The Healer: First Touch (27 page)

It was Jamie.

"It's nice to see you too," Jamie said bitterly, as he saw my reaction. "Expecting someone else, were you?"

"What do you want Jamie?" I was in no mood to argue with him tonight.

"I tried calling, but you don't answer my calls."

I snorted, remembering how Jamie's untimely phone call had interrupted my moment with Varick earlier today.

Jamie shook his head slightly. His hair was pulled neatly back into a ponytail. "Listen, Jacey. I didn't come over to argue with you. I came over to see you...and apologize for my behavior yesterday." Jamie's eyes fell so that he was looking at the wooden planks of the front porch.

I looked at him with wonder, still holding the front door open. When I didn't respond, Jamie spoke again. "So, I'm sorry Jacey. I truly am."

I nodded curtly. "Thank you."

Jamie tried to look around me into the house. "Are you busy right now?"

I looked back at Oma. "Not anymore," I answered ruefully. "What do you have in mind?" I was still cautious of Jamie's mood and his behavior.

"Well, I noticed your car isn't in the driveway, and I just assumed it was still at the school, that is unless your..." Jamie stopped himself, closing his eyes. Taking a deep breath, he opened his eyes and smiled at me.

The smiled looked painful.

My eyes narrowed suspiciously at Jamie. I was pretty sure he was about to say something about Varick.

When I didn't smile in response, Jamie tried again. "I was just wondering...if you needed help...with your car that is...I could help."

I bit my lip, my mind rationalizing what Jamie offered. My car was still at the school and I did need help with either fixing it or getting it back to town to Emma's brother's shop.

Jamie's smile grew as he saw the acquiescence in my face before I verbally gave in.

"Just a minute. Let me grab my sweatshirt and tell Oma." I opened the door wider, allowing Jamie to enter the living room. Jamie stood just inside the doorway, leaving the door to the front porch open.

Before running upstairs to grab my sweatshirt, I popped my head into the kitchen where Oma was just finishing cleaning up from dinner.

"Hey, Oma. Jamie is here. He's going to help me get my car."

Oma dried her hands with a towel, turning to face me. "Your car? Where's your car?"

"It's in the parking lot at school still," I started to explain. "But it's a long story and it really doesn't matter. He's going to help me now if that's alright with you." I knew it would be. Oma adored Jamie.

"Did you say Jamie? Well, I need to see him," she exclaimed, neatly folding the dish towel she had wiped her hands with on the counter.

She brushed past me, smiling widely. "Jamie, honey." I rolled my eyes as Jamie laughed with pleasure.

"Hi Oma," Jamie's big arms enveloped Oma's tiny frame as he gave her a big hug.

"Oh, it's so good to see you again," Oma said happily, patting Jamie on the back as they embraced. Jamie looked at me as he hugged Oma. He smiled broadly and winked.

Crossing my arms in front of me, I stuck my tongue out at him. Jamie's smile broadened. It looked like he hugged Oma a little tighter. I felt a smile breaking across my lips as I watched the two of them together.

Oma and Jamie released each other. "You are such a big boy. Playing football for a college this fall, I hope?"

"Yeah, I have a few options." He looked at me, grinning.

Rolling my eyes again, I announced, "I'll be right back." Jamie turned to Oma and they began to chat about graduation, parties, and the upcoming summer.

Once in my room, I found my pale blue faded hoodie and yanked it over my head, not really caring about the static that caused the stray hairs on my head to stand. I pulled off my shorts and grabbed a pair of jeans, hiking them over my hips. When I came back down the stairs, Oma and Jamie were still talking. When he saw me, Jamie stopped, smiling broadly again.

I smiled wryly back. "I won't be too long, Oma," I said, kissing her cheek.

"It's alright. I won't wait up." Oma grinned at Jamie.

I pursed my lips together in annoyance.
Had she and Jamie schemed together while I was gone?
Their goofy smiles suggested they had. I pulled on Jamie's arm, barely budging him. "Come on big guy. Let's get going."

Jamie laughed. "I'll see you later Oma. It was good talking to you."

"Yes, Jamie. It was. I expect to see you more often too," Oma cocked her head meaningfully.

I slipped on a pair of flip flops by the front door. "Bye, Oma." I didn't mean for my voice to sound so irritated.

"Bye hon. Have fun." Oma walked back into the kitchen as Jamie shut the front door behind him.

Once in Jamie's Jeep, I stared at him with accusing eyes.

"What?" he asked innocently. His body shook lightly with laughter.

"Tell me, Mr. McMann, what all that was about?" My voice sounded serious, but a smirk played on my face.

"What can I say? I love Oma." His eyes avoided my glare.

I rolled my eyes, finally settling them on the darkness outside the Jeep's windows. "Yeah, sure, everyone loves Oma."

Jamie chuckled as he drove toward the high school where my car was parked. We rode without speaking, just the sounds of a contemporary country song playing through the Jeep's speakers.

"So, is your car in the student lot?" Jamie asked, glancing at me quickly before turning his eyes to the road again.

"Yes," I answered shortly.

"What was it doing?"

I described how the car whined and refused to turn over when I turned the key.

Shrugging lightly, Jamie said, "Sounds like the battery, but I'll take a look at it."

We drove until the high school loomed ominously in the darkness. Only a few lights lit the student parking lot and one lamp illuminated both the American flag hanging limply on the flag pole and the Byron High sign. I started to tremble as we approached the brick building. Jamie noticed me shaking.

"Are you cold? I can turn on the heat if you want."

I nodded. My breathing began to increase as panic filled my heart. But I wasn't trembling because I was cold. I closed my eyes tightly as a mental image of the boy with yellow eyes formed. The panic worsened.

"Are you alright, Jacey? You don't look so good."

I kept my eyes shut, trying to concentrate on my breathing. Calm. Steady. Slowly, I felt my heart beat return to a normal pace. The anxiety lessened.

I opened my eyes and turned to Jamie. Worry and concern creased his forehead as he looked at me. I hadn't realized we had stopped, the Jeep parked next to my car.

"Jacey?"

"Uh, yes, I'm okay," I stammered, wiping my hands nervously along the tops of my thighs. "I'm sorry, just a little anxious is all." I giggled nervously.

"Anxious? Why? What's going on?" Jamie had almost completely turned in his seat to face me. His eyes were intent on mine, searching for clues.

I rubbed my hands nervously and I searched the darkness around us for yellow eyes glowing. I didn't see anything.

"Jacey, what are you looking for?"

I turned to face Jamie, desperately trying to keep the look of panic out of my eyes.
We should have come for my car during the day.

"Uh...nothing."

Jamie placed his hands over top of mine, halting my nervous rubbing. He gently pulled them closer to him, gripping my hands in his own. His thumbs rubbed the tops of my hands. His touch was warm and comforting.

"Jacey, please tell me what's going on. I want to help you with...whatever is happening to you. Please tell me." His eyes were big and worry made them stormy.

Biting my lip, I shook my head.

"Please, Jace. I care about you, a lot. Let me help, please."

My cheeks darkened. I cared about him too. And I still owed him an explanation for the healing and an apology for Friday night. I stared at our hands, resting on the middle console of the Jeep. Jamie was my friend, besides Emma, my best.

"There's so much to tell you, Jamie, so much." I shook my head lightly.

Jamie released one hand and lifted my face to meet his. "I sure wish I had some leaded coffee right now. I wouldn't be able to shut you up then." He gave me a small smile as he teased.

I giggled softly, knowing that Jamie was right. The caffeine would wire me with energy that always manifested itself in talking. My talking, specifically.

"You always know how to make me laugh, don't you?"

Jamie nodded as he grasped my free hand back between his.

"Well, first, I want to apologize for Friday night. I did completely forget, thereby leaving you alone at the house." I was careful not to call the event a missed date as Jamie had referred to it. "By the way, how long had you been at the house before I showed up?"

"Only about two and a half hours." I cringed in response. "Don't worry. No biggie. I'm way over that now." Jamie flashed a smile of encouragement.

Then I told him everything. About my parents and my mother's ability to heal and my father's role as her Protector. I described my healing gift and how I had healed the injury on his forehead.

"Wow, Jacey. This is just so unbelievable. I mean, I believe it...just...wow." It wasn't often that I had seen Jamie speechless. He was definitely speechless now.

I shifted uncomfortably in my seat. I let go of his hands so I could lift off my seat, shifting my weight off my left hip. It was getting pretty sore.

"I'm sorry. The old Jeep's seats aren't very comfortable." I wriggled around trying to find a more comfortable position.

"I know. We might as well talk outside. I need to check out your car anyway."

"Uh, maybe I could just stay in here and you could go outside and check on my car." My voice quivered with the fear I was starting to feel again. I glanced nervously outside again.

"Jacey, what are you looking for? What has you so afraid?"

I ignored him.

"Please let me help you." Jamie's voice was soft and pleading. He lightly stroked the top of my hand that I had placed back on my thigh. The touch was soft and soothing. I turned my head to Jamie. His eyes searched my face for clues.

I started to cry, my chin trembling with the tears running down my face.

"Oh, Jace, tell me what's going on. Please," Jamie pled, his eyes turned sad. He grasped the hand he had been stroking and held it firmly between his own.

"There's something after me, Jamie. Something evil and dark. It wants to kill me." Tears ran down my cheeks.

"What?"

"It's called the Fury and it wants my healing powers. It wants to kill me. I've already met it twice, once right here in this parking lot." I glanced around to signify the very lot we were currently parked in.

"Why?"

"Because I'm a Healer." I wiped the tears away with my free hand.

Jamie placed his hands on either side of my face and leaned in closer. His face was rigid, set with determination. His eyes were fierce.

"Jacey Brindle, I promise I won't let that thing get you. Not ever."

I tried to shake my head under the vise of Jamie's hands. "Don't make promises you can't keep. You can't protect me. You can't."

"Yes, I can and I will."

His eyes held mine with their fierceness. He leaned in closer, closing his eyes. His lips brushed over mine lightly, barely even touching them. When I didn't pull away, he kissed me again. His lips were warm and soft against mine and I felt safe in his kiss. As he pulled away from me, I leaned into him, wanting to feel the warmth of his kiss again. He pulled my face closer to his, his hands cradling my face a little harder as he touched his lips to mine again. This time, his touch was a little firmer, as if he needed something from me. His lips moved against mine and I couldn't help but respond.

He pulled away slightly, not taking his hands off my face. He smiled, his eyes clear and stormy gray. I could feel my cheeks begin to burn.

"Sorry," I murmured, looking away from him.

Jamie dropped his hands from my face and placed them on my hands. His eyes seemed to be smiling.

"You don't have to be sorry. I kissed you. You have no idea how long I've wanted to do that."

I couldn't turn away. I felt safe here with Jamie. My heart swelled with feelings for him. I knew I cared deeply for him, even loved him to a degree, but there was a small pain growing in my heart as well.

"I care about you Jacey."

"I care about you too, Jamie," I replied quietly.

A small smile played at the corners of Jamie's lips. "No, Jacey. I don't think you understand...I love you."

I stared at him.

"I love you as my friend, but I love you even more than that."

I shook my head, my eyebrows coming together in confusion. "But how do you know that?" I asked softly.

Jamie looked into my eyes. He was no longer smiling. "Because if love is wanting to be with a person twenty-four hours a day, and if love is wanting to be with that person more than anyone else, and if love is caring about that person more than anyone else, then Jacey Clare Brindle, I love you."

Swallowing hard, I gave Jamie a weak smile. I knew he expected me to say something, maybe even tell him I felt the same. But I couldn't. I didn't. Not yet.

Jamie chuckled. "It's okay. You don't have to say anything. Of course I want you to feel the same for me, but I only want you to say it if you really feel it."

"Jamie, I...can't..."

Jamie shook his head. "Then don't say it. I just needed to tell you how I felt."

He started to get out of the Jeep.

"Jamie, wait." I grabbed his arm to stop him. He poked his head back inside the Jeep. His face looked hopeful.

"Jamie, I do care about you."

His face fell slightly. But he recovered quickly. "I know." He pulled away, shutting the door behind him. He lifted the hood of my car and took a small flashlight out of his pocket to examine the engine compartment. I stayed in the Jeep, watching him. I ran my tongue lightly over my lips, still feeling Jamie's warm kiss upon them. As I watched Jamie working on my car, I felt the warm, caring feelings for Jamie swelling again.
I do care for him, but is it enough? Is it love I feel for him, or something else?