Chapter Fifteen
Mia woke early to find Jack sitting across from her in the easy chair, watching her sleep.
“Was I snoring?” she teased. Then arched her body with her arms stretched out.
He chuckled, but his smile seemed forced. “Nope. I got restless and worried I’d wake you up.”
“Is your head hurting? The colors have faded a bit. It doesn’t appear as bad as yesterday.”
“I’m fine. Look, I know it’s been tough for you lately.” He leaned in and picked her hand up off the cover. “I don’t want to add to your stress.”
“Oh.” Not sure what he meant by his puzzling words and feeling distinctly uncomfortable, Mia blessed the shuffling noises heard from the other room.
She squeezed his hand and dropped it. Not knowing what else to say, she slid out of the bed and hurried into the other room before Maisie could discover her missing.
All the time she showered, helped Maisie in her bath, got them both dressed and ready for breakfast, she fretted over his meaning. In themselves, the words didn’t seem so bad if his distant attitude hadn’t colored them.
How was she to take him now, after what they’d shared? How could she face him if he regretted their night together? She’d initiated their first sexual encounter and had certainly encouraged the second. Did he see her as some hungry slut using his body to quench her famine?
There were women who lived that way. But she wasn’t like that. It had been two years since her last relationship, and it certainly hadn’t led to sex on the first date.
And if the truth were known, she’d never experienced a climax like those he’d given her… never. Oh, sex hadn’t been terrible, in fact the opposite. It felt good… but never mind-blowing incredible. Never with love involved.
Oh, God! Embarrassment poured over her and tears were close. He didn’t want to add to her stress. Which was a nice way of saying; I don’t want you to take these moments the wrong way – to see something that isn’t really there.
What must he think of her? Disgusted with her loosened morals, she focused all her time and conversation on Maisie for the rest of their journey together and refused to let him catch her eye. Wouldn’t let him touch her except in a very prosaic way.
Instead, she set up a mantle of cool indifference to hide her breaking heart.
***
Arriving at the hospital, they found Angie in good spirits. She’d been waiting for what seemed like days to have her family close. “I’m sorry about the accident, Jack. You look like you went four rounds with someone who didn’t like you.”
Once he’d kissed her hello, Jack winked, relaxed back against the side wall and crossed his arms. “I won the battle though. The damage to the truck was negligible, and they had us back on the road this morning right after breakfast.”
“So, everything worked out fine then?”
Both Jack and Mia nodded.
“Yep,” said Jack.
“Yes, great,” said Mia.
Maisie piped up and added, “Mama Mia is mad at Jack ‘cause he’s been weally bad.”
“Maisie!” Flustered, Mia turned to the child. “I am not. Mad at Jack. Don’t be silly.”
Angie looked at the flushed man seeking escape and yelled, “What did you do?”
“Nothing. I—”
Mia interrupted. “He was a perfect gentleman.” The argument escaped her mouth before her brain had a chance to edit. Suddenly, her face coalesced with various colors of mostly reds.
Angie pointed a finger his way, a warning in the gesture and in her words. “You and I have to have a talk.”
Obviously, having had enough, Mia stomped her foot. “No one is talking to anyone. We’re all happy. Okay?”
Three okays rang out, but she didn’t hear them. Breaking down in a flood of tears, Mia fled into the bathroom and slammed the door.
Maisie looked close to tears herself and turned to Jack’s arms for comfort. Angie, seeing his ready welcome and the way he handled her youngest family member, perked up.
Things couldn’t have been that bad if Maisie and Jack were friends. She watched him, saw him eyeing the room where Mia had disappeared. His discomfort shone like a beacon. Something must have happened. She’d never seen him so lost for words.
Deciding to give the guy a break, she changed the subject to one she knew he’d be glad to follow. “What did you and Mia decide about the casita? Does she need more room? I’d love for her to stay in the main house with me and use it for her workshop, but I understand her need for privacy.”
Relief for the change of subject, Jack reluctantly turned to her.
“As far as I know, she’s willing to stay in the big house until we get the renos done on the casita, but then I believe she plans to move in.
She’s also mentioned us redoing that old barn in the back so she can use that as her workshop.
One of her employee’s came with her. He’s already in Maricopa waiting for her to give him the word that they can get started. ”
“Okay. Let me think.” Angie straightened, sitting up higher and motioned for Maisie to come and join her. “Come to Auntie, sweetheart. I haven’t seen you for weeks and weeks. I need a hug.”
Maisie lifted her head from Jack’s chest and grinned at Angie, wriggling for Jack to lower her on the bed. She hugged Angie and lay happily beside her, quiet, not interrupting, her eyes glued to the bathroom door.
“You know, Jack. That large entertainment room in the basement I never use could be stripped of most of the furniture and Mia could use that area for a workshop for now.”
“I wondered if you would think of that. I was going to suggest it myself. You’re right, it would do for now.”
When the door opened, Mia stepped out, her head in the air and her attitude making everyone aware there was to be no discussion about her earlier breakdown. Angie reached for her hand, hauled her beside them on the bed and stated, “Jack and I have come up with a brilliant idea.”
“Oh?”
“Yes. Until you’ve checked over the barn and have decided on your preferred renos to the casita, we were hoping you’d be happy using the recreation room in the basement for your temporary workshop.”
Mia looked relieved. Angie wasn’t sure if it was because of the change of subject or not.
“That’s fine, Angie. It will give us room to spread out and get caught up on the orders we have pending. Every day, they seem to double. I need to find a few other seamstresses in the area to interview also.”
“About that, I have a friend at Bridge who has a friend who knows of a new couple in town, and she’s supposed to work miracles with a sewing machine. She’s waiting for your call. Her number is on the fridge, and her name is Rosita Mendes.”
“Great. I’ll give her a call later. Thank you for taking us in, Angie. Maisie and I are thrilled to be living with you and starting a new life here in Maricopa.”
“Honey, you can’t even begin to understand how happy I am to have you both. Life has become very boring of late. Sharing the future with young people is a dream for an old lady like me.”
“Poo! You’re only seventy, and a young seventy at that.”
“Let’s hope I make seventy-one after these operating-crazy doctors with their blasted pacemakers talked me into letting them cut me open.”