JUBA
 
My new bride, Lili, and I enjoyed a festive holiday with the Aubreys then were directed to stay with Antony and his woman, Claudia. My brother Antony was much improved since last I had seen him, joyous and loud, just as one would expect of a man such as he.

We were settled quickly in the cottage, comfortable and warm but my heart ached for the losses Biebe and his family had endured. Even the next day as I joined in and helped with the repairs, I knew that although little physical damage was caused, much was lost in business.

The Vermont day was warm and pleasant and I was blessed with meeting a few more of the brothers when Terry Thorne and Zack Grant arrived in overalls, ready to help. It struck me clearly that neither man was so well suited for such work, but John was deeply touched by their arrival.

What seemed very odd though was the behavior of a man named Kevin Boyer. A misery shuffled across John’s face when every time he entered a room where Boyer was working, Boyer would simply leave. It seemed an odd reaction, as it was obvious that John loved this man as a brother. I did not pry.

Later that night, as I loved my woman silently in the small guest room of the cottage, I tasted and touched and suddenly understood the losses in John’s heart. Some soldiers are meant to fight together, side by side, battle after battle. A damage had been done to Boyer and John. One that would demand much repair. Discussing this with Lili, my beautiful lady simply sighed.

“Someone needs to forgive someone for something the someone had no control over,” she said softly and held me close.

I nuzzled her breasts then thought. Raising my face I asked, “Who is the someone who must forgive?”

“My guess? Boyer needs to start seeing something more clearly.”

A woman has knowledge of things a man will never even understand and I asked no further. Slithering down Lili’s rounded, soft body, I licked and fingered, worked my tongue and hands until loving silently was no longer possible. She whimpered then cried out like a kitten and I … I dove for more.

JOHN

Riles and I slept late this morning. My body was aching like a motherfucker and I figured it was time to admit I’m not as young as I used to be. Kevin had fifteen men working on the Inn, three of them master electricians and the rest carpenters. Juba showing up was a Godsend, since the damaged woodwork in the third floor rooms was antique and had to be re-milled. Nobody knew wood like Juba. Even Kev bows to Juba’s expertise.

Nathan was still quiet, or probably just downstairs playing with Natalie and Chelsea. Nine AM and I should have been at the Inn but to tell the truth, I needed a break. Not just physically, but I just couldn’t deal with it all at the moment. Kevin was being a prick and as much as I wanted to deck the fucker, I also wanted to get him to talk it out with me. It’s not like I can change shit. I told the truth ‘cause he asked for it. Maybe it’d been better all around if I never said anything. He was still doing the work on our place, but I know I’ll be watching the Stanley Cup alone this year. Not that that’s such a big deal, but maybe it is. The bastard can’t hate me just because of the fucking Portals … or could he?

Ah well, I had the campaign to worry about anyway. If I want to be mayor, I gotta get my act in gear.  Richie’s been playing campaign manager and you can’t walk six feet down Main Street without seeing my face on a sign. My opponent is Jason Gallows, a local attorney. You wanna hear the truth? If Gallows wins, I’ll be fine. If I win, great. Right now all I want is my own fucking bed in my own fucking house and the Inn open so my wife will stop going nuts.

My hand slithered over the small mound of Riley’s belly. Another kid. Makes me smile. Life goes on whether electrical fires or Portal jumping vampires or close minded buddies cross our path. Riley stirred and rolled to face me.

“Let’s stay in bed all day. Or better yet, let’s run away. Aruba. Or Brazil. How about Bali?”

I chuckled and kissed her soft lips. “How you feeling, baby?”

“Fat. Tired. Depressed. John, do you think maybe we should just sell the Inn?”

Well that was alarming. Was this pregnancy gonna make her even nuttier than the last one? “Why?” I asked cautiously, hoping she’d laugh at me taking her seriously.

“Because I love you. Because our whole lives seem to be knotted up in that place … because I’m tired and cranky and pregnant.”

“Hormones,” I said and ducked as the pillow slammed down on my head. The following tussle was fun. More fun than we’d had in a long, long time.

Just before she fell asleep again I heard her whisper. “I love you, John. Don’t sell my Inn.”

I grinned then had the urge to get my ass to work. Carefully slithering from the sheets I dressed and headed off to the Inn. Maybe Kevin will fucking talk to me today.

JACK

Eddie appears to have fit in with our little family quite nicely. He and Natalie do well together, and he is quite taken with Chelsea. My baby girl is quite fond of him. She seems to adore him; follows him around, insists on sitting in his lap. Yes, I’m very pleased to have brought him into our circle and am certain he will do just fine.

The boy has also taken well to rudimentary horsemanship. East has been overseeing his training and feels the boy has come far enough to be able to handle his own horse. This afternoon, my brother and I are looking for the perfect mount; something spirited, I would think, but not so flighty that the boy would not be able to handle the animal.

To my great delight, we found the perfect horse available at a nearby farm. A pretty little filly, a paint as some would call it, white with brown spots. East looked her over carefully. Good confirmation, wonderful gait. The mare was gentle, had been used for lessons, trail riding, and the show ring in her earlier days. East agreed she’d be perfect for a new rider like Eddie, and also perfect to breed with Licorice. What wonderful foals she’ll produce! We settled the purchase and the mare will be delivered in the morning.

On the drive home, I told my brother of the great good fortune that has come my way. Odyssey Marine Explorations telephoned me this morning. Apparently, much to my great joy, they have discovered the shipwreck of the HMS Victory. Not Nelson’s Victory, but the one that sank in the Channel in1744. I heard much about the ship when I was young and the details of her sinking. They had heard of my naval expertise and wished me to join them in salvaging the vessel, categorizing and documenting the items they find and bring to the surface.

“I leave in two days,” I told East as we drove home. “There are many items that must be settled before I go. I wish you to take over the construction of the stables. Natalie has been handling the accounts, but she knows nothing of construction or a horse’s needs.”

“I’d be glad to help, Jack,” he agreed, “but when I spoke to Natalie this morning, she didn’t say you were taking a trip.”

“Ah, well, I haven’t told her yet. But I’m certain she will be as joyful of my good fortune as I. So, mum’s the word for now.” I looked to him and winked.

He shrugged. “Sure, Jack. Whatever you want.”

NATALIE

After putting Chelsea down for a nap, I headed to the office to go over the construction accounts for the stables. This was almost as enormous an undertaking as it had been to build our house in Maine, and I was grateful to have East’s help. He had no idea about debits and credits, but he had what I lacked; plenty of ideas of how to build the best stable and a general idea of what it should cost.

His conception of the stables sounded gorgeous … wood timbers, forty open-air stalls, plenty of ventilation and good drainage, a large tack room for storage. There’ll be a separate barn for hay and feed, and another outbuilding to store the carriage and dog cart that Jack wants to purchase.

“So, East,” I said pointing to the blueprints, “the foundations and walls are up for the barn, stable and carriage house and phase two begins in two weeks. We’re right on schedule.”

“Yeah,” he replied, looking over my shoulder, “Too bad Jack’s not gonna be here to see it start.”

“Jack not here?” I turned around. “Of course he’s going to be here. This is all his idea, his baby. Where else is he gonna be?”

East winced. “Well, I wasn’t supposed to say anything, but …”

“Spit it out, East.” I glared.

“Jack’s going to England. Some shipwreck company called him to come help them pull up an old wreck. He said he’s leaving in two days.”

“What!” I practically shouted. “Jack!” I stood and stormed out of the room in search of my husband and found him in his office searching the computer and making notes.

“Jack”

He looked up surprised. “Yes, my dear? What is the problem?”

“Are you leaving in two days to go treasure hunting?” I tried my best to keep my voice calm, but I know I failed miserably.

He cleared his throat. “Well, as a matter of fact, yes. I’ve been offered a wonderful …”

“I don’t care if it’s wonderful. You can’t go, Jack. You can’t leave me here with two kids and a horse farm half built. I need you, Jack.” I began pleading. “I can’t do this without you.”

He stood and came around the desk. “But, my dear, you are a strong, capable woman. You handled the final construction of our house while I was at sea, and handled it masterfully. I have every faith that you will do the same here.” He put his arms around me and began to pat my back. “Besides, my dear, I’m already committed.”

He was trying to schmooze me … also failing miserably I might add. I pushed him away. “Don’t try that lovey-dovey stuff with me. I’m really pissed, Jack. I was then, and I am now.”

He smiled slightly, “You know, in England …”

“I don’t give a damn what it means in England, Jack. We’re in the US. Here it means ANGRY. And I’m really, really angry. How could you make a decision like this and not talk to me about it?”

He stood straight, his face stern and his hands on his hips. “I’m the man in this household, Natalie. In my day, the man made the decisions.”

I almost went for the low blow; bringing up all his failures when he was at home before he came here. But, even as mad as I was, I couldn’t do that to him. I just turned and shook my head. “This isn’t your day, Jack, and things are different now. You know that.” My voice was softer, but still harsh.

“Yes, I am aware. But, there simply wasn’t time for a discussion, my dear. I needed to give them an answer.”

“You still should have told me. I shouldn’t be hearing this from someone else.”

“I agree, my love,” He stood behind me and put his arms around my waist. His breath tickled my ear. “In fact, I had planned on telling you this very evening. I wanted our farewell to be special,” I felt his lips on my neck, “longlasting …”

I stepped out of his embrace. “How long, Jack? How long are you going to be gone?”

His shoulders slumped, and he sat heavily in his chair. “Oh, one month, maybe two.”

“Two months?”

He looked back to his computer. “Yes, my dear. Two.”

“Fine. Just fine.” I turned and stomped to the door.

“Natalie, my dear little dove,” Jack said sweetly.

“Yeah?” I didn’t turn around.
“I love you.”

“Yeah, well,” I said, “I love you, too. Just stay out of my way for a while.”

“I will do that,” I heard him reply as I closed the door. Then I head him hiss. “East, blast you to hell!

EGAN

I reckon I’m an optimist at heart; I knew the right house was out there, just waiting for me and Jacob to come along. I wasn’t afraid of buyin’ a place that needed a bit of fixin’ up, and I know enough about older homes to quickly see what could be repaired and what was a lost cause.

Samantha had happily tagged along to keep me company once again and help give a woman’s perspective. I’d taken her out to breakfast before we started out and so far we’d looked at five more houses, each one a little sadder than the last. Then we found ourselves standing on the sidewalk and looking at house number six. The afternoon was still unseasonably warm by Vermont standards, and the sky was peppered with a few wispy clouds. Samantha wrinkled her nose and looked like she was deep into her thoughts; the sun shone off her hair, casting it with an almost deep blue glow. 

“You’ve only been looking for a few days, so you can’t get discouraged yet.” She glanced over at me and smiled, and I couldn’t stop lookin’ at the freckles on her nose. “Besides, I’ve got a good feeling about this one.”

We both turned back towards the house and I tried to bring my thoughts back to why we were standing there. I stuffed my hands in my pockets to keep them from reaching out to stroke her hair.

“You said that about the last house.”

She shrugged her shoulders. “So I was wrong. Come on; let’s go check this place out.”

She stepped along the cracked walkway, her gaze fixed on the open front door. I didn’t follow after her right away; I was too busy admiring the view. There’s somethin’ about a woman in a tight pair of jeans that bears a bit of contemplation, especially when it’s Samantha who’s wearing ‘em.

I rushed to catch up to her as she stepped onto the porch. The realtor heard us coming and pushed open the screen door to greet us. “I take it you are Mr. and Mrs. Walsh? I’m Sue Withers.”

Samantha shook her head and I stepped forward to shake Miss Wither’s outstretched hand. “No Mrs. Walsh, Miss Withers; this is Samantha De La Croix.”

Miss Withers didn’t seem concerned by her assumption, but poor Samantha’s cheeks turned a nice shade of pink. I like it when that happens.

“Well, hello to both of you then. And please call me Sue.” She stood aside and motioned for us to come in. “I think it only fair to warn you that we’ve had an offer last night.”

Samantha seemed a little disappointed but I wasn’t concerned. I wasn’t afraid of gettin’ into a bidding war, if I ended up feelin’ that this house was the one.

Sue explained that the house was built in 1890, with only three separate owners since. As we stepped into the kitchen I had the sudden feeling of being sent back through a time warp; the walls were covered with this ugly avocado green wallpaper and the harvest gold formica countertops perfectly complimented the retro flooring. Even travelin’ through the Portal was better than this.

“Looks like one of the owners was partial to burnt orange linoleum.” It made my eyes dance.

Samantha edged in close, the scent of something sweet coming off of her hair and filling my nostrils as she nudged my side and pointed towards the ceiling. “Look, fluorescent lighting.”

Sue seemed to sense she was losing us, so she went into the hard sell. “Well, it was quite fashionable back in the seventies, and it’s a design look that’s making a real popular comeback. But it wouldn’t be too difficult to strip the wallpaper and add new flooring and some updated lighting.”

Samantha seemed to consider Sue’s suggestions. “Egan, you could easily redo the fronts of the cabinets; there’s plenty of storage space, which is kind of unusual for such an old kitchen.”

Sue knew she’d gained an ally. “And there’s a very nice pantry off just around back and there’s a whole row of cabinets along the hallway upstairs; plenty of room for linens, blankets, and anything else a modern family needs.”

She led us over into the family room and I was pleased to find built in cabinets and shelving on either side of a wonderful old fireplace. Craftsman in design, it bore the weight of many thick layers of paint that dulled its once fine details. Someone had even painted over the tiles that bordered the fireplace opening. I was bettin’ money that the surround was either oak or burled walnut. A set of French doors directly across from the fireplace opened onto a weathered and warped deck that looked over the back yard. Then something wonderful caught my eye and I went over to open the doors and investigate.

Off in the corner of the yard was a large broad elm with branches that seemed to stretch out towards me as if in greeting. While Samantha chatted with Sue I headed over to the tree and without even worrying that either one of them might think me crazy, pulled myself up and started to climb. One of the branches created a broad “Y” forming out from the trunk and I settled in comfortably, lookin’ out at the house and both women who were now watching me closely.

Sue seemed a little out of sorts and I heard her ask Samantha, “What is he doing?”   

Samantha just grinned. “He has a seven year old son.”

The light of understanding sparkled on her face. “Oh, how wonderful.” She called out to me. “Mr. Walsh, there’s plenty of room out here for a young boy to explore and have all kinds of adventures. But just wait ‘til you see the upstairs!”

I glanced up towards the top of the tree, the blue sky looking even prettier from inside the frame of long gnarled branches. A flood of memories from my childhood and the smell of the tree bark mingled with the smell of the lichen was almost pure magic. I reckon I was grinnin’ like a boy as I climbed back down and went over to join them. “Whatever the offer is, I’ll top it by five-thousand. If they counter, top it by another five. Keep goin’ until they back down.”

Sue looked excited, but a little disappointed. “But you haven’t even seen the upstairs yet!”

I shrugged and winked at Samantha. “I don’t need to; my mind’s made up. But since you’re the realtor, lead the way.” Without thinking I slipped my arm around Samantha’s shoulder and she seemed perfectly at ease as she slipped her arm around my waist in answer.

“I told ya I had a good feeling about this one,” she whispered as we followed Sue upstairs.

EDDIE

This place isn’t as bad as I thought it would be. Jack is a good dude, I guess. At least he notices when I’m around. And Natalie’s cool, too. They got me doing stuff around the house and the farm when I’m off school, but nothing too bad. I can deal. Chelsea’s really cute. I like playing with her, and sometimes Natalie has me watch her while she goes shopping or works in the office or something. Like I said … nothing I can’t handle.

One of my chores is to help East clean out the stables. It’s disgusting and smelly, but East’ll tell me stories about Australia while we work. He said he was a horse-breaker before he came here. Now that sounds like fun … whoopin’ and hollerin’ while a horse tries to buck you off its back. No wild horses here, though. I wonder if East gets bored. He’s been teaching me how to ride and take care of them, too. Brushing them down after a ride, checking their hooves, all sorts of stuff. We ride together a lot. He’s definitely a cool dude.

The Aubreys really geared out my room; the computer they said was for homework, but I surf the net all the time. Read about lots of stuff. And for my birthday, they got me a cell phone. Jack said it was for “emergencies.” Hell if I know what emergencies he was talking about. Nothing happens here, but now at least I can call my friends back at the center.

That’s how Dean got my number. Some doofus at the center gave it to him and Dean is the last person I want to talk to. The dude is serious trouble. Fun to hang with, but trouble. Anyway, he said he wanted to meet me this afternoon. I didn’t want to risk Jack seeing me with him, so I got my bike and rode into town. Damn long ride too, and I’m not looking forward to riding back.

I met Dean in the park near the bike path. He was leaning against a slammin’ car, smokin’. He threw his butt down when he saw me, nodded his head.

“Eddie. Whatca doin’ on a bike, man?”

“Didn’t want the foster parents to see us. Hey … can I bum a cigarette?”

He handed me one. “Don’t tell me. The foster parents won’t let you smoke.”

“No, man. Hell, they don’t even know I smoke. And East’ll have my ass if he caught me smoking around the stables.”

“East the foster dad?”

“Naw. He’s the hired help. Jack’s the dad.”

He lit another cigarette for himself and took a deep drag.

“I tell ya, I’m gone.”

“Gone?” I was surprised. Dean seemed to have everything under control where he was staying.

“Yeah, man. Couldn’t stand that asshole no more, so I’m out. Gotta plan to boost me some benjamins. So, I jacked me a car and came straight to pick up my man, Eddie. Can’t do it without you, man.”

He smiled, his bloodshot eyes like slits. Damn … now that I got something good going on, this shit comes my way. “I don’t know, dean –”

“Aw, dude. Ya gotta come. You’re my partner, dude.” He took another drag, exhaled. “That place you’re living in … they got expensive stuff?”

I nodded.

“Cool. Tell ya what … I’ll slide on by there tonight after everyone’s asleep. We’ll boost some stuff to sell. Gotta finance the plan. Then we’ll slide outta this dump and … Oh, shit.”

Dean threw his butt down and stomped it out. I looked around and walking up to us was my uncle Ben, shiny sheriff’s star on his shirt, and he didn’t look happy.

“Afternoon, Eddie. Who’s your friend?”

I gulped. “Um … This is Dean.” I looked to Dean and jerked my head to the cop. “This is my uncle Ben.”

“Your uncle?” He held out his hand. “Nice to meet you, sir.”

Ben shook Dean’s hand then turned to me. “Didn’t know you smoked, son.”

I shrugged. “Yeah, well …”

“Just don’t do it around the barn. We’ve had enough fires this past year.”

“I won’t, sir.”

“Good,” his eyes narrowed at us and then to the car Dean was leaning against. “That your car, Dean?”

Dean didn’t even hesitate. “No, sir. My dad’s. He loaned it to me so I could meet Eddie,” he answered smoothly.

Uncle Ben nodded. “I see. Well, I’ve got to get along. You two have a good afternoon.” He actually tipped his hat then strolled to the coffee shop and went in.

“Damn. That was close.” Dean opened the door to the car and fiddled with the wires, starting it up. “Like I said, dude. I’ll be there tonight ‘round one AM. You be out front, right.” He slammed the door. “See ya then, dude.” He hit the gas pedal hard, the wheels spun and threw gravel up everywhere, and the tires squealed as he pulled out into the road.

Fuck. Now what do I do?

BEN WADE

Caught the license plate number and pulled my cell to call the station. Sure ‘nough, the kid Eddie was talkin’ to had stole the damn thing. When he sped off like that, right in the middle of town, the next call I made was to Jack. A few words was all I said and I knew I got the kid in a whole heap of trouble. Felt kinda bad as I watched Eddie mount his bike.

“Hey, Eddie.” I shouted and he turned real guilty eyes at me. “Come on, I’ll take ya back. Gettin’ dark and you shouldn’t be riding so late.”

“D’you call Jack?” The kid wasn’t so stupid as I thought.

“Yeah, I did.”

We didn’t say nothin’ else the whole way. Jack gave me a nod as I hauled the bike outta my SUV. 

“Eddie?”

“What?”

“You take it like a man … and you keep away from that Dean. I see him ‘round, he’ll be behind bars for stealin’ that car. Be good.”

I drove away.

JESSIE

Thanks to Jeff and Matt, I now have the beginnings of a vegetable garden.

While Matt operated the electric tiller, Jeff cleared away the larger weeds and punk shrubs while I followed behind them, hoe in hand, making long, somewhat straight furrows in the freshly turned soil. They then helped me plant the vegetable and herb seedlings that I’d picked up from the local nursery. Halfway through, my mom came out to bring us lunch and afterwards she sat out on the back porch with Amanda while we finished planting. By three PM we were dirty and tired, but it felt wonderful.

Lachlan was attending a big salvage auction in Burlington and had been gone since early morning; he’d called soon after we’d finished to let me know that it’d be a few more hours until he’d be able to start home. Seems he’d made a bigger set of purchases than he’d originally planned, but he sounded so pleased and excited as he told me about some of the things he’d picked up that I bit my tongue and tried to hold back my disappointment. He’s been working fourteen hour days and come the weekends, he spends his time finishing out the remodeling of the space above the garage. Very soon now, my mom will have her own little apartment, complete with a small working kitchen and a balcony off the stairway landing.

I know I shouldn’t complain. Lachlan’s working so hard because he wants to have the granny flat finished by the end of May and with the attention his company’s gotten since completing the Skinner farmhouse, business is booming. Problem is we don’t get to spend much time alone together. By the time he comes home it’s usually dark and he’s bone tired, but I always try to have a warm dinner waiting so he can relax and spend some time with our daughter before putting her down for the night. Since he was coming home even later than usual this evening, he told me that he’d just pick up something to eat on the way home.

The house seems so empty when he’s not here. I could’ve eaten an early dinner but I’m so accustomed to our later schedule that at eight o’clock I found myself at the kitchen table eating a bowl of my mother’s chicken soup and a crust of sourdough bread. Amanda was drifting off to sleep in her swing and my mom was already asleep upstairs when I heard a truck pull up; my heart jumped, thinking that it was Lachlan. When Egan walked through the back door instead, I’m afraid my expression gave away my disappointment.

He grinned as he came over and kissed the top of my head. “Sorry I’m not who you were expectin’.” He then reached over to tweak Amanda’s foot and was rewarded with a small sleepy smile.

I was a little puzzled at seeing him. “I thought you’d still be with Samantha.”

He grabbed an apple from the counter and pulled up a chair to join me. “Nah, she has to work tomorrow.” He bit into the apple and grinned. “I found a house. Put in my offer and told the realtor that I’m willin’ to haggle.”

He looked so pleased with himself, but I was still confused about why he was home so early. “If Samantha’s working tomorrow, then why did you take Jacob over to Pullo’s for the night?” I’d just assumed that Egan was going to make his move with Samantha and didn’t want to impose by asking me to look after Jacob. Not that it was an imposition in any way, but that was beside the point.

Egan’s eyes clouded over. “It’s not like that, Jess. We’re just friends.”

I put down my spoon and looked at him closely. “Just friends? Seems like you spend an awful long time styling your hair and putting on too much cologne for someone who’s just a friend. Especially since it’s so obvious she’s got the hots for you.”

I could tell he was trying to play coy. “Why d’you say that?”

I couldn’t help grinning. “Oh, puhleese. Why do you think she’s taking care of Bella for you?”

“She’s just being nice.”

“Uh huh. Trust me; no woman is going to baby sit a man’s dog unless she’s hoping for something more than friendship.”

“Maybe she just likes animals.”

“Maybe she likes you a little bit more and wants to make an impression.”

“She’s just a really nice lady, that’s all.”

“Bullshit. You need to get laid.”

He nearly choked on his mouthful of apple. “Damn, Jess, do you have to go straight for the balls every time?”

I wasn’t backing down. “What are you afraid of? Jacob talks about her all the time and from the sound of it, she likes him an awful lot, too. That’s half the battle.”

He studied his half eaten apple as he considered his answer. Finally he spoke, his voice wistful yet resigned. “I don’t know. Jacob’s already been through so many bloody changes. I don’t want to add to it by starting to date someone. I need to look after my son.”

I reached over and squeezed his wrist. “But who looks after you? I know you’re lonely, even when you’re surrounded by all us crazy people, but there’s nothing wrong with getting some of your own needs met on occasion. Besides, any woman who can get underneath Ben’s skin is okay in my book.”

Egan took another bite of his apple and grinned. We’d all heard Ben carry on over his stubborn female officer and he still loved to tell the tale of how she’d taken down two men twice her size during the infamous brawl at Kennedy’s Pub.

“Yeah, she’s a force to be reckoned with, all right.” His eyes crinkled at the corners as he smiled and I could tell that he was contemplating a few private memories of his own. “But it’s complicated.”

“It doesn’t have to be. Just ask Jacob how he feels about it and go from there. I think he’d kinda like the idea.”

“You do, eh?”

I pushed back my now empty bowl and glanced over at Amanda who was snoring softly. “I spend a lot of time with your little boy and he tells me things. You know what he said just the other day? He told me that he hoped you found a house soon because he missed Bella and that Samantha could then come over to visit.”

His eyebrows shot up. “He said that?”

“He really likes her. He’s always talking about her pretty long black hair.”

“He’s too young to be noticin’ such things.”

“And you’re too old not to.”

“Believe me, Jess, I’ve noticed.”

“Then what’s stopping you?”

He didn’t answer, but I knew that just maybe I’d gotten through to him. I reached over and took Amanda out of her swing and snuggled her close in my arms. “So, tell me all about this house you’re determined to buy.”

His eyes lit up again, relieved to have a change of subject. “It needs a bit of work, but you should see the size of the old elm tree in the back yard …”

RILEY

It was always the plan but I hated to see it really happen. Jackie came all the way from Amsterdam to visit until spring. Now that the weather has broken, she’s loaded her backpack and tuned up her bike. I watched her double check everything she was taking and suddenly started worrying like an old mother hen.

“Maybe you should wait a few more weeks. Spring’s so unpredictable. It might snow again.”

Jackie smiled. “So, I’ll stay at a motel. It can’t snow forever, Riles. America isn’t in the Antarctic.”

“I know, I know … but … I hate this whole idea. What if something happens to you?”

“I’ll call every night and let you know where I am, mama bear.”

“What if you get hurt?”

“I won’t.”

“You shouldn’t leave until later, when John gets back.” Damn, I hated being a guest at the Aubreys’. I mean, I love it, but I hate it too. This was the first time ever that John actually left for work and wasn’t close enough to bellow for. If he was there, he’d talk her out of this. I know it.

“You’re acting like a crazy woman,” she grinned.

“It’s my job. I’m pregnant. Wait for John.”

“If I wait for John, it’ll be too late to make any distance. I have an itinerary, you know. I intend to reach California in six weeks and see all the sights along the way.” She heaved the backpack over her shoulder and filled her water bottle. “Look, Riles, I have my cell phone. I’ll be staying in hotels every night. I will call you.”

“You’re carrying my number in case of an emergency, right?”

She hugged me tight and I struggled to get her closer, the damn heavy backpack and guitar making it hard to get my arms all the way around her. Then the demon pregnancy got me and I said what I promised myself I wouldn’t say. “What about Maxi?”

Jackie and Skinner had become a bit of an item over the past week. Stupidly, I let myself believe the relationship would keep her here. Little did I know the power of the open road to a woman with a mission. She stiffened and immediately I wanted to apologize. I stepped back and waited for the fireworks.

“Riley. What about him? Maxi is a grown man. If he can’t wait three months for me, then he’s not worth it. This is something I’ve always wanted to do, ride all the way across America and back. He’s not standing in my way, and we’re not making any promises. Okay?”

Well I was duly put in my place. Her relationship with Maxi’s was none of my business and I shouldn’t have asked.  But looking in her eyes I didn’t see anger, or even sadness. What I saw was a little promise. Dare I say … hope? I wasn’t sure why Maxi wasn’t there to see her off this morning but my imagining was that they’d said their farewells last night, all night.

“Now, it’s off with me,” she grinned wide and swung a lithe leg over the bike.

I had no more arguments to keep her and the day was burning away. As it was she waited until I woke up to leave.

“I love you, Riles.”

“Be careful, Jackie. And call me. Every day. Or I’m getting the National Guard out to find you.”

And I heard her laugh all the way down the lane.