Page 16 of Stay With Me
After introductions, Noah looks at his watch. “I have to go, but you call me if you need anything, okay?”
“We’ll be okay.” I reassure him.
“I know, but just in case. I’m only a phone call away.”
“We’ll let you know if we need anything,” Ann says behind me and smirks at us.
“Good,” he says and grabs my hand, tugging me toward him for a hug. “I’ll be back after my shift, and I’ll pull over to your cottage so you can pack whatever you need for my place, okay?”
Slowly, I wrap my arms around his waist and tilt my head back to meet his eyes. “Okay.”
We were going to come by yesterday, but shopping took all day, so I just bought a couple of things, and I was thankful I stored most of my money away as the total continued to climb when we were checking out.
“They’ll be fine here, son. You can stop by on your lunch if you’re free,” Joe says from behind me.
“I’ll try. Alright, I’m off,” he says and lets me go.
I step back and watch him leave. Once he gets to his truck, he gives me a chin lift before he hops in, starts the car, and drives away. When he’s about halfway down the driveway, I turn around, and Joe and Ann are smirking at me.
“Don’t look at me like that. Let’s get today’s list started. If I remember correctly, we have a couple of check-ins and outs.”
I head back into the kitchen after cleaning up the rooms that had late morning checkouts. I pause at the door when I hear a giggle. Jess is standing next to Ann as they work together to make a couple of loaves of bread.
Seeing this warms my heart because it’s just a laugh, but it gives me hope that maybe she can have a normal childhood and that The Family didn’t fully mold her into who they wanted her to be.
“Well, come on in, dear. No need to just stand there and watch us. Are you ready for lunch?” Ann asks while she shapes the dinner rolls.
“I could eat. What are we thinking, sandwiches?” I walk over to the fridge and pull things out, setting them on the counter. “Jess, is there anything specific you want?”
“I’ll eat whatever you’re eating,” she says as she puts another roll in the pan.
“You can make the choice. This isn’t one type of sandwich for everyone. Do you want to see what we have?” I ask her.
“It’s okay to have something different?” she asks, looking between Ann and me.
“Of course, sweetheart,” I tell her as she walks over to see what there is. Looking up, I see Ann watching with sadness in her eyes.
Once Jess picks out her sandwich, I make it and set her up on the counter. I make mine and Ann’s sandwich, and the three of us sit down while the rolls proof.
Ann breaks the silence. “Jess, here is a fantastic little bread maker. I’m excited to try some new recipes with her.”
“That’s exciting. What do you guys have in mind?” I ask, looking at Jess.
She shrugs and looks down at her sandwich. “Maybe a sourdough discard cinnamon bread?”
“That sounds so good,” I tell her. I’ll bake with her every day if it means she’ll open up more. “Do you enjoy baking?”
“Yes, that was my primary role in The Family until I turned of age to help watch the littles, but I prefer baking,” she tells us before taking another bite of her sandwich. “This is very delicious. Thank you for lunch.”
Ann stops mid-bite and looks between the two of us, and I just shake my head.
I’ll tell her all the details when Jess isn’t around. Not that Jess doesn’t know. I mean, she probably knows more than me at this point. But I want her to focus on healing and not anything that has to do with The Family.
“Well, if it isn’t my three favorite women. Is it lunchtime already?” Joe says, as he takes his work boots off at the back door and walks toward us.
Before any of us can say anything, Jess jumps up and wipes her mouth. “I’m so sorry, sir. We didn’t come get you and started eating before you. Here, please sit, and I will make a sandwich for you.”
The three of us freeze.
