“No worries. You always tell it like it is. I trust you; I just don’t always like what you say,” Jared said calmly. “It’s nice having you here but I am sure you are eager to go back to your home and life.”
“Yeah,” Jeff said and took a big drink of black coffee. Suzie filled their plates with eggs, bacon and pancakes and then turned to grab condiments. Then she went back to cooking, the process helping keep her mouth shut and her eyes off the two brothers chatting over breakfast.
Laura arrived and Suzie said goodbye, kissing Jared quickly. She breathed a sigh of relief and smiled at her friend and said enthusiastically, “Let’s go find me somewhere to live.”
“Okay. But I still think you are crazy for not wanting to live there with Jared,” Laura said. “You have been acting weird lately and if I noticed, you know it’s bad.”
They were driving to their first appointment of the day. Laura had arranged to meet the realtor at the new condo buildings right near their office. Suzie figured they would be out of her price range but was eager to find somewhere to live. After looking at three rental options, Suzie was happy with a small main floor of a house. It was old but quaint and felt comfy. Suzie felt better already knowing she had space to make her own. Unfortunately, she could not move in until the following week but she was not going to let that dampen her spirits. Laura was happy her friend was feeling better and they went for lunch and then clothes shopping. Finally, after a full day, Laura dropped her off at Jared’s and went home.
The downside to the day had been hearing Laura talk about Jeff. Laura was really hoping he would call and seemed to really like him. Suzie was surprised at how jealous that made her feel and knew she would have to make her mind up soon. Back at Jared’s apartment she tidied up and waited for one of her men to arrive home. Jared arrived first and told her that Jeff had a few days before his project could continue, so he went home for a long weekend and would be back next week. Suzie felt sadness that Jeff had not told her himself, or insisted she come away with him. Silly fantasies, she knew.
Jared surprised her again by suggesting they go away for the weekend. “Mom has been bugging me to bring you back there. Now, no pressure, just a quiet get away where we can breathe and have a change of scenery. What do you say?”
“Oh yes,” Suzie said. “It is beautiful there. And it will just be us right, so it will be quiet. Oh Jared it is exactly what we need.”
“Great. I will tell Mom and Dad we are coming,” Jared said.
Once more they drove down the winding highway, this time Suzie was nervous for different reasons. There was no family to meet, no she had done that and failed miserably. She had a lot of thinking to do and she had to try to make her and Jared work. Coming to the place where it all unraveled may be the key to fixing it. And if not she could get some art therapy in. She loved painting with Jared’s mom. Jeff’s mom, she thought then pushed the thought aside. Trying without success to get Jeff out of her mind, she thought about the painting studio in the trees. Then she thought of Jeff, shirtless when he kissed her for the first time.
“You seem lost in a daydream, what are you thinking about?” Jared asked.
“Oh, um just that I would like to do some painting if I could,” Suzie said shyly.
“Definitely. Mom knows about the fire and everything, well not everything but she suggested painting would clear your head,” Jared said.
“You didn’t tell her about us did you?” Suzie said with a worried voice.
“What about us?” Jared asked.
“Well, you know that you wanted me to move in. I would feel awkward if she thought I hurt you.” Suzie was beginning to have doubts.
“Don’t be silly. You didn’t hurt me. Besides we worked through that. You needing your own living space does not mean you want to see other people. Now stop worrying. I only told them about the fire and that you had been staying at my place.” Jared patted her hand in reassurance.
Pulling into the driveway and arriving at the family cabin, Suzie’s anxiety rose. All this place reminded her of was Jeff. They maybe should have gone somewhere else. Somewhere where she and Jared could start over. This was the beginning of her betrayal and she was torn. Fortunately Helen, Jared’s mom, was reading quietly when they got there. His dad had already gone to bed. Suzie smiled and talked for a few moments and then excused herself for the night. The huge, soft bed was calling to her and she needed to close her eyes and not worry about which Tiefson brother she was talking to.
Falling quickly into the folds of the bed, Suzie fell fast asleep. When she awoke, she was alone and debated staying in bed for the day. Instead she forced herself up, she was tired of moping and wanted to get out into the beautiful forest, find Jared, wherever he was and go for a walk. Separating herself from the down duvet she stretched and got dressed. Upstairs there was coffee brewing but no one was around.
Suzie filled her mug and went outside to sit on the deck. Enjoying the early morning sounds, Suzie sat in solitude. After a time, she saw Helen coming up the lawn from her painting studio. She was smiling and had red paint on her cheek. Suzie watched her glance back towards the studio and stand there wistfully. When she turned back towards the house, Helen saw Suzie and straightened, quickening her pace.
“Good morning,” they said in unison and laughed. Helen got herself some coffee and sat with Suzie. She told her that Jared had gone for a walk with his dad and she was painting a lot these days.
“If I had been up earlier I would have joined you,” Suzie said.
“Oh well, that’s alright, maybe after lunch instead,” Helen said and then got up abruptly. “I just remembered I forgot something in the studio.”
“Do you want me to keep you company?” Suzie asked.
“No!” Helen said quickly. “You stay here I will only be a second.”
Suzie stretched out and felt the sun beginning to peak over the trees. It would be warm today. She closed her eyes and breathed deeply reminding herself to care for herself. It was so peaceful here she could see why Jared’s parents had moved out here. It was paradise. Finally Suzie started to unwind. She jumped when she felt a hand on her shoulder. It was Jared back with his dad. They joined her with coffee in hands and a rosy glow on their cheeks.
“These are for you.” Jared handed her a bouquet of wildflowers.
“Thank you.” Suzie smiled and held them close.
“That was quite the jog,” Jared’s dad said to him.
“Nah, you are just getting old,” Jared teased.