Page 83 of Unexpectedly Falling
AGENT: Did you look over what they sent back?
NESSA: Yes and I left you notes.
NESSA: I need you to add in there that I won’t be back till the very last minute before training starts
AGENT: You’re making me nervous
NESSA: Just do it
Swallowingdown the lump of emotion in my throat, I throw myself into every mundane task in between feeding Remi and putting her down for a nap. I’m nearly crawling out of my skin when I hear Jensen’s truck pull up outside, the headlights shining into the windows.
I shove a chocolate chip cookie, courtesy of my nervous baking, into my mouth as doors open and close, while their muffled voices grow closer.
As the knob turns, I realize I’m woefully unprepared for this moment as panic floods through my veins.
Jensen’s the first through the door, his mouth opening as if to warn me when Dottie bolts around him and makes a beeline in my direction. She’s beautiful—tan and willowy with ombre gray hair flowing around her shoulders and pale green eyes that are warm and filled with so much emotion.
“Oh my goodness, my sweet girl,” Dottie croons as she wraps me in a hug and squeezes me tight. “We are just so incredibly thankful for you.”
“Dottie, let the poor girl take a breath,” Jensen’s father says as he closes the door behind him and places his wife’s purse on the island.
She pulls back but doesn’t let go. It’s probably the most physical contact I’ve endured outside Jensen and Remi, but I realize I don’t hate it.
Not at all.
My own parents are not overly affectionate, but it had never bothered me until right now with Jensen’s mother looking at me like she’s just as excited to get to know me as she is her granddaughter.
“We’re so happy you’re here,” Dottie whispers.
“Mama,” Jensen pleads.
“I know, I know,” she says, taking a step to the side, but squeezing my hand in hers as she wipes a stray tear with the other. Wayne crosses the room and, easing his wife toward their son, offers me his hand with a gentle smile.
“Wayne Kade. We’re real thankful for you, Miss Hart. Heard you been doin’ some fine work over at the university as well.”
His kind words are unexpected and almost too much as I blink like crazy to keep the tears at bay. Jensen has his arm around Dottie’s shoulders as she dabs at her eyes.
I’m not this person.
I’m notemotional.
Remi’s little cries through the monitor are music to my ears, my body seeming to snap back into action as a smile graces my lips.
“I’ll go grab her while y’all get settled,” I say with a smile before scurrying down the hall and practically gasping for air when I’m safely inside her room.
“Are you all right?” Jensen’s voice is a gravelly whisper from behind me, forcing me to turn around and meet his concerned expression.
“I’m fine,” I say quietly as I mute the monitor.
“I told you not to lie to me,” he growls, taking a step forward and forcing my chin up with the side of his finger.
“They’renice.”
“Of course they’re nice.”
“No,” I huff, taking a step back and pulling frustratedly at my ponytail. “They’re good, genuine people. You forget how little I see that in my life. I could feel the love pouring out of your mother as she hugged me. It’s a lot, Jensen.”
His face softens as he wraps me in a hug.
