Coveting Love (Jessica Crawford) (38 page)

They feasted on roasted lamb, wild rice, and roasted asparagus with lemon and garlic. When she didn’t think she could eat another bite, a waiter set down a slice of chocolate torte with raspberry sauce in front of her. She had to admit, she had never tasted such splendor, even from her mother’s own kitchen. When the waitress came to refill their wine glasses, Jessica sent her compliments to the chef.

Despite her reluctance to come, Jessica found she actually was enjoying Jeffrey’s company. His jovial demeanor and good sense of humor made it difficult not to be fascinated. He told stories of his travels that far surpassed even the most exciting of places Jessica had been. She caught herself comparing him to Brandon and was annoyed for doing so.

Jeffrey kept his promise and didn’t mention Brandon once.

After dinner, he drove her back to her apartment and asked to see her up, claiming he just wanted to make sure she made it home safely. She declined his invitation, not wanting Karen to see her with him.

She thanked him for dinner and reminded him of his promise to leave her alone.

“
I said I would.”

“
Goodnight, then.”

The telephone began ringing just as she was inserting her key into the lock. Working frantically, she hurried to open it. She caught it just in time, surprised to find Brandon on the other end.

She pushed away feelings of guilt in an attempt to sound as normal as possible.

“
Hey, beautiful, where have you been? I’ve been calling all night. I was beginning to get worried about you.

There went her best efforts. Guilt descended upon her like a stone boulder dropped from a thirteenth floor window. She swallowed hard and bit her tongue. “I’m sorry, Brandon. I was working late tonight, and then I went out with a friend and grabbed something to eat. I just now walked in the door.” Guilt…guilt…guilt.

“
How come you didn’t answer your cell?”

“
Sorry, I guess I left it at the office.”

“
Oh. Well, I’m glad you made it home safely. I was afraid I was going to have to call out the National Guard,” he teased, chuckling.

She found it hard to respond to his wry humor, and found it even harder to talk to him after having just come from dinner with his brother. She stressed how tired she was and asked if he would mind calling back tomorrow.

“
Are you sure you’re all right?” he asked, concern edging his voice. “You sound sort of off.”

“
I’m fine, just tired. It’s been a long day and it’s late. I’m sorry I worried you.”

She hung up the phone and went into the kitchen to prepare her nightly tea. Just as she was sitting down, the telephone rang again. She glanced at her watch and frowned, wondering who would be calling her at such a late hour.

Expecting to find that Brandon had called back, forgetting to tell her something, she was unprepared when Jeffrey called her name.

“
Jessica, please don’t hang up,” he said, rushing to say it before she could hang up. “I just wanted to say thank you for having dinner with me tonight. I really enjoyed myself, and I think you did, too. I also wanted to tell you that I think Brandon’s one hell of a lucky guy. I sure hope he knows what a jewel he’s getting.”

Before she could respond, the line went dead. She sat in disbelief with the phone still nestled next to her ear. How could Brandon so desperately hate someone with such charm and consideration of other people? She thought of the roses Jeffrey had sent her.

She went to bed feeling confused about her feelings. She loved Brandon, but at the same time, she felt an attraction to Jeffrey. She felt warm and comfortable with Brandon, but alive and exciting with Jeffrey.

His carefree lifestyle fascinated her. She enjoyed hearing of his travels, and of all the exotic people he had met. She knew her life with Brandon would be a good one, safe, secure. However, a life with Jeffrey promised fun and adventure.

Jeffrey’s presence in her life had definitely had an effect on her. Oh, how she wished she had never met him.

She slept a troubled sleep that night. Thoughts of Brandon and Jeffrey twisted through her mind. In one dream, she had married Brandon. She envisioned them together on an outing with their children, sipping iced tea on a hot summer night, laughing together on the porch of a farmhouse. Then she dreamt of marrying Jeffrey. They traveled to foreign lands and made passionate love every night. In this dream, she sparkled with jewels, and every time she thought she had enough, Jeffrey presented her with more.

She woke the next morning feeling hung-over and desperate. She dragged herself to the kitchen and put on coffee. Then she took a shower and dressed methodically.

On her way to the shower, she stopped and glanced at a picture of Brandon and herself on the dresser. They had posed for it on a day cruise in the harbor the previous month. They were smiling at the camera and appeared to be madly in love. The man who had taken the photo had even commented on it. Brandon had framed it and given it to her as a gift. She was touched; it was such a thoughtful gift. How could she even think of betraying him with his own brother?

When she arrived at work, Sandy greeted her with a smile. She did not return it.

“
You have a surprise waiting for you on your desk,” Sandy said as she walked past her desk. “Although, I’m sure they are not much of a surprise anymore.”

Jessica frowned. “More roses?” she asked nervously.

Sandy nodded, waving her hand in the direction of her office. Sighing, Jessica went into her office and closed the door. This time there was a card. She removed it carefully, reading to herself the words that were about to change her life.

Dearest Jessica:

After savoring your beauty last night, I have decided I cannot give you up.

If Brandon wants you badly enough he will have to fight for you.

Lovingly yours,

Jeffrey.

**********

CHAPTER 23

People filled Sarah Crawford’s living room, anxiously waiting to see their dear friend walk down the aisle to happiness. They had to clear all of the furniture in order to accommodate the amount of chairs needed to seat all of the guests. She had opted for a home wedding over a church wedding. Rev. Matthew Clarke, the senior pastor, and good friend from her church, would be officiating the ceremony.

Jessica peered down from the top of the stairs, gasping as she saw the crowd. She went back into the room to join her mother.

“
I thought you said this was only going to be a small affair. There must be a hundred and fifty people down there.”

“
I know,” Sarah said. “We had some last minute additions to the list.”

Jessica frowned.

Sarah sighed. “You know how it is. Once people find out they are not invited they get snippety. Therefore, you just pretend their invitation ‘must have gotten lost in the mail’ and you send them another. It’s the way it is when you live in a small town.”

“
I see your point. Are you sure we’re going to have enough food to feed all these people?”

“
Yes. Don’t worry about that. Grant and I took care of all the last minute additions. The caterers were very cooperative.”

Relieved, Jessica quit worrying about it. She looked at her mother and admired how lovely she looked. She wore an ivory dress, calf length with a flowing skirt, slightly longer in the back, beaded around the neck.

She smiled at her mother and sat down on the edge of the bed. “You look beautiful. I am so happy this day has finally arrived for you. Just think, in just a short while I’m going to have a new father. It’s a strange thought after all these years.”

Sarah came to join her daughter on the edge of the bed. Taking her hand in her own, she smiled into her face. She felt so lucky on this day. Life had given her a second chance at happiness. She only wished she felt certain that her daughter’s own happiness was as secure.

“
Jessie, my sweet baby Jessie; I want you to know that marrying Grant doesn’t change anything between us. You are still welcome here anytime. This is still your home. Grant thinks the world of you, and I know the two of you are going to be just fine.”

“
Thanks, Mom. I know we will, too,” she said with a smile, squeezing her mother’s hand in reassurance. “Now, I think I had better go downstairs and see what’s going on.”

As she was about to open the door, someone knocked on it. She opened it to find Amy staring back at her.

“
Amy!” she exclaimed. She was overwhelmed with happiness at seeing her friend. She hugged her close, as close as her protruding abdomen would allow, that is, then stepped back to look at her. “You look round as a barrel,” she teased, patting her midsection. “How are you feeling?”

Amy laughed. “Just fine,” she replied. “Both of us,” she added. “Sorry we’re so late in arriving. Randy had trouble getting out of the office on time, and then the plane had a slight delay while they repaired one of the engines. I was really getting worried that we wouldn’t make it at all.”

“
Well, I’m sure glad you did,” Sarah said, coming to join the two girls. “It wouldn’t have been the same without you here. Besides, what would we have done without the best man?” she joked.

Jessica excused herself and continued her plight downstairs to check on the progress of the guests. Amy came to give Sarah a few last minute tidings. Sarah eyed the younger girl with pleasure.

“
You look happy.”

Amy smiled at the woman she had viewed as a second mother for so many years now. “I really am. It’s hard to believe that just a few short months ago I didn’t know which way my life was going. I felt as if the earth was going to open up and swallow me inside.” She laughed.

Sarah smiled at the image of Amy, several months pregnant, sinking into the ground.

Amy continued, grinning. “I really am lucky to have found Randy. He makes me happier than I ever could have hoped.”

“
I’m glad to hear that. I was worried about you there for a while. Do you have any regrets about not telling the baby’s father about him, or her?” she asked.

“
No, no regrets. Compared to Randy, Bob was a real jerk. I don’t think what Bob did to me was right, and I certainly don’t want him around to influence my baby. Anyway, he made it clear to me; there is no room for me in his life. Besides, you should see the way Randy fusses over this baby. You never in a million years would guess it wasn’t his.

“
Well, enough about me. How is Jessie doing, really? Sometimes I get the feeling she’s not being honest with me, she seems all twisted up.”

“
I know what you mean. Sometimes she seems blissful, and other times she gets this far away expression on her face, as if something is bothering her. When I ask her, she denies it. I’m worried about her. I was hoping maybe she had confided something to you.”

“
No, but I know what you’re feeling because I have the same feeling. I had hoped it was just her trip to Australia, but she has had plenty of time to recover from that. She says she doesn’t hold any grudges, so I think something else is bothering her. Quite honestly, I don’t think she will open up to me, at least not in my present condition. She worries about me, and I know she doesn’t want to put any more strain on me before the baby comes.”

The sounds of music drifted up from below. “I guess that’s my cue,” Sarah said.

“
I guess so,” Amy agreed. “Before we go, I have something to say to you. I don’t think I’ve ever taken the time to really thank you for all you’ve done for me since my mother died. You have taken her place the best you could. You’ve been there when I needed a hug, given advice when I needed to be set straight, my wedding, and for all the little important things in between. Thank you, Sarah; you truly are a wonderful mother. Be happy. If anyone ever deserved happiness, it’s you. I love you.”

Jessica burst through the door. “They need a bride downstairs! Come on, break it up, light a candle, beat the feet.”

“
Enough of the clichés, I’m coming.” Sarah jumped to her feet and gave Amy a last minute hug. “I love you, too,” she whispered in her ear. “It’s been an honor playing your second mother.” She patted her swollen belly. “And I’ll be the best grandmother, too.”

Sarah walked out of the room and saw Tom Jenkins standing at the top of the stairs, waiting with one outstretched arm to escort her to the altar. Tom, and his wife, Lacy, had been her neighbors, and good friends for many years. He squeezed her hand as she laced it through his arm. They were thrilled that their good friend was finding happiness after so many years.

He gave her a smile as they began their walk to her new future. “Here’s to happiness,” he said as they took the first step.

The wedding was simple, elegant, and tearful. The tissue boxes flowed freely through the entire ceremony. Sarah looked beautiful in her crème colored dress. Sarah was a woman at whom to marvel. She had everything going for her. She was an outstanding woman of high moral character, trim, healthy, helpful to others, and quite attractive.

As they said their final vows, Grant turned and kissed his bride amidst a roaring cheer from the audience. Rev. Clarke introduced them as Mr. and Mrs. Jackson, and they walked back down the aisle. The audience threw white confetti at them as they passed. Sarah looked like a snow angel by the time she reached her back patio, where the reception would take place. They all followed and began the traditions of cutting the cake and dancing.