by Rachel Hanna
“Well, you're going to love the island. It doesn't even officially have a name, but the boat captain knows me from high school so he takes the occasional side trip and drops me off there.”
“I guess it pays to have connections,” she said raising her eyebrows. “You take a lot of dates over there?” Oh, goodness, why would she ask a thing like that?
“No. I live in Atlanta. Remember?” he said cocking his eyebrow up at her.
“Oh. Right.”
“Seriously, though, I've only gone to the island with family and a couple of buddies from high school back in the old days. It's a special place to me.”
“Well, we can't wait to see it. Right, Leo?” she said turning slightly. Leo was slouched in his seat, looking out the window as the small town passed before his eyes. He didn't respond or look at her, but she didn't want to start an argument so she left it alone.
A few minutes later, they pulled into the parking lot where the ferry left. Jackson opened his door and immediately came around to open hers. Southern chivalry was something she was really starting to love. Leo opened his own door and stood beside the car, hands in his jean pockets.
“Jackson Parker! Holy hell, man, how long's it been?” a man said walking toward Jackson from the dock.
“Clay! Man, you got fat!” Jackson yelled back laughing at his obvious attempt at humor since the man was muscular and cut like a bodybuilder.
They did the requisite “man hug” and then pushed each other like two twelve year old boys.
“Rebecca Evans, this is one of my oldest friends in the world, Clay Hampton,” Jackson said smiling as he put one arm around his friend.
“Nice to meet you, Rebecca. I'm sorry you had to ride with this city boy,” he said laughing.
“Whatever. And this is her son, Leo,” Jackson said as he cocked an eye at Clay. It was apparent to Rebecca that Jackson had said something to Clay about her son's attitude. She hated that Leo was getting such a bad reputation in their small town already.
“Hey, Leo. Nice to meet you,” Clay said extending his hand. Leo didn't look up or take his hand. Instead, he mumbled a halfhearted “hey” and then sighed as he walked toward the dock.
“I'm sorry,” Rebecca said with a weary smile. “He's been having some issues lately...”
“Listen, you don't have to explain. Really. I totally understand. I remember how this guy acted after his father died,” he said pointing at Jackson. "He'll get through this. Just part of being a hormonal teenager.”
Rebecca was thankful for such a kind person. Everyone seemed kind in January Cove. It was like an oasis in the middle of a world filled with anger and danger. She wondered what Clay's story was, because she could definitely tell that he had one, but she decided to leave that for another day.
Jackson retrieved some items from his trunk as Clay motioned for them to come to the ferry. They all passed Leo, but he eventually followed. The ferry wasn't huge, but it had an upper deck which was where Jackson led them. Clay took control of the vessel, and a few moments later they were pulling away from the dock.
“Are we the only ones on here?” Rebecca asked incredulously as they pulled away.
“Yep. He normally wouldn't be doing a run today, but it pays to know people,” Jackson said laughing.
Leo sat down on one of the bench seats and leaned over, watching the water as they started the journey to the island.
“Wanna sit?” Jackson asked, yelling a little over the roaring of the engine as it started to cut through the water.
“Sure,” she said, almost a little nervous to be somewhat alone with him. He motioned for them to take a seat on another bench seat across the ferry from Leo.
“He'll be fine, Rebecca,” he said as he waved her over. She smiled and sat down, still looking at her son.
“I'm so tired of worrying about him,” she said, which was possibly the most honest thing she'd said in years. She was tired. Exhausted was more like it. She was tired of being alone, shouldering the weight of every worry life threw at her all on her own. She wanted some big, broad shoulders to carry the weight with her, but her son had to come first.
“You know, I remember after my father died, I once caught my mother on her knees in her bedroom crying. I didn't really understand what was happening. Here I was, grieving the loss of my Dad, and now my mother appeared to be falling apart too. I just stood there, frozen in place. My mother looked over at me. I could see her face totally change,” he said, staring out into the water. “A minute later, her tears were dried, she was on her feet and she was asking me what I wanted for dinner. She just stood up and walked past me like nothing ever happened. That's when I realized that mothers are different.”
“What do you mean?” Rebecca asked softly as his eyes met hers.
“I mean that mothers have some innate ability to just keep going even when times get really bad. They just move forward, carrying the weight of their family on their shoulders when needed. I really respect that.”
His words took her breath away for a moment. No one had ever really captured what she had been feeling all these years in words, but he did. How was that even possible? No one could really know the pain of losing a spouse in such a public way. And then having to raise a son who seemed intent on being miserable.
“Thanks,” was all she could manage to say for a moment.
“Listen, Rebecca, I know you're worried about Leo but he's going to be okay. I'm living proof of that.” He had no idea how much his words meant to her. As he looked at her with those smoldering eyes, it took everything in her not to grab him and press her lips to his. She wanted to get lost in him, but she knew that would be a big mistake because he didn't live in January Cove. She had to focus her energy on her new business and her son. That was all she could handle right now. "You still with me?" Jackson asked, breaking her train of thought. She realized he had put his hand over hers in an effort to comfort her, but suddenly it felt like her skin was on fire. She quickly slid her hand up and pointed into the water.
"Is that a fish?" was all she could think to say. She wanted to literally put her foot in her mouth.
"Rebecca, are you okay?" he asked with a chuckle.
"I'm fine. Of course. Why?" she said, sure that he could see her hands literally shaking. What on Earth was wrong with her? She felt like a school girl again.
"I didn't mean anything by touching your hand," he said softly in her ear. His breath was warm and inviting on her cheek.
"I know. I'm sorry. I don't know what's wrong with me this morning," she said. He smiled at her, and her heart melted. He knew. He absolutely knew that she was attracted to him. Just great.
"There's the island," he said pointing off in the distance.
"Oh wow, that was quick. It's beautiful. Do you think anyone else is there?"
"Nope. Just us," he said with a sly smile. "Come on, let's go." Jackson stood up and reached a hand down to her. She took his and immediately let go once she was standing. She was almost sure she heard him chuckle under his breath, but she couldn’t be positive.
They walked over to Leo and alerted him that the island was coming up quickly. Clay pulled up to the small docking area a few moments later. Jackson explained that he and his brothers had helped to build the dock area when they were kids just so the ferry could take people to the island. Most of the locals knew about the island but didn't go there often, so Jackson considered it an oasis. It was the one place on Earth that never changed. Never became crowded like the city.
"One more thing," Jackson said to her before they departed the ferry.
"What?" she asked. He pulled her arm to get her further from Leo.
"Let me work with him today, okay?" She looked at him questioningly. "Trust me." His eyebrows raised up, and she knew he was serious.
As they stepped off the ferry, Rebecca looked around, pleasantly surprised that no one else was on the island yet nervous at the same time. She watched as Jackson scouted ahead and found a spot to set up
the picnic wondering what in the world she’d gotten herself into. Although, nerves were a small price to pay if he was able to help her with Leo.
Jackson set out the blanket and basket on a small patch of grass just above the sand. The whole island seemed to be on a small mound with grass near the top and sand around most of the bottom. Large waves crashed behind them and mixed with the sounds of seagulls. It sure didn’t feel like she was in Georgia anymore.
Rebecca took Jackson’s goofy grin as a signal that she was supposed to come sit down. She looked around for Leo and noticed that he was already up to no good, poking at what looked like a dead jellyfish washed ashore with a stick. She shook her head and called to him “Leo, why don’t you come and eat?”
Without even looking up, he replied “I’m not hungry.” Rebecca wasn’t in the mood for this right now, so she decided to just go sit on the blanket with Jackson and let him deal with it however he planned to.
As she lowered herself onto the blanket, she noticed that among the man items set out by Jackson for their picnic was a bottle of wine. This was beginning to feel more and more like a date by the moment. The thought sent goosebumps running up her spine as she felt his eyes on her. “So what do you think of the island?” Jackson’s voice startled Rebecca out of her thoughts, and she looked up at him to see how the loose tendrils of his black hair were blowing around in the sea breeze.
“It’s a very peaceful place, Jackson. I can see why you and your family might like it.” She looked back down at all the food in front of them and questioned, “So, what’s for lunch?”
“Well, nothing but the finest leftovers in the history of leftovers. We’ve got turkey sandwiches, mashed potatoes and stuffing.” Jackson made her giggle, and she could feel herself blush. She was so embarrassed acting like a little girl with an almost grown son. For a moment they looked at each other, and she felt his fingers creep just close enough to touch the tips of hers. She was suddenly entranced looking at this handsome businessman who had kissed her on the cheek and offered to help her tame her son. How crazy she was to be having these silly schoolgirl moments with a man she just met that would probably be back in Atlanta in a few days time.
The trance was broken when Leo appeared, a shadow standing above Rebecca. “Okay, now I’m hungry.” Jackson chuckled under his breath a little, and Rebecca tried to keep the smile off her face as Leo grabbed a sandwich and sat down next to Jackson, peeking at the football behind Jackson’s back.
They all took his cue and began to eat as he practically scarfed down his sandwich. Rebecca wondered if this is what it would be like if they still had a full family; picnics on the beach and a quiet that gave her peace. For the first time in twelve years, she didn’t feel a gaping hole in her heart. She felt... at ease. Calm. Peaceful. It made her think about the things Jackson had said about having to find a man that would accept the fact that her husband would always be a part of her life. Was Jackson referring to himself? She hated to read too much into signals she couldn’t be sure were there after all these years of not dating, but she had come to January Cove to start over. Maybe this was part of it.
Jackson poured a glass of wine for both of them and tossed soda over to Leo. Leo caught it one handed. “You have a good arm, kid. I can’t wait to see what you can do with a pig skin.”
“A pig skin?” Leo looked up at his mother, his mouth full of turkey and mayonnaise. Rebecca was about to say something about manners but decided against it.
“That’s another term for football. It’s made of pig’s skin. It’s a Southern thing.” She watched him shake his head as she and Jackson both chuckled. Rebecca remembered living up North how people would talk about Southerners. They did seem to have a language all their own, but their slower paced lifestyles made her feel more at ease than the bustling of businesspeople in New York.
Rebecca sipped at her wine and noticed Jackson guzzling his. She hadn’t noticed before, but he was clearly a little tense. After probably his third glass of wine he got up and grabbed the football. “You ready, Leo?”
“Hang on. I want to see if I have a text first.”
“Oh c’mon, man. Football’s much more interesting than a text.” That’s when Jackson let the ball fly straight at Leo, and Leo barely caught it, the ball thumping into his stomach with an ooph noise.
“Bring it on, old man!” Delighted at her son’s response, Rebecca turned to watch her son chase after Jackson and throw the ball toward him then running after him trying to tackle him. Maybe a man is what he had needed all along, and Rebecca just hadn’t seen it because she’d been too worried to try and replace a husband and a father that couldn’t be.
Chapter 10
Jackson was happy that the football idea was working, but he was surprised by how out of shape he’d become. Really, he shouldn’t be surprised since high school was quite a long time ago. All he ever did these days was stay holed up in his office making business deals, but it just made him feel that much older. He didn’t like that.
It made him not only think about the fact that he was old and unmarried but also about all the things he’d been missing while just sitting in his office. He’d missed his family as well as many hobbies that he should’ve kept this whole time. Instead he’d been worried about money and work. Maybe it was about time for a change of pace.
He called out as the football hit him in the side of the head, nicking his ear. “Heads up, old man!” Leo called to him, half joking, half annoyed.
Jackson chuckled. “Hey, when you’re this old, you’ll understand. Maybe we should take it down a notch for a few and just throw the ball. Maybe you can help me get back in shape.”
“I thought you were like some big football guy or something.”
Jackson threw the ball back at Leo. “That’s right. I was. Unfortunately, that was farther in the past than I’d like to admit.” For the first time since meeting Leo, Jackson saw him smile a little.
“I knew you were just trying to impress my mom.”
Jackson wasn’t sure why, but he almost took offense to that statement, but he held his anger back. “What makes you say that?”
“Oh, c’mon. It’s so obvious you like my mom. What’s even worse is that she likes you too, but you both are being all shy and shit. I mean the guy’s been six feet under for years now. You can’t hurt a pile of ash.”
Jackson caught the ball and stopped for a moment. There was that anger again, creeping up on this boy from a place inside he didn’t even know existed. “First of all, I’m pretty sure your mother wouldn’t want you to use that kind of language. I get that it sounds cool right now, but really it just sounds unintelligent.” Jackson watched Leo cross his arms and try to shut himself off. “Look, your mother loved your father a lot, more than either of us understand since we haven’t ever felt that way about someone before. You weren’t old enough to know him when he passed, and he was stolen from you. I can see how all of it can seem confusing and make you angry. You feel a hole for something you don’t understand because you never had it in the first place. Did you know my father died?”
Leo uncrossed his arms and shook his head. “No. I didn’t. What happened to him?”
“He was in a car crash, and my mother was devastated. The thing is, she never let us see how much it hurt her because she knew we all hurt too, and we needed her to be strong for us. My siblings were lucky. I was old enough to step up and help out, but you didn’t have that. Your mother is trying to be two parents to you, and it’s an impossible thing to do. So, could you do me a favor, and cut her some slack? She’s hurt already from losing her husband, she would be heart broken to lose you too.”
Leo stopped for a moment and ran his fingers through his hair. For the first time, Jackson thought he might have seen a chink in the boy’s armor. “I know. I just sometimes feel like everyone knows more about my father than me. It just isn’t fair. Now my mom takes me across the country, and now I know even less about him. No one knows him here. I know how that mi
ght be better for her, and I don’t know why I’m so angry. I just wish I had someone who understood more things about me. Like, my mom’s only half. She doesn’t really date, either, so I don’t really have any guy to talk to at all. There was one guy once, but it didn’t last very long. And this might shock you, but I think you’d be good for her, Jackson, but not if you’re just gonna run off. So, please, don’t get in too deep if that’s what you’re gonna do.”
"I thought you didn't like me," Jackson said with a rueful smile.
"That's up to you," Leo responded, not smiling at all.
Jackson felt a weight on his shoulders just then, and decided to throw the football to Leo again. He nodded to acknowledge that he understood what Leo was saying. Clearly, he had some things to think about, but here on the beach with this beautiful woman and her child probably wasn’t the place to do it.
All of a sudden they both heard laughing in the distance and realized they were no longer alone on the island. They both headed toward the sound to find Rebecca standing with Kyle and Jenna. He could see that Jenna was wiping her eyes, and Kyle was beaming. Jackson had a feeling that he’d missed something big.
Kyle ran up to him, breaching the distance between them and grabbed him in a bear hug. Jackson realized that his elation must’ve meant he’d proposed to Jenna and she’d said yes. Jackson hugged Kyle back as Kyle sniffled, clearly trying to keep from tearing up. “She said yes, brother!”
“That’s so great, Kyle. Congratulations!” Jackson meant every word of it. He was so happy for his brother, but he couldn’t help but feel a pang in his chest as he thought about the fact that he didn’t even technically have a girlfriend. It made him feel instantly lonelier, and his eyes glanced over to Rebecca for a moment wondering whether or not he should try and move things along with her.
“Oh, I’m sorry, buddy. We didn’t mean to interrupt your date. Is this your first date? It’s just that I couldn’t stand the nerves and the planning anymore so I brought her to the island and just did it. I had to pay Clay fifty bucks to get him to turn around and come back, but I thought that it was as special as I could get, you know. But hey, you brought Rebecca here on your first date, so she must be pretty important.” Kyle winked at Jackson.