Chapter 33

When Jake got home, he fell on his bed fully clothed and passed out. He never listened to his messages until morning. Around six, he got up and showered before he went into the kitchen to start the coffee. With it brewing, he cracked a couple eggs into a pan. As they started to cook, he turned from the stove to reach for the pepper and noticed the flashing light on his answering machine. He hit play.

“Mr. Carrington, it’s Doctor Glass. Tomorrow I have to turn the dog over to the humane society and wanted to check in with you before I did, since you showed an interest in her. Please give me a call.”

Jake wrote down the vet’s number. The next message started playing as he turned back to the stove to flip the eggs. His body went rigid as Mia’s voice filled the kitchen.

“Hi, Jake, it’s Mia. I wanted to call to apologize for my rudeness on Saturday. I could have handled my anger better. I’m sorry. I understand you thought you were protecting me and doing something nice, but I’m not helpless—” Her voice cut off. The machine moved to the third message, and Mia’s voice continued.

“I don’t want to end this on a bad note. I need my independence. I can’t be with someone who wants to control me or protect me. When it comes to me I make the decisions. No one else. It was a rough visit with my parents. Though it isn’t an excuse, it affected my mood more than I thought. I’d like the opportunity to discuss this with you in person, because I’m not a coward. You do deserve an explanation—” The machine cut off the message again.

On the fourth message, Mia finished up her speech. “When you get this, Jake, please give me a call. I’d like to schedule a time for us to discuss this issue.”

The machine went dead.

He poured another cup of coffee. As he sipped it, he debated. Should he call her back? The smoke alarm started blasting as smoke filled the air. Turning to the stove, grabbed the pan, and burnt his hand and dropped it back on the stove. Eggs ruined, he threw them away. He picked up a towel and waved it under the smoke alarm until it stopped blaring. He picked up his cup and took a sip. What was wrong with him? How could one woman make him react this way? Days ago, he’d realized he loved her. It seemed like years now. Although he understood where Mia was coming from, he still believed he’d done what was best for her.

And he couldn’t let the dog die. Brigh deserved a chance after all she’d been through. Jake left a message for the vet.

“Doctor Glass, I’ll take Brigh, but I’ll need to meet with you to understand her needs and treatment. It’s been a while since I had a dog. Please give me a call tomorrow at the station. I’d like to schedule some time with you and Brigh.” He left his number. Lord, he had to be crazy, adopting a dog now.

Unaware of the time, he dialed Mia’s number. He contemplated hanging up, but she answered on the third ring, in a sleepy voice, before he got the chance. “Mia, I’m sorry. I woke you?”

“What time is it? Jake?”

He looked over at the clock on the stove and winced. “It’s around six. Louie and I went to Florida yesterday to pick up a suspect. We didn’t get back until midnight. I got your message a few moments ago.” Why am I apologizing?

There was an awkward silence. Where did they go from there?

“Jake, I’m sorry about Saturday night—the way I handled it. I’d like the opportunity to explain in person.”

“I’d like an explanation. I never meant to hurt you, Mia,” he said.

“When’s a good time for you to meet with me?”

“I can do it after work today.”

“Around seven?”

“Fine.”

“I’ll meet you at the Four Seasons for a drink.”

“No. Come to my house. I don’t want to do this in public, Mia.” He didn’t want to be embarrassed by her again.

She seemed to understand. “All right, I’ll be at your house at seven then.”

* * * *

At seven on the dot, Mia rang the bell. Jake opened the door and let her in. No kiss or hug this time. Tension showed in her face and shoulders. He asked if she’d be more comfortable in the kitchen or the living room. She picked the kitchen. He got her a cup of coffee, and placed pastries on the table.

She smiled down at the pastry. “I guess I’ll start. First I’ll give you some background.” She looked over at him. He hadn’t moved since they had sat down. He locked his gazed on hers.

Unnerved, she continued, “Jake, I come from a powerful family, one who owns a lot of things, including a big publishing house. I could have published my book years ago, but I didn’t want any favors from my father. When I get published it will be because I’ve earned it, and the book is good. It won’t be based on my surname.

“Needless to say, when a man is as powerful as my father, he sometimes forgets his children are not subsidiaries of his business empire. He likes to wield his control over everyone and everything.” She recapped the dinner, the ambush, and how she hoped she’d put an end to the ten-year war with her father. She even explained her suspicion that her father was behind the dead animals.

“I wanted to be alone, to rethink my choices. I still came up with the same answer—with one variation. I want you in my life, because I care for you. When I saw you Saturday, my whole body lit up. I’ve never felt like this toward anyone else.

“When Sophia said you withheld something from me, something I had a right to know, well, I felt hurt and betrayed again. You acted like my father, like you had the right to take control. I can’t—no, I won’t, give anyone control over me, Jake. I want you to understand, though I care for you, I can’t commit to anything more permanent.” Wiping the tears from her face, she waited him out.

* * * *

Jake sat there, processing what Mia had said, formulating his own answer.

“You want it both ways, but you can’t have it,” he said.

“No, I don’t.”

“Yes, you do. You called me first instead of the local police when the package with the dead animal first appeared. You wanted me to take care of it. You also called me when Chloe stalked you. You’re sending me mixed signals.”

“Chloe was a different situation,” Mia said, trying to defend her position.

“I don’t want control over you, Mia. Life isn’t fun, if it’s not equal. I tried to help, nothing more. You humiliated me in front of my friends, because you were angry. You gave no thought to anyone else. You acted like a spoiled brat—no, don’t interrupt me. I almost didn’t call you back…I shouldn’t tell you this—hell—I love you. I came to the realization while you were away. But I don’t see how it can work out either.” They sat there in silence for awhile. With nothing left to say, Mia got up, and walked around the table to Jake. Bending down, she kissed him on the cheek.

“I’m sorry, Jake.” She left the kitchen, heading toward the front door, tears rolling down her face.

Jake followed her. He took her in his arms, kissed her with all his pent-up frustration.

“I’m sorry too.” He wiped her tears with his thumb then released her. His eyes burned as she walked out the door—out of his life.

Deep in his heart, he knew they’d be together someday. Mia needed to come to the same conclusion. He’d bide his time before he went after her.

She’d better not take too long to decide.