Shades of Gray

by Rachel Ann Nunes

  “You’re expecting, it’s the middle of the night, and I know Bret.”

  “Fine. He’s parking the car.” We both laughed.

  Jake rolled his eyes. “Women.”

  Shannon nodded and slapped Jake on the back. Another first for them. If I didn’t know better, I’d say they were becoming friends. I wasn’t sure I liked the idea.

  “What happened by the river?” I asked. “Between you two, I mean.”

  Jake shrugged. “Shannon saved my life. That big guy was going to stomp me.”

  “We saved each other.” Shannon held out a hand to Jake. “Thanks for your help tonight.”

  Jake shook his hand. “You’re welcome. If it’s all the same to you, though, I think I’ll go back to tending my herbs.”

  “Good idea. Maybe Autumn should do the same with her antiques.”

  I smirked. “Not a chance. But we’re going to have to talk about a consultation fee. I’m spending way too much time at your job.”

  “On that, I agree.”

  I doubted he was talking about the money, but I was too tired to care. “If Tracy’s awake, tell her I’ll come see her tomorrow.”

  Once again his eyes held mine. Not fair for him to have those beautiful eyes. “I’ll do that. Good night.” He turned and left.

  Tawnia headed toward Dennis’s room to talk to Sophie. The guard muttered something about Grand Central Station at rush hour but told her he’d ask permission.

  “So,” Jake said, pulling me down the hall, away from Tawnia and the watchful guard. “Are we okay?” He glanced in the direction Shannon had taken and back at me.

  I stopped walking. “I don’t know. Are we? I got the sense that you and Kolonda were . . . I don’t know.”

  He shook his head. “I loved her once enough to want to marry her, and if things were different, maybe I could feel that way again, but I’m another person now. And I’m in love with someone else. With you.”

  The odd feeling I’d experienced with Shannon began to dissipate, but Jake wasn’t finished. “Except it seems I’m not the only one who feels that way.”

  I tensed. “What do you mean?”

  “I mean Shannon. I thought he’d get over his infatuation with you. Or that it wouldn’t matter, but I think somehow it does matter. Or is starting to.”

  That could only mean he sensed a change in me, and I wasn’t sure he was wrong. I’d both hated and resented Shannon for much of the time I’d known him, and he’d annoyed me to no end. But I respected and trusted him, too. I enjoyed our verbal sparring, and, worse, I was beginning to suspect that I looked forward to seeing him.

  Jake put an arm around me, and I leaned into him with the ease of habit. “Look,” he said, “there’s a lot of history between us, a lot that doesn’t have to do with us, really, but with Winter and our shops. All of that sometimes confuses things. Don’t get me wrong—our history is something to build on—but in the end I want us to be together because we would both rather be with each other than with anyone else. Not because we feel like we should or because it’s easier. Or because we don’t want to let the other down.” He fell silent as a nurse passed by.

  When she was gone, his hand went to my shoulder and he turned me to face him. “After everything that happened today, I want you to have no doubts about how I feel. I love you, and I want to be with you.” He planted a kiss on my lips. Not a demanding, world-stopping kiss, but one that left no doubts.

  Jake was already my best friend, and I loved him more than anyone except my sister. He made my heart race when he kissed me, and we’d laughed together far more times than I could count, something I cherished. I’d dreamed of being with Jake forever, but I needed to be sure. I cared too much about him to do anything that might mislead him.

  “Jake, I—”

  He put a finger over my lips. “Later. I know.”

  I’m glad he did because I wasn’t sure what I’d been going to say. But I didn’t ever want to lose him.

  Tawnia was coming toward us, a cranky, red-faced Lizbeth held awkwardly to her swollen stomach. “Change of plans, folks. I’m going to help you find Bret so he can get you home. I’ll be staying here to see if I can get Sophie through the rest of this night. She’s pretty wrapped up with Sawyer at the moment, but she doesn’t want to let either of the children go too far—not that I blame her. I promised I’d hold onto Lizbeth every second and bring her right back after I get you two on your way. In the morning, maybe I can convince Sophie to go home with me for a few hours.”

  “I could stay and help.” I wouldn’t really know what to do with a baby, especially for hours at a time, but I could walk the halls with her if I had to. Or play with Sawyer when he awoke. Good practice for when my niece or nephew finally made an appearance.

  Tawnia rolled her eyes. “Are you kidding? You aren’t touching this baby. Not only are you still wet, but you look like you should be checking into the hospital, not leaving it. You both do. You’re even shivering! Come on. Let’s go find Bret and get you home and into your beds.”

  We let her usher us toward the elevator. Jake, who’d been quiet during our exchange, an amused grin on his face, snapped his fingers. “Hey, Tawnia, I have an idea for you. After everything that’s happened today, what about naming your baby Miracle?”

  Tawnia rolled her eyes. “You experience miracles. It’s not a name.”

  “Actually,” I said, “I was thinking more along the lines of Destiny.”

  “Destiny,” Tawnia repeated as the elevator door dinged open. “I still don’t know what makes you think it’s a girl.”

  Jake caught my gaze for a solemn moment before offering his hand. Smiling, I let his warmth fill me as the elevator doors closed.

  About the Author

  Rachel Ann Nunes (pronounced noon-esh) learned to read when she was four, beginning a lifelong fascination with the written word. She began writing in the seventh grade and is now the author of over thirty published books, including the popular Ariana series and the award-winning picture book Daughter of a King.

  Rachel and her husband, TJ, have six children. She loves camping with her family, traveling, meeting new people, and, of course, writing. She writes Monday through Friday in her home office, often with a child on her lap, taking frequent breaks to build Lego towers, practice reading, or go swimming with the kids.

  Rachel loves hearing from her readers. You can write to her at Rachel@RachelAnnNunes.com. To enjoy her monthly newsletter or to sign up to hear about new releases, visit her website, www.RachelAnnNunes.com.