, there's that, too." Tiara squeezed her hand. "Get some rest." She kissed Jayce's forehead and started for the door.
"Tiara," Jayce said before Tiara walked out of her life. "If you need me, please call. I promise to come to you. I love you, Red."
"I know. Sleep now," Tiara said, blowing a kiss before leaving the room.
Closing her eyes against the tears, Jayce let the despair consume her. Guess that's it. She's leaving, not giving a specific return time. It was over. Worse, Tiara didn't return her proclamation of love.
How long, Jayce wondered, did it take to heal a broken heart? Too bad she couldn't ask the grandmotherly nurse for a pill to fix it--or at least numb it from future use.
Chapter Thirty-one
NO MATTER HOW tight she clasped the pillow over her head, Jayce couldn't stop the incessant pounding echoing through her skull. Two months after getting clobbered by Peter, she still had residual headaches, and the banging wasn't helping. Well, she thought, at least her leg had healed. Unable to stand it any longer, Jayce glanced at the alarm clock: 5:15. What the hell? I've got Edna's wedding to deal with today. Throwing the covers off, she vaulted out of bed, threw on a bathrobe, and tromped out the bedroom to investigate. Going down the stairs toward the noise, Jayce realized it was coming from the front yard. Flinging open the front door, Jayce saw a pickup off to the side, the bed loaded with pallets of flowers. Off to the right side of the house, hammer swinging, was Tiara pounding on something just out of sight. Jayce couldn't control the rush of excitement, but wasn't about to let her emotions run wild. "Do you know what time it is?" she hollered to be heard over the racket.
Tiara stood and turned to face her. "Hey, sleepyhead. Good morning."
"Do you know what time it is?"
"Not exactly, I had a project to finish today, and wanted an early start. Got it done, too." Tiara dropped the hammer into the back of the truck, walked up the porch steps, and grabbed Jayce by the hand. "Come see what I was doing." Reluctantly, Jayce allowed herself to be tugged to the side of the house. What she saw had Jayce dumbfounded, her mouth gaping open. Tiara's arms snaked around her waist, her head rested against Jayce's back, as she asked, "What'd'ya think, Baby?"
Jayce didn't know what to say. Tiara had put up a four-by-four section of white picket fencing on the side of the house. She knew what this meant to her, but confusion still coursed through her. "Did I miss something, Red?"
Tiara squeezed her waist then grasped her by the hips, nudging her to turn around. "Jayce?" She took a deep breath. "I could use some coffee. Would you be opposed to making a pot, while I pull the flowers off the truck?" Jayce nodded, hoping she could pull herself together.
Fifteen minutes later, Tiara joined her in the kitchen. As she watched from the table, Tiara washed her hands in the sink, poured herself a mug of coffee, and sat in a chair facing her. Jayce waited, hoping Tiara would start the conversation.
She did, but with a question. "You've been getting my cards?"
Jayce nodded.
"So, you knew I was coming back. I wrote you I'd see you soon."
Jayce shrugged. "I guess I thought it might be a euphemism for 'when hell freezes over', that kind of see ya."
Surprise flashed across Tiara's features. Immediately, Tiara left her chair and kneeled before Jayce, clasping her hands around Jayce's. "Point taken. I didn't handle this very well."
"You left the same day I came home from the hospital."
"I told you I had some things to work out, and that I'd come back." Tiara frowned in confusion. "You understood 'come back' meant to you permanently, right? That I had stuff to settle, first?"
"Red, all I know is you couldn't wait to leave here. I know you have feelings for me, but not in the way I have for you."
"You're wrong. I love you, Jayce." Tiara stood up, only to shift onto Jayce's lap.
Jayce was astonished. "That's the firs
t time I've heard the words."
"Please, honey, be patient. Some things are going to take time. Obviously, just because I think I've made myself clear, doesn't mean it isn't clear as mud." She grasped Jayce by the cheeks, and held her gaze. "Look at me, because I know you'll see the truth in my eyes. I've placed my current foreman in charge of Summers Construction as manager. I've signed the house over to Mark and Darla, so the baby will have a yard where she can play. Craig and I will run Summers and Walters Renovations here in Silver Waters. All this has already been arranged. However, I've already told Craig he'd have to open the shop without me this week. I'd come in after the honeymoon." Tiara finished this soliloquy by pressing her lips firmly against Jayce's.
When Tiara had released her lips, Jayce asked, "So you'll be coming back to Silver Waters, for good?"
"Yes." Another kiss, deeper than the last.
The honeymoon part baffled her, but at least Jayce had Tiara here for Slim and Edna's wedding. "And you won't start work until after they come back from their honeymoon?"
Tiara's lips moved to Jayce's neck, she nibbled gently at her earlobe, then whispered softly, "No, sweetheart, until we come back from ours." Tiara shifted so she could remove something from her pocket, which turned out to be a ring box. Smiling wickedly, Tiara asked, "Jayce Mansfield will you marry me?"
If Jayce hadn't already been sitting, she would probably have fallen. "Tiara, do you know what you're asking?" Then, Jayce understood the symbolism of the white picket fence on the side of the house. "You want to be my wife?"
Nodding, Tiara said, "If you'll have me." Taking Jayce's hand, she put the ring on Jayce's finger. "I thought we could have a double wedding with Edna and Dad. Actually, it was Edna's idea, but I'd hoped you wouldn't mind, so I've made arrangements if you're up for the idea."
Jayce realized Tiara expected her to refuse the offer, since Tiara had begun to ramble. She reached up and cupped Tiara's face with one hand, then dragged her thumb across Tiara's lower lip. "I can think of only one other thing I'd like to do right now." Jayce dropped her hands and grasped Tiara tightly to her as she stood. "We have a bit of time before the ceremony starts."
Tiara winked at her and Jayce's heart did a flip. Tiara's mouth claimed hers once again, as she groaned like a starving beast. Pulling back slowly, Tiara whispered, "This is an appetizer. We have a lifetime for me to prove I love you."
Chapter Thirty-two
Fourteen months later, Thanksgiving Day
TIARA PLACED THE last of the silverware on the table and stood back to view her masterpiece. She felt the flush of accomplishment at the near catalog-perfect table setting. Shaking her head, Tiara wondered how she could not have known this excitement would feel so phenomenal. Arms snaked around her waist from behind, just as the warmth of Jayce's breath caressed her ear. "The table looks gorgeous, sweetheart." Tiara leaned into the embrace. "Just like the woman who set it."
"Ah, well," Tiara giggled, "you're a little bit prejudiced, don't you think?" Tiara turned in Jayce's arms until they were chest to face, and glanced up.
"That would make me shallow," Jayce feigned hurt shock, even going so far as to let her bottom lip quiver. "How could you think so little of me?"
Pulling Jayce tighter, Tiara lightly kissed her pout. "I think the world of you." The gleam of Jayce's pleased smile filled Tiara with joy. Impulsively, Tiara placed a hand behind Jayce's neck, running her fingers through the thick hair at the nape, and drew her close gently kissing Jayce's lips, pressuring them open tenderly with the tip of her tongue, hoping to confirm how she felt. Tiara felt herself respond, the heat that pulsed through her body, and pebbled her nipples. The kiss left her gasping. "Oh, my," Tiara purred. "If we didn't have guests arriving any moment, I'd be dragging you to the floor to have my way with you."
Jayce tucked stray hair behind Tiara's ear, her gaze following her fingers with tender care. Tiara's heart fluttered and she groaned, wondering at her luck in being loved by this handsome woman. "Well, sweetheart, I could put up a note letting them know we're indisposed."
"You continue looking at me like you are, and I'm liable to let you, since you've made me so wet I ache."
Leaning back, Jayce gazed at her, whispering, "As you've done to me." The doorbell chimed from the front of the house. "Guess we'll have to continue this later, Red." She smiled mischievously. "Can we invite them in, put the food in plastic-ware and hurry them off? That way, I can give thanks in the way I love best."
Tiara laughed. "You're incorrigible. Go get the door." Caressing Jayce's cheek, she added, "Shoo, now. We have all night, and a lifetime, for us."
"I'm going to hold you to that--and to me," Jayce said, latching onto Tiara's hand, and then tugging her toward the front door. "Let's get this started so we can send them home."
Opening the front door, Tiara saw Craig and Peter standing on the porch. Mark held a diaper bag in one hand and Darla's elbow with the other, guiding her as she clutched Tina, their sleeping one-year-old, in her arms. All were ushered inside where coats were taken, and hugs exchanged, before congregating in the living room.
"Did you all come together?" Tiara asked.
"I drove with the Chester's, after forcing them to stop by so I could show off some of the changes at the house." Craig nudged Peter in the side with his elbow. "This big lug was sitting on the stairs, waiting. Didn't want to arrive alone, he said."
Tiara smiled at Peter. "You're family, now, Peter. You don't have to be worried that you aren't welcomed, alone or otherwise." Peter nodded, though hesitantly. Even after more than a year, Peter hadn't forgiven himself for harming Jayce.
"So, is Sarah not coming?" Jayce asked, sounding disappointed. Tiara knew Jayce had wanted all their friends together this Thanksgiving Day, so she could make a special announcement.
"No, no, she'll be here. She had to finish a few calls, so I wanted her to have some privacy," Craig said.
Mark chuckled. "Tell the truth, Craig." Mark shook his head, and smiled at Darla who giggled. "Sarah kicked him out because he wouldn't keep his hands to himself, while she was on the phone."
Blushing, Craig said, "I thought she'd just hang up. It's a holiday, after all."
"Not in Hollywood," Jayce and Tiara said simultaneously. This had everyone laughing.
"I'm glad the holiday has started jubilantly," Slim said from the hall, Edna behind him. "The back door was open, Princess," he said to Tiara, "so we let ourselves in and left some food on the counter. My wife," he beamed a broad smile in her direction. "Damn, woman, I can't say that enough, 'cause it feels too damn good. Am I right, Jayce?"
She winked at Tiara and nodded her response.
"Anyway, what say we put the game on and you women catch up while getting chow on."
"I'm not sure that's how it works, Dad."
Slim shrugged, plopping down in Jayce's recliner. "That's how it works on television."
Jayce shook her head. "The remote's where it's always been, Slim. We'll get started soon."
"We're not all here, yet," Peter murmured. Tiara knew he had a crush on Sheriff Stewart. The first time she recognized it, Tiara worried he couldn't understand it would never amount to anything but, luckily, it soon became clear he adored the idea of a pretty, lady cop being in charge of men. "Sheriff Ali and little Jennie haven't come yet."
"Plus, Sarah is AWOL," Craig said.
"None of us is in that big a hurry to get started, Edward Michael," Edna said. "If you're that impatient, get yourself 'ta home and make a jelly sandwich."
Slim slunk down in the recliner. "Sorry, Edna, honey."
Edna just humphed, and turned to Darla. "Your little one sure has grown into a beauty." As if the attention had been noted, Tina squirmed a bit in her mother's arms and grinned at Edna. "Oh," Edna cooed, "the little angel knows it."
Mark rolled his eyes. "And already she flirts with anyone who'd give her what she wants."
Darla handed their daughter over to Mark. "She can use it on her father, now. We
ladies are adjourning to the kitchen while we wait for Ali and Jennie."
As the men arranged themselves in the living room, the women headed for the kitchen. Not long after, Alison arrived with her niece at the back door, Sarah close on their heels. "Hope you don't mind," Alison said, taking off her coat, "using the door that brings you to a kitchen seems so right." With the fluidity of people having worked together for years, the women put the final touches on the food preparations, placed the finished dishes on the dining room table, and called everyone in. The conversation flowed freely and comfortably, food was consumed in great proportions, until everyone sat back in their chairs totally satiated. Tina had lost interest early, and now investigated various items in the room, tittering at objects that caught her fancy.
Peter stood and pushed his chair back. "Miss Jayce and Miss Tiara, thank you for letting me have dinner with you. And thank you for letting me work here after--after--"
"Peter, we like having you around," Jayce said.
"Yeah, you're part of the family," Tiara told him. In fact, Peter had been learning about horses from Jayce, and working on an odd job here and there when Craig needed more muscle than she could provide.
He nodded. "Can I take Tina into the living room to watch some cartoons?" At their assent, he picked Tina up and left the room. That was the incentive the rest needed, each taking turns stating what they were thankful for this year. Darla for Tina; Mark for Tiara giving them her house; Craig and Sarah for each other; Edna for Slim, and Slim for Edna and the return of Tiara; Alison for the chance to spend time with Jennie; and, Jennie, with a devilish smirk, for the autographed picture of her heartthrob crush.
"Careful, young lady," Craig admonished. "That's my girl you're drooling over."
Jayce got to her feet then. Tiara knew she was going to make the announcement, so she stood also. Taking that as encouragement, Jayce moved behind her and embraced her in a comforting hug.
A Majestic Affair Page 23
