Chapter 12
Jenna
“See you later.” I waved to Rose.
“I hate you,” she grumbled.
I laughed. “You know the tips are better for the dinner shift.”
She winked. “You’re right. I like the ones that start drinking early. By eight o’clock, they are feeling very generous. What are you doing tonight? Date with the hot neighbor?”
“No. I told you that was a one-time thing. I’m going to my mom’s for dinner. Or at least, I think I am, assuming she doesn’t cancel on me at the last minute again.”
“Tell her I said hi.”
I waved, walking out to my car. Before I even bothered heading in the direction of her house, I called to make damn sure she didn’t stand me up again.
“Yes, Jenna. I’m home. I told you we’d have dinner tonight.”
“Well, you said that last week too,” I quipped.
“Oh, stop. Just get your butt over here before the chicken dries out.”
I laughed and headed toward her house. When I pulled up, there was another car in the driveway. I knocked once before opening the door and heading inside.
“Mr. Peters?” I said with complete shock.
My old high-school principal looked up from the newspaper he was reading while sitting on my mom’s couch. My mom came out of the kitchen, a large spoon in her hand.
“Jenna! There you are!”
I looked at my mom and then back at Mr. Peters. It was too weird. I felt like I had done something bad at work and now I had to answer for it to the principal.
“Mom?” I asked.
“Jenna, this is Dale, Dale Peters.”
I nodded. “I know. It’s Mr. Peters. The principal of my high school.”
“Oh, I’m not the principal anymore,” he said, his balding head catching the light. “I retired last year.”
“Oh, congratulations,” I muttered, not sure what to say.
He smiled. “Thank you. So, Jenna, your mother has told me what you’ve been up to since you graduated.”
I smirked. “I’m a waitress. At a diner.”
“Oh. She told me you were in school to become a criminal psychologist. That sounds like an exciting job!”
I glared at my mom, setting my purse down and going into the kitchen. I needed a drink. Damn, I couldn’t drink. I had to drive home. Shit.
“What is he doing here, Mom?” I whispered.
“I invited him for dinner.”
“Why?” I hissed.
My mom reached for some plates before setting them down on the table. “We’ve been seeing each other.”
I let that sink in. “Oh.”
“Oh? That’s all you have to say?”
I smiled, relaxing a bit. “Mom, I had a feeling you were seeing someone. It’s okay. I’m happy for you. I really am.”
Tears glistened in her eyes. “Are you? Are you really happy for me?”
“I am. Mom, it’s been long enough. You deserve to be happy.”
“Thank you, I appreciate that. Now, help me set the table please.”
I grabbed some silverware and got busy.
“Dale,” my mom called out. “Dinner’s ready.”
Mr. Peters, Dale, walked into the kitchen like he had done it a hundred times before, confirming my suspicion that there had been something going on for some time.
We all sat down. I was nervous as hell. I had to look beyond the principal label and see him for the man that he was. The man that was making my mom happy.
“So, how did you two meet?” I asked, suddenly fearing the relationship had extended back to my days in school.
“Oh, Jenna! You are not going to believe this. We went to high school together in Lincoln. We didn’t even realize it until we got to talking one night.”
“One night?” I asked.
“Our friends set us up,” my mother explained.
I nodded, understanding a little more.
“Anyways, I moved to Lincoln when I was a sophomore. Your mother tells me she grew up there. We were in school at the same time and never really interacted.”
I laughed. “Was my mom a snob? I know she was a cheerleader.”
He chuckled. “I don’t know because I never actually met her. I was a bit of a nerd, I guess you would call it.”
I grinned. Somehow, I would have guessed it, given the chance.
“And you both ended up in Beatrice,” I said. “That’s pretty amazing.”
“It was fate. When my wife passed away eight years ago, I thought I was destined to be alone the rest of my days. Then, I met your mom and realized I could find happiness again. It’s been nice having someone fun to see a movie with, grab dinner, or even go for a drive in the country. I never knew how much I was missing until your mother and I began to spend time together.”
I gulped down the bite of chicken in my mouth. “How long have you two been seeing each other?” I asked, afraid to know the answer. I wasn’t sure what I would do if they told me they had an affair a long time ago and had been hooking up since I was in school. It would be a very ugly scene.
The two of them exchanged a look and I felt my anger boiling in my stomach, ready to erupt.
My mom cleared her throat. “Six months.”
“Oh,” I said for lack of anything better to say, feeling relief wash over me.
“I wanted to tell you earlier, but we weren’t sure where this was going,” she started to explain.
“Going?”
“Well, we’re not as young as we once were. Things are a little different at this stage of the game. Neither of us was sure if this was something serious. We’ve talked about it, and, well, it is. We are going to be spending a lot more time together.”
I was nodding. “Okay. All right. Well, then, uh, congratulations. I’m happy for you both.”
Though I had stumbled through it, actually, I was at a complete loss for words. I was happy for her, but it was also shocking to actually see it become a reality. I had never imagined my mother with another man. In my mind, I kept seeing her with my dad, smiling, holding hands, and being together. This was right. I knew that, but it was going to take a little time to get used to. I couldn’t imagine how she must feel and didn’t want to make her feel guilty for being happy. I pushed away the feelings of my own guilt and smiled.
“This doesn’t mean we’ll skip our Saturday dinners,” my mom said. “I’ve been spending more time with Dale, but I’m here for you.”
I burst into laughter. “Mom! You don’t have to spend every Saturday with me!”
Now I felt a little ridiculous. I had been acting like a spoiled kid, bitching that my mommy didn’t have time for me. I had no right to interfere with her happiness.
“I’m happy for you, Mom. Really, I am. It’s about time I started to work on my house on my days off and maybe going out more often with Rose.” I hoped to assuage her guilt.
“I think that is a wonderful idea!”
We finished the chicken dinner, and in true Mom fashion, she served up an amazing dessert. Tonight’s dish was an apple pie that she made from scratch, of course. I wished I had inherited the baking gene. I didn’t. I could never whip up an apple pie and happily serve it to the man I love. That was why we had Sara Lee.
I sat around and chatted with my mom and my principal—my mother’s boyfriend—for another hour. I wasn’t sure what the whole sleeping arrangement was between them, and I was not interested in finding out.
“I’m going to head out,” I said to my mom as we stood outside. “Thank you for dinner and thank you for telling me about your new man.”
She giggled, a sound I hadn’t heard in a very long time. “Don’t be silly. We’re just spending time together and having some fun.”
“It’s okay, Mom. Really, it is.”
“What about you, Jenna?”
“What about me?”
“It’s time, hon.”
“Time for?” I asked, hoping she wasn’t going to give me th
e lecture about me getting old and needing to find a man and settle down.
“You need to start living your life again. Pick up where you left off. Finish your degree and do something that makes you happy. Life is too short for you to be sitting around here. I know you hate your job at the diner, and I don’t want you to feel trapped. I appreciate the fact you stuck around to help me through one of the hardest times in my life, but it’s time for you to move on now.”
“Mom, you make it sound like I’m going to die,” I joked.
She smiled, patting my shoulder. “You know what I mean. I want you to be happy. Don’t stop living your life because of me. I have the money from your father’s life insurance. I’m going to give you the money you need to finish school. I’ll cover all the expenses.”
I shook my head. “I don’t know if I’m ready to do that.”
“You’ll never be ready. You have to get out there and just do it. Don’t let life pass you by. You’re not getting any younger.”
“I’m not exactly over the hill,” I joked.
“Stop. This is serious. I’m serious. Don’t make me kick you out of the nest all over again. Get your butt in gear and do what you love. Serving hamburgers to jerks like Aaron is not how I want you to spend your life. Your father would certainly not be happy to know you threw away those three years at school to come back to this.”
“I know. I know. You’re right. I’ll think about it. I need to contact the school and see what classes I need.” I wasn’t looking forward to the work involved in getting back to school.
“Don’t think. Do. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.” She waved as I headed to my car.
As I drove home, I thought about what she’d said. Mom was moving on with her life. I needed to as well. I wasn’t getting any younger.
I pulled into my driveway, looking up at the house I’d thought I would share with Jason. I didn’t even want the house. I didn’t want to put down roots in Beatrice, but he had convinced me. I thought we would have the happily ever after. Now, here I was, stuck with a house I didn’t want in a town I never thought I would be living in during my adult years—all alone.
My eyes drifted to Colton’s house. I thought about him and that one night of pure magic. My days would certainly be better if I had that in my life. He had a daughter, I reminded myself. Plus, there was something about him I knew was dangerous. I had to keep reminding myself of that fact. A guy like him didn’t land in Beatrice for no good reason.
I climbed out of the car, slamming my car door a little harder than usual, secretly hoping he would pop out and say hi or invite me over. He didn’t. Of course, he didn’t. We’d had a couple beers and a little fun. I couldn’t read more into it. That was never going to happen.
Once inside the house, I looked around. Really looked and thought about whether or not I should cut my losses and sell as-is or stick around and do the work I had dreamed about when I was signing papers on the house. I had no idea what I was going to do. My life was at a crossroads. I could very literally feel the winds of change blowing in my face.
Chapter 13
Colton
I was awakened by a little girl jumping on my bed.
“Daddy, I’m hungry,” she pouted.
Rubbing my face with my hands, I tried to wake up after being so abruptly jerked from a very nice dream about Jenna. It hadn’t even been sexual. It had been sweet and fun and very strange. That was not normal.
“You want to go get some fresh donuts?” I asked her.
Her eyes lit up and she started to clap her hands. “Yes!”
I laughed at her enthusiastic response. Yesterday, while on my way to the drug-testing place, I had passed a bakery with a sign advertising fresh donuts every hour from five in the morning until ten, seven days a week. I couldn’t pass up a fresh donut.
“Go get dressed then. I’ll put some clothes on and we’ll go.”
She raced out of my room and I could hear a flurry of activity coming from her room. Yawning, I shook my head, still trying to wake up fully before heading for the bathroom. I’d shower later. She’d go nuts if she had to wait for me to get ready. With my teeth brushed, a clean shirt, and a faded pair of jeans on, I figured I was in good enough shape to go get donuts.
It was early on a Sunday and I had a feeling I wouldn’t be the only one there looking a little rough around the edges.
“Let’s go,” I shouted, pulling on my baseball cap as we headed for the door.
As was my habit, I glanced over and saw Jenna’s car in the driveway. She’d been gone last night when I checked. Once again, I had felt that little spurt of jealousy at the idea of her out with another man, but I knew I had no business checking up on her or wondering what she was doing, or who.
I did a quick check of my tires and was happy to see they were all still inflated. Either my enemies didn’t know where I lived, or they were too chickenshit to show up at my house.
With hot, aromatic donuts in hand, we returned home. I immediately noticed Jenna standing in her front yard, talking to an older woman.
She waved when I climbed out of the truck. “Colton, come on over and meet your other neighbor,” she said with a warm smile.
I cringed, not used to the whole friendly neighbor thing, but I unloaded Abby and headed over to where the two women were standing in Jenna’s front yard. My eyes, shielded by my sunglasses, were focused on Jenna as I walked. She was wearing low-rise jeans and a tiny T-shirt that didn’t reach her waistband. The little strip of smooth white skin was playing peek-a-boo with me, making my body respond in ways it had no business reacting.
“Hi,” I said, extending my hand to the older woman and pulling off my sunglasses with the other. I guessed the neighbor had to be in her sixties. “I’m Colton, and this is my daughter Abby.”
“Hi. I’m Mary Bellows, and Abby, I have a granddaughter about your age. She comes over to visit me sometimes. Maybe you two can play together the next time she comes over.”
“That sounds like fun!” Jenna said enthusiastically.
“I’m sorry I haven’t gotten over here sooner,” Mary was saying. “I’ve been busy, and it seems whenever I’m home, you’re not.”
I nodded. “It’s fine. I’m glad we finally managed to meet. This is a nice neighborhood.”
Jenna and Mary exchanged a look before bursting into laughter.
“For the longest time, it’s only been me and Mary,” Jenna said with a smile. “The house over there has been foreclosed on and empty for at least a year. We are the neighborhood.”
“Well yeah, a nice neighborhood like I said, and beautiful,” I added, hoping I sounded charming. It wasn’t my style, and it felt a little weird, but I could do it. I wanted this normal life that so many other people craved. That feeling of belonging to a community wasn’t something I thought I wanted, but for Abby’s sake, I wanted to try.
Abby was grinning and nodding. “We got donuts for breakfast.”
I felt heat rush to my face. I probably wasn’t going to win any father of the year awards with that little announcement.
“You did?” Mary asked, exaggerating her reaction. “I bet they tasted delicious.”
I was relieved by her reaction, since I’d been steeling myself for a scolding about the sugary treat first thing in the morning. Jenna and Mary didn’t seem the least bit bothered by our breakfast. I could get used to this laidback way of life.
Abby nodded. “I only got one. Daddy said I had to wait until we got home to have more.”
Mary looked up at me and winked. “That’s probably a good idea. Donuts can make little girls very messy and you have on a very pretty dress. We wouldn’t want it to get all sticky and stained.”
Abby was practically glowing with the woman’s compliment about her dress. She had picked it out herself and was feeling quite proud of herself.
I looked at Jenna, caught her looking at me, and felt a flash of heat slam into my body. “Good morning,” I mumbled.
“Good
morning. So Mary lives across the street.”
I looked at the house I had pegged to be a family home with the minivan parked outside.
“I have my grandkids quite often and I’m sure Abby would enjoy playing with them,” she said. “The next time they’re coming over, I’ll let you know.”
I nodded. “That would great. We haven’t met any kids her age yet.”
“Well, I better get back home. I have a pie in the oven and don’t want it to burn,” she said in a sweet voice before waving and heading across the street, leaving me alone with Jenna.
“I’ll let you two get to your donuts while they’re hot. I need to finish getting ready for work,” Jenna said and I could see the nervousness in her eyes.
I nodded. “Bye,” I said as I grabbed Abby’s hand.
Jenna was putting me on edge and I didn’t like it. It was one time, I reminded myself. One time only.
At home, I poured Abby and myself a glass of cold milk, and we enjoyed our fresh donuts before she curled up on the couch to watch her favorite cartoon. I got busy with the normal housework, finding myself to be a little bored. I couldn’t wait to start training at the gym, but first, I needed to find daycare for Abby. I dreaded the idea of dropping her off with strangers, but it would be good for her to play with other kids.
It wasn’t long before the donut breakfast wore off, leaving me starving.
“Hey, are you hungry?” I asked Abby, who had moved to her room to play with her toys while I was vacuuming.
She shrugged a shoulder. “Do you want to go the restaurant where we ate before?” I asked, hoping she would say yes.
I wanted another chance to see Jenna. It was a tease, and I should leave well enough alone, but I couldn’t stop myself. I wanted to see her. I wouldn’t touch her. When she was working, she was off limits. That was safe.
Once again, I loaded Abby up and headed for the diner, spotting Jenna’s car in the back parking lot. I knew the drill now and had figured out which section was hers.
“Hi, Jenna,” Abby said as she walked into the diner like she owned the place.
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