Dylan’s Redemption(26)

He often dreamed about her (prom night and the backseat of his Mustang), but last night he’d brought Jessie into the here and now. He dreamed of her as the woman she grew into and what it would be like to have her today.

To his surprise, the preacher announced Jessie would like everyone to leave. She stood with her arms crossed and her face blank, never acknowledging anyone. Not until the two men she knew approached her again, setting Dylan’s back teeth to grinding.





Chapter Nine



* * *





“ARE YOU GOING to be all right, Jessie?”

“Yes, Pop. I’ll be fine. I’m going to have a drink with the old man. I have a few things to say to him, and I’d like my privacy. I’ll give you a call later.”

Pop gave her a hug from behind. She hadn’t turned away from the casket to talk to him. She didn’t move when he embraced her, except to lean back against him.

Greg kissed her on the top of her head and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. She leaned into him and he held her for a moment. There for her when she needed him, he didn’t have to say anything.

She worked a man’s job and sometimes forgot she wasn’t as strong as she always felt she had to be. Today, a piece of her wanted to weep for the injustices of life.

You can’t pick your parents. Jessie ended up with a father who’d rather hurt her than love her, and a mother whose demons drove her take her own life.

Greg was lucky. His father loved him, encouraged him, and was a friend as well as a parent. He treated Jessie as his own daughter, which is why she’d changed her name to Langley. Yes, to hide, but also because she found a place she belonged and was wanted. For the last eight years, she’d had someone to treat her the way a daughter deserved to be treated. Pop loved her. She knew what that love should feel like now. It wasn’t what she’d gotten from Buddy Thompson.

Greg would understand she hurt when she reached up and held his forearm and leaned her chin on his arm. He stood and waited for her to stand on her own again. The only show of weakness she’d allow herself. He’d give her the time she needed. When her hands left his arm and she stood without leaning back on him, he released her with another kiss on her head.

“I’d really love to punch him until he hurts as much as you did when he left you alone,” Greg said close to her ear. She smiled ruefully. Today wasn’t the day to confront the sheriff on her behalf. But she appreciated the sentiment all the same.

He and his father walked away, leaving her with her brother, sister-in-law, and the sheriff.

“Jessie, thank you for taking care of the arrangements. We really appreciate everything you’ve done,” Marilee’s soft voice came from behind her.

Jessie lost herself in the storm of memories brewing. Like pelting rain, each drop another bad memory coming to the surface in her mind.

“Sure, Marilee. No problem,” she said absently.

Her brother stood across from her on the other side of the casket. His hands trembled, but his eyes were clear.

“Brian, I’m going by Dad’s house later. I’ll make a list of the supplies we’ll need. I’ll have a crew there on Monday to get things moving. If you want to meet me there and tell me what you want to keep and what you want to go, I’ll have the crew haul it away.”

Brian screwed up. As a little girl, Jessie looked up to him. She used to tag along after him and Dylan everywhere they went. He’d given her a hard time, called her names, and told her he hated having her around all the time. He did all those terrible things an older brother does to torment a little sister and all she’d wanted was someone to protect her.

A hollowness took over his inside, leaving him empty. Hearing her tell him she’d take care of everything only proved how much he’d failed her.

Time to swallow what little pride he had left and let her help him. Somehow, he’d find a way to pay her back.

His wife laid down the law yesterday. He either took his sister’s offer of a job and her help to get them back on their feet, or he’d end up alone. Marilee vowed to take the baby and the money his sister offered and she’d leave him for good. He couldn’t let that happen. He loved Marilee, and he looked forward to having the baby. He wanted to be a good husband and father. Better start putting his family first. That meant accepting his sister’s help.

“Brian,” Jessie coaxed.

“Gut the house. There’s nothing worth saving. Whatever changes you think are necessary, make them. If you want me there on Monday, I’ll be there.”

Jessie didn’t think his working on the house would be a good idea. Besides, she’d like to surprise him and Marilee. Her way of giving them a wedding and baby gift all in one, since she missed their wedding.