“Thank you.”
He got that she meant for making this easy and not pushing. “You’re welcome. I’ll see you soon. I’ll call you.” He closed the door and watched her drive away.
Eventually, they’d have to talk about it, but right now, she needed time to work it out. He could wait. He wasn’t going anywhere.
Chapter Sixteen
* * *
IN TOWN ON business, Jessie walked down the sidewalk toward the antique store to check in with her partner. She usually went to see her at closing time, but since everyone knew she was back in town, today she went during normal business hours. A distraction from thinking about Dylan and what happened last night. She’d tried to tell him, but the words wouldn’t come, and the pain of losing Hope rose up inside of her heart and made it bleed all over again.
Andrea had called to tell her she had some new orders.
Looking forward to making the new pieces, she desperately needed something to do to take her mind off Dylan. While she’d refused to admit to Dylan, or even give in easily to his plans, she liked that he came by this week. She thought the pizza dinner would be a quick way to show him the old spark was gone and she wasn’t interested. Instead, his charm and easygoing openness disarmed her and drew her in. She should have known better, because any time she thought about him, or he was near, she wanted to let time fall away and go back to the days she loved him and everything between them was as easy as the half grin she adored seeing on his face every time he looked at her.
She needed to find a way to tell him about Hope. Soon. She’d barely gotten a few words out last night before her emotions swamped her and pulled her back to those moments in the hospital when she knew she was losing Hope and couldn’t do anything about it.
The heat and pull still existed between them. She remembered the feel of his arms around her when they held each other close on Brian’s porch, and the way he’d pulled her backside up against him in the kitchen, his heat and strength surrounding her. The tender and sweet way he held her hand during the movie and kissed the back of it to let her know he felt the buzz of electricity arcing between them, tingling her arm, and warming her system up to him.
Yes, she needed to tell him before things went too far. She’d lost him once. She couldn’t fall for him again, build their relationship, only to lose him because she was keeping a secret he deserved to know.
She walked into the shop and spotted Andrea talking to Dylan. The rush of anticipation at seeing him again washed over her. She tamped it down, remembering her pledge to tell him everything the next time she saw him. She never expected it to be this afternoon.
Wondering why he was here, she put her finger to her lips for Andrea not to give her presence away. They stood at the back, so Jessie couldn’t hear their discussion. She made her way through some of the antiques and collectibles. Andrea had some great pieces, and she’d displayed them in cabinets and other furniture Jessie had made. She liked seeing her furniture on exhibit like this with Andrea’s pretty things. It always struck Jessie when she came into the store she had a talent for making furniture. Most of the pieces were simple. Clean lines, good construction, everything built to last. She used fine wood like oak, cedar, and walnut. Some of the children’s furniture she did in pine.
Close enough to hear the conversation between Andrea and Dylan, he said, “I’d like a dresser, twin-bed headboard, and a toy chest. Something with a horse or western theme. Can the craftsman do something like that for me?”
Andrea discreetly glanced over Dylan’s shoulder for a confirmation from her. Jessie thought about it and decided business was business. Dylan didn’t have to know she made the furniture.
She nodded to Andrea she’d fill the order. She signed in the air for her to write down the details.
“We’ll be happy to complete the order. It’ll take some time for the pieces to be finished. The person who makes the furniture does all of the items by hand. If you want them carved with a special design, that’s going to take longer.”
“No problem. About how long will it take?”
Jessie held up three fingers behind Dylan. “Maybe three weeks,” Andrea said.
“Sounds good. Call me when they come in and I’ll come and pick them up. Should I pay for them now, or when they come in?”
“When they arrive will be fine. Anything else? You’ve practically bought an entire house full of furniture from us already. I can’t imagine there’s much more you need.”
“I like the furniture. The craftsman is really into the details of each piece. You can’t find this kind of quality in mass-produced furniture.”