I wish youd tell us whats going on, Lara said quietly.
Ive been on my own for some time now, Stone said as kindly as he was able to, while lingering fury at Jenna still raged through him. And quite honestly much of what Ive done is none of your business. Its my life. And Saras.
And we havent earned the right to be included.
At her anguished expression, he softened his voice, but didnt give in. Not about this.
His parents bitter disappointment was clear.
I understand, Lara said, her voice a mere whisper. Good day, son.
They thought he was turning them away, and he wasnt cruel enough to let them think that. Wait. Stone sighed when they both turned back eagerly to him. I just meant that Id like to let Sara call the shots for now.
Thats fair, his father said quietly.
This is all new to her and very exciting, Stone admitted. Im sure shell be thrilled at the prospect of spending more time with you, but I just wanted you to know, at this time, Im going to leave it up to her.
Like I said, thats fair. His father grasped his mothers hand. Thank you, son.
And Jenna? Lara asked. What about her?
Well see, Stone said. How could he explain what he didnt understand himself?
Long after his parents had climbed into their car and driven away, Stone stood there, staring at his empty driveway.
He couldnt have been more thrilled for Sara about the happy reunion, even though he himself felt reserved and not quite rid of his resentment. He wanted this enough for her that he could put aside his own hurt.
He would not deny his daughter what hed always wanted for her. Family.
But at the moment he had a far bigger issue to face-the fact that Sara was no longer motherless.
Jenna had come back.
Hes there, Kristen. Jenna whirled away from her office window in a mixture of panic and hope. Oh, God. He just opened up his shop. I think Im going to be sick.
Kristen laughed when Jenna pressed her hands to her stomach. Honey, relax, or youll have a stroke before you even go try to talk to him.
That might be better. Hed have to feel sorry for me then. Maybe I can just stop breathing and hell have to give me mouth-to-mouth. You cant stay mad at someone whose life you just saved, can you? I dont think thats possible.
Jenna, Kristen murmured in sympathy, rising and taking her hand. For Sara, remember?
Jenna, Kristen murmured in sympathy, rising and taking her hand. For Sara, remember?
How could she forget? Yes, for Sara. For the beautiful, wary and wonderful child she wanted to get to know with all her heart.
But first she had to get Stone to forgive her.
You know, there is one thing to consider here. Kristen tucked a strand of Jennas hair behind her ear and smiled with love. If he didnt care so much, he wouldnt have been so furious.
You didnt see his face, Kris. Jenna closed her eyes against the memory of Stones destroyed expression, but the image was imprinted on her brain to torture her forever.
Well, you have to admit it had to be a shock, Kristen said. Finding out the woman he just fell for is really the woman hed already fallen for ten years ago.
Yes. Miserable, Jenna slipped bonelessly into a chair. And now he hates me all over again. And Ill never get a chance to make it up to Sara.
Oh, I doubt it. He may want to think he hates you, but believe me-I found this out the hard way-Stone is one of the fairest men on this planet. Hes also one of the most honest. Even he will have to face the truth-he still cares about you. Too much. Otherwise this wouldnt have been such a bombshell.
Well, it certainly was that.
He cared for you as Jenna, and he was starting to care for you as Cindy. It was a double whammy. Cant blame him much.
Jenna sighed. Are you trying to make me feel better? Because I have to tell you, it isnt working.
Kristens smile was sympathetic. You came to me and told me the truth. Was it so awful?
No. Jenna swallowed around the sudden lump in her throat. It was wonderful. You were wonderful.
And so are you. Kristen smiled gently. Go to him, Jenna. You can do this.
Think so?
You came up with a great plan. Now toughen up and go for it.
Just march down there, announce Ive found him a great clerk and start working?
Yup. Youll whip his office into shape and prove youre genuine both at the same time.
Easy for you to say. Youre not the one putting your heart on the line.
Kristen studied her for a moment, and when she spoke, the amusement in her voice had been replaced with strength and affection. Its about time you put your heart on the line, Jenna. Whether or not you want to admit it, youve played it safe most of your life, even when you were running. Face it, honey, that was the safest of all, staying away from anything and anyone who might hurt you. Or care for you, she added softly, tugging on Jennas hand until she met her eyes. And Im proud you came back, Jenna. So very proud. I know what it cost you. But youve come a long way, so dont give up until you finish everything you came here to do. You owe it to yourself and you owe it to that man and your daughter.
I know. Youre right. Still, fear chased hope. But Im not sure hell see it quite that way.
Oh, Jenna. Kristen hugged her. Give yourself a break. Forgive yourself. You are worth it. And you are lovable, I promise. The trick is believing it. This wont work between the two of you unless you do.
When Stone opened his shop Monday morning, he rolled his eyes in disgust at the haphazard stacks of paperwork waiting to be done. At the piles of sawdust everywhere. At the work lined up on his bench, all unfinished parts for the life-size puzzles he had yet to put together. Jennas fault. Blaming her made him feel marginally better. It would allow him to forget his pain and work. But hed promised the producer of the upcoming auction he would have the materials ready for donation. He never went back on a promise. Never.
Before, the simple joy of the place had given him a rush, but now all he could think was that he badly needed a clerk. And something to ease the terrible restriction in his chest, the one he was afraid would never go away.
Cindy.
Jenna.
Himself, playing the fool.
Dammit. Shoving away the images he didnt want to face, he strode forward, determined to put order into his day He had an important meeting with the local school board, where he would propose several new ideas for the GATE-gifted and talented education-classes, something hed been excited about just last week.
But hed never felt less like working.
He was so intent on what he had ahead of him, the sound of the front door to the shop opening didnt register. Not until-
Hi.
At the sound of that soft, sexy, treacherous voice, Stone tensed. He turned and saw an incredibly beautiful woman. Jenna. Soft brown hair framed her pretty face, full of angles and what hed always thought were mysteries.
Hed been right on that account.
She wore her dark sunglasses, but when he looked at her, she seemed to draw herself up. Slowly she pulled the glasses off. Blinking rapidly, she remained tense for a few seconds, as if the light hurt her eyes. Finally she relaxed.
He wondered about that, about why the light hurt her, then silently called himself an idiot for even sparing her a second thought.
No colored contacts today Nope, just naked vulnerable blue eyes. Jennas eyes. And they were so difficult to face it seemed that his heart actually physically hurt.
Nervousness vibrated off her in waves, not detracting in the least from that willowy body, from the long legs that just a few days before had been wrapped around his waist while shed writhed and sobbed in ecstasy beneath him.
He swore out loud and she jumped, which made him grimace and turn away from the troubling sight of her
You get used to it, she said into the silence.
What?
My face. You get used to it being so different from what you expect. It justtakes a while.
Im not planning on getting used to it.
Oh.
More silence, and he wished shed leave before he had to make her do so.
Im here to start work this morning.
That had him whipping back to face her. What?
She lifted a shoulder and offered a hesitant smile, a blush staining her cheeks, as if shed read his sensual thoughts of a moment ago. You mentioned you needed a clerk to help out.
Not you.
I can help, Stone. Shed been squinting a bit, but then she opened her purse and pulled out her reading glasses. Putting them on, she said, Im good at clerical work.
No.
She bit her lip, then pushed at the glasses on her nose-a vintage Jenna move that made his gut tighten uncomfortably. We have things to talk about.
No, we dont.
Come on, she chided gently. You must have a thousand things you want to say to me.
Nothing you want to hear, believe me.
Stone
Annoyed, he strode over to his biggest table saw and flipped it on. The rumbling roar made it satisfyingly impossible to speak.
No way could he hear her sweet voice now.
But dammit, he could still smell her, that light scent designed to drive a man out of his mind.
It was working.
He watched her out of the corner of his eye as she squared her shoulders and walked calmly over to him. God. She wore a long floral-print dress with a hundred tiny buttons down the front. She looked so good it made him ache.
She reached down and flipped off the saw. Just tell me where I can start, she said, holding her fingers over the switch so he couldnt turn the thing back on without touching her-something he had no intention of doing. Then, she continued calmly, Ill get out of your hair.
Why are you here? he demanded in a hoarse voice he didnt recognize. The old Jenna would have fled long ago.
Im not the old Jenna.
No, she wasnt, not by a long shot. This Jenna, the seemingly new and improved version, lifted her chin, willingly weathered the storm, stared down anything to What was it shed said?
To right her wrongs.
Well, she had many wrongs, and he was ashamed to admit hed harbored them close to his heart as if hed had a right to do so. Most people wouldnt have had the nerve to face his rare but formidable temper. They would have broken down under the emotional burden of guilt she clearly carried.