Chapter Fourteen
At ten in the morning, Jameson rang the doorbell. Caroline checked her hair one more time and put her hand on her stomach, feeling the butterflies. She opened the door and greeted him.
“I’m almost ready. Let me grab my purse. I wanted to stop at the bakery and pick up the pie. I ordered it last night. If you don’t have time, I can ask Nancy if I can borrow her car. Never mind, I don’t have a valid license,” she babbled.
“Good morning, Caroline. Of course, we can pick up the pie. Do you know how long you plan to stay? I’m not rushing you. I have some errands to run, and I’ll do the last few near your father’s house,” he explained.
“He naps at four. I figured I’d leave about thirty minutes before, giving Nancy time to help him back to bed. I want to help, but after all this time apart, I don’t want to make him uncomfortable,” she said, walking outside. Noticing Matthew’s truck waiting, she stopped. “Is Matthew taking me?”
“I asked him to follow us. After last night, you’re not comfortable with me,” he said, matter-of-factly.
“Oh, I didn’t…”
“It’s all right. I’m used to people assuming the worst about me. It’s nothing new. What type of pie did you order?”
“Apple crumble,” she replied, walking to his truck. Jameson held the door open for her. Instead of lifting her at the waist, he offered her his hand.
She took it, trying hard not to tremble. Once she settled, Jameson slid into the driver’s seat and started down the ranch’s driveway, headed toward Corpus Christi.
“Did you eat this morning?” he asked.
“No. I’ll eat when I get to Dad’s. I woke up late, and I barely got dressed in time.”
Jameson sighed. “You’re on your last week of medication. You can’t take it on an empty stomach. Did you remember to bring them with you? You have a dose at two.”
Surprised, her mouth opened as she realized he knew her schedule. “Yes, I have them. I can get something at the bakery,” she offered.
“You can’t tolerate a ton of sugar. It upsets your stomach. Remember: start with small amounts until your body adjusts,” he said, reminding her.
“Thank you for the reminder. The bakery used to have a small breakfast selection and fresh coffee.
“You’re welcome,” he said, pulling onto the street. “Do you have the address of the bakery?”
“Yes,” she said, taking out her phone. “It’s 1221 West Main.”
“We’re not too far away, you’ll have time to eat,” he said, keeping his eyes on the road.
Their conversation seemed stiff, unlike the ones they enjoyed in the past, even when Cain owned her.
Jameson found a parking spot across the street. “Do you want to go in by yourself?”
Caroline stared at the bakery. Even from across the street, it felt a mile away.
Enough room for Cain to drive up and whisk her away.
Getting free from him once seemed like a miracle.
If he took her again, she’d never see the light of day.
Her heart raced, and her palms grew sweaty as she gripped her purse and got out.
She heard Jameson utter, “Shit,” as he opened the door and escorted her across the street.
They almost reached the door when she turned to him.
“I’m sorry, okay? I don’t know what to think. I’m saying the wrong things, and you’re having to care for me like a child. At this point, I’m sure you’d rather have Matthew take me and be done with it,” she blurted.
Jameson turned his startled eyes toward her and led her away from the bakery.
“Let me make this clear. If I didn’t want to bring you, I have three brothers at home to cover for me. You’re recovering, and I dropped a bombshell on you. Yes, it’s awkward, but only because we’re making it feel this way. Take a breath with me, and let’s relax,” he said, peering into her eyes.
“I feel stupid,” she whispered.
“You’re the smartest woman I know,” he assured her. “I can prove it. I have never visited this bakery, and if the smells coming out of it are anything like the apple crumble, I’ll be jealous of your dad and Nancy.”
She grinned. “Let’s go in. It’ll get crowded soon, from what I remember.”
They entered the bakery, and Jameson clutched his chest as the heavenly scent drifted to their noses.
Caroline perused the glass display containing all kinds of goodies to tempt the palate.
“Look,” she exclaimed, pointing to the brownies. “It has dark chocolate, chocolate chunks, and caramel. I haven’t eaten one of these since…” she said, growing quiet.
“I’m not sure who can turn down a triple threat,” he said, glancing down into the case. “What’s that?” he asked, pointing to a slice of cake with lemon garnishing the top.
“It’s limoncello cake. It’s one of their specialties. Do you like lemons?” she asked, gazing up at him.
“Yeah,” he said before stepping away from her. Caroline immediately missed him close to her. It felt like she missed her security blanket.
“May I help you?” the baker asked.
“Yes, I’m picking up an apple crumble for Caroline Bates. Then, may I have a brownie and a piece of the limoncello cake, please?”
“May we also have two of your biscuit specials and two coffees?” Jameson said, adding to the order.
“It’ll be thirty-four dollars and eighty-three cents, please. I’ll get the pie from the back and wrap the rest up for you,” the baker said, leaving them alone.
“I’ll get it,” he said, pulling out his wallet.
“No,” she insisted, placing her hand on his wrist. She missed the feel of his skin when he held her. “You’re making sure I stay safe, please let me do this.”
Jameson nodded, seeing how important this was to her, and put his wallet away. His gaze continued to scan the street, making her nervous.
“Do you think they’re searching for me?” she whispered, staring at him.
“No. I’m sure by now he has more important things to worry about. The Feds are tracking him, and Matthew’s on his tail. Not to mention his boss will be searching for him after discovering how he used the merchandise. I mean the survivors,” he said, quietly.
“You said it right the first time. In the end, it’s all about business deals and getting information,” she said, resigned. “I already accepted my fate. I worried more about the younger women and men. The poor kids,” she said, misty-eyed.
Jameson cupped her cheek. “We’re rescuing them. Julio and Rebecca have already crippled the East Coast. It’s only a matter of time before they get the rest.”
“And you. You saved them, too,” she insisted, peering into his eyes. Jameson struggled to say something, yet the baker interrupted them.
“Here you go,” she said cheerfully.
Caroline took out her wallet and pulled out the card Rebecca gave her, linked to a checking account. She paused, trying to remember how to use it.
“Tap it right here,” Jameson instructed her.
She did as he directed when the machine dinged, and the baker handed her a receipt.
They walked out, and she turned to him, grinning. “It’s like having a magic wand.”
“Ha. You and Rachel have more in common than I thought. She comes back from Dallas and Corpus Christi loaded with a ton of bags,” he informed her.
“It’s kinda fun to watch Matthew turn three shades of red and steam come out of his ears.
” He opened the door, letting her climb in unassisted, and handed her the treats.
Caroline giggled. “I don’t mean to laugh. Do you think she shops to compensate for something else?”
“Like what?” he asked as he pulled onto the street, heading to her father’s house.
Caroline handed him his food, added cream and sugar to their drinks, and unwrapped her biscuit.
“Maybe she doesn’t feel good enough about herself and thinks she needs those fancy things? I like her, and she’s very opinionated. Sometimes she toots her horn about acting like a bitch in her former life. Maybe she feels guilty about it.”
“Hmmm, I’ve never thought about it. I knew her from Serenity, and I can testify she’s telling the truth. She was one grade A—” He stopped when he saw Caroline giving him a piercing glare.
“Rebecca said she gave you the phone. Text me when you’re ready, and I’ll return to bring you home.”
“Thank you. I will,” she said as they turned into the driveway. Her father waited on the front porch, smiling and waving at them.
Caroline jumped from the truck, running to her dad and throwing her arms around him. “I woke up today and immediately felt better knowing I’d see you today.”
“Yes, it’s a wonder how life can change in the blink of an eye,” her father said as Jameson walked up to greet them.
“It’s nice to see you again, Mr. Bates,” he said while holding out the packages to Caroline. “You forgot your bakery order.”
Heat flew to her cheeks. “I’m sorry. Seeing my dad made me lose my head for a moment.”
“Have a nice visit and give me a heads up when you’re ready to leave,” Jameson said before turning around and walking to his truck.
“Why don’t you ask him to stay for lunch, Honeybee?” her father asked.
“He won’t stay,” she said quietly. “Besides, we have a lot to catch up on. Maybe some other time,” she said, pushing him inside the house while Nancy held the door open.
“Hello, Nancy. I brought an apple crumble for dessert,” Caroline greeted her as they entered.
“I have some vanilla ice cream we can use to top it off. Your dad hasn’t stopped glancing at the clock since he woke up this morning. He’s driving me up the wall,” Nancy said, taking the treats and leading her into the sunny kitchen.
“Oh, Nancy. You needn’t have gone to all this trouble,” she said, seeing the table laden down with all her favorite childhood dishes. “You must’ve started cooking at dawn,” she exclaimed.
“I love cooking. Your father helped make most of the dishes. He wanted all your favorites.”
Caroline kissed her father’s cheek. “It doesn’t matter what we eat as long as we’re together.”
“Hmmm, then why did you make the extra stop at the bakery? I think we’re of the same mind,” he teased, rolling to his side of the table.
An hour later, Nancy and Caroline sat on each side of him as they passed the dishes around.