Page 68 of Christmas Homecoming Secrets
“Of course.”
“Of course. Then I’m letting the captain know you still need protection.”
* * *
Jade’s eyes popped open and she rolled over, stifling her groan. More aches and pains. Would she ever know what it felt like to be pain-free again? The paramedics had taped the cut on her forehead, declared her concussion-free, and told her to be careful.
Be careful. Yes, she would do that.
She sniffed. Bacon and coffee. Two of her favorites. Bryce must be cooking. Now that was a man her mama would tell her was worth keeping. She smiled, then frowned. The problem was, she didn’t know if he was even interested in them having a long-term relationship outside of his desire to see Mia. Shethoughthe might, but he held himself so distant most of the time, it was hard to tell. Of course his concern was touching, and he did seem to care about her like any friend would, but could it be more? The other question was…what didshewant? Did she even want more?
It didn’t take long to come up withthatanswer.Shewanted a happily-ever-after—with Bryce. But the truth was, until they found the person who was trying to kill her, it was probably not the best time to think about it anyway.
She checked her phone. A text from Heather.I heard what happened last night. Are you all right?
Jade tapped her response.I’m basically in one piece. That’s a positive.
Glad to hear it.
Same here. How are you?
I’m functioning.
Jade frowned and dialed her friend’s number. She liked texting for short things, but not for this.
Heather answered on the third ring. “Hey.”
“Heather, I’m just going to get to the point. I’m worried about you.”
“Well, that makes two of us.”
“I’m going to come by and see you. Hang out a bit. Talk. Don’t talk. Whatever you want. I just don’t want you to be alone.”
“I appreciate that, but I’m in the middle of painting and don’t want to stop.”
“What are you painting?”
“My next masterpiece.” She sighed. “Ah, Jade, I don’t know. I appreciate the offer, but I’m struggling and I don’t want to deal with people right now.”
Hurt slammed her. “Deal withpeople? Heather, this ismewe’re talking about. One of your best friends andpartner. Since when did I get lumped into the ‘people’ category?”
Heather’s silence confounded her. Jade tried to let the slight go. Her friend was hurting and not thinking clearly. One reason she wanted to go see her. “When’s his funeral?” she finally asked.
“Lisa’s taking care of that. I told her I simply couldn’t do it.”
The dead sound in her friend’s voice scared her. “I’m coming over.”
“No. Please. Just give me my space. And time. Everyone deals with grief differently. You know me. You know how I deal with it.”
Indecision warred within her. Would it actually help her friend to know that Frank had planned to call off the wedding? Or would it just devastate her even further? Make her question their whole relationship? Or would the anger she’d no doubt feel give her fuel to fight back? Or would she just be terribly confused and hurt and spiral into a depression she might never come back from? Jade just didn’t know. Just becauseshe’dwant to know didn’t mean Heather would.
Then again…
“Heather, did you know—” No, now wasn’t the time. If ever.
“Know what?”
“Nothing. Just…were you and Frank okay?” The question burst from her lips before she could pull it back in.
