Authors: Alison Chaffin Higson
“I love you too.”
With a tearful laugh, “You make me so happy.”
My phone ringing interrupts a perfect moment.
Wiping the tears from my face, I answer, not bothering with politeness, “I’ll meet you at one, inside the Silver Dollar Grill. Do you know where that is?”
“I’ll find it.”
Hanging up on him again, I turn to Cade and I just start to move in for another kiss when Jake appears.
“No thanks.” We reply back in tandem.
I don’t quite believe how casual Jake seems to be about Cade and me.
I was expecting, well I’m not sure what, but not this.
Jake comes over, sitting opposite us looking slightly distracted, “Lucy the friend I mentioned who has the bed and breakfast in Jackson, said there was a guy in there asking for a Rona Jameson.
She told me this when she was asking about the girl she saw me with the other day getting onto ‘Big Red’, I mentioned your name and she told me about this guy.”
I move from Cade and sit in the chair next to him, “Thanks for telling me Jake, but don’t worry about it.
I think it must have been Nick trying to find me. He wants to talk to me; we’ve arranged to meet later today in Jackson.”
“You’re going to meet the bastard?” he says to me.
“Dad, you’re not letting her go alone are you?” Jake asks getting pretty steamed.
“No
, he isn’t, your father will be with me, but in the background.”
Standing up to put his cup in the dishwasher, “
What time do we leave?”
Stunned, “W
e’re meeting at on
e inside the Silver Dollar.... you’re coming too?”
“Sure am.”
~~ Cade ~~
Heading into town, I can’t help but feel on edge. The woman I’m in love with is on her way to meet her ex. She has a lot more history with this guy than she has with me, which makes me feel as though a rock is lodged in my stomach.
She insisted on sitting in the back of the car, so as Jake is driving, I turn around to look at her, “Rona, are you okay?”
She looks back at me looking really pale, “I will be when this is over. I really don’t want to have to do this, because it just drags the whole thing out.” Sighing, “As far as I’m concerned I’ve moved on, I just wish he would too.”
Parking one block over to the hotel, I start to climb out of the car to help Rona, “Can you just give us a minute Jake?”
With a wry smile, “Yeah.”
I stand to the side of the car with my hands on Rona’s shoulders, “I just want you to know that I’m here for you, anytime during your discussion, if you want rescuing just wave over to me.”
Smoothing my hands up her neck to her face, I lower my head to kiss her, “Okay?”
She returns my kiss, “I promise.
I feel better knowing you and Jake will be close by.”
After a quick hug, she turns to head towards the hotel.
Jake walks around the car and stands next to me, watching her walk away, “Are you sure this is a good idea?”
I sigh – heavily.
“I don’t know, but unless she does this the guy said he won’t stop with the constant messages, so I guess, providing he keeps his promise, then she should be able to switch her phone on without it beeping every two minutes.” Moving away from the car, “Come on, we better make a move.”
After a minute or two, I notice Jake keeps passing sly glances over to me out of the corner of his eye, “What’s wrong Jake?
I know that look; you have something on your mind.”
“Yes, I do.
... kind of,” laughing slightly. “You really have fallen for her haven’t you?”
“Jake
….”
Holding his hand out to stop what I’m going to say, “Dad,
its okay.”
I have already guessed that maybe Jake isn’t too bothered about me being attracted to Rona, but hearing him say it, has me feeling choked up.
I have to ask him though; clearing my throat, “Are you okay with that?”
“It was really weird at first when I suspected there was something between you both, not just because of your ages, but because it’s the first time I’ve ever seen you with a woman.
You don’t date, at least not at home.”
I look at Jake, “I’ve never been in love before, lust yes, but never love.
... until Rona.” I laugh, “Shit, I can’t believe I just admitted that to my son.”
“
It’s okay, Dad, I’ve seen how Rona lights up when she’s with you, and she seems to be a good person. As long as you don’t expect me to call her ‘mom’, I’m okay with you being together.”
Relieved, “I think that can be arranged.”
After a pause, “How do you think Anna and Beth will feel?”
Opening the door of the hotel, “I have no idea; you’re on your own wit C yoeight="2h them two.
I don’t envy you.” He chuckles.
Entering the grill, I spot Rona taking a seat opposite a blond haired guy.
He seems polite enough, holding the chair out for her. He certainly has the looks, but he has a gleam in his eye and what I would call an evil smile. Taking her seat Rona doesn’t notice and by the time she looks back at him, the smile is pleasant. The bastard, he’s up to something and my radar is now on full alert.
Seemingly lost for words, “Did you see that?”
Jake asks me.
“Yes, I did.”
~~ Rona ~~
Sitting down with Nick at the table in the grill, confirmed that I really do feel nothing for him.
I told Cade that I had no feelings anymore for Nick, but until this moment I hadn’t realized they were completely gone, and all that was left was the feeling that perhaps he had used me. If it wasn’t for Nick I would never actually have met Cade, so I’m trying not to be too mad.
“You look good Rona; Jackson Hole must be good for you.”
Taking a drink of his beer, I just stay quiet staring at him, waiting, “I was stupid doing what I did back in Ireland.”
Unbelievable.
“Stupid as in arranging a wedding or stupid cancelling an hour before?” I glare at him.
“Now Rona, don’t be like that.
We had some good times during the six months we were together.” Sitting forward he places his elbows on the table, “I think we can have them again.... I want you back babe, I miss you.”
Crap, I didn’t see that one coming.
Sitting back, while taking a sip of coffee, I take a good look at him. He seems the same as usual, although a bit rumpled and there’s something I can’t put my finger on.
Thinking back to our time together it dawns on me that the majority of the time he let me pay, whether it was dinner out, going to the cinema or even the holiday we went on, there was always an excuse.
I even let him talk me into paying for the SUV he’s been driving around in. He talked me into it by saying how much better it would hold up in an accident and that it would be safer to put the kids in.
What an idiot, I bet he’d known about my inheritance before I even told him, after he proposed.
God, I could kick myself.
Narrowing my eyes, “Are you sure there isn’t another reason why you want me back?”
He looks me in the eyes, “Isn’t that enough?”
Taking a minute to catch my breath and to keep my temper in check, I look around and spot Cade and Jake sat over by the window, both appear to be glaring at Nick.
Ha! If only Nick knew.
“No way will I ever get back with you.
Look, I’m not stupid; or rather I’m not stupid anymore. It’s come to my notice; today actually, as we are talking that I can’t remember the last time I saw your wallet.” I look back at him. He looks shocked. “Whenever we went anywhere, I always paid. I paid for your car. I even gave you rent money a couple of times.” I’m really on a roll now. “So tell me, is it really me you miss or my money?”
Spluttering, “Now babe, you know I was saving up for a house in Dublin.
They aren’t exactly cheap.” On a sigh, “I wanted you to have something special.”
Really annoyed now, “You are totally full of crap.
We both know that I have enough money to buy more than one house in the centre of Dublin. What’s really going on Nick? The truth this time?”
“I’ve already told you the truth.”
He sits back in his chair.
I’ve had enough now and don’t really give a
shit if he sees me with Cade and Jake. So pushing back my chair, I wave them both over.
“I’m leaving now Nick and I hope you will keep your promise to me about the messages.
I hope this will be the last time we meet. I also think you should know that cancelling the wedding was the best thing you ever did, as I’m happier now than I ever have been.”
“Rona, you okay?” Cade asks, coming up on my right as Jake stands to my left.
“Yes, I’m good to go.”
“Well, it looks like you didn’t waste any time in replacing me,” Nick
looks at Jake.
As I turn towards Cade, Nick grabs my arm, pulling me back, “This isn’t over.”
Cade puts his arm around my waist, “I wouldn’t do that if I were you.” He removes Nick’s hand from my arm. “And this is over.”
“Come on; let’s go before I break this guy’s nose!”
Jake glares at my ex.
“Jake don’t, he’s not worth it.”
Grabbing hold of Jakes I C of worth is arm, we head towards the doors.
~~ Cade ~~
Exiting the hotel, Jake decides to visit the Outdoor shop across from the hotel. At a guess I’d say that he’s trying to give us a moment together.
After Jake crosses the road, I take hold of Rona’s hand and we walk quietly down the sidewalk.
Before climbing into the car, Rona turns to me. I open my arms; she walks straight into them, burrowing inside my coat, wrapping her arms around my waist. It feels totally amazing. I place a kiss on her forehead, holding her tight.
Placing a kiss on my chest she pulls away, “Thanks for that, it’s just what I needed.”
I kiss her softly on her lips, “Anytime. Are you okay now?”
“Yes, I think I am.
Knowing you and Jake were close helped.”
I help Rona back into the car, just as Jake appears and climbs into the driver’s seat.