Jessica wanted to cry. Tears welled in her eyes, not from the discomfort of having Charles and Reese staring down her back as she progressed through the room, but from the sensitivity of the gracious woman who’d raised half these people and still cared so much she could bundle Jessica into her embrace and soothe her as if she were her own daughter. Jess hadn’t been mothered like this since she was ten years old.
Memories of her own mother smiling at her in this same way flooded her with feelings she’d stuffed deep inside—feelings she’d not experienced for so many years she couldn’t even count them. All this blubbery craziness rose to the surface, threatening to overwhelm her in her obviously hormonal state of distress.
I can’t do this. I have to get out of here.
As they entered the kitchen, bodies spread apart and disappeared. Jess glanced at the kind mother figure at her side in time to see the look she’d given the lot of them. Get out, now.
When the crowd had dispersed, Nancy whispered, “You okay, Jessica?”
A deep breath in. But she couldn’t exhale. She just held it and stared into Nancy’s eyes. No. Not even close. Tears spilled over, and still Jessica just stood there, letting them fall.
“Let’s go someplace else.” Rather than turn Jessica toward the crowd, Nancy pulled her farther into the room, through the kitchen and down the hall on the other side toward the guest bathroom.
As soon as the door closed behind her, Jessica released her breath and sat on the toilet, stuffing her head between her knees.
Nancy busied herself locating a washcloth, running cold water over it, and squeezing out the excess before she held it before Jess’ trembling hands.
Bless the woman again. She didn’t badger Jessica for details. She just soothed her, running a palm over her back. The longer hairstyle Jess had been sporting lately afforded the ability to hide her face between the curtain of the bob on either side.
“Can I get you anything?”
Jessica simply shook her head. Tears fell. A flood of them. Nancy just held her ground and patted Jessica like the mother she was.
There wasn’t any real need for words. Sure, there was no way Nancy had correctly interpreted quite everything going on in Jessica’s mind, but she had the basics. She knew Jessica was a wolf. She knew for whatever reason Jessica hadn’t shared this information with her human friends. And, God almighty, she knew there was something going on between Jessica and Charles.
What more did she need right now?
It was enough to send any woman into an emotional overload.
After several minutes of silence, Jessica finally pulled herself together and lifted her head. Her cheeks were flushed, as evidenced by her reflection in the mirror.
“You are a sweet, dear young lady, and I’m so glad to have you in our lives. I’ve come to think of you as my own child, even though I’ve only spent a short amount of time with you. You are always welcome in my home and with my family. If there is anything I can do for you, I’m here. I’m a good listener, and I’ve been around the block a few times.” Nancy smiled so broadly and genuinely Jessica’s tears threatened to begin anew.
She simply nodded and squeezed the woman’s hand in thanks.
“Come on out when you’re ready, dear. I’ll go dispel the rumors with some sort of tale of PMS, okay?”
Again, bless her.
* * * *
Damn. Charles had barely moved since Jessica had entered the house. Rooted to the spot in the living room, he still couldn’t control his beating heart. And Reese was right there next to him, suffering from the same ailment.
Alyssa stood several feet away, by most accounts looking out at the newly falling snow. But Charles could see her peripheral vision glaring at him, daring him to fuck things up any more than he already had.
Lucky for him, he glanced across the room just in time to notice his little brother angling toward Alyssa. Thank God she’d made friends with Michael. At least it would distract her from the craziness going on in the room. He’d have to thank Michael later for his unintended help. The little bugger was surely oblivious to his part in the situation. He was probably just glad there was someone unmated around to talk to among all his older siblings.
Charles jerked his gaze back to the front door. How the hell had no one managed to tell him Jessica was coming today? Including his sexy mate herself.
The woman had breezed into the house, her scent filling the huge space, leaving no ounce of breathable air. He’d nearly come in his pants when she’d removed her coat to reveal her skintight sweater and form-fitting jeans. When she shook her head to shake off the flakes of snow, her glorious brown hair with just a hint of curl at the ends danced around her face to frame it as though she were posing for a fashion shoot.