by Mona Ingram
“Yes.”
“It’s easy to see how much he loves you.” She sighed. “I’d like to have children someday. Who knows, maybe I will.”
“He’s not my son.” Jenna’s voice was barely audible. “It just seemed that way.”
“I’m sorry,” said Holly, trying to backtrack. “I’m always saying the wrong thing at the wrong time. Please don’t hate me for that.”
Jenna smiled through her tears. “You’re doing fine.” She glanced over at the picture of Danny. “It’s just that I miss him, but I’d rather not talk about that right now.” She motioned to the table. “I hope you like Chinese. I ordered while you were in the shower.”
Holly’s story came out slowly as they ate.
“I was given up for adoption when I was born.” She kept her eyes averted, staring down at her plate. “I always thought there was something more to my story, you know? But my parents assured me that every adopted child feels that way... that they’re special somehow and their mother is coming back any day. That didn’t happen, so I guess they were right. Anyway, my parents were good to me, and I grew up much like all the other kids in the neighbourhood. Except that deep down I always knew I was different.” Tears welled in her eyes. “Someone hadn’t loved me enough to keep me. Anyway, Mom and Dad got a divorce when I was about fifteen. Dad lost his job and started to drink, but Mom wasn’t much better. She turned into one of these women who hated the idea of growing old. After they were divorced, she started dressing way too young for her age, and she went out to bars a lot. She met a guy; his name was Rusty. He was okay for the first year or so, and I thought things were going to get better, but then he started paying attention to me.” She glanced sideways. “You know what I mean?”
Jenna nodded.
“One time he came into my bedroom when I was changing and fondled my breasts. I was so shocked I just stood there, and he took that as permission to continue. He rubbed up against me...” she shuddered. “I was quite naïve for my age, and I remember being repulsed by him. I threatened to scream and fought him off, but I knew he’d try it again. I told Mom, but she didn’t believe me. As a matter of fact, she slapped me in the face for saying what I did. I slept with a knife under my pillow that night, but I knew I had to leave.” She chased a few grains of rice around with her chopsticks, then dropped them, clattering onto the plate. “I’ve read a few romance novels, and that’s usually the reason girls run away in those books, but I found out for myself that it actually happens. So I left home and ended up down here.” She gave Jenna a level look. “That was three years ago, and I’d rather not say what I’ve done to survive in that time.” Her head came up. “But I did. I survived.”
“You did what you had to do, but I have to ask you one question. Are you on drugs?”
The look of relief on Holly’s face was her answer. “No. That’s one thing I can be thankful for.”
“So you’re what... nineteen?”
“Yeah.” She gave a wry smile. “Nineteen and I know a lot about life on the streets, but nothing much else. Most girls my age have started a career by now.”
“That’s true, but a lot of them also hate what they’re doing and start over again. I wouldn’t worry about that if I were you.” Jenna cocked her head to one side. “If you had your choice, what would you do?”
Holly thought for a moment. “I don’t really know. I’ve never allowed myself to have those sort of dreams. Sorry.”
“Don’t be sorry. We’ll figure it out.”
“We?”
“Yes, you and me. I’m not putting you back out on the street, Holly. You’d be doing me a favour if you stayed here for at least a couple of weeks.”
“Sure I would.” She gave Jenna a second look. “Why?”
“Because I’ve been feeling sorry for myself.” She spread her arms. “Look at me. I have this wonderful house, I’m getting my business rebooted, and I’m moping around like I don’t know what. Hearing your story makes me ashamed of myself.”
“What business?”
“I’m a photographer. Come on, I’ll show you my studio.”
“Wow. This is so cool.” Holly examined an umbrella. “I’ve seen this sort of stuff in movies, but never in real life. And all these lights... do you really need them all?”
Jenna looked around. “Yeah, pretty well. Different lights for different effects.”
“I guess.” She seemed fascinated by a diffuser. “Would I be in the way if I watched you work?” She continued quickly. “Although I suppose I should get out and find a proper job.”
Jenna pretended to be offended. “Are you saying this isn’t a proper job?”
Holly looked up, startled. “Not really. I’m just feeling my way here.”
“Sorry for teasing and no, I don’t mind if you watch. Why don’t we take it easy the first couple of weeks? Let you get used to living a somewhat normal life for a while.”
“Somewhat normal?”
Jenna chuckled. “I have a couple of sittings coming up with children. You’ll see what I mean.” The phone rang and she tried not to show her disappointment when it wasn’t Brett. “Luna Vista Photography.” She spoke for several moments, then smiled at Holly. “You must be good luck. That was someone who wants a series of photos of their two children and their dog.”
Over the next couple of weeks Holly proved herself to be a fast learner. She soon settled into her new persona, adopting a uniform of a large black shirt belted around her narrow waist, and black leggings. Her only concession to colour was a series of brightly coloured scarves which she used to hold back her long black hair. Moving quietly in the background, or dealing with cranky children, she became an asset to Luna Vista in no time.
“Do you think you’d like to stay?” asked Jenna one night after they’d successfully photographed a surly teenager.
Holly looked up from her salad. “I’d like that,” she said simply. The subservient young woman had been replaced by a quietly confident professional. Jenna took great pride in watching the transformation.
Holly put down her fork. “Excuse me a moment. I have something I’d like to show you.”
She came back a moment later with a file folder. She opened it and spread out several sheets of paper in front of Jenna. “When I was on the streets, I spent as much time as I could at the library, using their free internet access. I learned a lot about web design, and I’ve been making some notes about what I think yours could look like.”
Jenna studied the layout. “This is amazing. I should have done this years ago but better late than never, right?”
“Right. Now if I can have permission to use your computer, I’ll get started. And oh... I’d like to contact some of your former customers and get some testimonials. Potential customers like to read what other people have to say.”
Chapter Twenty
BRETT TOSSED HIS SCRUBS into the laundry hamper and headed for the showers. Today’s surgeries had gone well, but he hadn’t experienced his usual satisfaction. Bracing his hands against the shower wall, he allowed the hot water to beat on his shoulders while he studied the mental calendar that was never far from his conscious thoughts. He’d promised himself to wait for two months before contacting Jenna, but he hadn’t anticipated that the days would drag by so slowly. Just last night Danny had asked him when they could visit her and he’d offered a vague answer that didn’t fool the child one bit. The boy had looked up at him with those all-knowing eyes and Brett had almost gathered him up then and there and jumped in the car.
He checked his phone half a dozen times a day, each time hoping for a different outcome. But there was no message, and he was beginning to wonder if his plan had backfired – if she really had moved on with her life and forgotten them.
He wandered through the ER on his way out of the hospital. Stella was back on the afternoon shift, and he’d taken to stopping by after work for a quick visit.
“Hi there,” she said, looking up from a chart. “Finished for the day?�
�
He nodded. “Just thought I’d –”
“– stop by.” She shook her head. “You’re becoming predictable. Want a coffee?”
“No, thanks.” He shuffled his feet. “I should get home to Danny.”
“Then what are you doing here?” She held up a hand. “No, don’t answer. We both know you’re wasting time because you don’t want to go home to a house without Jenna.”
His jaw tightened, but he couldn’t deny it. As usual, his friend had hit the nail on the head.
“It’s not rocket science, Brett. You’re crazy about her. So why are you moping around here instead of going and telling her? Sheesh!” She turned her back and walked away.
“WHAT SHALL WE HAVE for dinner?” Jenna stood in front of the open pantry, looking for inspiration.
Holly looked up from the computer. “Pancakes!”
Jenna stilled, her hand on the open door. “Did you say pancakes?”
“Jenna, what’s the matter? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
“I know a little boy who loves pancakes.”
“You mean Danny?”
Jenna had stopped being surprised by the things Holly remembered. “Yes, Danny. The first day I was at their place, he told me he’d like pancakes for breakfast every day.” Her eyes filled with tears, but she smiled at the memory. “We negotiated that down to twice a week, and sometimes on weekends.”
Holly saved her file and studied the older woman. “You lived with him?”
Jenna nodded. “After Phil stole everything from me, I slept in my car for three nights. On the fourth day, Danny jumped into my car and told me he was running away from home. We talked for a while and I eventually took him back home. It’s a long story, but Brett and Danny were without a housekeeper and I was without a place to stay, so I lived with them for a month, taking care of Danny.”
“Brett is his father.”
“Yeah. He loved his little boy, but he was having a hard time showing it. He bought me this house to thank me for bringing them back together again.”
“I was wondering how you managed that.” Holly tilted her head to one side. “Why haven’t I seen Danny? Doesn’t he come to visit?”
The tears were flowing now. “I was hoping Brett would bring him. He’s too young to come on the bus by himself. But no...” Her voice trailed off.
“And you’re in love with Brett.” The startled look on Jenna’s face confirmed it. “So why don’t you do something about it?”
“I don’t know,” she murmured. Her gaze drifted around the little house, touching on each object as if she’d never seen it before. “I’m afraid he doesn’t want me. I mean, why would he buy me this house and set me up in business again if he wanted me?” She closed the pantry door and wandered into the living area, where her kite hung in a corner. It haunted her every day and she took it down now, turning it in her hands. “You’re right, though. I love him.” She looked up to find that Holly had followed her into the living room. “I’ve never said that out loud before. It sounded good.” A pale smile broke through the tears. “I think I fell in love with him the first time I saw him.”
“I don’t believe you.”
“It’s true, I did.”
“No... I mean I can’t believe you’re moping around here, waiting for him to come to you. Have you at least sent him a text?”
“I want to, but I’m afraid he won’t answer.” She pressed her fingers into her temples. “I know, I know. I’m not making any sense.” She wandered over to the front window and looked out onto the street. A wind had come up, and yellow leaves tumbled through the air. She made a sudden decision. “I’m going down to Clover Point with my kite. It may be too windy to fly it, but at least I’ll be out of the house for a while. I need to clear my head.”
“Good idea. I’ll keep working on the website; I’m almost done.”
BRETT BURST INTO THE kitchen. “Good evening Mrs. Sawyer. Where is Danny?”
“He’s upstairs,” stammered the startled housekeeper. “In his room.”
Brett was already halfway up the stairs.
“Danny!” He entered his son’s room, expecting to find him playing Minecraft. Instead, the boy was sitting on his bed, looking down at a small photo album.
“What do you have there?”
Danny gripped the album tightly. “Jenna gave it to me. It’s pictures she took of us.” He moved it slightly so his father could see, but did not give up possession. “See? That’s us at the kite festival.” He turned the page. “And this is us flying our kites on the beach at Parksville.” He traced the string of the kite with his finger. “But there’s something wrong with these pictures.”
A vice clamped around Brett’s heart; he knew what Danny was going to say.
“Somebody’s missing.” He finally looked up. “Jenna should be in the pictures with us. I miss her, Dad.”
“So do I.”
Danny’s face lit up. “You do?”
“Yes, and I think it’s time we did something about it. Get your jacket. We’re going visiting.”
HOLLY’S HEART LEAPED into her throat at the sound of pounding on the door. She was safe now, and she knew it, but sudden noises still startled her.
“I’m coming,” she muttered, looking out through the beveled glass panels. A man and a little boy stood impatiently on the porch. The man was half turned away, but she recognized the boy immediately. She opened the door.
“Hello, may I help you?” Even unshaven and desperate looking, the man was incredibly good looking. Jenna must be insane.
Brett looked over her shoulder. “Is Jenna here?”
“No, I’m afraid not.” She offered her hand. “I’m her assistant, Holly.” She looked down at the boy. “I already know who you are. You’re Danny.” She stepped aside. “Please, come in.”
“Will Jenna be back soon?” Brett looked hopeful. “Oh, I’m Brett Carmichael.”
Danny ignored his father. “You’re Jenna’s assistant?” A frown furrowed his brow. “But I want to be her assistant. I’m learning to take pictures and everything.” He fumbled in the pocket of his jacket and pulled out a small digital camera. “See?”
Holly shot a quick look at Brett who was looking hungrily around the house, as though Jenna might appear. “Wow,” she said, taking the proffered camera from Danny. “That’s a sweet looking camera.” She squatted down. “I do things like answer the phone and move lights around. I haven’t graduated to taking pictures yet.”
Danny’s little chest puffed out. “So you’re not a real assistant.”
“Not yet,” she allowed, “but I hope to learn some day. Jenna’s a good teacher.”
“I taught her how to fly a kite,” the boy said proudly.
“Speaking of which, that’s where she is.” Holly rose and looked directly at Brett. “She took her kite down to Clover Point.”
“Thank you.” Brett looked down at his son. “Do you want to come with me, or would you like to stay here with Holly?”
Danny hesitated. “Would you like to see my pictures?” he asked.
“I’d love to,” she said, meeting Brett’s gaze with a nod. “And I can show you the studio, but that’s not nearly as interesting.”
“It’s okay.” Danny looked up at his father. “I think Daddy wants to kiss Jenna. Maybe I should stay here with you. Do you promise to bring her back?”
Brett took a deep breath. “Absolutely.” He turned and went out the door.
“Hey, that’s me,” said Danny, spotting the picture.
“I know.” Holly smiled as Brett’s footsteps pounded down the front steps. “Jenna will be so happy to see you. She’s missed you every day.”
“She has?”
“Danny my boy.” Holly gave a low chuckle. “You have no idea.”
JENNA PARKED BY THE open field and stared through the windshield, lost in thought. Holly was right – she should have made an effort to contact Brett, but every time she tried, she froze. Somehow she’d
managed to convince herself that if she didn’t contact him, and he didn’t rebuff her, then there was still hope.
A kite came swooping to the ground a few feet in front of her car, startling her out of her reverie. The older man, one of the regular flyers, grinned sheepishly, and pantomimed the swirling winds.
Grabbing her own kite, Jenna got out. He was right; the gusts seemed to come from every direction today, and the updraft from the cliffs magnified their unpredictability. But she was here, and the wind felt good against her upraised face. She walked to the launch spot, put down her kite and started to unroll her line.
Her kite rose into the air with the first tug. She let out more line and watched it climb into the grey sky, diving and jinking in the unpredictable wind. If only Danny was here... he’d love this.
“Jenna.”
Now she was imagining things. That sounded just like Brett.
“Jenna?”
There it was again.
Afraid to look, a desperate groan caught in her throat. But she had to know. Light-headed and oddly breathless, she turned. Across the field, Brett stood watching her, his smile widening as she dropped the handle of her kite. For one glorious moment, it rose in the air, then made a swooping descent to the ground, unobserved by either of them.
“Brett?” Anticipation shimmered through her. “What are you doing here?”
A flare of hunger flashed in his eyes as he strode across the field. “I got tired of waiting for you to come to me.” He spread his hands. “So here I am.”
“You want me?” The pieces of her broken heart started to mend.
“More than anything in this world.” A gust of wind caught her hair and he brushed it away tenderly. “We miss you, Jenna.” Something moved in the depths of his eyes. “What am I saying? We love you.”
“You do? I thought... oh, Brett, I love you too.”
His mouth settled over hers with barely restrained hunger. Oblivious to the worsening weather, they clung together, tasting the want on each other’s lips.