“Sure. I think we can make the short loop before it’s too late.” Jess navigated the stroller past a narrow segment of the path.
As they walked on, Lena mulled over what Jess had said. She had been flung into adulthood much too young and tucked her dreams away for later like toys packed in boxes in dark and dusty basements. Until now, she had forgotten those boxes even existed. Maybe she should search for them and see if their contents were still relevant today. But later.
Now she would make a conscious effort to stay in the present, to enjoy the walk beneath the tall pine trees and the sense of peace and stability they offered by being there, always the same.
Jess quickened her steps at the sight of Lena waiting for her on the patio. The last few times she’d asked Lena to join her, she had needed to work in the evenings. This would be their third walk together in the last couple of weeks.
Usually, she didn’t rely on others for entertainment. After a long day in the hospital, surrounded by people who constantly wanted to talk about one thing or another, Jess had always relished her alone time in the evenings. But now she had only her mom and Ella for company, she missed spending time with someone closer to her age.
“Hi, Jess.” Lena stood and grabbed her olive jacket from the table. Today she wore a wide, asymmetrical gray skirt that ended just below her knees and a loose navy tank top.
Jess had been on more dates than she’d like to admit with women who talked, lived, and breathed fashion twenty-four-seven, but she’d never met someone like Lena who effortlessly combined clothes in all shapes and colors. She clearly cared more for comfort than showing off her body, even if she had nothing to hide. The self-confidence she carried herself with was sexier than a plunging neckline or high heels.
“Hi, Ella. How was dinner?” As Lena bent over to look into the stroller, the skirt molded itself around her backside.
Jess averted her gaze so as not to stare. Okay, maybe Lena didn’t hide all her assets.
“Ready to go?” Lena’s question was still directed at Ella. She always talked to Ella with her normal voice.
Of course, Ella wasn’t impressed and yawned instead.
“I guess that means it was plenty but now start this walk so I can get to sleep.” Lena chuckled and straightened, smiling at Jess.
Jess couldn’t help but smile back as they started walking down the driveway. “How was your day?”
“Fine. The market was busy, which means I need to make more preserves soon. The owners of the café let me use their kitchen on Mondays when they’re closed.”
“Can’t you do it at home or in my mom’s kitchen?” Jess had no idea of the amount of preserves they were talking about, but her mom’s six-burner-stove was large enough.
“I could, but for health permit reasons, it’s easier if I do it in a professional kitchen. And I can do several batches there at once, which saves time. I just need to buy the glasses and print the labels beforehand. And I need to pick apples in my friend’s orchard.” Lena’s shoulders dropped, and she looked at her feet. “I hope my car starts. It’s been acting up lately. The drive is over an hour.”
“I could drive you.” Jess was ready to jump at any excuse to get out of the house for a few hours.
“No, that’s not why I said that. I’ll find a way. I can always barter with someone at the market for a few hours’ work.”
“I know you didn’t say it to make me do it. But I offered. I have nothing to do all day but heat baby food and change diapers. You would be doing me a favor by letting me drive you somewhere.”
They walked on for a couple of minutes without talking. For once, Jess didn’t mind that someone didn’t immediately agree with her. She loved that Lena took time to think over her decisions but then stuck to them.
“Okay, I would love your help.”
“Great. When?”
“Could we pick the apples next Sunday? That’s my only day off.”
Since she’d been on sick leave, the days blurred into one another, and Jess needed a moment to remember what day it was today. Tuesday. “Sunday is fine. And when will we pick up the jars?”
“Maybe Monday before I go to the café? I’ll call the shops and order what I need so we can pick it up and deliver everything to the café in one go.”
“Oh, I have a doctor’s appointment on Monday. But I’ll reschedule it. No problem.”
“No, don’t. Seeing your doctor is more important.”
“No, really, it’s fine. I can move it to Tuesday. One of the perks of working in a hospital is getting easy access to appointments.” Jess wasn’t keen on discovering her heart failure hadn’t improved. It could wait a day. “So Sunday apples and Monday café?” Jess held out her hand.
Lena shook it. “But you let me bring lunch.”
“Deal.” Jess smiled. Watching someone make preserves sounded far more interesting than getting an echocardiogram.
“The doctor’s appointment? Is it about Ella?” Lena glanced in the stroller with a concerned expression. “Is she okay?”
“No, this is about my heart failure.” Jess would rather not talk about it, but she had no reason to hide anything from Lena.
Lena stopped walking. “Heart failure! Oh, wow, I had no idea it was that serious.” Her eyes were wide, and she clutched the bar of the stroller.
“Didn’t my mother tell you about it?” Jess winced. It had never occurred to her Lena wouldn’t know.
“No, she wouldn’t give any details. She just said it was something unexpected.” Lena’s gaze swept over Jess. It held the same concern she’d shown for Ella seconds earlier. “I’m sorry. I don’t know anything about heart failure. Is it okay to ask some questions about it?”
“Absolutely.” Questions about
