Page 4 of One More Kiss

Jenna might be anxious at times, but she had a huge well of empathy and an intuitiveness that helped her create her guitars. I grimaced because I didn’t like her turning it toward me.

“I wanted another love. Lover. Partner. Someone to share my life with…” I shook my head. “That wasn’t in my cards.”

“Why can’t it be?” Jenna asked. She perked up, a glint forming in her eye. Oh, hell. She was going to make me her purpose. That wouldn’t do. Not at all.

I wagged a finger. “Stop it right there, young lady. I told you because you deserved the truth. But I am too old for—”

“If you say ‘love’ I’m going to guzzle your hot chocolate,” Jenna threatened.

I gasped as I clutched my mug with both hands out of her reach. “You’re a real stinker.”

Jenna shrugged but she also laughed. It was short, over almost before it began, but, oh, how that sound brought me joy.

“You wouldn’t be the first one to call me that.” She raised an eyebrow. “Now, about that lover…”

I shook my head as I rose from the couch, still holding my mug. “No, ma’am. I’m not getting into this with you.”

“Who better to talk to than your daughter-in-law? I’m family, and safe, but not actually related so I won’t gross out like Cam or even Kate. Though I do know she’d like you to have someone in your life, same as I would.” Jenna seemed to mull over some previous conversation with my daughter.

“My love life is mine.”

“Well, my love life is the world’s to pick apart, so I really wouldn’t know what you’re talking about.”

I pressed my lips together as I settled back beside her. “You don’t play fair.”

She held my gaze, hers steady, the shadows deep—too deep for someone her age. “Life isn’t fair. I get it. I really do. I’m married to a wonderful man. We have plenty of money so we have lots of opportunities. We have a healthy child, but that doesn’t mean life’s perfect.” Tears gathered in her eyes and she blinked them back with a ruthlessness I respected and worried over. She wanted to move on, and she would, but grief took time. “I always wanted a few kids, you know? Cash is a pleasure, but he’s so wild, not interested in hugs…”

She turned away, her jaw clamped tight. “My body betrayed me.”

“It sure did, and you have every right to be angry about that.”

She sipped her drink, studying me over the rim of her mug. “But?”

“No buts.”

Her smile turned wry. “But don’t let it drag Cam and me to an unhealthy place. Don’t let my sadness affect my work. Don’t let my grief take away from all the good in my life. Doesn’t that sound just about like the conventional wisdom?”

“Pfft.” I waved my free hand in the air. “Who wants conventional?”

Her smile turned warm, real, so I reached out and cuddled her closer, just like I would for my Katie Rose. Jenna held such a tender place in my heart. What she’d been through in her short life…it defied all conventions that she’d survived, let alone thrived.

“You, my dear girl, are so special.”

“I bet you say that to all your daughters.”

I kissed the crown of her head. “Only to those who deserve it.”

Her cheeks rose again in a soft smile. Good. She was finding her footing, finding herself.

“Your little man can pack away as much pie as your big one.”

“He’s growing so fast,” she said, tone wistful.

“They do that.”

“Thanks, Mama.”

“For?”

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