Heart of the Moment (Heart's Intent, #3)

by Brower, Dawn

  Imogen struggled in Preston’s arms, and he lost his grip on her. She fell to the floor and hit it hard. She rolled away from him before he could stop her.

  “Don’t let her get away,” Jessica shouted. “She was going to kill me.”

  Preston stared at the woman crawling on the floor. Was Jessica delusional, or had the nurse actually been trying to harm her. “Is that true?” he asked. He hated questioning her statement, but he had to be sure before he accused the woman of something so horrible. Jessica was on some heavy pain medication and could be misconstruing the situation.

  “Don’t listen to her,” the nurse said. “She’s hallucinating. Her pain medicine has her seeing things that aren’t there.”

  “Are you fucking serious?” Jessica said. “I’m not the one trying to become someone I’m not. I own my shitty life. You, on the other hand, are insane.”

  Preston stared back and forth between the two. The nurse resembled Jessica far more than he was comfortable with. She wasn’t as pretty—at least not to him. He could see a similarity though. “What have you done?” he asked the nurse. “Jessica wouldn’t make false accusations.”

  “Wouldn’t she?” The nurse raised an eyebrow. He had to figure out what her damn name was. “She has in the past. Made false claims, that is. We all know what she is truly capable of.”

  She wouldn’t do that now. He was aware of how much it bothered her that she’d kept Ren and Dani apart for so long. She blamed herself for so much, and it was part of the reason she pushed people out of her life. She didn’t believe she deserved to be happy.

  “What do you have against Jessica? What do you think she did to you?”

  “If not for her I might have had a chance at a better life.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous,” Jessica hissed. She glanced at Preston and tried to sit up, but fell back before making any progress. Her weakness was her undoing. A spot of blood was filling the side of her hospital gown. One of her incisions must have ripped open. “I’ve never done a damn thing to Imogen. Whatever is wrong with her life is all on her.”

  It was good to have a name to call the woman, but it didn’t solve the immediate problem. Imogen thought Jessica had wronged her in some way. As much as he hated to admit it—it was possible. Jessica hadn’t always been the nicest of people. He had to figure all of this out and help her. She needed medical attention, and fast. He glanced at Imogen and asked, “How did Jessica hurt you?”

  Hurt reflected back at him from Jessica’s gaze. He hated that he caused her any kind of pain, but he had to understand what was going on. It was how he could solve the problem at hand.

  “It wasn’t her, exactly,” Imogen said. “It was our father. The bastard abandoned me and my mother and gave all of his love and affection to her.”

  Preston’s mouth fell open at her claims. Jessica had never mentioned having a sibling before. Although there was an uncanny resemblance between the two of them. He glanced back at her, and by the expression on her face, he might have an idea why she hadn’t. Her eyes widened with horror.

  “You are not my sister,” Jessica spat back. “You’re nuttier than I thought you were. You had to dye your hair blonde to look like me.”

  “I always looked like you,” Imogen shouted. “The blonde made it stand out more.”

  “She’s the one who stole all my money and rented that car. Lana is fighting for her life because of this fanatical bitch. Call Carter and Dane to come arrest her.” Jessica kept her gaze focused on Imogen. “I don’t care what you’re claiming. Sister or no, you’re insane, and I want nothing to do with you.”

  Worry filled him as he stared at the woman he loved. Imogen did appear a bit unhinged, and he wasn’t in a position to settle any of this. Maybe the nurse had tried to kill her. Preston frowned, and did as Jessica asked. If Imogen had caused the accident, the authorities had to be notified. They could unravel the rest later. Imogen slumped into a nearby chair and started to cry.

  “Lana, Lana, Lana... She’s all you care about. If not for her, we might have had a chance to become close.” Imogen glared at Jessica. “All I ever wanted was to be in your life. It’s why I joined that stupid sorority in the first place. You were so mean...”

  “Of course I was,” Jessica agreed. “I was the queen bee, and that’s what I had to do to stay there.”

  Preston didn’t understand what the hell had happened while he was on the phone, but they’d seemed to have some sort of turnaround. Why did women have to be so damned complicated? He pinched the bridge of his nose and prayed he had the strength to wait for the detectives to come. The two women were driving him insane. Jessica seemed to dislike Imogen, and vice versa.

  “Carter and Dane are on their way over.”

  “Good,” Jessica said. “Imogen has a lot to atone for. I think she hit the car to kill Lana. It’s clear she is jealous. I’m not sure who she hates more—me or Lana.”

  “I can’t let you leave,” he said to Imogen. “You might as well take a seat while we wait.”

  Imogen turned her nose up at him and sat by the window. She stared outside in silence. He’d be worried she would try to jump out if the window actually opened. Preston frowned and took a seat near Jessica. After they settled this mess, he’d have a long talk with her and figure out their future. It would be a long night as it was. Their discussion could wait a little bit longer.

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  Jessica fidgeted on the bed. She wanted to get out of the hospital and not return for a very long time. Convalescing wasn’t her strong suit, and she was ready to go home. Unfortunately, she still wasn’t sure exactly how she was going to get there. Preston would probably take her if she asked, but she hadn’t been brave enough to approach him about it. Even though he must be angry with her deep down, he still took care of her. Since Lana was incapacitated, he had even taken over watching Bella. Things were still strained between them though. He’d been nice, yet distant to her over the past several days. What if he no longer wanted to be with her? She wouldn’t blame him if he bailed. She was a bad bet, and now that he realized the crazy gene ran in her family he must want to steer clear.

  “How are you doing?”

  She glanced up and met Preston’s gaze. Had he sensed she’d been thinking of him? Maybe it was time to suck it up and tell him that she loved him and wanted a chance at a real relationship with him. He was so kind, generous, and gorgeous as sin. He really did deserve better than her, but that was too bad. She wanted him and refused to give up on having him as a part of her life.

  “Ready to go home,” she answered. “I’d like to see Lana first.”

  “I can take you to see her later,” he replied. “But I hadn’t realized you’d been discharged.”

  “I haven’t.” She met his gaze. “When Dr. Foster comes by later I’m going to ask him to let me out. I feel fine, and I don’t see any reason to stay longer.”

  He nodded. “If you’re up to it there are a few things we need to discuss.”

  Jessica was afraid of that. He didn’t appear any happier about it than she felt. His face had a forlorn expression with his mouth down turned and his forehead crinkled. She did want to talk to him, but she wasn’t sure she was ready for anything so deep. Maybe she could distract him with other information until she worked up the nerve to discuss what really mattered to her.

  “I talked to my father earlier.”

  “You did?” He raised an eyebrow. “How did that go?”

  “My parents were upset I didn’t inform them of my condition.” She glanced up at him. “I’m sure you can relate to their displeasure.”

  She had never been particularly close to her parents. Telling them hadn’t ever been an option for her. Their idea of love and support was shoving money at her. She supposed if it had come down to it she could’ve called them for help on that end. Thank God it looked like she wouldn’t have to. Having her mother lecture her about financial issues wasn’t at the top of her lists. She would probably have
to be dying for her to be concerned about Jessica’s health. The only reason she even pretended to care was because of Imogen. That pissed her off more than Jessica keeping her surgery a secret.

  Preston nodded. “I suppose I can on some level.”

  “I asked him about Imogen.”

  That was another conversation she’d not particularly wanted to have, but it was necessary. Imogen was too insistent, and Jessica had to know for sure one way or the other. Her father had been gone a lot as she was growing up, and it was possible he’d had another family.

  “What did he have to say?” Preston asked.

  “Imogen wasn’t lying. She might be a tad crazy, but she is my half-sister. He hadn’t wanted to admit to that particular fact, but my mother made him tell me the truth. Turns out she found out about Imogen and her mother when I was small and forced him break it off with her. He settled some money on them and never saw them again.” Jessica played with her blanket and kept her gaze downward. “Imogen has a reason to hate my father, and in some ways, I can see how she transferred that over to me. In her mind, I had what she’d always wanted. What she doesn’t realize is she is far better off having grown up without William Clark as a father. He was distant at best and cruel where it counted. What both Imogen and I both lacked was a penis. He never wanted daughters.”

  “I’m sorry,” Preston said. “None of that could’ve been easy.”

  Jessica shrugged. “It is what it is. My parents weren’t exactly role models I wanted to use as an example to live my life by. It’s why I was glad when Ren took a position here. It gave me the distance I needed from them. All they have been able to give me is financial security. I never understood what love was—at least not until I met you.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me about your illness?”

  He meant so much to her and she didn’t want to say something that would make him want to leave her forever. She’d given him a million reasons to run for the hills, and what could she possibly say to make him want to stay?

  “I didn’t want to burden you with all of my baggage.” She held up her hand when he started to interrupt. “No, let me finish.” She took a deep breath and then continued, “I’ve never really had anyone I could depend on. Even Ren had his own life, and I was an outsider looking in. With you, I realized how love was supposed to be, and with it the responsibility of truly putting someone else’s happiness before my own. It terrified me...” She swallowed the lump growing in her throat and took a deep breath. “I told myself I was pushing you away because you deserved someone better. I do still believe I’m not good enough for you, but that’s not the reason I put distance between us. I’m damaged and I don’t know if I can be everything you need me to be.”

  She held her breath a moment and waited for him to respond. That had been a lot for her to get out. It was difficult for her to open herself up. It had been easier for her to talk to Preston before. That was a different time, and he wasn’t as important to her. Over time, their dynamic had changed and she fell in love with him. She had far more to lose now. He was her everything, and his love was all she wanted.

  “Don’t you understand what you mean to me?” He lifted her hand and kissed her palm. “I wouldn’t have been fighting you every step of the way if I didn’t need you in my life. Loving you is a gift I never thought I would have. Nothing would ever make me want to give up on you or the love we share. Please tell me you understand that?”

  Jessica believed she finally did. “We can’t have children of our own.”

  “So we will adopt or explore other options when the time comes. All that matters to me is you’re by my side and we trust each other with everything. I want to be with you for the rest of my life. I’ve been waiting for you to realize that our love is worth fighting for. My heart broke when I realized you didn’t share your darkest secrets with me.”

  There was no way to take that hurt back. She’d done that to him and wasn’t sure she could promise to never cause him any anguish again. Her default setting was to bury her feeling deep and hope for the best. Her bitchy attitude was a front for pain that she’d kept to herself. Even what she’d done to Ren and Dani had stemmed from her own insecurities. If she’d dealt with her issues sooner she might have made better decisions. She had a lot to work through, but at least she understood one thing.

  “I love you,” she said. “I want to say I’ll never repeat the mistakes I’ve made, but I’ve learned that is impossible. You mean the world to me, and I want to work on us. If you’re willing to try that is.”

  “Of course I am,” he said. “I can’t believe you have to ask.”

  Jessica’s lips tilted upward. “I don’t want to make assumptions ever again. The way certainty is gained is through communication. I’m far from perfect, but I promise to try to be more open with you.”

  They had a long battle ahead of them. This was the first step of many they had to take until they reached a point where things came easier between them. Love was worth fighting for. It had taken her a while to realize that fact, but now that she did she wasn’t giving up on him or their relationship.

  “I couldn’t ask for anything more,” he said. “I do love you, Jess. I’m glad we have a chance to be together.

  “We have a lot to work our way through. Starting with my sister and her crazy plan to take over my life. She needs a lot of help.”

  “Then we will make sure she gets it.”

  This was one of the reasons she loved him so much. Imogen and her insanity would have scared another man away. Preston sat beside her and quietly agreed to stay by her side as she did what was right for her sister. Jessica wasn’t entirely sure how she felt about Imogen, but she did want to help her. They may never be truly sisters as they were meant to be or even could’ve been. At least she would be able to ensure Imogen received the best care possible.

  “Carter and Dane came by before you. Imogen confessed to everything—she did rent the car, planning to push me and Lana off the road. She didn’t expect it to go as far as it did. They found my accountant in a hotel room tied up to the bed. She’d knocked him out when he’d wanted to come clean. For a while there, I believed she’d killed him.” Jessica sighed. “He gave them all the information they needed to locate my money and unravel all of my accounts. It will take a while, but I shouldn’t have to sell the house. I want to at some point anyway. I’d like for us to move in together when you’re ready.”

  “I was ready a long time ago,” Preston said passionately. “I’ve been waiting for you to realize what I’ve always known. I’m here to stay, and I’ll be yours forever.” His lips tilted upward into a half smile.

  “I don’t deserve you,” she said earnestly. Her heart overfilled with love. He mattered to her so much, and there wasn’t enough words to describe it. She was tired of hurting and pushing him away. Allowing him to be in her life was the best thing that could have happened to her. There would never be another man that would make her feel the way he did. Every second they spent together she fell in love all over again. She didn’t know where she’d be without him. “I am so glad I didn’t break us forever. I had to learn what I had, who I was, and what I had to offer you. I’m sorry it took me so long to realize how much I need you. How much you mean to me...”

  “We’re worth it,” he said. “No matter how hard things get, remember that and we can make it through anything.”

  “Thank you,” Jessica said. He believed in her like no one ever had. When her world went crazy he was right there to save her from herself. He made her appreciate how much she truly had in her life. “I wish I hadn’t made you wait so long. We could’ve started our lives together a long time ago. I love you, I’ve loved you all along, but I didn’t believe I was worthy of that love. Now I realize that is silly. Having Imogen accost me brought it all clear in my head. If not for her crazy schemes I might have been digging my feet in the sand so much longer.”

  She’d never thought she would be appreciative of her psychotic siste
r, but there it was. Jessica and Preston had been inching their way closer together. Perhaps over time they would have found their way back into each other’s arms. The chaos of her life made it happen sooner. For that, Jessica couldn’t help but be grateful.

  “At least we can be thankful for that much,” Preston said. “I wasn’t sure what she was going to do to you. The syringe she had was harmless, by the way. It was antibiotics that Dr. Foster ordered, so she wasn’t really trying to kill you.”

  “It’s sad,” Jessica said. “How much our parents’ choices can dictate the ones we make. Would she have done all of that if my father had been in her life more? She thinks he abandoned her, and I suppose he did, but he wasn’t really present in my life either. It’s easy to judge on the outside looking in, but we never really know what is going on in someone’s life.”

  For that reason alone, she’d stay by Imogen and do whatever she could for her. They both had shitty parents. Well, she didn’t know if Imogen’s mother was good or not, but as they shared a father she knew for a fact was bad.

  “Where do we go from here?” Preston asked.

  “You take me home. The rest will work itself out when its time.”

  He smiled. “I like that plan.”

  Jessica reached up and hugged him close. How had she managed to be lucky enough to find him? There had been so many mistakes and bad choices, but this was one thing she’d always embrace wholeheartedly. Preston West was the love of her life, and if not for him she’d have given up on being a better person. Thank God he hadn’t given up on her.

  “Good, because I’m never letting you go again. You’re stuck with me.”

  “Nothing would make me happier than to have the pleasure of loving you forever.”

  “You say the sweetest things. I’m sorry I put you through hell.”