by Dena Blake
“From Lucy. She got it in her current-events class. She noticed my eyes are the same color as yours and said I should wear the same color makeup.”
Jillian stared for a moment, the unexpected emotion silencing her. “Sweetie, you’re going to be much more beautiful than me.” Jillian honestly believed she was already. She had the soft, sweet features of her sister, which made her so much more attractive than Jillian.
She perked up. “You think so?”
“I know so.” She squeezed her up tight under her arm, unexpected maternal feelings exploding inside. Two months ago, this little girl was nothing to her, someone she was planning to dismiss from her life. Now Jillian wasn’t certain she would be able to do it, even if Blake Mathews did turn out to be the perfect father.
* * *
Jillian’s stomach churned as she lay in bed, unable to get to sleep. She’d called Marcus, but he hadn’t answered. Her talk with Abby earlier in the afternoon had replayed in her head at least a hundred times. Abby was a beautiful girl but lacked self-esteem, which could easily lead to a lack of self-respect and put her in a dangerous position with a boy. She got up and went to the bathroom, then slid open the door to Abby’s room to look in on her. Not there. Jillian headed down the back steps. She was probably down in the kitchen doing homework with Logan. She’d make them all a cup of hot chocolate. Maybe that would help her sleep. When she reached the bottom of the stairs, she was surprised to find Amelia at the kitchen table.
“Hey,” she said with a smile. It had been at least a week since Jillian had seen Amelia, and the buzz that shot through her made it clear she’d missed her. “I was going to make some hot chocolate. You want some?”
“Sure.” Amelia got up to retrieve the packages from the cabinet.
Jillian headed for the door to the living room. “I’ll see if the kids want any.”
Amelia looked back over her shoulder. “David’s the only one out there, and he’s asleep.”
“Are you sure? Abby’s not in her room.” She pushed open the door and searched the room with her eyes. No Abby.
Amelia followed her into the living room. “Maybe she went up the front while you were coming down the back.”
Jillian rushed up the front stairs and checked her room again. No Abby. “Shit!” She ran into her room, pulled on some jeans and a hoodie, then rushed back down the stairs. “She’s not here.”
Amelia shook David’s shoulder. “Where’s Abby?”
David opened his eyes, groggily. “What?”
“Abby. Where is she?”
“Isn’t she in bed?”
“No.”
David sat up and rubbed his face. “We all watched a movie. Then she went up to her room.”
“Then you fell asleep.” Amelia closed her eyes and blew out a breath.
“I worked on my car all day. I was tired.” David’s voice rose in defense.
“Do you have any idea where she might have gone?” Jillian asked. She was starting to worry.
David let out a breath and stood. “She was talking about going out with Mike.”
Amelia stood toe-to-toe with him. “Your seventeen-year-old buddy, Mike?”
“Yeah. I told her he’s a jerk, but I guess she didn’t listen.”
“You should’ve told me.” Amelia narrowed her eyes. “Where?”
“Muldoon’s.”
“She’d better be okay, David, or you’re going to be in big trouble.” She grabbed her jacket and took off out the door.
“What? I didn’t do anything. She’s the one who snuck out.”
Jillian tripped down the steps after Amelia. “Are you talking about the old farm behind the high school?” She’d been to Muldoon’s when she was younger. All she remembered was country roads, darkness, and beer.
“Yeah. Kids around here have been going there for years to make out.” Amelia rounded her Camaro, got in, and fired the engine. “Get in if you’re coming.”
Jillian ran to catch up with Amelia and jumped into the car. “You’ve been there before?”
“Once or twice to retrieve a rebellious teen here and there,” Amelia said.
“But you grew up here, didn’t you?” Jillian said and thought she caught a glimmer of remembrance in Amelia’s eyes. “Did you go there when you were younger?”
“Let’s just say it’s been a popular spot for a very long time.”
After about fifteen minutes, Amelia pulled down the gravel road and turned off the headlights before circling the old barn and stopping the car.
“Why are you stopping?” Jillian asked.
“We go on foot from here.”
“It’s pitch-black outside.” Jillian hated the dark, ever since she was a little girl.
“If they hear us coming, they’ll just take off.” Amelia got out of the car and slowly closed the door without making a bit of noise, but Jillian didn’t move. Amelia poked her head back in the window and said, “Come on.”
“I can’t.”
“Don’t tell me you’re afraid of the dark.”
Jillian winced. “A little bit.”
“Well, you can’t stay here by yourself.” Amelia leaned through the window, reached into the console, and took out a flashlight before she went around the car, pulled the door open, and offered Jillian her hand. Jillian took the hand and warmth flooded her. “Just stay close to me, and everything will be fine.” Amelia clasped her hand firmly and pulled her toward the faint sound of voices.
After checking several cars first, they managed to locate Mike’s car and pulled Abby out before she got herself into trouble.
“Do you know how embarrassing this is?” Abby whispered as Jillian pulled her along through the field.
“You’re going to have a lot more embarrassing moments in life than getting caught in the backseat of a car with a boy.”
Amelia chimed in. “Mike is too old for you. What were you thinking?”
“He’s one of the most popular guys in school.”
“This is not the way to become popular.” Jillian opened the door of the car and flipped the seat forward. “Now get in.”
“But I—”
“Not another word.” Jillian looked over the top of the car at Amelia, who gave her a soft smile and nod of approval before she got in.
After they reached the house, Abby went straight to her room, and Jillian followed her. “What are you doing, young lady?”
“Nothing.” Abby slid off the bed. “He wouldn’t.”
“Thank God.”
Abby pushed her bottom lip out. “I’m fifteen. Everybody I know has done it.”
“Losing your virginity at fifteen is not something to be proud of.”
“Oh yeah? When did you lose yours?” Abby’s eyes narrowed as she waited for Jillian to answer, and Jillian decided to let Abby in on her first meaningful experience.
“I was sixteen and in love.” Jillian threw up a finger when she saw Abby’s mouth open. “Even that was too young.”
“Why would you say that if you were in love?”
“Sometimes our bodies and our minds just aren’t in the same place. When your heart gets involved, it can be a disaster.” Jillian raked her fingers through her hair. “I know it seems dreamy and romantic, but the first time can be very disappointing if it’s not with the right person.”
“So how do I know who the right person is?”
“Believe me, you’ll know.” She thought of her first time with Amelia and let a soft smile cross her lips. “You’ll have feelings you’ve never experienced before, and he’ll feel them too.” She took in a breath. “Nevertheless, you have to be careful. Some guys only make you feel good to get you into bed.”
“Did that happen to you, Aunt JJ?”
“It has.” She nodded and pressed her lips together. “It’s not a good feeling.”
Abby looked as though she was processing what Jillian had said, but she could still see the curiosity in her eyes. She needed to end this conversation now before it
went any deeper. “It’s late. Get some sleep. I hope you brought a nice dress. We’re going to church Sunday.”
“I didn’t.”
Jillian’s eyes swept Abby’s body. Similar height and weight as herself, but with a slightly larger bust. “You can wear one of mine.”
“Mom never made me go to confession.”
“I’m not going to make you go to confession.” She chuckled. “You don’t have anything to confess anyway, right?” She dipped her chin and narrowed her eyes.
“Right.” Abby gave her a huge grin.
Jillian kissed her on the forehead. “Sleep tight.” Jillian closed the door and went through the bathroom into her bedroom.
“You did good.” The voice startled her, and Jillian looked up to find Amelia sitting on her bed thumbing through a magazine.
“You’re still here?” The sight of Amelia waiting on her bed made memories cloud Jillian’s head. “You could’ve gone home. I mean, you didn’t have to wait.”
“I know. I just wanted to make sure you’re okay.” She set the magazine on the pillow and swung her feet to the side of the bed. “With Abby pushing the boundaries and all.”
“I’m okay. The parent thing is new, but I’m getting used to it.” That was a lie. Jillian was sure she’d never get used to nights like these.
Amelia pushed to her feet. “Are you really going to make her go to church? Sorry. I couldn’t help but overhear.”
“I’m not going to make her do anything, but attending church once in a while couldn’t hurt.”
“It’s not going to make her stop thinking about sex.” Amelia moved closer and held eye contact.
“Nothing makes a teenager stop thinking about sex.” A tingle ran through Jillian’s body. Or me, apparently.
Amelia’s lips curved up into a sexy grin, and Jillian fought to contain the urge to kiss her. “Sixteen, huh?”
Jillian nodded, and another tingle shot through her. This was it. She’d been found out. Amelia finally knew who she was. The phone buzzed on the nightstand, and they both shifted their gaze.
“I’ll get out of your way.” Amelia crossed the short distance to the door, and Jillian’s phone buzzed as the screen flashed on the nightstand. “You should get that. Marcus has been blowing up your phone for the past twenty minutes.”
Shit! “He’s a good friend.” She’d forgotten that Marcus had put his name and number in her new phone.
“Must be. He sure does want to talk to you.” Amelia stopped and looked back over her shoulder. “I was seventeen.” She shot Jillian a sexy smile and continued out the door. “It was pretty amazing.”
Amazing. Jillian shook her head. It was fucking spectacular. Jillian’s body was telling her it would be again. Her heart thundered as she fell back onto the bed and let out a growl. She wanted Amelia, more than she was willing to admit. The phone buzzed again, and she grabbed it from the nightstand. Thank God, she had Marcus to talk things through with her.
Chapter Eleven
“Where do I put these?” Jillian asked, dropping the basket of dirty clothes on the floor of the laundry room.
“If you want them clean, I suggest you put them in the washer and turn it on.” Amelia was using her serious tone again. “Nobody else is going to do it for you.” Amelia must have seen her look at Mrs. Cooper, shuffling across the kitchen with a cast-iron frying pan. “Coop doesn’t even do my laundry. She’s certainly not going to do yours.”
“Oh.” Jillian looked at the clothes and then at the machine.
Amelia raised a brow. “You do know how to do laundry. Don’t you?”
“Of course I do.”
Amelia lifted the washer lid. “Then put them in, throw in some soap, and press the button.” Jillian reached for the basket but looked up when Coop kicked another empty basket over next to it.
“Now come on, Amelia. You know better than to wash darks with lights.” She laughed. “The first time she did laundry, she turned all Blake’s undershirts pink.”
Amelia pulled her lips into a wide smile, crossed her arms, and leaned against the door jam. “Thanks, Coop.”
“Don’t you have anything better to do? Like take the trash out?” As irritated as Jillian was, Amelia was a sight of which she never grew tired. She glanced at Coop, gave her a thankful smile, and began separating the clothes.
“I can do that.” Amelia pushed off the wooden door frame with her shoulder and pulled the loaded trash bag from the can. “I’ll be back in a minute.”
“Take your time,” Jillian mumbled.
“Now then.” Coop picked up the basket and set it on top of the washer. “Darks are always separate. Lights and whites can go together. One scoop of detergent will do the trick.” She pointed to the bottle on the shelf. “If your whites are very dirty, use one cup of bleach. Remember bleach is only for the whites, and wait until the tub is full to put it in.”
“Thanks for not letting me look like an idiot. Is she always like that?”
“Only with the people she likes.”
“She sure has an odd way of showing it.” The mixed signals were getting old. Jillian stared out the window, watching Blake as he nailed up a loose plank in the fence. “He sure works hard around here.”
“Yep. He makes sure everything is taken care of. I don’t know what these kids would do without him.”
“Even though the place seems to be falling down around him, he seems to love it here.” Jillian watched Amelia head across the lawn and say something to Blake. “That one is hard to read. Just when I think I have her figured out, she changes.”
“She’s a feisty one, but don’t let her fool you. She loves this place too. She’s all about helping the kids.”
She’s way too good for me. Jillian had gone back to doing her laundry when she saw Amelia head up the steps.
“Did you get her all squared away?” Amelia said, letting the screen door slap closed behind her as she entered.
“She knew what she was doing. It’s just a different machine than she’s used to using.” Coop gave Jillian a sly wink.
“You mean the kind that somebody else runs for her?” Amelia glanced at Jillian and lifted an eyebrow, and the constant battle of irritation and attraction flared inside Jillian again.
“Why don’t you help me with this?” Coop shoved a square pan full of fried chicken into Amelia’s arms. “Put it in the oven for me.”
Blake came into the kitchen. “I can help with that.”
Coop waved him off. “We got it.” She followed Amelia to the oven and pulled the door open. “What are you doing, young lady?” Coop lowered her voice, but Jillian could still hear the conversation.
“I’m not doing anything.” Amelia’s voice was soft and seemed completely innocent, a sound Jillian hadn’t heard before.
“The hell you’re not. The heat in this room right now is enough to cook this chicken clear through.” Coop let the oven door slam closed. “No mixing, remember?”
“Whatever you say, Coop.” Amelia squeezed her lips together, and Jillian could tell she was holding back a smile.
She’d just crossed the kitchen to sit down when they heard Blake’s name being chanted from the living room. Amelia and Coop looked at each other as if they smelled something bad as the voice got louder and closer. The chanting woman came through the swinging kitchen door, and Jillian could swear she saw a muscle twitch in Blake’s jaw.
“There you are.” The petite blonde from the dance waltzed into the kitchen smiling like the Joker, while Amelia and Coop eyed her suspiciously as though they were Batman and Robin. Jillian found herself skirting the edge of a huge pile of awkward. The woman raked her manicured nails across Blake’s back and said in a slow, sexy voice, “I’ve got plans tonight. Do you think we can switch nights?” Holy seductress, Batman.
“Will you excuse me for a minute?” He took the woman by the hand and led her out the back door into the yard.
“Who is that?” Jillian darted through the door out onto th
e screened-in porch.
“Trouble, that’s who,” Coop said as she and Amelia joined her. They all watched through the mesh as the woman advanced and Blake retreated.
“Give,” Jillian said without shifting her gaze.
“She’s David’s mother,” Coop said.
“He was married…” Jillian turned abruptly and looked at Amelia for more information. When she received none, she glanced back outside to see that Blake had stopped retreating and was now brushing the woman’s blond hair from her face. “To her?” The daggers the woman had thrown at her the night at the dance made sense now.
“Still is. He married her after his brother died.” Coop supplied the rest of the information.
“Tyler’s dead?” The news was such a shock, Jillian couldn’t help the lilt in her voice. She knew he’d had drug problems but had no idea he was dead.
Amelia turned and looked at her curiously. “Did you know him?”
Jillian shook her head. “No. Blake mentioned you had a brother,” she said, and Amelia didn’t press. “What happened? I mean, was it an accident?”
“Car wreck,” Amelia said, seemingly lost in thought. “I think I’ll go run interference.” She pushed through the screen door.
“It was a real shame too,” Coop said with a slow shake of her head. “The boy was just getting his act together.”
“David’s not Blake’s son.” The words came out in a soft whisper. It all made sense now. She’d known he couldn’t have a son David’s age.
“Legally, he is. Blake adopted him. Genetically, David’s his nephew.” Coop turned and put her hand on her hip. “Kind of like you and Abby.” Her eyebrows pulled together. “Isn’t that a weird coincidence?”
“I guess it is. What’s her name?” she asked, skirting that conversation.
“Suzie, with a z. He married her so there would be no questions about him being David’s legal guardian. His biggest mistake was falling in love with her.” Coop handed her a pile of laundry she’d pulled out of the dryer as they watched the backyard show. “She’s tortured us ever since.”