He held up his hand. “It’s all water under the bridge, Mel. We both love Phoebe, but we have different opinions on what’s best for her.”
“I’m beginning to think you might have a better sense of what’s right.”
“Really?”
Melanie closed her eyes for a moment and took in the sounds of nature. “Sometimes I feel like I don’t know anything anymore.”
“You know that you love your aunt.”
“Yes, but—” She opened her eyes and looked at Jackson. “Do I hear water?”
He stood and extended his hand to help her off the ground. “Come with me. I want to show you something.”
The moment their hands locked, she didn’t want to let go. Each step led them closer to the sound she’d heard. Her heart raced. When they passed through a clearing in the thick brush, her mouth dropped at the sight of the swirling pool of angry water making a mad dash downstream.
“There she is, the Shenandoah River. It’s pretty rough from all the heavy rains we’ve had.” He held her hand tight.
“It’s magnificent.” She looked into his eyes. “I wish I could stay here forever.” She turned back and watched the water make its journey. It was full of life and ever-changing—the opposite of her. A shiver skated down her back when thoughts of floating down the river flooded her mind. She longed to be swept away, like the raging water, to a new beginning and a new life, where she could be happy once again.
He shrugged his shoulders. “Maybe not forever, but we can have our lunch here if you’d like.”
“Oh yes, please.” She couldn’t have thought of a better place.
Jackson carefully spread out the checkered blanket and placed the basket in the center. He bowed. “Your wish is my command.”
When he took a seat, Melanie followed his lead. As Jackson unpacked their picnic, her eyes remained glued on the Shenandoah. “Can we come back here with Rebecca sometime?” A picture of her and Rebecca wading in a shallow and calmer part of the river on a hot summer day came to mind. She shook her head to erase the image. What was she thinking? She wouldn’t be around during the summer. She’d be in DC, entombed in her office day after day.
“Sure, we can bring her. In fact, the apple festival is coming up soon. They have hayrides, bobbing for apples, corn mazes and other activities.” Jackson handed her a turkey sandwich. “Do you want mustard?”
Melanie crinkled her nose. “Who puts mustard on turkey?”
Jackson laughed and squeezed a huge dollop onto his sandwich. “I do,” he said before taking a giant bite. “Yum... It’s delicious.” He placed his food on the paper plate, and his eyes homed in on her.
She exhaled. The vacancy that had settled into her heart during the past year felt less daunting. Was it simply the passage of time or was it something more? She was sitting next to a man who’d gone out of his way to make an ordinary day extraordinary, just for her. She turned her face to the sun, savoring its warmth. Jackson placed his hand into hers, and her body shivered. Yes, it was something more.
Chapter Eight
The following morning, after the glorious afternoon spent with Jackson, Melanie’s feet hadn’t hit the ground. She wanted to bottle this feeling and take it back with her to DC.
She pulled her car into one of the last few available parking spots at The Bean. What was going on? The place looked packed. Yesterday Jackson had said it would probably be slow this morning, so she could take her time coming in. She grabbed her purse and sprang from the car. Guilt crept in at the thought of him stuck handling a large crowd alone, while she’d behaved like a lovesick woman of leisure.
The moment she stepped inside the restaurant, Rebecca sprinted toward her with her arms wide open. “Miss Melanie! You’re here! I was afraid you wouldn’t get here before my bus.”
Melanie stooped, and Rebecca gave her a big hug and kissed her cheek, triggering memories of her own daughters’ soft lips. “What’s happening here, Rebecca? There are so many cars in the parking lot.”
The little girl giggled. “Everyone from town brought food.” She turned and skipped toward Mary, who sat at a corner table.
She scanned the room and noticed the pastor’s wife taking an order from Moe, one of the regulars. At another table, a woman she recognized from the fair poured coffee for two men.
She spotted Jackson behind the counter, wearing a huge crooked smile. Dressed in a red sweater, with a cleanly shaven face, he was busy chatting with three elderly female customers. Judging by their smiles, she figured they must think he looked as good in that color as she did. She approached him, and her stomach fluttered when she caught a whiff of his spicy cologne.
“What’s going on, Jackson?”
He placed a plate of scrambled eggs in front of one of the women. He turned and their eyes connected. “Hey, Sleeping Beauty, did you catch up on your rest?” He wiped his hands on a dishrag.
Melanie opened her arms wide. “Why didn’t you call me? This place is buzzing like a beehive.”
She took a seat at the counter, and he slid a glass of ice water in front of her. “We had a minor problem when I opened up.” He moseyed down to the end of the counter and poured a cup of coffee for a young man who’d just sat down. Jackson passed him a menu and returned to their conversation. “When I arrived, the stove was acting a little funny.”
“Funny? How so?”
“Well...it broke.”
“What? Why didn’t you call me? This isn’t a minor problem, Jackson. It’s a disaster. This place is Aunt Phoebe’s livelihood.”
“Relax, Mel.” He took a swig of his coffee. “We’ve got it all under control.”
“How?” Her jaw tensed.
“Fred Johnson came in first thing, hungry for a stack of pancakes. When I told him the stove wasn’t working, he’d left in a huff. My guess, he told his wife, Clarice. She likes to spread news, if you know what I mean.” He chuckled. “People from town brought every item on the menu.”
“What?” Her heart softened. She looked out the window and tried to hide tears that pricked her eyes.
Jackson reached across the counter and rested his hand on hers.
Melanie bit her lip. “So they spent their hard-earned money, and now some are here working for free?”
With his hand still on hers, he leaned in with a smile. “This is how it is in a small town, Mel—well, at least in Sweet Gum. People do for one another. That’s what makes it such a wonderful place to live and raise a family. People in the valley help those in need. It’s what God’s called us to do.” He looked around The Bean and smiled.
Melanie scanned the room, and a chill traveled through her. “All of these people are here to help my aunt Phoebe.” This would never happen in a big city like DC.
“Yes, we all love Phoebe, and in this town, you take care of the ones you love.”
His words jabbed straight to her heart. If she’d lived here when her family was killed, would she have lived an entire year in isolation? No. These kind people would never have allowed that. They would have rallied around her just like they were doing for Aunt Phoebe. And Jackson, he’d dealt with the problem on his own so she could get some rest.
Her stool screeched along the floor as she pushed her way from the counter and walked into the kitchen. She grabbed an apron hanging on the hook next to the pantry. Securing the strings around her waist, she returned to the dining room. She gazed across the floor, watching the townspeople hard at work. The love in the room exploded beyond the walls of The Bean. Then reality hit. Why would she want to take all of this from Aunt Phoebe?
* * *
By the time Rebecca caught the bus later that morning, the stove was up and running, thanks to the town’s handyman. Melanie stood at the corner table, taking an order. Jackson smiled at the sound of Melanie laughing, something she
seemed to be doing more of lately. He hoped he was part of the reason behind her happiness.
With his view obstructed, Jackson was unable to see who was making her laugh. She certainly was enjoying herself.
With a wide smile covering her face, she glided across the dining-area floor and stopped at the coffeepot. “Is there fresh coffee, Jackson?”
Great, now he could sneak a peek at the customer. He bit his lip when he spied a man with blond hair and a dark tan. Jackson’s pulse raced. The man making Melanie giggle like a teenager with a crush looked young and muscular. Jackson’s brow furrowed when he noticed a few female members of the small tour group staring and whispering. What was it about this guy?
“Jackson, I asked if there was fresh coffee.”
“You’re sure in a good mood.” Jackson handed her the coffeepot. “I don’t think I’ve ever heard you laugh so much.” He crossed his arms on his chest. “Who’s the guy? He’s not a local.”
Jackson knew everyone in Sweet Gum. Did Melanie know him from DC? Maybe he was some hotshot lawyer from her firm. One thing Jackson knew for sure—he got his tan from a bottle.
Melanie smirked. “Why, Jackson Daughtry, are you jealous?”
“Jealous? Of course not. I just think you’d better be careful. I’ve known plenty of guys like him.”
“Like what, handsome and successful?” She turned on her heel and headed back to the stranger’s table.
There was no way he was jealous. Was he? He clenched his teeth. Inhaling a deep breath, he grabbed the other pot of coffee and bolted to the table next to Melanie. As he refilled the coffee cups of two women, he strained to hear what Melanie was saying, but all he heard were more giggles. Who was this guy? Some sort of comedian?
Jackson turned with a jerk. “Excuse me, Melanie, but I need to speak with you in the kitchen.”
She spun around, and her hair whipped over her shoulder. “One second. I need to take Richard’s order.” She took a seat next to Richard.
So what, now she was going to have a cup of coffee with the guy? She scribbled something on the back of an order ticket and slid it across the table. Did she just give him her phone number? Every muscle in Jackson’s body tightened. Was he asking her on a date?
Jackson wasn’t sure what was going on, but the emotions that erupted were something he hadn’t experienced since high school. Melanie was right. He was jealous.
* * *
Melanie couldn’t believe it. The handsome Jackson Daughtry was jealous. Her heart fluttered at the thought. While she cleaned out the last coffeepot, she recalled the tense expression on his face while she’d spoken to Richard.
“Well, it’s almost two. Looks like we’re finished for the day,” announced the man who’d been taking up most of her thoughts lately as he turned the sign at the front door to Closed.
She looked away for a moment. They’d visited Aunt Phoebe together the last couple of days. It was understandable Jackson assumed they’d go today, too, but after his reaction to Richard, Melanie wasn’t sure if he’d ask. She cleared her throat. “I can’t go today, Jackson.” The dishwasher kicked into the rinse cycle. “I’ve got a few errands to run.”
His shoulders slumped. “Oh...okay.” He turned and grabbed his jacket. “Maybe I’ll go ahead and visit her. I have some pictures of Sam and Rebecca I wanted to give to her.”
“I think she’d like it.” Melanie’s voice cracked.
He gave a half smile. “I think so, too.”
The shrill of the telephone behind the counter caused Melanie to jump. Jackson walked toward it and answered on the second ring.
“Thank you for calling The Bean. This is Jackson.” He ran his fingers through his hair once and then again. “Hello. Is anyone there?” he snapped. “Hello!” He paused for a second and slammed the phone back on the hook.
“Nobody there?” Melanie reached for her purse and swung it over her shoulder.
“It’s hard to tell. I thought I heard someone breathing, but the line sounded dead.” Jackson frowned. “So, you’re heading out for your errands?” he asked as he strolled toward the coatrack and slipped on his jacket.
Her face warmed. Gosh, he looks good in leather. “I’m sorry I can’t go with you to see Aunt Phoebe. Maybe I can meet you over there later.”
He nodded. “I’d like that.” He tossed a grin over his shoulder as he headed toward the door. “Let’s go.”
With legs like overcooked spaghetti noodles, she followed him to the parking lot. If he only knew where she was going, he’d change his mind about meeting later.
Fifteen minutes later, as Melanie sat on the front porch of Aunt Phoebe’s house, she took off her jacket. Despite the crisp air, the autumn sun felt more like August. She rubbed the back of her neck as she spied a deer grazing along the property line. Before Richard left The Bean, he said he’d meet her by two thirty. She glanced at her watch. He was late. A thickness formed in her throat. There was a part of her that wished she’d never arranged this appointment before she’d left DC. Seeing the town come out to help her aunt had been a curveball she hadn’t expected. She’d give him another few minutes before she headed to the rehab facility. Her pulse quickened at the thought of spending more time with Jackson outside The Bean. Their day together at the orchard was the first time since losing her husband that she’d considered a relationship with a man. But what would she do? Move to Sweet Gum? Her job was in DC. Her heart shrank.
Minutes later, Richard’s candy-apple-red Corvette tore up the gravel driveway, scaring two squirrels up a nearby oak tree. Funny, the real-estate agents she knew typically drove a car with a backseat for clients.
“I’m sorry I’m late.” He took off his jacket and tossed it inside the car. “Let’s get the tour started.” He slammed the door, and they headed inside.
Down in the basement, Richard checked out the age of the hot water tank while Melanie took notice of the stacks of boxes lining the wall. Aunt Phoebe sure had a lot of stuff. This move would be a tremendous undertaking. Why had she kept this appointment?
Richard walked toward her and wiped his hands down the front of his slacks. “The tank looks brand-new. Potential buyers like new.”
As they headed up the stairs, Melanie could have sworn she heard someone walking around in the house. “Do you hear something?”
He stopped at the top of the stairs. “Wait here.”
Melanie froze. Why had she left the door unlocked? Then again, who would think about crime in this friendly town?
She tiptoed to the top of the stairs and put her ear to the door. Richard spoke to the intruder, but it wasn’t a prowler. She recognized the voice and burst through the door. “Jackson, what are you doing here?”
Both men jumped.
“I could ask you the same thing, Mel.” His eyebrow rose. He looked at Richard and then took a couple of steps toward her. “I thought you were running errands.” His eyes narrowed. “What exactly is going on here?”
Melanie shrugged. “I asked you first. What are you doing here? You’re supposed to be visiting Aunt Phoebe.”
Jackson took a step back. “I came here first to pick up her laptop. When I called to let her know I planned to stop by, she asked if I could bring it to her.”
“Oh, I see.” Melanie glanced toward the floor. She braced herself for Jackson’s reaction when he found out why Richard was at Aunt Phoebe’s house.
“So, are you going to tell me what’s going on? Why you’re here with him? Alone?”
She and Richard looked at each other, and then he turned on his heel and headed toward the front door. “I think I’ll leave you two alone. I’ll be in touch, Melanie.” Within seconds, she heard Richard’s car race down the driveway faster than it had arrived.
Jackson placed the laptop on the foyer table and crossed his arms. “Boy, he’s su
re acting guilty.” His eyes were sad. “What’s up, Mel?”
She swallowed the lump in her throat. It was time to come clean. “He’s a real-estate agent, Jackson.” Saying it out loud made everything so real and very wrong.
His sad eyes quickly turned to anger. “Does Phoebe know you’ve got an agent looking at her house? This will crush her.”
Her breathing accelerated. Why did Jackson have to show up? He was going to ruin her plan, but maybe it should be ruined. She headed toward the kitchen for her jacket and purse. “He’s just looking. It’s not like he’s going to stick a For Sale sign in her yard today.”
Jackson followed close behind. “You didn’t answer my question. Does Phoebe know about this meeting?”
“No, she doesn’t know, but it’s not a big deal—it’s just a meeting.”
“It does matter, Mel. You’re going behind her back.” He looked up at the pendant light when it flickered. “It’s deceitful.”
She grabbed her coat off the back of the chair and jammed her arms into the sleeves. “It’s family business, Jackson, and I’d appreciate it if you didn’t mention it to Aunt Phoebe today.” She swung her purse over her shoulder, nearly hitting him in the chest.
Melanie couldn’t get out of there fast enough. She raced out the front door, trusting Jackson would lock up the house. She pitched her purse into the backseat, and its contents went flying. When she crawled into the backseat to retrieve the lipstick tube that rolled under the passenger seat, she felt something soft and fuzzy. It was stuck way underneath the seat. She was never good about cleaning her car. Her husband used to tease her about it. She reached farther with only her fingers touching. With a swift yank, she came face-to-face with Joey, the twins’ favorite stuffed animal. The day she’d given it to them, they’d asked why she hadn’t bought two. She’d sat them on the couch and told them the importance of sharing.
Melanie buried her face into the animal and wept. Why was Jackson making this so difficult? And why was this town tugging at her heart, making her doubt her plan? She wanted her old life back—or did she want this new life that was slowly growing on her?
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