Page 43 of Healing Hope

She cocked her head. “I’m actually not going to a job. I’m joining a friend in Italy for a concert he’s taking part in.”

Paul knew his face closed down. She was leaving them to go meet a man. “Glad to know my retainer will be put to good use.”

She gave him a chiding look. “It will be. Thank you for paying it. Paul, I don’t want to waste my last few days being at cross purposes with you.”

He sighed, looking out at the setting sun. “I know. I just…”

Paul swallowed down the words he wanted to say. Even if he told her he loved her, he doubted she would stay. She’d never believe him, not after that scene with Hope. She’d been very clear on not wanting a family like she’d grown up in, and it would be too convenient to ask her to stay. What an emotional wreck they were. “Have you ever been in love, Jessamy?”

Jess blinked, obviously shocked. Her mouth opened, but no words came out. “I… don’t think so.”

He stared at her for a long moment. “I know you don’t want the responsibility of a family, but you should keep your options open. If you don’t, I’m afraid you’re going to end up a lonely shell of yourself, gallivanting around the globe and having half-relationships.”

Her throat moved as she swallowed. “Noted,” she said softly, and pushed her chair back.

Paul watched her walk into the house, wondering if he would wake tomorrow and she’d be gone.

* * *

Jess didn’t like feelinglike she was disappointing people. And she didn’t enjoy hurting. It was hard enough coming in, getting attached, and having to leave. Yes, she told herself over and over again to maintain distance, but there was no way a person could when they were in this position.

Paul had wanted to tell her something, and she had an inkling what it was, but he hadn’t articulated what she thought she’d seen in his eyes recently. Maybe if he had…

No, she had plans that couldn’t be changed.

She would be breaking a little girl’s heart, though. Maybe if she promised to come right back…

That wouldn’t really solve anything. The only thing that might help would be the woman Paul would be bringing in on Wednesday. Hopefully she was as amazing as he said, and she could take some of the burden from Jess’s shoulders. If she knew she was leaving Hope in good care, it would ease her heart a little.

Paul’s words rang in her ears. Had she ever been in love… As recently as a week ago, she would have said no. Now, she wasn’t so sure.

Paul worshipped her body and challenged her mind, and she knew he was going to be just as hard to leave as Hope. Even now, her body craved him. And she worried about the pain he would have to deal with when she left. It wasn’t fair to be denied love. And if anyone deserved it, it was definitely Paul Jameson. He’d been through so much.

The thought of another woman moving into the house and taking her spot triggered a pain response in her heart. And it had her reevaluating her stance on family.

17

Hope refused to talk to them the next morning, and Paul didn’t know what to do. He called Dr. Waters and coordinated for Jess to take her in for a counseling session. Maybe she just needed a safe place to vent. He went to work feeling dissatisfied with the world.

Two hours later, Jess called. “I can’t find Hope. She was in her room getting ready to go to the counselor’s appointment, now she’s gone. I checked the house and the play set, but she’s not there. Sophie is still in the house, though. Would she have left her behind?”

“I don’t know,” Paul said, grabbing the keys from the corner of his desk. “I’m leaving now. I’ll meet you at the house. I’ll check the cameras on the way.”

There was nothing on the cameras. One minute she was walking down the hallway toward the kitchen, and the next minute she was gone. Paul had a feeling, though, that she was nearby. There had been an activation alert on the front door, but he hadn’t had a chance to check if it had been Jess or Hope.

When he pulled into the driveway, Jess was standing there to meet him. She had tears in her eyes, and she was wringing her hands. It was the most emotional he’d ever seen her, and he had to wonder if Hope was onto something. Maybe he should run away himself.

“Have you checked the car?”

Jess blinked at him. “No,” she breathed, running over to where her Jeep was parked. She pulled open the driver’s side door and peered in, then into the back. “Not here,” she said.

Paul felt like this was a ploy by his daughter, and while concerned, he wasn’t panicked. When he’d checked the front door alarm, it was to see Hope walking through it. He knew she was out here somewhere. “Hope, you need to come out,” he called, lifting his voice. “You’re scaring Jess. Is that really how you want her to leave? Scared that she thought you were kidnapped or hurt?”

It took a few long seconds before Hope appeared from around the side of the house. “No, Daddy. I’m sorry, Ms. Jess.”

Without a word, Jess opened her arms to the little girl, and she ran into them. “You scared me,” Jess told her sternly.

“I’m sorry.” Hope’s voice was muffled against her.