Chapter 13
Awkward did not even come close to describing the feeling she had about seeing Jared this morning, but the smell of the coffee filtering up the stairs into her room was too much temptation. Why had she told him about having her heart broken? It had been humiliating then and it was humiliating now. With a sigh she swung her door open and headed downstairs. One thing she wasn’t was a coward. She may be a dumbass, but never a coward.
To her surprise Jill and Adam both sat at the table while Jared stood over the stove…barefoot. How in the hell can a man’s bare feet sticking out from his faded jeans be sexy?
“Good morning.” Jared smiled over his shoulder, his eyes roaming up and down her body in slow appreciation. “Coffee’s ready if you need a pick me up.”
“Thanks.” Tessa nodded making a bee line toward the counter keeping her eyes on the coffee pot and off the way Jared’s snug jeans rode low on his hips. Grabbing her favorite ‘I drink coffee for your protection’ mug filling it with hot steamy coffee she took a deep breath filling her senses with the aroma.
“You want an omelet?” Jared smiled at her when she turned around.
“You have to eat one of these Tess.” Adam pointed at the huge omelet with his fork before taking another hearty bite. “Where did you learn to cook like this?”
“When you’ve been around as long as I have you pick stuff up.” Jared replied with a chuckle. “You could say I’ve mastered a lot of things.” His heated eyes landed on her.
Tessa had just taken a sip of coffee which came sputtering back up, her eyes narrowing at Jared who was leaning against the stove his eyes gleaming. He was not going to let the book issue go…the jerk.
“How about it Tessa? You want a taste of my….” His grin became downright wicked. “omelet?”
Tessa rolled her eyes at his double meaning. “Think I’ll pass.” She took another sip of coffee eyeing him over the rim.
“You don’t know what you’re missing.” Adam replied not taking his eyes from his plate.
“She sure doesn’t.” Jared gave her a wink before he turned serious. “You know I don’t think I’ve seen you eat anything since I’ve been here.”
“She don’t eat.” Adam frowned. “Not since that a*shole kept on her about losing weight.”
“Who, the sheriff?” Jared slammed the spatula down.
“Yeah. He was always here trying to run the show, telling Tessa how to..”
“Adam shut up and finish your breakfast.” Tessa broke in giving her brother the evil eyeball.
“I’m finished.” He pushed his empty plate away.
“Okay, then shut up.” Tessa countered putting her empty coffee cup in the sink. “I’m sure no one wants to hear about Sheriff Otis Bowman. I know I sure as hell don’t.”
“Otis?” Jared snorted. “His name is Otis?”
“Otis T. Bowman. And he’s a real a*shole.” Adam sneered.
“With a name like that I guess he is.” Jared snickered.
“He’s given Tessa so many tickets since she broke it off with him it ain’t even funny. He always finds a reason to harass her and now since this has happened…” Adam flashed his fangs, “he likes to give me crap. He says he will stop when she forgives him. I’m surprised he hasn’t been around. He’s going to have a cow when he finds out about you guys.”
“He ain’t going to like it.” Jill’s soft voice broke in. “I’m glad you didn’t marry him Tessa.”
Embarrassment heated her cheeks. Everyone in town knew that the day they put Gramps in the nursing home was the day she found her finance and best friend in bed together. She had been so upset about Gramps she had wanted to talk to her best friend and went to her apartment. Her suspicion spiked when she saw Otis’s car. Everyone but her had known they were messing around.
“Yeah, me too Jill.” Tessa smiled at the girl who rarely spoke. “And on that note I’m out of here. Is there anything you guys need at the store. I can get a few things now. I have to get my last check out of Bobby and I don’t know how easy that’s going to be.”
“Did he fire you?” Adam frowned.
“No, but I’m sure he will as soon as I show up for my shift.” Tessa grabbed her checkbook and keys. “I’m just going for basics now, but if you need anything I can try to get it.”
Jared pulled a wad of cash out of his wallet. Counting out a few bills he handed them to her. “Here. Get everything you need.”
Tessa looked at the two hundred dollars without taking it. “I can’t take that.”
He grabbed her hand placing the money into it. “Yes, you can.” He then closed her hand around the money. “I eat….a lot.”
Slowly she pulled her hand away already missing the feel of his strong hold. “Thank you.” Tessa put the money away still not feeling right and knew without a doubt she would be giving him change back. She was the coupon queen.
“Well since big guy there is paying how about some steaks for dinner tonight.” Adam leaned back in his chair stretching. “A big old rare steak would hit the spot. We can fire up the grill.”
“That sounds good.” Jill looked up from her drawing pad. “I haven’t had steak in forever.”
“How about it Jared?” Adam stood taking his plate to the sink. “You know how to grill?”
“Just call me master griller.” Jared grinned placing his plate on the table before sitting down. “I’m so good it’ll make your mouth water.” He wiggled his eyebrows at Tessa who rolled her eyes before walking out the door.
“Sounds like someone needs to teach old Oat some manners?” Jared said between bites of omelet after Tessa left.
Jill and Adam glanced at each other. “You know the fair is going on this weekend?” Adam grinned.
“And your point is?” Jared wiped his mouth with a napkin and tossed it on his empty plate. Standing he poured himself a cup of coffee.
“Can we go?” Jill ask, rare excitement shining from her eyes.
“We have training tonight.” Jared stood to get more coffee.
“Ah, come on. Missing one night ain’t gonna kill us and…” Adam smirked. “Sheriff Oat will be there.”
Jared turned around with a steamy cup of coffee and evil grin. “Is that so?”
Both Adam and Jill nodded wearing matching grins.
********
Tessa was heading into the nursing home when her phone dinged. Glancing at the text she grinned reading the excitement in Adam’s text telling her that Jared was taking them to the fair. It had been years since she had gone to the county fair. She was usually working the bar and never had the chance to go. She stopped by the bar and Bobby had her check waiting along with her pink slip. She was no longer employed so it looked like she was free to go to the fair this year.
Tessa nodded and greeted a few of the residents who were on the front patio enjoying the last days of summer before walking through the automatic doors. Taking a quick look around she was relieved Mr. Weston was nowhere to be seen. She seriously doubted Adam had followed through with his promise to supply condoms to the poor old man and she really didn’t want to be faced with that embarrassing situation again.
Stopping at her grandfather’s room she saw that it was empty and headed to the sunroom. There he sat, alone, staring out the window at the birds happily flipping from one bird feeder to the next while life went on around him. It totally broke her heart.
Coming up to his side so she didn’t startle him she placed her hand on his shoulder, leaning down kissing his wrinkled cheek. “Good morning Gramps.” Tessa pulled a chair up beside him. When he didn’t respond or even look her way she placed her hand on top of his and sat watching the birds with him. She hated the silence between them. He was the only person she could ever really talk to. He understood her and stood by her through thick and thin. Her heart ached to talk to him, especially now.
Squeezing his hand lightly she sighed. “I met a man Gramps.” Tessa said quietly still watching the birds with him. Even though he probably wouldn’t respond the need to talk to him was so overwhelming her mouth just opened, the words coming without thought. “But I’m really afraid of getting hurt again. He teases me a lot, so I think you would like him.” Tessa chuckled. Gramps had loved to tease her unmercifully.
She glanced to see if there was any change in his expression, but it remained as when she walked into the room, his eyes still staring out the window. “His name is Jared Kincaid.” She decided to leave the part about how they met out. “He’s very handsome and nice. He’s also been helping me and Adam.”
She had never felt more alone in her life than at that moment, but then her grandfather’s bony hand turned to grasp hers in a weak squeeze. Tessa also tightened her grip, but not enough to hurt him, just a comfort squeeze. Tears welled up in her eyes, but she did her best to hold them back. She kept quiet trying to get her emotions in check. The last thing she wanted to do was upset him. No matter what his doctors said she knew he could hear her, could understand her. If he couldn’t do those things then why when she mentioned Jared was helping her and Adam did he give any type of recognition by squeezing her hand? Adam as well as herself had been the focal point of her grandfather’s life and he theirs. They had all counted on each other.
“What should I do Gramps?” Tessa finally asked keeping the tears out of her voice, not expecting him to answer. And he didn’t answer…in the usual way, but turned placing his other hand just above her heart, a lone tear caught in the corner of his eye.
This time Tessa let the tears fall because she knew exactly what he meant. “Follow my heart.” She whispered the words he had told her a million times while she was growing up, but was unable to speak the words he wanted her to hear. He showed her the best way he could. His eyes lifted to hers releasing the lone tear that slowly trailed down his dear wrinkled cheek.