The Path to Sunshine Cove (Cape Sanctuary #2) - RaeAnne Thayne Page 0,107
could happen between us. I made it clear from the beginning. This...this isn’t what I want. I have to go.”
“Just like that. You’re not even going to consider staying?”
“I can’t.”
She looked at the Airstream that she had worked so hard to restore. It represented so much more than just her home. It was the life she had created for herself, the one where she felt safe and needed.
“I have to go,” she said again. “I’m sorry, Nate.”
To his credit, he didn’t try to stop her. He only stood watching, his expression closed as she climbed into her truck.
Oh, she hated this.
She started the truck and the engine turned right away.
There was nothing else keeping her here.
She put the vehicle in gear and pulled away, feeling the tug of the trailer on the engine, like the weight of all she was leaving behind.
Fighting tears and the heavy ache of impossibilities, she looked in the rearview window only once to find him standing where she had left him, watching after her.
She wanted to leave town immediately, go as fast and as far as she could, but she had promised Rachel she would stop in at her house one more time before she left.
How would she endure another goodbye?
With her throat achy and tight from unshed tears, she drove the short distance to Rachel and Cody’s house.
At least she found some comfort in knowing she was leaving Rachel in a much happier state than she had found her when she showed up in town two weeks earlier.
Jess had spent the entire day before with her sister and her family, driving in their minivan through the beautiful national park, and she had been relieved to see Rachel and Cody seemed to have found a new closeness together.
They held hands most of the day as they hiked on a few short trails. Several times throughout the day, Jess had caught them stealing kisses, as if they were newlyweds instead of a busy couple with three children.
At Rachel’s house, she knocked and her sister opened the door a moment later, wiping her hands on a ruffled apron.
“Come in. Don’t mind the mess.”
It was a mess, Jess saw, with discarded jackets and toys scattered along the hall. The kitchen was worse. Mixing bowls, measuring cups and flour were spread across the island, the sink full of dirty dishes.
Still, it smelled delicious.
At the table, Silas seemed to be completely focused on more flour and a ball of dough in front of him. The flour was everywhere—the floor, the table, even in his hair.
“Wow. What’s going on here?”
Rachel made a face. “For some reason, I woke up in the mood to make homemade bread today. Cody loves it and so do the girls. Silas was helping me make the dough and had so much fun with it that I mixed another batch just for him to play with.”
What a good idea. Silas looked in heaven as he pounded the dough on the table and squished it between his fingers.
“He seems to be having a great time.”
“Until we have to clean it up, anyway,” Rachel said ruefully. “I’ve got a loaf of bread for you, if you want.”
“Thanks. I’ll take it with me.”
“You’re leaving now?” Rachel’s face fell. She wiped her hands on her apron. “Oh, I wish you could stay longer. Yesterday was so fun.”
All these people who wanted her to stay. Jess was completely unused to it. “I can’t. You know I have that job in Vegas waiting for me next week.”
“Of course. Well, it’s been wonderful having you close these past few weeks.”
“I’ve enjoyed it, too,” she said truthfully. Even with the heartache she knew was only beginning for her, she was glad she and Rachel had at least begun to rebuild their relationship.
“How’s Eleanor?” her sister asked.
“I’ve just been to see her. She looks good. Her pacemaker surgery will be at the end of the week.” She paused. “Will you keep me posted on how she’s doing?”
“Of course. Though you know you could always reach out directly to Nate.”
Not now. After she had basically done all she could to push him away. She let out a breath, trying not to press a hand to her heart and the ache there.
“I don’t think he’ll want to hear from me.”
Rachel frowned. “Why not?”
At the innocent question, she pictured him as she was driving away, his features set and his eyes shadowed. Their kiss the other night replayed in her mind, stunning and tender and wonderful.