“Which is why having friends is so convenient.”
“I knew you would be a good friend. Don’t ask me how I did because I can’t tell you.”
She turned her head to look up at him. “You already have.”
He pressed a kiss on her hair. “Thank you for listening.”
“You’re welcome. You can talk to me anytime about anything.”
“The same goes for you, although I don’t imagine you’ve got any deep dark secrets. Your only fault is not liking what you see in the mirror. You do realize that when you doubt what others tell you, you’re calling them a liar.”
“I don’t mean to.”
“But that’s what it amounts to. What don’t you like about yourself?”
“What is this? Dr. Phil?”
He laughed. “The nerve of me, right? Daring to question you when I’ve got so many issues of my own.”
“It’s not that I don’t like myself, but in comparison with other women, I’m just average.”
“That’s nonsense. Your sisters are pretty, Violet, and they get more attention when they’re together because they’re all blonde and blue-eyed. But when you’re not standing in their shadow, and you forget to be self-conscious, you blow them away.”
She wanted to believe him, but old habits die hard. “Really?”
“Really. Don’t wish for the moon when you already own the stars.”
“That’s kind of profound. Did you make that up?”
“It’s something my mother says. It’s an altered version of a quote from an old Bette Davis movie. I’ve never had a situation where it fits so perfectly.”
She ran her fingers along the curve of his jaw. “Did you minor in psychology as well as French?”
“This is just common sense.” He brought her questing fingers to his lips. “I’m glad you enjoyed your first experience on the Harley. It’ll be fun having someone to take on trips.”
“I’ll have to start looking the part of a Harley girl. You know, deck myself out in leather from head to foot.”
“Why did you have to go and put that picture in my head? I’m not going to sleep a wink tonight.”
That made two of them. “I’m sorry.”
“When can I see you again?”
“I’m free tomorrow night.”
“Good. If you want, we can try that new restaurant on the river front.”
“Or I can make dinner for us at my parents’ house.”
“I’ll let you decide.”
He drove her home just as the sun was setting. His goodbye kiss in her mother’s foyer was long enough to bring Bluebell and Jeeves out of the living room to see what the holdup was. It also caught the attention of someone else, but Violet didn’t know that at first. She was leaning against the front door trying to catch her breath when Summer stuck her head around the corner.
“Girl, you’ve got some explaining to do.”
Violet snapped to attention like she’d been shot. “How did you get here?”
“Garrett dropped me off while he went to a meeting. I needed to use Mom’s sewing machine.”
“How much did you see?”
“Enough to know that you and Jackson have become very well acquainted in a short period of time.”
Violet couldn’t help smiling. “I can’t deny that.”
“What happened to his girlfriend?”
“They broke up.”
“It must have been pretty recent.”
“It was. Kind of.”
Summer examined her nails. “Is this a rebound thing?”
Jackson’s words went through her mind. It’s difficult for me to get close to anyone. “I don’t think the other relationship was serious.”
“Does that mean this one is?”
“It’s too soon to know.”
“From the look on your face just now, I’d say things are pretty serious on your part.”
“I’m sure most girls look like that after they’ve been kissed.” Especially by someone who could do it so well.
Summer laughed. “This isn’t the only time I’ve seen you look like that. It’s been there in varying degrees since the day you first told me about him. Love comes to us all at some point. There’s no use fighting it.”
As Violet lay in bed that night waiting for Bluebell and Jeeves to work out who was going to sleep where, she remembered Summer’s comments. Reaching for her phone, she brought up the picture of Jackson from the western store. Fighting her feelings for him would be a waste of time. What she wanted more than anything was to help him escape the emotional prison he was living in.
Chapter Eleven
When Jackson pulled into the parking lot outside his office the following morning, the lights were still dark inside Second Time Around. It was ridiculous to be disappointed. The shop didn’t open until nine, and he didn’t have time to talk to Violet anyway. He had a full day ahead of him. He needed to stop daydreaming and get his mind on work otherwise he wouldn’t be able to see her later.
Hopefully, he’d have more success with that today than he had last night. Long after he took her home, he was still thinking about their time together. He supposed most of that had to do with the fact that he’d shared something with her that he hadn’t shared with anyone else. The bond he already felt between them had strengthened further.
Her tears moved him almost more than her words. The calm reserve she showed to the world was misleading. Violet felt things deeply. He’d heard it when she played for him, he’d seen it in her eyes when she talked about herself, and he’d felt it in her touch when he confided in her.
His worry that he would regret telling her about Carmen didn’t materialize. The small respite he’d hoped for did. He couldn’t erase his memories any more than he could make all this go away. There were some situations that had no magic fix. But for the first time, Jackson felt a little more hopeful that he might be able to do more than manage his symptoms. That maybe Violet was right; he wasn’t a lost cause.
Once inside his office, he looked through the messages on his desk and answered his emails. He also got a phone call from his sister.
“Happy Tuesday, Jackson,” was her greeting when he answered.
“Try to damp down the enthusiasm a notch. It’s only seven-thirty.”
“It sounds like someone hasn’t had their coffee yet.”
“I’ve had two cups, thank you very much.”
“I’ve got you beat. I’ve had three. Jase brings his Krups coffee maker everywhere.”
“Where are you guys?”
“In Chicago. Can’t you hear the L train? I’m standing on the terrace of our hotel room.”
“Are you going to a Cubs game?”
“How’d you guess? Rosemary is singing before the game this afternoon.”
“Your life is soooo rough.”
“I know, but somebody’s gotta do it. How are things going with Myrna?”
He laughed. “We broke up. I’m seeing someone else now.”
“That was quick. You usually go months between girlfriends.”
“This was unexpected.”
“What’s her name?”
“Violet.”
“I like her already. She’s got a nature name like me.”
“Maybe that’s why she’s so down to earth.”
Willow groaned. “That’s bad, Jackson, even for you.”
“I know. I’m sorry. It sounded better in my head.”
“Well, good luck with the new girlfriend. The unexpected sometimes turns out to be just what you need.”
“Where are all these cryptic statements coming from?”
“It’s the hazelnut coffee talking. Here’s Jase with our breakfast. I’ll give you a call back in a few days.”
He hadn’t been off the phone long when Jetta arrived. She waltzed into his office with a smile and a box of Krispy Kreme donuts.
“Is it national donut day or something?”
“It’s ‘I have some bad news’ day.”<
br />
“As long as you’re not leaving town, I can deal with it.”
Jetta opened the box of donuts and sat them on his desk. “Austin called me on the way here. His sister was rushed to the hospital with what they think is food poisoning. Her husband is in Iraq so there’s no one to watch the kids. I think they have a two year old and a three month old. Anyway, he’s going to be on babysitting duty until she can come home.”
“Which means I get to do the lunch meeting today at the Columbus Board of Realtors. Do you know where he keeps all that stuff?”
“Yes. I’ll get it together and bring it to you. The meeting starts at eleven-thirty.”
“I don’t mind presenting the material. What I don’t like is answering all the questions afterward.”
“Most of them are women. Just smile and flex your muscles. You’ll have them eating out of your hand.”
He reached for one of the donuts. “I wish it were that simple. These are the women who are still mad at me for getting that contract with Blackstone Properties.”
“You got it because you work harder than anyone else. Your results speak for themselves.”
“Maybe you should go in my place. All you have to do is read the slides.”
“I’ll pass on that. How was your day off?”
Into Jackson’s mind came that scene in the western store. “Very enjoyable.”
“Did you do anything special?”
“I gave Violet her first ride on my Harley.”
Jetta’s dark eyes sparkled with amusement. “I guess two plus two does equal five.”
Jackson smiled. “I guess it does.”
When he left for his lunch meeting downtown, he noticed Leonie parked in her usual spot. He never thought the sight of a car could fill him with such anticipation, and not since Carmen had he been so drawn to a woman that he could barely let her out of his sight. It was a somewhat frightening discovery for someone who’d thought he didn’t want to fall in love again. He felt a little betrayed by his heart. How could something that had been ripped into pieces suddenly decide to start feeling again?
* * * * *
By the time Summer left to meet Garrett, Violet had had it up to her eyeballs with advice and comments on how to proceed with Jackson. It got so bad she found herself wishing that one of the party poopers would come in. She slumped down at the desk in the office and contemplated her lunch options. There was the ever-popular Ramen soup or the chocolate chip cookies hidden in the filing cabinet. It actually wasn’t a hard choice. Sugar was more tempting than salt any day.
In between her third and fourth cookie, Rachel showed up. Her glance went to the open package sitting by the computer.
“Are you planning to eat all of them?”
“I was thinking about it. I thought you had a book club event today.”
“I did. We finished up about twenty minutes ago. Would you like to see my engagement ring in person in addition to the picture I sent to your phone?”
Violet grinned. “Of course I would. Hold out your hand.”
Rachel did the beauty pageant wave. “I always wanted to be a homecoming queen.”
“That’s not what I meant.” Violet grabbed Rachel’s hand and held it still. A teardrop diamond surrounded by sapphires winked at her under the fluorescent lights. “The picture didn’t do it justice. It’s stunning. What did your parents say?”
“They were fine with it once I told them I have no plans to move to France.”
“What about possible wedding dates?”
“I want my dream wedding at Callaway so it’ll be at least nine months, maybe more. They’ve got a waiting list a mile long.”
At one time, Violet’s dream wedding had been to elope. She’d changed her mind in recent years. She didn’t want a big wedding, but she did want to share the experience with her family and close friends. “Will Tasteful Affairs be catering that event?”
“Of course. You don’t think I’d let anyone else do it, do you?”
“I guess that would be strange. Kinda like a bakery owner having another bakery make her wedding cake.”
“You were very sketchy about the details of your two days off. There had to be more than getting a tour of Jackson’s house and taking a ride on his motorcycle.”
There were also several mind-blowing kisses and the novel experience of being with someone who didn’t hide the fact that he liked her. “There isn’t anything else. For the most part, we just talked. We’re still getting to know each other. I also played the piano for him.”
Rachel’s eyebrows were in danger of leaving her face. “You played for him? You won’t play for anyone.”
“I prefer not to play for anyone, but he was my host. I couldn’t refuse without being rude.”
She nodded slowly. “Of course you couldn’t. When are you seeing him again?”
“Tonight. He mentioned going out for dinner, but I’m leaning toward staying in. What do you think?”
Rachel sat down on the edge of the desk and swung her leg back and forth. “I prefer meals at home. There aren’t as many distractions. You can really focus on the other person.”
“There’s also more risk of failure. What foolproof meal would you suggest? Keep in mind that I didn’t go with you to culinary school.”
“Baked chicken, rosemary potatoes, and savory scones. You don’t have time to make a fancy dessert, so I’d just pick up a pie from Fresh Market.” She pointed to the Betty Boop clock on the wall. “You better leave early today, or you won’t be eating until eight.”
“I’m going to the grocery store as soon as Summer gets back.”
“You like Jackson a lot, don’t you?”
Violet smiled faintly. “I love him, Rachel. He’s not just good looking and charming; he’s got a great sense of humor, isn’t afraid to show how he feels, values my opinion, and on top of all that, he’s very romantic.”
“He sounds like the kind of guy you’ve been waiting for.”
“He is. He’s everything I ever wanted.”
Rachel stood up. “I can’t wait to meet him.”
“We’ll see what we can do about making that happen.”
An hour later she was pushing a shopping cart through the crowded aisles. It didn’t take long to pick up the items she needed to make Rachel’s menu suggestions. By four-thirty, she was pulling into her parents’ driveway. Because she had two things that needed the oven, she went ahead and made the scones. Once they were sitting on a cooling rack, she sent Jackson a text telling him she’d decided to cook dinner and asking what time he wanted to eat. He responded within a few seconds.
“All I need to do is drop off something at the post office and go by my house to check on Abbott and Costello. Can I help with dinner? Or would I just be in the way?”
In the way? Was he joking? “I never turn down help. I’m already at my parents’ house. Just come when you’re ready.”
“I’ll see you in about twenty minutes.”
Violet put down the phone and ran upstairs to change clothes. Her sudden arrival startled Jeeves who was sleeping on the bed. She decided to wear capris and one of her nicer t-shirts. After redoing her makeup, she pulled her hair into a ponytail and went in search of her flip flops.
It wasn’t until she returned to the kitchen that she noticed the absence of Bluebell. Everything else was forgotten. Calling the cat’s name and shaking the food bag (something that always worked) did nothing. Her search of the house also drew a blank. It didn’t make sense. What could have happened between when she left this morning and now?
She was practically in tears when the doorbell rang. Jackson took one look at her face and his teasing grin faded. He reached for her, and like the heroine from an old movie, she went flying into his arms.
“Violet, sweetheart, what’s wrong?”
His endearment barely registered. “I can’t find Bluebell,” she mumbled into his shoulder. “I’ve looked everywhere.”
He urged her back into the house, t
he comforting pressure of his arm around her waist. “What does everywhere include?”
“Every nook and cranny of this house.”
“What about outside?”
She raised her head off his shoulder. “How could she get outside? All the windows and doors were closed.”
“Is it possible one of your sisters came by while you were at work? They might have left the door open long enough for Bluebell to get out.”
Violet rubbed her forehead, trying to think. “Summer went to lunch with Garrett, so I doubt she was here. I don’t know about April. She works part time at the rec center. I’ll call her.” She reached into her pocket for her phone and dialed April’s number. The call went straight to voice mail. “She’s not answering which means she’s probably working.”
“Since you’ve already searched the house, I think we should check outside. You do the backyard, and I’ll do the front.”
“If she got outside, anything could have happened to her.”
“There’s a reason they say cats have nine lives. They’re survivors. What does Bluebell look like?”
“She’s gray with a touch of white on her paws.”
He gave her a quick kiss. “Don’t worry, Harley girl. We’ll find her.”
* * * * *
As Jackson checked the trees, shrubs and bushes in the front yard, he wondered if he should have stayed with Violet. The only reason he suggested they separate was so they could cover more ground. Hopefully, she didn’t think he’d abandoned her. He had a feeling that the image of her eyes, shadowed with nameless fears, would stay with him long after today.
Having gone through a similar experience when he was a teenager, he fully understood her anxiety. His tan Labrador Sasha had gone missing when the cable guy left the gate open. They found her two days later when a neighbor spotted her running across a cow pasture about five miles from his house. It had been the longest forty-eight hours of his life.
When he came up empty in Violet’s yard, Jackson moved into the yard next door. He hoped whoever was inside wouldn’t think he was a Peeping Tom, or worse, a burglar. The sight of a birdbath sitting under a tree brought a smile to his face. Would Bluebell be able to resist such a temptation? For the first time, she could chase all those birds she’d watched through the window.
Mine for a Day (Finding Love Book 8) Page 12
