Chapter Ten
“Would you like to take some more roses today?” Mrs. McDonald asked Tim as she poured him a second glass of sweet tea. An unexpected storm had popped up in the late afternoon, the air thick with humidity and the rumbling of thunder.
“I don’t think so. I’ve got a lot to do after this weather rolls through. I’m afraid they would wither away and die in my hot truck.”
“You could always come back after you’re finished and pick them up. I don’t mind. I’m sure your lady-friend wouldn’t mind either.” Mrs. McDonald’s brown eyes glinted with delight.
Tim shrugged and set his glass on the table. “I’m afraid that’s probably over. I haven’t heard from her in a couple of days.” His shoulders slumped as he thought back to his last moments with Jessica. He had asked her to look him up online, hoping that what she found would fill in the gaps. What he hadn’t planned on was the possibility that she might not want to have anything to do with him after learning the truth about who he really was.
Driving by her house each day on his regular route, he had hoped he might catch her outside. It took every ounce of willpower not to knock on her front door. He wanted to give her space and not come across as anxious, the ticking clock driving him crazy. He contemplated calling her outright but hesitated with the knowledge that the proverbial ball was in her court—or end zone—or whatever the fuck you wanted to call it. Not talking to her was frustrating and he wanted to know how she was feeling now that she knew his truth. He also wanted to reiterate how important it was that she not reveal his secret to any of her friends or neighbors in the subdivision. At least, not until he was ready.
“Thanks for the tea, Mrs. McDonald. I need to get back to work.” Towering over the small woman, she seemed disappointed.
“But it’s raining cats and dogs out there. Why don’t you stay a few more minutes?”
“A little rain won’t hurt me. I’ll see you next week.”
The old woman stood and patted his arm. “You take care out there. If you change your mind about the flowers, let me know. I’ve got plenty to share.”
Tim let his truck idle in the driveway as he tried to decide what to do. He wanted to speak with Jessica once more. If she wasn’t interested, he needed to know and have closure so he could move on.
The rain came down sideways as he eagerly jogged up to the front door of the Kaufman home with the hood of his jacket protecting his head. He rang the bell and peered inside. There were no lights on, and the house seemed too quiet for this late in the day. Water dripped from his exposed whiskers as he spotted Jessica coming down the foyer hall. She paused before she opened the door wide. There were dark circles under her eyes, the exhaustion on her face evident.
“What’s wrong?” Tim was immediately concerned.
“Hey, Tim. Come on in.” She held the door open wide and allowed him to enter. The house was spick and span, the Kaufman girls’ absence noticeable. Jessica was barefoot wearing black running shorts and a plain white tee.
Tim stopped in the hallway and touched Jessica’s arm. “I haven’t heard from you, and I’ve been worried.”
She forlornly looked up at him before she took two steps forward and wrapped her arms around his dry middle protected by his jacket. Not sure what to make of the unexpected embrace, Tim cautiously held her in his arms.
“Talk to me, Jessica. What is it?” He stroked the back of her blonde hair and held his breath.
He felt her sigh against his chest. “I thought once the divorce was final, things would settle down and be different,” she mumbled into his shirt.
“What do you mean? What happened?” He pulled back from her and held her shoulders firmly. “Please, talk to me. I’ve been dying to talk to you for two days.”
She nodded before she pulled him by the hand into the family room. They sat closely, side by side and continued to hold hands. “Stephen came by again yesterday, unannounced.”
“Oh, shit.”
“Yes, oh shit. He was fuming mad about you making him give back his key.”
Tim gripped her hand. “Why didn’t you call me? I could have come over and—”
“And what, Tim?” she interrupted.
“And stopped him from harassing you. Stopped him from bullying you.”
Jessica flopped back on the couch and closed her eyes. “He called me a slut. He thinks I’m sleeping with the gardener.” She giggled, turned and looked up at him. “I think he’s jealous of you.”
Tim forced a puff of air out his nostrils, not sure what to make of Jessica’s conclusion. “What happened after that? Did he threaten you?”
“Yes. Said he was going to continue to stop by and check on his children. That the girls didn’t need some low-life, blue-collar worker taking advantage of their mother.”
“But you know that’s not what I am. That’s not what I’m doing.”
“I know that, but he doesn’t. He always does this, Tim. He always wants to be in control ofeverything.” Jessica sat up and sighed. “We have signed documents from the judge. This is supposed to be over.”
