What would happen if she told him now? Could they get back the best of what they’d felt? Would Jase trust her? Could they have a future?
Although Sara hadn’t answered his question, Ethan didn’t probe for an answer. “Jase didn’t look too happy before he left. And I expect he’ll do some thinking while he’s gone. Staying in a hotel room alone gives a person lots of time to dwell on everything he doesn’t want to dwell on.” Ethan studied her. “When did this misunderstanding happen?”
“On Monday.”
“So why haven’t you and Jase talked since then?” After he asked the question, he suddenly held up his hand. “You don’t have to say. You were probably mad about something and Jase— The first thing he does when he gets hurt is put distance between him and whoever hurt him. Believe me, I know that for sure.”
“But if he wants the distance—”
“I didn’t say he wanted it. It’s just something he learned to do from the time he was a kid. My guess is that the best thing for him would be somebody helping him to change that pattern.” Ethan handed Sara his plate. “You think about that while I try to drink all these liquids you brought me.”
“If you’d like chicken soup, I can make it this afternoon and see that you have dinner before I pick up Amy.”
“Mrs. Tiswald makes chicken soup now and then, but she doesn’t put corn in it, even though I tell her I like it. Can you do that?”
“Sure, I can. Noodles or rice?”
“Noodles.”
“Consider it done, Mr. Cramer.”
She’d put the dishes on the tray, then reached the doorway when Ethan called her name. “Sara.”
She turned.
“Call me Ethan.”
As she carried the tray to the kitchen, she was smiling—genuinely smiling—for the first time all week. Maybe now that she’d made progress with Ethan, she’d make progress with his son. If she could show and tell Jase she loved him, maybe then he could trust her...maybe then they could both reach for a dream.
* * *
On the return flight to Sacramento, in the window seat, Jase thought about all of the hotel rooms he’d stayed in over the years and why the one at the hotel he’d recently vacated had been intolerable. The meetings had gone swimmingly well. He and Tony had had a dinner meeting with a new distributor who would be spreading the word about their wines at three different conventions, three different organizations of professionals who, if they liked the wine, would talk it up to their friends, colleagues and other professionals. Although Jase had tried to keep his mind on business during the past two days, that had been tough, as tough as it had been since Monday. His thoughts had wandered constantly to Sara and what had happened.
He’d been wrong. All week he’d made excuses for himself but none were good enough. Would she be able to forgive his doubts? Was he willing to give up his trip to Africa? How much did she mean to him?
Last night in his hotel room, turmoil had raged inside of him. All he’d remembered was another hotel room, another bed and another sleepless night. He’d felt so vulnerable. And maybe that was his problem.
In first-class seats, Tony sat beside him with a glass of Scotch. Jase hadn’t touched his yet. He didn’t confide his thoughts and feelings to many people. But Tony had become a trusted friend over the past two years. He didn’t gossip. He didn’t talk out of hand and he certainly didn’t break confidences. So maybe he’d be a good sounding board.
After Tony downed at least half of his Scotch, he asked Jase, “What’s on your mind? You’ve been preoccupied this whole trip.”
“Don’t tell me I’m that transparent.”
“Not to most people. But I know you, Jase, and something’s bothering you. What is it? This trip to Africa you’re planning?”
He’d told Tony about that on the flight down. “No, something else is on my mind. Can I ask you some personal questions?”
Tony gave him a wry smile. “That depends on how personal.”
Recognizing the landscape as the plane neared the airport, Jase asked, “Have you ever doubted your decision to get married?”
Tony’s reply was instantaneous. “Never.” His friend gave him a probing look. Then he added, “Connie and I might not always agree, but we’re committed to each other. There’s no one I’d rather be with, no one I’d rather have as my best friend, no one I feel more comfortable with and no one else who I could imagine waking up with every morning. She’s it for me. Why are you asking? Thinking about getting married?”