No Sunshine When She's Gone (26 page)
“We’ll be fine,” he told her. “I’m within a block.”
Jill held the bag until he’d climbed down the ladder and Sadie was safely on the ground. She then passed it to him, along with the bed.
“Have a good rest of the evening,” he said.
“You, too.”
It would be better if she were with him. “Maybe I’ll see you this weekend.”
“Maybe you will.”
Or maybe he wouldn’t. He knew the flip side of the coin too well. He watched as Sadie started down the sidewalk ahead of him. She sneezed once, but the sound was no longer heavy and congested.
“I like you, Jill.”
“I know you do.”
At least she was aware of how he felt. Now if she’d only respond in kind, he’d marry the woman.
Saturday came and went, overcast with light rain. There was no sunshine when Jillian Mac was gone, Aidan thought. Sunday didn’t prove much better. He made himself a big breakfast, but ate only half. He sat at the kitchen booth and imagined Jill sitting across from him. He liked sharing a meal with her.
He mowed his backyard, pushing an electric mower. It was his way to expend energy. Hot and sweaty, he took a shower. He didn’t have the motivation to shave. He caught the Rogues baseball game. They played a three-game series in Yankee Stadium. Game one, and they burned the Yankees with a bunt that brought in a home run. Their pitcher didn’t allow a hit in the bottom of the ninth. Richmond led the National League East. It was early in the season.
A series of commercials followed, and Aidan decided to take Sadie for a short walk. Her sneezes were sporadic. He’d kept up with her medication and shower nebulizer treatments. She was holding her own.
They headed out the front door together. Halfway down the sidewalk, Sadie pricked her ears and picked up her pace. What the hell? Aidan went after her.
He rounded the hedge and immediately spotted a car in his driveway. A vintage Triumph with the windows rolled down. Jillian Mac sat in the driver seat, her head thrown back, her eyes closed. Sadie’s enthusiastic bark startled her. She jerked forward and looked around, spotting him immediately.
He walked over to her car, leaned in the passenger-side window. The scent of a hamburger and fries clung to a discarded foil wrapper. A ketchup packet was torn open. Napkins littered the seat. Condensation covered a soda can.
“Out for a drive?” he asked.
“I knew my destination when I started.”
“You found your way here.” He stared at her closely. Perspiration had collected on her upper lip and her clothes were wrinkled. “How long have you been sitting in your car?”
“Two, maybe three hours.” She pointed to a silver lunch box on the floorboard. “I brought dinner, too, in case I didn’t have the courage to ring your doorbell.”
“Why haven’t you come in?”
“I wasn’t ready.”
“How about now?” he asked.
She swallowed hard. “Soon, Aidan, soon.”
He rounded the hood of the sports car. Came to stand beside her. His hand was on the door handle, but he didn’t draw her out. He wanted her to make the first move.
Sadie had come to sit beside him. She didn’t understand Jill’s apprehension. She barked louder a second time. An encouraging
woof
.
Aidan was at a loss. He was afraid to say something that would have Jill shifting her car in reverse. He didn’t want her leaving. “I like you,” seemed only natural. He said it quietly, hoping it wouldn’t scare her away. “Like you a lot,” he added with conviction.
There were tears in her eyes when she next looked at him. Her lower lip trembled slightly when she said, “I love you.”
He was so stunned, it took him seconds to respond. He nearly ripped the car door off its hinges to get to her. He lifted her off the seat and high against his chest. “Took you long enough,” he breathed against her mouth, right before he kissed her. A deep, drugging kiss that had her gasping for breath. “I love you, too.”
“You’re certain?” She was expectant, insecure.
“Damn sure.”
“You’re not going to walk away tomorrow?”
“Not ever. I have proof I want you in my life.”
He went on to show her the stability he could offer. Sadie led the way back to the house. The dog’s step was light, almost prancing. Not bad for an old girl.
“Nothing is set in stone,” he told her when he kicked open the door. “I ordered the furniture, but when it was delivered, I wasn’t sure how I wanted it arranged. It needs a woman’s touch.”
He released her slowly, let her slide down his body in the entryway. “There are mostly basic fabrics, as you suggested. Decorative pillows add color.”
Her eyes were huge as she looked around the sunken living room. “Loveseats and leather club chairs,” she murmured. “An overstuffed rocker. The ottoman is as big as a bed.”
“I’ll leave the curtains to you,” he said, coming up behind her and wrapping his arms about her waist. He held her close. Late-afternoon sunshine shot through the picture window, warming the cherrywood floors. “My house is your house, Jillian McMillan. I want you to permanently unpack your suitcase.”
“That I can do.”
Sadie barked her approval before heading to her dog bed.
Aidan’s life had returned to normal, or as normal as it was going to get with this woman. She would bring chaos and crazy into their future. He would remain calm and constant. They would find the perfect balance.
“We made it,” he said, kissing her cheek.
“I knew we would.” She sounded positive.
“How did you know?” He hadn’t been sure until moments ago.
She tilted her head so their lips brushed. “I’m psychic, remember?”
“What’s your prediction for our future?” he asked.
“You’re about to make love to me.”
He liked that thought. He reached for her left hand, brought it to his lips, and kissed her wrist. “I’d like to complete the heart tattoo on your ring finger,” he said.
“You’re a man with marriage on his mind?”
“Whenever you’re ready.” He would not rush her.
She turned to face him. “Soon,” she promised.
He kissed her then with love and passion.
She kissed him back with joy and certainty.
Jillie Mac was home to stay.
KENSINGTON BOOKS are published by
Kensington Publishing Corp.
119 West 40th Street
New York, NY 10018
Copyright © 2014 Kate Angell
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the publisher, excepting brief quotes used in reviews.
KENSINGTON and the k logo are Reg. U.S. Pat. & TM Off.
ISBN: 978-0-7582-9128-8
First Electronic Edition: May 2014
ISBN-13: 978-0-7582-9129-5
ISBN-10: 0-7582-9129-9
