Hallie took one look at her pale, tear-ravaged face and pulled her into a hug. “It’s all right, sweetie. Hallie’s here. Everything’s going to be okay.”
Her throat ached. Jessie sniffed back tears. “I’m sorry. Everything’s just so screwed up.” She held on to her best friend’s hand as they walked over and sat down on the sofa.
“Bran’s upset. Everything’s a mess. I’m really glad you came over.”
“Me, too. Now...tell me what’s going on.”
Jessie sighed. “Brandon asked me to go back to Dallas and live with him.”
Hallie grinned. “That’s great!”
“No, it’s not.”
“Why not? You’re crazy about him. An idiot can see that.”
“I’m in love with him.” Her eyes burned. “God, I love him so much.” She wiped at the tears slipping down her cheeks.
“I don’t get it. If you love him, what’s the problem?”
“The problem is I can’t handle the kind of life he lives. Bran’s a warrior. He thrives on danger. The jobs he takes? He could be killed at any time. I’ve had enough of death. My mom, my brother, my father. I want a man who’s going to live till he’s ninety. Someone who’ll be there for me, our kids, and our grandkids.”
Hallie squeezed her hand and rose from the sofa. “I’m making us some jasmine tea. Then we’ll talk.”
Setting out Jessie’s antique porcelain teapot and gold-rimmed cups and saucers, she filled the kettle and set it on the stove. When the tea was ready, she carried the tray into the living room, rested it on the coffee table, and poured them each a cup.
“Thanks.” Jessie added a lump of sugar and took a sip.
Hallie sipped her tea, then set the cup back in its saucer. “You said you loved Brandon. Does he love you?”
“He didn’t say, but...”
“Yes or no.”
“I think he loves me. For a guy like him, it was huge to ask me to move to Dallas with him.”
“You said before he was too honorable to cheat on you.”
She toyed with the delicate handle on the cup. “Danny said he wasn’t a one-man woman, but Bran’s older now. I don’t believe he’d cheat.”
“You need to think this through, Jess. You’re afraid Brandon’s line of work will get him killed. But your mom died of a stroke. True, your brother was killed in the army, but your dad was murdered. It shouldn’t have happened but it did.”
Hallie set her cup and saucer down on the coffee table. “What I’m trying to say is there’s no way to know who’s going to live, who’s going to die, or when it’s going to happen. If you love someone, you have to hold on to them with everything you’ve got. Hiding yourself away, hoping nothing bad will happen, isn’t going to work. You might as well be happy with someone you love for as long as you can.”
Jessie just sat there. It made sense. How could it possibly make sense?
“Danny was killed in the same battle as Brandon,” Hallie went on. “Danny died. Brandon lived. Your father had been out of the fighting for years. But he still died too soon. Don’t you see?”
She looked at Hallie, her heart beginning to thrum with a feeling of hope. “Oh, God. What if you’re right?”
“About living and dying? I am right. I can’t tell you what you should do, but you need to think about it. Think really hard, Jess. If Brandon is anything like Ty, he guards his feelings. He isn’t the kind of man who would fall in love easily, and if I’m right, he won’t fall out easily, either.”
Jessie’s teacup rattled in her lap. “I rejected him, Hallie. I don’t think he’s the kind of guy who forgives easily, either.”
“If he loves you, he’ll forgive you.” Hallie rose and so did Jessie. “I’ve got to go. We’re on an eleven-thirty American flight to LAX day after tomorrow. I’ve got a couple of things to pick up for the kids, then I need to pack, get back to Evergreen, and get everyone organized.” She grinned. “I’m so excited.”
Jessie smiled. “I’m really glad it’s working out for you and Ty.”
“Me, too. We’re already practically living together and Ty wants more. We just seem to click. I’ve got the greatest guy and two super-great kids—and I owe it all to you.”
