I pick up Jess’s overnight bag. Em and Zara gather up theGet Wellcards and walk us to my truck. The nurses will be redistributing the flowers to other patients’ rooms.
We’re not even out of the parking lot when Jess’s phone rings.
She answers it. “Hi.…No, that’s fine. I’m happy you called.” She truly does sound happy, maybe a little nervous too, her words slightly hesitant. She mouthsJaxonto me, and her reaction makes sense. I’d told her about him a few days ago and about how he had come to town, hoping to talk to her. She remembered him and was sorry for everything he’d gone through. Things she could relate to only too well.
While they talk, I slip into my thoughts, my attention on the road. Thoughts about what she and I need to discuss once we get to her house.
Jess ends the call as I pull into her driveway. “Thank you for giving Jaxon my number.”
“How’s he doing?” I haven’t spoken to him since he and Nigel returned to California, but I did keep him updated on Jess’s condition.
“Good. We plan to keep in contact and talk some more soon.”
Maybe that’s what they both need to help them heal—someone who can relate to what the other person has gone through and be there as an additional support system.
Simone is waiting inside Jess’s house with Bailey when we arrive. As soon as Jess walks through the front door, Bailey charges over to her and jumps her front paws onto Jess’s stomach.
“Down, Bailey,” I command.
Jess crouches next to her and puts her good arm around Bailey in a careful hug. “I’ve missed you.”
She lets go of Bailey after a long moment and slowly pushes to her feet, struggling slightly with the effort.
My arm goes to her waist, and I help her up. She feels so right slotted against me. I can’t imagine ever letting go of her. I don’twantto let go of her.
But what I want and what Jess wants seem to be two different things. She steps away from me and gives Simone a one-armed hug. “Thank you for looking after Bailey.” Her gaze turns to the kitchen. Her eyes widen. “Wow, who are the flowers from?”
A huge-ass vase of orange, yellow, and burgundy flowers is parked in the center of the kitchen table. All I know is, they aren’t from me.
“I don’t know,” Simone says. “They arrived ten minutes ago.”
Jess walks to the table and removes the small envelope tucked into the flowers. She opens it and reads the card inside. “They’re from Anne. That’s so sweet.” Jess sniffs the flowers. “She messaged yesterday and asked me when I was getting sprung from the hospital.”
Simone picks up her purse from the coffee table. “I’ll leave you two alone.” She flashes me a sly grin. “But let me know if you need anything else. I’ll be over tomorrow to see how you’re doing.” The last part is directed to Jess.
Simone leaves, and I finally have Jess all to myself. I’ve been waiting for this day since I found out she was missing. Waiting for this day since she regained consciousness.
“Do you need anything?” I ask, my fingers, my lips, my soul craving to touch her again.
“No, I’m good.” She strokes an orange rose petal. “You can…er…leave now if you want. I’ll be fine.”
Hell if that’s going to happen. This talk has been a long time coming.
68
JESSICA
October, Present Day
Maple Ridge
Nervousness has been churninginside me since Troy told me in the hospital that we need to talk, but he wanted to wait until I was better…that nervousness bubbles over now that we’re alone in my house. I have no clue what he wants to talk to me about.
“It wouldn’t hurt to be honest with him and tell him what you’ve told me. That would be a start.”Robyn’s words repeat in my head like rings on the lake from a thrown stone.
I sit on my couch and stare at the nasty red lines encircling my wrists from the zip ties. They’re healing but will always be one of many scars reminding me of what I’ve survived through. And that’s who I am—a survivor. I am strong. They didn’t break me.
Troy sits next to me and takes my hand. He traces over the red mark on one wrist as if reading my mind. My skin sizzles at his touch, the heat kissing my soul.
