She let that thought settle in her heart, her soul and, finally, her mind and surprisingly even her mind let that thought be.
His hand sifted into her hair at the side of her head and his eyes stayed tender but lost their humour when he asked, “Now, poppet, what I’d like to know is, are you?”
She sensed this question meant a great deal to him so she answered honestly.
“No.” When she watched his jaw get hard she lifted her hand, rested it against that hard, handsome, morning stubbled jaw and continued on a whisper, “But, with all your help, I’m getting there.”
His forehead dropped to hers and he murmured with feeling, “Thank God.”
Then afraid but feeling ready, Belle admitted softly, “I’m sorry I went away. I missed you too, Jack.”
She felt the air turn velvet all around them as his face went soft.
Then she felt nothing at all but his lips on hers and his arms crushing her tight.
* * * * *
Belle and Jack walked hand in hand into the dining room.
They were late for breakfast.
Everyone was there, including, surprisingly, Olive.
“Hi Olive,” Belle smiled at the woman as Olive’s gaze came to her.
“Belle, you look beautiful, as ever,” Olive replied, her eyes sharp and Belle had the weird impression Olive not only could read her thoughts but was doing so.
Then Olive looked to Jack and she gave him the same assessing stare.
Jack pulled out Belle’s chair, she sat and he helped her scoot it to the table before his hand cupped her jaw, his thumb slid along her cheekbone and she saw that tender look in his eyes as the sweet feel of velvet hit the air.
His hand dropped, he moved around her and sat at the head of the table.
Belle, temporarily in Jack and Belle Land where no one else existed, came back into the room and glanced at her audience.
Joy, Yasmin, Gram and Mom were engaged in sipping coffee, slathering toast with butter and forking eggs into their mouths. They were veterans of Jack’s loving demonstrations and didn’t notice a thing.
Olive was glancing between the two of them and seemed to find her readings of Jack and Belle, post-accident, heartbreaking loss of unborn child were acceptable but she was keeping an eye out. And yes, Belle barely knew Olive but she could still read that with a look.
Cassandra was looking amused but this look was directed at Angus.
Then she said (bizarrely), “So Joshua.”
“Lass, no’ even,” Angus (bizarrely) flashed back.
Belle’s Dad was staring at Jack.
Then he said, “Dude,” as if this one word spoke volumes.
Jack’s eyes went to Belle’s father and he asked, “Jensen, to which ‘dude’ at this table are you referring?”
“You,” Dad replied.
“And?” Jack prompted.
“Seriously,” Dad answered on a grin though that wasn’t really an answer, it was clear her father thought it was.
Jack’s brows went up then his gaze came to Belle as if she could interpret.