He slung her bags into the back of the Ford Explorer. “It’s ten miles from nowhere.”
“Which I find extremely appealing, especially after experiencing life in the big city.” She climbed in the passenger side.
“You’re staying with me,” he said, starting the engine.
She laughed. “I just love a man who’s not afraid to boss people around.”
“I’m serious, Jenny.”
She stopped laughing. “Oh, my God. You are.”
“Living that far away in the middle of winter is a bad idea.”
“So is bossing me around.”
“This has nothing to do with any bossing of anyone. There are just too many reasons for you not to live up there.”
“Those are your reasons, not mine.”
They pulled into the truck bay behind the bakery where her car was parked in a utility shed. Jenny found herself sorting through a confusing array of reactions. She was reluctantly but undeniably happy to see him. And stupidly thrilled to know he was worried about her. And annoyed at the same time.
“I’ll tell you what,” she said. “I’ll call you every night to let you know the ax murderer let me live another day.”
“Not good enough.”
“It is for me,” she said. “Deal with it.”
He was silent as he transferred the luggage from his car to hers. Fine, she thought. Let him sulk. It wasn’t her job to keep him from worrying about her.
“I can take care of myself,” she assured him. “I’ve done it all my life, and I can do it now. Let’s stop in at the bakery. I’ll give you a Napoleon.”
They entered by way of the back door and were greeted by a cacophony of busy noises, the clang of racks being moved around, the whir and grind of machinery, and the smooth ripples of jazz from the stereo.
Jenny inhaled, and felt the yeasty, fresh atmosphere invade every cell of her body. She was home. Until she’d gone away, she hadn’t realized how much this place was a part of her. Whether she liked it or not, this bakery was in her blood and bones. It was knit into her very soul.
“There you are, you city slicker.” Laura came out of the office to wrap her in a soft-armed embrace. “The place hasn’t been the same without you. But I want you to know, we’re getting along fine.” She eyed Rourke. “Most of us, anyway.”
He scowled at her. “I’m trying to persuade her not to move up to the cabin.”
“Why not?” Laura asked. “It’s perfect—away from it all, the ideal place to work on her book.”
“I heard you were moving to the winter lodge.” Daisy Bellamy came whisking through the double door from the shop front. “It’s great out there,” she said, her face sparkling with animation. “You’ll love it. We spent the summer at Camp Kioga last year and it was fantastic.”
“Thank you,” Jenny said emphatically to both Daisy and Laura. “It’s nice to know some people think it’s a good idea.” She went upstairs to her office to get some files she wanted to work on. Daisy followed her, hovering in the doorway. “I need to tell you something.”
“All right.”
“In private.” Daisy glanced over her shoulder, then stepped into the office.
“Are you all right?”
“Yes.” But the girl’s face had gone from sparkling to the color of cold oatmeal. Beads of sweat stood out on her forehead and upper lip, and, looking at her, Jenny felt a thrum of worry. “Daisy, have a seat. Do you feel all right?”
Daisy rubbed her hands on the front of her apron. “I get a little nauseous now and then, but I’m not sick. I’m pregnant.”
The statement hit Jenny like a blow. Daisy, pregnant. She was just a kid. Of course, there was no reason for this to come as a surprise. Teenage girls had been getting themselves in trouble since the beginning of time. Beautiful, smart girls with their whole futures ahead of them—Jenny’s own mother. Her best friend, Nina. Every girl who ever let passion sweep away caution and common sense put herself at risk of an unplanned pregnancy.
Okay, she thought. Deep breath. She tried to imagine what Daisy was feeling. This was huge. Daisy was no dummy. She knew it was huge.
Daisy shut the door behind her and sat in a chair across from Jenny. Her chin trembled and she drew in a sharp breath, then faced Jenny squarely. “I don’t know where to start,” she said.
“How about you start by telling me anything you feel like telling me. I might not have any answers, but I promise I won’t judge you or get angry. Nothing like that.”
Daisy slumped a little. “Thanks.”
It felt strangely gratifying to have her young cousin’s confidence. Yet she felt helpless as well. What in the world could she tell this girl, or do for her, that could make a difference?
Daisy was eerily controlled when she began to speak. “It was just before my mom was due to go overseas. Between that and the divorce, I was all messed up. And then they both started ragging on me about college, you know?”
“Sorry. I don’t know,” Jenny explained. “I grew up a lot differently than you did. Though I suppose you could say I do know what it’s like to be pushed into doing something you don’t want to. Maybe we have that in common. So you don’t want to go to college?”
“Nope. Which, at my school, is like saying I don’t want to breathe. Totally unheard of.”
Jenny got a clear picture of a very unhappy young woman, simmering away, yearning for a different life. Philip had told her a bit about his younger brother Greg’s situation. According to Philip, the divorce was torture for Daisy’s parents and that probably tortured the kids, too.
Jenny came around the desk and took her cousin’s hands in hers. Every one of the girl’s fingernails was chewed to the quick. “Tell me what
