Page 99 of Jameson’s Salvation

I was in the house making lunch and making calls to order fertilizer and the seeds I’d need when Jonas Brown called.

At first the call had been awkward and strained as Jonas apologized profusely and told me what I’d already known—Reggie had threatened to renege on his lease. The conversation turned when I happily accepted his apology and told him I understood.

Then he asked me to bring all of my stock to his store. His customers had been ready to riot when he’d told them he’d no longer stocked my honey. He also asked me to bring all the candles I had made as well. He wanted to make a special display with products. Of course, I immediately accepted his offer and was on cloud nine as I showered and loaded the boxes into the back of my truck.

I was pulling out of my driveway when I called Jameson.

“Babe?”

His deep rumbling voice filled the cab of my truck and I couldn’t help smiling. I loved it when he answered the phone like that. It was a greeting and foreplay and always made me shiver.

“Guess what?” I asked, but rushed to tell him before he could guess. “Jonas Brown called. He asked me to bring all of my honey and candles to his store.”

“Good news.”

“Great news. I’ll be able to start making payments to my angel investor soon.”

“Kennedy,” he growled, and that made me shiver, too.

Jameson had opened a joint account and had deposited thirty thousand dollars. Then he’d told me if we needed more, he’d transfer it. I didn’t know how he’d saved up that much money and I didn’t ask. Money complicated things, and I didn’t want to take any risks with our relationship.

“Kidding. Kidding. Anyway, I wanted to let you know where I was going. After I drop this stuff off to Jonas, I’m heading to Southern States to pick up what I need to start planting tomorrow.”

“I told you to wait until Saturday and I’d help.”

“No sense in wastin’ daylight. And besides, I have it down to a science. It will only take me two days.”

“I still can’t believe you plant each seed by hand.”

“Gives a whole new meaning to homegrown, doesn’t it?”

“Gives a whole new meaning to how much vegetables cost,” he grumbled.

Large farms would not hand plant each row, but my garden was too small to use a tractor and machinery to plant. And besides, I enjoyed working in my yard.

“I’ll call you when I’m at the grocery store, think about what you want for dinner. And don’t say whatever you want or you’re eating liver and onions tonight.”

“All right, babe, I’ll think about it.” He chuckled.

I listened to the sound and wondered when it stopped sounding rusty. Over the last few weeks his smiles were coming easy and his laughter was frequent.

I let that thought slide down my chest and warm my belly. Jameson was happy.

“Love you, babe.”

“Love you, Jameson.”

Yeah, my man was finally happy. And we’d have our new puppy next week, one more thing Jameson would finally have. A dog and a home. Both I’d get to share with him.

* * *

Jonas and Lavender had been all smiles when we set up the new display they’d placed at an end cap. It was front and center when you walked in the door. When we were done, we chatted for a few minutes, avoiding any talk of Reggie or what had happened. Before I left, I purchased the essential oils I’d been eyeing the last time I was in the store and a box of my favorite tea.

Jonas waved away my money with sadness clear in his eyes and I didn’t push. If the man needed to give me fifteen dollars’ worth of free products to make himself feel better, for once I would accept the offer and not quibble.

I was walking through the parking lot behind Nature’s Choice thinking about how my life was looking up. I’d made it to the other side and now I could concentrate on Jameson and the life we were starting. He’d all but moved in—it had just happened, but we hadn’t talked about it. He didn’t even have his own key, even though he was there every night.

Why didn’t he have one?