by Jill Sanders
“Do you think…?” Jess shook her head, remembering that Carla didn’t know what she knew about Misty and about the future. “What do you know about the book?”
Carla sat up and looked at her. “My mother’s book?” Jess nodded her head. “Not a lot. I didn’t even know it existed until Rachelle asked me to look after you.”
“Was your mother…?” Jess thought of how to ask the question best. “Was she good?”
Carla smiled and Jess watched her entire demeanor relax. “I may have been an embarrassment to her, but she was a wonderful mother, a wonderful woman. She was so kind, so caring. She was a doctor, did you know?” Jess shook her head. “The first female doctor in town and one of the first female doctors of her time.”
“So, being a witch doesn’t mean…” Jess let the rest of her statement drop off.
“Honey.” Carla reached across and took her hand. “The only good things your mother did in life were have you and leave you with me. Trust me. You’re nothing like her.”
Breakfast at the cafe with everyone was pure hell. Still, he and Jess sat in a booth and watched the show as everyone in town greeted her parents again, together.
He’d given her the space she needed last night, even though what he’d wanted more than anything was to comfort her. He knew how hard it could be dealing with family issues.
Still, he was even more determined to let everyone know that they were much more than just friends. Especially since he was planning on telling her how he felt. Soon.
When Joe barged in and tossed a newspaper in Brea’s direction, Jacob figured he’d had enough drama for the day and went back to work. Still, he didn’t leave without making sure she was coming back home that night.
She hastily agreed, only after he promised he’d make a scene if she didn’t. She’d chuckled for the first time since her parents had shown up when he threatened to cuff her and haul her back to his place in front of everyone.
“You’re not man enough.” She’d smiled up at him as they stood on the sidewalk.
“Oh?” He’d raised his eyebrows and took a step towards her. He desperately wished he could reach out and touch her, but he knew she would move away from him.
“Okay, okay.” She’d held up her hands in defeat. “I’ll be there.” Then her smile had fallen away. “I have a few things we need to talk about, anyway.”
He’d wanted to hold her so badly at that moment, but he knew that Brea and Ethan were still sitting inside the cafe, watching them.
“I can make dinner?” he suggested.
“No, I’ll bring Chinese from JB’s.” She looked over his shoulder back into the cafe. Her parents were still in there, and he wondered for a split second if he should wait around until they left.
“Did they open again?” He glanced down the street, trying to change the subject.
“Yeah, yesterday. They remodeled everything. I’ve been dying for their noodles again.”
“Ditto. I’ll pick up the food,” he added. She glanced back at him, questioningly. “I might be a little late. There are some things I need to check on.”
Her eyes narrowed. “Does it have to do with my parents?”
“Maybe,” he admitted. “Jess, they left you alone when you were—”
“I wasn’t alone.” She moved closer and lowered her voice. “I was with my grandmother.”
“Your…” He shook his head.
“Carla,” she whispered. “She’s Rachelle’s mother.”
“Carla?” He said it a little too loud, causing Jess to hush him and put a hand on his arm.
“Yes.” She glanced around.
He was silent for a moment, then he leaned on his car and crossed his arms over his chest. “Why all the secrecy?”
Her eyes went back to the cafe and her shoulders straightened. “I’m not sure anymore. I guess it’s time I got some answers.”
“Jess.” He put his hand on her arm, stopping her from marching into the cafe. “Be careful,” he warned. “They’re your parents.”
“They stopped being my parents the day they left me. I have to get to work.” She turned and walked to the Coffee Corner. He noticed she didn’t glance back towards the Café once.
Should he follow her inside? Just as he moved to do so, his radio went off. There had been an accident on the highway. He had to go.
For the next few hours, he stood by as crews cleaned up the spill from a milk truck that had taken a corner too quickly.
“What we need is cats,” Terry joked. The man had been glowing since finding out that his wife was pregnant with their third child, a boy this time.
“What we need is for truckers to slow down on this curve. This is the second accident in this spot in under a year.”
“Yeah, but the first one doesn’t really count. The cult caused that one.”
He crossed his arms over his chest and nodded. Terry was right. Several members of the cult, the Humanist Society, had told them everything after being captured that night they kidnapped Xtina.
They had believed she was their “mother,” a spiritual leader who was sent to guide them to the next world.
He wondered what they would do if they knew what Jess could do. Just then it dawned on him. He was dating a witch.
No. He was in love with a witch.
He couldn’t stop his smile from spreading.
“What?” Terry stopped waving traffic and turned to him. “What’s that smirk for?”
“Nothing.” He shook his head and tried to focus on the task at hand. The crews were almost done with the mess.
“Really?” Terry said. “I thought we were friends.”
“We are,” he added as the last crew climbed into their trucks.
“Then how come you’re keeping secrets?”
He turned to the man he’d known for the past five years. “I’m not…” He thought about his relationship with Jess and cut himself off.
“See.” Terry nodded, tossing his vest into the trunk of his patrol car. “Can’t even deny it.” He leaned against the back of the car and crossed his arms over his chest. “So?”
“How did you know Kelly was the one?” he asked finally.
Terry’s eyebrows shot up, then a smirk filled the man’s face. “Man, I knew it.”
“What?” Jacob asked.
“You’re in love. ’Bout time too, the way you two have been skirting each other for years.”
“Whoa.” He held up his hands. “Just who do you have—”
“Everyone in town knows who.” Terry chuckled. “You and Jess are perfect for one another.”
The wind was knocked from Jacob’s lungs. “Everyone in town knows?”
Terry nodded. “Kelly had to tell me, but once she did, it was obvious.” He slapped Jacob on the back. “Come on, I could use a cup of coffee before our next call.”
By the time he had picked up Chinese and driven back to his place, he was more sure of himself than before, thanks to his talk with Terry. He figured it was high time he told Jess exactly how he felt.
Chapter 12
Jess tried to ignore the gossip, but the fact of the matter was, everyone in town was talking about her parents return. And, they weren’t even trying to hide it.
During one of Carla’s breaks, she walked into the shop, looking for her.
Jess took her break and stepped outside with Carla.
“Why didn’t you tell me last night that they were back?”
Jess shrugged. “I thought you knew. I thought they filled you in on everything.”
Carla shook her head and Jess could see something close to fear in her eyes.
“Have you seen them yet?” Jess asked.
“No, not yet.”
“They haven’t come to see you?”
Carla shook her head and glanced around. “I don’t think Rachelle will want…” She shook her head again. “She knows where to find me if she wants to see me.” Carla patted her arm. “How are you holding up?”
“I
’m fine.” She leaned back against the brick wall. “I can’t wait for them to leave, but I’m holding up.”
“Did… did they tell you anything?” Carla leaned next to her.
“You mean, a better reason for why they left? Or why they stayed away so long?” She glanced over at her grandmother, who slowly nodded in reply. “No, I was going to get some answers from them and soon.”
“Sweetie, be careful,” Carla said.
“I know, they’re my parents—”
“No,” Carla broke in. “Remember what I told you. Sometimes you need to make up your mind if you’re going to trust someone again.”
“Carla?” Jess moved closer. “What are you saying?” But Carla was shaking her head.
“I’m sorry, I… have to get back to work.” She glanced over at the Café. “Just be careful.”
Jess watched her grandmother hurry across the street and disappear back into the Café.
She only had two more hours in her shift, but she’d made up her mind. Walking in, she told Tilly she was taking the rest of the day off. It had been months since she’d taken any significant time off. She was due. Tilly didn’t even give her grief about it.
Instead of heading to where she knew her parents were staying, she headed down to the station to see Jacob instead.
When she got there, she marched past the front counter and back to his office, but it was locked and the light was off.
“He’s out on a call,” someone told her in passing.
“At the old mill,” someone else called out.
Jess’s eyes narrowed as she looked around the room full of cops. Did everyone in town know about them?
Without saying a word, she marched towards the front door.
“Wonder what Jacob did now to piss her off?” someone whispered a little too loudly. A bunch of chuckles drowned out the reply.
She doubted Jacob had told anyone, which meant everyone in town knew they were a couple. She sighed as she got back in her truck. Now she owed Xtina an apology for not telling her sooner.
As she drove out to the mill, some of her temper cleared. She parked behind Jacob’s patrol car and stepped out, making sure to grab her jacket, since she knew the rain might return that evening.
She trudged through the mud, wishing she’d thought to slip on her boots from the back of the truck. She slipped a few times and ended up on her knees, but so far, she’d lucked out and hadn’t fallen flat on her face.
When she finally got to the front door of the abandoned mill, she heard Jacob moving around in there and thought about calling out to him. Instead, she slowly opened the door and peeked in. It was dark. Too dark. She squinted until her eyes adjusted to the low light.
She stepped in, only to be yanked and shoved against the wall. Her body was pinned to the heavy wood door. Instantly, she let her power build and released it, sending her assailant flying through the air. Half a second later, she realized that it was Jacob.
“What the hell?” he managed to get out the second he realized it was Jess breaking into the mill. But before he managed to say anything else, some invisible force yanked him back through the air. He must have flown fifteen feet straight up. He braced for the blow of the landing by closing his eyes and holding his breath.
Nothing happened.
Peeking one eye open, he gasped as he saw Jess standing directly below him, smiling up at him.
“So.” She tilted her head. “Want to explain what that was all about?” She nodded to the front door, the same one he’d just pinned her up against.
He looked around. He was hovering fifteen feet above her head, and she was smiling up at him like it was the most natural thing in the world.
“Um.” He cleared his throat. She wasn’t going to let him down until he explained. “I was expecting someone else,” he joked.
“Oh?” She put her hands on her hips. “Who?”
“Well, for starters, the guy or guys that have been breaking in here.”
He watched her face squish up. “Are they here now?” She glanced around, expecting to see someone jump out at her. He almost laughed, knowing full well she could handle herself now.
“Whoever’s been breaking in has set a few fires. Nothing has caught yet, but I’m sure they’re not done.” He crossed his arms over his chest and relaxed. He was actually quite comfortable up there. Still, he wondered when and how she was going to let him down.
“I hadn’t heard about the fires.” She glanced back up at him and smiled. “Comfy?”
He nodded, his smile growing. “You should try this sometime. It feels pretty good on my back.”
She laughed, then stood back, and he felt his entire body shift and then slowly move towards the ground.
“Okay, I have to say”—he stepped towards her—“that is way cooler than healing powers.”
“Oh?” She wrapped her arms around him. “What about reading minds?”
He made a sound of dismissal and pulled her closer. “Someday, you’re going to show me everything you can do.”
Her smile slipped slightly, and he pulled back enough to get a better look at her. “What?” he asked.
“Hm?” she said, glancing around.
“What was that? Why do you get this look every time I talk about our future?” he asked.
She dropped her arms and took a step back. “I… I don’t.” She turned around, but he stopped her by putting a hand on her arm.
“Jess.” He turned her back to him. “I don’t care what is coming. I want to spend whatever time we have, together. If there’s more… after… then I plan on spending it with you.”
She nodded. “I know.”
He wanted more than anything to tell her how he felt, but a moldy mill wasn’t the place or the time to do so.
“Now, why did you come down here?”
“To find you.” Her arms came back around him. “I needed a moment of normal.” She hugged him.
“Take all the time you need,” he said into her hair. He held her for a few minutes until he felt her breathing slow.
“Okay.” She pulled back slightly. “I guess I needed a shot of courage.”
“For?” he asked, letting her go.
“I’m going to go talk to my parents.” She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
“Want me to come?” Her eyes snapped open. “Okay. Something you have to do on your own.” She nodded. “I wish you’d…” He stopped again when her eyebrows rose. “Okay.” He laughed. “Point taken.”
She smiled. “Thank you.”
“For?” He watched her.
“Being here. Understanding.” She motioned and shrugged her shoulders. “Everything.”
“Anytime.” He moved back to her and took her face in his hands. The kiss was light, soft, and hopefully showed her that he’d always be there for her.
He walked her back to her car, then shook his head. “Maybe you should go home and change first?” He nodded to her muddy jeans.
She looked down and gasped. “How do you not get filthy every day?” She looked down at his uniform. He smiled.
“Guess I’m just lucky.” He leaned in and kissed her. “By the way, thanks for the lift.”
She chuckled. “Anytime.” She started to shut the door, then stopped. “Did you tell anyone about us?”
He frowned. “No, but I think everyone already knows.”
“Yeah.” She sighed. “I guess I need to talk to Xtina.”
She drove away and he got in his car to head back to the office. Just as he was leaving, he caught a flash in the upper room inside the old building. Rolling his shoulders, he decided to go check it out. You’d think that whoever had been breaking into the old place would have been spooked away by all the noise he and Jess had been making.
He climbed the stairs and felt the adrenalin rush he always got before confronting danger. He quietly moved up the stairs, listening for anything.
From what he could tell, there were two people in the room at the end of
the hallway.
He stood outside the door, his flashlight in one hand, his other on the butt of his gun. Shots rang out and he jolted.
He watched as if in slow motion as the wood directly above his heart splintered as the bullets ripped through the old wood.
Chapter 13
Jess drove to her apartment and changed out of her muddy clothes. Then she headed to Xtina’s place. She had heard that her parents were staying there, but when she arrived, the place was empty. She’d have to talk to Xtina later. If her parents weren’t here, where could they be? The house at the lake, maybe? She drove out there and the gate to the driveway was open. She must have guessed correctly.
She parked behind their sedan and felt her temper boil when she noticed a bumper sticker on the back for a brewery less than an hour away. They had been hiding so close.
She didn’t even knock. She walked right in like she owned the place. According to Carla, she kind of did, since her parents had been dead to her for years.
She found her father standing at the window, looking out. Her mother was nowhere to be seen. When he heard her walk in, he turned towards her. Something was different.
She moved across the room and stopped in front of him.
“Where is… Rachelle?” She couldn’t bring herself to call them mom or dad just yet.
“She’s…” His eyes moved to the large window.
Jess followed his gaze and noticed Rachelle out by the water’s edge.
Her father turned and looked at her like he was missing something. “I… You’re…” He shook his head. “I remember you.”
She took a step back and shook her head. She’d been too blind to see it when they had first arrived. She’d been too emotional to look deeper. Now, she took her time and looked, really looked at her father.
He was much older looking than she remembered; the past years had not been kind. His hair had totally grayed, including the light beard that covered his face now. Under his eyes there were bags and wrinkles. Then she looked into his eyes and knew something was off. Why hadn’t they seen it before?