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Chapter Thirty-One
Jackson
Ididn’t realize how much I’d missed watching Lena’s pretty face heal. She got more beautiful every day.
We both stood there staring at each other for a few minutes until she finally said, “Jackson.” My name sounded like sweet music flowing from her lips.
“Hi.”
“Hi,” she said, walking down toward me.
“Where are you going?” Okay, even I thought that sounded a little too nosy, but I couldn’t help myself. She was so fragile still.
“Um …”
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to pry.” I took my foot off the step, feeling like a fool. I’d wanted to see her so badly, and I couldn’t stand to stay away for one more second. I’d never dreamed that she’d be taking off to go somewhere.
“No, no, you’re not prying at all. I’m going to the store for some fruit. There are only so many potatoes and pasta dishes a girl can handle. After a while, she starts to bloat.” She laughed at her little joke, but now I felt horrible about leaving her up there with nothing but carbohydrates for three days.
“Sorry, I uh ... I should have been more considerate.” What the hell was wrong with me? I was acting like I hadn’t spoken to a woman in a year.
She smiled. “No worries. I’m going to drive over to the grocery store.”
She walked past me, and her scent had me entranced and I blurted out, “Want me to drive you?”
She paused, looking at me over her shoulder. “No. That’s okay. I think it’s time I start figuring out how to get around in this town on my own.”
“You’re probably right.”
“Thanks, though.” She got in her car and started the engine but didn’t go anywhere. She rolled down her window. “Jack?”
“Yeah.” I hurried over to her car.
“How do I get to the store?”
We both broke out in laughter at that.
“Why don’t I hop in and go with you this time?”
She sighed, and I could tell she wanted to try to do it on her own but realized she couldn’t yet. “Well, okay. This time.”
I practically ran, slid into the passenger side and buckled up. I glanced over at her smiling face. “I’m sure there will be plenty of other times in the future for you to proclaim your independence.” I don’t know why I said that. The smile on her face changed to a frown, and I instantly regretted the comment.
She put the car in reverse and began backing out. “It’s easier if you go forward and go around that tree and head out.”
“Oh. You’re right. I didn’t realize that was a possibility.” She giggled, but it sounded more like nervous energy. I gave her the rest of the directions as we went. The traffic began to build up the closer we got to town, which was unusual for this small community.
“Wow, is there always this much traffic down here?”
“No. Never. I wonder what’s … unless … oh, yeah.”
“What?”
“I forgot. It’s Founder’s Day. Good thing I came along. Wow, this is crazy. I’ve never seen it this crowded before. Take a left down this alley. We’ll take a shortcut.” She turned, but the police had the alley barricaded off at the end, and cars blocked our way behind us. We were stuck. “Sorry, it doesn’t look as if we can get out for a while.”
She pulled over to the side of the alley. “So, what now?”
“Well … when’s the last time you went to a parade?”
She smiled. “Not since I was a kid.”
“Well, sweetheart, what are you waiting for? Let’s go.”
