“Have you seen him? How’s he doing?”
“He started back to work on Wednesday, though Chief Jones has him on light duty. I thought I’d take over some cookies tomorrow.”
Jenna was glad Mom was looking out for him. “That’s nice of you.”
“You know how I love to bake.”
And now she didn’t have anyone to bake for. Thanks to Jenna.She hated to ask because she was sure she already knew the answer. “Have you heard anything from Gordon?”
Mom sighed softly. “No, I haven’t. I’m thinking he’s probably moved on, sweetheart. I guess my doubt triggered all those issues from his marriage, and now he’s just afraid to take a chance on me.”
The sadness in her voice made Jenna’s wobble. “I’m sorry, Mom.”
“Well, aren’t we a pair? But Jenna,Ididn’t have any choice in the matter. I made mistakes, but it wasn’t my decision. You, though... that boy loves you.”
Jenna shook her head. “That’s not the problem, Mom.”
“I know it must’ve been scary seeing him hurt in the line of duty. Trust me, honey, I know all about that. But love never comes without risk. As much as losing your father hurt, do you think I would’ve traded one minute with him? I treasure every day we had together.”
Jenna wished she could view it that way. Maybe she wasn’t as brave as her mom. Jenna shut down at just the thought of losing him. “I wish I could, but I just can’t.”
A beat of silence passed. “I won’t press you. I hate seeing you so heartbroken, that’s all.”
Jenna could relate. Seeing her mom so despondent was hard to bear. Of course, some of that was brought on by the guilt.
They talked for a while about the goings-on around the island and the Pony Swim coming up in less than three weeks. But Jenna’s mind was only half on the conversation.
The other half was problem-solving. She had a free day tomorrow and an idea that could possibly change her mom’s situation. By the time she got off the phone, the plan was firmly cemented in her mind.
The row house appeared the same as it had a few weeks ago, except someone had removed the withering ferns from the porch. Jenna swallowed hard as she walked up the porch steps. Memories of her visit with Tyson intruded, but she shoved them firmly away. She had to focus on her objective.
Rosalind’s car was out on the street, but Jenna had no idea what kind of car Gordon drove. She wanted to catch him at home, but also...ugh. This was not going to be fun. But the hope that she could repair the relationship between Mom and Gordon drove her on. And even if she couldn’t, she at least owed the man a direct apology.
She knocked on the door, her heart hammering. A glimpse of the mailbox elicited an image of Tyson withdrawing the mail for his perusal.
Before she could follow the memory, the door opened and Rosalind appeared in a pair of denim shorts and a periwinkle tee. “Can I help you?”
“Uh, hi. I’m Jenna, a friend of Gordon’s. Is he home by chance?”
“He is.” Smiling kindly, Rosalind pushed open the screen door. “Come on in. He’s out back trying to find some peace.”
Music blared from upstairs. At least Jenna thought it was music. Hard to tell.
“I’m his sister, Rosalind,” she said over the noise, then glanced at the ceiling. “And that’s my son’s loud, obnoxious music. Excuse me while I go handle that. Just go straight back and you’ll find the door—and some blessed peace,” she mumbled.
“Thank you.”
A quick peek in the living room offered a glimpse of soothing neutral tones, brown leather furniture, and original mahoganywoodwork. All in all a well-kept, inviting environment, if a little on the masculine side.
Jenna headed the way the woman had directed. Rosalind seemed nice. Just like Gordon. If only Jenna had taken him at face value all those weeks ago, she could’ve avoided all this pain and suffering.
When she reached the back door, she opened it and spotted Gordon sitting on a well-appointed patio. He was reading a newspaper, a mug of coffee resting at his fingertips.
The city noises infiltrated the shrub-lined yard, covering the sounds of her arrival. She stepped down onto the patio and closed the door behind her. “Gordon?”
He turned and his eyebrows hiked at the sight of her. “Jenna.” He dropped the paper, and his chair scraped the cement as he stood. “What are you doing here? Is your mom okay?”
“She’s fine.” His obvious concern for her mother buoyed Jenna’s spirits. The man must still have feelings for her. “I’m sorry to drop by unannounced. I needed to talk to you and I—I guess I was afraid you wouldn’t see me.”
