“I think you’re right. On both counts.” Jessica smiled. “In all that time, I never stopped loving him, and he said he feels the same about me.”
“Sounds promising.”
“Yes, except . . .” She hesitated, not sure if she should mention Melanie.
“Except what?”
“Well, he was dating this other woman.”
“Melanie, yes. I’ve met her.”
“Well, I’m not so sure he’s ready to let her go completely. Or her daughter.” She knew she was on delicate ground—she didn’t want to break her promise to Kyle to not mention the adoption, but she wanted to get Donna’s take on Melanie.
“That little girl is sure cute and I know Kyle was crazy about her.” Donna’s voice showed caution, like she didn’t want to offend Jessica. “About both of them.”
Though this wasn’t news, Jessica still felt a jolt of jealousy at Donna’s remark, and couldn’t hold back a frown.
“That’s not to say he doesn’t love you, Jessica, but you should know that he and Melanie were getting pretty serious. At least that was the impression I got from the conversations I had with him a couple of months ago.”
“How serious?” The pitch of her voice went up, and she cleared her throat.
Donna gazed at Jessica. “Are you sure you want to know this?”
No. “Yes.”
“Well, he used the word marriage more than once.”
Sucker-punched. That’s how she felt to know that he’d been one step away from being out of her reach forever. This new information also gave her a new perspective into Melanie’s determination to keep him. Surely she knew how close he was to proposing.
When I showed up, she thought, and he dumped her for me, she must have been livid.
The black roses came to mind, as well as the text, and she wondered if Melanie could be the one behind them. Was she really that vindictive? And if she was, what else was she capable of? How far would she go to keep her man?
She’ll be beyond thrilled when she finds out that I have to leave town to find a job. The thought made Jessica almost want to cancel her interview, but she knew that would be irresponsible. “I didn’t know they were that serious,” she finally said in reply to Donna’s news.
“That was then, Jessica. Things can change.”
Small comfort, she thought. Because that means things could change again. And not in her favor. She smiled at Donna, then nodded, but inside she was worried. More worried than she’d been before lunch.
When Donna dropped her off at Ellen’s after their lunch, she found Kyle still working. “Didn’t you take a break for lunch?”
“I brown-bagged it today, so I’ve eaten.” He stopped what he was doing and came over to her. “How did your lunch go? Did you and my mom have a good talk?”
Outwardly, she smiled, but inside she was anxious. “She told me all of your secrets, so I’d say it went well.”
He laughed. “Uh oh.” Then he became serious. “You didn’t tell her about the adoption, did you?”
“Of course not.”
He smiled. “Thank you.”
Jessica thought about the new revelation about his birth and adoptive fathers, and how that was so obviously impacting his thinking regarding adopting Avery. “I’ve been thinking, Kyle, and you know, no one would believe you were abandoning Avery if you moved on.”
His forehead creased for a moment. “Why do you say that?”
“I just know you’re worried about that.”
“But what will Avery think? When she’s older?”
Her voice softened and she placed a hand on his arm. “Honestly, I don’t think she’ll remember you. She’s so little.”
He chuckled. “I don’t know if that makes me feel better or worse about all of this.”
She smiled. “It’s supposed to make you feel better.”
“I know.”
She leaned toward him and gave him a kiss, then stroked his face. “I love you.”
Her words seemed to lift his mood. “I love you too, Jess.”
She left him to work, and went to see what her aunt was up to, and found her organizing the linen closet.
“How was your lunch with Donna?”
“Enlightening.” She took a neatly folded stack of towels from her aunt and placed them on the shelf.
“What did you learn?”
She told her about Kyle’s father experiences. “That explains so much about his wanting to adopt Avery, don’t you think?”
“Yes,” Ellen said as she threw some items into a small trash can. “I think you’re right.”
“If I can just convince him that not adopting Avery doesn’t mean he’s tossing her aside, maybe he’ll be able to move on.”
“Move on with you, you mean?” Ellen’s eyes twinkled.
Jessica laughed. “Obviously.” She paused. “By the way, I have one job interview lined up next week, so I’ll be leaving on Monday.”
Ellen stopped what she was doing. “Oh, well that’s good, I suppose.” She looked at Jessica with a question on her face. “What about Kyle? Will you come back?”
“If it’s okay with you, I was thinking I would come back on the weekend, assuming I have other interviews that keep me there.”
“You know I would love that.”
“To be honest, I’m a little worried about leaving Kyle in Melanie’s clutches on the weekends.”
“Now, Jessica. If he really loves you, spending a little time with Melanie won’t change that.”
She folded a set of sheets and placed them back in the closet. “I can’t help but wonder if she’s been pushing him into this adoption idea. You know, to get him to marry her.” She frowned. “I guess I’m afraid that if I’m not around, she might convince him to move forward with whatever she has planned.”
“Hmm. I can see how that would be a worry.”
The fact that her aunt agreed didn’t help. “I was hoping you’d say I was being silly.”
Ellen touched her arm. “Maybe you are being silly. But I don’t blame you.”
They worked together until the job was done, then Jessica checked her email and found a second invitation for an interview. She spoke to the contact and arranged the interview for two days after the other one. As much as she would have preferred to have both interviews on the same day, that didn’t work with the interviewer’s schedule, and she had to take what she could get.
In the late afternoon her phone chimed and she checked her texts.
Alex: a detective came and talked to me about you. What’s going on? Is everything okay?
Jessica frowned. Not just because Alex had contacted her—although she wasn’t thrilled about that. But because Detective Barnes had obviously spoken to him about the strange things that had happened to her. She really didn’t want to drag Alex into her world right now, not with all the complications with Kyle. Besides, she didn’t think Alex was the one behind the strange message and the flowers. She was more apt to believe Melanie did those things than Alex.
She set her phone down on the bed, not wanting to get drawn into a conversation with her ex, and focused back on her job search. It was almost like a full-time job in and of itself to research the companies that looked promising, then fill out their online applications. Soon she was immersed in her task and forgot about Alex.
A knock on her door pulled her away from her laptop, and she opened the door to find Kyle standing in the hallway. His handsome smiling face pushed away the mental exhaustion she was feeling.
“Hey,” he said as he reached out and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.
“Hi.”
“How’s the job hunt going?”
“I have another interview next week.”
“Good.” He smiled. “I just came to tell you that I’m leaving for the day. My mom and I are going to spend some time together, but I’ll see you tomorrow, okay?”
She nodded. “Yeah.” At least he’ll be with his mother instead of Melanie.
He moved to stand right in front of her, then leaned toward her and pressed his mouth against hers. She wound her arms around his neck, loving the taste and feel of him.
After a moment he pulled away, his eyes showing how much he enjoyed their kiss. “Maybe you can come with us.”
She laughed. “No. You should spend time with your mom. Just the two of you.”
He smiled. “I know. It was just an idea.” He paused. “My mom is heading back tomorrow, so maybe we can do something tomorrow night.”
“I’d like that.”
“Great. I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Okay.”
He left a moment later.
That night, when Hudson didn’t snuggle up to Jessica, she didn’t think much about it as he sometimes slept in other places. But the next morning when he didn’t come racing into the kitchen to eat his food, she became worried.
“Have you seen Hudson?” she asked her aunt, who sat at the dining room table reading the newspaper.
“Not since yesterday, no.”
Jessica frowned. “Neither have I.” She glanced around, then called out, “Hudson. Here kitty, kitty. Come here, big guy.” She tilted her head to listen for the tell-tale sound of the bell on his collar, but there was nothing. A feeling of foreboding washed over her. He was normally an indoor cat, but she’d let him explore a bit while they were staying at Ellen’s, although she’d been careful to not let him outside unless she was outside with him. “I’m going to see if I can find him.”
She went out back and called for him, making her way around to the front of the house, then walked toward the road that led to the main street. He was nowhere in sight. Hoping that he was just sleeping in the house somewhere, ignoring her, she went back inside and searched all of the places she’d noticed him hanging out since they’d been there.
Not finding him in any of those places, she went back out front to see if he’d somehow appeared. As she began the circuit around the house, she heard Kyle’s truck arriving, and headed over to him once he climbed out.
“Hey, Jess.” He smiled as he walked toward her.
“Hudson’s missing.”
Glancing around the expansive front yard, he said, “He’s probably just chasing some birds or something.”
She shook her head, certain that he was missing. “I haven’t seen him since yesterday. He didn’t even show up for breakfast, which, for him, is unheard of.”
He rubbed her arms. “I’m sure he’ll turn up.”
Though his comment felt patronizing, she let it go, knowing he was just trying to cheer her up. “Well, I’m going to keep looking.”
“Okay.” He smiled. “I’ve got lots to do today, so I’d better get started.”
She nodded. “I know.”
He stroked her face, then leaned in for a kiss. “Let me know if you need me.”
I always need you, she thought, but nodded instead. “Thanks.”
After he went inside, she walked around the house, calling, “Hudson, Hudson, where are you?” But there was no reply, and the gray tabby didn’t appear. Tears pushed their way into her eyes. Her sweet kitty had become her constant companion, and she didn’t know what she would do if something happened to him.
Not knowing what else to do, she brought her laptop out to the front porch to do her job search. That way she would know the moment Hudson came home.
Chapter Nineteen
Late that morning she heard the sound of a car crunching up the gravel drive to her aunt’s house, and she looked up to see a familiar car drawing closer to the house. “Really?” she muttered, as her eyes met those of the driver. A moment later Alex climbed out of his car and walked toward the house, stopping at the bottom of the porch steps. He wasn’t wearing his usual lawyer attire of suit and tie, but instead wore slacks with a dress shirt open at the collar.
She remembered the agreement she’d made with him the last time he’d stopped by—if he would leave, she would meet with him in thirty days to discuss their relationship. “It hasn’t been thirty days yet,” she said. “It hasn’t even been two weeks.”
“Why didn’t you answer my text?”
Her head jerked in surprise. “You drove three hours to see me because I didn’t answer your text?”
He stayed at the bottom of the steps as he gazed at her. “Of course.”
She shook her head. “Why?”
A soft smile lit his face as he climbed the stairs to the porch, then sat in the chair next to hers. “Because I love you, Jessica. And I was worried.”
She turned to face him, wondering what she could say to get him to understand that there was no future for them.
He reached for her hand, but she tucked it under her thigh. Looking at it, he frowned, then he looked at her. “A detective came to see me yesterday and asked me a bunch of questions. Questions that made it sound like you could be in danger.” His brow furrowed. “Are you in danger, Jessica?”
She thought about the black roses, the text of warning, the stranger at the lake, and now the fact that her cat was missing, and wondered if she was in danger. But even if she was, she had no intention of sharing that information with Alex. For all she knew, he was the one behind it. Her eyes narrowed. “Did you happen to see Hudson as you drove in?”
“Your cat?” He looked puzzled. “No. Why?”
“I can’t find him.”
A half-smile played at the corners of his mouth. “He’s a cat. They tend to wander.”
Anger laced her voice. “You know he’s an indoor cat.”
He gestured to the wide-open space. “You’ve kept him inside the house while you’ve been here?”
“Well, no. But I always know when he’s outside, and I don’t remember letting him out yesterday. Which, by the way, was the last time I saw him.”
“Maybe your aunt let him out by accident.”
His words made sense, and she clung to them, because if he was right, Hudson was fine and would turn up as soon as he was hungry enough. “Maybe.”
“In any case, Jessica, you didn’t answer my question. Are you in danger?”
“No.”
“Then why in the world did a detective come all the way to see me to ask me if I’d sent you flowers, or sent you an anonymous text?” He frowned. “Does this have something to do with that guy who attacked you?”
Pretending everything was fine was becoming exhausting. Jessica stared out at the yard, then faced Alex. “I don’t know. Maybe.”
He smiled. “Now we’re getting somewhere.” His voice softened. “Tell me what’s going on.”
“Fine.” She paused. “Someone sent me a box of black roses, and then a week later I got a text telling me to watch my back.” She decided not to mention the man at the lake.
A look of concern swept over him. “You should come back home. Get away from this place.”
She frowned. “I guess you’ll be getting your wish.”
“What do you mean? You’re coming home?”
“I lost my job, Alex. So yes, I’m coming home on Monday so I can look for a new one.” She could tell he was trying to disguise his happiness at the news.
“I’m sorry about your job, but you must know I’m glad you’re coming home.”
“It’s only temporary. Once I find a job, I don’t know where I’ll be.” She gave him a warning look. “This doesn’t change anything. I’m still not going to marry you.”
“That’s fine, Jessica. That’s fine.”
She knew what he must be thinking—if she came home he might be able to change her mind about marrying him. Wanting to put a stop to that before it began, she put a hand on his arm. “I’ve moved on.”
He glanced at her hand, then gazed at her. “What do you mean?”
“I mean, I’m seeing someone.”
Storm clouds moved into his eyes. “It’s that handyman, isn’t it?”
There was no point in denying it anymore. Maybe if he understood that she was with Kyle now, he wo
uld leave her alone. “Yes.”
He jumped up and slapped his legs. “I knew it.” He spun around and stared at her. “How long has this been going on?”
“What does it matter?”
“It matters to me.”
She sighed. “It wasn’t until after I’d already broken up with you.”
“I don’t believe you,” he sneered, any signs of caring for her now absent.
“It’s the truth. We’ve only been dating for three weeks.”
“You didn’t waste any time, did you? What was it? The fact that he saved you?”
Did she dare tell him that she and Kyle had once been engaged? No, she didn’t think that was a good idea. “I don’t want to discuss this with you anymore. I just wanted you to know where things stand.”
“Right. Because you’re so considerate.”
“I think it’s time for you to go, Alex.”
“Yeah. I don’t want you to sic your boyfriend on me.” He glanced at the front door. “He’s in there now, isn’t he?” A laugh of embarrassment left his lips. “Of course he is.” He turned and pointed to Kyle’s truck. “That’s his truck right there.” He walked down the porch steps, paused at the bottom, then turned. “I hope you find your cat.” Then he stalked out to his car and drove off in a cloud of dust.
The unpleasant confrontation left Jessica’s heart pounding. Now she wished she had admitted her involvement with Kyle when Alex had asked her at their break-up lunch. Then she could have avoided the nasty little scene she’d just suffered.
Putting her head in her hands, she inhaled deeply, then slowly released her breath, trying to calm herself down. Once her heart rate returned to normal, she leaned her head back and closed her eyes, trying to restore her equilibrium. She must have fallen asleep, because she woke with a start when something pounced into her lap. Her eyes flew open, and when she saw what was on her lap, she screamed.
The creature dashed away, and a moment later Kyle burst through the front door.
“What’s wrong? I heard you scream.”
Jessica pointed to the ugly creature that stood fifteen feet away. “That thing jumped on my lap.”
Kyle stared where she pointed, then gasped. “Jessica, I think that’s Hudson.”
She bolted out of her chair, her gaze riveted to the small hairless creature. “What?”
Second Chances (sequel to Over You) Page 15