It takes me a good few minutes to find everyone in the huge house and then I walk towards the river to get Miss Ella and Jack.
I find them sitting on one of the benches, their heads huddled close.
“I’d like some lilies and lavender.” Miss Ella points to their right. “I’m sure you can fit them in there. They would go so nice with the others.”
Jack stares hard at the spot Miss Ella pointed out. “You really think so? I was thinking of putting in more roses.”
“You already have roses.” Miss Ella is so patient with him.
“I’d like to plant more,” Jack whispers, sounding a little sad.
“Why roses?” Nothing gets past Miss Ella, she heard the sadness too.
“Momma loved them. They remind me of her.”
My heart shrivels up. “What was she like?” Miss Ella asks.
“She had the prettiest smile it always made me feel safe.”
“You must’ve gotten your smile from her, because you light up a room with yours.”
“I do … you really think so?” I can hear the emotions flooding his voice. My sweet Jack. I want to hide him from this cruel world.
“I do, Jack.” Miss Ella cups his cheek and I can hear the emotion making her voice shaky. “Just because your momma has gone to a better place, it doesn’t mean she’s not with you.”
Jack leans his head on her shoulder and hugs her. He looks so innocent right now. I don’t know how this side of Jack managed to stay whole through all the hell he’s been through.
“Momma use to pat my head,” he whispers. “Actually, she played with my hair, until I would fall asleep.”
Miss Ella hugs Jack back. “I use to love it so much, but then Mistress Westbrook started to pat me on the head, as if I was a dog. She took something nice Momma used to do and she made it ugly.” I can hear the heartache and loss in his voice.
Miss Ella’s hand trembles as she caresses Jack’s hair. “Oh, my precious boy,” she sniffles and holds him tighter. “Miss Ella is here now. Don’t let them take your memories of your momma away from you. Bad things happen to all of us, but it’s what we do with them that make a real difference in our lives. Let your past make you stronger.”
I walk back to the barbeque, leaving Jack with Miss Ella. He needs her right now.
~*~
When I get back, it’s just in time as everyone is sitting down to eat. I grab two plates and load them with food for Jack and Miss Ella, and then I get some for myself.
I listen as everyone talks and laughs, and then I spot Christopher taking a plate of food to Maddie.
I walk over to them and make sure that I sit a safe distance from Maddie. Because of her past I let the men handle her. I don’t want to upset her. I just want to know if she’s okay.
“How are you, Maddie?”
Her eyes jump from me to Christopher, who’s taking a seat next to her. He smiles at her and it seems to give her courage. “I’m great.” She twirls her fork in her plate and then suddenly looks up. “Thank you for bringing me here. I know I don’t talk to you a lot and it might come across as being rude, but I want you to know how thankful I am to you and Adam for saving me.”
“Oh, Lovely, I’m so glad you’ve found your little space here and it’s only our pleasure.” I look from Christopher to Maddie and I can clearly see their love for each other. “So … it’s obvious that the two of you are serious. I noticed you moved out of the house, Maddie. I’m guessing that the two of you now live together?”
Christopher reaches over to Maddie and takes her hand. There’s a serious light in his eyes when he says, “We’d like to get married.” He looks nervous, as if he’s asking my permission.
“You’re both adults. If you’re both sure that’s what you want then I don’t see why you can’t. Are you planning on leaving or staying?” I need to know. Christopher is one of my best guards. I’d hate to lose him.
“We’re staying if that’s okay? Maddie is comfortable here and you know that I love working here.”
I smile reassuringly at them. “Then you stay. The choice is always yours.”
“Is it okay if we get married here? We saw how beautiful Jack made the chapel. We could have the wedding there,” Christopher asks with hope shining in his eyes.
“That would be a great idea. Just check with Adam if you need anything extra and let us know which date you decide on.”
Maddie’s face is shining with excitement but it’s Christopher who gets up and comes to hug me. “Thank you so much, River.”
I laugh and pat him on the back. “It’s my pleasure.”
“Nana!” I hear Adam call Miss Ella and automatically my eyes go to them. Jack helps her over to where Adam and Sophia are, and I excuse myself from Christopher and Maddie so I can get to Jack.
Adam gets up and reaches for a plate so I quickly say, “I’ve already got plates ready for Miss Ella and Jack.” I pick up Jack’s plate and tip my head towards Miss Ella’s plate. “Could you just take it to her?”
Adam takes the plate and steals a piece of cheese. “Eat your own food!” Miss Ella tells him off with a smile on her face. Adam places a kiss on her forehead as he hands her the plate.
“Here you go.” I hold out the plate to Jack and when he takes it, I point to a bench where there is still space to sit. “You want to go sit with me?”
He nods and we walk over to where Tristan, Diane, Lizzie and Jamie are sitting. I sit down next to Jamie so Jack won’t have to. He’s been very cautious of the other girls since the thing with Beverly happened.
“Are you enjoying yourselves?” I ask around the table. Jack starts to eat and I’m glad to see he has such a healthy appetite.
“I love these barbeques,” Jamie says. “I was thinking we could dance later on.”
“That would be fun,” Lizzie says.
“Everyone!” Adam shouts, getting our attention. Christopher and Maddie are standing next to him. A smile splits over my face as Adam throws his arms around them. He looks like a proud father. “Christopher has asked Maddie to marry him.”
Oohs and aahs sound up and everyone takes a turn to congratulate the couple.
Colby catches my attention as he throws his plate to the side and then stalks off. I wonder what’s wrong with him.
Jack finishes his food but I give up on trying to eat with all the excitement. He moves, straddling the bench and facing me, then he scoots as close as he can. His powerful legs cage me in and his arms go around my waist. He just stares at me, his eyes a soft green.
“What?” I whisper, feeling a blush creep up my neck from his intense look.
“I just like looking at you.”
Music blares over the yard and some of the girls start to dance. Christopher and Maddie are standing to the side, swaying romantically in each other’s arms.
Sophia is sitting on Adam’s lap and you can see the two are lost in their own world.
My eyes meet Miss Ella’s. She makes huge eyes, trying to tell me something. I frown at her, but then she just yells. “Dance with Jack!”
Everyone bursts out laughing and it makes me flush red hot. I get up anyway and then hold my hand out to Jack. “Would you like to dance?”
“I can’t,” the words pop from him.
“That’s okay, I’ll show you.”
Jack places his hand in mine and I pull him to the side where we’ll have some space. I take both his hands and place them on my hips, and then I place my own hands on his broad shoulders. “Just sway from one side to the other.”
We start to sway and I watch Jack as he watches the other’s dancing. Suddenly, he pulls me closer and his arms tighten around me. He smiles widely. “That’s better.”
I let my hands go behind his neck and we get lost in each other.
Last night was so special for me and Jack. Not only was it the first time a man gave me an orgasm, but Jack got that part of himself back too. It doesn’t mean things are all sunshine and roses for us from here on out, not in the least. I’m still worried about this relationship that’s forming between us. Are our feelings real, or did we just gravitate towards each other?