CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
JADE HAD JUST FINISHED RINSING HER HAIR WHEN A COOL draft entered the shower. The curtain billowed inward, clinging to her wet skin as the bathroom door clicked shut.
She sucked in a breath and her heart shot into her throat.
“Jade,” came a whisper.
Daniel. She palmed her heart, then poked her head out from the curtain. “You scared me to death. Do you mind? I’m kind of taking a shower here.”
He put his index finger to his lips. “I saw Betty Jean coming in.”
“It’s only eight o’clock,” Jade whispered.
“She’s going to hear the water running. I have to make her think it’s me.”
Jade shut off the water and wrung out her hair. Water gurgled down the drain.
He thrust a towel at her.
“Thanks.” She dried off and wrapped it around her. “What are we going to do?”
When she peeked out again, his hands were steepled under his chin. “I’ll find a way to get rid of her for a few minutes. You can slip out the back.”
“Okay.”
“Just keep it down in here.”
He slid out the door. Jade dressed as quietly as she could. Her stomach had really popped out this week. She was down to elastic waistbands now and trying to hide behind tables and counters, especially around her family. At the coffee shop she tied the apron loosely and hoped people thought she was eating too many blueberry muffins. Already she’d caught Sidney eyeing her stomach.
She heard Betty Jean greet Daniel just outside the door. His assistant was early because she couldn’t sleep, she was saying. She had so much on her mind.
“What’s wrong?” Daniel asked.
Jade towel-dried her hair, then cleared a circle of fog from the mirror, wincing at the loud squeak.
“I talked to my daughter last night. She’s been feeling so awful. Remember, I told you about that.”
“Right, she’s been undergoing tests.”
“It’s multiple sclerosis.” Betty Jean’s voice wobbled. “They found out yesterday.”
“I’m so sorry.”
Jade clutched the towel to her chest and leaned against the sink. She remembered Betty Jean’s daughter. Poor Penny.
“It’s pretty far along. She’s a single mom, you know, and I decided last night. I’m moving to Tennessee to help her. I called her this morning and told her, and she sounded so relieved. Daniel, I’m sorry to quit, but I’ll give you two weeks, and I’ll help find someone else, help with the training too.”
“Betty Jean,” came Daniel’s soothing voice. Jade imagined his comforting hand on her arm. “It’s okay. I understand. Do what you need to do, and don’t worry about a thing.”
“I have to get the house ready to put on the market, and it’s such a mess. I never cleaned out Carl’s things, and the attic is full of his mother’s stuff. Not to mention all my work here to keep up with. So many things I’m in the middle of . . . but my daughter needs me.” Her voice caught.
“Here’s what I want you to do. Take a deep breath. Now. Take a nice little walk down to the Coachlight and get yourself one of those lattes you love. Have them put it on my account.”
“But I have so much—”
“Go. I insist. Take your time. It’s going to be fine. I’ll place a help-wanted ad today.”
“All right. All right, thank you, Daniel. You’re a good boy.”
Jade listened, her ear turned toward the door. Footsteps sounded, the front door clicked shut.
A tap sounded on the bathroom door. “All clear.”
Jade opened it. “Oh, wow, that’s terrible about her daughter.”
He hiked a brow, turning down the hall.
“What? I couldn’t help but overhear.” She piled her damp hair on her head and gathered her things, following him. “Sorry you’re losing Betty Jean. I know she’s been—”
He was losing Betty Jean. The position was well paid. Daniel had fought to raise the salary when he’d taken office, had caught some flak for it. The job offered benefits, regular hours, not to mention a super nice boss.
Daniel sat at his desk and woke up the computer. She stared at him, biting her lip, the thought taking root.
Maybe she wasn’t exactly assistant material, but she was a quick learner. She knew the basic computer programs and could learn to operate office equipment. Anyone could answer phones and schedule appointments, right?
“Hey, Daniel?” She waited until he looked at her. “Are you taking interviews for that position yet?”
Daniel turned to Jade, his mind still on his crowded inbox. He’d ignored it for too long, and now it would take hours to weed through the—
“What?” he asked, her words finally registering.
“I know Betty Jean just quit, but I can do the job, Daniel.”
Whoa. Wait a minute.
“I can answer phones and make copies. And I can type. I’m a fast learner and a hard worker . . .”
No.
Oh no.
“The position has insurance and regular hours, and I wouldn’t be on my feet all day, which will come in really handy the next few months. Oh, please, Daniel, I promise I’ll be the best assistant ever. Better even than Betty Jean.”
Hadn’t he just decided to limit his time with her? How would he function, trapped in his office eight hours a day with Jade?
Day, after day, after day.
It was a bad idea. Terrible.
But tempting too. Glancing up to catch a glimpse of her any time he chose. Talking to her on a whim, just because he felt like it. Letting his fingers brush hers as he handed her papers to file. Squeezing past her as she used the copy machine, allowing his chest to brush her back for a fleeting moment. It would be so great.
No. No, Dawson, it’ll be awful.
He couldn’t do it. “Jade, I—I don’t know if that’s a good idea.”
She reared back as if he’d struck her. Her green eyes widened, taking on that lost look. “You don’t think I’d do a good job.”
“No. That’s not it.”
“Then what is it?”
What is it, Dawson? He massaged the back of his neck, willing words to come.
“You don’t—you think I’m useless. You think I’m a useless, flaky failure.”
“No, I don’t, Jade.” He stood and paced across the room. He had to put some distance between them. He couldn’t think when she was looking at him like that.
“Then what is it? Is it the maternity leave? Because I won’t need much time off. I could even bring the babies to work with me—they sleep the first month anyway.”
That was the last thing on his mind. “I’m not going to deny a new mother maternity leave, Jade. Least of all you.”
Understanding lit her eyes. “It’s the friendship. You’re afraid to mix business and personal. It won’t be like that. I’d never take advantage of our friendship. What you say goes. You’re the boss, Daniel. I’ll respect that.”
“It’s not that.”
“Then what? The timing is even perfect. Mom’s coming back to work next week, and I’d have a whole week to train with Betty Jean before she leaves.”
He’d really backed himself into a corner. How was he going to get out of this? But he had to. He had to.
“I’d be a great assistant, and in case I haven’t mentioned it lately, I’m kind of in desperate need of a good job . . .”
She’s living in a store, Dawson. Cooking in a borrowed microwave and sleeping on a display bed. She’ll be on her feet all day if she goes back to the coffee shop full time. While pregnant with twins. Where was she even planning to go after her mom came back to work? She couldn’t stay at the store.
“Please?” She gave him that look. The one that made him feel like a dog for even thinking about saying no. How selfish could he be?
Everything softened inside, went to mush. “Okay.” Just until she got her feet under her.
Jade threw her arms around his neck. Her ro
unded belly pressed against him. She smelled so good. He wrapped his arms around her. What was he supposed to do? He had to take care of her. Somebody had to. He could suck it up for a few months. Maybe something better would come along, something more fitting.
“Thank you, thank you, thank you!” She pressed a kiss to his cheek.
He was ashamed of the way his heart responded. Pitiful. Just pitiful. But the twinkle in her eyes was worth every bit of torture he’d face in the coming months. He had put that twinkle there.
She pulled away, smiling as she gathered her bundle of clothes. “I’d better go.”
“Yeah, she’ll be back soon.”
Jade hurried down the hallway. “You won’t regret this, Daniel, I promise,” she called over her shoulder.
Daniel watched her slip out the back door, a knot the size of a boulder forming in his chest. He already did.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
JADE LAY ON A SLEEPING BAG IN THE HULL OF DANIEL’S BOAT, staring up at the stars, listening to the cicadas and the rippling of the water.
“Thanks for having me over,” she said. “This is the most peaceful I’ve felt in weeks.”
He’d made pasta for supper. She’d scarfed it down like a starving woman only to look up and find Daniel’s amused gaze on her.
She watched a firefly float around the edges of the boat. “Look. A firefly.” It danced away over the water.
“Every time I see one, I think of you,” he said.
“Really? Why?”
Daniel slid the oars into the water, propelling the boat gently forward. “The first time I saw you, it was in your folks’ backyard. There you were, right in the middle, spinning round and round.”
She chuckled. “I was? Why?”
“You said you were dancing with the fireflies.”
She smiled. That sounded like her. The old her. So much had happened since then. She felt the smile drooping.
“That’s who you are, Jade. Who you’ve always been.”
Awhile later they came in off the water and settled in Daniel’s living room. Jade squirmed until she was comfy, then tucked her toes into Daniel’s couch cushions and channel surfed. “Contrary to popular opinion, antique sofas aren’t that comfortable, especially on a pregnant woman’s back.”
“I’m just glad you got a night off.”
“Yeah, I’ve been working some crazy hours.”
Daniel settled on the other end of the sofa. “Not for long.”
She lowered the remote control. “Oh, I’ve missed this show. So you’re going to Indy tonight?”
“Yeah. I’ll be back tomorrow in time for the barbecue and your announcement.”
Her mom had her strength back, and the doctor had given her permission to return to her regular schedule. Jade’s days of hiding behind countertops were almost over. She’d been avoiding her family for a week.
Daniel’s boathouse felt like home after living in the store the past month and a half. She’d forgotten how much she loved the luxuries of TV and home-cooked meals, not to mention the waterside ambiance.
“I didn’t know you liked scary shows.”
“It’s not scary, just kind of tense.” Her favorite female lead was scouring the beach at night for her lost diamond ring. The flashlight made wide sweeps across the darkened sand. The creepy music started.
“Who brings expensive jewelry to the beach?” Daniel asked.
“It’s a long story, and I’ve missed—” A darkened shadow appeared. The music swelled.
“I still think—”
“Shhh!”
Daniel chuckled. “I think I’ll go pack.”
The darkened shadow turned out to be the character’s boyfriend, and a romantic interlude proceeded before they cut to a commercial.
Jade muted the TV, catching the pink glow of the sunset through the window. The last light of the day reflected on the surface of the water, turning the river periwinkle. Daniel had a beautiful view here on the water. Below, the dock and his boat were darkened silhouettes in the fading light. Outside, the insects had begun their nightly chorus.
She was so tired. She leaned back, sinking into the cushions, and let her eyes drift shut, just for a minute.
It was dark and quiet. She was alone.
A bed creaked, the sound running like an electrical current up her spine. It stole the moisture from her mouth. Her hands began to tremble. Her heart palpitated.
The weight of his body fell on hers. Her limbs were numb. That horrible creaking wouldn’t stop. She was dizzy and helpless. Everything was dark and heavy and smothering.
She smelled him. That repulsive mix of cologne and shoe polish. Her heart quickened, and with each breath, her lungs seemed to fill with it.
She heard him grunting, smelled the wine on his breath, his mouth too close to her face. Her stomach turned.
He touched her shoulder. She pushed at him, but he wouldn’t budge. She struck him on the face, then again. But he leaned away, reaching for her again.
“Jade.”
She swung without aim, struggling for air.
He grabbed her wrists, capturing them in his iron grasp.
Panic rose hard and fast. A scream crawled up her throat.
“Jade, stop!”
That voice. She dared to open her eyes. Was blinded by tears. Her heart punished her ribs. Her breaths came hard and shallow.
“It’s me, honey. It’s just me.”
Daniel, standing over her.
Not him. Not her apartment in Chicago, but Daniel’s place. Safe in Chapel Springs.
She closed her eyes again, wishing she could shut out the last minute. Make herself disappear. What was happening to her? She was losing it. She was some kind of freak.
“You’re okay.” His hands stroked her shoulders. “It was just a dream.”
His voice, his touch, beckoned her. Fear sparkled in his eyes. His brows drew tight, those two dashes forming between them. Of course he was worried. She’d just flipped out like a complete psycho.
A red blotch bloomed on his cheek where she’d struck him. Repeatedly.
She covered her mouth with a trembling hand. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.” She’d never struck anyone in her life. Her eyes burned, threatening to flood again.
“What’s going on, Jade?”
She couldn’t tell him. She only wanted to forget. It was the only way she could move forward. She shook her head.
“Did someone hurt you?”
“No.” She answered too quickly.
He sank to his knees on the floor, his hands dropping to her knees. “Then what? What was that about?”
“I just . . .” Her mind spun for excuses and found nothing. She had to get out of there before he made her say it. Daniel had a way of making her talk. And she couldn’t talk. Not about this. Talking made her remember, and she didn’t want to remember.
“I don’t want to talk about it. I should go.”
“You’re not going anywhere.”
“Get out of my way!”
“You’re shaking.”
“Leave me alone, Daniel.” She pushed him aside and collected her purse.
When she reached the door, he blocked her way again, his jaw set. “I’m not letting you drive like this. Sit down a minute.”
He was a foot taller and broad as a barn. She crossed her arms and glared at him. She was tired of having no control. First Nick, then the pregnancy, then her mom’s heart attack, and her crummy living conditions. Life was steamrolling her, and all of that helplessness was directed at Daniel right now because he thought she couldn’t make it two inches without him.
“Move.”
“Fine, we’ll have the discussion standing right here. Who hurt you?”
She clenched her jaw, felt her nostrils flare. Her stomach turned.
“You can tell me, Jade. You can tell me anything, and it won’t change the way I feel about you. I want to help you.”
“I just want to forget it!” It was out before
she could censor the thought.
His brows pulled lower. He stared at her, and she swore he could see all the way to her soul. She looked down, shutting him out.
“Please, Daniel.” She couldn’t seem to manage more than a whisper. “Please let me go.”
“Is that how—” His words came to a strangled end, as if someone had closed a fist around his throat. “Is that how you got pregnant?”
His tone begged her to say no.
And she should. The lie was right there on her tongue. But something thick and heavy had swelled in her throat, choking it off. Her tongue was heavy and wouldn’t seem to move. Her eyes burned and filled. Her mouth worked soundlessly.
“I—” she finally choked out. “I have to go.”
Daniel pulled her into his arms.
She stiffened. Her straitjacketed arms pressed against his stomach. She wasn’t going to do this. Wasn’t going to go there. Never wanted to go there again.
Forget. Just forget. Think of something else, anything else. Think of being out on the water, staring up at the stars. Peace. Calm.
He set his palm against her face. “Oh, baby. I’m so sorry.”
At his words, his touch, something broke loose inside. It rose up from down deep. She tried to push it back, but she couldn’t. It bubbled to the surface, spilling out.
Daniel’s arms tightened even as her own loosened from their grip and stretched around him. She burrowed into the softness of his shirt, seeking safety.
Was there such a thing? Would she ever feel safe again? Every night, lights out, her eyes searched the shadowed store for movement. As she lay in the dark, willing sleep to come, the flashes came. She pushed them down, but even when sleep finally came, she jumped at every noise. When the air kicked on and off, when a truck roared past. Safety seemed like a childish fantasy.
But now, tucked into the warmth of Daniel’s arms, face pressed into his soft shirt, safety didn’t seem so elusive anymore.
Daniel was going to kill him. He didn’t care who it was, he was going to track the monster down and kill him with his own bare hands. The thought of someone violating his girl made him want to—
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