“I don’t know. You’re a lawyer. Instinct is part of your job. I find it strange Jaz was so secretive, but I don’t see why someone would hurt her.”
Jena shrugged her shoulders, deciding to change the subject. Chase had other ideas.
He wiped his mouth with a napkin. “What aren’t you telling me?”
“Nothing.” Her attempt to convince him with indifference failed.
“You’re as clear as that window to me. You brought this up. I want to hear the rest.”
She paused to collect her thoughts, wiping her mouth with a napkin before continuing. “When I first received my copy of the will I didn’t look at it too closely. The other night I had this nagging feeling, so I dug it out and really read it. It’s not the same will.”
“How do you know? Did you draft it?”
She had his attention. “I didn’t prepare it. I thought it best to allow another attorney to draw it up since I’m included. Jasmine had me read the final draft before she would sign it.” She added cautiously, “I was the primary custodian for Andrea. You were given visitation, which she detailed.”
He said nothing. Only crossed his arms and gazed out the window. Was he mad?
Jena went on, ignoring his silence. “The will was changed a month before the accident. She never mentioned the change to me. She was so adamant about my approval before. It doesn’t make sense to me, Chase.”
He turned his attention back to her. He was difficult to read. Was he angry or worried? Maybe she should have kept this to herself.
“What doesn’t make sense to you? That she decided for us to co-parent or the addition to the will?”
Now she knew where his anger lay. “I’m not questioning your parenting abilities. I wonder about the sudden change and why she wouldn’t discuss it with us first. After all, it affects us.”
“I can understand you might be suspicious, but maybe she had her reasons. She knew you would argue the point.”
Jena flinched at his honesty. “You’re right. I would have made a stink about the change.”
“Could this be a case of nerves?”
She dipped her french fry in ranch dressing and gave his question careful consideration before answering. “I suppose. But think about it…Jasmine was so secretive, the will was changed, the house is in foreclosure, and Andrea is taking all of this like she’s going to walk through the door next week. I’m used to things making sense and none of this does.”
“Did you really dip your french fry in ranch dressing?” He wrinkled his nose.
She laughed. “Don’t knock it until you try it.” She was grateful for the diversion.
He threw his napkin on his plate. “I have to admit I’ve noticed Andrea’s lack of grief. I would’ve expected her to have some bad days. Do you think we should take her to counseling?”
“I keep thinking I’m the one who needs counseling. She’s coping fine. I’m the one making up wild scenarios.”
“We’ve had quite a few run-ins lately. I can understand why you’re nervous. We need to keep our eyes open. There’s the
incident
with your…”
He stopped to find the right word, so Jena helped him. “Co-worker.”
“Right, co-worker,” he grumbled. “The cigarette bandit, my truck…”
And Todd’s phone call, Jena thought back to when she received the flowers. She had decided not to tell him. She didn’t answer it, so there was no harm done. She knew he would over-react, maybe go look for him. If she ignored Todd he would go back home to Ohio. She found it difficult to believe he was hiding in the bushes that night. He would never get his shoes dirty. That’s what had her wondering. Could all this be tied to Jasmine’s boat accident? She would keep digging.
“Don’t keep this stuff to yourself. Who knows, you might be on to something.”
“Or I might be making up a really good crime novel?” she asked sarcastically.
“Well, you are unemployed.” A slow grin spread across his face.
“Cute.”
“That is my middle name. Finish your food,” he ordered.
Chapter Twenty-Two
The jukebox hummed in the background as Jena took a drink of her milkshake. She glanced at Chase in time to see him dragging his hands over his face.
“What’s wrong?” she asked.
“Listen carefully to the song,” he answered.
She lowered her glass slowly. Leaning forward with wide eyes she whispered, “Oh my God, it’s you.”
“Yeah, guilty.” He appeared less than excited.
“You’re really very good.” She grinned at him before taking the last bite of her cheeseburger.
“Thanks, but it’s a little embarrassing when you’re on a date and the background music is you.”
“I think it’s sweet.” She knew by the look on his face she hadn’t hidden her amusement.
He nodded. “Sweet, sure, that’s what I was going for.”
Jena’s gaze went past Chase to a little girl with blonde locks waving frantically in their direction. Her father was speaking to her as the mother smiled apologetically.
Jena motioned in the direction over Chase’s shoulder. “I think that little girl played your song. It seems you have admirers of all ages. Wave at her,” she urged.
“You’re asking me to flirt?” he teased. Chase flashed a smile over his shoulder and waved. The young girl jumped off her seat and made a run for their table. Her horrified father was right behind her.
“I apologize for the interruption.” He rested his hands on his daughter’s shoulders. “She’s a big fan of yours.”
“That’s fine.” Jena smiled broadly. “What’s your name, honey?”
“Elizabeth,” she grinned.
“It’s very nice to meet you, Elizabeth. Do you know my friend, Chase?”
“I know who he is.” She shyly looked at her feet.
Jena motioned for the girl to come closer. “Do you want to know a secret?” she whispered.
The little girl nodded exuberantly.
“His song was on the jukebox.” She stole a quick glance in Chase’s direction to see amusement on his face.
“I played that song!” she pointed to herself. “I’m going to marry him someday.”
Jena laughed. “Oh, no! Not more competition.”
Elizabeth’s eyes narrowed. “Are you his wife?”
“Yes, she is.” Chase chimed in for the first time.
Jena flashed a look of annoyance in his direction before replying, “No, I’m not his wife, honey.” Elizabeth appeared confused, but Jena couldn’t allow her to believe a lie.
“She’s not my wife yet, but she’s going to be.” Chase focused his attention on Jena and the look he gave her was an apparent challenge to argue his point.
Jena reached for her purse, grateful to have something to do to avoid his stare. “Here’s a pen,” she handed it to the little girl. “I bet if you ask, he’ll give you an autograph.”
Elizabeth shyly asked, “Can I have your autograph?”
Chase chuckled. “You most certainly can.”
Jena watched with a smile as Chase wrote something on a napkin and handed it to their new friend.
“Thanks!” she grinned.
“I think we’ve taken enough of their time, Elizabeth. Thank you.” Her father ushered her back to their table.
Jena snapped, “Why would you tell her I was your wife? You need to stop saying those things. It’s going to end up in those silly papers.”
He employed that signature wink. “Would that be such a bad thing? To get the word out? I’m going to marry you, Jena Shea, it’s only a matter of time.”
She exhaled, speechless.
“Soon you’ll be writing your new name on the bottom of all my checks.” He laughed at his own joke, but she didn’t share his amusement.
A million thoughts ran through her head and she had an overwhelming urge to run. Tears filled her eyes.
He reached for her hand. “What? Most women would be ecstatic to spend someone else’s money.”
“I’m not most women,” Jena replied tensely.
“I know. That’s why I want to marry you.”
“It’s not the check comment. Hearing you sing, the autograph… you’re very good,” she acknowledged, remembering the sound of his voice. Hesitating, she said, “I realize you’re more than a regular guy I fell in love with.”
“Jen, I am that guy you fell in love with. This other stuff is my job. It’s part of me, but it doesn’t define me.” He squeezed her hand as a small smile crossed his lips. “I keep forgetting you haven’t heard me sing much. You’ll get used to it. You’ll see the behind-the-scenes and understand it’s not all that glamorous.” Chase’s forehead wrinkled with concern. “You’re still going to give this a try, right?”
Jena nodded slowly. “Yes, I promised. I really hope we can make this work. I hope I’m strong enough to be a part of this life. I want to be, but I have my doubts.” She inhaled deeply before adding in a low voice, “I’m afraid, Chase. What if we force this and in five years we fall apart? I don’t want to hurt like that again.” The depth of her honesty took her by surprise. She was beginning to open up to him again.
“The only thing forced is your fears. You don’t want to be afraid. I see it in your eyes every time I kiss you. We love each other, Jen. Don’t keep putting up walls because I was a stupid kid ten years ago. I promise you, this is different. I’m not going to walk out on you again. I can’t promise I won’t make you furious from time to time, but hurt you? No, I’m going to love you until the end of time. So, quit creating outcomes in your head and let us move forward like it’s supposed to happen.”
“Chase, I…”
“Let the walls down, Beautiful. Let this happen,” he challenged.
She nodded reluctantly.
“Besides, you handled the autograph request fine.”
He was teasing her and Jena scowled. “She was as young as Andrea. Hold your judgment until it’s some eighteen year-old with big boobs and a proposition.”
“I’ll have you know that young lady wanted to marry me,” he reminded her with a raise of the eyebrows.
Jena laughed. “By the time she’s of marriageable age I’ll be cleaning drool off your face.”
“That’s not funny, Jen.”
She giggled. “Really? Because I thought it was hilarious.”
“Are you ready?” he asked while playfully throwing a napkin in her direction.
Jena scooted back her chair to stand. “What? My date is over already? It’s not even dark yet.”
“No, your date’s not over. I have plenty more ideas.”
The way he said the words, like an invitation for seduction, left Jena tingling from head to toe in anticipation. She had a sudden mental picture of his hands touching her everywhere and quickly shook it off.
“Jena? You ready?” he asked while throwing some cash on the table.
The scraping of his chair as he pushed it under the table jolted her to the present. “Sorry. I was lost in thought.”
“I sure would like to be in your head right now,” he mumbled as he led her to the door. “It would make things a whole hell of a lot easier.”
“Trust me, it’s not safe there.”
He gently captured her upper arm, stopping short of the door. His warm breath brought goose bumps to her skin as he said quietly in her ear, “Baby, I don’t like safe.” He paused, brushing his lips along her neck, and released her. She couldn’t look at him. Jena focused on walking through the door he held open for her.
The trembling started, the fast beating heart, the fluttering in her stomach…it was all there. The promise in his words left her blood pumping with anticipation. She wanted him to take her home with him. Could she say the words? She turned to him as they approached his truck.
“Chase,” she searched his eyes, willing the words to come. “I…”
The cell phone ringing in his pocket had her closing her eyes with frustration. She would never find the words now. She lacked the courage.
Chase glanced at his phone before answering. “Hey, Mrs. R., what’s up? You’re not bugging us. What’s wrong?”
A frown appeared on Chase’s face. Her stomach wrenched as he paced. Something was wrong with Andrea. Mrs. R. would not call them unless there was an emergency. Jena concentrated on breathing as she attempted to keep the panic at bay.
“Okay, we’re on our way,” Chase assured Mrs. R. before ending the call.
“What’s going on?” Jena blurted as she did her level best to keep up with Chase’s strides to the truck.
“It might not be anything. Mrs. R. walked in on Andrea talking on the phone to someone. She heard her promise the person on the other end she wouldn’t tell. Andrea refused to tell Mrs. R. who the caller was.” Chase glanced at Jena before opening her door. “She’s in her room waiting for us,” he said tightly.
Was Chase worried or angry? Had he told her everything? “Chase, you’re scaring me,” she admitted as he slammed his door shut and tore out of the parking lot.
“I don’t like it, Jen. She’s not grieving for her mother and she’s talking to God-knows-who on the phone. We’ve had people lurking around the house. I don’t know what to think,” he huffed.
“What are you going to say to her? We can’t get emotional. We have to stay calm.”
“Like she is? That’s your job description, not mine. I think she needs someone to get emotional with her.”
Jena flinched at his words. He didn’t mean them as an insult. She took a deep breath before asking, “So, you think this has something to do with…everything?”
“I don’t know. I really don’t know, but I intend on finding out. No one messes with my family. No one,” he replied angrily while keeping his eyes to the road.
Chapter Twenty-Three
“Andrea Marie Reiss, I’m going to ask you this one time.” Chase spoke sternly. “Who was on the phone?”
Jena was a wreck. She didn’t know what to say or how to react. She didn’t know how to be a mother.
Their niece sulked in silence, staring at the ground. “Answer him, Andrea” Jena replied evenly.
“You’re not my mommy!” she screamed with her hands balled into tiny fists.
Jena gasped at the outburst. Calm was out the window. “No, I’m not your mommy. I’ll never be her, but I’m what you’re left with.” She fought the tears that threatened to spill over. “My sister left me a precious gift…you…and I promised to take care of you. I won’t let her down, so you’re stuck with me.”
“I’m waiting for that answer,” Chase demanded. More silence. He took Jena’s hand and held it up in front of them. “Do you see this, Andrea? It’s called a united front.” He held his hand out to his niece. “Do you want to be a part of this? If you do, you’re going to have to be honest and be a part of this family.”