“Good. Are you going to church with us?”
He’d nearly forgotten. “Oh, yeah. I packed some nicer clothes. They’re in the truck.”
“I’ll go get ‘em.” Jonah moved past his grandmother.
Jesse laughed as he pulled the keys from his pocket. “Blue bag in the passenger seat.”
Jonah nodded and headed out the door.
Patsy set the quilt on the chair behind her. “You look exhausted.”
“It’s been a long night.”
“You guys could have gotten a better night’s sleep in a bed.”
He swallowed hard. “I don’t think that was an option.”
Patsy smiled and gave him a nod. “She’s old fashioned, that one.”
He chuckled. “I told her that, too.”
“She’s not going to go for any funny business. She’s got Jonah, you know.”
This was more like it, he thought. Some motherly concern. The world was in short supply of such things.
“I understand. I have some very strong feelings for your daughter.”
Patsy winked. “I know. And she’ll come around.”
Jonah walked back through the door with the bag and handed it to him.
Patsy looked at her watch. “We have to drive away in a half hour.”
“I’ll hurry.”
“You can use the bathroom down the hall.”
“Thanks.” He started down the hallway.
“Oh, and Jesse…” He turned around to see Patsy walk toward the kitchen. “I’m glad to have you here.”
The morning was rushed in the little household, and he enjoyed it. Melissa had run past him as she came out of the bedroom and raced to the kitchen. She poured a cup of coffee and quickly threw two pieces of bread into the toaster.
She took down a second mug and poured him coffee, too.
“I’m sorry for the rush. Do you like jelly on your toast?”
He couldn’t help but smile at her. This side of her was maybe even more endearing than seeing her in the frog vest.
“That would be super. Can I help you with anything?”
She turned and narrowed her eyes at him, but shook her head as if he’d asked an unanswerable question.
“Jonah, it’s snowing out. Make sure you get your coat.”
“Got it, Mom.” Jonah hollered from the other room.
“And don’t forget your workbook. Mrs. Pete says she wants to look at them this week.”
“Got it, Mom. Let’s just go.”
The bread popped out of the top of toaster, and only a moment later, Jesse was handed a warm piece of jellied bread. He was sure it was not normal to be almost giddy about the crazy pace and the meager carbohydrate breakfast he was about to consume as they ran out of the house for church, but if he could, he’d have jumped up and down with excitement. This was exactly what he was trying to tell her about. This was the life.
Jonah and Patsy opened the back doors, but Jesse made it to the car quicker to stop Melissa’s mother from sitting in the back seat. “You should be in front. I’ll sit back here with Jonah.”
“That’s mighty kind of you.”
Jesse opened the passenger door, and Patsy slid past him. Melissa stood on the other side of the car, and a smile formed on her lips. Then quietly she mouthed the words thank you.
Jesse shut the door and climbed in back with Jonah.
“Have you ever been to church?” he asked.
“It has been a very long time.”
“We go every Sunday. Are you going to go with us next week, too?”
Jesse had never been around kids. Usually they were awkward around him, especially ten-year-olds.
“We’ll have to see what my schedule is like.”
Jonah nodded as though that was good enough for him. Now if only he could get his manager to accept answers like that.
“Where did you have a concert last night?”
“Chicago.”
“Where is that?”
Jesse smiled. “Illinois.”
Jonah wrinkled up his nose. “And you’re already here?”
“Yep.”
Jonah crossed his arms over his chest. “Where did you wake up yesterday morning?”
“In Los Angeles.”
“And then you worked in Chicago?”
“Yep.”
“And you spent the night in Colorado?”
Jesse laughed. “Yes.”
“That is so cool. I’ve only been to Idaho three times. You were in three states in one day.”
He kept the smile on his lips, but when he looked up at Melissa, he could see her questioning look in the mirror. His life certainly didn’t fit with hers, did it?
“Where do you go next?” Jonah asked.
Jesse had to think. “I think Saint Louis.”
Jonah thought for a moment. “Missouri?”
“Yeah.”
“Cool.”
Melissa pulled into the parking lot of the church. Cars filtered in from all directions. He had to remind himself this was a small town. This is what they did on Sunday mornings. He, on the other hand, used Sunday mornings—if he was home—to recuperate from traveling. He had a lot to be thankful for. Perhaps a morning in church was overdue.
As soon as the car was parked, Jesse hurried out of the car and opened Patsy’s door. He held out his hand to help her out.
“Thank you,” she said, smiling up at him.
Melissa again gave him what he would call an untrusting look, but then her door opened.
“Can I help you out, Mom?”
Jesse smiled. Jonah was following suit. Well, maybe he’d done some good with his visit.
Melissa looked at him and then back at Jonah, who also held out his hand to help her out.
“Thank you,” she said and her voice quivered.
“You’re welcome, Mom.”
Patsy bunched her coat around her with her hands and headed toward the door. “Missy, you’d better get in there. Pastor is going to have a fit if you’re not there before the congregation.”
“I’m hurrying,” she called from the car as she gathered her purse and shut the door behind her.
She hurried up to them. “Will you be okay with Mom?”
“You’re not sitting with us?”
“No.” She hurried ahead of them and into the church.
Jesse thought stage fright was bad, but this had hit a new level.
Patsy laced her arm through his. “You’ll be just fine with us.”
She lifted her head and walked through the doors of the church.
Jesse humored to himself that all churches smelled the same. It was familiar to him, and that seemed odd.
But then the familiar sounds penetrated his ears. It wasn’t sounds of the congregation gathering, it was whispers. They knew who he was, and they knew he was on the arm of the biology teacher’s mother’s arm. He swallowed hard. It had been a long time since he’d been this uncomfortable.
Patsy walked toward the sanctuary, and the pastor stood at the door.
“Oh, Patsy Bartlett, how are you this find morning?” he asked.
“I’m cold,” she laughed. “Pastor, I’d like to introduce you to our guest. This is Mr. Charles.”
The pastor shook his hand. “Mr. Charles, it is a pleasure to meet you.”
“Likewise, sir.”
“You are a singer, correct?”
Jesse’s stomach tightened as his nerves took over. “Yes.”
“Well, it is wonderful to have you.” He looked down at Jonah. “I saw your mother as she ran in this morning. She said you did wonderful on your spelling test.”
Jonah smiled wide. “I got an A plus.”
“That is wonderful.” The pastor shifted his eyes back to Patsy. “Thank you for coming this morning and bringing your friend.” He gave Jesse a nod. “We will see you after the sermon.”
Patsy nodded and, still on Jesse’s arm, she walked into the sanctuary.
Heads turned as the
y walked down the center aisle. Why was this so uncomfortable? Jesse was used to having eyes on him at all times. Even the occasional paparazzi fell out of trees trying to get pictures of him, but having Melissa’s community whisper among themselves and keep a steady eye on him made him very nervous—not for himself, but for Melissa. This was so unfair to her. Why had he come?
Patsy found a pew, and she ushered Jonah in first. She followed, and Jesse followed her.
He leaned in toward her. “Where is Melissa?”
“You’ll see her soon,” she said, folding her hands in her lap as the pastor headed toward the podium and the choir began to filter in.
A man walked up next to them in the aisle. Jonah immediately scooted down, as did Patsy, so Jesse followed their lead.
“Jesse,” Patsy whispered. “This is William Scott. William, this is Jesse.”
Jesse shook the man’s hand and remembered that this was the man Melissa had mentioned. Her late husband’s best friend and her boss.
William’s grip was tight, but Jesse was used to that. People were usually intimidated by him, so they thought an overly firm handshake would make them superior.
“So, you’re the rock star?”
Oh, the man already hated him. “I’m a musician. Yes.”
William gave a low hum and turned his attention to the altar.
At the end of the line of choir members was Melissa in a purple robe with a white collar. There was probably some sin in thinking that was sexy, but he couldn’t help himself.
The choir took their positions, but Melissa walked past them and took her position just to the side of the altar between the choir and the pastor.
The pastor opened his Bible and looked out at the congregation. He then proceeded to begin his sermon, and as he did, Melissa’s hands lifted and she signed every word the pastor spoke.
Jesse felt his breath catch in his chest. It was beautiful—almost dance-like. He couldn’t take his eyes off of her.
The fluid motion of her fingers and hands carried the words of the sermon and the choir to someone in the congregation, but, for him, it embedded her deeper into his heart.
This woman he was falling in love with was full of many, many surprises.
Melissa had noticed that Jesse had never once taken his eyes off her.
In her life, she had been nervous to interpret a service, but today—this was different.
“Melissa, you did beautifully today,” Mrs. Johnson said, touching her arm as she passed by.
“Thank you.”
“Your grandfather would be proud.”
Melissa hung up her robe as Emmy hurried up to her. “He came to church with you?” She grabbed Melissa’s arm and jumped up and down. “I can’t believe this. I didn’t know this was a serious thing.”
Melissa grabbed hold of her to stop her. “It’s not. He just came to visit.”
“That’s twice!”
“Shhh.” Melissa looked around, and eyes were on her from every direction. “This is the last time. Look how this makes everyone.”
“So? I think this is wonderful.”
“Because he’s Jesse Charles?”
Emmy tilted her head. “Because he likes you.” She considered Melissa for a moment. “You’re stuck on his fame, aren’t you? And I don’t mean that in a good way.”
“This isn’t good for Jonah.”
“I think Jonah is handling it better than you.”
As Emmy walked away, Melissa thought about that. She was right. She certainly wasn’t handling it well at all.
She started out of the church when the pastor caught her at the door.
“You did a beautiful job as always, Melissa.”
“Thank you.”
“I met your guest.” He held his Bible to his chest and crossed his arms over it. “I didn’t know you liked his kind of music.”
“Well, Sir, I don’t. But we have become friends, and his music doesn’t play into that.”
“Friends?”
“Yes. Only friends.”
The pastor nodded. “How is this affecting Jonah?”
It was just proof that she was right. This was so very wrong on so many levels. And worse, everyone on her street would know he’d been there all night. What they wouldn’t know was she was sitting on the couch with him, watching musicals.
“Jonah adores him.”
“I’d hate to see him get hurt. He’s only now moving on from his father’s tragedy.”
She was well aware of that. This wasn’t a conversation she wanted to be having. “He’s fine.”
“Well, then I’ll see you next week. Thank you for signing for Mr. and Mrs. Dupree. They appreciate it.”
“Always my pleasure.”
Melissa walked out to the parking lot. Her mother was surrounded by many of her usual friends, but the difference was she had Jesse still on her arm.
The only reason Melissa wanted to laugh was the horrified look on Jesse’s face. But she knew her mother was protecting him.
She could hear the whispers, and she’d seen that every other set of eyes in the church had been on Jesse during the sermon. Perhaps that’s why the pastor seemed so unimpressed with her guest.
Even as she walked toward Jesse, she could see the small groups of students huddling around. She was sure if her mother hadn’t had him on her arm, they’d have all pounced on him to get an autograph.
It was then she noticed Jonah stood guard on his other side. They were a compassioned pair, and they really seemed to like Jesse—and not because he was a pop star.
“Melissa, you did beautifully,” one lady said as she approached.
“Your grandfather must be so proud of you,” another added.
Mrs. Hart took hold of her hand. “We’ve been talking with your new boyfriend. He’s quite a nice young man.”
Melissa looked at Jesse, whose eyes had opened wide.
“C’mon, let’s head home,” Patsy said to defuse the group as the air began to stir and the bitter chill of a pending storm began to blow through.
Just as Jesse opened the car door for Melissa, she heard her name called across the lot. William hurried toward her as the snow began to softly fall from the sky.
“You were beautiful today,” he said.
“Thank you. William have you met…”
“Yes,” he curtly said and gave Jesse a glance.
Jesse touched her hand. “I’ll let you two talk.” He gave William a nod and walked around the car and climbed inside with her mother and Jonah.
Melissa closed her car door.
“What are you doing?” William asked, his tone hushed.
“I’m going home. I’m freezing out here.”
“That’s not what I mean. I heard he spent the night.”
God, the gossips in this town were fast. “He came in in the middle of the night. That’s when his plane got in.”
“He’s staying with you?”
“For the day.” She looked around the lot as it emptied out, and the snow began to fall faster. “Really, William, he’s just here to visit.”
“Melissa, is this what you want? The whole town is talking about you.”
“Well, then, they’d better get used to him being here.”
William moved in closer to her and held her arms in his hands. “This is what you want? I offer you stability, and you choose to be the town gossip?”
“It’s my life. Butt out.”
“I would, but Martin always told me to look out for you. I’m doing what he asked me to do.”
Anger burned inside of her. “This isn’t fair. I’m going home with this man, and if he chooses to stay the night then so be it. It’s no one’s business but my own.”
She reached for the door, and he took hold of her hand. She could see Jesse in the car move as if he were thinking that she needed protection.
“If the town talks, they might not hurt you. But think about Jonah. You’re hurting Jonah.”
He let go of her hand an
d walked away toward his car.
Melissa opened the door and climbed in. Damn it, he was right. Already rumors were running, and her students were harder to get through to. Now she had to deal with the fact that the consequences to Jonah were going to be worse.
She started the car and batted back the angry tears that were forming.
The worst part was she was starting to have feelings for Jesse that she hadn’t had in a very long time. She wasn’t sure she was ready to let that go.
Chapter Nine
The ride back to their house was quiet. Jesse knew that whatever William had said to her had upset her deeply. The man didn’t like him. He’d gotten that vibe loud and clear as they were seated next to each other at church. But Jesse was sure things between William and Melissa were more serious than she let on. He was certainly in the way.
The only problem was that he didn’t want to let go.
As they drove into the driveway, Patsy turned in her seat to look at him. “You’re staying for lunch, right?”
He glanced at Melissa, who nodded in the mirror.
“I would love to.”
“Great.” Patsy turned to Jonah. “Come inside with me and help me get lunch started.” She turned to Melissa. “Maybe you two should take a drive and have some time. You should go show Jesse Grandpa’s land. You can unlock the gate while you’re there. Elsie is going to show it tomorrow.”
Melissa opened her mouth to speak, but Patsy hurried out of the car and Jonah retreated quickly, too. Jesse opened the door, climbed out of the car, and then got back into the front seat.
“Melissa, if you don’t want to…”
She shook her head. “I do want to.” She lifted her head and her eyes were filled with tears. “Jesse, this isn’t going to work. How can we possibly make this work?”
He touched her cheek. He was good with words to soothe her, but he knew this was nearly the end of them and they hadn’t even begun. She’d been right. They just came from two different worlds.
“We have today. Be mine for today. We can figure out everything later.”
She nodded, put the car in reverse, and headed up the mountain as the snow began to come down heavier.
“Where did you learn to sign like that?” Jesse asked as Melissa maneuvered the narrowing road.
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