Except for church on Sundays, Jessica rarely saw Ridley in the week and a half that followed their trip to Boise. Several large custom orders came in—she was so thankful for her restored internet—and she found herself rising early and working late in order to fill them. Ridley knew how busy she was since he’d checked to make sure the new router was working. She’d told him about her influx of business, and he’d promised not to bother her while she strove to meet the deadlines.
Trouble was his not bothering her bothered her.
Far too often, when she heard the pounding of a hammer or a bark from the dog, she left her work and went to the studio window, hoping for a glimpse of Ridley. She was seldom that lucky. As was the case right now.
And she knew it was better that way. She was about eight weeks away, if the baby came on time, from being a single mother. And he was not much longer away, if he only stayed for the summer, from going back to his life in Boise. Or perhaps even farther away if his notoriety kept him from local employment, as he’d mentioned to her once.
With resolve, she returned to her stool and set to work. An hour later, she’d mostly succeeded in pushing Ridley’s image from her mind when the doorbell rang. Her pulse quickened as she whisked off her paint-splattered smock, thinking it might be him. She brushed hair from her face with the back of her hand as she hurried to the front door.
As she pulled it open, she lifted her eyes. But she looked too high to meet her mother’s gaze.
“Hi, honey.”
“Mom.” It wasn’t disappointment she felt. And yet . . . “I didn’t know you were driving up today.” She took a step back, opening the door wider.
“The trip wasn’t planned. I hope it isn’t inconvenient. Is it?”
“No. Of course not. Come on in.”
Her mom stepped inside, and the two of them embraced. Before her mom pulled away, the baby gave Jessica a sharp jab.
“Oh, my!” Her mom leaned back and laughed. “That was some kick. Do you put up with a lot of that?”
“A lot.”
“Are you getting enough rest?”
Jessica nodded, but it was a half-truth. She spent at least eight hours in bed every night, but she didn’t spend all of that time asleep. Not as of late. She could blame some of her restlessness on her pregnancy. The remainder she would have to blame on thoughts about her attractive next-door neighbor.
“I have a few things out in the car for the baby’s room, but I’ll bring them in later.”
“Can you stay the night?” Jessica asked, but she already knew the answer.
“I came prepared to stay, but only if I won’t be in the way.”
“You won’t be. I’m finishing up with a big order, but we can visit while I get the last of it done. If that’s okay with you.”
“Sure.”
Jessica turned toward the kitchen. “Would you like something cool to drink? I could use a little break before going back into the studio.”
“I’d love something. Whatever you have. Just water would be fine.”
“I’ve got iced tea in the fridge. It’s decaf.”
“Perfect.”
Jessica took the pitcher of tea from the refrigerator and set it on the counter. “Did you decide about going to Tampa for Trish’s play?”
“Yes, I’m going, but it’ll have to be alone. Your dad couldn’t get away from work.” Her mom sat at the table. “I wish you could go with me.”
“Me too.” She poured the tea into two tall glasses. “How long are you going to stay?”
“Just a week. You know what your grandmother liked to quote about houseguests.”
Jessica smiled as she carried the glasses to the table. “They’re like fish. After three days, they begin to smell.” She sat across from her mom. “But that doesn’t apply to mothers.”
“Of course it does.” Her mom took a sip of tea. “And don’t worry. I’m only staying with you one night. Your father and I have plans for the Fourth.”
“I wasn’t worried.”
“You know, in aristocratic England of the Victorian and Edwardian periods, houseguests came and stayed for weeks and weeks. Months, sometimes. I suppose that wouldn’t be so bad if a person had thirty or forty bedrooms for them to stay in. Not to mention servants out the ying-yang to cater to them all.”
Jessica smiled, her heart flooding with love for her mom—for no particular reason other than that she was her mom. Although she was also terribly fond of the random facts her mom liked to share every now and then, thanks to her voracious reading habit.
A frown creased her mother’s brow. “What is all that barking?”
Jessica rose and moved toward the back door. The barking grew louder, and then Kris came into view. Quieting, the dog ran up to the screened door, sat, and pawed at the jamb. When the sheltie saw Jessica, she gave a quick yap, then closed her mouth, wearing a look of expectation.
“Mom, come meet Kristin Armstrong.”
“Kristin Arm—Jessica, what on earth?” Her mother rose and followed Jessica to the door.
“Kris for short.” She pushed open the screened door, and the sheltie padded inside with a prance worthy of the show ring.
“You got a dog? You didn’t tell me you were getting a dog.”
“I didn’t. My neighbor got one.”
Her mom’s eyes widened even more. “You have a neighbor? Someone’s moved in next door?”
“Yes.” She heard Ridley calling for the dog. “And you’re about to meet him.” She stepped onto the porch. “She’s over here, Ridley.”
He raised an arm and waved before heading in her direction, long strides eating up the distance. “Sorry about that,” he called as he neared. “She’s been good about staying close to home. I thought she was through with running off. I guess she got bored, waiting for me to play with her. Hope she didn’t interrupt your work.”
“She didn’t interrupt. I was taking a break.”
Her mom stepped to her side. “Your new neighbor, I presume,” she said softly.
“Ridley, this is my mom, Pat Alexander. Mom, meet Kris’s owner, Ridley Chesterfield.”
He held out his hand as he put a foot on the bottom step. “Nice to meet you, Mrs. Alexander.”
“And you.” Jessica’s mom shook his hand, questions in her eyes. He couldn’t tell if it was because she’d recognized his name from the news or because she was simply curious about the man staying next door to her daughter. Funny thing was he didn’t really care anymore, and that was unexpected.
Jessica said, “We were having a glass of iced tea. Would you like to join us?”
“Sure.” He grinned. After all, he’d hoped for that kind of invitation. “If I wouldn’t be intruding.”
Jessica tipped her head toward the kitchen. “Come on inside.”
It had been a long twelve days, making himself stay out of her way. He’d seen her on Sundays, of course. In fact, she’d ridden with him in his car to church. But they’d come straight back after the services so she could get in a few hours of work in the afternoons.
“Sugar or lemon or both?” Jessica poured tea into a glass.
“Lemon would be good.”
Jessica turned from the counter, the glass in one hand. His heart hiccupped in his chest. She looked adorable in her coral-colored leggings, loose-flowing cotton top, and bare feet. And the sight of her made him realize he’d missed her even more than he’d thought.
Pat said, “Let’s take our drinks into the living room where we’ll be more comfortable.” The older woman reached for the two glasses on the table, but he intercepted her.
“Allow me.”
It wasn’t long before they were all settled in the living room, each with their own beverage.
“When did you move in next door, Mr. Chesterfield?”
“Call me Ridley. Please. And the answer is about a month ago.” Pat sent her daughter a glance. “That long.” Looking at him again, she added, “I’m relieved to know Jessica has a neighbor at last. I hated her being out here alone all of these months.”
“Mom,” Jessica said softly.
“Well, I can’t help it. I like knowing there is someone nearby, in case there’s an emergency.”
“Anything she needs, Mrs. Alexander, all she has to do is ask.”
“Mom, Ridley didn’t buy the house next door. It belongs to his parents. He’s only there for the summer.” Jessica glanced at him.
Funny, how tempted he was to say that it wasn’t true he was only there for the summer. Only it was true. Eventually he would have to go looking for a job. Eventually he would have to leave the peace and anonymity he enjoyed in this remote mountain community. He had a house of his own in Boise. He had a life there too. Or at least he used to. In fact, he’d spent the last week giving serious thought to what he wanted to do next in terms of a career. His gut told him that what he’d been through in recent months would influence his decision. He just didn’t know what that meant yet.
Pat set her glass on a coaster on the coffee table, drawing him from his thoughts. “When do you expect your parents to move in?”
“Not for a number of years. They plan to vacation here in the summers until they retire. Then they’ll live here full time.”
“Are they in Boise now?”
“Arizona.”
Kris trotted into the living room and pushed her muzzle beneath Jessica’s hand where it rested on the arm of the chair. Jessica immediately began to stroke the dog’s head.
“Looks like the two of you are good friends,” Pat said.
“Kris loves your daughter.” Ridley looked at Jessica, and he felt that now familiar quickening in his heart. “Maybe because she gave her a name.” He grinned, as if sharing a secret with her.
Jessica met his gaze and returned his smile.
After a period of silence, her mom said, “If you two will excuse me, I think I’ll bring in my things from the car.”
Although he heard Pat’s words, he was too taken by Jessica’s eyes for the meaning to penetrate. Her mother had already risen and taken a step away from the sofa before he realized what he’d heard her say. He stood quickly. “Let me help you.”
“Oh, heavens. I don’t need help. Sit there and enjoy your tea. Visit with Jessica. I’ll only be a moment.” She slipped out the door.
Willing to be dissuaded, Ridley’s gaze returned to Jessica. “She’s staying, I take it.”
“For the night. She said she brought things for the baby’s room, but that was just an excuse. She worries about me.”
“I got that.” He almost said that he was going to worry about her, too, once he wasn’t staying next door. A foolish inclination. She wasn’t his responsibility.
“She doesn’t need to worry,” Jessica said. “Not anymore. I’m stronger now. Stronger than she knows. Stronger than I knew until . . . until recently.”