27. Juniper
27
JUNIPER
I knew how important it was that Sam and I get through as many of Miss Cena’s journals as we could, but my concentration was shot. Thankfully, Beau and my brother had offered to help too.
“How’s Cord doing?” she asked. “I guess that’s a stupid question.”
“He’s probably in shock,” said Gray.
Sam’s eyes met mine. “I hate that the Lilacs represents the worst time of his life.”
“It also represents the best time,” Cord said, walking into the room and straight over to me. He leaned down and kissed my cheek.
“Same for me,” said Beau, winking at Sam.
“Oh, jeez,” muttered Gray.
“You’ll find someone one day who you’ll feel the same way I do for your sister,” said Cord.
I beamed up at him .
“Can I help?” he asked, leaning in to brush my lips with his.
“The more eyes, the better.” I stood and plucked the next journal from the bookshelf.
“What about Mom? She’d probably help too,” Gray suggested.
“Yes, please,” Sam responded.
“I’ll call her,” I offered. I stepped out into the hall, then went out to the porch.
She answered the same way she always did. “Hi, sweetheart.”
“Hey, Mom. If you’re not in the middle of anything, we could use your help reading through Miss Cena’s journals.”
“Even if I was busy, I’d drop whatever I was doing. I’ve been hoping I’d get the chance to read them.”
“Right now, it’ll be more about skimming for specific information.”
“On my way.”
I looked at the phone to confirm she’d actually hung up, then laughed. I doubted Gray or I had ever really appreciated how amazing our parents were. I know I’d definitely taken them for granted.
“Am I interrupting?” Cord asked, peeking his head out the front door.
“Not at all. I was on my way in.”
“Before you do, there’s something I want to talk to you about.” He rubbed my arms. “Are you warm enough?”
“I wouldn’t be opposed to you getting me that way.” When he gathered me close, I snuggled against him.
“Decker has offered to fly me out to Colorado so I can talk to my brother in person.”
“That’s nice of him.”
“He’s got a jet.”
My eyes opened wide. “Wow. I’ve never known anyone who did. So, when will you leave?”
“Either tonight or tomorrow.”
“How long will you be gone?”
“I’m still bound by the trust’s stipulation that I’m not away from the property for more than forty-eight hours.”
Selfishly, I wanted him to leave tomorrow instead of tonight. On the other hand, he’d be back sooner if they left earlier .
Cord leaned away and looked into my eyes. “Since we met, our relationship has been more one-sided than I want it to be. It seems like you’re always doing something for me, taking care of me, looking out for me.”
“It isn’t one-sided.”
“As nice as it is of you to say, it isn’t true, and someday soon, I want to start being the one taking care of you, looking out for you. But…” He let go and scrubbed his face. “Not today.”
We both laughed.
“I want you to know you can say no and I will completely understand, but would you consider going with me?”
I’d dropped my arms when he did, but threw them around his neck. “Really?”
“Is that a yes?”
“It’s an ‘of course!’”
“I don’t know how this news will affect Buck, but as much of an asshole as our dad was, he might be relieved. There will be the matter of proving it, assuming he’ll want to.”
“If Joe Wilkins is his father, I wonder why your mom never told him.”
“Me too. It’s one of so many unanswered questions.” He turned me in his arms, and we looked out at the view. “I can’t figure out how or when she met my dad. More puzzling is why she’d want to be with him.”
“Maybe he was different with her.”
Cord rested his head against mine. “Maybe.”
I heard a car coming up the drive and was stunned to see my mom. “That was quick,” I said when she got out and rushed over to us.
“I was afraid you’d change your mind. Hi, Cord.”
“Hey, Patricia. Should we get inside?”
“One sec. Uh, Mom, Cord asked me to go to Colorado with him. It’ll be a quick trip, but we might leave as soon as tonight.”
She put her hand on her heart. “I envy that trip. I’ve always wanted to see the Rockies. Maybe someday I will.” She winked at Cord.
“Yes, ma’am. I predict you definitely will.”
“Do you think Dad will mind if I take more time off?” I asked.
She chuckled. “I’m pretty sure he fired you weeks ago. ”
I gasped. “What?”
“I’m joking. All your dad wants is for you to be happy, sweetheart. I’m sure your job will still be there when and if you want to come back.”
When we walked into the library, Sam’s gaze met mine. “Did you find something?” I asked.
“Maybe.” All eyes turned to her. “Remember I asked if everyone called Jimmy and Johnny’s father JD?”
“Yes.”
“I also said I got confused because it sounded like she didn’t care for him.”
“I remember that too.”
“Reading it again now, I’m certain she didn’t.” She handed me the journal, and I read the section she pointed to.
I used to think I was cursed, and maybe I am or maybe it’s all Rookers. Bad blood runs deep in our veins. Lives have been lost, others ruined. When will it stop? When will Jim stop? When there are none of us left?
“I was confused because this entry was from after her brother and husband died. Why would she ask when Jim would stop if that was the case?” Sam said when I finished reading the passage and looked up at her.
“This has to be about JD.”
“And look at the date.”
It coincided with when Patricia might’ve discovered she was pregnant.
“We should let Decker know about this,” said Gray.
“You’re right.”
I held out the journal, and he took a photo of the entry, then sent it. When he returned it to me, I kept reading. Most of the entries were reminiscent, but several pages later, there was one with only a few words and dated at the end of June.
It is finished. I pray I’ve done the right thing.