“I talked to my mom today,” she admitted.
“You did?” Hawk’s eyebrows raised, clearly surprised by her admission. “That feels like a big step.”
She nodded. “She mentioned that you’ve been letting her know I’m okay.”
“Jess, I?—”
“You don’t have to explain. I wanted to say thank you for doing that. I wasn’t in a place to talk to her before now, but I’m glad that she wasn’t worried about me being physically okay.”
Hawk’s fingers squeezed around hers as they made their way down the sidewalk towards the parking lot. “What else did you two talk about?”
“My father. Her standing up to him, but how it didn’t feel like she really went to bat… for us… like she should have. And I told her I don’t want to go back to working at the diner.”
“Wow. Are you okay?”
Jessie shrugged. “Mom understood. Said that just because the diner was her dream, it didn’t mean it had to be mine.”
“That seems like good news.”
“It is,” she sniffled, wiping at the tears that had wet her cheeks.
“If it really is, then why are you crying?”
“It’s just been a long day.”
Hawk nodded. “Let’s get you home. How does a warm bath sound?”
“So good. Will you…”
“You already know the answer is yes to anything you ask,” he chuckled. “But let me hear the specifics.”
“The baby wants cornbread dressing… and cinnamon pecan ice cream.”
“What a combo,” he smiled, wrapping his arm around her shoulder. “But I think that can be arranged while you relax.”
Blissful peace washed over her. Until headlights caught her attention. That same black sedan she’d seen when walking with Mae earlier was rolling towards them. The hair on the back of her neck stood up, as a shiver rolled through her body.
“Are you cold—” Hawk didn’t get to finish his question. Tires squealed as the sedan picked up speed. There was barely any time to react, but Jessie did her best, yanking Hawk’s arm as she took two quick steps back.
Unfortunately for her, Hawk was also moving quickly, and their bodies collided, the force sending Jessie tumbling down.
Twenty-Three
“This feels excessive.” Jessie’s fingers squeezed the back of Hawk’s neck. Because the second he pulled into the parking lot behind the Montgomery Defense building, that man was out of the truck, sweeping her up into his arms. As much as she protested, he wouldn’t put her down. It was just a little bit ridiculous, and a whole lot lovely, and protective, and a part of her heart was screaming at her to take him to bed and do all sorts of things to him to say ‘thank you’.
Not that he would let her. Jessie had a feeling her horny little heart was about to be broken into a million pieces when Hawk took the doctor’s orders to rest a little too far.
“You fell, Jess.Hard.” Hawk’s face was still as pale as the moment he’d looked up at her after they’d fallen over each other.
She sighed. “And I landed on you. I’m fine.”
“You landed on your belly. Bee…” His face crumpled for a second before his eyes met hers. “You were cramping after. We’re not taking any chances.”
“Hey. We spent an extra two hours in the hospital being monitored. Nothing is wrong. The baby and I… we’re fine.”
“I heard what Birdie said. Rest. For the next few days. Until she can see you again. Your cute little butt is being parked on the couch, or in our bed, and I’ll take care of everything else.”
Jessie groaned.
