He’s made me pay for leaving him, and I’ll make him pay for not letting me go.”
“What are you going to do?”
“That’s a whole other story. Let’s save that one for when my plan is complete. Trust me. You will be a part of it, if you really want to help me.”
“I’ll do anything for you,” he said and brushed his hand over her hair. “I’m not letting you go anywhere.”
“I would if it meant you’d be safe.”
“We don’t want you to go.” Caleb spoke and Summer nodded her agreement.
“Okay. Now that it’s all out in the open, let’s move on to something better. I’ll get Lily. You guys wait here. I have more surprises for you.”
She kissed Jack, stood, and ran a hand through his hair, satisfied when he gave her half a smile.
“What is she talking about more surprises?” Summer asked curious.
“I don’t know.” Jack stared toward the kitchen where Jenna had gone, wondering how such a kind, generous, wonderful person could endure so much and still manage to smile and light up his world. “Seems like this has been the day for them. Can you believe everything she said?”
“It’s unbelievable. I can’t believe about the baby. She must have been crushed.” Summer ran a hand protectively over her belly, unable to bear the thought of losing the baby growing inside her. Jack felt the same way. One more reason to stop this bastard for good.
“Think of everything Jenna will never have by losing that baby. She never got to see her baby, never got to touch him, or hold him and stroke his hair,” Summer went on.
Jack could only imagine. He already knew he wanted to spend the rest of his life making Jenna happy. Now, all the more, he wanted to give her something that had been taken away. The thought of having children with Jenna bloomed into a vivid daydream. One he latched on to and promised himself he and Jenna would make a reality.
Jack put a hand over his sister’s swollen belly. Warming to the idea of having children with Jenna, a real family.
“Jenna’s got the strength to move mountains. Hell, she’s had to in order to survive that man. She deserves a better life, and I’ll make sure she has it. I don’t know what she’s planned, but one way or another, I’ll stop him.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
* * *
JENNA SENT LILY back to her parents and retrieved the envelopes from her purse and the flowers hidden in the pantry that Beth had picked up for her. She returned to the Great Room with the envelopes in one hand and the flowers hidden behind her back.
“Lily, I have a gift for you.” She drew the huge bouquet of flowers out and held them up to Lily.
“Look, Mommy, flowers.”
“These are Stargazer lilies, and they are for you.” She brushed her hand over the little angel’s golden hair, her delight evident in the glow of her blue eyes. The heady scent of lilies quickly filled the room.
“They’re so pretty and big.”
“Yes they are. This is also for you.” She handed over an envelope. “Give it to Mommy and Daddy, so they can read it.”
Jenna sat next to Jack and held his hand while Summer and Caleb opened the envelope. Lily had her arms wrapped around her flowers and her face buried in the fragrant blooms.
Caleb’s head snapped up. “Jenna, no. You can’t do this,” he said, indicating the papers.
“I’ve already done it. I hope you’ll accept. There’s enough money in that trust for her to go to college anywhere she wants and live a good life.”
Caleb was still getting over the shock when she handed him a second envelope that read: For Baby Bowden. The same trust fund had been set up for the new baby. “Oh, Jenna, you didn’t,” he said, shaking his head.
“I did. You’ll never have to worry about their financial future. Now you can spend all your time being the loving parents you already are.”
Jack kissed her hand. “You are an amazing woman.”
Summer cried softly against Caleb’s shoulder, her eyes on the papers he held. “It’s unbelievable. You’re unbelievable. You’ve changed our lives. This can’t be real.”
“I’m not done yet. I have something for you, Jack. I wasn’t sure if you would accept, so I have the papers here for you to sign. I hope you’ll accept this as my gift to you.” She gave him a half smile and squeezed his hand. “Please don’t be mad I snooped.”