Chapter 15
CHAPTER 15
N ash arrived at Jenna’s cottage early the next morning, eager to see her. He’d missed her yesterday. Seeing her. Kissing her. Watching her eyes light up with laughter. When she opened the door, he immediately noticed the absence of her usual warm, welcoming smile. Concern washed over him as he stepped inside, his eyes searching her face for any sign of what might be troubling her. “You okay?” he asked gently, his voice laced with worry.
“What? Sure. I just didn’t sleep well last night.”
Her response was quick, almost dismissive. She avoided his gaze and a pang of unease flickered through him. Something was definitely off, but he didn’t want to push her if she wasn’t ready to talk about it. “I’m sorry. Something keeping you awake?”
She still avoided his gaze. “No, not really. Just restless.” Without further explanation, she headed to the kitchen, leaving him to follow along behind, his mind racing with possibilities.
Determined to lighten the mood and bring a smile to her face, Nash tossed her a playful grin. “So, do I get a good morning kiss?” he asked, hoping to break through the tension that seemed to hang in the air.
To his relief, she stopped and turned to him, giving him a quick kiss before turning back to the coffeemaker, pouring a mug, and handing it to him.
“You not having any?”
“I’ve already had more than enough.” Her voice sounded strained. “I better get to work on the guest bedroom. I’d really like to get it finished so Dale can deliver the dresser.”
He narrowed his eyes, carefully scanning her expression. Something was off. He knew it. And that kiss? It had barely qualified as a kiss at all, just a brief brush of her lips against his. But perhaps she was being truthful. Maybe she really was just exhausted from a restless night. “Alright, I’ll let you get to your project, then,” he said, trying to push aside his concerns.
She nodded, offering him a faint smile before vanishing down the hallway. He carried the steaming mug of coffee outside, the warmth seeping into his hands as he checked on the progress of his crew. Satisfied with their work, he set about finishing the trim on another window, the repetitive motions allowing his mind to wander.
He glanced at his watch and frowned, realizing Jenna hadn’t called him in for their mid-morning coffee. Maybe she wasn’t at a breaking point in her work—and she had said she wanted to get the guest room finished. Still, he couldn’t shake the nagging feeling that something was wrong. He tried to concentrate on his task, but his thoughts kept drifting back to Jenna. Was she truly just tired, or was it something more?
He finally couldn’t take it any longer and went inside to check on her. He paused in the doorway to the guest room. “Hey, it’s looking great. Looks like you’re almost finished.”
She straightened up, pressing her hand to the small of her back. “Almost.”
“You want to take a break and go grab some lunch somewhere?” He smiled at her, hoping to coax a smile from her in return, but no luck.
“I think I’ll just keep working.” She avoided his gaze.
He stepped into the room and walked over to her, taking her hand. “Are you sure you’re okay? Is something wrong?”
“No, I already told you. I’m just tired.” She looked away.
“Okay. If you’re sure that’s all it is.” He brushed back a lock of her hair, his fingertips grazing her cheeks.
She stepped back. “I should get back to it.”
“Right. I should too.” He turned and walked out of the room, frowning. Had he done something to upset her? Or maybe she’d changed her mind about them?
Something was wrong. He was sure of it. The distance in her eyes. The way she’d pulled away from his touch. He was certain she was keeping something from him.
Jenna set down the paint roller after Nash left the room, a heavy sigh escaping her lips. The weight of her secret bore down on her, making it difficult to act naturally around him. How could she possibly kiss him or be close to him while keeping the secret about the lighthouse keeper? It felt wrong, dishonest even. It had ruined their budding intimacy.
She wished they’d never even found the old wooden box. That it had remained hidden. And maybe this was all for the best, anyway. After all, she had no business diving into another investigation, not after the promises she’d made to herself. What had possessed her to start reading those letters in the first place? She silently chastised herself for her momentary lapse in judgment.
She’d made a promise to herself that her investigative days were over. She promised herself anew that she’d keep that vow.
With renewed determination, she picked up the paint roller, attacking the walls with an eye on completion. She focused on the task at hand, pouring her energy into finishing the room, eager to move on to refinishing the bookshelves. The sooner she completed these projects, the sooner she could unpack more of her belongings, surrounding herself with familiar comforts. She longed to banish the sea of boxes that mocked her, to make the cottage finally feel like a true home.
As she worked, carefully covering the last wall, she reaffirmed her vow to leave her investigative days behind, to resist the temptation of unraveling the mysteries that lurked within the old letters. She had come to Magnolia Key for a fresh start, to escape the ghosts of her past, and she refused to let her curiosity jeopardize the new life she was building for herself.
Late that afternoon, Jenna set the paint roller down in the tray, surveying the freshly painted walls with a sense of satisfaction. The cheerful color had transformed the guest room, bringing it to life just as she’d envisioned. The afternoon sun cast a warm glow through the window, highlighting the new hue and making the space feel even more inviting.
Nash’s sudden appearance at the doorway startled her. “Looks like you’re almost finished.”
“Almost,” she confirmed, wiping her hands on a towel tucked into her pocket.
“You want to go out and grab a quick dinner? You look too tired to cook.” His voice held a touch of concern.
Jenna hesitated, a twinge of guilt nagging at her conscience. She knew the way she was acting today was putting a strain on their relationship, but she couldn’t bring herself to fully embrace their connection while keeping secrets from him. “I… ah… I think I’ll just grab a sandwich or something,” she replied, avoiding his gaze.
A flicker of disappointment showed clearly on his features. “Okay. Well, I hope you get a good night’s sleep.” He turned and walked away without even trying to kiss her, leaving her alone in the freshly painted room.
Not that she blamed him. She’d certainly been distant with him. But she firmly believed it was for his own good. He didn’t need to know his family was involved in this mystery in some way. And she didn’t need to be investigating anyone or anything, either.
She gathered her painting supplies and began cleaning up, her mind still grappling with the conflicting emotions that swirled within her. If only she could find a way to navigate her growing feelings for Nash while keeping her past and her promises to herself intact.