A feeling of apprehension made Jessica shiver, but she told herself it was only due to her mother’s worry. “I will. I promise.”
“Okay.” Her mother had another coughing fit. “I’d better go take some more cough medicine. I’ll call you when Dad and I are better.”
“Okay, Mom. I love you.”
“I love you, sweetie.”
She turned her phone off and set it on the table, then replayed their conversation. A wave of exhaustion washed over her as she leaned her head back and closed her eyes. Would she really fall apart if things didn’t work out with Kyle? Or had she become stronger since then? Her mind drifted, and what seemed like moments later, she heard Kyle’s voice and felt him gently stroking her cheek.
“I’m leaving now, Jess,” he said.
Her eyes fluttered open to see the face of the man who had brought her so much happiness and so much heartache, and who now brought on so much anxiety. Trying to push aside her reservations, Jessica smiled up at him. “Hey.”
“Sorry to wake you, but I didn’t want to leave without telling you.”
His thoughtfulness helped to dampen her doubts about his claim to have changed. Maybe he really had changed. “It’s okay. I’m glad you did.”
“How are you feeling? Do you need anything? Ibuprofen maybe?”
Jessica sat up a little, which startled Hudson enough to make him jump down. Her body seemed to complain about her movements too. “Yeah, that might help.”
Kyle nodded, then went into the kitchen and fixed her a glass of ice water and brought it to her, along with two small pills. “Here. These should help.”
She took them from him, placed them on her tongue, then took a swallow of water. “Thanks.”
“I’ll be back in about an hour to take you to dinner.” His forehead creased. “If you think you’re up to it.”
This would be their first date since he’d broken their engagement five years before. She really didn’t want to miss it. “I think I’ll be fine.”
“Are you sure? I could just get something and bring it over.”
She readjusted her position to see how she really felt. Awful, that’s how. Her back ached from falling down the stairs, and the flesh wound from the bullet made her leg throb. Grimacing at the pain, she said, “Yeah, maybe that would be best.”
“Okay. I’ll be back in an hour or so with something to eat. You take it easy while I’m gone.”
She nodded.
When he came back with dinner, Jessica let him in the house, then followed him into the kitchen. “I can set the table,” she said, walking toward the cabinets.
“No, you need to rest.” He steered her back to the soft chair in the sunroom. “I’m perfectly capable of setting the table and laying the food out. I’ve taken care of myself for a long time now.”
She put her feet up on the ottoman in front of the chair. “Good, because I feel pretty stiff.”
A few minutes later they sat across from each other at the table.
“Thanks for getting dinner,” she said as she dug into the enchilada on her plate.
“I’m sure you’ll feel better soon, and then I can take you out.”
She smiled at him. “I’d like that.” She took a bite of salad. “What work do you have left to do in Ellen’s bathroom?”
After giving her a verbal bullet list, he said, “Unless I run into some kind of huge snag, I should get it done before Ellen comes home.”
“That would be perfect.”
They chatted and ate, their earlier argument pushed aside, than Kyle cleaned up. “How are you feeling?” he asked as he put the last dish away.
“I’m pretty tired, actually,” Jessica said.
A look of sincere caring filled his face as he came over to where she sat. “Do you want me to help you upstairs?”
Though the ibuprofen had helped, her back and leg still ached. “I wouldn’t mind.”
Kyle helped her stand, then with one arm around her waist, they made their way to the stairs. Despite her discomfort, Jessica enjoyed having him so close to her, and leaned heavily on him as they climbed the stairs.
“If I have time tomorrow, I’ll patch those bullet holes,” Kyle said as they passed the obvious damage to the walls along the staircase.
“Okay. I’d rather Ellen not see them.” They reached the landing and turned toward her bedroom.
“I’ll do my best,” Kyle said as he helped her sit on her bed. A smile crossed his face. “Do you need any help undressing?”
Jessica smirked. “No, I can manage that much.” Then a new thought came to mind. “Can you lock the front door when you leave?”
“I don’t have a key, so I won’t be able to lock the deadbolt.”
She pointed to her purse, sitting on the floor. “You can borrow mine.”
He looked at her with surprise. “Are you sure?”
She gazed at him with confidence. “You protected me from that mad man, Kyle. I think I can trust you with a key to my aunt’s house.”
He laughed. “I just wanted to make sure.” After retrieving the key from her purse, he sat next to her on the bed and leaned close. “I promise I won’t sneak into your room while you’re sleeping.”
With the heat from his body radiating toward her, and his green eyes gazing at her, Jessica caught her breath. Maybe I wouldn’t mind, she thought, then felt a blush wash over her cheek. To cover the thought that had taken her by surprise, she laughed. “You’d better not.”
His lips quirked into a smile. “That’s not what you would have said when we were engaged.”
His reminder that they were once engaged was like a splash of ice water to her face, and all the doubts she’d had after the phone call with her mother that afternoon came rushing back. She kept her voice even as she spoke. “Well, we’re no longer engaged, are we?”
Stiffening, Kyle froze for a moment, then he frowned. “No, we’re not. I shouldn’t have said that. I’m sorry.”
How can he be so cavalier? She wondered. Is he that clueless about the anguish I suffered? The complete and utter devastation? The thought worried her.
If he was so unaware of the heartbreak he’d caused, what would keep him from doing it again? Then she thought of Melanie and the way he’d abruptly broken things off with her—and she had a daughter whom he adored. Did he feel any guilt for the misery he certainly caused the two of them?
Suddenly wary, Jessica stared at him a moment. “I’m pretty tired.”
Obviously understanding that she was dismissing him, he stood. “Sleep well, Jess.”
She nodded, then watched him walk out of her bedroom. A moment later she heard the front door close and the deadbolt turn. She had trouble falling asleep that night, her feelings for him warring with the logic that her mind kept putting forth. The logic that said to be very, very cautious with trusting him with her heart.
Chapter Three
By the time Jessica had finished cleaning up from breakfast the next morning, then begun working on her programming project, she’d become worried because Kyle hadn’t shown up or called. This would be the last full day he would have to work on Ellen’s bathroom before Jessica brought her home from the long-term care center the next day. She knew he still had a number of tasks to complete, and she knew he’d planned on working all that day.
Jessica glanced at the clock on her computer again, her thoughts turning to the interaction she’d had with Kyle before he’d left the night before. Had her comment about them no longer being engaged gotten to him? So much that he had decided not to come over? The thought surprised her, because he normally wasn’t the type of person who would let that bother him for long.
Trying to stay focused on what she was working on, she forced herself to ignore the minutes as they passed with no word from Kyle. Finally she couldn’t take it any longer and she called his cell phone, but when it went to voice mail, she hung up without leaving a message, knowing he would see he had missed a call from her.
Just before she was about to take a break and have lunch, Jessica heard a car pulling up to the house. A sense of relief swept over her when Kyle knocked on the front door, then let himself in, and Jessica admitted that in the back of her mind she’d been worried that something had happened to him.
“Hey,” he said, walking toward her.
“Where have you been?” she blurted.
He sighed. “Avery cut her head.”
Avery, Jessica thought. Melanie’s adorable two-year-old who Kyle admitted he was crazy about. “Is she okay?”
“Yeah. She had to get stitches.”
She shook her head in confusion. “I don’t understand how this involves you.”
Kyle’s forehead creased. “Melanie called me as I was heading over here. She was pretty upset. Apparently the cut was bleeding pretty heavily.” He glanced away, then looked back at Jessica before going on. “I was nearby, so I went over, then I brought them to the Emergency room and stayed while Avery got the stitches.”
Though Jessica didn’t like the feeling of jealousy that seemed to overtake her, she couldn’t seem to help it, but it felt petty to complain about him taking care of a young child when he was supposed to be working on her aunt’s bathroom, so she kept her thoughts to herself. But inside she admitted that she was surprised he would drop everything and rush to Melanie’s side, and she wondered if that would happen again. After all, he’d broken up with her the week before.
He stood there a moment. “Well, I guess I’d better get to work. I have some time to make up.”
Jessica nodded, not sure what to say. He walked out of the sunroom, and before long Jessica heard him working upstairs. Her thoughts filled in the blanks to Kyle’s story. When he’d arrived at Melanie’s house, he’d pulled her into a warm hug, trying to comfort her. Then he’d taken her and her daughter to the Emergency room, staying by her side for hours, then brought the two of them home, staying long enough to make sure they were both okay, finally remembering Jessica and his commitment to finish Ellen’s bathroom.
As the images rolled through her mind, Jessica felt her jealousy and anger growing until she was furious at Kyle. But she couldn’t very well tell him how she felt. How heartless would she sound if she told him he should have ignored Melanie and Avery in their time of need? What kind of person was she that she really did feel that way?
Not liking the way she felt, she pushed down her feelings and turned her attention to work, but it didn’t take long to realize that her focus was shot. Instead, she pulled up her personal email account, but frowned when she saw an email from Alex. Though tempted to delete it without reading it, she decided to see what he had to say.
Jessica,
I was so relieved to be able to see for myself that you’re okay. I want you to know that you’ve continually been in my thoughts, and if you need anything, tell me, and I’ll be there as fast as I can. I can hardly wait until you come home, and I’m eagerly awaiting your answer to my proposal. We make a great team, and I love you so much. I can’t wait to make you my wife!
I love you!
Alex
A small moan sounded deep in her throat as she realized that he was either in deep denial, or really had no clue that they were done. Considering if she should just break up with him in an email, she decided that would be too callous—too reminiscent of when Kyle broke their engagement over the phone—and decided that once she got Ellen settled in, she would drive home and break the news to Alex in person. Besides, she’d been gone from her apartment for three weeks. It would be good to stop by the post office and get her mail, and check up on things at home.
Feeling slightly better now that she had a concrete plan, she settled back in her chair and resumed working on her programming project. After an hour she decided to take a break and see how Kyle was progressing on the bathroom. As she approached the bathroom she pictured Kyle’s arms around Melanie and felt a flash of jealousy.
When she walked in the bathroom, she saw Kyle’s body sticking out from under the bathroom sink as he worked on the plumbing. His shirt had ridden up, exposing his muscular abs. Resisting the urge to reach out and touch his stomach, she bent over so that she could see his face.
“How’s it going?” she asked.
“Hey.” He smiled. “I’m just about done with this part. Give me a sec.”
She stayed where she was, enjoying watching him work, and a few minutes later he slid out and stood.
He grinned at her. “Let’s see if this faucet works.” Turning to her, he said, “Why don’t you do the honors?”
“Okay.” Jessica turned the knob and water gushed out. “It seems to be working.”
He smiled. “Unless there’s a leak.” He knelt on the floor and looked inside the vanity cabinet. “Nope. Looks good.” He stood a moment later, and placing his hand on hers, he turned the faucet off.
Jessica watched him watching her, and was glad they’d gotten back together—despite the obstacles she was sure they’d have to cross.
He moved his hand from hers, then reached out and stroked her face. “I’m really sorry about this morning, Jess.”
How could she stay jealous or angry at him now? He really hadn’t done anything wrong, had he? He’d just come to the aid of a friend—at least she hoped that’s all Melanie was to him. Nodding, she forced a smile on her lips. “It’s okay.”
He pulled her to him, and she wrapped her arms around his neck, relishing the feeling of his body pressed against hers. She breathed in his unique scent, and lay her head against his shoulder. He ran his hands up and down her back, sending shivers of pleasure through her. Then he put two fingers under her chin and lifted her face to his. He gazed into her eyes, then his eyelids fluttered closed as his mouth descended toward hers. Heat raced through her as their lips met, and she allowed herself to enjoy the feelings flowing through her.
After a moment he pulled away, a smile on his mouth. Jessica gazed at him, all thoughts of Melanie gone. Then Alex’s face filled her mind and she remembered her decision to go home and tell him that she would not marry him. She wanted Kyle to know her plans—she didn’t want him to have any doubt that she had chosen him.
“Kyle, I have to tell you something.”
“I already know.” He grinned. “You’re desperately in love with me.”
She smiled. Of course he was right, but she wasn’t ready to express it quite like that. “No.”
His eyebrows shot up. “No? You’re not in love with me?”
She laughed, but didn’t want to give him the satisfaction of telling him that he was right. “I wanted to tell you something about Alex.”
Now his eyebrows formed a V. “What about him?”
“I’ve decided that I’m going to go home in a few days and tell him face to face that I’m not going to marry him.”
Kyle’s expression smoothed out. “Oh. Good.” He paused. “Do you want me to come with you?”
She laughed. “Don’t you think that would be like rubbing salt in his wound?”
He rolled his eyes. “I don’t mean that I’d be there when you tell him, but just that I’d be in town.”
It would be nice to have him go with her—then she would have his complete attention for a change. But somehow it didn’t seem right to bring along her new boyfriend when she broke up with the old one—even if he wouldn’t actually be there when she did the breaking up. “I think I’d better go by myself this time.”
“This time?” Kyle grinned. “How many times are you going to have to break up with this guy?”
Jessica laughed. “You know what I mean.”
He smiled. “How are you feeling today?”
“Better. My back’s not as sore.”
“Good.” His cell phone rang. He looked at the Caller ID, glanced at Jessica, then pressed the phone to his ear. “Hello?” Then he was silent as the caller spoke.
When it appeared to Jessica that his phone call might take a while, she wandered into her aunt’s bedroom and looke
d around, wanting to make sure everything was ready for her aunt to come home the next day. Deciding to put fresh sheets on her aunt’s bed, Jessica stripped off the sheets and tossed them in a pile, then got a fresh set out of the linen closet.
As she tucked the sheets in, she couldn’t help but overhear Kyle’s side of his conversation, and when she heard him mention Avery, she stopped what she was doing and listened more closely.
“Can’t you put a different bandage on?” he was saying. Then a pause. “Do you really think that would make a difference? . . . Okay. I’ll come over in a while.” Then all was silent.
Jessica continued making the bed, and when Kyle walked into the room, he seemed surprised to see her there and she wondered if he knew she’d overheard his conversation—the conversation she could only assume was with Melanie. She glanced at him and smiled as she finished making the bed, acting like she hadn’t heard anything, then she straightened up the nightstand and dresser.
“Everything okay?” she finally asked as he stood there watching her.
“Yeah,” he said. “I, uh, I need to go see Avery for a little while.”
At least he’s not trying to hide it, Jessica thought, holding back a frown. “Oh?”
“Yeah. I guess she keeps trying to take off the bandage that’s covering her stitches, and she won’t take a nap.” He smiled, like he knew what he was about to say was lame. “Melanie thinks I might be able to get Avery to take a nap.”
Whoa, Jessica thought. It’s like Melanie is trying to get him to be Avery’s father. Though Jessica thought Melanie was crossing the line, who was she to deny a little girl access to the only man who’d been like a father to her?
Not sure what to say, Jessica just nodded.
A look of guilt flashed across his face. “I’ll be back as soon as I can to finish the bathroom.”
She managed to keep the expression on her face neutral. “Okay.” What else was she supposed to do? If she told him he shouldn’t go, she would sound petty and selfish.
He nodded, then walked out of the room and down the stairs. A moment later Jessica heard him go out the front door. She looked out the window that overlooked the front of the house and watched Kyle climb into his truck. She couldn’t see very well, but it looked like he was making a phone call. A moment later he started up his truck and drove away.
Second Chances (sequel to Over You) Page 3