“Can you even drive a truck?”
“Yes, Cadde. We have one at the barn that I use all the time.” At the expression on his face, she relented, but not nicely. “Okay, I’ll get Rosa to chauffeur me.” She carried her plate to the sink.
The only sound was the clatter of the dishes.
“You can take the truck,” he said in a quiet tone.
She swung around. “Really?”
“Yes.” He stood and fished out the keys from his pocket. “Just be careful.”
“Thank you.” She reached up and kissed his smooth-shaven cheek, a fresh manly scent tempted her nostrils, her senses.
His hands went to her hair. He threaded his fingers through it, holding her head. Waves of dizzying pleasure made her feel weak and she stood on tiptoe to meet his kiss. His lips tasted hers briefly. Enticing. Inviting. Suddenly he drew back. She felt deprived, wanting more.
“Get some rest today. Now I have to go to work.” His hand lingered on her neck for a moment and then he strolled past her. “Don’t wreck my truck,” he called over his shoulder.
Jessie whirled around the kitchen, feeling free. Feeling euphoric. It was just him and her in an apartment, alone. Like a normal couple—in love. She paused in her happy dance. They weren’t a normal couple. She pushed back her long hair, her scalp tingling from his touch. It may not be the real thing but it was something and she could live with that.
After covering the fruit with plastic wrap, she put it in the refrigerator. She quickly rinsed the dishes and placed them in the dishwasher. As the appliance clicked on, she heard a knock on the door. Rosa came in with a brown leather overnight case, a bag and her purse.
“Oh, Miss Jessie, just look at you.” Rosa gave her the once-over. “Why are you in that gown?”
Jessie hugged her. “It’s all I had to wear from the hospital.”
“Oh, your neck.” Rosa touched Jessie’s sore skin. “Go get in bed. I’ll take care of you and I brought breakfast.”
She held up her hands. “I’m fine, Rosa, and I’ve already eaten.”
“I’ll put these in the refrigerator then. I made some breakfast tacos.” Rosa walked into the kitchen and Jessie picked up the leather case.
“I have to shower and get dressed,” Jessie said. “I want to check on Mirry.”
“I’ll drive you.” Rosa hitched her purse high on her arm.
Jessie stopped in the hall doorway. “No, Rosa. I have Cadde’s truck.”
“Now, Miss Jessie, you’ve been through a terrifying ordeal and you don’t need to be driving.” Rosa shook her head. “It was awful, just awful, and we were lucky Mr. Cadde arrived when he did. The Dobermans attacked the one person they were trained to protect. We should have gotten rid of them long ago.”
Sadly, Jessie knew the truth of those words. She should have dealt with the dogs after her dad had died, but she kept putting it off. Now Mirry had to pay for her procrastination.
“I’m fine and hopefully Mirry will be, too.”
“I’m sorry. It all happened so quickly.”
“It’s okay,” Jessie assured her. “It was an accident. I just thought Mirry would never leave the house without me.”
“After you left to go to the barn, she was fussing around and started making those noises. I opened the door a crack and she shot out. The Dobermans were on her so fast I almost had a heart attack.”
“We don’t have to worry about that anymore.”
“No.” Rosa waved a hand. “Get dressed and we’ll go see Mirry.”
Jessie sighed and walked farther into the room. “Rosa, I told you I have Cadde’s truck and I’m staying in Houston as long as Mirry is in the clinic.”
Rosa’s features became stern. “Miss Jessie, you need to come home.”
Jessie stood her ground. “I’m not seven years old anymore. I’m a grown woman and I can take care of myself.”
“I promised Mr. Roscoe.”
Her hand tightened on the leather handle. “Daddy is dead.” She took a breath because it always hurt to say the words. “Rosa, please let go. You and Felix have to allow me some freedom.”
“We worry so much.”
“I know and I appreciate all your concerns, but I have a husband now. My life is changing.” Jessie didn’t give Rosa time to argue. She turned toward the hallway. “Bye. I’ll call you later.”
She held her breath until she heard the door close. Sometimes it was hard being an adult. She had to hurt the people she loved, but if she didn’t, they’d cripple her emotionally.
In less than an hour she’d showered, brushed her hair and coiled it into a rope, clipping it behind her head. Dressing in white slacks and sandals, she slipped on a lime-green sleeveless blouse that gathered at the waist with a silver chain. By nine she was sitting in Cadde’s truck. It took a while to adjust the seat. He had it pushed far back to accommodate his long legs. Once she was comfortable, she started the engine. It burred to life.