by Nella Tyler
Suddenly, the burnt down house didn’t matter, family, friends, and jobs became irrelevant, until the world I knew only consisted of only the two of us.
I felt completely at peace as I finally breathed out and started to return to the real world.
I opened my eyes and grinned before I allowed him to ease out of me. Giving one more gasp, I slid off the desk and fixed my dress, hoping to God I didn’t go back to the house looking too much like sex.
When we returned to my house, Tim stopped in the driveway and stared at me in a serious manner. “I had fun,” I told him earnestly, feeling as though I should fill the silence with something.
“Oh, I did, too,” he replied. “And, I’d love to see you again.”
“Tim, I can’t,” I answered, even though the words almost hurt falling from my lips.
“Why?” He sounded truly disappointed. “You said you had a good time—”
“Yes, but I can’t fall for someone who is going to leave. I can’t do that to myself.”
Easily, he slid an arm around my shoulder and pulled me close to him. The scent of his cologne and our passion intertwined like a musk that immediately alerted my senses. I felt my stomach flutter and my breasts tingle as I found myself wishing there was another way.
“Jenna…” He spoke quietly and with a sincerity that I hoped was real. “No one can see into the future. No one knows what’s going to happen tomorrow. All we have is today, right now, and I like what we have right now. I don’t want to give it up before we know for sure what tomorrow will bring.”
I sighed, feeling swayed by what seemed to be earnest intentions. After all, the truth was I wanted to see him again to and I knew if he asked, the fire that he has raged inside of me wouldn’t allow me to refuse him.
Chapter 27
Tim
By the next day, although the routine didn’t vary, I saw a notable difference in my father’s recovery. For the first time, I was confident in the idea that he was, in fact, getting progressively better.
That was comforting, even though my hurry to leave had burned to only a remaining cinder, almost completely eclipsed by the heated passion Jenna and I had shared the night before. All I wanted to do was hold her in my arms again.
I sighed, trying not to think about her while I ate breakfast with my father, but everything I did and anything anyone said reminded me of the night before. After breakfast, I helped my father into his recliner and sat down to watch the news with him.
Maybe some bad news will get my mind off of what happened last night, I thought, but quickly realized that the added mischief of having sex in a scorched house was merely laying the groundwork for the news to be the fuel to the fire behind my reminisces.
Thankfully, before I could fantasize about anything really fucked up, there was a knock at the door. I was pleased to see Hayden standing there and not anyone else; God forbid Jenna had shown up. I wasn’t sure I would be able to control myself.
I certainly hadn’t been able to last night.
I let him in and led him into the living room. “Hayden! Good to see you!” my father exclaimed, perking up immediately, saying more to Hayden in the first five seconds than he had said to me in the last five days. I tried not to react. After all, I should be used to this by now.
“Good to see you, too, Sir.” Hayden grinned. “How are you feeling?”
“I’m still kickin’,” he answered positively.
For the love of God! I thought, unable to hide my annoyance at the fact that I couldn’t even get my father to give me that good of a half-assed answer when I inquired about his wellbeing.
“So, what brings you around here so early?” I asked.
“It’s my day off, so we’re going fishing,” Hayden informed me, making it clear that the subject was not open for discussion.
“That so?”
I knew I was going. Even though I needed to get work done, I was also aware that my head was far too full to truly focus on the program. Therefore, I decided, another day with Hayden would be good for me.
“Yep. I’ve already packed the truck. Let’s get to it. The fish ain’t gonna wait for us to catch ‘em.” He chuckled.
“Yes, Sir. Those fish are sneaky bastards,” my father added jovially as I turned to him in question. “Go on. Get outta here. I’m fed, watered, and have gone to the bathroom. I’ll be fine for a few hours.” I shook my head and followed Hayden out the door.
When we got to our fishing spot, we cracked open a few cold ones and caught more of a buzz in the first hour than any fish.
“Do you remember that time you decided to hack into the school computer system?” Hayden laughed. “I kept watch outside…and ended up taking the rap because I refused to admit you were the one who did it?”
“Yeah,” I answered, feeling the alcohol calming my nerves. “Why didn’t you just admit it? Your momma was so mad at you. She didn’t hardly talk to me for a week.” I laughed, not drunk enough for my slang to go unnoticed, but buzzed enough and in the right company that I didn’t have to care. That felt good.
“Cause, it was worth it, seeing that picture of the principal dressed as a clown in a dress override every screen in the entire school. Plus, I just got suspended. If Old Man Finkle had caught you, he’d have probably called the police.”
“Damn, that old geezer hated me,” I mused, thinking about when life was simpler and I was far more carefree.
“Well, you were a lot smarter than he was. I’m sure that had something to do with it,” Hayden chuckled.
“I really was a rotten kid, wasn’t I?”
“You grew into being a rotten adult, too,” Hayden retorted with a laugh. “You’re an asshole. I’m the only one who can stand to be around you. Everyone else might worship you for putting this town on the map, but they think their geological savior came in a pretty strange package.”
I laughed. “Yeah, I know. They’ve always thought I was strange. Some of the older people even tried to say I was an alien.”
“No. They didn’t give you that much credit. They said you were abducted by aliens and they put something in your brain that gave you all your crazy, eccentric ideas.”
“Oh…that’s right. There was even a newspaper article about it, right?”
“Yeah! With direct quotes from both of us.”
“Your momma wasn’t thrilled with me that time, either.” I grinned. “It’s a wonder you were ever allowed to hang out with me.”
“Aw, she knew I was every bit as bad an influence on you as you were on me. Besides, she kind of missed you when you left. The gossip in the beauty parlor was never as interesting as when you were in town.”
I chuckled. “So, I heard, you’re donating the materials to build Michelle’s house? Jenna Barnes’ sister?”
“That’s right,” he responded. “It seems like the right thing to do. They’ve always been good people. Damn shame what happened to them.”
I agreed. “Yeah. I’ve been getting to know Jenna a little better…”
“So, you talked to her?”
“Sort of,” I replied, not wanting to go into detail about my proposition and feeling that it was a little too personal to expand upon our activities.
“I see,” he said before taking a swig of his beer. “You seem to like her a lot. Is she just a hometown girl or—”
“No!” I snapped, a little too defensively.
“Oh.” His shoulders rose and fell with indifference. “I was just curious.”
“Yeah, I know, but you were right. There’s something special about her. She’s smart and interesting. I actually enjoy talking to her – and the sex is great. But more than that, there’s something…I don’t know, there…”
“I never thought I’d hear you say that,” Hayden admitted.
“Me neither. Especially about someone around here.”
He agreed. “So…” Hayden inquired after a pause, “What are you going to do when you move back?”
I had avoided aski
ng myself the same question for as long as possible, but now that it was out in the open, I sat back and contemplated it for a moment, but came up empty.
“You know, Hayden? That’s a good question.”
Chapter 28
Jenna
I awoke to the distinct feeling of eyes staring at me. At first I tried to ignore it, figuring I was only dreaming and that the strange feeling would eventually pass. However, that wasn’t the case. The more I tried to ignore the sensation, the more intense the feeling became.
Finally, I opened my eyes, unable to take the strange feeling any longer.
However, when I opened my eyes, I was overcome with a fit of laughter at the sight of Michelle and Kassie both starting at me with wide eyes. They looked like two owls sitting there, and that thought made me giggle more.
“Good morning!” I groaned with a silly grin.
“Aunt Jenna!” Kassie exclaimed excitedly, leaping on the bed.
“Rawr!” I screamed as she let out a shrill giggle. I rose up and swallowed her in the blankets, wrapping her up like a burrito as she laughed.
Michelle joined in, tickling her until Kassie was able to wiggle out and leap into her mother’s arms. “Well, you’re just a little ball of energy today, huh?” Michelle laughed.
“Can we go to the park, Momma?” Kassie asked, her eyes illuminated with excitement.
“Umm…” Michelle thought aloud.
“Sure!” I answered for her while Michelle stared at me in question, ensuring that this was truly what I wanted to do.
I grinned, genuinely excited about the idea of running around on a playground and being silly. After all, for as much as I love my job, being a doctor was serious and left little time for fun. This was a rare opportunity.
So, we all got dressed and drove over to the park. I chased Kassie around until she lost interest in favor of the slide, allowing me to have a break. Breathing heavy from running, I sat down next to my sister and grinned at her.
“How was that for a workout?”
“The best,” I admitted and turned to see Michelle’s devilish grin. “What?”
“You were late getting home last night.”
“Okay…” I answered in a drawn-out manner. “Mom?”
Michelle playfully hit my arm. “That’s not what I mean! How did your date go?”
“Oh! It went great,” I assured, happy that she wasn’t trying to parent me, but hoping to be able to skirt the issue of exactly what we did the night before. For as much as my sister wanted me to be happy, I was certain that she wouldn’t appreciate knowing quite how happy Tim had made me amidst the ashes of her home.
I smiled at the thought.
“Did you get a room?” she inquired.
“Yeah!” I said. Kind of. “We had a good time, but mostly, we talked about the proposal he had for you,” I added, trying to get off the subject of me and Tim together. “He wanted to pay for your house being rebuilt.”
Michelle’s eyes grew wide and she sat back, stunned. “What?”
“Yup. Pay for the whole thing – crew and everything. He said he didn’t want to take the chance that people might do say one thing and do another.”
“Wow,” she responded, obviously flabbergasted. “What did you tell him?”
“I told him, thanks, but no thanks. We could use all the help we could get, but since the community was willing to give their time to help us, we trusted them to do a good job,” I answered, for the first time wondering if I’d made the wrong decision.
“That’s exactly what I would’ve said,” she replied instantly. “I’m not looking for a handout.”
“That’s what I said, but he insisted that wasn’t what he was doing.”
“I’m not looking for that, either…” she replied, sounding disgusted.
“No! I’m not…he didn’t…oh God, no!” I made a face. “I really think he wants to help. I think he likes me, and I’m starting to think there’s more to him than just money.”
“Oh yeah?” she teased. “What happened to, oh...anyone can write a check…his charity means nothing…I still think he’s a good-for-nothing asshole.”
“I never said that…exactly.”
“You didn’t have to. Trust me,” Michelle teased.
“Well, I think I might have been wrong. Can’t I be wrong?”
“In your line of work, no. In your personal life, I guess a few misjudgments are okay.”
I rolled my eyes as Kassie came running over to us. She informed us that she was exhausted and needed a drink of water. Once she was finished, Michelle suggested that we go to a movie, and I was happy for the distraction. It was a kid’s movie, but they were usually pretty cute and Kassie was excited about it.
After the movie, I was driving back to my house when Michelle asked if we could go by her house. I agreed, even though I didn’t want to, and turned down the familiar road that seemed to somehow lead to a whole different life.
I stopped in front of the house and Michelle started to get out of the car.
“Where are you going?” I asked, grasping her shoulder.
She turned around and glared at me, trying her best to figure out why the hell I was stopping her. “I want to go look around my house, is that okay?”
Realizing how stupid my reaction must seem from her perspective, I freed her shoulder. “Yeah…of course. I just…it could be dangerous.”
“I think we’ll be fine.” She huffed and helped Kassie get out of the car.
I knew I should go with her, if nothing else for moral support, but my stomach knotted with guilt at even the thought. Nonetheless, I got out of the car and followed behind her, trying not to think about the last time I was here.
Yet, the closer we got and the more we walked around the house, with Michelle looking wistfully at everything, the greater the intensity of my memories became. I remembered his scent, the feel of his touch and the sound of his breath against my ear. I remembered the feeling of excitement and danger that was present, leading to the wonderful reward.
I knew it was wrong, but the only thing I felt as the memories became clearer in detail with each sweep of my gaze was bliss.
Chapter 29
Tim
When I woke up the following day, I felt odd.
In a way, I was giddy and excited, having shared such a wonderfully unique night of passion with Jenna. At the same time, I was conflicted.
However, hearing the familiar sounds of my father getting up for the day reminded me of the true reason I was her, in this town, that I now also had conflicting feelings about. Pushing the multitude of thoughts from my mind, I got up, hastily got dressed, and rushed downstairs to help my father out of bed before he attempted the feat himself.
“Good morning!” I called positively as I entered his room.
He stared up at me, grumbled, rolled his eyes, and looked away from me. “Mornin’…” he huffed, as though having to respond to me this early, before his coffee, was physically painful.
I smiled, crossing the room to help him, strangely untouched by his callousness. After all, he did at least answer me and by now, I was getting accustomed to the long bouts of silence between us. I would much rather have that than argue, and besides, it was simply another day.
Nothing ever changed in this town, from the ice-cream parlor to the people, so why the hell should I expect a miraculous change of heart from dear old Dad?
Instead of allowing myself to focus on the negative, I went through the motions of the morning – preparing my father’s pills, making him breakfast, and eventually setting him up in his recliner.
When I checked my phone after breakfast, I realized I had a text from Donovan, telling me that we need to have a conference call immediately. A sinking feeling crept into my chest and my breath heaved unmercifully out of my chest. I swallowed hard and texted back that I would be ready in twenty minutes.
After telling my father I would be back as soon as possible, I rushed to the coffee shop, parked
my equipment in my usual corner, and ordered a coffee. I was earlier than normal and lucky enough to miss the morning rush, so the café was far less busy than I was used to it being. I tried to take this as a good sign.
Noticing I was a little bit early, I took the time to refocus, enjoy a few sips of my coffee, and relax.
I didn’t want to seem bothered by the SOS text message. I needed to remain professional at all costs. After all, I was the leader. I had to show strength because if I didn’t, I was certain that everything I had worked so hard to achieve would instantly fall apart.
Once I found a headspace that allowed me to deal with whatever issue had come up, I initiated the conference call. Carly answered first, followed almost immediately by Donovan.
“Hey, guys! What’s up?” I asked, trying to get to the bottom of the problem hastily.
“Hi! How’s your father doing?” Carly asked and I tried not to roll my eyes.
“He’s fine. Doing well and recovering at a pretty consistent pace,” I answered, “What’s going on?”
“We have a little issue. I heard from the client last night. He moved the deadline up to Saturday…says he needs the program to work for something he is doing on Monday, and he wants time to have his techs look over it. I don’t know. Anyway, he says if it doesn’t work, the deal is off,” Donovan replied.
Fuck! I thought as his words sunk in. I only listened to him long enough to get the main point of what he was saying. The reason didn’t matter.
Mentally, I took a deep breath, calmed myself, and prepared for a decent answer.
“Well, then we’re going to have to make it work,” I told them, inciting a sense of panic that I could feel all the way from the small café.
I felt similarly, but we were talking about a multi-million-dollar deal. If this fell through, not only would we lose out monetarily, word would spread of our failure and the ripple effect could be catastrophic.
It was a lot of weight on my shoulders, dropped like an anvil on a cartoon, but like every cartoon I had ever been forced to watch, I knew that I would always get back up.