Unspoken Words (Hope and a Future Book 1)

by Janna Halterman

  He took in her bruises. She’d been hurt pretty badly when Tom went at her, but she hadn’t complained once. It had been hours later when she finally let herself cry, and he knew it had nothing to do with the physical pain. The girl was strong.

  Her physical strength was impressive. Her emotional strength astonishing. It’d be a long road to healing from the damage Tom had done, but she was putting on a brave face. Some of it had to be a mask to keep herself guarded, mostly from him.

  She was different with his mother. His mother had a way of calming hurt souls. With her, Evelyn knew she was free from judgment, and gave no signs of hurt, other than the bruises Tom inflicted on her. Jackson was beginning to think maybe he’d misjudged her strength all together.

  “I don’t mind being teased,” Evelyn spoke at last. “I just don’t like being caught.”

  Jackson raised a puzzled eyebrow at her. “Yeah, I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

  “Oh come on!” Evelyn exclaimed, rolling her eyes. “It was like being a kid and getting caught drooling in the candy-shop window. It’s just embarrassing!” She sat down on a rock, gazing out at the lake.

  “I’ve never been referred to as a candy shop, but I’ll take it as a compliment.” He sat next to her. “I was just teasing you, though; I didn’t think you’d get so mad. But really,” he nudged her with his shoulder, “any time you want my shirt off, just let me know.”

  Evelyn pushed him and he fell over laughing.

  “Oh my word! You really are so full of yourself, aren’t you?” Without helping him up, she started toward the house.

  “I bet I can make it back before you,” he challenged when the house came into view.

  She slowed to a stop. “What are you betting?”

  “Breakfast. If I win, you make me breakfast. If you win, I’ll make you breakfast.”

  “What kind of bet is that? Your mother probably has breakfast waiting for us already. When I win, I expect breakfast Monday morning.”

  That was probably true. “Then we’ll bet Monday’s breakfast. Deal?” He held his hand out to her.

  “Ok,” Evelyn agreed, shaking his hand. “Let me just catch my breath for a minute.”

  Jackson used the pause to look over the lake. There was no way Evelyn was going to win this bet, but he was glad she’d taken the challenge.

  A thrill ran through Jackson. He could feel Evelyn’s breath on the back of his neck, just before she bumped the back of his knees, causing them to buckle under him.

  A giggle squealed out of the little cheat as she took off running for the house. He couldn’t stop his own laughter. This girl was full of surprises, and he was thoroughly enjoying every one of them.

  Evelyn threw her shoulder into him when he caught her. She grunted as she tried it a second time. He laughed all the more and left her in his wake.

  “Jackson!”

  The pain in her voice stopped him cold. Turning back, he saw her limping to a tree.

  “Evelyn,” he moaned, running back to her. “I am so sorry. What happened?”

  “I rolled my ankle. I just need a minute to rest,” she got out in between heavy breaths.

  “It could be sprained,” he voiced, dropping to his knees. He felt like an idiot for challenging her. He reached for her ankle, determined to be gentle, when the woman threw her whole weight into him, successfully knocking him onto his back. She laughed and sprinted for the house.

  “You’ve got to be kidding me!” Jackson yelled after her. He couldn’t believe he’d fallen for that! More than that, he couldn’t believe she’d done it!

  Evelyn made it to the house first, but Jackson was right on her heels. She turned, just in time for him to scoop her up and throw her over his shoulder.

  “Jackson, you put me down right now,” she giggled out.

  Jackson did not obey.

  “I didn’t know you had it in you,” he said, carrying her into the house. “Mother, Father,” he said, entering the kitchen and retrieving a muffin. “We’ve had the wool pulled right over our eyes. You’ve been housing a cheater all this time, and we didn’t even know it!”

  “I didn’t know you were such a sore loser,” Evelyn teased. “Now could you please put me down?”

  He let her go for a second and let her slip further down his back. He grabbed hold of her again, but not before she screamed and threw her arms tightly around his body. He didn’t mind those arms around him one bit.

  Natalie walked behind Jackson with the bowl of muffins. “Good morning, dear,” she giggled. “Would you like a muffin?”

  Evelyn smiled upside-down and took one. “Thank you, Natalie. I’m sorry I concealed my cheating ways.”

  “Oh, we’re all cheats in this family, so you fit right in.” She poked Jackson’s side. “Now go put her down so she doesn’t choke.”

  Jackson grabbed two cups of coffee and carried Evelyn upstairs. He managed to get both mugs of coffee and her up the stairs without dripping a drop of coffee on the floor, or Evelyn on her head. He finally proved to be human though and had to put her down so they could kick their shoes in their rooms before he led her to the sunroom.

  Jackson set the coffees down before plopping down on the couch and pulling Evelyn down with him.

  Evelyn tucked her feet up under her and leaned her head against the couch, sighing. “That was fun. And French toast is my favorite; in case you were wondering.”

  “I don’t think so,” he snorted. “No breakfast for you. You cheated!”

  “You, Jackson Monroe,” she stated, “are such a wretched loser.”

  “Just be quiet and eat your breakfast,” he laughed back. He didn’t tell her he had every intention of bringing her breakfast. It would be much more fun to surprise her.

  “This room is beautiful,” Evelyn commented as she ate her muffin and sipped her coffee.

  “It’s Mother’s favorite.”

  The room was just about the complete opposite of the room they had sat in the night before. This room had no harshness to it. The furniture was soft and comfortable; the carpet thick and rich. Light coming in through the wall of windows flooded the room decorated in light yellows, creams, and whites.

  “She says sitting in here is like sitting in sunshine.”

  “Mmm,” Evelyn sighed, closing her eyes. “That’s the perfect way to describe it.”

  Peace floated in the silence between them.

  “I wish we didn’t have to go back to school,” she confessed. “Is that bad?”

  “Nope.” He wished the same thing. “Nothing bad about that.”

  He had been putting off thinking about going back home. Tom was back in Syracuse, and he didn’t want to deal with or even see him; but duty called. He was scheduled to work Sunday night.

  Things in Syracuse, especially on campus, didn’t feel right. With crime on the rise, he wondered if it wasn’t just idiots getting into trouble, but something more threatening. Taking Evelyn back to that didn’t sit well with him.

  “When do we need to head home?”

  “We’ll need to leave Sunday by noon so I can get to work on time.” He paused, hesitating to ask what he knew she wouldn’t agree to. “I’ve been thinking. Bekah may not be back when we get home. If she’s not, I’d like you to stay at my house until she is.”

  “You’re very sweet,” she sighed again, “and the best kind of friend any girl could ask for.”

  He knew she meant it as a compliment, but it hit him like a punch in the stomach. “Please, Evelyn.” He looked her square in the eyes, willing her to say yes. “If Bekah is not home when we get back, please stay with me.”

  “I’m sure either Bekah or Sarah will be back, but even if they’re not, you know I can’t stay with you. You already have a handful of officers who know we left town together. You don’t need any more talk about you than you’ll already face from that.”

  He didn’t have anything to say after that. He couldn’t tell her he didn’t trust Sarah. He couldn’t tell h
er how crazy it made him to think of her alone and unprotected. She was right, too. There would already be plenty of gossip awaiting them as it was. He’d silence it quickly enough from the Patrols, but there would be no stopping it if it made it to the campus.

  Evelyn stretched her foot out and poked him in the side. “Are you always such a pouter when you don’t get your way?”

  “Don’t kick me.” He sounded like a two-year-old, and had to force himself not to laugh. She poked him again. “Evelyn. I said don’t kick me.” He raised his voice that time. He knew she wouldn’t be able to resist poking him again, and he caught her foot when she did. He flashed her a smile and pulled her roughly across the couch to him, pinning her down and tickling her sides. “I told you, young lady, not to kick me.”

  Evelyn screamed her laughter as she tried to force him away. Her efforts were adorable, but futile.

  “Now,” Jackson said, continuing his torment of her. “Tell me you’re sorry for cheating and for kicking me.”

  “Never!”

  He laughed and just tickled her all the more. “Come on,” he coaxed, “swallow your pride and say you’re sorry.”

  “My pride! My pride? You’re the one who’s so full of himself, remember?” she cried through her laughter.

  “Ok, death by tickling it is.”

  The woman was fast. In an instant, she wrapped her legs around his waist, threw her arms around his chest, and pulled herself as tightly against him as she could, effectively minimizing his accessibility to her.

  Evelyn realized her idea was a bad one just a moment too late. Jackson’s body was tense under her touch. He stopped tickling her the moment she pressed toward him. He kept one hand against the couch, keeping himself from crushing her with his body. His other hand was frozen against her side, managing somehow to hold her steady.

  For not the first time in his life since meeting her, Jackson had no idea what to do. Having her so close was paradise and agony all at once. After holding her in silence for what felt like forever but was probably only seconds, he finally spoke. “You really don’t play fair, do you?”

  “When I’m against you,” she breathed, “anything I can do should count as fair.”

  Well, two could play that game. A small gasp escaped Evelyn when Jackson slid his hand a bit suggestively around her, changing his hold so his arm cradled her back while his fingers wrapped around to her stomach.

  He let her go and she loosened her arms and legs, falling onto the cushions.

  He smiled down at her. “See. It’s not nice when others play dirty, is it?”

  Her cheeks went hot with embarrassment. The look in her eyes suggested maybe some desire helped tint her cheeks as well.

  “Alright,” she relented. “I’m sorry, but not about beating you in the race.” Jackson sat up and pulled her up with him. “I won that fair enough.”

  “Fine,” he yielded. “You won. But loser gets to shower first. So I guess that’s me.” He stood with a smile and turned, not wanting to leave, but again needing too. His weakness against his flesh was pathetic.

  “Jackson?” He stopped at the door and looked back. A childlike innocence radiated in her eyes that captured him completely. “Is this what it’s always like?”

  “What?”

  “I’ve never had a boy friend.” She shook her head. “A boy for a friend. Is it always this much fun?”

  “No, it’s not always this much fun. In fact, I’ve never had so much fun with a girlfriend.” He covered his mouth with his hand in mock embarrassment, making Evelyn laugh. “I’ve never had so much fun with a girl before. You’re very special, Evelyn. I’m glad you’re having fun.” They smiled at each other and he turned again for the shower. He hoped a cold shower would wash the feeling of her body against his away.

  Chapter 22

  Evelyn inspected her bruises in a mirror the next day. She was relieved to see the marks on her neck and shoulder were already beginning to fade. Scarves and high-necked sweaters would cover them up easily enough for now. She was extremely grateful for the cold weather; it gave her an excuse to hide her neck. The back of her head was still tender to the touch, but no one could see that bruise. Her eye, however, remained quite discolored. Chances were, Sarah wouldn’t ask much about it. Bekah, on the other hand, would want to know every detail. She wasn’t looking forward to explaining it all to her, in part because relating the incident with Tom would require her to confess she’d spent the last few days with Jackson and his family. She didn’t want to share these precious memories with anyone else. She wanted to keep them safely tucked away in her heart.

  “Oh good,” Natalie exclaimed in greeting as Evelyn exited her room. “I was just coming to look for you. I was hoping you could do me a favor. I have a horrid dinner to go to tomorrow night and need a woman’s opinion on what to wear. Charlie tries his best, but let’s be honest, men prefer their women in less, rather than appropriate clothing.” Evelyn blushed at her frankness. “Sorry dear, I didn’t mean to shock you. It’s just how it is, though. Even the most straitlaced men like to see skin; just make sure you marry one who only wants to look at yours. Anyway, would you mind helping me?”

  Evelyn smiled at Jackson’s mother. She was quite a woman. Surprisingly, her confident bluntness drew Evelyn in, rather than shocking her away.

  “I’d love to help,” she replied. “I just don’t know how helpful I’ll actually be. Fashion isn’t really my forte.”

  “Oh pish-posh!” Natalie said, grabbing Evelyn’s hand and walking her towards her room. The gesture seemed to run in the family. “You have to be better than the men in this house. And besides, it’ll give us a chance to chat some more.”

  They walked into Natalie and Charles’ room and Natalie motioned her to sit on the bed. The room was remarkable. The walls were a light sage green and the bed was draped in ornate linens and taupe coverings that complimented the walls nicely. A wonderful plush rug warmed the wooden floor and a stone fireplace climbed to the ceiling in the corner of the room. Natalie had thrown open a set of double doors revealing a small room, which apparently was her closet, and began flipping through clothes, taking down dresses she wanted Evelyn’s opinion on. As she sifted through her clothes, she began chatting again. “I heard a lot of laughter a little while ago. May I ask what tickled the two of you so much?”

  “It was your son, actually,” Evelyn tried not to blush at the memory of his hands on her. “He was trying to make me confess my cheating ways, so he decided to try and tickle it out of me.”

  “I see. I hope he didn’t succeed.” She gave Evelyn a devious smile.

  “Not completely.”

  Evelyn couldn’t see Natalie’s expression, but she seemed to be thinking something over. “So, tell me, what kind of man are you attracted to?” Natalie laughed at Evelyn’s startled expression.

  “I’ve never really taken the time to think about it,” she answered honestly.

  “Why don’t you think about it now,” Natalie pushed gently, “with me?”

  “Well,” she swallowed. “To be honest, I’ve only taken notice of a few boys. For the most part, I’ve kept busy with school and work. And then growing up with all girls, boys just weren’t on my radar. But after everything with Tom… I hope I’ve learned my lesson about what’s important. But even Tom’s appearance pales in…” She shook herself. She’d almost blurted out that Tom was no comparison to her son!

  “I suppose,” she started again, “I’d be attracted to the sort of man who is strong, but uses his strength to protect people; not hurt them. Someone kind, and who can make me laugh, and helps me forget about all the bad in the world. Someone slow to anger, and honest. But finding all that, and hoping he’d feel the same about me. Well, it sounds like a bit of a fairytale.”

  “You like my Jackson, don’t you?”

  Natalie didn’t even look at Evelyn when she said it. Evelyn’s jaw dropped and she knew her face was bright red. Had she been that obvious? How was she supposed to
answer? “We seem to have become good friends.” There, that was honest, wasn’t it?

  Natalie had an armful of dresses and walked back to Evelyn. “You’re not getting out of this that easy. You know what I mean. You like him more than just friends.” It wasn’t a question anymore, but she was smiling sweetly. “I had my suspicions you were falling for him, and fighting it. But what you just said confirmed it.”

  Evelyn looked down at her fidgeting hands. Natalie had been so kind to her, she owed it to her to be honest. “I think you’re right. I am trying to fight it, though, and I would never act on it. I promise. I know he doesn’t need a little girl like me making things uncomfortable for him.”

  Natalie laughed, startling her. “I wasn’t going to reprimand you! And I didn’t mean to embarrass you. I just wanted to make sure I was right. I wouldn’t call you a little girl, though. Jackson says you have a lot of admirers, and he didn’t seem too happy about it.”

  “Jackson’s a liar, then, or very misinformed. There was only Tom, and he was rather two-faced.”

  “Just because there’s only been one bold enough to say something, doesn’t mean you don’t have more admirers,” Natalie countered.

  “I hate to disappoint, but I think that’s exactly the case. But enough about me and boys, we need to pick you out a dress.”

  Natalie looked like she wanted to say more, but she kept it to herself. They looked through the dresses and Natalie put on a fashion show of their favorites. She had sensational dresses. They chose a crimson long-sleeved tea-length dress that wrapped tight around the waist and flowed away from her body at the hips in a full skirt. She looked incredible in it. As Natalie was putting her dresses away, she asked Evelyn, “Do you know what you’re wearing to the New Year’s Ball?”

  Of course she didn’t know what she was wearing. She wasn’t going. It required an invitation from an officer. “Natalie, I don’t think I’ll be going. I don’t get asked to those sorts of things.”

  “Oh,” Natalie responded, confused in light of a previous conversation with her son. “You would love it! There are plenty of officers in want of a date, just tell Jackson you want to go. And if we’re all riding back from Christmas together for it, it would only make sense for you to join us.”