Her Summer Refuge, page 6
“Oh, the poor dear.” Mom shook her head, her gaze turning tender and empathetic. “I can’t imagine what she’s going through.”
“I just wanted to tell you—to give you a heads-up, so you weren’t taken by surprise when I stop in with her a little later. She agreed to help with the festival committee and she’s at a meeting right now. I’m heading back to the resort to check out some guests and then I’m going to pick her up. We’re going to come back here for some groceries. She’s really looking forward to seeing you again.”
“I’m looking forward to seeing her, too.” She shook her head. “Just be careful. Okay?”
“I will.” He glanced at his watch as a customer approached the cash register. “I don’t want to be late in case the guests want to check out early. Can you tell Dad about Jessa? You know how he can be.”
“Of course. I’ll let him know.”
“Thanks.” He smiled at his mom. “See you soon.”
“Bye.”
Will left the grocery store, feeling a little relieved that his mom knew about Jessa—though he couldn’t shake his mother’s concern.
He knew Jessa meant well and she wouldn’t set out to hurt him—but what if she did anyway?
* * *
“Thank you so much for being patient with me,” Jessa said to the other board members as she sat in the meeting room at the library.
“Thank you for stepping in to help last minute,” one of the board members said. “We were afraid this festival was going to end—but now that you’re willing to help, we can keep it going. At least for this year.”
“As long as I’m in Timber Falls,” Jessa said, “I will do whatever it takes to make sure the Riverfest continues.”
“Spoken like a true Brooks,” Mrs. Johnson said.
Jessa looked at the clock. It was already half past ten. No doubt Will would be waiting for her. “If no one has any other business,” she said, “I call this meeting to close.”
“I second that,” said Mrs. Johnson with a smile.
“All in favor, say aye.” Jessa felt a little silly running the meeting, but Mrs. Johnson had been adamant that they conduct it properly and had told Jessa how to do it.
“Aye,” said all the members.
“Motion carries.” Jessa smiled as she started to rise.
Almost all the pieces were in place for the festival. The last chairman had done a thorough job, but a personal family crisis had called him away. Jessa was simply stepping in as more of a figurehead to write checks, seek more donations and finalize decisions that needed to be made. She had a list with at least a dozen items she needed to address, but it felt good to know she was doing something good for her community.
As the others started to leave the meeting room, Mrs. Johnson stopped to talk to Jessa.
“My daughter, Adley, is willing to help with the festival. She and her husband, Nate, live on a bee farm just south of town. She couldn’t be at today’s meeting, but she’s available, should you need anything.”
“Thank you.”
“Adley is part of a mothers of preschoolers group at our church,” she continued. “They’re all so excited about the festival.”
“I just heard about the group,” Jessa said, feeling excited to hear someone else talk about it. “I’m hoping to attend this week.”
“Wonderful! I’ll tell Adley to expect you. It’s such a great group of gals. You’ll love them.”
That’s what Jessa was hoping.
After letting the library staff know they were done with the room, Jessa stepped outside, noting the darkening sky, indicating another storm.
Will was just pulling into the parking lot.
“Sorry I’m late,” he said as she stepped into the passenger seat.
“You’re just in time.”
“Great.” He smiled. “The guests took a little longer than expected to check out, but they booked their stay for next year, so I can’t complain.” He pulled out of the parking lot. “I just hope I’m still in business next year at this time. I haven’t told anyone that there’s a possibility that I won’t be—that wouldn’t be good for business, but it’s always on my mind. Some of these families have been coming back every year for decades.”
“Any news from Beck?”
“No.” Will shook his head. “I’m going to call a couple of the other council members and see if I can get them to help. But most of them bow down to whatever he tells them to do.”
“I’m sure it’s hard for them to work around the mayor.” Jessa glanced out the window at the Timber Falls Community Church, excited to attend the moms meeting, though she felt a little strange since her baby wasn’t born yet. She had so many questions, though, and wanted someone to talk to. One of those questions was about doctors in town. Whom should she see? She had no idea but wanted to find someone soon.
A few minutes later, they were pulling up in front of the Madden family’s grocery store.
Jessa grinned at the familiarity of the building. She could imagine the smell from the meat smoker, even before she entered the store.
Will held the door open for her and she stepped inside. It was more like an old general store than a modern grocery store. The aisles were narrow, the wood floor was well-worn and uneven, and the cashier’s counter ran along one side of the front. In the back was the meat counter. People came from miles around for their smoked meat—especially their bacon.
Jessa’s mouth watered at the thought.
Sandy Madden was at the counter, writing something on a piece of paper. When she heard the bell over the door, she looked up and her face filled with pure delight.
Jessa almost started to cry at that look. It made her feel welcomed and loved—no matter how much she had hurt Sandy’s son.
“Jessa Brooks!” she said as she came around the counter, her arms outstretched.
She wrapped Jessa in a tight hug—and then the tears did come.
Sandy was like a mother to Jessa. As a teenage girl, through their interactions at church and then later, when Jessa had dated Will, she’d shared so many of her fears and insecurities with this woman. And, in return, Sandy had imparted wisdom and life experiences.
“Look at you,” Sandy said as she pulled back and smiled down at Jessa’s baby bump. “A baby? When is it due?”
“The first part of September.”
“Do you know if it’s a boy or a girl?”
Jessa shook her head. The truth was, she hadn’t had any medical care since she’d found out she was pregnant. There had been no health insurance and Philippe hadn’t wanted Jessa to rack up medical bills. When she had gone to the DMV, part of the reason it had taken so long was because Mrs. Caruthers had insisted that she stop into the Women, Infants, and Children Department at the courthouse and see what help might be available to her as she picked herself up. They had wonderful resources available, and they had told her to schedule an appointment with a doctor of her choosing and they would see that she had the funds necessary.
“Well, what a surprise this is,” Sandy said—though she didn’t seem as surprised as Jessa would have expected. Had Will told his mom that Jessa was back in town?
“We have a little shopping to do,” Will said to his mom.
“Of course. I don’t want to keep you from your errand.” Sandy smiled at Jessa. “We have so much to catch up on. Will invited us to the resort for the Fourth of July celebration tomorrow evening. We can talk then. So much has happened since you left Timber Falls—for us and for you. We’ll have lots to share.”
“I’d like that.” Jessa nodded.
“And we have a mothers of preschoolers group—”
Jessa’s laughter cut off Sandy’s remark. “It must be a popular group! I’ve heard a lot about it today.”
Sandy’s smile was so warm, Jessa’s heart filled with affection.
“I hope you’ll join us,” Sandy said. “It’s the highlight of my week spending time with all those new moms.”
“I plan to be there.” Except that Jessa would have to ask Will if she could borrow his car—something she hated. She didn’t like to ask for charity, though all she’d received since coming back to Timber Falls was charity.
“If you need a ride,” Sandy said, “or anything at all, don’t be afraid to ask.”
Jessa wasn’t sure if Will had told her the circumstances that brought Jessa to town—or if she just sensed it, but it didn’t surprise her that Sandy would know what Jessa needed and make sure to offer it.
“Thank you. It isn’t easy for me to ask so much from people.”
“You’re not asking—we’re offering,” Sandy said. “It’s part of our job as God’s hands and feet to meet the needs of our friends and neighbors. Don’t ever feel guilty or ashamed to ask for and accept help—especially if it’s for that baby. We’ve all been in tough situations—some tougher than others—and we need each other to get through. That’s why God puts us here together. None of us needs to be alone.”
“Thank you, Sandy.” Jessa hugged her again. “I’m so happy to be back in Timber Falls. You have no idea.”
“You’re back home,” Sandy said. “No need to explain. I know exactly how you feel.”
That was the other part about Sandy that Jessa had loved and taken for granted. Jessa didn’t need to explain herself. Sandy just knew—understood—and accepted Jessa where she was at.
Will and Jessa took a small shopping cart and walked into the heart of the store.
“If you need anything,” Will said as he put some pasta into the cart, “let me know. My mom will probably make most of the meal for supper tomorrow—but I want to contribute something. If you have an idea, I’m all ears.”
“I can’t ask you to buy things for me,” Jessa said quietly. “You’re already doing so much.”
“You’re my employee.” He took a few jars of marinara off the shelf. “I can’t pay much—but I can offer room, board and a little on the side for necessities. You’ve earned it, Jessa. Don’t be afraid to ask.”
There were a few toiletry items she needed, so she placed those in the cart. And she had a few ideas for meals, which Will was only too happy to purchase. As they neared the back meat counter, Jessa glimpsed Jerry Madden, Will’s father. He was putting pork chops into the meat case.
“I haven’t had Madden bacon in years,” Jessa said. “Do you think we could get a little? I’d like to make some for breakfast.”
“Sure.” Will walked up to the meat counter and his dad looked up with a smile—one he probably wore for all his customers—but then he recognized Will and the smile changed to one of familiarity.
But when he looked at Jessa, the smile fell, and shock washed over his face.
Clearly no one had told Jerry that Jessa was back in town.
Will glanced between his dad and Jessa and said quickly, “Hey, Dad, you remember Jessa Brooks.”
Jerry pulled himself together and he nodded, smiling at Jessa. “Sure, I do. How are you, Jessa?”
“I’m good. Thank you.”
He glanced down and noticed Jessa’s stomach. “You’re having a baby?”
Jessa nodded.
“You married?” he asked.
“Dad,” Will said. “That’s really none of your business.”
“Oh.” Jerry frowned. “Well, are you?”
“I’m divorced,” Jessa said in a quiet voice.
“Oh,” Jerry said again—but there was a lot of weight to that one word.
Jessa wanted to explain, but she couldn’t think of a way to do it without things becoming more awkward.
“Can we get a pound of bacon?” Will asked his dad.
“Sure.” Jerry grabbed a pound of bacon, weighed it and then wrapped it up in white butcher paper. His gaze strayed to Jessa—and then to Will—and back to Jessa. There were a lot of questions in his eyes. “Need anything else?” he asked.
Will asked for a couple of pounds of ground beef and Jessa stood there, feeling more and more uncomfortable. What did Jerry think of her?
“There you are,” Jerry said as he passed the wrapped meat across the top of the counter.
But before Will could take the meat, Jerry said, “Are you two together again?”
The concern in his voice caused Jessa’s cheeks to burn with embarrassment.
Of course Jerry would be worried. Sandy was probably anxious, too.
Jessa had broken Will’s heart and was now a divorced woman with a baby on the way. She sounded like trouble—but trouble was the last thing she wanted for Will. She cared about him—and his family—too much to hurt him.
“No,” Will said, his voice calm as he took the meat. “Jessa just got back to town and she’s going to be working at the resort for a while until she can get her feet under her. We’re friends—just like we’ve always been.”
Jerry smiled and nodded as he looked to Jessa. “Well,” he said. “Welcome home. We’re mighty glad you came back, though a little surprised and cautious, too, if you don’t mind my saying so.”
“Thank you,” Jessa said quietly, not sure if it was a compliment or a censure.
They finished their shopping in silence and then Sandy checked them out—offering Will the family discount. She told them she’d be over in the early afternoon tomorrow, since they closed the store at noon.
As they walked out to the car, Jessa glanced around Timber Falls, wondering what other people would think about her staying at the resort with Will.
“Don’t worry about what anyone thinks,” Will said as he set the groceries in the back seat and paused to smile at Jessa. “All you need to do is focus on the path God has set before you. Don’t waste a second trying to explain or justify yourself. You need to save your energy for taking care of yourself and the baby.”
Warmth filled Jessa and she smiled. “Thank you.”
He opened the door for her, and she got into the passenger side.
As they drove home, she realized the first glow of happiness was starting to wear off a bit and the reality of being back in her small hometown, where people would be curious and possibly judgmental, was sinking in.
Jerry Madden was simply the first of many people who would have questions she wasn’t ready to answer.
Chapter Six
The smell of barbecue charcoal and grilled food followed Will the next day as he worked around the resort. All the cabins were full, and families were coming and going, needing help with one thing or another. If it wasn’t a leaking sink, it was a sliding door that went off track, or a mouse that needed to be caught, or a gas stove that wouldn’t light. Even though Will had poured a lot of money into the place, there were still things that needed updating and maintenance. And it didn’t matter if it was a holiday. People who worked in the lodging industry worked harder than usual on days when others were vacationing.
The sun was bright, and the air was hot. Children laughed and splashed in the nearby river and boats pulled tubers out farther in the middle.
Will had just finished helping a family get their boat motor started so they could go out fishing. He was sweaty and ready to jump into the river himself.
“Hello, Will!” a familiar voice called out to him from the back deck of his cabin. His sister, Allison, shaded her eyes as she smiled at him. “Working hard?”
“Always,” he said as he approached the deck with a grin for his little sister.
At the age of twenty-one, Allison was seven years younger than him. She had been a kid when he had graduated high school and left for college, but they had managed to stay close, especially when he’d been living in Minneapolis, and she had been going to the University of Minnesota. She was off school for the summer and back home working at the grocery store to make money for her senior year of college. She was an art history major and was leaving next week for a six-week internship at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. This would be the last opportunity to see her for a while.
“Did Mom bring her cherry pie?” he asked.
She was giving him a strange look, her blue eyes filled with questions.
“What?” he asked, looking down at his clothes, afraid he was wearing his shirt inside out or worse.
Allison continued to shade her eyes as she studied him. She had always been mature for her age, being raised like an only child for so many years, surrounded by adults at the grocery store. She read people well and didn’t put up with nonsense.
“What’s Jessa doing here?” she asked, getting right to the heart of her concern.
He wiped his forearm over his face to remove the sweat, wanting to either swim or take a cool shower. Now that his family had arrived, he was going to try to relax and enjoy the holiday.
“Will?” she asked again.
“How much do you know?”
Allison nodded her head toward the steps leading to the river.
Will followed her, away from the cabin where Jessa was probably helping Mom in the kitchen. Mom used every excuse she could to feed her family and she loved holidays most of all. There would be enough food for the entire resort tonight if his mother had her way. No doubt she and Jessa were catching up already.
Allison was shorter than Will, but she shared his blue eyes and blond hair. Those were the only similarities that marked them as siblings. His sister had always been cute and popular with friends, though she had not dated much.
She sat on the top step and motioned for him to sit next to her. “I have a feeling it’s going to take me a little bit of time to pull information out of you, so you might as well get comfortable.”
“There’s nothing to tell.”
She gave him a look.
He sighed and took the seat next to her.
The wood step was warm against his thighs as he leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees. “I’m hot and sweaty,” he told his sister. “Can’t this conversation wait until I’ve had a chance to at least shower?”
