Meant To Be (11 page)

Her hand halted halfway to her mouth. ‘An even better catch'? What in God's name was she thinking? She didn't want a man in her life. And she didn't deserve a decent man like this one, not after the gazillion bad choices she'd made.

But he doesn't have to know about any of that,
her heart argued back.
Your old life is a million miles away, and if he hasn't looked into your past by now, why would he?

"Jess? Hey, you all right? You're starting to look a little green around the gills."

She set the sandwich down on her plate and got up to get them something to drink. “I'm fine,” she said as she poured them each a glass of milk. “Just rethinking putting a greasy grilled sandwich in my stomach at,” she glanced at the clock, “one o'clock in the morning. Probably should've just had a plain old ham and cheese on rye."

She wasn't sure whether he bought it or not, but he smiled as he wiped the crumbs from his hands and mouth. “Well, they were tasty, so I'm glad I have an iron stomach. Sorry, boy,” he said as he set Mr. Louie on the floor and rose to his feet.

Jessica carried their plates and glasses to the sink, and when she turned back around, Garrett was waiting for her with an outstretched hand and a smile. Pushing all thoughts of her loser ex-husband from her mind, Jessica slipped her hand into Garrett's and followed him back to the bedroom.

Incessant pounding on her back door woke Jessica up out of a sound sleep. She squinted her eyes against the early morning sun filtering in through the blinds and sat up with a jaw-popping yawn. Beside her, Garrett slept like the dead. With a shake of her head, she slipped out of bed.

After a quick glance at the clock, she shrugged into her robe and headed into the kitchen. A groan escaped her when she pulled back the curtains and saw Ethan standing there, looking none too happy. What in God's name were Mike and Sara thinking letting the little bugger roam the streets at seven o'clock in the morning? Pasting a smile of welcome on her face, she opened the door.

"Morning, Ethan. What can I do for you?"

He glared up at her. “Is my uncle Garrett here? We have to finish building my dog house."

With a silent sigh, Jessica unlatched the screen door and let him inside. “Why don't you have a seat at the kitchen table, and I'll go get your uncle."

"Great, more freakin’ banging,” she grumbled as she stalked back into her bedroom. She stood beside the bed with her arms crossed glaring down at the oblivious man. A reluctant smile lifted her lips when he rolled onto his side and reached for her, then patted the bed as if she'd somehow gotten lost in the comforter.

"I'm right here, Jamison. And I'd advise you get your lazy bones up and dressed. Ethan is sitting at my kitchen table waiting for you to come finish his dog house."

He sat up in a rush, eyes widened in comical dismay. “Shit, I completely forgot. Does he know I'm here?"

She rolled her eyes. “Uh, yeah, brainiac, he came looking for you. Why do you think he's sitting in my kitchen looking like I stole his best friend?"

Garrett rubbed his face with both hands and muttered, “Jesus, someone's a grouch this morning."

She gathered his clothes from around the room and tossed them on the bed. “I'm in a great mood. Now get dressed and get the hell out."

Chuckling, he slipped into his slacks, then pulled on and buttoned his shirt. “Aren't you going to cook me breakfast?"

She let out a loud snort.

Laughing, he took her into his arms. “All right, grumpy goose, you climb back into bed. I'll take Ethan home and beg some breakfast from Sara. And I'll eat slow so you should get another hour of sleep before the hammering starts."

"Don't do me any favors,” she groused against his chest. Grumpy goose? How could the man make her feel like a woman all night long then, within the space of a heartbeat, a five-year-old child?

"Come on, Uncle Garrett!” Ethan hollered from the kitchen. “You promised!"

Garrett kissed her on the top of the head and gave her a quick swat on the backside. He strode out the door, his jacket and tie slung over his shoulder, whistling a merry tune. Jessica swung her foot at him, but all she did was stir the air. With a sigh of disappointment, she climbed back into bed and pulled the covers over her head.

By the time Jessica opened her eyes again it was just before nine o'clock. She could hear the guys hammering, but it wasn't a steady pounding like last time. She sat up with a groan, deciding a pot of coffee was in order. Usually she started the day with a cup of tea, but after the wonderfully exhausting night she'd had, a cup of tea just wouldn't do the job.

She tossed the covers back and slid from the bed, amazed to discover she was even sorer than she'd been two hours ago. And she had to work second shift tonight, she remembered with another groan.

After putting on the coffee, she jumped in the shower, anxious for the steaming spray to ease her aching muscles. She closed her eyes, flattened her palms against the white tile, and let the hot water work its magic.

Twenty minutes later, she emerged from the bathroom feeling a hundred percent better. She slipped on her robe and headed back into the kitchen for coffee and breakfast. She slathered two slices of toast with butter and strawberry jam, then carried everything into the living room.

She'd just picked up her second piece of toast when a special report interrupted the talk show she'd been watching.
Perfect opportunity to go top off my coffee
, she thought. She slapped the toast back down on her plate, grabbed her coffee mug and headed into the kitchen.

Her breath caught as she gazed out the window and caught sight of a shirtless Garrett, hands on his hips, a huge smile on his face as he gazed down at his nephew. Garrett threw back his head and laughed, as did Ethan, and Jessica's heart swelled, filling her entire chest. She was in love with the man. The truth hit her with such force she dropped her coffee cup into the sink.

"Dammit!” Jessica took a deep breath and let it out slowly. She really needed to get a grip. She glanced out the window again and the sight of Garrett swinging a laughing Ethan around brought tears to her eyes.

She placed her hand against her belly with a start as a thought occurred to her. A thought she hadn't let her mind dwell on in the heat of the moment, but was hitting her like a slap of cold reality in the light of day. They hadn't used protection, and she was smack dab in the middle of her cycle. Right now, Garrett's child could be growing inside her. A wave of dizziness overcame her. She staggered into the living room and collapsed onto the rocker-recliner.

The thought that she could be pregnant scared the hell out of her. But Garrett was a wonderful man, and just from watching his interaction with his nephew she had no doubt he'd make a wonderful father—caring, loving, protective.

She massaged her throbbing temples and returned her attention to the television just as the special report was wrapping up. A bus had been sideswiped by a moving van, then crashed into a telephone pole. No fatalities, thank God, but several people had been taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Jessica turned the television off, leaned her head back, and closed her eyes. Mr. Louie jumped up on her lap and made himself comfortable.

As she stroked his back she couldn't help wondering what her life would be like if she was, in fact, pregnant with Garrett's child. Would he marry her? Did she even want to get married again? He could be a crabby SOB ... but hey, so could she. They barely knew each other, yet sometimes when he looked at her, she felt like they'd known each forever. And they were certainly a perfect fit, as ridiculous as that seemed considering he was over a foot taller than her and outweighed her by at least a hundred and fifty pounds.

But, wow ... she'd never felt more safe than when Garrett held her in his arms. He was such an incredible lover, too, although she'd keep that bit of news to herself since his head was big enough already. And he'd certainly come a long way with Mr. Louie, she thought as she scratched behind the lazy fur ball's ears.

For the first time in a very long time she felt like maybe a husband and children were in the cards for her after all. Maybe God planned on giving her a second chance.

Remembering she had a couple of loads of laundry to get done before her shift started, Jessica set a disgruntled Mr. Louie on the floor and headed for the basement. She'd just finished folding the second load when the phone rang.

"Hello?"

"Hi, may I please speak to Jessica?"

"This is Jessica. Can I help you?"

"Jessica, this is Pam Harty, I'm a triage nurse at St. Mary's Hospital. I'm calling to inform you that your husband was in a bus accident today."

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"You wanna run that by me again?” Assaulted by warring emotions, Jessica stumbled back until her heel collided with the sofa and plopped down before her knees could give out.

"I realize this is a shock, but let me assure you your husband is going to be fine. He's suffered several contusions, mostly on his face and chest, and he broke both his left leg and left arm. He's pretty crabby, but considering all he's been through—"

"Are you talking about Wade? Wade Hastings? He was in that bus accident?"

"Yes. Mrs. Hastings, are you all right? Your husband can't be released from the hospital unless someone is here to drive him home, but frankly, it doesn't sound like you're in any condition—"

"Here, let me talk to her,” said the one voice she'd hoped to never hear again. Jessica squeezed her eyes shut and prayed it was just some horrific joke. “Hey, baby, you there?"

Nope, no joke, she thought, fighting to hold on to her composure. She'd never have believed God could be this cruel.

"Come on, Jessie, talk to me."

"How did you get my number?” she demanded, relieved to hear the confidence in her voice. “And what the hell are you doing in Green Bay?"

"Hey, darlin', can I get a little privacy here?” Jessica heard him ask in that slithery voice she used to find so attractive. “Jessie, can we talk about all that later? I really need you to come pick me up. They won't let me leave without a ride."

Jessica couldn't believe her ears. After everything that'd happened, he actually expected her to come pick him up? She felt a hysterical urge to laugh only there wasn't a damn thing funny about any of this. “You must be out of your mind. I told you I never wanted to see you again, and I meant it!"

"Calm down.” He lowered his voice. “Look, I know you don't owe me a damn thing, but I'm begging you, please, come pick me up. I've got a cast on my arm and on my leg, my head is bandaged up. Hell, I can't even take a piss on my own. Baby, I'm begging you. I'd get down on my hands and knees if I could."

Jessica closed her eyes and sucked in a deep breath. Why the hell was this happening? Just when her life had taken a turn for the better, the devil was trying to worm his way back in. Because of him, she'd been depressed for the better part of two years, unable to leave the house, crying herself to sleep almost every night. It wasn't until Uncle Charlie announced his plan to travel the world and offered her the use of his home that Jessica finally knew it was time. She'd grieved, and now it was time to try and move on with her life. Marky would understand.

"Come on, baby, please. I need you."

Jessica shot to her feet and started pacing. “You call me baby one more time and I'm hanging up."

He had the nerve to chuckle. “I'll be good, I promise."

She stopped pacing and leaned against the wall, tipping her head back. “If I pick you up, where am I dropping you off?"

"I came all this way just to see you. I was hoping I could stay with you—"

"Forget it. No way in hell."

"Damn, Jessie, have a heart. I can barely fucking move.” He paused, and she could hear him sigh in frustration. “I'm sorry, it's just ... you know I don't do helpless well. You used to know me better than anyone."

Her lip started to quiver and she hated herself for feeling even an ounce of compassion for him. But she'd loved him so much at one time—at least, she'd thought it was love. And though his carelessness had cost them their son, he was still Marky's father.

"It would only be for a week or two,” he assured her. “Just till I'm mobile enough to travel back to Seattle. Please, Jessie, I won't be any trouble, you have my word."

She must be nuts to even consider picking this man up let alone allow him to stay in her home, even if it was for only a week. She must truly have lost her mind.

"I'll be there as soon as I can."

Jessica saw him as soon as she walked through the sliding double doors of the ER. He sat in a wheelchair looking incredibly bored, his broken leg in a full cast and propped up, his arm in a sling. A pair of clutches leaned against the wall beside him. His right cheek was bruised and his right eye black and blue, but it didn't look nearly as bad as the nurse had made it sound.

"You look terrible,” she lied, just to be ornery. Wade's good looks had always been more important to him than anything else.

"And you look even more beautiful than I remembered. I've missed you."

She cleared her throat and glanced around uncomfortably. “You never did tell me how you got my number. Or found out where I live."

He shrugged with his good shoulder and admitted, “My mom went into your parents’ shop for a coffee and overheard them talking."

"That was sneaky,” she said, truly hurt. “I've always thought better of your mother."

"Come on, you know my mom adores you. It's just, she thinks we belong together. So do I,” he added, reaching out to caress her arm.

She snatched her arm away. “Well, you and your mother both need to face reality. You and I are through, Wade. I don't know what else I can say to make it any more clear."

He stared at her for a moment in quiet contemplation. “Look, I don't want to cause you any more pain than I already have. But I love you. I've loved you for so long I don't know how to stop."