perfect fall day. Jess stretched and slid out of the warm covers—no time to dillydally. She had to pick Rick up at eight thirty so they could get the car and make it back in time for her hair appointment. She showered and shaved her legs and put on her favorite lotion before wrapping herself in a robe and heading to the kitchen for her first cup of tea.
Today one of her best friends was getting married to one of her favorite cousins. Abby and Tom were so happy, even though it had been rough going in the beginning. The most important thing was that Abby had opened up her heart to Tom and they’d healed each other. To be honest, it gave Jess a sliver of hope. Maybe someday she’d find someone who would render the past impotent. She couldn’t quite imagine it, but for now, she’d enjoy seeing two happy people pledge their lives to each other.
Jess added a little milk to her tea and took a few minutes to sip it, looking out the window. A teenager on a bike went down the quiet street, throwing newspapers at each walkway. A few seagulls dipped and then caught the draft of the wind, their wings buffeted by the breeze as they soared, looking for any tasty morsel that might come their way. And one solitary boat pulled away from the dock, sliding effortlessly through the still cove, headed out to the bay and beyond for a day of fishing before it got too cold to do so enjoyably.
Jess couldn’t stand gazing forever. She had to get a move on or else she’d be late. She tossed the rest of her tea down the sink and checked her watch. Rick would be expecting her any minute.
He was up and waiting for her when she arrived, and he hopped in her car with a huge mug of coffee to keep him company. The radio filled the morning silence as she drove to Glen’s place, and as she turned off the interstate into Auburn’s town limits, Jess snuck a glance at Rick out of the corner of her eye. Sitting there in the morning light, he looked relaxed, calm. With a start, Jess realized she was seeing Rick completely unguarded for the first time since he’d come home. For once, there had been no fighting, no awkward pauses. It had been strangely comfortable—she hadn’t felt the need to make small talk. What was more, Jess felt safe. Content. Who would have guessed she’d ever feel that way with Rick Sullivan? She was glad now that they’d made the truce. It would make everything so much easier.
Glen’s driveway came up on the left, a wide, gravel road that wound its way to his cabin. In a matter of moments Jess and Rick were out of the car, had exchanged greetings, received the keys to the Mustang, and Jess was back in her vehicle, heading to Jewell Cove, driving behind the gorgeous vintage car.
Rick was ahead of her the whole way, and Jess was pleased he appeared to be doing just fine managing the manual shift. She blew out a breath in relief. Sometimes it amazed her how much Rick could do with his prosthetic. Even things like tying shoes were nearly impossible with one hand. It had to be a huge adjustment.
They split ways at the first stop sign in Jewell Cove; Rick went on to his house while Jess checked her watch and realized she had ten whole minutes before she was due at Shear Bliss for hair and nails. For the first time since Abby had asked her to be her maid of honor, Jess was excited and nervous for the day ahead. She’d be primped and polished and she’d walk down the aisle on Rick’s arm …
Today was going to be perfect.
* * *
Just before two thirty, Rick drove up the lane to Foster House and parked the car next to a catering van and a few other vehicles he assumed belonged to the staff working the reception in the garden. Driving the vintage Mustang was fun. Cars just weren’t made this way anymore. There was a substance to it that no amount of flashy accessories or convenience could replace, and as much as Rick would like to really open it up out on the highway, he was being extra careful. It was someone
Today one of her best friends was getting married to one of her favorite cousins. Abby and Tom were so happy, even though it had been rough going in the beginning. The most important thing was that Abby had opened up her heart to Tom and they’d healed each other. To be honest, it gave Jess a sliver of hope. Maybe someday she’d find someone who would render the past impotent. She couldn’t quite imagine it, but for now, she’d enjoy seeing two happy people pledge their lives to each other.
Jess added a little milk to her tea and took a few minutes to sip it, looking out the window. A teenager on a bike went down the quiet street, throwing newspapers at each walkway. A few seagulls dipped and then caught the draft of the wind, their wings buffeted by the breeze as they soared, looking for any tasty morsel that might come their way. And one solitary boat pulled away from the dock, sliding effortlessly through the still cove, headed out to the bay and beyond for a day of fishing before it got too cold to do so enjoyably.
Jess couldn’t stand gazing forever. She had to get a move on or else she’d be late. She tossed the rest of her tea down the sink and checked her watch. Rick would be expecting her any minute.
He was up and waiting for her when she arrived, and he hopped in her car with a huge mug of coffee to keep him company. The radio filled the morning silence as she drove to Glen’s place, and as she turned off the interstate into Auburn’s town limits, Jess snuck a glance at Rick out of the corner of her eye. Sitting there in the morning light, he looked relaxed, calm. With a start, Jess realized she was seeing Rick completely unguarded for the first time since he’d come home. For once, there had been no fighting, no awkward pauses. It had been strangely comfortable—she hadn’t felt the need to make small talk. What was more, Jess felt safe. Content. Who would have guessed she’d ever feel that way with Rick Sullivan? She was glad now that they’d made the truce. It would make everything so much easier.
Glen’s driveway came up on the left, a wide, gravel road that wound its way to his cabin. In a matter of moments Jess and Rick were out of the car, had exchanged greetings, received the keys to the Mustang, and Jess was back in her vehicle, heading to Jewell Cove, driving behind the gorgeous vintage car.
Rick was ahead of her the whole way, and Jess was pleased he appeared to be doing just fine managing the manual shift. She blew out a breath in relief. Sometimes it amazed her how much Rick could do with his prosthetic. Even things like tying shoes were nearly impossible with one hand. It had to be a huge adjustment.
They split ways at the first stop sign in Jewell Cove; Rick went on to his house while Jess checked her watch and realized she had ten whole minutes before she was due at Shear Bliss for hair and nails. For the first time since Abby had asked her to be her maid of honor, Jess was excited and nervous for the day ahead. She’d be primped and polished and she’d walk down the aisle on Rick’s arm …
Today was going to be perfect.
* * *
Just before two thirty, Rick drove up the lane to Foster House and parked the car next to a catering van and a few other vehicles he assumed belonged to the staff working the reception in the garden. Driving the vintage Mustang was fun. Cars just weren’t made this way anymore. There was a substance to it that no amount of flashy accessories or convenience could replace, and as much as Rick would like to really open it up out on the highway, he was being extra careful. It was someone
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