Jared (17 page)

Squeezing his hand lightly she sighed. “I met a man
Gramps
.” Tessa said quietly still watching the birds with him. Even though he probably wouldn’t respond the need to talk to him was so overwhelming her mouth just opened, the words coming without thought. “But I’m reall
y afraid of getting hurt again. He teases me a lot, so I think you would like him.” Tessa chuckled.
Gramps
had
loved to tease her unmercifully.

She glanced to see if there was any change in his expression, but it remained as when she walked into the room, his eyes still staring out the window.
“
His name is Jared Kincaid.” She decided to leave the pa
rt about how they met out. “He’
s very handsome and nice. He’s also been helping me and Adam.”

She had never felt more alone in her life
than
at that moment,
but
then h
er grandfather’s bony hand turned to grasp hers in a weak squeeze. Tessa also tightened her grip, but not enough to hurt him, just a comfort squeeze.
Tears well
ed
up in her eyes, but she did her best to hold them back. She kept quiet trying to get her emotions in check. The last thing she wanted to do was upset him. No matter what his doctors said she knew he could hear her, could understand her. If he couldn’t do those things then why when she mentioned Jared was helping her and Adam did he give any type of recognition by squeezing her hand? Adam as well as herself had been the focal point of her grandfather’s life and he theirs. They had all counted on each other.

“What should I do
Gramps
?” Tessa finally ask
ed
keeping the tears out of her voice, not expecting him to answer. And he didn’t answer…in the usual way, but turned placing his other hand just above her heart
,
a lon
e
tear caught in the corner of his eye.

This time Tessa let the tears fall because she knew exactly what he meant. “Follow my heart.”
She whispered the words he
had told
her a million times while she was growing up
, but was unable to speak the words he wanted her to
hear.
H
e showed her the best way he could
.
His eyes lifted to hers releasing the lone tear that slowly
trailed
down his dear wrinkled ch
eek.

Tessa finally got home from seeing
Gramps
and grocery shopping. Climbing out she
went to the back of the car grabbing bags to carry in the house. Turning she ran into Jared’s rock hard chest.

“Here I got these.”
He took the bags out of her hands then reached in the back for more, but stopped his stare still on her face, intense.
“Have you been crying?”

Tessa looked away for a second. “Kind of.” She hated for anyone to see her weakness. “I
t’s all good. Just had a moment.
”

Jared sat the bags on the hood of the car. “Why were you crying?” His tone was soft
yet a hint of hardness edged each word.

The image of
Gramps
flashed through her mind as she touched the spot above her heart he had touched. Tears tickled her eyes…dammit.

He gra
sped her chin causing
a tear
to overflow
which he caught with his thumb wiping it away
. “Who made you cry Tessa?” His eyes darkened
dangerously.

“You really are a nice guy
aren’t you?
” Tessa sighed.

“
Not to the one who made you cry
.” Jared
growled, his eyes narrowing
. “Now answer my question.”

“No one made me cry Jared.” Tessa looked into his beautiful eyes, eyes she could get lost in. “It’s just hard for me to see my grandfather some days. I miss him so much and with everything going on right now it just hit me harder today than others.”

“What do you mean you miss him?” Jared wiped the last tear that escaped before letting her go.

“He has
Alzheimer’s
. He doesn’t talk much anymore. Some days he knows us and some days he doesn’t seem to even know we’re in the room. The doctors tell me that the disease is very progressive and soon he will be lost to us if he’s not already. But then there are days like today when I know…” Tessa slapped her hands together in an angry fashion. “I totally know he is in there and he knows exactly who I am, knows what I’m saying because he does something so like himself that makes me know he still sees me.” Her chin crinkled up as she tried to hold in the sobs of frustration that wanted to break free from her broken heart.

Jared pulled her into his arms and held her tight. “I would like to meet you
r
grandfather.” He whispered into her hair.

Nodding into his chest Tessa wrapped her arms around his waist so tight she didn’t want to let go. He made her feel
like she matter
ed
, something she hadn’t felt in a long time. She smiled into his chest. “He would have liked you.”

“Of course he would.” He said seriously, but winked down at her. “Everyone does.”

Tessa couldn’t help but smile.
It would be so easy to fall for this man and that scared the hell out of her. Otis had been nice and caring at the beginning to
o
and look where that got her. “Full of yourself much?” She
teased pulling
away. “Thanks. I didn’t mean to get your shirt wet.”

“Honey you can cry on me anytime you want
, but don’t make it too often because I really don’t like seeing those gorgeous eyes filled with tears, you hear?” He waited for her nod.
“
Now let me get this stuff in the house so I can fire up the grill. I’m starving.” Jared once again
grabbed
grocery bags yelling for Adam to get the rest.

********

The Campbell County Fair was in full swing by the time they arrived. Tessa was happy to see Damon and Nicole waiting at the gate for them. A boy who looked to be around Adam and Jill’s age stood with them.

“I was so glad Jared called.” Nic
ole gave her a tight hug. “It’
s been so long since I’ve been to the fair.”

“Me to
o
.” Tessa’s grin was full of excitement
.

“Well let’s go.” The young boy
,
who was with Nicole and Damon
,
laughed. “I’m Steve by the way.” The boy told the group his golden eyes shining with happiness. “It’s nice to meet you Steve.” Tessa grinned. “I’m Tessa and that’s my brother Adam and Jill is a friend of ours.”

Tessa fell in line behind everyone as they made their way into the gate with the rest of the fair goers. Her excitement almost matching the little kids holding tightly to their parents hands, eyes wide in awe at the rides in the distance.

“I have four.” Jared told the lady taking money and handing out tickets.

“I’ve got ours Jared.” Tessa cut her way through Adam and Jill, but Jared ignored her handing the woman the money. Tessa frowned, but instead of making a scene she decided she would pay him back later, without his knowing. “Thank you.”
She took the ticket he handed her.

He smiled down at her with a wink. “You’re welcome.”

The smell of funnel cake hit Tessa full force
smelling so delicious
her stomach rumble
d
. Making a note where the funnel cake
booth
stood she took a
nother
deep sniff as they passed.

“Hey
,
can we go ride some stuff?” Jill ask
ed
, finally
feeling at ease
enough to talk to them now.

Tessa
noticed
the instant Damon and Jared turned warrior
. They both focused all around,
each scanning the area for something Tessa couldn’t see
as they followed the teens toward the rides
.

“Pretty impressive isn’t it?” Nicole fell back with her as her soon to be hubby’s attention was on
other things. “One minute they’
re talking about who can pee the farthest and then…BAM…vampire warrior mode takes over.”

Tessa grinned at Nicole’s words. “
They do seem to take their job
seriously.”

“You don’t know the half of it.” Nicole rolled her eyes
.

Both women heard someone call Tessa’s name and turned. “Crap.” Tessa frowned turning back around quickly trying to get lost in the crowd.

“Where we going?” Nicole chuckled as Tessa lead her through the maze of people. “The guys are over there.”

Tessa heard the deep rumble of Otis’s voice and cringed. Dammit, she knew he would be here, but hoped her chance of running into him would be slim to none. Yeah, well
,
she should have known
her luck would be slim to none.

“Ah, I think that cop
wants
you to stop.” Nicole was looking over her shoulder. “Is there something you need to tell me?”

“Yeah, he’s my ex and a total asshole.” Tessa got them stuck in a line for a ride. “Dammit.” Tessa looked around for an escape but found nowhere to go.

Nicole
’s
eyes widened. “Oh.” She turned to
get a better
look
at the man barreling his way toward them. Getting a read on him
,
her eyes narrowed sending a silent message to her husband. They might just need them.

“Tessa
Pride!”

Everyone around them stopped to turn
except Tessa
. One thing Sheriff Otis T. Bowman had was a voice so full of authority
everyone stopped at the command in his voice. Tessa felt herself shrink, then cursed
f
or being a coward and turned to face
the man who had almost succeeded in
ruining her life.

“Sheriff.” Tessa’s tone was flat as she greeted him.

“Didn’t you hear me calling you?” His mouth turned down in a
n
aggravated frown.

“Yes.” She replied
staring right back at him keeping her spine straight. He was definitely a handsome man. His body sculptured from many years working in the tobacco fields of his family
fit
well into his sheriff
’
s uniform.
His sandy colored hair was longer than he usual
ly
wore it, but it was his icy blue eyes that held her hostage.

He ignored her sarcasm.
“You’re looking good Tessa.”
An arrogant grin tipped his lips as his eyes roamed down her body.
“I see you took my advice and lost some weight.”

Tessa’s face flamed in embarrassment as shame made her tug her shirt down. She hated that he could do that to her, that he still had any control over her. She felt Nicole take a step closer to her side.

Nicole snorted. “You’re right…he is an asshole.”

“Who are you?”
His eyes narrowed, but then ran up and down her body crudely.

When Nicole didn’t answer, just sneered at him he
returned
his attention to Tessa.
“Why haven’t you returned my calls
Tessa
?”

“Because I don’t have anything to say to you Otis.” Tessa replied wanting to get away. People were starting to notice them and being the talk of the town wasn’t something she wanted to repeat. “Let’s go.” She started to walk away with Nicole, but was stopped.

“Now hold on a damn minute.” Otis grabbed her arm turning her around. “I’m not done talking to you.”

“
I think you are.” Jared stepped between them breaking the contact. Looking down at Tessa he kept his body between her and the sheriff. “You okay?”

Tessa nodded her face growing hotter by the minute. “Yes, I’m fine. Just ready to go.”
She could feel the pity stares from those around her that knew of her and the sheriffs
’
past.

“What in the hell do you mean is she okay?” Otis huffed behind them. “Who are you?”

Jared turned
,
his eyes darkening in the overhead lights that
twinkled
throughout the fairgrounds.
“Jared Kincaid.” Jared reached down to clasp Tessa’s hand. “And you must be Oat.”

A few snickers rolled through the crowd. “It’s Otis.” His eyes narrowed. “Sheriff Otis Bowman.”

“I see that.” Jared smirked
at the badge he was thrusting out on his chest
. “Now if you’ll excuse us
,
Oat
,
we have things to do.”