Love Takes Hold: The Helena's Grove Series Book 3 (2 page)

“I know, I’m sorry honey.” He turned and gently touched her stomach where it had begun to grow round with the child inside her. “I just have to find her, I have to.”

She kissed his forehead. “I understand how important this is to you, but it’s two o’clock in the morning. Everything will still be here when you wake up. Come to bed.” She smiled at him and his resolve weakened.

“Okay, okay you win,” he exhaled in defeat. He shut down his computer and walked with his wife up the stairs to their bedroom. As he lay down, Courtney cuddled up next to him and he breathed deep as his muscles began to relax. His eyelids were heavy but every time he closed them all he could see were the documents, searches and numbers he’d seen so much of in the last few weeks.

“You’ll find her honey, don’t worry,” Courtney’s voice sounded beside him.

He wrapped his arm around her and kissed her hair. “I know baby, I know I will.”

Chapter 2

The time came for Jen and Zack’s getaway to his hometown in Ohio. Even though it was a long drive and would only be a couple days, Jen was looking forward to it. She missed her aunt and felt it would be good for her and Zack to take a step back from their crazy lives. She knew relationships were challenging, but theirs was proving more and more difficult as their careers became more demanding. Despite their conflicts, Zack was a good boyfriend and Jen was happy with their relationship and how far they’d come.

“Here we are!” Zack announced as he pulled into Aunt Gabby’s driveway. The small yellow house with its white shutters and white picket fence looked as beautiful as ever. The flower gardens in the front were clean and smelled lovely. Jen soaked in the homey country feel as they made their way to the front door. Before they could ring the doorbell, the door swung open and Aunt Gabby stood there in her khaki capris and bright yellow t-shirt. 

“Hello!” she cried as she opened the screen door. “Come in, come in, come in!”

“Hello Aunt Gabby!” Zack kissed her cheek as he entered the house. She hugged him tightly and did the same to Jen.

“You two must be exhausted. That’s such a long drive! Make your way to the kitchen if you will, I have some iced tea and homemade ice cream!”

Jen and Zack exchanged smiles as they followed Aunt Gabby through the entry and to the kitchen. Her exuberance and energy never ceased to amaze them.

They all sat and enjoyed the treat while the two of them filled Aunt Gabby in on their lives. Jen told her how she was working hard, trying to establish a good name and hopefully a raise, and Zack followed up with news about his crazy hours at the hospital.

“How’s Annie?” Zack asked as Aunt Gabby poured him another glass of iced tea. He hadn’t seen her in awhile and knew she kept in touch with Aunt Gabby almost daily.

“She’s doing marvelous. She and Adam are officially a couple now that Adam was able to get past his girlfriend who died.”

“Yes, we heard, we’re so happy for them,” Jen said brightly.

“They’ve had to take their relationship slow but it’s working out fine,” Aunt Gabby continued. “Did you hear she got that new job? Better pay and the hours work better with her classes. She was toying with the idea of going straight through and getting her nurse practitioner license. Apparently it’s the same as a doctor but without all the legal stuff…” Aunt Gabby babbled on, barely taking a breath. “Anyway, they’re doing well. I’m not sure how often you talk to her but she calls me twice or more a week to check on things and fill me in on her life. I try to keep myself busy with community things but without you three around life gets a little boring! I have to volunteer for almost everything to keep myself from going senile… although, the yard and house keep me fairly occupied. Did you see the new flower bed I put in this year?” She led Zack and Jen out to the back yard, telling them about the flowers and vegetables she had planted that year.

After the tour of the yard the three of them went back inside. “I’ll let you two get settled,” Aunt Gabby told them. “Do you have plans for dinner?”

Jen and Zack looked at each other before Zack spoke up. “We have plans tomorrow night but nothing tonight.”

“Oh perfect!” Aunt Gabby smiled. “What sounds good? I’ll make whatever you want.”

“Don’t go overboard Aunt G, we’re fine with anything. Something simple will be great,” Jen quickly said.

“Oh don’t be ridiculous. How often do you two come and visit? I’m happy to make anything at all!”

“Make whatever sounds good to you. You know I’m not picky,” Zack said chuckling.

“Okay, I’ll be thinking about it. You guys head on up stairs, last room on the right.” Aunt Gabby gestured to the staircase.

Jen and Zack carried their luggage up the stairs to the designated room and made their way inside.

“This is nice,” Jen commented as they set their bags down. “How long has she had this bedroom set?”

“I think she redid this room for Annie when she came for the holidays last year,” Zack replied.

“Hmmm, well it’s beautiful. I’m glad she got rid of the two twin beds. We’d have had to push them together.” She winked at Zack.

“Or just made a bed on the floor,” he said suggestively and kissed her cheek before heading into the bathroom.

“Hey.” Jen stopped him, wrapping her arms around his waist. “Thank you for taking time for us. I know it’s hard for you to get away and I know you’re probably missing some awesome cases at the hospital.”

“I am,” Zack admitted. “But they’re worth missing if it means I get to spend a couple uninterrupted days with you.”

She smiled and kissed him before he turned and walked into the bathroom. “Oh by the way, what are we planning tomorrow?” Jen called after him.

The door to the bathroom opened and Zack poked his head out. “What was that?”

“You told Aunt Gabby we had plans tomorrow night.” Jen shrugged. “What are we doing?”

“Oh that…” Zack made a face as if remembering a long lost memory. “I have plans that involve you, but they aren’t necessarily our plans.”

Jen laughed. “What? How does that work?”

“It basically means you just have to trust me,” he said and made a kissy face at her. Jen giggled and threw a shirt at him, shaking her head. Smiling, he went back in the bathroom.

That night they enjoyed a wonderful dinner with Aunt Gabby and listened to all her stories about the many organizations she was volunteering at. “I volunteer at the animal shelter, the homeless shelter, the hospital, the senior center, not to mention all the holiday functions,” she told them.

“You really get around,” Zack observed. “I bet the organizers love you.”

“Well, I only volunteer a few hours a day. Otherwise I’m here or over at Mrs. Hansen’s. Did you hear their niece is getting married?”

Zack coughed a little and Jen looked at him. “You alright?”

“Yeah, I just got a little chicken stuck in my pipe.” He cleared his throat a couple times before Aunt Gabby continued, “Anyway it’s this big to do – set for December, an ice crystals theme; should be very beautiful. Maybe you guys could come for it and then just stay for Christmas.”

“Oh I doubt we’ll get an invitation,” Zack said as he took a sip of water.

“Didn’t you go to school with her?” Aunt Gabby asked.

Zack nodded. “She was in Annie’s class.”

“Who is this?” Jen asked.

“Melanie Hansen,” Aunt Gabby told her. “She used to like Zack a lot, when she was little.”

Jen’s mouth opened slightly as recognition dawned. “Melanie? As in, Melanie that I met last summer at the dance?” she asked Zack.

“The same one.” He gave her a look and Jen laughed. “I think she more than liked Zack,” she whispered to Aunt Gabby.

“What do you mean?” Aunt Gabby was clearly perplexed.

“She was in love with him,” Jen answered, her eyebrows bobbing up and down.

“Was, being the key word,” Zack chimed in.

“Her too?” Aunt Gabby teased as she poked Zack in the arm.

He gave her a look but didn’t comment.

“Well good for her. That’s great she’s getting married. But like Zack said, I doubt we’ll be invited,” Jen said.

Aunt Gabby shrugged, clearly not seeing the problem but didn’t press the issue. “Suit yourselves.”

“It’s about time she got married; she’s getting old,” Zack said matter-of-factly.

Jen smacked him. “She’s younger than me if she’s Annie’s age,” she reminded him.

“Maybe you’re getting old too,” he teased, winking at her.

Jen scoffed. “The average age for a woman to get married in this country is twenty-seven so I have another year.” She nodded at Zack as he gave her a half smile and then went back to his meal.

There was silence for a few seconds before Aunt Gabby changed the subject. “How’s that new movie that just came out. The lady over at the hospital was telling me about it. Have either of you seen it?”

Jen was watching Zack as Aunt Gabby spoke. He had gone quiet all of a sudden and seemed intent on finishing his meal in world record speed – something he did when he was in deep thought.

“Have you seen it?”

Jen’s head turned back to Aunt Gabby who was looking at her. “Oh ummm, no we haven’t had time to see it yet.”

“Oh, well if you get a chance you should…”

Jen nodded and glanced back at Zack. He was normally a fairly talkative, easy going person. So when he went quiet it made Jen nervous. She’d brought it up a few times and he’d told her there were times when he needed to go into his head to work things out. Once they were worked out, he’d talk to her about it. She understood but it still made her wonder what he was thinking.

He looked up and caught her gaze. A few seconds passed before he smiled sweetly and Jen relaxed a little. After a few minutes he reached over and held her hand. With his touch, all Jen’s worries melted away and they had a great rest of the evening.

That night as they were getting ready for bed, Jen asked him what he was thinking during dinner.

“Just thinking,” Zack replied.

“Not going to tell me?”

He kissed her head and gave her a squeeze. “I’ll tell you when I figure it all out,” he said sleepily.

Jen sighed, knowing there was no use pressing the topic. “Okay.”

“Where are we going?” Jen asked as they drove.

“You’ll see,” Zack replied with a smile.

Jen opened her mouth to speak but then decided to wait. She watched the world outside as they drove. The sun was beginning to get low in the sky along the horizon. It wasn’t until Zack turned onto a dirt road that Jen began to recognize her surroundings. She smiled at him as they pulled over next to a grove of trees.

“Helena’s Grove?”

Zack nodded and got out of the truck. He made his way around to the passenger side and met her when she got out. He put his arm around her. “Do you realize it was almost a year ago that we had our date out here?”

Jen marveled at that a moment. “Wow, I can’t believe it’s been that long.”

“It seems like longer doesn’t it?”

“It does. But that’s because so much has happened in the last ten months.”

“Good things.” He smiled down at her.

“Very good things.” She kissed him softly and they made their way to the fire pit. The grove itself looked as beautiful as ever. The aspen trees shimmered as the setting sun shone its last rays on them while the breeze caught the leaves, shaking them gently. The wild grass was growing fast in the spring weather and was already several inches tall and swayed slightly. Jen took a few minutes to soak in the beauty of the place. She understood completely why Zack’s mother had loved it so much.

Zack pulled a bag of marshmallows and two sticks out of the back of the truck. He started a small fire and looked up at her. “You wanna roast some mallows?”

“Sure, as long as you don’t let me eat too many.”

Zack laughed and sat next to her on the log. The two watched silently as the flames began to grow into a steady blaze.

“I love it here,” Jen commented wistfully.

“So do I, there are a lot of good memories associated with this place.”

Jen smiled at him and he put his arm around her, staring deeply into her eyes. “I love you ya know.”

She smiled. “I know.”

“You’re smart and beautiful and spunky.” He took a deep breath. “You’re my best friend.”

Jen touched his cheek lovingly. “And you’re mine.”

Zack leaned in and kissed her; a soft, slow kiss filled with passion and desire. He pulled back and rested his forehead against hers. “I don’t ever want to be without you,” he whispered.

“You’ll never have to be.”

Zack sat up straighter and took both of her hands in his. “You are the first thing I want to see in the morning and the last thing I see at night.”

Jen chuckled. “I already am.”

“I know but…” Zack took a deep breath and Jen realized he was nervous.

“What’s wrong?” she asked, a little concerned.

“Nothing, nothing is wrong. I just…” He smiled at her and before Jen could even comprehend what was happening, he was down on one knee in front of her. Her chest constricted and her hands began to shake.

“Jennifer Berkley, I love you with everything inside me, with everything that I am. I want you by my side through thick and thin for the rest of my life.”

“Oh Zack…” Jen began.

“Will you marry me?”

There was silence. Jen couldn’t hear anything but the sound of her heart beating. Her voice caught in her throat as Zack stared at her with longing in his striking brown eyes. She wanted to speak; she willed herself to speak but nothing would come out. “I…” She scrambled for something to say. “I’m not…” She couldn’t form a sentence so she just shook her head.

Zack’s face scrunched slightly as his eyebrows came together. Then he stood and turned away from her, his hands on his hips as he paced. “Are you saying no?” he finally asked.

“No! I mean, maybe. Zack we’re so young! Marriage is so…” She searched for the right word. “It’s MARRIAGE!”

“I know what marriage is; it’s commitment and structure.”

“We’re already living together and things are going fine…” she stammered. “Why would you want to ruin things by getting married?”

“Ruin things?” Zack stared at her as if he hadn’t heard her correctly. “You think getting married will ruin our relationship?”

“I’ve seen it happen time and time again,” she said, anxiety clearly written on her face.

“Jen, you don’t get married when things are bad. Now is the time to get married because we are doing so well together. I love you; I know I want to be with you forever. I want that in writing, I want the ceremony that says we are devoted to one another for the rest of our lives. I thought you wanted that too.”

“It’s just a piece of paper!” Jen blurted out. “I’m committed to you and you’re committed to me right now. Why do we need a judge to tell us our commitment is legitimate?”

“Is that really what you believe? That marriage is just a piece of paper?” From the tone of Zack’s voice Jen knew he was hurt.

She took a deep breath and stood to meet his gaze, willing him to understand her position. “My dad was married five times, FIVE times.” She held up her hand for more proof. “My mom split when I was little. As far as I’m concerned, people get married far too often.”

Zack rubbed his eyes. “I can’t believe you’re saying this. You’re telling me that you never want to get married?”

“I’m not saying never…” She paused. “I’m just not sure I’m ready for it now. I’m still young, we’re so young...”

“I’m not asking you to kill yourself for me or give up all your hopes and dreams, I’m asking you to go through life with me. I want us to be there for each other, in sickness and in health.” Zack was growing impatient.

“I’m already here for you. I live with you. I do your laundry… we cook and eat meals together. What more do you want?”

“I want to be married!” Zack all but yelled. He stepped back when he realized how forcefully his words had come out. He took several breaths and continued in a gentler tone. “I want a wife. I want to be a husband. I want to have kids. I want to have a home, with a nice yard and a dog.”

“We can have that without a marriage license. I don’t need the law to tell me I’m married to you. Common law is seven years anyway.”

Zack laughed out loud; a cynical, cold, scoffing laugh. Jen cringed at the sound.

“I had no idea you felt this way,” he said after a moment of silence. “Do you want kids? Do you want a house? Do you want anything that I want in life?”

“I want you,” she whispered.

“But you’re not willing to marry me! That’s an oxymoron Jen. If you wanted me, if you wanted to be with me and be committed to only me then you’d want to marry me.”

“That’s not true! Just because I don’t believe in marriage doesn’t mean I’m not committed to you.”

He stared at her, the muscles in his neck and jaw twitching.

“And I do want kids,” Jen added.

“How many?”

“Hell Zack, I don’t know.”

“How many?” Zack said more sternly. “Give me the number that’s in your head because I know there is one.”

Jen shook her head as she thought. “I think two is plenty.”

Zack scoffed and turned away from her.

“Why, how many do you want?” Jen shot at him.

“I was thinking five or six.”

Jen stared at him in horror. “Five or six? Kids? Are you insane?”

“I didn’t think so.”

“Zack, if we wanted that many kids we’d have to get started right away.” Jen laughed at the ridiculous thought but stopped when she saw the look he gave her. “You can’t be serious.” Jen couldn’t believe what he was suggesting.

“What’s wrong with starting a family?” he asked.

“Zack we hardly see each other as it is! How in the world would we have time for a baby? You can’t take a child to the hospital with you – I certainly couldn’t take it to court with me and we can’t afford daycare.”

Zack paced and ran a hand through his hair. “I hadn’t really thought of all that, I just thought it would work itself out.”

“Life doesn’t work that way,” Jen stated firmly. “I pictured us doing all of this years from now, not
right
now!”

Zack had stopped pacing and was standing very still. “Obviously we have some different opinions on things.”

Jen sighed. “Like I said, this doesn’t mean I don’t love you Zack. I do, I love you so much. You can’t just spring something like this on me.”

He didn’t say anything and didn’t look at her. After a full minute of silence he walked over, picked up the bag of marshmallows, kicked some dirt on the fire and started toward the truck. Jen followed him quickly. “Where are you going?”

“I think it’s time we headed back.”

Jen felt her frustration rising. “You can’t be mad at me for this. One of us has to think things through before we make rash decisions. And marriage, that’s like…” She couldn’t think of the right word so she just settled on, “Ridiculous.”

Zack just looked at her. “If you want a ride, get in the truck.”

Jen was taken aback by his coldness so instead of forcing the issue she got in the truck and put on her seatbelt without another word.

They rode in silence all the way back to Aunt Gabby’s house. Neither of them spoke when they went into their bedroom. It wasn’t until Jen noticed Zack putting things back into his suitcase that she broke the silence. “What are you doing?”

Zack spoke without looking at her. “I think it would be better if I stayed at the hotel tonight.”

“You can’t be serious.” Jen’s heart was racing and panic arose at the thought of him leaving her.

“I need to think,” he said calmly.

“Zack, please don’t go! We can work this out; this isn’t that big a deal!”

“It’s a big deal to me!” he snapped and Jen could see tears brimming in his eyes. “How am I supposed to deal with the fact that my girlfriend, a person who I saw myself spending the rest of my life with, doesn’t believe in some of the core things I believe in? I want to get married – that’s in the plan for my life, and I will get married. Obviously, that plan and you are clashing so...” He picked up his suitcase and moved to the door.

“Saw?”

Zack turned back and looked at her. “What?”

“You said…” she swallowed hard. “You said I was someone you
saw
yourself spending the rest of your life with.”

He stared at her for a moment and then down at the floor.

Jen took a shaky breath. “Saw is past tense Zack.”

When he finally met her gaze, his face was hard. “I need to think,” he whispered and turned to the door.

Jen was angry. How could he be leaving over something so unbelievably stupid? “Zack, I still love you. That hasn’t changed.” When he didn’t stop walking Jen snapped. “Can’t we at least talk about this?”

He looked up at her. “I can’t. I’ll be by at eight a.m. to pick you up. I think we need to get home as soon as possible.”

Jen was so stunned it wasn’t until he opened the front door that she was able to make her feet move. She ran down the stairs and out the door. “Zack, please! Please don’t do this. Come back upstairs.”

He threw his bag in the back of the car and slammed the door, not even looking at her as he made his way to the driver’s side.

Jen ran to him in sheer desperation; putting her hands on his shoulders she made him face her. “Look at me!” she cried, tears beginning to form as panic rose in her chest.

He looked down at her, his face twisted in pain. They locked eyes and for a brief moment, Jen thought he’d kiss her. She wanted him to kiss her, to take her in his arms and tell her everything would be alright. They’d fought before; never over anything this serious but they had had their moments. He’d told her he was there for the long haul, and it would take more than a little fight to run him off. Jen searched his face for any of those sentiments but all she saw was pain and disappointment. A sob escaped her lips. “Please…”

He took a breath and gently pushed her back away from the car. “I’ll see you in the morning.” And then he was gone.