Chapter 8 #2
She peered at him.
“Stay safe.”
She nodded and slid from the booth. Hitching her purse strap higher on her shoulder, she rushed out the door.
By four that afternoon, she had composed herself and found a new wave of determination.
Errands complete, she picked up Tina, and the two of them waltzed into Aunt Em’s house.
The scent of cinnamon and sugar swirled in the air.
She closed her eyes and drew in a deep breath. The smell brought back wonderful memories of living with her aunt. The woman tended to bake for the entire town, or so it seemed.
How had she allowed her life to go so far off the rails before turning back to the woman who’d taken her in as a hard, saucy teen and loved Jennie until she’d softened.
When she’d married Brad and moved away, she missed her connection with Aunt Em but was determined to make a new life with her husband and have the family she’d always dreamed of.
Brad hadn’t been the man she’d thought he was, but she had committed to making the best of their marriage.
Then he’d died and she became that lost teenager once again.
Making stupid choices and being too afraid to stand on her own.
Enter Kenny. A man who’d promised to help her and support her after Brad’s death. Saying he owed it to his friend.
Little did she realize at the time that he’d laid the groundwork for her dependence.
Small things like telling her she couldn’t support herself and Zoey without help progressed to bigger things like she was too stupid to be a nurse.
No woman worthy of being called mom would leave her child during the day and that her place was in the home.
It hadn’t been until Zoey turned three that Jennie found herself not only in Kenny’s house but in his bed as well.
Once he’d talked her into becoming his girl as he’d called it, Kenny had shifted from hurtful words to physical violence.
No one had noticed the bruises. Not even her friend Tina or Brad’s friends, Levi and Adam. Kenny knew where to hit her that wouldn’t be visible.
Her one and only friend, Tina, who lived down the street, had discovered the abuse a year later.
Tina had begged Jennie to get help, but she’d refused, taking the blame for Kenny’s actions. It wasn’t until Tina discovered her near death by the hands of Kenny that Jennie found the strength to face her mistakes and come home to her Aunt Emily’s love.
She looked back now and wanted to scream at her weakness. And all the time wasted. She blinked away the horrible memories.
Laughter bubbled from the kitchen.
Jennie smiled. “Em? Zoey?”
“In here, honey.”
“Come on, Tina. I want you to meet my Aunt Em.” She followed the voices to the sunny room filled with pans of cinnamon rolls.
“Hi, Mom. Hi, Aunt Tina.” Zoey grinned.
“Looks like you two have enough sweets to feed half the town of Pinewood Shores.”
“I thought Pinewood Shores’ finest needed a special treat for all their hard work finding the man who tried to hurt my precious girl.” Aunt Emily ran a hand down Zoey’s hair. “And my helper agreed.”
Jennie introduced the two women and gave her aunt a quick rundown of her friendship with Tina.
Aunt Emily sniffed and wiped her eyes with her apron. “I don’t know how to thank you.”
The back door swung open interrupting the conversation and a familiar figure stepped through the entry. Jennie’s breath caught in her throat.
David stomped his feet on the mat. “All done, Miss Emily. Anything else I—” His eyes widened. “Jennie.”
“Hi, David. I see someone”—she pinned a glare on her aunt—“has you working during your off hours.”
“Not exactly.” His sheepish grin reminded her of a guilty little boy. “I’m not off duty. But Miss Emily needed help, so I called out of service for a few minutes to assist a damsel in distress.” He kissed Aunt Em’s cheek.
The older woman patted his face and mock huffed. “I’m not helpless, but it sure is nice to have a big strong man help.”
Jennie wasn’t sure if she wanted to laugh or groan. “Aunt Em.”
David chuckled. “Always at your service, ma’am.” He reached to snag a roll.
Aunt Emily swatted his hand. “Wait a minute and I’ll box a couple dozen for you to share with the boys downtown.”
“Are you kidding? If I leave here without goodies, I’m a dead man.” He quirked a smile then went to the sink and washed his hands. “Nice to see you again, Tina.”
“Likewise.” Tina pursed her lips fighting the smile trying to escape.
Emily handed David two boxes of cinnamon rolls a few minutes later. “Jennie, be a dear and help this young man to the door.” She raised a frosting-coated hand. “I’m a bit too messy to escort him out.” The woman grinned and winked at Tina.
Oh brother. Could her Aunt Em be any more obvious?
She walked David to his car parked across the street. “Sorry about that. Aunt Emily is not known for her subtlety.”
“She’s a great lady. I’m honored to be asked to assist her with tasks around the house.”
“I’m grateful for your willingness. She’s a gem. I wish I wouldn’t have stayed away as long as I did.”
He dipped his head and peered into her eyes. “I’m glad you decided to come back.”
David made it sound as if she’d chosen to be away too long and came home out of loneliness. But the truth? She’d feared for her life and needed to feel the love of her Aunt Emily again. “I am too.”
He rested his hand on her shoulder. “Please thank Miss Emily again for the cinnamon rolls. The boys will love the treat.”
“I will. And David”—she covered his hand with hers—“stay safe out there.”
He smiled and slid into the driver’s seat. Hand on the door handle, he paused. “See ya later, Jennie.” And with that, he pulled the door closed, started the engine, and drove away.
She watched his vehicle disappear around the corner. If she had the luxury of having a normal relationship, David would be at the top of her list. But that was out of the question. It would require her to spill her secrets, and she had no intention of doing that.