She shouldn't be able to affect him like this.
Hearing her teasing Casey and PJ made him remember lazy summer afternoons spent picnicking and fishing by the pond on Cord's grandma's property. The old lady had been tough as nails, sometimes cruel to Cord. But, every once in a while, she'd been away from the ranch and Noah, Cord, and Callum, and sometimes Cord's little brother, West, had been able to hang out. During senior year, Iris and Jilly had starting joining them. If the fish weren't biting, they'd start an impromptu game of football. Or make a bonfire and roast marshmallows. Or lie in the back of Cord's pickup and dream out loud.
Jilly’s very presence reminded him of some of the happiest days of his life. And also, one of the worst.
He wanted to go out there and join her and the kids.
No, he didn't. He just wanted them gone.
He should never have agreed to let her fix the paint.
He couldn't stop thinking about her. And he needed to.
He didn't care about her at all.
Even though she sounded like the old Jilly he remembered. She didn't sound weak, or sick.
The boys and Jilly were shouting something.
He gave up on the email and got up to go into the kitchen. He was having a steak and baked potato for dinner tonight. He could start that.
And maybe, if he had something to concentrate on, he would stop thinking about Jilly.
He almost didn't hear the scratching on the back door.
With a sigh, he went to open it and heard a quiet "meow."
Lindsey. Still meowing.
"Hi, kitty. You doing okay?"
"Meow." Yes.
Jilly's voice carried around the house, calling for Lindsey.
He crouched to her level. "Did you run away again? Does Jilly know you're back here?"
"Meow meow." No.
He heard rapid steps come around the back of the house. Multiple sets. Great.
"There you are," Jilly said. "What are you doing back here?" She sounded out of breath.
When Lindsey's "Meow" came, it was almost inaudible.
He heard the slow, forceful exhale through Jilly's nose. Irritated at the girl?
"I'm sorry, Noah," Jilly said.
"She wasn't bothering me." He didn't know where the words came from. He certainly hadn't meant to say them.
There was a pause as if Jilly didn't know what to say to that.
He didn't know what to say either. He considered simply closing the door, but he was afraid Lindsey might be on the threshold and in the way.
"I saw your computer through the window," one of the boys blurted. Maybe PJ? He couldn't be sure. "It's pretty sweet. Do you have any cool games?"
"Don't be stupid," came the mutter from the other boy—Casey?—but he was cut off quickly. Had Jilly made some gesture that Noah couldn't see?
