Rescued (Flowers of the Bayou) (26 page)

A revelation seeing how they had arrived no more than a half an hour ago and it was pouring outside. All three however fidgeted with their hands and looked to the door almost every other minute.

Margaret would have written it all off if her husband had not joined in with the strange ritual not too long after. It was then that she really noticed that something was wrong. Something was missing. “Where’s Jordan?”

“I thought we were missing a guest or two.” Glen Jackson spoke, then turning to the three girls. “Where’s Amelia?’’

“Oh Lord.” Margaret muttered under her breath and looked to her husband with much disapproval.

Jasper leaned down to his wife to whisper in her ear. “He’s a big boy. I can’t make his decisions for him.”

“You could try.” Turning so that her back faced her husband’s chest she quieted her tone, not wanting to be overheard, after all Glen was still waiting for his question to be answered and she wanted to hear the response.

Jessie looked to her sister Leonora who looked much like a startled deer then to Nina who had put on her nervous smile. She almost laughed right out loud, but let the sound die in her throat. “Amelia wasn’t feeling all that good. In fact she was feelin’ downright gawd’ awful and powerful tired this morning so she just decided to stay on in bed.” Smiling to herself for the quick cover up, Jessie went in to finish up. “But who knows, that girl she really was wanting to come she might show up after all.”

It was a lie, a good, quick, fast lie, but a lie all the same. Margaret knew from the look on the other two girls faces. Which went from panic to relief in a matter of seconds.

“What of Mr. Bradford, Mr. McMahon?” Glen’s wife asked.

Placing his glass of water on the side table Jasper gave a dazzling smile to his wife. “The working man never rests. He sends his condolences, but he couldn’t make.” Jasper gave his wife a crooked grin.

Margaret leaned into Jasper sweetly. “I’m going to strangle the both of you.” She whispered a bright smile upon her lips.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Amelia woke from what she was sure had been the greatest sleep she had in her whole life to what she was sure felt like an earthquake. Flaring her arms out she held onto the mattress tightly or else she’d have tumbled off from the movement.

“Wake up.” Georgia took a moment to stop jumping on the bed.

She knew that voice small and sweet. Opening her eyes slowly Amelia was greeted with a heavenly sight. “Good morning Georgia.”

“Good evening you mean. The sun is no longer with us.”

“You make it seem as though the sun has died.”

“No longer up.” Georgia tried.

“Better.”

“I missed you.” Leaning in Georgia gave Amelia a monstrous hug. “Are you staying, please say yes.”

“Georgia.” Amelia started only to be cut off.

“Vivian is cross all the time now because she misses you. She makes me keep Jasmine outside. And he’s still a baby. ”

“Georgia, you know animals are not allowed in the house.”

“Some are.”

“True.”

“So why not Jasmine?”

“I don’t know.” Amelia gave in.

 “Please, please stay. Jordan hired a new cook and she is evil. I call her Mrs. Evil all the time and she even answers because she knows it’s true.”

Amelia could not help but laugh. “What’s her real name Georgia?” She asked after her fit of giggles.

“Angelic, she’s French.”

“I’m sure she’ll be very nice if you give her a chance.”

“Will you stay? “ Georgia ignored the last remark.

“I can’t, but I will visit more.”

“Please stay.”

“I can’t”

“Please.” Georgia begged.

“Yes please.”

Both turned to the deep voice coming from the door. Georgia ran up to him engulfing his middle. Amelia watched as he swooped her up and tickled her side without mercy and as she screamed out playfully. Amelia tried to ignore the feeling of sadness the came over her, knowing that her baby would never get to play like that with its father. Or even know him. Turning on her side she buried her head into the pillows until the laughter quieted to only breathless chuckles.

“Run along.” She could hear him say to his sister and she smiled once more at the sound of the little girl’s irritated groan.

“If I leave you have to make her stay.”

“I’ll make her stay.” Jordan promised and with a playful push moved her outside the door and shut it quietly behind her.

“We’re lucky she’s not older.”

“What now?” Jordan said wearily once more going to the task of removing his boots.

“If she were older the whole world would know about this.”

“What is this? What nonsense has got you going now?” With a yawn Jordan pulled back the covers and slipped inside pulling her to him.

“This, this is me being in your room in your house in barely nothing and being caught.”

“Caught?” Jordan laughed. “I can do as I want, I can’t get caught.”

“You won’t do as you want or be so nonchalant if anyone ever finds out about me. It will embarrass you when people start to talk. It could ruin you.”

“I’ve told you before. I don’t care what other people think. I care what I think. I am however flattered you care.”

“You will care mark my words.” Amelia assured him in a hushed whisper, trying to ignore the kiss he placed to the back of her neck.

Jordan felt her tense up and smiled against her neck. “No need to worry Princess, I’m afraid your words came back to haunt me. I’m exhausted.”

Turning into him Amelia kissed his brow. “And you were so confident that we’d be up all night morning afternoon and into the next evening.” She laughed

“Snicker now sweet, but I only need but an few hours of sleep before I am again revived.”

“I’ve no doubt.” Amelia joked. All worries for the moment set aside.

“Amelia to tell you the truth.” Jordan began sobering slightly.” With you by my side I could stay awake forever, but tonight I just want to hold you.” Linking his arms around her he could hear her intake of breath at his touch and pulled her as close to him as God would allow.

“Jordan.” Amelia whispered.

“What Princess?”

“I’m happy we were caught in the rain today and that I’m here tonight with you. I just want you to know that.”

Threading his fingers through her madly curly hair Jordan twirled a long strand about. “I want you to come back, I want you to stay?”

“I can’t.” With a sigh Amelia opened eyes she had closed to gaze into  blue on violet orbs.

“Never say you can’t. You are capable of anything if only you’d strive for it.” Jordan threw back.

“I don’t want to make things harder for Lorraine, though I’d sooner see Morgan beat for what he tried to do to me. I’ve embarrassed her enough. Coming back here even if we dislike each other would be a mistake an insult. I’m not that mean to try and see her unhappy forever.” Amelia added in an attempt to lighten the mood.

“What do you mean? What did he do?” Jordan had only heard the beginning of her statement.

Something told her it wouldn’t be best if she indulged him with the tale. “It was nothing.”

He didn’t believe her. “Stay here Amelia.”

“Jordan you don’t want people looking at you like they look at me. It was bad before, but before I was just nothing more than a bothersome darkie to a few hateful folks. I grew up with that. I can handle that.”

“Amelia…” Jordan began before she cut him off by putting her finger to his lip. “I know you and your family don’t see me that way. You never judge, but others do. It’s hard Jordan.  I’ve been labeled a tramp and I’m colored. You’d be silly to try and keep me in your house. I can’t count how many times I’ve been called a whore the past month, and not even by the folks you’d expect. They are old friends. You see it’s not just white now it’s also black. Do you have any idea how many people whisper behind fans at church when I come through the door? I don’t want anything like that to touch you.”

Jordan felt his temper begin to flair. He wanted to find everyone who had hurt his Princess. Dared to call her a name, and kill them. “Who?”

“What do you mean who?”

“Who? Who called you a whore?”

“It doesn’t matter.”

 “It does matter.” Jordan nearly bellowed

“And what will you do, what can you do if I give you those names?”

“Who?”

“It does not matter.” Amelia repeated and laid her head on his chest hearing the pounding of his heart. “It doesn’t matter.” She said once more, hoping to calm his nerves.

“I will find out.” Jordan stated. “And believe me they will never call you or another woman out of their name their damn lives.”

“The great defender.” Amelia laughed half-heartedly.

“For you, yes.”

“You’re sweet.”

“To you, yes.” Jordan smiled down at her. “Don’t think to change the subject so easily.”

“I thought I had.”

“Why the change of mood?” Jordan asked changing the subject himself. “Earlier you were ready to cut my head off and now after a good sleep; you’re as docile as a lamb.”

“Before I was hungry, wet, and sleepy. Now I am not.”

“That’s good to know; whenever you become irate I’ll make sure to see you get a nap.”

“I’m not a child.” Amelia laughed into his chest.

“If a nap cures your woes I can’t be too sure.”

Amelia only smiled. “You’re not too much older than I am.”

“You are quite a bit younger and I should be ashamed for taking advantage of you.” Jordan pushed up on his elbows to position himself more comfortably on the bed.

“But you’re not.”

“I said should didn’t I?”

Amelia gave him a quick sideways grin. “Maybe I should be ashamed what if people think I’m using you? You’re rich and privileged, I could stand to gain a lot from this.” She just wanted to hear his smart remark.

“I wouldn’t mind, I like you darling.” Tipping her chin up with his hand Jordan gazed down into smiling eyes. “I can see that fact pleases you immensely.”

“Very much so.” Amelia leaned into his hard frame all the more. Taking joy out of the warm heat he gave. Giving him a crooked smile she rose as well so she could lean and linger over his chest.

“Why, is that sweet?”

Amelia gave him a comical glare. “What a silly question.”

Hearty laughter filtered through the room at her reply and Jordan nearly couldn’t bark out his own response. “I must be the obvious choice then.”

“Obviously.”

Sobering some Jordan cupped her pretty brown face inside his large palms. “Why?”

“Why.” Amelia smiled down at him and seeing the sudden serious appearance did some sobering of her own. “Because the mere mention of your name makes me smile, because when you hold me I feel safe, and when you kiss me I can never catch my breath. You make me feel beautiful and have never treated me like I was nothing, and you never make me feel wrong or unworthy.” Looking to him she asked, “Should I continue?”

“Crazy woman make up your mind, you said the opposite earlier.” Jordan told her but shook his head after his statement so she would continue and his deep dimples could now be seen as she shot him an exasperated smile.

Amelia brushed a dark lock from his forehead before continuing her long list. “Hmm let’s see, you’re beautiful.” Amelia giggled at the look he gave at her choice of words. “I mean handsome.”

“Better.”

“You are smart, tall, funny, sweet at times, have amazing eyes, and a heartwarming smile.” She laughed as he nodded his head jokingly in agreement. Kissing Jordan’s cheek she cupped his head in her hands as he had done her only moment before and said with all seriousness. “And because I love you.” Turning her face from his she chose not to see his expression at her confession.

“Amelia.”

She cut him off quickly not wanting for him to try to say anything just then and wanting desperately to make light of her feelings. “And because even now that I feel like an ass for telling you how I feel, you’ll pretend like I had never said a word to make me feel better.”

True to her words Jordan kept silent, or more was stunned into silence. How could she love him? The answer was simple she could not. Amelia was young. That he knew and when he was young he too had mistaken the feeling of lust for love and look at the trouble it brought him. “You don’t love me, but I am flattered you think you do.”

“And you pretend to know just how I feel, when you most certainly do not. That’s why you’re the most obvious choice.” Amelia ignored this last statement. “Now that all of that business is out of the way I want you to kiss me and make this awkward feeling turn to something else.”

Doing just that Jordan chuckled loudly and kissed her with fervor and passion that not only left her dazed but also himself by the time he pulled away. “You’re going to make me lose my mind Amelia.” Jordan stated truthfully as he went once more to claim soft lips.

If Jordan had been tired before, he was rejuvenated now, shrugging out of his linen shirt in seconds. The feel of his flesh touching her warm body could only be described as divine. “You don’t know how much I need you right now.”

If kisses could sear one’s soul, Jordan’s had done just that. His touch and feel forever branded upon her flesh. Arching up against his chest Amelia closed her eyes and let heat and deep yearning take over her senses.

With quick hands Jordan reached underneath the white cotton shirt she had donned and edged it up past her rib cage and with some help from Amelia pulled it up over her breasts baring smooth honey brown skin from waist up.

Igniting fire when once more flesh made contact with hot flesh. Amelia allowed her arms to encircle his abdomen. Jordan moaned deeply and began raining kisses upon her dark curls and face.

Returning each vehement kiss until they both trembled within, Amelia could feel his hands as they touched her belly as he fumbled hurriedly at the task of unbuttoning his trousers.

Kicking free from his pants Jordan immediately took her legs and wrapped them around him.

Even though she had been prepared, it was still a surprise how good he felt and Amelia could not help but call out his name. She would have done so again if he had not captured her lips with his own, tasting her mouth.