Forever Series Box Set Books 1-3

by Mona Ingram

  “Brett?”

  He got out of the car and joined her at the foot of the stairs. “It’s yours,” he said softly. “I bought it for you.”

  “You bought it for me?” She looked up at him, disbelieving. “You can’t do that.”

  “But I did,” he said simply. “Mrs. Duncan and I have become good friends. She wishes you good luck, by the way.”

  Jenna held out her hand to Danny, who scrambled from the car. “Did you know about this?” she asked.

  “No,” he said, studying the sign. “What is it?”

  Brett answered. “This is going to be Jenna’s new studio. Well, it’s her old one, but now she owns it. Would you like to see inside?”

  Tears streamed down Jenna’s face. “I can’t believe you did this.”

  “You don’t like it?” For the first time, Brett seemed unsure of himself.

  “I love it. I just can’t believe...” Her words trailed off as he opened the front door, then presented her with the key.

  Jenna stepped into the familiar space, but it was nothing like it had been when she lived there. Everything had been updated... from the refinished hardwood floors, to fresh paint, to new curtains and furniture.

  “I had someone come in and do it up for you” he said, looking around as though he’d done it himself. “Turned out pretty well, didn’t it?”

  “And my studio?” Jenna took several tentative steps. “Is it still there?”

  Brett ushered her into the studio.

  “This looks like some of my old equipment.” She walked round, touching the familiar pieces.

  “I got the idea for all this when you mentioned that your stuff was in the second-hand store. The furniture got roughed up a bit, so I had the decorator buy everything new, but the equipment looked good, and I don’t know anything about that, so I thought you could buy what’s missing.” He smiled down at her. “Good surprise?”

  “Oh, Brett. I love it, but I don’t know how I’ll ever repay you.”

  He cupped her face in both hands and gazed into her eyes. “You already have,” he said. “More than I can possibly tell you.”

  “Are you going to kiss her now?” Danny grinned at them.

  “I don’t know. I’m not sure if this is the right time.” Brett’s eyes searched hers.

  Jenna stepped closer, rose on her tiptoes and brushed her lips against his. “Thank you, Brett. You’ve made me very happy.”

  “It hasn’t been easy,” he murmured.

  She pulled back. “What? Making me happy?”

  “No.” He laughed, but there was something forced in the sound. “Letting you go. But you deserve a second chance at your career. You’re too good to give up on your dreams now.” There was something almost desperate in his voice. “And when you get your life back, I hope you’ll remember where we are.”

  Dazed by the sudden turn of events, Jenna could only stare at him. Was he saying goodbye? She nodded silently and turned away, studying one of her backdrops as though she’d never seen it before. She turned to find him watching her. There was goodbye in his eyes and she wondered how she’d misread the situation so badly. Again.

  “I won’t forget either of you,” she said, looking around for Danny. He’d disappeared, but that wasn’t unusual. She hoped he examined every inch of the place; it would help if he could picture her here. Suddenly the idea of not seeing his bright little face every morning was more than she could take, and tears began to roll unchecked down her face.

  “Jenna, have I said something to make you cry?”

  She gave a strangled laugh. Sometimes men could be so blind. “No,” she said, regaining her composure. “I’m just happy.” She dug down deep and managed to uncover a smile. If she got any better at this, Hollywood would come calling. “But I’m already missing Danny.” She looked up at him. “When did we decide was my last day?”

  “Do you still want to take Danny to school?” His voice was tentative. “Or would it be better if Mrs. Sawyer does it? You know... so she can get the lay of the land?”

  “No it wouldn’t be all right,” screamed the voice in her head. “I should be the one taking him to school on his first day.”

  She couldn’t meet his eyes. “I suppose that makes sense.” She removed all emotion from her voice. “So when should I plan to leave? It looks like I could move into this place any time.” She was clutching the key so tightly it cut into her fingers.

  His expression was oddly bleak. “You could actually move over here today if you like. Mrs. Sawyer has been staying with her sister while she waits to come to us. I’m sure if I called her, she’d be happy to start tomorrow or the next day.”

  So soon. Jenna had known it would be difficult, but she hadn’t sufficiently prepared herself for the thought of someone taking her place. Better to get it over with, and fast.

  “Sounds good,” she said brightly. “Let’s do that right after breakfast.”

  “BUT I THOUGHT YOU WERE going to take me to school next week.” Danny stood beside the open rear door as Jenna loaded her belongings.

  She squatted down. “Your Dad and I decided that it would be better for Mrs. Sawyer to take you to school. She’s the one who’ll need to pick you up sometimes.”

  Danny narrowed his eyes. “Did you and my Dad have a fight?”

  Jenna stilled. “No, Danny.” She cast around in her mind for a way to explain so it would make sense to him. So why not tell him the truth? She picked him up and set him on the edge of the open hatchback, then sat beside him. His legs swung back and forth nervously.

  “You know, Danny. Sometimes when adults part they don’t really know what to say to each other. Their words get tangled up with their feelings, and things get all mixed up.”

  “You mean like when they get divorced? Some of my friends’ parents got divorced.”

  It wouldn’t do to dismiss his question too quickly, so she considered it for a moment. “Not really,” she said after a while. “When I came here, it was only supposed to be for a month.” She touched him on the nose. “Remember?”

  He nodded. “And now you’re going to do what you love. That’s what Daddy said.”

  She smiled through a haze of tears. “And he’s right. Trouble is, I love taking care of you too, and I can’t do both.” She ached to tell him they could still be friends, but that wasn’t fair. In time he would forget her, even though he’d wormed his way into her heart and she would never forget him. She fumbled in her backpack. “Here, I made something for you.”

  “What is it?” He crawled closer, his eyes bright and trusting.

  “It’s a little photo album. I had prints made of all our happy times together.”

  He studied the pictures slowly, a smile on his lips as one finger traced the images. “That’s me at the three-legged race,” he said, pausing at a photo of the boys crossing the finish line. “And here’s one of Daddy and me at the kite festival.” He flipped through the remaining shots and looked up at her, eyes shining. “Thank you, Jenna. These are great.”

  “You’re welcome.” She looked up to see Brett watching them through the kitchen window. “And now I should say goodbye to your father.” She touched his nose again. “Be good for Mrs. Sawyer.”

  BRETT WASN’T SURE HOW much more he could stand. He had no idea what Jenna was saying to Danny, but watching them through the window was making his stomach churn. He hadn’t planned for her to leave today, but he was glad it was working out that way... he couldn’t have held himself back much longer.

  She stood tentatively in the doorway, as though she didn’t belong there anymore. “Thanks again, Brett. It seems like such a feeble thing to say after what you’ve done.”

  He longed to reach for her, but controlled himself. “One thing I forgot. I left a card on the kitchen counter. It’s the lawyer who handled the sale. He has all the ownership papers for you and he said you should stop by sometime next week. You’ll also find a cheque for your wages in drawer beside the sink.”

&
nbsp; “You’ve thought of everything.”

  Not everything, he wanted to say. I had no idea this would be so hard.

  He pushed away from the counter. “I’ll walk you out to your car.”

  “Right.” She turned and went back outside.

  Danny’s hand crept into his father’s as Jenna’s car disappeared through the gates.

  “Will she be back, Daddy?”

  “I hope so, Son.”

  “Me too.”

  Brett tried to swallow, but his throat was closed up; a drink would go down well right about now.

  “No,” he said out loud.

  “Daddy?” Danny looked up at him.

  He forced a smile. “Just clearing my throat. What do you say we go kite flying? It’s a beautiful day for it.”

  Danny nodded. “Or we could go and buy a camera.”

  Brett turned slowly. “You want a camera?”

  Danny sent him a challenging look. “Yeah. I want to learn how to take pictures.”

  “Then come with me. I know just the place.”

  Chapter Nineteen

  JENNA WASN’T SURE HOW she got through the next few days. She settled in, went to see the lawyer, re-established her bank account, and started reaching out to her former contacts.

  Not surprisingly, her heart wasn’t in it; even buying a new camera wasn’t the thrill it had been the first time around. When bookings started to trickle in she tried to be enthusiastic, but as she entered them in her appointment book there was no excitement... no thrill to be working again. At this rate, any portraits she took would be as uninspired as her mood.

  She wandered through the house in the evenings, touching the furniture, gazing at the generic artwork on the walls, and wondering what Brett and Danny were doing. Did the housekeeper know that Danny didn’t like his vegetables to touch anything else on his plate? Or that Brett liked one and a half spoons of sugar in his coffee? She looked bleakly around the little house. It was almost too perfect; there was nothing for her to do. Maybe she should start going back to New Beginnings – at least she could pay Jodi for those three months, and make overtures about repaying the one hundred dollars. Jodi probably wouldn’t accept that, but she could offer...

  JODI DID A DOUBLE-TAKE when Jenna walked through the doors the next morning. “Jenna! Good to see you, girl.” She leaned over the counter and lowered her voice. “You look so much better than the last time I saw you. I knew you’d make it!”

  “Thanks, Jodi. Now if you’ll let me pay for those months I owe, I’d like to sign up again. I’ve been getting my business re-established, and I’m not doing enough exercise.”

  “That’s a deal. Come on, let’s get your info back in the computer.” Within moments, she was re-instated, and Jodi handed her a receipt.

  “Do you have any business cards? A friend of mine has a website design business and she mentioned to me the other day that she needs someone who can work quickly and produce good quality digital images. You can do that, right?”

  “Yes of course, but I thought most people provided their own images.”

  Jodi made a face. “According to Donna they try, but their cameras don’t produce the high-res images she needs. She was complaining about that the last time I saw her.” She held out her hand and wiggled her fingers. “Give me several cards. I’m always hearing about functions and stuff like that. Before you know it, you’ll need an assistant.”

  Jodi’s positive outlook was infectious. “Thank you. By the way, thank you for the kind gesture the last time I was in here. How did you get that money in my backpack anyway?”

  Jodi waved her off. “You were in the shower. And don’t even try to repay me. Someday I’ll need a favour and I know you’ll have my back.”

  Jenna laid a hand over her heart. “Thank you.” The door opened and two women came in. “See you later.”

  “I WAS RIGHT,” SAID Jenna to herself, leaving the fitness studio after saying goodbye to Jodi. “I needed more exercise.” Positive energy hummed through her body and she decided to take a walk along the waterfront.

  “Give it up, Bitch, or I’ll put some hurt on you.” The words coming from a dark recess between two old buildings made her skin crawl.

  She told herself to continue walking, but the fearful whimper that followed stopped her in her tracks. She peered into the gloom, barely able to make out a hunched form on the ground. A man with greasy dreadlocks hovered over the woman, one hand raised to strike.

  “Lisa! I’ve been looking all over for you. We were supposed to meet half an hour ago.” She brushed past the man and grabbed the painfully thin arm of the young woman. “Play along,” she murmured, then dragged the woman to her feet and gave her a little shake. “I don’t know what I’m going to do with you.”

  The young woman staggered slightly, but in spite of her pitiful appearance, Jenna sensed a strong determination. “I hope you didn’t call the cops like last time,” she muttered as they passed the stunned man.

  “No, but I was about to.” Jenna gave her arm a reassuring squeeze. “But I warn you, this is the last time.”

  She led the young woman to her car, aware of the eyes boring into her back every step of the way.

  “Is he following?” whispered the young woman.

  “I don’t think so,” said Jenna. “But don’t look around. We don’t want him to see we’re afraid.”

  The woman’s steps dragged for a moment, but Jenna urged her forward. “You’re afraid?” she asked, haunted eyes showing some emotion for the first time.

  “Terrified.” Jenna used her remote and opened the passenger door. “But I think we’re safe now.”

  She got behind the driver’s seat and braced her hands on the steering wheel; they were shaking. “Does that happen often?” she asked.

  The young woman exhaled and allowed her head to fall back on the headrest. “Mostly on Wednesdays.”

  “What’s special about Wednesdays?”

  “You wouldn’t know about Welfare Wednesdays. I just cashed my cheque.”

  Maybe she was a prostitute and the man was her pimp. “Do you know him?”

  “Him?” She gave a dry, humourless laugh. “No thank you. There are a few of them who wait at the banks and follow from there. I thought I was in the clear, but you saw what happened.” She looked at Jenna for the first time. “But I appreciate what you did, even if it was foolish.”

  “Gee, don’t strain yourself thanking me or anything.”

  “What do you expect? My undying gratitude? Okay, you’ve got it.” The woman looked out the window. “If you don’t mind driving a few blocks, I’ll get out. I’d rather not get out in this area.”

  Jenna started the motor. “Are you hungry?”

  “What do you think?”

  “I guess that was a silly question. Okay, here’s another one. Would you rather eat at a drive-through, or go to my place and we’ll order something in?”

  The girl shook her head. “Great. I’ve been rescued by some kind of a weirdo. Lady, look at me. I’m homeless. I’m tired. I’m hungry, and I haven’t had a bath in a week. You don’t even want me in your car, let alone in your house. Just let me out in a couple of blocks, okay?”

  “I agree with you about one thing. You do need a bath.” She turned off the ignition. “What’s your name?”

  “Well it’s not Lisa. Where did you come up with that one, anyway?”

  Jenna sighed. “Does it matter?”

  “No.” The young woman looked down at her ragged fingernails. “My name is Holly.”

  “All right, Holly. Here’s the deal. About six weeks ago, I was homeless myself. It was only for a few days, but I remember how terrifying it was, and I had my car.”

  Holly’s eyes widened slightly, but she said nothing.

  “Someone came along and gave me a chance to get back on my feet. I may regret this, but I’d like to do the same for you. At least give you a night’s lodging if we get along okay. If we decide we can’t stand each other, I
’ll drive you to a motel and pay for one night.”

  A glint of something that looked like hope sparked in Holly’s eyes. “You don’t look like a weirdo, but people just don’t do this sort of thing.”

  Jenna looked at her steadily. There was something about the young woman across from her, but then she always saw the best in everyone. “It’s your choice,” she said quietly. “Let me know when you decide.”

  A slow smile illuminated Holly’s face. “Thank you,” she said. “I appreciate the offer, and I accept.” Tears glittered in her eyes. “I can’t remember the last time I was in someone’s home.”

  Jenna started the car again and pulled out. “Where’s your stuff?”

  Holly shrugged. “I don’t have much, but it’s in a locker at the bus depot.” She looked down at her clothes. “I should probably change, but what I have there isn’t much better.”

  “I was thinking maybe you’d like to do some laundry. I live in James Bay, so the bus depot in on the way.”

  Holly sat up a little straighter. “Thanks, I’d like that.”

  “HOPE I DIDN’T SHOWER for too long.” Holly wiggled her bare toes on the hardwood floor. “I haven’t felt safe when showering for a long time, and I sort of overdid it.”

  Jenna shook her head. “No problem. The house was renovated recently and they upgraded the water heater.”

  Holly looked around. “It’s beautiful, but the rent must be a fortune.”

  A blush crept into Jenna’s cheeks. “I own it, actually.”

  Holly paused by a bookshelf and bent to examine a photograph. “What a cute little boy.” She turned. “What is he, about seven?”

  “That was taken on his eighth birthday, just a couple of weeks ago. His name is Danny.”

  “Danny,” Holly repeated, reaching out to caress the picture frame. “I love the way he’s smiling into the camera. Did you take this?”