Page 49 of Healing Hope
“Yes, Mom,” she sighed. “That stuff doesn’t bother me.”
“I guess I don’t understand why you can’t be with them?”
Jess blinked, thinking. Whycouldn’tshe be with them? Yes, she didn’t want to be relied upon because she didn’t want the responsibility of possibly letting them down, but she was already doing that. If she went to the family and tried, and committed, wouldn’t it be better than walking away? As for the traveling, if Paul and Hope could go with her occasionally, it would be perfect.
“I just need to think,” she said eventually. Her mother nodded and leaned over to give her a kiss on the cheek. “You think out here and I’ll go schmooze with the Italians. Don’t stay out here too long.”
“Okay, Mom. Thanks for letting me vent.”
Her mother waved a hand as she stood, smoothing her dress down her hips. “No worries, dear. I need a female grandchild to balance out the Christmas list.”
Jess laughed, shaking her head. To her mother, it was a done deal.
And she supposed it could be.
No, she hadn’t planned on being a mother, but plans changed, and she was smart enough to roll with those changes, right?
She missed Hope. And she missed Paul with a desperation she’d never felt before for any other human being. His smile, his strong left arm, his body. Most importantly, she missed his heart. The man knew what to say and do to make her heart yearn for him.
Impulsively, she grabbed her phone and started looking for flights back to California.
* * *
Paul rolledout of bed ready to fight. What the hell was that racket? Grabbing up the baseball bat he’d started keeping in his room since the home invasion, he padded into the hallway. He didn’t turn on lights because he didn’t want to give away his position.
Wait, it was coming from the front door.
Padding down the hallway and through the living room, he peered out the window beside the door.
And his heart stopped.
Setting the bat aside, he swung open the door. And about had a heart attack.
Jessamy stood on the other side, looking ethereal in a sea foam green dress. He wasn’t sure what the fabric was, but it seemed to float on the air. Her hair was curled and clipped up, and she wore more makeup than he’d ever seen on her face. Long diamond earrings dangled from her ears.
She looked like an heiress, or a Royal. Crossed with an angel.
“You look amazing,” he breathed. “What are you doing here?”
She blinked and glanced away, embarrassed. “I’m sorry I woke you. I just… came to a decision and I thought you should be the first to know.”
Paul tried to blink the sleep from his eyes and concentrate.
Then she glanced at a car passing on the street, and he realized he hadn’t invited her in. He stepped back and waved her in. Smiling slightly, she stepped inside. He had to do a double-take. She was several inches taller than when she’d left.
“Heels,” she explained, showing him her feet. Hell, even her shoes had diamonds on them. If Hope were up now, she would think Jess was a princess.
“So, tell me about this decision,” he said, watching her carefully.
Jess sank down onto the edge of the couch, her legs pressed together and to the side. Now that he was more awake, he could see the signs of tiredness on her face. “Did you come here straight from the symphony?”
“Yes, I did. Jordan did fantastic. It was a packed theater and the crowds kept giving them ovation after ovation. It was really something to see. But I realized something.”
“What was that?” he said, sinking into the cushion beside her.
“That it would be a much more enjoyable experience if you were by my side. And Hope.”
“I agree,” he said softly. “So, you got a flight home to tell me this?”