Treasure on Lilac Lane (Jewell Cove 2)

“You think this is about interest?” Bryce interjected, his brows a hard line. “It’s not and you know it. It’s about control. He lost that control once. He could be really pissed about that.”

If Bryce was trying to scare her, it was working, no matter what she said out loud. Maybe it wasn’t such a bad idea …

“I’ll think about it,” she repeated. “Besides, I don’t think he’s home for long. There’s probably not much point.” At least that’s what she would continue to tell herself. She wouldn’t let him get to her again.

As she looked around the table, she saw ten members of her family with set expressions of resolve. Suddenly she didn’t feel so alone. Support was close by if she needed it. All those years ago she hadn’t wanted to worry anyone. Besides, her silence was part of the bargain for Mike leaving. It had been worth it.

That agreement no longer held up. Even if she understood the reason, he had come back to town and keeping quiet was no longer a requirement.

“Let’s just eat some pie, okay?” She forced a smile and picked up her fork, though eating was the last thing she wanted to do. “It’s Thanksgiving. We’re all healthy, we’re all together for the first time in ages, and it’s going to be fine.” She scooped up a bit of pecan pie and popped it in her mouth with far more enthusiasm than she felt.

For some reason she felt like she needed to make this okay for her family.

That she had to show them that she was all right and could handle it.

The conversation was far more hushed, but they followed her lead. In the midst of the noise Rick leaned over and whispered in her ear. “Good job,” he said.

“Thanks.” Oddly enough, she did feel better. Maybe the old saying was right. Maybe confession was good for the soul.

CHAPTER 17

It was six o’clock and dark by the time they finally left Sarah’s house. Rick’s hand was throbbing now; the ice pack long gone and the swelling in his knuckles back with a vengeance. Hitting someone in the face with bare knuckles was a lot different than in the movies. Jess pulled into his yard and put the car in park. “Sorry about this afternoon,” she said quietly.

He looked over at her. She was bundled into her fall coat with a soft scarf looped around her neck and matching gloves on her hands. When she’d invited him to dinner he’d had no idea that there’d be so much excitement.

“Don’t apologize. I’m glad I was there.”

“I’m glad you were, too.” She hesitated and then met his gaze. “Rick, I’m really sorry about how I acted last spring and stuff.”

He shook his head, pleased with the apology even though it wasn’t necessary. “I deserved it. I was a mess. Some days I still am.”

“But you’re handling it better.”

“Yeah, I am. I deserved the things you said, Jess. You were right. I think I just had to work through it.”

“I should have helped rather than criticize.”

He smiled then. Did she know how amazing she was? “And you think I would have taken help? I thought you knew me better than that.”

It got a smile out of her anyway. She laughed a little and agreed. “You’re right. Anyway, thank you. For standing up for me. For being beside me when I told everyone. Your support meant a lot.”

He ignored the pain in his hand and reached out, touching the side of her face. “I’ll always be there when you need me,” he replied.

“Rick, I…”

“Do you want to come in, Jess?”

Their gazes clung for a long moment. The heat in her gaze told him she understood what he was asking. What it meant. Something had changed between them today. Sex was one thing. Opening up to someone, having a relationship … that was something else entirely. But this was Jess. She already knew most of his secrets. And she was still sitting here. With him. What surprised him most was that he felt ready to take this next step.

“I think I’d like to come in. I think I’d like that very much.”

“Even after today? Even after seeing Mike? It had to bring back memories.” He understood that better than she might think. He had plenty of moments where the past snuck in and knocked him flat. Dreams about Kyle and the night he’d been beaten so badly. Dreams about the day of the firefight, right up to the moment when the grenade exploded and everything went dark. He knew it was all in the past, but it didn’t stop the reactions. They called it PTSD. He knew it wasn’t limited to soldiers.

Jess lifted her hand, too, and placed it on his face, mirroring his touch. “It did, yes, but you’re not him. I know that.” She paused. “You know, I didn’t want to tell the family. I guess I thought I deserved to deal with it on my own, kind of a punishment for being so stupid … so weak. By the time I understood it wasn’t my fault, I didn’t see any need to worry them. But you knew I needed to and you were right.” Jess leaned over the console and kissed him. “Thank you,” she murmured against his lips. “I feel so much better now.”

“Your family is pretty great.”

She smiled. “Yes, they are. And they care for you a lot.”