I’m still underdressed for this party. Jack, will you please bring me my clothes?”
“I already told you, I’m not crazy, or stupid.” He couldn’t help egging her on. Too much fun to play with her.
“I did, however, bring you these.” He held up a prescription bottle. “No more pokey shots. Doc Stanton dropped by the other day when you were passed out. He checked on you and left these antibiotic pills.”
“Uncle Jack, you didn’t even give her a lollipop when you gave her pokey shots. That’s not nice,” Lily scolded.
“Yes, Uncle Jack.” Jenna said. “That’s not nice, and neither is eavesdropping.”
Caleb and Jack exchanged guilty looks. “Busted.” Jack handed Jenna the pills and a glass of water from the bedside table. Jenna took out a pill and downed it without protest.
“Much better than a pokey shot. Thank you, but . . .”
“Don’t worry. He won’t say anything about seeing you. He’s a friend,” Jack assured her.
“Enough, you guys, out.” Summer took charge. “I’m getting Jenna up and giving her a haircut. Jack, go over to the cabin and get this girl her clothes and other things. It doesn’t look like she’ll be going back any time soon. Hey, what are those two boxes by the front door?”
“Oh, yeah, those are for you, Jenna. They arrived yesterday. I think they’re from Ben.”
“Would you bring them up? Oh, and make sure you grab my purse at the cabin. I need my phone.”
“Anything else, ladies? I’m at your beck and call,” he responded sarcastically.
“Please, Jack,” Summer and Jenna said in unison.
“I’m outnumbered. Come on Caleb, you get to help.”
“I want to stay with Mommy,” Lily said.
Summer and Jenna exchanged concerned looks. Nobody wanted Lily to see Jenna’s back. “Sunshine, you go with Daddy and Uncle. Make sure they bring all of Jenna’s things.” Lily beamed, excited to be in charge of the task.
“Are you really going to get me flowers?”
“As soon as I’m able to go to town, I will, okay?”
“Okay.”
Lily’s smile made Jenna smile in return. Jenna gave her a conspiratorial squint of the eye and told Lily, “Make sure Uncle Jack brings my clothes.”
“You’re spoiling all my fun,” Jack teased and left with Lily slung over his shoulder, giggling.
She had to think about Jack and what he could mean to her life. She felt like she had two ghosts whispering to her. One said, take a chance on love. The other said, don’t be selfish. You’re putting him at risk. Afraid of the first, she wanted to ignore the second all together. Too bad they were both right. Falling for Jack could be a chance for love, but it also put his life at risk. All their lives at risk.
Chapter Nineteen
* * *
“WHAT’S THIS ABOUT flowers?” Summer asked, curious about her daughter’s question.
“Oh, nothing. We were talking about her name and the fact that Stargazer lilies are my favorite. She wants some, and I told her if I could find them, I’d get her some. I hope it’s all right?”
“You don’t have to do that.”
“I want to. You have a great daughter, and it’s such a small thing to make her happy. I don’t have anyone to spoil,” she said, her sadness drawing her lips into a frown. Her thoughts wanted to drag her to the past and all she’d lost, but she focused on Summer, the here and now in Jack’s house.
“Only if you want to.”
“I do.”
“Let’s get you into the bathroom. After Jack and Caleb bring your stuff, you can get dressed and come downstairs for breakfast, maybe lunch,” she said and eyed her watch. “The morning seems to have gotten away from us.”
“Are you sure you don’t mind doing this? I can wait and come down to the salon to get my hair cut.”
“It’s fine. Can you get up on your own?”
“Yeah, I’m feeling much better today. I walked around the room a little last night. Jack and I stayed up late talking. It’s been a long time since I got to know someone. I had a nice talk with your daughter this morning. I love her sweet personality.”
“Yeah. Wait till she finds out she’s getting a sibling.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Caleb is so happy.” By the sheer joy on Summer’s face, he wasn’t the only happy one. “He can’t wait to tell her. Jack knows, but we want to wait a while longer to tell Lily.”
“Congratulations. When is the baby due?”
“In about five months. February first.”
Jenna had trouble getting out of bed and into the bathroom. Summer took off all