Coveting Love (Jessica Crawford) (25 page)

When she arrived at her door, Karen came running out to meet her. “I’ve been waiting all night,” she said is a rush.

Jessica opened her door quickly and ushered her neighbor inside. “Karen, do you realize how late it is? Did you stay up just so you could catch me when I got home?”

Karen picked up Jessica’s arm, looked at her watch, and shrugged her shoulders. “It’s still early,” she replied. “Besides, this is important.”

Now that she had caught her attention, Jessica couldn’t help but wonder what could possibly have kept this woman up, waiting and watching her apartment until she arrived home? She looked down at Karen, interest clearly present in her gaze. Karen was considerably shorter than Jessica. She had never realized this before. Perhaps it was the effect of the robe and slippers.

“
Well…” she urged. “Why don’t you tell me what it is that caused you to stake out my apartment all night?”

“
There was someone here to see you today. He came around twice, and he rang your doorbell for a long time. I sent him away. He gave me the creeps. Although I can’t say why, he really was quite handsome. I think it was the look on his face.” She moved her hands around trying hard to secure just the right words to describe his look. “Determined, yes, that’s it. He looked determined. About what I can’t say. It was almost as if he expected you to be home, and then he was angry that you weren’t.”

Concern crept into Jessica’s being. “Go on, Karen, tell me what he looked like, and be specific. It’s very important.”

She described Jeffrey right down to the dimple in the left side of his smile. A ghost jumped through Jessica’s soul at the thought that he had actually been at her home. She shivered. She now had no doubt it was Jeffrey on the phone that morning.

“
Is everything okay? Should I call the police if he comes back?”

“
No, it’s all right. I think I know who he is. It sounds like Brandon’s brother, Jeffrey. I don’t think he’s dangerous, but I’ll tell you what. I would prefer not to see him alone. He has kind of a wild streak in him. He likes to play games with Brandon. I seem to be his latest pawn. If he shows up again, ask him not to come back. Okay? Can you do that for me?”

She looked hesitant and Jessica knew she was asking an awful lot of her neighbor. Just as she was about to tell her to never mind, Karen interrupted her. “Don’t worry. If he comes back, I’ll take care of him. If I have to, I’ll call the police?”

“
No, oh no, don’t do that.” Karen looked startled at Jessica’s sudden insistence. “What I mean is—well, let me explain a little about Jeffrey.” She took her arm and led her to the sofa. They sat down in unison.

“
You see, it isn’t that there’s anything wrong with Jeffrey, and I really don’t think he would do anything to hurt me, but he and Brandon don’t get along. I just don’t think Brandon would understand if he found out his brother was visiting me here. I don’t want to be the cause of more animosity between the two of them. Therefore, I don’t think calling the police would be a good idea. Besides, I don’t think the police would do much—except advise me to get a restraining order. I think that would only make the game more interesting to Jeffrey. Don’t you agree?”

She looked skeptical and eyed Jessica with concern. Finally, she shook her head. “Okay. It’s your life, but I’ll tell you girl, I wouldn’t want him knocking on my door,” she stated firmly.

“
I don’t either, but I just don’t want to go to extremes. I haven’t known Brandon long, and I really don’t want to screw things up with him. Do you understand?”

“
Sure, I understand. Listen, I have to get back to my own apartment. I’ve left the boys long enough.”

“
I understand. I’ll see you tomorrow. And thanks for—well, just thanks.” She waved backward as she left Jessica’s apartment, heading toward her own, shaking her head in disagreement. Jessica waited until she was sure she was well inside. Then she went to secure all her doors and windows.

Too exhausted to worry about it anymore that night, she tumbled into bed, where she slept restlessly all night. She didn’t know what Jeffrey wanted, but she knew she wasn’t going to like it.

The morning brought sunshine and a renewed spirit. The previous day seemed like a dream. It was hard to imagine Amy married and halfway to Hawaii by now.

Jessica walked casually to the refrigerator and peered inside. She groaned aloud, “How long has it been since I’ve done any shopping?” She picked up a container and peered inside. Judging from the furry growth on whatever it was she was holding in her hands, and by the looks of the pantry, which was next on her inspection list, she would have to guess quite some time.

Dressing quickly, she headed to town to do some shopping. She tiptoed past Karen’s door, using the excuse that she didn’t want to wake her. However, if she wanted to be completely honest, she wasn’t in the mood for a reminder of their previous night’s discussion.

The sun was hot and Jessica began panting from the exertion. She slowed her pace. Her long legs worked hard to restrain her body.

She returned the waves of several people she passed on the street. It felt strange, and rather embarrassing, to pass so many people who knew her by name, but only recognize their faces. She knew where they lived, but she couldn’t remember their names. Even stranger was the fact that until she had met Brandon, she wouldn’t have cared what their names were, or where they lived for that matter. They were simply her neighbors, and that was all that mattered.

Now, she found herself intrigued by them. Suddenly, she wanted to know all she could about them. She wanted to know where they worked, who their families were, how many children they had, even what they had for breakfast. She vowed to make a greater effort to get to know them.

“
See what a good influence you have on me, Brandon.” She spoke this thought aloud. She was rewarded by hearing her name whispered in her ear.

She turned quickly, but no one was there. She searched the faces of those around her. The street was busy, more crowded than usual due to the good weather. She rocked gently on her feet, straining to peer between and over people, her skin pale and frightened. A woman came to take her elbow.

“
Jessica, are you all right?” she asked, concerned.

Jessica stared hard into the woman’s face but couldn’t place her. She stumbled a few steps, and then found herself sitting on a bench.

“
I’m sorry, but do I know you?” she whispered softly.

The woman chuckled softly. “Why, my dear child, of course, you know me. We’re neighbors—have been for a few years now. I’m Evelyn Matthews. My husband and I live three doors down from you.

We own this flower shop here. It’s our retirement dream. We purchased the shop in the late eighties. We lived above the shop for many years, but recently bought our apartment so we would have more room for the grandkids to visit. You have bought flowers from us on many occasions. In fact, just last month you were in here getting flowers for Amy. You said you needed to cheer her up about something.”

“
You know Amy?”

Evelyn frowned in concern. She patted Jessica’s hand in a comforting gesture. “I guess this heat must be getting to you. Perhaps I should take you home so you can lie down.”

Jessica swallowed hard and blushed in embarrassment. She jumped up. “No, really, I’m just fine. I was just on my way to the market. I haven’t a thing to eat in my apartment, and I’m afraid I was out rather late last night. I’m sure I’m just tired. I’ll be fine,” she assured her as she started to walk away.

The woman looked hurt but brightened suddenly. “My husband used to be a doctor, you know. He could have a look at you; make sure you’re not sick.”

Jessica turned to look at her. The sense of pride she displayed on her face when she spoke of her husband touched her. Jessica walked back to where she stood and bent to kiss her softly on the cheek.

“
Do you know, Mrs. Matthews, you remind me of my mother.”

She displayed a smile bright enough to light anyone’s heart. “Really!” She exclaimed.

Jessica nodded and returned her smile. “Yes, you really do. And I promise, if I’m not feeling better later, after I have shopped and eaten, then I’ll come over and let your husband take a look at me, Okay?”

For quite some time, Mrs. Matthews just gazed thoughtfully at her, then she seemed to warm to this idea. She let Jessica go on her way.

As she turned and started to walk away, the feeling that someone was watching her overwhelmed her. She turned back to look at Mrs. Matthews, who smiled and waved. She returned the wave and continued on her way. Maybe Amy was right. Maybe a trip would do her some good, but where should she go.

Her answer was to come to her the following day. She walked into her office to discover a message Clair had left on her desk. She was to come to her office immediately. She recalled, with a knot in her stomach, the last time Clair had summoned her with such urgency. That was when she had run into Phillip Stewart, odd that she should think about him now. She hadn’t heard a word from him since his confrontation with Brandon. In fact, she was beginning to hope he had gone away.

Clair was on the phone when Jessica arrived, smoking a cigarette. She really did look like a dragon sitting there in that oversized chair, smoke drifting out her nostrils. Jessica frowned in disgust, waved the smoke away, and stifled a laugh as she thought how appropriately her nickname fit her.

Clair hung up the phone. She stood, and placing both hands on her desk, leaned toward Jessica.

She flashed a conniving smile at her. “Jessica—my favorite photographer in the whole world; you know that right, you know you’re the best—and my favorite.” She rushed on, getting straight to the point, “How would you like to go to Australia?”

Jessica choked on the diet coke she was drinking and spat, “Australia! Are you joking? Why on earth would you want me to go to Australia?”

Clair sat back in her chair and crushed out her cigarette. She looked seriously at Jessica.

“
It’s either that or Oklahoma.”

Jessica looked horrified at first, and then she realized Clair was joking as laughter rolled out of her overweight body.

“
I’m just kidding about Oklahoma,” she gasped between bouts of coughing, spurred by her laughter. “But not about Australia. You need a break, that’s apparent. I need someone with experience to handle this. I say that person is you. So what do you say? What would you say to an all expenses paid vacation to Australia? All you have to do is handle the layout. Make sure everything goes alright; so how about it?”

Jessica was stunned, but started warming to the idea. “It sounds interesting, Clair, but why Australia?”

“
New clothing line, why else. The look is Aussie, and our client wants it to look authentic. No made up scenes for him. He wants the Australian outback, the real deal. So come on, what do you say? Be kind to your favorite editor.”

She thought, for the briefest of moments, about trying to come up with a reason to refuse this request. Despite the nagging in the back of her mind, she couldn’t come up with a single reason to turn down this chance for excitement. She had never been to Australia.

“
I say why not. I was thinking about getting away for a few days, and this seems like it would be perfect. And since it is all expenses paid, I guess I can’t lose.”

Clair nodded. “I guess it works out for all of us this then.”

“
All right then!” Jessica exclaimed and headed to the door. “I guess I’d better get busy making plans. I assume I’m taking John with me, right?” She raised her brows in an affirmative gesture.

Clair reached for her cigarettes and lit another one, waving the match to extinguish the flame. “I didn’t think you would have it any other way.”

She gestured an “okay” sign, and said, “Right you are, Clair,” and headed to the door, closing it roughly behind her in her excitement.

Clair winced, picked up the phone, and dialed. “Mr. Stewart, please,” she said into the receiver. After a short pause, he came on the line. “Phillip, Clair Anderson here. She went for it, just as I said she would. But I don’t understand why you didn’t want me to tell her it was your company requesting the trip.—Oh, I’m sure she would have gone, anyway. Jessica’s the adventurous type. I’m going to be sorry when she leaves us.—What’s that?—Oh, I’m sorry. I guess you didn’t know; she’s getting married. Oh well, I guess her gain is our loss.—No you don’t have to worry, Phillip; I will respect your wishes. I promise that I will not tell anyone of your intent to oversee this project with her.—Yes, I’m sure it will be a surprise to her to see you. I guess I hadn’t realized the two of you had become such good friends.—Good day to you, too, Phillip, and have a wonderful time.”

She hung up the phone and felt a stab of uneasiness. She didn’t like deceiving Jessica. She had been a loyal employee to the company, and frankly, Clair had taken a familial liking to her. But what was so wrong with a little infatuation? She could plainly see what was going on. Jessica was a pretty girl. It was perfectly natural that a man like Phillip Stewart would take a liking to her. After all, she wasn’t married yet. Perhaps Clair would be doing her a favor. She certainly could do a lot worse than hook up with Phillip Stewart. In fact, if she were a little younger, and a few pounds lighter, he might have taken an interest in her as well.

She heard the rumors about him being a ladies’ man. Perhaps all he wanted from Jessica was a little fun. Then she could go on and marry her boyfriend from the country, and everyone would be a lot happier—including the magazine’s accountants, for Mr. Stewart was paying quite a hefty fee for this last minute excursion.