“You seem like someone who knows what she wants and stands up for herself,” Alicia commented.
Jasmine smiled brightly at Alicia. “I am. I just didn’t realize it until now. Thanks, doc.”
Alicia laughed and she looked happy again for a moment. “Any time.”
Jasmine vowed to support her new friend and make her feel better too.
* * * *
Drake noticed Noah was sitting at his desk lost in thought. He was working through his lunch hour so he could take Jasmine to see the fireworks tonight. He was glad she was fitting in and making friends. He wanted her to like living in Red Hook. He didn’t want her to move back to her old town.
“Hey, boss. Anything wrong?” Drake drank his soda from the vending machine.
Noah blinked and sat forward. “Sorry, Drake. I didn’t hear you come in.”
“What’s up?” Drake sat down.
Noah sighed and rubbed his face with his hands. “I’m worried about Alana.”
Drake leaned forward, feeling concerned. They were excited about this baby. He hoped nothing was wrong. “Is it the baby?”
“The doc says her blood pressure has been up. He wants her to work from her bed for the last month but you know how stubborn she is. Especially now that Carlos had that scare with his heart. He is cutting back on his hours and Ray is putting more hours in. I think Alana feels the pressure and worries for her dad and Ray both. She feels guilty for not putting in her usual long hours,” Noah confessed. “Now with Alicia acting so depressed, it just adds to the pressure.”
“Maybe you should stay home and rest tonight.” Drake was worried now. The Fourth of July picnic was tonight. Drake usually worked but tonight he was taking Jasmine.
Noah shook his head. “Alana loves fireworks. I am not letting her move from the blanket. She will rest. We waited so long to have a baby. I wanted to make sure she was fully healed from her stab wounds. I guess I just want everything to run smooth. Adam says I can’t control everything, but I like to try.”
“Jasmine and I will be there and Holly too. Matt said he was meeting her there.” Drake knew everyone from their circle would make sure Alana did nothing but rest and watch the fireworks. “We’ll make sure she stays put and is not running around trying to take care of everyone.”
Noah smiled at looked at the clock on the wall. “I’m going to pick her up at home and I will see you tonight.”
Drake stayed sitting after Noah left. Things had been going good with Jasmine. It had been a month since the carnival and his feelings ran deeper with each passing moment. The heat between them was burning hot. Usually a few times of having sex and he lost interest but he couldn’t get enough of Jasmine. It got better and better. He hated being away from her. He had been such a fool to think he liked his bachelor lifestyle. He thought being involved with someone would get in the way of his work schedule and hanging out with his friends. How wrong he had been. It took one black-haired witch to make him see the error of his ways. He was in love with her. Instead of feeling trapped like he always thought he would he looked forward to the days they could be together.
He had wanted her to meet his parents but she had been hesitating. She thought that they would reject her. What a silly thought. Eva was the hard nut to crack and she loved Jasmine. They had dinner at Eva’s and Julia and Jasmine became quick friends. Jasmine gave her decorating advice for her bedroom. Julia listened and announced Jasmine was her new decorator. Jasmine had even taken the quarter Juli
a insisted on paying her. She even promised Julia a receipt next time she saw her. Drake had fallen just a little deeper that night and Eva became her strongest supporter. He imagined Jasmine swollen with his baby. He waited for the weight of responsibility to choke him but all he felt was peace. He smiled widely. He got up and walked out, whistling. He couldn’t wait to see her and share the holiday with her. She told him she loved fireworks but hadn’t seen them in years. Her ex had not allowed it because he thought it was childish. What a douche. He was going to make sure Jasmine had the best view of the fireworks. Another memory for the archives. He grinned, remembering what she said about their kiss on the ferris wheel.
Chapter 16
Jasmine sat on a blanket under a tree with Alana. Alana had a beach chair to support her back. There was a nice breeze flowing in the air.
“Noah had better be able to pick me up from here or someone will have to roll me to the car,” Alana complained. It was obvious she was uncomfortable. She arched her back and winced.
“Are you okay?” Jasmine didn’t know much about pregnancy but she felt a small prickle of concern. The heavily pregnant woman looked miserable and was trying to hide it.
Alana sighed. “Excuse my grouchiness, Jasmine. I love this holiday so much and I love the fireworks. I just feel so miserable and my back hurts. No matter how I sit, I feel horrible. Noah worries so much about us.”
“You need a warm pad. I have an idea. Be right back.” Jasmine grabbed a towel from her bag. They had planned to jump in the lake so she brought a few towels in her beach bag. Jasmine found Matt and Holly sitting under a tree and talking in hushed tones. Holly was giggling and Matt looked smug. She hated to interrupt them since they hardly ever got to see each other.
“Sorry to interrupt,” Jasmine apologized. “I’m worried about Alana.”
Holly glanced to where Alana was wiggling around. They had finished eating and everyone was just lying around being lazy. Noah and Ray sat on a bench, joking around with Adam and Liam. Drake had gone to pick up his sister and the kids. Eva’s husband was going to meet them here before the fireworks. Kate and Alana’s parents were sitting in lawn chairs talking.
“What’s the matter?” Holly asked.
Alana told Holly her idea about warming up the towel and using it as a warming pad. “That’s a good idea. Back pain can be a sign of labor. She isn’t due for three or four weeks but maybe I should ask her some questions to make sure.”
Matt walked with Holly to where Alana sat. Jasmine warmed the towel over the coals that were still hot. She walked back to Alana and placed it on her back.