Page 3 of Letters From Home

“I’m sorry!” the woman rushed to exclaim. “We need dry clothes for Jack. He found a tidepool and went for a little swim. I’ll get him changed, then get out of your way.”

Nick grinned. It was forty degrees outside, which was practically a heat wave for February. The chilly weather didn’t deter most shore natives. He’d spent lots of chilly days peering into tidepools and watching sand swirl with the tide. His own mother hadn’t minded, as long as he warmed up before he “froze like a block of fish.”

“No worries,” he said, stepping back to make room for the tiny family. “Take your time. We’re getting some measurements before we order supplies.” Nick did a double take as the woman popped off her winter hat and unwound the scarf covering her face. “Jessica? Is that you?”

It was like his thoughts of Jessica Moore had snatched her from the past, dropping her back into his life. Nick’s smile widened as he held the wartime love letters in his hand and looked at the girl in front of him.

But she wasn’t a girl anymore, was she? Jessica had grown into a beautiful woman.

Jessica tugged the boots off her son’s feet, setting them on a mat by the door. “Hi, Nick. How are you doing? It’s been a long time.”

Too long,Nick thought, thrilled that they’d wandered into each other's lives again. “I’m doing great. And who’s this little guy?” He kneeled down to the boy’s level and smiled. “Did you have fun at the tidepools?”

“Fishies no like splash,” the boy said, sitting on the floor to tug off his own socks. “Jack likes to splash. Splash! Splash! Splash!”

Nick chuckled and nodded in agreement. “Splashing is fun. It’s a little cold to be splashing, though.”

“Very cold,” Jessica agreed. “We’re going to the bookstore once we have dry clothes. I promised Grant we’d stay out of your hair.”

“There’s no rush,” he insisted. “Stick around if you’d like. We can chat while I finish working.”

She smiled brightly at him, unzipping her son’s coat as she spoke. “Maybe another day. It’s almost nap time—I’ll keep him busy until the house is quiet enough for some rest. Jack gets grumpy when he’s tired.”

“Don’t we all?” Nick chuckled as mother and child walked back to the smallest bedroom to change Jack’s clothing.

Jessica’s smile still warmed his heart, the same way it had in high school. How different would his life be if he’d asked her out? Would their own little boy be running through these halls?

Nick frowned and turned his attention back to the kitchen window. There was no sense in wondering about the past. He could reconnect with Jessica while they worked on her house. He felt a rush of gratitude that they’d be able to help her and Jack.

Grant walked through the door as Jessica and Jack came out of the bedroom. “We’ll finish in about an hour,” he assured her. “You’ll have your quiet house back soon.”

Jessica waved away his worries. “It’s story time at the bookstore. Between the book, crafts, and snack, we’ll have lots to do.” She clutched Jack’s hand, then turned to give Nick another smile. “Nice to see you again, Nick. Thanks for helping Grant fix up the house.”

Nick stared at the door as Jessica closed it behind her, not bothering to hide his goofy grin.

“I know that look,” Grant said, hitting Nick on the shoulder with his clipboard. “Don’t get any ideas. She’s a single mom, and she just moved back to Sunset Cove. She needs space, not a boyfriend.”

“Who said I wanted a girlfriend?” Nick asked casually, holding back a laugh at his boss’s doubtful expression. “I’m husband material.”

Grant groaned and wiped a hand over my face. “Do not harass our client. We need this job, and Jessica doesn’t need some crazy guy rushing her into a relationship.”

“No rushing,” he agreed. It wasn’t rushing when you’d waited years to see someone again. Nick chuckled to himself, wondering how he could convince Jessica to take him seriously. He’d never dated a mom before. Nick liked kids, though. “Dad’s out of the picture, I’m guessing?”

“Dad’s long gone,” Grant agreed. “But I doubt she’s going to fall into your arms, madly in love. She’s got a little boy to think about.”

Nick glanced at the old papers in his hand, his lips twisting into a frown. Jessica’s life was complicated. He couldn’t miss his second chance with her, though. Finding these old love letters, running into Jessica after years apart—it felt like a push from fate.

He should write a few letters to Jessica, too. It had worked for the last couple in this house.

Chapter two

Jessica

Jessica clutched Jack’s handas they dashed toward the car. It was a quick drive to the bookstore—but too far to walk for Jack’s tiny legs. Besides, they were running late.

She was always five minutes behind, rushing to catch up.

“We’re listening to a story today,” she reminded her son. “It’s time for listening ears. After the story, we’ll play with the dinosaurs and make a craft. You liked Ms. Renee’s toys and crafts.”

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