Chapter 17 #2
He gave one more abrupt nod before striding off and climbing into the cab of a large silver truck.
She started the car and rubbed her sweaty palms on her skirt, trying to relieve the tension strumming through her body.
Her heart raced the whole way home, and by the time they got there, she was ready to climb a wall.
Worry and nervousness sluiced through her, and she watched with trepidation as Jaxon’s truck pulled into the driveway and parked right behind her.
She avoided him as she climbed from the car and made her way to the front door.
With trembling hands, she fumbled the keys as she tried to unlock the door.
They slipped from her hand and landed with a clatter at her feet.
Flustered, she bent to retrieve them, but a large hand beat her to it.
Wordlessly, Jaxon scooped up her key ring and held it out to her.
Pushing her hair back from her face, she stood and finally managed to slip the key inside the lock.
It let out a soft click as it disengaged, and a shaky breath left her lungs.
Whatever happened next would change everything.
She fought the sudden tears clouding her eyes.
Taking a deep breath, she swung the door inward and stepped inside, then held it for Jaxon.
His penetrating gaze swept over the interior as he stepped inside, and she was sure that he had her house memorized by the time she closed the door behind him.
He gave the impression of a man who missed nothing.
“Home, sweet home,” she said softly.
He flicked those blue eyes to her and gave a slight nod.
No words, no reaction, just an unsettling stoicism that seemed so at odds with the man she had once known.
She stepped out of her heels and left them on the mat beside the door.
“You’re welcome to take your shoes off, too,” she said, though she immediately regretted the words.
It felt awkward inviting him into her home, like he was insinuating himself within its very walls just by being there. This was her space, and she felt as if he was infringing on it. She didn’t want him to take his shoes off. She didn’t want him to make himself at home.
The very idea of having him here made her nervous and uncomfortable.
It wasn’t that she didn’t trust him, but there was something else below the surface, something she couldn’t identify sparking between them.
Having him here was too… intimate. His nearness reminded her of the night they spent together nearly two years ago, but so much had happened since then.
She snapped back to reality when he shook his head.
She should’ve been thankful he didn’t make any indication that he would be staying for an extended period of time, but she couldn’t help the tug of disappointment in her heart.
He said he wanted to meet Jaclyn. Was this just a one-time thing?
If he didn’t plan to stay, then why was he here?
Anger and irritation replaced her nervousness.
Her daughter deserved better than someone who would flit in and out of her life.
Her tone was brusque as she spoke. “Come on.”
He lifted one eyebrow but followed her past the stairs, toward the back of the house.
The narrow hallway emptied into a small but comfortable kitchen, and off to the right, it connected to their living room.
Wendy sat on the floor, surrounded by toys, while Jaclyn continued to empty her toybox.
Laughter floated toward them, and Adalyn couldn’t help but smile at the sound of that sweet little voice.
There was absolutely nothing more precious than the baby’s deep belly laugh.
Wendy, finally noticing Adalyn’s presence, turned to her.
“Adalyn, honey, I didn’t expect you so soon.
” Her head tipped in confusion, then her eyes widened as they skipped over Adalyn’s shoulder and took in Jaxon standing behind her.
The older woman pushed to her feet, and Jaxon followed Adalyn as she approached her.
“Ma-ma-ma!” Jaclyn toddled toward Adalyn, her arms outstretched, and Adalyn scooped her up, cuddling her close to her chest.
“Wendy, this is my husband, Jaxon.” Jaclyn squirmed to be put down, and she took off toward her toys as soon as her toes touched the ground.
“Oh my, I’ve heard so much about you!” Wendy exclaimed.
Adalyn’s lips pressed into a tight smile as she felt Jaxon slide a sharp look at her. Floundering for words, she took a moment to compose herself as they shook hands. “Jaxon… um… just got home.”
“That’s right,” Wendy remarked with an appreciative nod. “Thank you for your service.”
“Thank you.” Something about Jaxon’s tone drew Adalyn’s attention to him. The words were quiet, and his shoulders were set in a rigid line, as if he was uncomfortable with the praise.
Wendy smiled. “No need to be self-conscious,” she said. “My George was a Green Beret.”
Surprise snapped Adalyn’s eyebrows toward her hairline, and she glanced at Wendy.
“You never told me that.” Though she had only known them for a little over a year, she had only ever seen George putter around the garden and flowerbeds behind their house.
She didn’t know why, but with George’s calm, quiet disposition, she had assumed he’d been a shopkeeper or laborer.
He didn’t exude the same confidence and bearing that Jaxon did.
Wendy nodded. “It’s been many years. He came home after Vietnam when our second was born.” For a few more moments, she reminisced about the past, then turned to Jaxon. “I’m glad you made it home safe, young man. There’s no better place for a man than with his family.”
Wendy’s words slammed into Adalyn, making her stomach twist with guilt. She wrapped one arm around her waist, feeling almost sick with it. She couldn’t undo the past year and a half, but she prayed that someday he would be able to forgive her.