Meant To Be (6 page)

The machine picked up and Jessica's mother's voice filled the room. “Jess, honey, are you home? This is important."

Jessica recognized the urgency in her mother's tone. She disentangled herself from Garrett's embrace and dashed for the phone.

"Hi, I'm here. What's going on?” She met Garrett's gaze with silent apology.

Garrett strode toward her and mouthed, “What is it?"

Jessica swallowed hard. “Mom, hang on a sec.” She covered the receiver. “I'm sorry. She needs to speak with me about some family business."

He didn't look happy, but neither did he complain. “Call you later?"

"I'll be here."

He nodded, then left through the back door.

Jessica took a deep, calming breath before lifting the phone back to her ear. “Mom, I couldn't have heard you—"

"He's been released! I don't know how or when, but that man is out walking the streets again."

"All right, calm down. We knew this day would come."

"But not yet! He should have another year to serve.” Mary McGovern let out a long-suffering sigh. “Jessie, please, come home. I know things have been strained between you and your father, but he misses you and worries just as much as I do. We'll send you the money for airfare."

Jessica's chest ached at the mention of her father. “There's no reason for you and Dad to worry. Wade has no idea where I am, and it's doubtful he'd care if he did."

"But you're all alone and have no idea what might be going through that man's mind. What if I came and stayed with you for awhile?"

"I'm fine, Mom, I swear.” Jessica dropped down on the couch and leaned her head back. “Besides, there's a big cop who lives right next door. If I have any trouble, I can give him a call."

"That's right, I'd forgotten about him. What's his name again? Gary?"

Jessica licked her lips. “Garrett. And yeah, he's ... something else."

"Honey, promise me you'll give the officer a call if Wade tries to contact you. You know what a worrier I am."

Jessica managed a small smile. “That may be the understatement of the century."

"Promise."

She rolled her eyes. “I promise. If I need the cop, I'll call. Happy?"

"Happy. I'll give you a call in a few days."

Jessica pressed the receiver button and dropped the phone on the end table.
Wade's been released from prison.
The bastard hadn't even served half of his sentence and he was walking around a free man. The injustice of it made her sick.

But what were the chances he'd show up in Green Bay? Better than she wanted to admit, frankly. The last time they'd stood face-to-face—before he'd been taken away in handcuffs—she'd told him they were through. Period. No chance in hell would she ever take him back.

Wade had sworn to change her mind when he got out.

"Remember, you promised to be good,” Garrett reminded his nephew as he pulled open the door to the restaurant. “Any sass-mouth and I'll take you right home. I mean it."

Ethan frowned, but wisely nodded his head. He stomped through the door and stood next to the PLEASE WAIT TO BE SEATED sign. Garrett couldn't help but grin. Even annoyed, Ethan had better self-control than his uncle.

The hostess, a busty, middle-aged woman with a humongous salt-and-pepper beehive hairdo, walked up and winked at Ethan. “Hey, good-lookin', would you like a table or a booth?” She reached down and grabbed a menu, placemats, and a few crayons.

"We'll take a booth,” Garrett said. “In Jessica's section, if that's all right."

She looked him up and down and smiled. “She has a booth open in the corner. Follow me."

Ethan dragged his feet the entire way, then climbed in and crossed his arms, his little face screwed up in a mutinous scowl. Garrett let out a resigned sigh. The hostess handed Garrett the menu, set down the paper placemats, and dropped the crayons in front of Ethan. “Jessica will be with you in just a minute."

"I ain't no baby,” Ethan muttered as soon as she walked away.

"You're seven, sport. There's nothing babyish about coloring when you're seven.” Garrett flipped open his menu, hoping a decent meal might sweeten Ethan's disposition. Hell, who was he kidding? The only cure for his nephew's foul mood would be if Jessica disappeared from the planet. And
that
would surely put Garrett in a foul mood. The thought of never seeing her again was enough to make his blood run cold. Damn, when did he become so attached?

He blew out a frustrated breath and glanced over the menu. “Hey, they have chicken quesadilla appetizers. Want to split an order?"

Ethan shrugged. “I s'pose.” He picked up one of the crayons and started doodling.

Garrett felt a glimmer of hope. He certainly didn't need the little squirt's permission to date Jessica, but it would be nice if he could at least be civil to her.

"Well, I didn't expect to see you two here,” Jessica said as she approached the table.

Garrett had to clear his suddenly dry throat. Jesus, what in the world was wrong with him? It hadn't been
that
long since he'd gotten laid. He shrugged. “We have to eat lunch, and this is as good a place as any.” Had that sounded nonchalant enough?

"So what can I get you?” She pulled the pad and pen from her pocket before craning her neck to see what Ethan was drawing. “Wow, that's amazing. A dog?"

Ethan looked up with utter disdain. “It's a horse. Don't you know anything?"

Garrett's face grew hot with embarrassment. He slapped his menu shut and yanked the crayon from Ethan's grasp. “That's it, sport, I warned you. No lunch and no movies tonight. You can sit in your room and pout until you learn how to treat people with respect.” His gaze moved to Jessica. Jesus, what she must think. “I'm sorry. I honestly thought his manners would've improved by now."

Ethan's eyes grew red and his chin quivered. “But it's a horse! Anyone can see that!"

Garrett had had enough. He started to push himself to his feet when Jessica laid a placating hand on his forearm.

"Please, Ethan's right. Anyone can see it's a horse. I don't know what I was thinking.” She then said to Ethan, “You know, we make one of the best cheeseburgers in the city, and it comes with a big plateful of curly fries.
And
if you finish your food, you get a free sundae. What do you think? Are you up for it?"

Ethan shrugged a shoulder, but remained silent.

"If you don't think you can do it...” Jessica added, letting her words trail off as if in silent dare.

Garrett watched in wonder as most of the hostility faded from Ethan's eyes. The thrill of possible victory even brought a smug grin to the little shit's face. A free sundae? There wasn't much Ethan wouldn't do for that.

"Well, sport, it's up to you. Do we stay and have one of the best cheeseburgers in the city, or go home for some of Uncle Luke's Spam casserole?"

Ethan shivered in revulsion. Garrett and Jessica both laughed.

"I guess that settles it,” Garrett said. “And I think I'd like to try that challenge as well.” He handed Jessica both menus as he mouthed the word “thanks".

She winked at him. “Okay, so that's two cheeseburger challenges. What can I get you to drink?"

Ethan glanced at Garrett who nodded. Ethan's eyes lit up. “A large orange soda. And no onions on my cheeseburger."

"Make it two sodas.” Garrett leaned back and laid his arm along the back of the booth. “And no onions on mine either."

She rolled her eyes, and then softened the blow with another wink.

Jessica set two huge, cherry-topped hot fudge sundaes on the table with a flourish. “I have to say, I'm impressed. You boys sure can eat.” Of course, she'd never admit she'd seen Garrett filching curly fries off Ethan's plate. The kid was, after all, only seven.

And while Ethan wasn't exactly smiling and friendly, he
had
managed to refrain from hurling insults at her for the past thirty minutes. For that, she was grateful.

"Yeah, but nobody can eat as much as Uncle Danny,” Ethan informed her. “I saw him eat a whole cake before."

Jessica widened her eyes dramatically. “No way! A whole cake? He must've had a bellyache for a week."

Ethan nodded, warming to his subject. “Yep, and he puked his guts up, too."

"Ethan, we're in a restaurant,” Garrett warned in a low tone. He met her gaze and shook his head. “Sorry."

Jessica waved his worry away. She slid the check face down onto the table and said, “Well, I'm glad you guys stopped in for lunch. Have a great time at the movies tonight. Eat some popcorn for me."

Garrett cocked a brow at Ethan whose little face screwed up in resignation. “If you wanna come, you can come,” Ethan grudgingly invited. “But you have to eat your own popcorn."

He earned a wink and smile from his uncle, which seemed to please him.

Jessica knew the last thing Ethan wanted was for her to tag along, though, and decided there was no point in pressing her luck. They'd be neighbors for at least five more months, and it would certainly be easier for everyone if Ethan didn't think of her as the Wicked Witch of the West.

"Thanks. I appreciate the offer, I really do, but the last thing I want to do is intrude on a guys’ night out."

Garrett raised both brows at his nephew this time, and Ethan set his spoon down with a resigned sigh. He glanced back up at her, and his smile seemed almost genuine when he said, “It's okay. My mom even comes with us on guys’ night out sometimes. And she's a girl, too."

Jessica could barely hold back a giggle. She looked over and met Garrett's gaze with a you-don't-have-to-do-this look. But the truth was, she hadn't been to a movie theater since she was a kid, and, darn it, she wanted to go.

"Come on, it'll be fun,” Garrett said. “We're going to see that new superhero movie. And it'll be my treat, popcorn and all."

Jessica glanced back and forth between them. “If you're sure I'm not intruding, I'd love to come. I haven't seen the inside of a theater in years."

Ethan shoved a heaping spoonful of ice cream into his mouth and shook his head. “We're not going to the theater,” he said after gulping it down, “we're going to the drive-in."

Jessica gazed around at the sea of cars, mini-vans and pickup trucks feeling like a little kid who'd just discovered Disneyland. Dusk settled over the expansive gravel lot as Garrett parked his truck in the row closest to the big white screen, but off to the side. For now, they had the entire front row completely to themselves.

Smiling, she unbuckled her seatbelt and turned back to face Ethan. “Thanks again for inviting me to come along. You didn't have to, and I would've understood if you hadn't.” His cheeks pinkened and Jessica's smile widened.

"It's no big deal. But,” he cocked a brow, “you have to stay in the truck with Uncle Garrett. I want the hood all to myself."

She glanced over at Garrett who winked at her.

"Don't worry, sport, I'll make sure she stays in here with me."

Ten minutes later, lying on a pillow and blanket on top of the hood, Ethan wiggled his sneaker-clad feet in time with the dancing soda pop, candy, popcorn, and ice cream bars. And since he'd situated himself directly in the middle, Jessica had to either sit against the passenger door, or squeeze up against Garrett's side. Of course, she'd love to curl up in his arms to watch the movie and doubted Garrett would voice any protests. But she had a feeling Ethan wouldn't like it too much.

Garrett reached in back and grabbed a couple sodas from the small cooler he'd brought along. “Root beer?"

"Sure, thanks."

He wiped the condensation off on his jeans before handing her the can, then repeated the process with his own. Jessica pulled the tab and took a small sip, while Garrett sucked down half the can in one long gulp. They glanced at each other, smiled, then looked away. Garrett chuckled and scooched down in his seat, his long legs spread out, his knee practically touching her thigh. “I feel like I'm sixteen years old again, out on my first date."

Jessica couldn't help but laugh. “Actually, this is much better. I had my first date at the roller rink. I was about the worst skater around, too, let me tell you."

He glanced at her, then returned his attention to the big screen. “Come on, you couldn't have been that bad."

She took another sip of her soda before leaning her head back against the headrest. “We were holding hands, and he skated backwards while I skated forwards. He basically pulled me around the rink till we'd built up quite a bit of momentum. I got scared, tried to use the toe stop and tripped. I'm told it looked like I did a dive-and-roll into two old ladies who were unfortunate enough to be standing right in front of the exit from the rink."

Garrett threw back his head and howled with laughter.

Jessica's lips twitched. “It's not that funny.” She saw Ethan turn back and frown at them through the windshield. She gave Garrett's knee a quick slap.

He managed to take it down to a snicker before turning to face her. The sun had completely set, but his handsome face was illuminated by the reflection off the big screen. His gaze slid down to her lips and she licked them in reflex. Good Lord, the man could turn her into a toasted marshmallow with one smoldering look.

"Were they hurt?"

"Huh?"

He chuckled softly. “The little old ladies."

"Oh, they were fine. Just got knocked on their butts. I, on the other hand, skidded across the carpet on my face. Ended up with a quarter-sized rug burn on my chin. Probably looked like a monster zit from a distance—and if you laugh, I swear I'll dump this can over your head.” She held up her root beer and playfully narrowed her eyes.

"Woman, I love your gall,” he said, “but if even one drop of that gets spilled in my truck, I'll pull you across my knee."

"That doesn't exactly sound like punishment."

He reached out and brushed his knuckles down her cheek, the pad of his thumb gently sweeping across her lips. Jessica's nipples tightened and her breath hitched. It scared her how easily his touch affected her. Even Wade, her first love and who was as handsome as they came, had never evoked such intense feelings. Jessica wanted to strip Garrett naked and have her way with him right there in the truck. And if Ethan wasn't with them, she'd probably be sitting on his lap right now—sans shorts and panties.