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“I do not!” Laurie pouted. “You two are perfectly lovely in the mornings. I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Gemma raised an eyebrow and gave Jordan a disbelieving grin. They both held back their laughter and instead the group migrated toward the street to watch the parade. Chloe was uncharacteristically quiet during the entire event. She lingered at Jordan’s side, never bumping into his shoulder or reaching for his hand.
He could feel his newly found optimism slipping away as the minutes passed. Apparently, she hadn’t forgotten yesterday’s events. If anything, she was colder than during rehearsal last night. A nervous knot began to form in his gut. He tried to stave it off by laughing with Laurie and Gemma as they watched the parade, but it kept festering. By the time the big jolly Santa appeared, he was a mass of nerves, eager to get out of there and back to his motel.
“Can we talk?” Chloe whispered in his ear as the final float passed and people began to pack up their chairs.
He swallowed hard and nodded. Confrontation wasn’t exactly his strong suit. He preferred to ignore a problem and turn on ESPN. It was probably why he didn’t succeed in long-term relationships.
Waving goodbye to their coworkers, Chloe led him into the town park and toward a private bench hidden by icy hedgerows. She sat on the cold wooden surface and patted the space next to her, looking expectantly up at him. Gritting his teeth, he joined her and stared at the untouched snow in front of their boots. He’d only known this girl for two weeks, but he knew her well enough to know something was majorly wrong. This wasn’t a conversation he was looking forward to, that was for sure.
“Have you heard from your mom?” she asked suddenly.
He glanced up at her and then back at the ground. “No. She won’t call again unless she wants something from me. That’s how it always goes.”
“Have you offered to get her into a shelter? Maybe get her some help?” She leaned closer to him, searching his face. “She’s obviously being abused.”
“Of course I have.” He sat up and looked at her, hurt crossing his face. “Don’t you think I’ve been doing that for the past ten years? My grandmother tried to do it, too, before she died. And when that didn’t work, her friends from church tried to help her escape. But she went back to that loser again and again, until finally, she had no one left. Not a single friend or family member. She’ll never leave him. Don’t you think I’ve tried?”
Frustration sprung to life in Chloe’s eyes. “Maybe if you…”
“Forget it.” He stood up, his nostrils flaring. “She doesn’t want my help. When she changes her mind, I’ll be there. But I don’t see that happening anytime soon.”
Chloe stared at him silently, her eyes flashing. He couldn’t believe what she was suggesting. Of course, he’d tried everything in the book to help his mother. He’d taken on responsibilities no young teenager should have to. Researching shelters, packing their bags for a sudden departure, even squirreling away money to pay for bus tickets out of town. But she’d never budge. She was a prisoner to that husband of hers, body and mind.
Taking a deep breath, he sat down next to Chloe. Fighting wasn’t the answer. She wa
s only trying to help. He didn’t want her to be mad at him. “I’m sorry I lost my temper. I’ve tried it all; trust me. She’ll leave when she’s ready or she won’t leave at all. That’s the truth.”
She lowered her gaze to her hands and worked her jaw. He wanted so desperately to kiss her, to wipe away the last twenty-four hours and return to that blissful state they’d been in just yesterday.
“Are you okay?” he asked, reaching for her hand. Her fingers were cold, so he wrapped his around them. “You’ve been so quiet today.”
She took her time answering him, her gaze never leaving their hands. “I’m fine. It’s just been a rough weekend. I may be nearing twenty-six, but I think I’ve still got some learning to do. Life isn’t all rainbows and ponies, after all.”
He chuckled, deep and throaty. “I’m just glad you didn’t have to find that out until now. It’s better to keep your innocence.”
“Is it?” She looked up and met his gaze. “I’m not so sure, anymore. I think it’s set me up for some major heartbreak.”
“Trust me, it’s better this way.” He reached for her chin, running his thumb along the length of her jaw. “It’s been so amazing seeing life through your eyes this week. Your family, your friends, this little town. For the first time in a long time, I’ve felt like there was still room for good in this world. You made me feel that.”
She breathed out, her breath coming out like a cloud. He wanted to know what she was thinking, but Chloe kept her emotions hidden behind a solemn stare. She leaned toward him and once again, their lips brushed in a sweet kiss that lingered on his lips like the sweet foam from his coffee.
“I’ve got to go,” she said suddenly, pulling away. “I’ve got something I have to do.”
“Do you need my help?” He hoped she’d say yes. All he wanted was to be next to her today.
Instead, she shook her head, her wooden earrings bouncing back and forth. “I’ve got to break some awful news to someone. I think it best if I do it myself.”
He looked at her questioningly, but didn’t press her. She’d tell him when she was ready. With one last kiss, she released his hands and left him sitting on the cold bench, the freeze starting to penetrate his clothes. It was then that his phone began to ring.
“Hello?” he mumbled incoherently. His attention was still focused on Chloe’s back as she faded from view.
“Mr. Davis?”
His brain registered the voice of his boss. Swallowing his disappointment he drew his focus back to the present. “We’re almost done here, Mary. I’ll be headed back to Duluth in two days. You don’t have to worry.”
“I’m not worried,” her condescending voice came over the speakers, sending a thrill of dislike through his system. “Your job is done there. I need you back at the office. These peons don’t seem to know how to run an office without you.”
