Catching Serenity (9 page)

Dropping to the floor, he patted the carpet beside him.
“Come and sit with me. If you have time, I’d like to hear more.”

She eyed him for a long moment.
Revealing more of her life would strengthen the bond already developing between them. Surely Jackson must know that. It’s the way it always worked. Problem was, could she tell him about Mama without everything spilling over?

“
I don’t bite. Promise.”

“
Jackson, I…”

~
CHAPTER 9~

I have no willpower whatsoever.

Serenity sat facing Jackson, both cross-legged on the floor of Inner Serenity. “Mama was eccentric, but that was part of her innate charm.”

“
Exhibit A, a predilection for anything pear-related,” he said, chuckling when he caught her glance. “Sorry. Zipping my lips. I’m all ears. Speak to me.”

“
When all the other moms showed up at school in their normal mom clothes, Mama breezed in with her long, flowing broomstick skirt, halter top, flip flops and long, dangly earrings. She didn’t wear much makeup, but she liked to wear lipstick so shiny you could see your reflection in it. Mama refused to wear a jacket in the colder months. The thing is, she rarely got sick or caught a cold. Said it had something to do with the immunity she’d built up working in the hospital.”

“
What else?” Jackson leaned his chin on his hand, elbow resting on one knee. He appeared genuinely interested in hearing her memories. Serenity hoped he’d return the favor sometime and tell her about
his
family. Other than that he was from the Chicago area and raised in a privileged family, she didn’t know much.

“
Mama taught me to crochet and how to cook some of our family’s favorite dishes. She taught me to say please and thank you. We went on fun trips every summer. My parents wanted to make sure I understood the history of my country, so we toured Philly and visited the Liberty Bell and the Betsy Ross House, exhausted all the museums in Washington, D.C., rode to the top of the Empire State Building, visited the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, walked the Freedom Trail in Boston...”

“
They sound terrific,” Jackson said.

“
They were,” she said. “They never missed a parent-teacher meeting, and were right beside me making school projects—active volcano, Indian pueblo and the Alamo included—and helping with Girl Scout field trips. They were very hands-on and involved, not overbearing in any way. Dad used to tell me firefighters don’t always follow the rules, and he seemed proud of that fact.” The corners of her mouth upturned. “He was daring and a risk taker, my brave, strong daddy willing to take on the world for me or my mom.” Her eyes misted and she glanced down at her lap, overcome with emotion.

“
Mama always took me to the beach on Friday mornings during my summer breaks. The only time she missed was when there was a bad wreck on the outskirts of town and she got called to the hospital to help in the ER. She never told me about it, but I found out later there was a six-year-old girl killed by a drunk driver. Things like that affected her deeply, when she saw firsthand the devastation of the family left behind. She got very involved with MADD after that and was the president of the local chapter. I always admired her passion and regret not telling her. At the time she disappeared, they were planning a big MADD event, and that’s one reason I think she might really be gone.”

She ran a hand across her brow.
“She wouldn’t have left them in the lurch, and she’d never willingly devastate her family. I can’t imagine anyone wanting to hurt her, and she and Dad were happy. They had a good marriage, a lot of good friends. That’s what makes what happened so hard to accept. She didn’t seem unhappy or depressed. We were very close, and I think I would have suspected something wasn’t right. Even more than me, I’m sure Dad would have known.”

For two seconds, she thought about showing him the note tucked in her purse. But what would be the point? No sense in dragging Jackson into the quagmire of her life. She needed to do this on her own
and she’d already said more than she’d intended. “Maybe there’s something to this psychology thing,” she said. “I managed to get through all that without shedding a tear.”

“
Thanks for sharing,” Jackson said, rising to his feet. Holding out his hand, he helped her do the same. “I promise you, it gets easier.”

“
I guess it does. Time can be a gift from God sometimes. So can the people He brings into our lives. Thanks for listening, Jackson.”

H
is smile was as gentle as his voice. “Agreed.” In that moment, something changed between them, something so vivid it was almost tangible. By sharing about her mother, she’d allowed him more access to her life. Perhaps more surprising, she’d
wanted
to share her memories with Jackson. Was it possible she’d only known him a few days?

As they continued their work, Jackson told her he
’d toured the local historical society museum, enjoyed a cup of Sally’s Famous Lemonade from the cart set up by Queen Victoria’s Park and sampled seafood down by the waterfront. She appreciated his lighthearted approach to their task.

“
Who do we have here?”

Serenity turned.
A wide grin creased her lips when she spied the ceramic giraffe resting on Jackson’s palm. “Arnie! I’ve missed you, my old friend.” She reached for the yellow and brown animal with its ridiculously long neck, misshapen legs and irregular spots.

Jackson chuckled.
“Arnie was wrapped in enough bubble wrap to preserve a mummy. Someone highly valued this little guy.”

Running
her hand over his smooth, shiny back, Serenity smiled. “No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t get his legs right and finally sculpted Arnie sitting down, as you can see. I made him in Mrs. Jutz’s third grade art class, and I gave him to Mama for Mother’s Day. I labored over this project and wanted him to be perfect. Obviously, I didn’t achieve perfection.”

“
Probably because perfection’s not possible,” Jackson said. “I’m sure your mother loved it because you made it and she knew you tried your best.” Taking it from her, he turned it upside down and studied the inscription. “I love you, Mama.”

“
Funny how we automatically look to the back or the bottom of things, isn’t it?” she said. “It’s like seeing the date somehow validates it.” After he handed Arnie back to her, Serenity perched him on Kelsie’s desk.

“
It helps keep things in perspective, I suppose. You’re right although I never thought about it that way before.” Jackson’s expression was thoughtful. “Would you consider loaning Arnie to me? I’d like to take him to my office for a couple of weeks.”

“
Let me guess. You want to show him to your patient who likes giraffes?”

“
Exactly. This particular patient isn’t your typical kid. I think he’ll appreciate Arnie.”

She handed him over.
“Sure, you can borrow him, but you have to promise to take excellent care of him and return Arnie in his original, imperfect condition. He’s getting quite old, after all.” She grabbed some of the discarded bubble paper from the floor and gave it to Jackson, observing as he wrapped it around the giraffe.

“
Promise. You know, that’s another thing about kids that I love.”

Serenity shook her head. Keeping up with this man
’s thoughts would be a challenge. “You lost me. What do you mean?”

“
Most kids don’t see things as imperfect. That’s a fault reserved for adults. Kids see them as they are, at face value. For instance, I guarantee you my patients will look at Arnie and they’ll see a really cool, sitting giraffe, not an animal that’s misshapen.”

“
That’s because kids are much better about accepting people with physical deformities or issues,” Serenity said. “A good example of that happened yesterday, as a matter of fact.”

“
Yeah?”

“
I went to lunch with Charlie’s granddaughter, Maya, and her mother. There was a girl in a wheelchair in the restaurant. She had a prosthetic leg. Maya slid out of her chair at one point and talked to her. When she got back, Charlotte—her mom—asked what she’d said. The first thing Maya asked the girl? ‘Does it hurt?’ How many adults would think to even
ask
something like that?” Serenity shook her head. “We’re too wrapped up in our own lives”—she paused to consider the irony as she glanced at Arnie entombed in the bubble wrap—“and we don’t ask the simple but most important questions.”

“
A lot of people have compassion, but they’ve been sensitized through the years and don’t feel comfortable discussing someone else’s pain. Ever consider psychology as a career?”

“
No,” she said, wiping away a stray tear, embarrassed. “If anything, I belong on the other end of the spectrum.”

Jackson
tilted his head and stepped closer, making her pulse erratic. His eyes searched hers. “Does it hurt, Serenity?”

She managed a small smile
, marveling how this man seemed to
know
her already. How was that possible? “Let’s save that discussion for another day.”

“
Fair enough. How about I empty a couple more boxes and then take you to lunch?” he said.

“
Jackson, not that I don’t appreciate your help, but I’m afraid I won’t get much work done with you around.”

“
I’m helping a friend and I disagree. We’re getting a lot done here. Only two more boxes left, by my count.” Crouching beside another box, he glanced her way as he opened it. “You artfully evaded my question, you know. Seems you have an uncanny knack for doing that. It’s quite a talent.”

An involuntary shiver ran through her.
“What question? I’m sure I don’t remember.”

“
Cold?”

Jackson
’s powers of observation were equal parts unnerving and wonderful. She crossed her arms over her mid-section.

“
Give me one good reason,” he said.

“
You’re being obtuse again. A reason why I’m cold?” With Jackson in the same room—pretty much the same town, hemisphere or planet—no way she’d be cold. What she didn’t want to do was explore the reasons why.

“
A reason why you can’t, or won’t, have lunch with me. And the words ‘paying client’ aren’t allowed. Wait a minute.” He raked his hand through his hair and gave her a sheepish grin. “That sounded a whole lot better in my head.” The look on his face was so little-boy cute she melted a little more inside. “Bottom line? If I have to, I’ll fire you.”

She gasped.
“You wouldn’t!”

“
I might.” He didn’t flinch.

“
Just to get me to go to lunch with you? That’s extreme, don’t you think? Coercion isn’t seemly, Dr. Ross. Neither is pushiness.”

He chuckled.
“I haven’t heard the word ‘seemly’ used by anyone younger than eighty, but what do you say we discuss it together over a meal?”

Picking up a ball he
’d fashioned from used strapping tape, Serenity tossed it at him. Jackson laughed and dodged it. “You’re as bad as Deidre in being relentless until you get what you want, aren’t you? Remind me never to get you two in cahoots.”

He laughed outright at that one.
“Cahoots? Serenity, you’re absolutely priceless.”

“
You’re making fun of me now? Maybe I’ll quit and then you can fend for yourself with decorating that office of yours. Better yet, I’ll withdraw the offer to loan Arnie to you.”

“
You didn’t offer, I asked. Big difference.”

Oh my goodness, you
’re flirting. Stop that!

Seeing the look on his face, she raised one hand.
“If you care anything about me, you’d know firing me could destroy my professional reputation in this town. Don’t forget we have the playground project, too. I can’t believe you’d even suggest such a thing.” She blew out a mock sigh. “You’re impossible.”

“
Well, you’re right about one thing, Ms. McClaren. We couldn’t have that. The professional reputation destroying part.” He rubbed a hand over his chin as if contemplating all the available options. The gleam in his eye should stop her but only served to encourage her.

“
I don’t need you to humiliate me, Dr. Ross. I’ve already done that fine on my own. I’m trying to get a fresh start here. Have a heart.” This conversation was absurd but wonderful.

“
Oh, I definitely have a heart,” Jackson said. “It’s making itself known right now, as a matter of fact.”