Chapter 17
Seventeen
Jackson led Gus to the living room and helped her settle into the recliner she seemed to prefer. “Can I get you anything, Gus?”
Gus patted his hand. “I don’t need anything. Sit. Let’s talk, shall we?”
Jackson lowered himself onto the end cushion of the couch. His body kept going down. “I might not be able to stand up. This is the softest couch I’ve ever sat on.”
Gus laughed, though her eyes were still sad. “I approve of you, young man. I wasn’t sure when Mia started hanging around you again. I know you broke her heart once, though, of course, I don’t know all the details.”
Jackson would never tell Mia’s secrets, not even to her aunt. “We had a misunderstanding. I never meant to hurt her. And I’d do anything to keep her from getting hurt now.”
She leveled an appraising glance on him. “You’re a man of faith, aren’t you?”
He blinked. “Yes, ma’am. My grandfather was a strong believer too.”
“I knew Andrew Stewart, long ago. Good man. His wife and I were friends. Went to the same church.” She glanced toward the back room. “I’m worried about Mia. She’s not had it easy, although she doesn’t share all her worries with me. She’s a protective one.”
“What are you asking, Gus?” This conversation was not idle chitchat.
“Watch out for her.”
“I will. I promise. Her safety, her happiness, is a priority for me.”
This time, when Gus smiled, it lit up her entire face, and he realized he saw echoes of her smile in Mia’s. Where he’d never thought Mia resembled her mom, he imagined she’d resemble Gus more and more in the future.
He wanted to be in that future.
His phone rang. Chase. He excused himself and went into the kitchen to take the call. Chase was writing up his report and wanted to confirm a couple of details with Jackson. When the call ended, Jackson stood for a moment, thinking.
He needed to take care. He’d promised Gus he’d watch out for Mia. And he would. But he also needed to protect his own heart.
He heard the front door slam. He pocketed his phone and sauntered out to see the two women who had become so important in such a brief time.
“You okay?” He brushed a hand down Mia’s arm.
“I am.” She smiled up at him. “I really am.”
“You’re not scared to be here?”
“Me? Nah. I’m a big girl. Besides, I’ve seen more police cars on our road the past few days.”
“All right.” He nodded. “Then how about you let me help with dinner. What are we having?”
“Cheeseburgers and salad. Gus, want to sit in the kitchen with us?” she asked her aunt. “We can talk while we fix dinner.”
Jackson moved to assist the older woman. She waved him away. “This is a lift chair, young man. I can do it.”
He couldn’t recall the last time he’d enjoyed fixing a meal so much. It wouldn’t have mattered what they had. It was all about the company. Tonight, he was with the best.
Mia covered Gus’s legs with a quilt. “Do you want me to adjust the temperature?”
Gus waved her away. “Don’t worry about me. Your young man went to sit on the porch swing. You go and join him.”
Mia didn’t protest. She kissed Gus’s cheek, then went into the kitchen.
She took down a plate and piled four chocolate and peanut butter chip cookies on it, inhaling the sweet aroma.
Nothing said comfort like these cookies.
Then she grabbed two frosted mugs from the freezer and poured them each a glass of ice-cold milk.
Jackson saw her coming and opened the door for her. His gaze immediately went to the plate. “Are those…”
Mia grinned. He resembled a kid, the way his smile lit his whole face. “They are.”
He took the plate from her. “Oh boy. These are my favorites.”
“I remember.” She also recalled all the times they’d snuggled close or snuck kisses all around school and under the bleachers.
Every kiss had made her heart race. Even now, years later, she could feel the touch of his lips against hers and on her neck.
The feel of his hair under her fingers. No one she’d ever dated before or since, including her ex-fiancé, had made her feel like that.
Clearing her throat, she sat carefully on the swing.
It sank a little when he joined her there.
She didn’t think it was an accident that he sat so close to her.
For a minute, they simply savored the cookies.
The air was sweet with the smell of flowers.
In the distance, frogs croaked in the pond.
The sky had deepened; oranges and pinks and purples lined the horizon. It was almost seven fifteen.
“It was an awful day in so many ways, but that sunset makes me want to cry.” She kicked her foot against the patio stones and set the swing in motion.
“God does good work.” Jackson’s said.
“I’m beginning to believe He does,” she murmured. “When you said He’d protected me today, it really struck a chord. I’d gotten so used to thinking negatively, it never occurred to me to view that situation in a positive light.”
His arm edged behind her to lie across the back of the swing. She shivered.
“I never thought we’d be able to do this again.” She took his glass and set both empty mugs on the small table next to her. “Sit on a swing. Watch a sunset. Talk like we used to. I’ve missed it.”
“Mia.” His voice was velvet in her ear.
She turned her head. “Yes?”
“I know these past few days have been a whirlwind. Finding Dylan is my priority. But you are now a priority too.”
“I don’t know how it happened,” she whispered. “A few days ago, I still couldn’t say your name without bitterness. Now, I am so happy just to be with you.”
He turned his head in her direction to respond. They were too close. She could feel his breath on her cheeks. On her lips.
If he leaned in just a couple of inches, they’d kiss. She swallowed. Excitement swirled in her. But it was mixed with vulnerability. And fear.
He drew back and rose, then helped her stand. Her legs wobbled.
“I should go.” His voice sounded rusty. “I want to kiss you, Mia, but God has to be first in my life. I promised Him long ago that I’d never get into a relationship with someone who wasn’t committed to Him.”
Her hand rose to his cheek, feeling the scruff on his face. “I don’t want you to go, but you’re right.”
His eyebrows climbed his forehead. “Really?”
She chuckled. “Yes, really. I’ve watched you, Jackson. I know your faith is important to you. And I know I’m not at the same place you are. I want to be. Not because of you, but because I crave the kind of hope you seem to have.”
“I care for you, Mia. I do. But we jumped too far too fast before. I can’t do that again. I can’t get involved in a relationship that doesn’t honor God. That’s not the man I want to be.”
She stepped farther away. “Goodnight, Jackson. Thanks for coming to my rescue. And if nothing else, I’m glad that we can be friends.”
He said a quiet goodbye and left. She watched his vehicle back out of the driveway. Would they ever be more than friends? The thought scared her, even though part of her wanted it.
She’d been truthful. His faith was attractive. But if she decided to commit her life to Christ, it wouldn’t be because of a man. It would be because she believed with her whole heart.