She couldn’t shake the melancholy from Jared’s absence. He’d messaged her earlier to say he’d be out of cell range for most the day, and she hadn’t heard from him since. Even if he might not get the pictures until tomorrow, she sent him a few of her mantle and tree.
So much for surprising him. She grinned to herself and laughed, not surprised she’d caved and told him. Everything that happened to her, she wanted to share—with him.
Five minutes later he sent a reply. —Just got back in. Love the decorating. Can’t wait to see in person. How are you?
—Good. Missing you.She stared at the text, debating to send it. Telling him she missed him sounded so…personal. But she’d made a decision to speak the truth, so she hitsend.
—Miss you too. Little girl treating you okay?
—Other than always moving when I’m trying to sleep, yes.
—Good. Anything else happen today? Lots to tell when you I get back.
—Can’t wait to hear. Nothing more than shopping and decorated. Hollie came over and helped.
—Sounds like a good day. Glad you had fun.
She touched her phone screen, wishing they were having a face-to-face conversation. This break from each other made her realize how much he meant to her. Absence didn’t make the heart grow fonder, rather made it aware of the fondness already there. The way her heart pounded each time a message came through confirmed what she had been afraid to admit.
It had happened.
She’d fallen in love with him.
Which raised a host of other questions. Did she want to marry him? Yes. Could she leave her home and follow him to Wyoming? She knew how badly he wanted to move home. She was his only reason to stay, but moving across the country would kick her completely out of her comfort zone and into entirely new territory. Hadn’t she heard someone say once that the comfort zone wasn’t always the right zone?
Drawing a long breath, she clutched her phone tightly.
The answer was there, and it was up to her to grab it.
She sent another message. —Could you do me a favor?
—Sure. What is it?
—Can you teach me about forever?She held her breath, waiting for a response that didn’t come.
Crushed and confused, she fell asleep crying.
Chapter Fifteen
Jared grabbed his suitcase from baggage claim and rushed to his truck. He paid for his long-term parking on the way out, then stopped at the nearest convenience store for an energy drink. An hour of sleep before his mad rush of connecting flights left his body worn. His mind, however, was on full alert.
As soon as he’d read Sybil’s last text, he couldn’t get home fast enough. He’d moved his flight to the first available to Jacksonville, even though that meant the inconvenience of multiple stops. He considered it worth every extra dollar he’d spent to make it happen.
He guzzled his drink, shed the heavy winter coat he’d needed in Wyoming but not here, then went straight to Sybil’s house. Her car wasn’t there, and no one answered when he knocked.
Then he remembered she’d be at church. It was Sunday morning after all.
What’s another hour when I’ve waited months?
A light breeze blew, sending unpleasant scents to his nostril. He cringed as it dawned on him those smells came from him. He hadn’t showered since yesterday morning, had spent that afternoon at the ranch, and on his final leg this morning had sat next to a man who apparently transferred his days’ old filth to Jared by mere proximity.
Seconds ago, disappointment had filled him when he realized he’d have to wait for Sybil, but that soon changed to gratitude. She deserved better than to have him show up for this important moment smelling like a barn mixed with a gym.
He hopped back in his truck and went home. Showered and changed into a fresh pair of clothes. The occasion called for more than the worn jeans and sweatshirt he’d had on before. He pulled on a pair of tan cotton pants and a navy sweater. A compromise between dressy and casual.
The minutes ticked slowly by as he waited for the time the service usually ended. Finally, he returned to Sybil’s house, walking this time. He waited on her front steps, then stood when he saw her car.
If she noticed him, she didn’t let on. It looked like she was singing along to the radio. Before she got out of the car, she leaned over the passenger seat and grabbed something. She walked towards him but didn’t see him until she was several feet away.
