Her Charming Secret (21 page)

Their raft rocked violently as they crashed into the raging current and lone rocks. The rush and excitement heightened the experience, almost causing a mindless euphoric bliss with nothing but the here and now being in the forefront of their thoughts. Jo felt her shoe drag in the cold water and soak her feet. They started paddling faster as the guide started screaming, “Right, right, now left. Yeah, be careful there’s a big rock ahead.”

“Alex, watch out,” Aiden cried, seeing a huge outcrop of rock heading their way. The raft tumbled in the water, and even with the warning, they crashed right into the rock, causing Alex to grimace at the pain that suddenly erupted in his shoulder.

“Bro, you okay?” Aiden asked. Alex prodded at his hand and nodded to Aiden. “I’m fine,” he said even as Jo and Aiden looked at him in worry.

Seeing their troubled looks, Alex smiled and started rowing faster. “See, I’m all good.” He grinned, looking a little crazy with his elbow bleeding and a grin on his face. Suddenly, a huge white wave came crashing on them, completely soaking them.

Everyone was enjoying as they made a loud noise each time they got hit by a rapid. The current became a little stronger and hastier. The landscape around them changed, becoming more jagged and rocky, and the river became choppier. Jo couldn’t help but relate it to the calm sky descending into turbulent storms, the water similarly going from calm, crystal blue to frothy white gales. The water was icy cold, cold enough to make them shiver. They passed small waterfalls, and were splashed and soaked as they managed to move past them. Jo loved every minute, but sometimes when they passed a stretch of rapids, she felt that their raft might flip or she might fall off.

Aiden was next to Alex the minute they got off, concern drifting off him in waves. Alex couldn’t help but grin when he saw how concerned Aiden looked; his grin grew bigger when Jo came to stand next to him, bandages in hand.

“I am just scratched up, you know, not dying,” he joked when he saw how worried they looked. Jo just put the bandage over his scratch before smacking him on the arm. Alex jumped and rubbed his hand exaggeratedly.

“Oww! I am already hurt, woman. You don’t have to hurt me more,” he mock-pouted. They all stared at each other before bursting out laughing. As soon as they reached the resort, they were asked to get ready for the camping. Jo excused herself to talk to Abigail.

Just as she made her way to her room, Alex called after her, “You going to talk to Abigail? Tell her I actually found you guys and I’m reasonably safe!”

She grinned and walked away. Abigail picked up on the second ring.

“How was it, Joey? Had fun?” she asked excited.

“Yeah, it was awesome, Abby! You should have been here,” Jo said. “But that’s not why I called you. Richard called this morning and Aiden picked up.”

“He picked up your phone? Why would he do that?”

Jo explained how Aiden went to keep his phone and attended her call. She was nervous now that Richard knew about Aiden. He could do anything. Abigail was worried about them, too. She knew that Richard would just visit Jo and ruin everything. Just then, Jo heard a knock on the door. She promised Abby that she would call her later.

Aiden and Alex were waiting for Jo, as they were about to go camping. Everything was ready and they set off. The camping area was huge, and they had to share the tents. Alex and Aiden were sharing one, and Jo had to share it with a girl. It was getting late, so everyone turned in – except Aiden, who rushed off to talk to his sister. Jo couldn’t sleep, either, so she decided to take a stroll. As she walked towards the riverside, she saw a tall figure standing alone. She moved forward to see Aiden who was just ending the call.

“Hey,” she whispered.

He turned around shocked and sighed when he saw her. “Hey, you, why are you up so late?”

She smiled. “I could ask you the same question. I couldn’t sleep.”

“Me too,” he murmured as he pulled her towards a rock and sat on top of it. “I was talking to Adele. I need to be home soon, so we leave tomorrow. We will reach home around midnight. I hope that’s okay. I can drop you at home.”

She shook her head. “No, Jake will pick me up. I’ll call him later.”

“You sure?” he asked and she just nodded. “This was marvelous, Jo. This trip, the whole holiday was great. Thank you so much. I never knew that I would have so much fun. I never had friends before, so I have no clue how it works. No one liked me because I was different. I was always the odd one out and it made me nervous. I was scared to face new challenges, but with you in my life, I’m not afraid anymore. You have made my life special, Josephine.”

“I know I’m the best.” She grinned. Aiden leaned in to kiss her. What with her lips looking so pink and soft, he couldn’t help but want a taste. Jo immediately closed her eyes, her arms going around his shoulders, a small sigh leaving her as their breaths mingled as one. They broke apart for a breath of air; their foreheads pressed together, mouths just far enough to breathe. When Jo looked into his eyes, she could see his love painted vividly on his face and she leaned in to kiss him this time. He held her close like he would lose her if she moved an inch away from him, wondering if this was what it felt like to fall head over heels in love.

They sat there looking at each other, in a world all of their own, with even nature standing still around them, as though it too wanted them to live in this moment forever. They broke apart after a while, just sitting there with their fingers intertwined, looking out into the darkness with a comfortable silence drifting over them. When Aiden pulled Jo to his side and threw an arm around her shoulder, she couldn’t help but blush. They sat there, not knowing for how long, talking about inconsequential things, but with each and every word said the same, the meaning clear that they were hopelessly and completely in love with each other.

- Chapter 19 -

Good-Looking Strangers

The camping trip had been the most relaxing set of days that Aiden had had in a long time. The BBQ party, the music and the ridiculous games that Alex and Jo talked him into had been a huge amount of fun. The only dark cloud stopping him from being completely happy and relaxed was Adele’s phone call from earlier. He was really worried about her; she had called late at night and confided in him that all of the preparations were overwhelming her and she just didn’t know any more whether she wanted to go through with the wedding or not. He knew that if he could just talk to her, he would be able to soothe her troubles, but for that he had to get back as soon as possible.

Aiden had been a bundle of nerves and had snapped at Alex, which led them to argue and ignore each other till they boarded in the evening.

“No way, dude! I can’t work tomorrow. FYI, I’m human! Not some robot like you,” Alex called after Aiden when they were searching for their seats. “Or wait, you must be an ALIEN!” he almost shouted already very irritated.

Everyone stopped doing what they were doing and looked at Alex in surprise. An air hostess walked towards him and placed her hand on his shoulder, “Sir, please take your seat.”

“Anything for you, gorgeous; just give me a minute.” He gave her his mesmerizing smile and walked forward. Jo decided to sit in between the boys because she just couldn’t stand another argument between them.

“Hey, Jo, does Abigail like vampires?” Alex asked all of a sudden. Aiden, who was putting on his seatbelt, stared at Alex like he had grown horns.

“Dude, seriously?” Aiden asked in mock-anger.

“What? Chicks dig vampires! I just wanted to know if she does too.”

Jo laughed and replied, “I’m not sure, Alex. You should try asking her. I would love to know the answer, too!”

Alex happily chatted with Jo; she wasn’t even paying attention to the announcement. All she managed to hear was
“Make sure your seatbacks and tray tables are in their full upright position. Also make sure your seat belt is correctly fastened . . . Thank you.”

Worry wafted off Aiden in waves that Jo couldn’t ignore, but he wasn’t talking to her and finally giving up, she turned and started discussing the wedding with Alex. Alex was excited that Adele was getting married, but Jo got the feeling that he didn’t really get along with the groom. Pushing back her questions, she smiled when Alex began to describe how he had messed up a friend’s wedding with a punch bowl, a branch and, funnily enough, a pony. People, he said, had no sense of humor, and he had been banned off weddings ever since. He told her in a mock-whisper that this would be the first wedding he attended in the last few years.

When Jo felt a light weight on her shoulder, she turned to see Aiden fast asleep, leaning against her. Smiling, she moved a bit so he was comfortable before turning back to the conversation with Alex, all the while making sure she didn’t jostle Aiden too much.

“He couldn’t sleep last night,” Alex said as he sipped on his drink. “I told him that he worries too much, but does he listen to me and relax? No, he just worries more!” But the exasperated smile was so filled with warmth that his words just sounded playful.

Their flight landed in Toronto at the right time. Aiden woke up and raked his hand through his hair. “Jo?” he called.

“Hey, you’re up? We just landed. Let’s get going.” She smiled.

They picked up their bags and walked towards the exit. Aiden was in desperate need of caffeine. He was begging Alex to wait for him. Jo had called Jacob as soon as they stepped out of the plane. He told her that he was on his way to the airport. He should have reached by now.

“Alright, so I guess I should go.” Jo sighed. Alex hugged her tightly and told her to take care. He said that he was heading towards the café and walked away, giving those two some time alone.

“I had lots of fun.” Jo hugged Aiden. He was a little uncomfortable to be standing there at the airport and hugging her. He hugged her back, but pulled away too soon. He pressed a quick kiss on her lips, not ready to let her go, but her sweet taste had him pulling her back for a more passionate kiss.

“Thanks for everything, Jo,” he whispered, as they broke apart. Just then, she spotted a tall, familiar figure from the corner of her eye. Jacob was just coming in, so she said goodbye to Aiden, promising that she would call later and walked away.

She turned around one last time to see him still standing there. She waved to him and turned around to run towards Jacob. He was standing there with a huge grin on his face, and caught her just as she jumped on him.

“Jakey!” Jo grinned and hugged him tightly. “I missed you so much!”

He hugged her back before pulling away and patting her head lightly. “Joo, I missed you, too!” he teased as he threw his arm around her shoulder.

“No . . . don’t call me that!” She groaned and pouted.

Aiden, who was watching all this, chuckled and walked away. He was going home to his parents’ place, and had no clue where Alex was heading. They grabbed their cappuccinos and hired a cab. They stopped at Aiden’s parents’ place and he got down, waving goodnight to Alex, who didn’t go to his own home but to Abigail’s place.

Abigail had given Alex a spare key to her home, saying that he could only use it during emergencies. Well, he missed her so much that he decided to consider this an emergency. He walked in slowly, placing his bags on the floor. He opened the door to her room to see her peacefully sleeping. He took off his jacket and walked towards the bed. Wrapping his arms around her, he snuggled his face into her neck. She moved a little and turned around to face him.

“Alex?” she asked, rubbing her sleepy eyes.

“Yes, baby, I’m here. Go to sleep,” he said, pulling her closer to his chest.

He was there. Finally, a place where he belonged!

*  *  *

Jacob was still teasing Jo as he drove her home. “Remember how you used to ask for juice when you were a kid? ‘
Jo wan more Joo. Joo, Jakey’
,” he mimicked her voice, bringing out the baby Jo’s voice perfectly. She mock-punched him and laughed.

“Hey, Jo, I want to talk to you about something very important,” Jacob said. All humor was gone from his voice.

“Me too! You will be shocked if you hear what I’m gonna say,” she said.

“Let me go first, Joey. It’s kind of important, you know.”

“More important than Richard?” she murmured.

“Richard?” Jacob’s expression immediately shifted to anger.

“Yeah, he called me. But I didn’t pick up my phone, Aiden did! I have no clue why he’s stalking me now!”

Jacob hit the steering wheel and groaned. “I told that jerk to stay away from you. I’m gonna kill him; this time he went too far!” he raged.

“Calm down, Jake! Don’t end up doing something weird; he may use that against us. I just want to know if he is still here. I don’t mind talking to him. At least I can tell him to back off.”

“No way! No way, young lady. You will never speak to him again. If he demands to, then it will only be in my presence, got that?” he said, his eyes cold. Jo knew he was serious when he used that tone.

“Yes,” she replied quietly, not ready to talk to him about Richard again. The rest of their ride back home was very quiet, because they couldn’t think of what to talk about.

*  *  *

Aiden reached home and decided to call Ashton to open the door. But knowing that it was already too late, he decided to let it go. Just as he moved back and decided to leave, the door opened. His mother was standing there with a smile on her face.

“Momma?” he called and moved forward.

“I knew it was you,” she cooed and hugged him. “Come in, Aiden! Do you want to eat something? Are you alright? How was your trip?”

He smiled at her enthusiasm, which reminded him of Jo. It was late, but she was still up. Just for him. “I’m fine, Mom. It’s been a long day, and no, I was asleep, so I haven’t had my dinner yet.”

“I made chicken pasta for dinner; why don’t you freshen up? I just have to heat it,” she said, going to the kitchen.

Aiden quietly walked up the stairs to his rooms, bag slung over his shoulders to retain the peaceful silence in the house that was only broken by loud snores that came from the direction of his grandfather’s room. He couldn’t help but chuckle, remembering how his grandfather had always protested saying, 
“Non, I do noz the znore, it iz that fellowz Alex, he iz plazing funny on moi.”

A smile on his face, he walked into his room, loving the feel of being home. Taking a minute to take it all in, he shook his head and pulling out a fresh change of clothes, went to take a shower.

Adelynn was rushing about the kitchen, heating up the pasta and making coffee just the way Aiden liked it. Just as she was setting it down, Aiden walked in with a huge grin on his face, looking fresh and clean. He pulled her into a quick hug, telling her without words how much he had missed her.

“So how was the trip?” she asked, looking at him over the brim of her cup. There was something so different about him now; he looked less restless – almost calm, a state of emotion she had hardly seen him in in recent years.

Aiden’s eyes lit up like a kid talking about his favorite toy. He grinned and said, “It was great, Momma. We camped, and while it was exceptionally hard to sleep in the same tent as Alex and his snores, everything else was fine. I mean it was good!”

Adelynn chuckled. “What about Josephine?”

Aiden looked up to see a small smile on her face. He should have known – his mother was extremely inquisitive, mostly when it came to him, Alex and Adele. Her look wasn’t accusing, just curious.

“What about her?” he asked without looking up. He tucked in because the food was delicious. Knowing his mother would easily find out about his relationship with Jo, he remained silent.

“Do you like her?” Adelynn asked and placed her hand under her chin, waiting for a proper reply.

Aiden never hid anything from his mother, so he decided to tell her before she found out from someone else.

“Mom, I’m in a relationship with Josephine. She means so much more to me than a friend and I don’t know how we got together . . . I just couldn’t control myself.” He sighed, looking away.

Lynn placed her hand on Aiden’s and smiled. “Are you happy?”

“She makes me happy!”

“That’s all that matters. But you know that William won’t be happy about this, right?”

“One of us has to resign, I know.” He sighed again.

“I can talk to Nick about this. Why don’t you invite her for dinner?” Adelynn smiled, changing the subject.

“You want to meet her?” Aiden asked in surprise.

“Of course, we’d love to meet her,” Adelynn assured him. “It’s getting late, baby. You should go to bed.” She placed a soft kiss on his temple and walked away.

It was really late, so all Aiden did was crash on his bed. It felt so soft and that’s what he wanted after sleeping in a tent. Sharing it with Alex had been the worst part.

“Never again!” he groaned.

He fell asleep just to be woken up by the loud and jarring ringtone of his mobile. Groaning, he picked it up to see Jo’s name and picture.

“Hey, you!” he answered, smiling to himself.

“Hi, you reached home yet?” she asked.

“Yeah! At home and in bed! What about you?”

Jo’s answer was no more than a whisper. “I reached home just a while ago. Jake is making some coffee. He wanted to talk about the trip.”

“Mmm . . . coffee,” Aiden murmured happily.

“Gosh! Just the word makes you happy.” Jo chuckled.

“So, I’ll be in and out tomorrow; lots of meetings.” He sighed. “You don’t have to be there at 7AM. Take your time.”

“Great, thanks. I’ll see you tomorrow. Love you. Night, Aid!”

“Night, Jo. I’ll see you tomorrow.” With that he ended the call. She didn’t miss his not saying the words back, but she was patient and knew that he wasn’t ready to say those three words yet. She was ready to wait, because Aiden didn’t do things halfway. When he did say those words – and she meant
 ‘when’
 and not 
‘if’
, because she knew he was in love with her – he would say it from the bottom of his heart and mean it and cherish it.

Without another thought, she ran towards the bathroom and freshened up. She came out and put on her most comfortable pair of shorts and a tee. She snuggled into her bed, already drifting off when Jacob came in with two cups.

“Hey, you tired?” he asked her, sitting down on the bed and handing her a cup.

She nodded and sipped, only to taste something different. “Hot chocolate?”

“Your favorite.” Jacob smiled.

“Thanks, Jakey!” She grinned and sipped the hot chocolate.

“Jo, I’m sorry about what happened earlier. I don’t know why I reacted so badly.” He sighed.

“That’s okay; I really don’t mind.” She smiled.