Chapter Twenty
Jordan came bymy office to pick me up later that afternoon. He’d been out of the building for court and meetings all day. He called me as soon as he heard the news. I assured him I was fine and that I would see him later that day. He wasn’t convinced, but there was little he could do.
At five, he appeared in my doorway, his expression solemn. “Are you ready to go home?”
I was beyond ready and had been since lunchtime. “Yes,” I replied, shutting down my computer and gathering my things.
The ride to my house was silent, each of us lost in our own thoughts. Jordan didn’t take my hand. I noticed it, but didn’t reach for him, still frozen inside my own head.
It wasn’t until I unlocked my door and stepped into the space I loved so much that the gravity of what happened that day washed over me. Waves of sadness swept over me, breaking through the icy barrier that encased me when Cynthia told me the news.
Tears gathered in my eyes and streamed down my cheeks. Jordan took one look at me and guided me to the couch, pulling me into his embrace. I cried then, the tears that hadn’t fallen earlier that day coming in a surge. I’d known Milton for eight years and now he was gone.
Jordan pressed his lips to my hair. “I’m going to make you a cup of tea, okay?”
I nodded.
“Then you’re going to take a hot bath and relax while I make dinner.”
My eyes drifted shut as warmth suffused my body. He was taking care of me again, naturally and without expecting anything in return.
“Okay,” I whispered, my voice hoarse from crying.
Jordan released me and walked into the kitchen. I sat on the couch, my head leaned back as he filled the teakettle and set it on the stove. I listened as he walked down the hall to my bedroom. I couldn’t hear the water running in my bathroom, but I knew he was filling the tub for my bath.
I wanted to get up, to go help him, but I couldn’t force my limbs to work. I was drained and sad.
A few minutes later, Jordan returned to my side, a steaming mug in his hand. “Drink this and then we’ll get you into the bath,” he directed.
This bossy side of him was one I hadn’t seen before. Well, that wasn’t true. I’d seen it before but it had never been directed at me. I didn’t want to like it, but, deep down, I was relieved to let someone else take charge for a while.
As I sipped the hot herbal tea, he disappeared down the hall again. Before I could finish the cup, he came back and pulled me to my feet.
“Let’s get you in the tub while the water’s hot.”
Without argument, I followed him to my bedroom and stood by the bed. He took the cup from me and set it on the nightstand before he tugged my sweater over my head, tossing it on the mattress.
When his hands reached for the fastener of my skirt, I roused from my trance. “I’ve got it.”
He stepped back as I undressed, carrying my clothes into the closet. Jordan returned a moment later and guided me into the bathroom. I could smell the lavender bath salts I kept in a glass jar on the edge of the tub and he’d lit several candles I’d placed around the room. The overhead light was off, leaving the space bathed in the soft glow of candlelight.
I slid into the hot, scented water and let loose a long sigh as the heat seeped into my skin, relaxing my muscles. When Jordan turned on the jets, I sighed again. I hadn’t realized how cold I’d been all day until that moment.
“I’m going to make dinner. Relax for a while.”
I leaned my head back against the tub, my eyes closed. “Thank you,” I whispered.
Jordan was silent for a moment then I felt his lips on my forehead. “Anytime.” I knew from the tone of his voice that he meant it.
As the hot water pummeled me, I let my mind drift, refusing to focus. I couldn’t allow myself to think too much. There were too many dark thoughts lurking in the background, waiting for me to notice them and give them life.
“Dinner’s ready.” Jordan’s soft voice pierced the fog that surrounded me.
I sat up in the water as he turned off the jets. He held out a towel as I stepped out then drained the tub as I dried off and wrapped myself in the thick, soft robe I kept on the back of the bathroom door.
When I entered the living room, I saw that he’d lit a fire in the fireplace and set two glasses of red wine on the coffee table.
“Go sit on the couch and I’ll bring you something to eat,” he murmured.
