by Kris Jett
“So, this protects the A-Arm area?” the customer asked Cade.
Cade shook his head, trying to refocus on the present. “Hmm? Oh, right. Yes. It helps keep it safe from hard hits and rocks.”
“All right, I’ll take it. How much?”
“Seventy-five,” Cade told him. “Come on over and I’ll ring you up.”
Cade finished with the customer and was writing himself a note on a pad of paper near the register when he got a strange feeling. Like he was being stared at. He flicked his eyes up quickly and a dodgy looking guy in the corner quickly flung around and became abnormally interested in windshield wipers.
Strange, Cade thought. He looked the man over and noted his heavy flannel work coat. An odd pick of attire for around this part.
The man chanced a look at Cade over his shoulder and then whipped his head back again.
He definitely was acting odd. And Cade had a strange feeling that he saw him before. Earlier, just before he’d dropped Jessie off at her apartment. Something about that coat. Was this guy on Main when he’d left Jessie’s? Was he following him?
Cade was tired of the sketchy games the man was playing and marched right up to him. “Can I help you find something?”
“Ah!” the guy yelped, obviously shocked to see Cade suddenly appear next to him. “No, thanks,” he squeaked and raced out the door of the shop.
“Who was that?” Cash asked, coming out of the office.
Cade walked to the door and peered outside. He watched the man jump into an old maroon Chevy and tear down the street. He had out of state license plates but Cade couldn’t see from where. Not that that in itself was entirely unusual. Loads of people vacation in Snowy Ridge from out of state. Cade couldn’t help feeling like something was wrong with that guy though. He was too…nervous. Like he didn’t want to be caught. His looks were average, dark short cropped hair and dark eyes. Not an especially big guy. Cade wasn’t worried for his safety in anyway. But that guy was up to something. Only what?
Chapter Thirty-Two
The doorbell rang at Jessie’s mom’s house. “I got it Mom,” she told her. “Don’t you move. Just relax.” She tucked the afghan around her mom as she sat in the old comfy lazy boy chair in front of the television in the family room. An episode of Dr. Phil was playing and the topic was catfishing. Old woman being swindled of their life fortunes by men sitting in cyber cafes in another country pretending to be their boyfriends. It was sad.
Luci and Jessie had only gotten their mom home and settled in the last hour or so. She was happy to leave the hospital but Jessie had been nervous taking her out of there. It had only been a day but her mom looked smaller and weaker to her. Luci noticed Jessie’s panic and assured her that things would be better when they got her home. Everyone always felt better in their own beds and in their own pajamas.
Jessie laid the remote on the end table next to her mom and went out into the front hall to get the door. She swung it open and there stood April, a box full of Chinese take-out containers in her hands. She rushed into the house and set the food down on a table in the foyer. Just as she had expected, tears sprung to Jessie’s eyes and she threw her arms around her best friend. April squeezed back tightly.
“I’m so glad you’re here,” Jessie said into April’s hair.
“Where else would I be?” April asked.
They stood like that for a minute and then Jessie pulled away. “Ugh, I’m such a mess. I keep having these crying jags.”
April shrugged off her coat and tossed it on a nearby chair. “Of course, you are. Anyone else in this situation would be doing the same thing. I’d be a puddle for weeks.”
“You brought food,” Jessie said eyeing the box.
“You guys don’t need to be worrying about dinner.”
“Have I told you lately that you’re the best friend ever?”
“Oh, pssh,” April said. “You know I love you guys. Where’s your mom? Can I go see her?”
“Yeah, she’s in the family room watching TV.”
April walked off into the family room and Jessie could just hear her saying, “Hey, Mrs. Foster.”
“Dinner?” Luci asked, coming in from outside.
“Where were you?” Jessie asked.
“Just a quick walk. I needed air. Smells good, what is it?”
“I don’t know, April brought us dinner. She’s so sweet.”
“Mmm, I’m starved,” Luci said. “Hope there’s stir-fried veggies. I’ll go get us some plates.” She picked up the box of food and headed for the kitchen.
Jessie watched her sister retreat into the kitchen and wondered what she was up to. Going for a walk right when they got their mom home from the hospital? Odd. Eager to eat the salt and fat-ladened Chinese food? Very odd. Offering to get us plates? Well, that’s just off the charts peculiar.
Jessie joined her mom and April chatting in the family room.
“Basically, I think what you have is a group of extremely lonely women who deep-down know it’s all an act but are lying to themselves,” April said.
“I agree,” Jessie’s mom replied. “They’re being ignorant on purpose.”
“What are you two doing, dissecting the Dr. Phil episode?” Jessie asked.
Her mom smiled up at her. “Yes, but now I’m getting tired and think I might nap if you two don’t mind.”
“Sure, Mom. April brought Chinese food for dinner if you’re hungry now though.”
“After my nap, maybe. If I’m hungry,” she replied. “Thank you April,” she added before closing her eyes.
April and Jessie tip-toed out of the room and joined Luci in the kitchen to eat. Luci had set out two plates and cups for the girls and had already filled her plate with veggies.
“I’m going to take this up to my room to eat,” she announced. “Let you two talk.”
April raised her eyebrows to Jessie. “That was thoughtful.”
“Yeah, she’s up to something. Just don’t know what it is.”
April laughed. “You and your sisters are something else.”
“Oh, you don’t know the half of it,” Jessie said. The two women ate dinner and Jessie told April everything that had happened the night before. From running into Cade, to the kiss, to the text about her mom, and Luci’s huge confession in the hospital waiting room.
“No way,” April said. “She’d been telling stories this whole time?”
Jessie nodded. “I was so shocked. She did apologize though. For everything. She went into full details about that night, you know, with Jason. And she really did seem to be sorry.”
“Really,” April said. She leaned in closer and rested her chin on one elbow. “Well that is something.”
“I know. Six years and she never apologized until now.”
“What are you going to do?” April asked.
“Try to forgive her I guess. Move on. What else can I do? Especially now with…everything.”
Both women turned their heads in the direction of the family room.
“I can’t believe this is happening,” Jessie continued. “I can’t believe she really has cancer.”
April shook her head. “It is so, so awful. I’m so sorry.”
“We just have to help her. Be there for her. Behave.”
“And you will,” April said. “This will bring you sisters back together. You’ve got to take care of each other.”
Jessie nodded in agreement but she still felt uncertain about where she stood with Luci.
April reached out and grabbed Jessie’s hand and a big smile spread across her face. “Okay, spill about this little coffee date you and Cade had today. I heard Xan’s version but you better give me the details.”
Jessie returned her smile and told April all about her and Cade’s date.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Starlight had been different with their mom not there working with them. The sisters had insisted she spend the week at home resting, no matter how good she said she was feeling. They w
ere running things just fine at the pub and they didn’t need her passing out and hitting her head again.
She’d let them go along to her appointment with the oncologist to ask questions. Jessie had tried to pay close attention but a lot of the doctor was saying was going over her head. Wynn was the one doing the most talking out of the group: getting instructions on how to help take care of their mom, her chemo treatment schedule, and when they should plan for surgery. Jessie did hear one thing clearly though. The cancer was confined to their mom’s pancreas. There were no signs of it spreading to other organs, tissues, or lymph nodes. They all breathed a sigh of relief when they heard that.
“See?” their mom had said. “I told you I’d be okay.”
“We’re not out of the woods yet,” the doctor had cut in. “The survival rate percentage for this type of cancer isn’t high. But you’re early stage and in good health otherwise. We’ll need to do surgery to remove the tumor after we’ve shrunk it but your chances are better than most.”
He had gone on talking but Jessie had heard what she needed. There was hope. They could just do what they needed to do and their mom would kick cancer in the ass and life could go back to normal.
“Jessie? You okay on your own for a while? I’ve got to go pick up Melody from the sitter,” Wynn said as she peeked into the kitchen.
Jessie looked up from the order form she was bent over. She and the head cook, Ralph, were going over next week’s food order and making some modifications. “Sure Wynn, I’ve got it. It’s slow right now anyway.”
To Ralph she said, “I think we’re good to go,” and then headed back into the dining area.
There was only one customer nursing a peppermint patty, a mug of hot chocolate with a shot of peppermint Schnapps, at a table. She said she’d sprained her ankle walking on some ice the day before and was just going to hang out and read a book while her family was out snowmobiling.
Jessie walked around the room tidying up. Her thoughts were on Cade and their date that night. He’d said they were going to do something special and it would be a surprise. Jessie couldn’t even begin to guess what it would be. She knew this town backward and forward and didn’t think there was anything that could surprise her but if anyone could do it, it was Cade. They’d been texting back and forth and having late night phone marathons ever since their coffee date earlier in the week. When she wasn’t talking to him, she was thinking about him. And she knew one thing for sure. She was totally falling for him. Hard.
The timing for a new relationship was of course, terrible. And Jessie felt the occasional twinge of guilt. Part of her thought she should put absolutely everything aside and concentrate on her mom one hundred percent. That she should be there with her every second of the day that she wasn’t working. But then she thought, of course her mom wouldn’t want that. She kept stressing that she was doing fine and that Jessie, Wynn, and Luci should keep with their regular routines. Neither options were entirely realistic though. Ever since they found out their mom had cancer, nothing about their daily routine was normal. The sisters divvied up their time evenly between Starlight and attending to their mom. Jessie reasoned that the time she wasn’t with her mom or working was better spent with Cade than alone in her apartment. Cade kept her going; kept her from sinking into a deep depression that she knew could happen if she sat around worrying about her mom constantly.
As the sun set, the crowd in Starlight grew with hungry diners. Luci was hustling around the room taking orders. She had been at the house but came back to help when their mom had fallen asleep. Wynn had returned with Melody and plunked her at a corner counter in the kitchen with an iPad playing Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. It wasn’t the ideal situation and before her sisters came back home, Jessie would never let a toddler loose in the kitchen, especially during the dinner hour. But she was relaxing her rules these days. They were all doing their best and it’s just how it had to be. Besides, Ralph said he and his staff would keep an eye on her and catch her if she tried to wander off.
The sisters worked well together and before they knew it the crowd was winding down and there were just a few tables of lingerers left. Wynn came out of the kitchen carrying a sleepy Melody on her shoulder and joined Jessie behind the bar.
“Aw, watching Ralph cook wiped her out, eh?” Jessie asked. She reached out and rubbed Melody’s back.
Wynn nodded but didn’t say anything.
Jessie examined her sister’s face and could see her eyes were full of tears threatening to spill. “Wynn, what’s going on?”
Wynn just shook her head no and cast her eyes downward.
“Tell me. I can see you’re upset.”
Wynn adjusted Melody in her arms, placing her more firmly on her shoulder and pulled her phone out of her pocket. She handed it to Jessie and whispered, “He just won’t quit.”
Jessie quickly read the text. It was Billy again.
Jessie, Billy here. I called Snowy Ridge Memorial Hospital and there is no Wynn Foster listed. What’s going on?
Jessie’s jaw slightly drops open. “This mother f-“ she begun but then glanced at Melody and stopped herself. “Like we need this right now with everything going on with Mom. Well, I’m going to put an end to it right now.” Jessie typed furiously into the phone and hit send. “There,” she said and turned the phone around for Wynn to read.
Oh Billy, It’s so awful. I’m so sorry to be the one to tell you this but sadly, my dear sister, Wynn, passed on. It was very sudden. We’ve had her cremated and she was buried next to our father. Her favorite cousin, the one with two kids who lives on the big beautiful ranch south of here is adopting Melody. It was what Wynn wanted. I’m so sorry. It’s a very painful time for my family so please give us the privacy to grieve.
Wynn’s eyes bulged. “Oh my God, Jessie! That’s so freaking morbid and awful! I can’t believe you sent that.”
Jessie shrugged. She suddenly felt a pang of guilt. That was cruel to do to the guy but it’s not like he left them with a whole lot of options. “Yeah,” she hesitantly agreed. “You’re right. That was pretty terrible. But you said so yourself. He wasn’t going to stop. Maybe now he will.”
Wynn shook her head and turned off her phone. “I can’t even read what he says to your text,” she said, slipping the phone back into her pocket.
Jessie frowned. “Sorry, Wynn. I just acted hastily. I should have thought it out more. We probably could have come up with something else.”
“It’s…it’s fine,” Wynn said. “Hopefully this puts the final nail in the coffin on that relationship.”
Jessie groaned. “Oh, Wynn. That was bad.”
Wynn gave Jessie a curious look and then realization took over. She cracked a small smile and groaned too. “That was bad. Oh man.” She readjusted Melody on her shoulder. “Okay, if you’ve got things okay here I’m going to run her back to the house and put her to bed. I’ll check in on Mom too. Make sure she has everything she needs,” Wynn said.
“Of course, we’ll manage just fine. Go on ahead,” Jessie said. “And I’m sorry I killed you off,” she added.
Wynn smirked and left. Jessie grabbed one of the big beige tubs and began bussing a table full of dishes.
“You can go on too,” Luci said as she bussed a nearby table.
“Hmm?” Jessie said. She stopped and looked at her sister.
“I can take care of all this,” Luci said with a nod to the rest of the dining room.
“And I’ll stay and close up tonight too.”
Jessie shook her head. “It’s too much work for one person. We’ll be quicker together.”
“Don’t you have a big date tonight though? I’m sure you want some time to get ready.”
Jessie looked down at her watch. It’s true. Cade was coming to pick her up at her apartment at nine p.m. and it was just after eight. But she couldn’t dump all of this work on Luci.
“Seriously,” Luci said. “Go. I really can handle this.” She smiled widely at her sister. “A
nd what else have I got to do tonight?”
Jessie grinned back at her and set down the tub of dishes. “Well, if you’re really sure…”
“Yes! Now go already.”
“Thanks, Luci!” Jessie gave her sister a quick hug. “And text me if you have any questions.” She raced to the back room to get her coat and purse and then headed out of Starlight and toward home.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Cade couldn’t believe he was really doing this. He’d never gone such lengths for any girl before. He didn’t even recognize himself at this point. And forget about his brothers. When he told them his plans for this special date with Jessie tonight they just laughed and laughed. Cooper had said, “What, are you filming a promo for a cheesy Lifetime movie? Do real live people actually do this kind of stuff?” And Cash had said, “You’re spending how much? On just one girl?” Cade had replied, “Yeah, a really special one.” Cooper had said, “Your head over heels dude.” And he was. Even though it was way too early to ever scream it out loud, Cade knew Jessie had his heart. He’d do anything for her.
Just a few minutes past nine Cade arrived outside of Jessie’s apartment. He grabbed the dozen roses that had been lying in the seat next to him and ran up the stairs to her apartment to get her. He rapped at the door and a moment later Jessie flung it open.
She stood before him beaming, her eyes bright and happy to see him. Her silky brown hair looked like she’d carefully curled it for that evening, though he loved it anyway she wore it: curled, her natural waves, or ironed straight. She had on a long thick coat, which was good for his plans, but no other outerwear.