The House on Blackberry Hill (Jewell Cove 1)

“When? Where?”

“The night he drove me home from your candle-making class, and in the foyer,” she answered.

“And how was it?”

Sarah swatted Jess on the arm. “You don’t have to answer that, Abby.”

“Yes she does!” Jess put down her wine glass.

“It was … nice,” she answered weakly. “But you guys, it was just that one time and neither one of us is in a position to start anything. For one thing, I think I know better than to get hung up on a guy who is still in love with another woman.”

“A dead woman.”

“Jess!” Sarah swatted her again, her eyes wide.

“Well, she is,” Jess answered. “Maybe that’s crass but it’s true. And until someone comes along that pulls Tom into the land of the living…”

“What about Josh?”

“One stubborn man at a time, please.”

Abby snorted. “What about you, Jess?”

For the first time, the glib, fun-loving expression faded from Jess’s face.

“I said something wrong, didn’t I? God, what a buzz-kill I am.”

Jess looked up, her lips curving just a bit, though her eyes remained distant. “First of all, I can’t believe you said ‘buzz-kill.’ And as for me, well, I got burned too, that’s all. I try not to let it make me jaded. I’m just waiting for the right time and the right guy. Until then I get to be Fun Aunt Jess.”

“The right guy’s out there,” Sarah said warmly, squeezing Jess’s shoulder.

Abby felt tears spring into her eyes as the emotional moment drew out. Then she laughed and swiped her fingers under her lashes.

“Shit, I think we’re drunk, Jess.”

They started laughing, even Sarah.

“Please stay,” she said to the women. “I haven’t had this much fun in … never mind how long. Sarah, can’t you call Mark and tell him to get the kids off to school tomorrow?”

“He does owe me,” she replied. “Jess?”

“Is it really true that each room has a four-poster?”

“Most of them do.”

“Then why the hell not?”

They stayed up longer, nibbling on chips and sipping more wine as they chatted. When midnight drew close, Abby led them upstairs to the bedrooms and showed them where things were in the bathroom. She lent them T-shirts to wear as pajamas. When the lights were all out and she was under the covers she let out a contented sigh.

As her eyes drifted closed, she realized something really important.

The house felt happy tonight. The bedrooms deserved to be full and there should be laughter and maybe even tears. She understood now why Marian had chosen to open her home rather than live here alone.

How on earth was she going to bring it back to life?

Marry Tom and fill it with kids.

As if.