From This Moment

Elise adds, “Jake likes sledding. Perhaps you can get him to take you.”

Not quite sure how to take that response, I reply, “Perhaps I will after I’ve made a snowman.”

Anna and Beth burst into laughter, but Elise just stares at me. I ignore her and sip my coffee.

The afternoon is pleasant enough, but by the time Elise leaves, I’ve got a headache. All I want is to go home and have Cade there to hold me. I actually feel rather tearful. I’m guessing the stress from this morning is starting to catch up with me.

Not wanting Elise to carry on with the wrong assumption about Jake and me because I have my answer, I follow her outside to her car. “Elise, wait up.”

She stops and looks at me, her one delicate eyebrow cocked. I take in a deep breath and smile at her. “Look, I have to be honest with you,” I began. “I’m not sure what’s going on between you and Jake, but there’s no need for you to be jealous. The truth is there isn’t a ‘Jake and me.’ Jake really is only a friend, more like a brother.”

Tears sparkle in her eyes. “I saw you kiss him when you arrived.”

I sigh and feel the embarrassment heating my cheeks. “I saw you in the window and I guess I wanted to see whether you still have any feelings for him and not just messing with him. If you’re still in love with Jake, which I think you are, you can’t marry Tom, Elise. It isn’t fair to him and it isn’t fair to Jake either.” I’m presuming Tom was one of the things that Jake meant when he said they have a few things to sort out first.

“I’m not going to marry Tom.” She wipes a lose tear with her fingers. “Jake has always been the only guy for me. I shouldn’t have said yes to Tom. I guess I was feeling lonely.”

“Then you’re doing the right thing because Jake seems a lot happier than when I first met him.”

She offers a watery smile. “I am as well. I just need to find the right time to break the news to Tom before I can move forward with Jake.”

“You will.”

I walk back inside. “Anna, would you mind if I ask Jake to drop me off at the house when he gets here? I really don’t feel too good.” I’m rubbing my temples.

“No, that’s fine. What’s wrong? Do you want any painkillers?” Anna’s voice fills with concern.

Going to my purse, I wade through the junk until I find the box of Tylenol. “No thank you, I have one here. But a glass of water would be great, if you don’t mind.”

After taking two tablets, I lie back on the sofa and not fifteen minutes later, Jake appears beside me. Crouching down, he asks, “Hey, what’s wrong? Anna called and said you were unwell and wanted to go home.”

“Oh Jake, I just have a headache. Probably everything from this morning catching up on me.”

“C’mon. I’m going to take you home.” Jake helps me up.

I love it when Cade and Jake refer to their home as mine.

“I think I’d better stay home with Rona,” Jake tells Anna.

“Jake, you don’t need to stay with me. I’m going to go to bed and I’ll probably be there all night. You might as well come back and eat.”

Back at the house, Jake insists on accompanying me to my room. Once inside he starts fussing over me. It’s really very sweet and I smile as he pulls the bedspread down and helps me slide under it. Then he slips into the bathroom and returns with a glass of water that he sets on the bedside table. I laugh as he leans over, tucks the blanket under my chin and kisses my forehead. I feel like a little girl, but as silly as it is, I feel like I have a family, something I’ve been missing for so long.

As he stands, he asks, “Do you need anything else?”

“No, that’s fine. I really will be okay after I’ve had some sleep, please don’t worry.” I reach up and give Jake a hug. “Thank you. Now go eat with your sister and her family.”

“If you’re sure you’ll be okay, then I will.” Jake hesitates by the door.

“Go.”

He smiles and slips out of the room.

*~*~*~*

I wake up a few hours later to my cell ringing. Knowing it’s Cade, I try to compose myself as I answer, “Hi, Cade, are you okay?”

“I’m fine, but what about you? Did I wake you? You sound sleepy.”