Page 16 of Jobe

“Well, where I sit, a man don’t give up a woman like you for nothin’. He musta had a reason but just ‘cause he never told you what it was don’t mean it wasn’t there.”

“But how could I have known if he never told me?”

“Don’t know, sugar.” He sighed deeply as he rose from his seat and walked over to the sink to rinse out his cup. Turning, he grabbed his car keys off of the counter and was almost to the door when he looked back at her sitting at the table. Sad. And alone.

“Only you can decide if he’s worth a shot at eventually telling you. And only you can decide if it’s worth moving past. But Mac? The woman sittin’ in front of me is still hurtin’ a whole lot. If this man’s opinion is worth anything, you deserve to either see what’s there or put it to rest for good.”

With that, he nodded as he walked out of the back kitchen door, and ran right into Jobe and Gabe standing just outside. He could tell by the expressions on their faces that they had heard the conversation. Or at least part of it. He stood for a moment, holding Jobe’s gaze…and liked what he saw.

“Gentlemen,” he said in greeting. As they acknowledged him as well, he turned and looked back at the building saying, “Yep, you gotta a lot of work to do here. But it’s worth it.” Dropping his gaze back to Jobe’s, he continued, “But then I’ll just bet you already know that.”

* * *

By lunchtime, Mackenna once again found herself surrounded by Jobe, everywhere she turned. She had to admit that a few times she caught herself looking when she did not think he would notice and wish he had gotten uglier with time.No such luck. If anything, he’s more gorgeous.

Finally, she made her way to the kitchen to make a sandwich when he wandered in once again. Her gaze moved to his before looking back down at the counter. She did not want to talk to him, but found herself automatically asking, “Do you and Gabe want something to eat?”

“You don’t have to fix lunch. And Gabe left to go work on another job.”

Her gaze jumped back to his in surprise. “He's gone?”

Jobe nodded as he filled his canteen with water again. “We’ve got several jobs going on today and one of the other men called in sick, so he left to work on that project.”

“Oh.” That single word sounded stupid, but it was all she could think of to say. Her mind racing, she finally just pushed the sandwich over toward him and began making another one for her. “You might as well eat something.”

Jobe watched her in silence for a few minutes, as he chewed the food gratefully.At least she didn’t throw it at me.He had managed to move about the house to keep maximum contact with her, trying to balance not crowding and yet making sure she knew he was around. He watched as she moved to the table and sat down, nodding at the chair across from her.

Taking the silent invitation, he sat and continued to eat. Deciding to start with a safe topic, he said, “I’m really impressed with what you’re doing here.”

He noticed that she gave a small, almost imperceptible nod.Good.

“Thank you. I hope we’re doing something right. At least it seems as though we are.” She felt awkward but just could not seem to bring her gaze up to his.

“I’d say you’re definitely doing something right. You always had such passion to help others and it really shows.” As soon as the words were out of his mouth, he realized that he should not have made a reference to knowing her in the past. It was too soon, by the stiff expression on her face.Fuck! Well hell, time to go for broke.

“Mackenna, I’d really like to talk to you sometime. There’s a lot I’d like to tell you and hope that you’ll at least give me a chance.”

She sat stiffly, staring down at her plate. The words of Little John ran through her head, but all she could think of at the moment was the pain. The searing pain that she never wanted to feel again.

“I…don’t think that’s a good idea, Jobe. It was…um, a long time ago that we were…um, friends and well, that’s where it should stay.” She stood up from her seat and took both plates to the sink. “You have a job to do here and I’ll say that I’m grateful. But as for anything else? Well…um, I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

She faced the window over the sink, hoping he would just walk out of the kitchen and continue his work so that she could leave with her dignity intact.

Jobe had other ideas. He moved to stand behind her, his arms reaching around the counter on either side of her effectively caging her in. His body did not touch hers, but even after years he could feel her heat. The shampoo scent of her long hair was different than what he remembered but stirred him just as much.

He leaned forward so that his lips were close to her ear and whispered, “Mackenna, I get that what I did was unforgivable. But swear to God, I couldn’t seem to help what I was doing. I’ve spent the past years regretting that decision and by the time I tried to write to you again, you were gone. Then I told myself to leave you alone and let you have your life. But now that our paths have crossed again, I’m gonna take that chance to at least have you look me in the eye without hating me.”

He could feel her body stiffen, making sure to not lean back into him.

“I don’t hate you anymore,” she choked out. “But I sure as hell don’t like you.”

“Fair enough,” he admitted. “But I consider that a start.”

“No, it’s not a start for me. It’s still part of the ending.”

He touched his lips to the top of her head and pulled away walking toward the door. Looking back, he said, “I’m sorrier than you’ll ever know, Mackenna. But I’m not giving up on at least having the chance to talk to you.” With that, he turned and walked out of the door.

6

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