standing up. You’ve been in that bed for so long, it’s a surprise to see you looking human again. I’m so jealous. You could be a model with that exceptional figure.”
“Oh. Well, thanks. But I have nothing on you. Your blond hair, blue eyes, and stop-a-man’s-heart figure are nothing to sneeze at. I hope I look as good as you after having kids.” She also remembered Summer was four months pregnant. True, pregnant women glowed. Summer sure did.
Caleb winked at his wife before saying, “That’s my wife, she stops my heart every time I see her.”
Summer smiled and blew her husband a kiss. “Charmer. Jack made you lunch. Come eat.”
Jenna walked over to the plate on the counter next to Jack, who held Lily on his lap. She laughed when she saw what Jack made her. Next to her turkey sandwich sat a huge pile of chocolate covered peanut butter cups and a cup of coffee.
She smiled at Jack and Lily. “Now that’s my kind of lunch. I’ll say it again, eavesdropping is not nice, but it can be productive.”
Jack smiled. “One candy for every shot. I didn’t find any lollipops in Lily’s stash, but you said you liked those, too.”
“You are a kind man, Jack.”
“You make it easy to be kind.”
“Not everyone is.” Silence settled over the group for a moment, thick as gravy. Everyone thought of the reason she’d been in bed for days. Kindness shared nothing in common with the rage that put her there.
She stood next to Jack and ate her sandwich, sharing her candy with Lily, who was excited to be with everyone in the kitchen. Everyone talked and enjoyed their meals. Jenna didn’t like intruding on this close-knit family, but she cherished the fact they made her feel welcome and part of things.
“Why don’t you sit down?” Lily asked.
Jenna didn’t want to tell the little girl why she couldn’t sit on the wood stool. Instead, she kissed the little girl in Jack’s lap on the forehead. “I’ve been in bed for a long time. I need to stand for a while. I also have an owie on my leg and the stool will make it hurt.”
Jack moved his thigh, resting it against her hip. Waves of warmth spread through Jenna at the contact of his body to hers. She wished she could feel that warmth every second the rest of her life, and so she didn’t move away, but settled into him.
Caleb and Summer gave each other a look and a knowing smile. Some kind of silent conversation and agreement between them. Jenna understood the undertone. Sparks flew and the air crackled any time she and Jack were close. She’d never felt this kind of attraction before, but she didn’t want to lose it. After everything she’d endured, most of all the loneliness, she desperately wanted to hold on to the feelings Jack stirred in her.
“Today’s Friday, right?”
Everyone agreed.
“Summer, do you work tomorrow?”
“No. Why?”
“Would you like to go shopping with me? I don’t have anything, and I need to buy some new clothes. It’ll be a whirlwind shopping spree, lots of fun. Wanna go?”
“Are you kidding? I’d love to.”
“Great, I’ll make all the arrangements.”
“Arrangements?” Summer asked, confused.
“Trust me. It’ll be great.”
“Okay. I have to take Lily home for her nap. Come on, Sunshine.”
“Jack and I need to head down to the barn and check on some of the horses. I’ll be home later, honey.” Caleb kissed his wife and daughter goodbye. A touch of jealousy zinged through Jenna’s heart. They were a real married couple, something she’d experienced too briefly . . . if at all.
“I need to make some phone calls. I guess I’ll see you all later.” She put her empty plate in the dishwasher along with her coffee cup. She turned and almost ran straight into Jack. Instinctively, she took a step back and threw up her hands between them to ward him off. Completely unnecessary, and the slight frown he gave her told her how much her backing away hurt him.
“Who are you calling?”
She dropped her hands and answered without acknowledging what she’d done without thinking. “Ben. I need to take care of a few things with him.”
“What things?” Jack was afraid she’d call Ben and hightail it right out of his life now that she was feeling better. He didn’t want to see that happen when he was just starting to realize how much she could mean to him. Already did mean to him, judging by the zip of