Dylan's Redemption (15 page)

Brian took Marilee’s hand and led her down the hallway. A series of oohs and aahs went up as they made their way from room to room. Jessie continued to unpack the box of dishes and stack them in the cupboard. Unheard, Dylan come up behind her. His hands clamped on to her hips. He pulled her back to his chest and bent to her ear.

“You’re a good woman, Jessie Thompson. You’ve done an amazing thing for your brother and Marilee.”

“I did it for the baby. He deserves a father who isn’t a drunk and a home to grow up in where he feels safe and protected.”

A squeal echoed from the back of the house, and Marilee shouted for Jessie to come.

Reluctant, she didn’t want to leave the warmth of Dylan’s embrace. The sturdy wall of his chest pressed against her back, his hips snug against her bottom. His strong, warm fingers dug into her hips, holding her tightly to him. His breath washed over her cheek. His lips barely whispered against her skin. Reluctantly, she pulled away and headed to the back of the house with him on her heels.

“What’s going on back here?” Jessie stood in the doorway of the baby’s room. Marilee sat in the rocking chair balling her eyes out. Brian crouched on bended knee, trying to console her. They made the sweetest picture. Brian swept his hand over Marilee’s hair and down her back, cooing, “Everything will be okay.”

“It’s beautiful. The furniture. This rocking chair. It’s all p-p-perfect. I’ve seen furniture like this in the antique store downtown. It’s expensive. Jessie, this is too much.”

“Do you like it?”

“Yes. Oh, yes. I love it,” Marilee said and sobbed harder.

“Then it isn’t too much. It’s just right. You look perfect in that rocking chair.” Her voice broke, and she turned and fled past Dylan.

She managed to run into the backyard and take a few deep breaths to clear her head and stop the tears. To her relief, no one came after her. She didn’t know what she’d do if Dylan had come after her and found her crying over a baby he didn’t know they shared. She wanted to feel his arms around her again. It was so easy to let him touch her and make the years fall away until she was that young girl in love with a boy for the first time.

A long way from being that naïve, young girl, she needed to remember that and everything that happened because she loved a boy.

Chapter Fifteen

D
YLAN WAITED OUTSIDE
of Jessie’s office trailer just like he had every other night of the past week. He alternated between seeing her and spending his evenings with Will. He hadn’t told her about his son. He’d do it soon, but first he needed to repair the bond they’d once shared back into a friendship and hopefully more. God, how he wanted more right now, but he could barely get Jessie to talk to him.

The first night hadn’t gone well at all. She walked out of her office, saw him standing there with a dozen red roses, and shook her head, and said, “Flowers do not make up for ditching me.”

“Do they entice you to have dinner with me?”

“No.”

She got in her truck and left. He let her. Short of following her home, handcuffing her, and making her go with him, what could he do?

He just might have to resort to handcuffing her if she continued to be this stubborn. Of course, he’d make it fun for both of them.

The second time he came by, he made sure to come after the crews left. He hoped he’d find her alone, working in the office. Luck was on his side. He brought her favorite, Gino’s Pizza. Pepperoni, extra cheese, and a couple cans of Dr. Pepper. He walked into her trailer, sat in front of her desk, set the pizza and sodas right on her work, and plated up a couple of slices.

“What are you doing?”

“Having dinner with you. You won’t go out with me, so I guess we’re staying in. How was your day?”

Stunned, taken off guard, it took her several minutes to figure out what to do with him. Since he refused to budge and sat eating his pizza as if they did this every night, she took her plate, popped the top on her soda, and sat back and ate with him. They played Twenty Questions. He asked the questions. She evaded at first, but since he kept the topics about everyday things and nothing about her, him, or what happened, she went along. After about five questions, he figured out to stop asking her questions that only required a yes or no. Stubborn woman didn’t want to like having him there, but by the end of the evening her soft smile came more easily and the wary look in her eyes disappeared. So long as he didn’t push too hard, get too close, or ask anything too personal. They’d get there.

Tonight, he wanted to spend time with her. Maybe hold her hand. Find a way to break through the walls she’d erected and fortified with her refusal to talk about the past, or a possible future together.

He walked into her office without knocking. No sense giving her a chance to say no to him without him even asking her anything. “Hey, Jess, how was your day?”

She looked up from her computer and swept her gaze over him from his face to his boots as he closed the distance between them. “How did I know you’d show up tonight?”

“Admit it, you were hoping I’d show up. That’s why you stayed and didn’t go home.”

“I’m working.”

She tried to hide the fact she hoped he’d show up, but he caught the hint of a smile she turned into a frown and the appreciative glint in her eyes when she’d seen him walk through the door. He still affected her. The same way she affected him. Every time he saw her, he wanted, needed, to get closer. Like now, he’d like to walk around her desk, pull her up out of her chair and straight into his arms for a kiss.

“We have to go, or we’ll be late.”

“I’m not going anywhere with you.”

“Please.”

“No.”

“Why not?”

“Dylan.” She drew out his name with a world of exasperation behind it.

“Don’t do that. Don’t blow me off for no reason.”

“There are a dozen reasons this is not a good idea. We had something. Once. It’s over. It ended in disaster. We can’t just go back to being friends the way we used to be and forget everything that happened between then and now.”

“Great. Then we are on the same page.”

“I don’t even know what planet you’re on. You show up here with flowers and dinner this past week and you act like we’re on a first date or something.”

“That’s exactly what it was. You know, two people who see each other for an hour or two and get to know each other.”

“We know each other. We have a history.”

“It’s been years. For all intents and purposes, Jess, we’re strangers. I don’t know anything about you except our past. You don’t know anything about me. All I’m trying to do is get to know you now.”

“Why? To what end?”

“Because I like you and want to get to know you better. Because you’re the only woman who ever made me feel the way I do when I think about or see you. Jess, I’ve missed you. I want my best friend back.”

“She’s gone, Dylan. Don’t you get that? She isn’t me anymore. So much has changed. Everything is different now. Why can’t you just accept that and leave me alone?”

“Maybe I would if I didn’t have a world of hurt to make up for causing you.” That strange look came into her eyes again. Every time he even mentioned their past, her eyes darkened with fear and such anguish he felt it like a punch to the heart.

“Dylan, please.”

“You are really making me work for this.” He held up his hand to stop her from protesting further. “Answer one question.”

“What?”

“If whatever it is you still need to tell me didn’t hang over us, would you want to see me?” He held his breath for the answer. If she said no, he’d have one hell of an uphill battle to change her mind, but he would. Eventually. He’d keep trying until he did.

She let out a heavy sigh. “Yes. But it doesn’t change—”

“Stop with yes. Okay, so let’s make a deal. You have something you want to tell me, but you don’t feel like you can because of what I did to you.”

“Your mother is the one who sent me that email and said some things on the phone that made it clear you didn’t want anything to do with me.”

“As I told you, lies. I’m sorry she did that. I’ll make it up to you. In order to do that, I need your cooperation. Let’s put the past on hold. We won’t talk about it until you’re ready.”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea. You’re asking me to spend time with you, rebuild our friendship, and then you want me to tell you the worst thing that has ever happened to me, knowing it will hurt you and you’ll hate me.”

“That is not going to happen. Ever. But you don’t believe that because I left you and you think I’ll do it again. Give me a chance to prove to you that will never happen.” He put it all on the line and added, “Otherwise, it’s just you and me right here, right now. Tell me what happened. You’ll see, it won’t change anything.”

She bent her head, stared at her hands in her lap, and sighed with such resignation his chest went tight.

Ready to tell him, she raised her head and looked him dead in the eye. “After you left, I . . .” Tears filled her eyes and choked off her words.

Dylan rounded the desk in a few long strides. He grabbed her arms and pulled her up and into his arms. She wrapped her arms around his neck and he pulled her close. He kept one arm banded around her waist and combed his fingers over her head and down her soft, long hair.

“Jessie Thompson doesn’t cry.” He tried to coax her out of this dark mood. She only cried harder, disturbing him even more. He had no idea what to do with a crying woman, but especially Jess. Tough as they come, whatever happened hurt her deeply. “Ah, Jess, come on now. It’s okay. I’m here.” He kissed the side of her head and ran his hand down her hair again and again. He turned with her in his arms and leaned back on her desk, bringing her close between his legs.

“I can’t do this. It brings it all back and it hurts too much. You left and I was all alone. I got that email, saying you were done with me.”

Dylan hugged her tight to his body and buried his face in her hair and neck. “It’s okay, sweetheart. I’m so sorry. I’d never hurt you like that, Jess. You don’t have to say anything, just hold on to me.”

Nothing ever felt better than Jessie tightening her arms around him and holding on for dear life. He vowed he’d never let her go. He’d spend the rest of his life making her happy. She’d never feel this kind of heart-wrenching pain again.

She settled into him, the tears stopped, but she didn’t let go. He waited her out, then took her face between his hands and made her look at him.

He fell into her somber gaze and lost his heart to her all over again. He’d never tire of looking at her. “You are so beautiful. You take my breath away, Jess. You’ve been through so much, and you’ve turned your life around and done some amazing things in such a short time. I wish I could convince you that the past doesn’t matter anymore, that the connection we still share is enough to overcome anything and build a life together. I wish more than anything I could wipe away the hurt and sadness I see in you. I wish you could just say the words and get whatever it is off your chest.”

Tears filled her eyes again. “Dylan—”

He kissed her quiet. “Shh. I can’t bear to see you cry. No more talking. Not tonight.” He stood, picked up her purse, and handed it to her. “Come on. We’re still going out.”

“Dylan, I don’t feel like going out. We need to finish this.”

“Not tonight. I want to be with you, Jess. So come on. I’ve got something planned. No talking required.”

He took her hand and softly tugged to get her to come with him. She sighed and walked out of the office, locked the door, and got into his truck without a word. She didn’t say anything on the way back into Fallbrook, or when they entered the movie theater. He bought the tickets, hot dogs, popcorn, and a couple of sodas and they took their seats. Trying to keep things light, he skipped the romantic comedy he thought she’d prefer, but might make her feel worse if it even touched on their circumstances, and they got lost in
Captain America
.

They finished eating during the opening coming attractions. He took her hand, laced his fingers with hers, and held on to her through the movie. At one point, she turned and looked at him and down at their joined hands like she didn’t know how any of this happened. He smiled, raised their hands to his lips and kissed hers, soft and long, his eyes on hers. She turned back to the movie first and he kept her hand in his. She didn’t let go when they exited the theater, or object when he took her hand again when he slid behind the wheel of the truck to drive her back to her car.

He kept his word. They didn’t speak. Words weren’t needed when he just wanted her to be with him. For now, it was enough. It took until they were settled in the truck on the way back to her office that he finally felt her completely relax next to him.

She tensed again when he helped her out of his truck and they stood next to her car. She opened her mouth to say something, but he cut her off. “I’m glad you came with me tonight. Can you get home on your own, or would you like me to follow you?”

“No. I’ll be fine. Dylan . . .”

“I know, Jess. We’ll get there,” he said, meaning they’d get to that talk. “I’ll call you tomorrow. Okay?” He pulled her door open and held it for her, giving her an escape, a way out of telling him what weighed so heavily on her heart and mind. She climbed in and started the engine, but turned to stare at him.

“Night, Jess.”

“Thank you.”

He got that she meant for making this easy and not pushing. “You’re welcome. I’ll see you soon. I’ll call you.” He closed the door and watched her drive away.

Eventually, they’d have to talk about it, but right now, she needed time to work it out. He could wait. He wasn’t going anywhere.

Chapter Sixteen

I
N TOWN ON
business, Jessie walked down the sidewalk toward the antique store to check in with her partner. She usually went to see her at closing time, but since everyone knew she was back in town, today she went during normal business hours. A distraction from thinking about Dylan and what happened last night. She’d tried to tell him, but the words wouldn’t come, and the pain of losing Hope rose up inside of her heart and made it bleed all over again.