"Mrs. Henderson died not too long after, didn't she?" Her husband had not only had her death to deal with, she remembered, but a dangerous and busy career on top of raising their two kids.
The two couples had done a lot together. The four of them had been close. After the funeral, Jessica's parents had been careful to include the chief at holidays and outings, but he had eventually started dating again. Still friends and co-workers, Chief Henderson had drifted into a new life that hadn't included Jessica's parents as much. Jessica assumed that he had remarried years ago.
"Chet is retiring in a few months himself," Carol said, her eyes bright. "It's a year earlier than he'd always planned, but he, um, said he didn't want me to risk losing another man in a fire."
Jessica's jaw dropped. "Are you saying what I think you're saying? You two? I thought he had re—"
Carol waved her hand as if to slow down her daughter's thoughts. "He never did. And, yes, we are…dating. It's only been a few weeks, but it feels right. When it's right, it doesn't take a lot of time. I didn't want to keep it from you, honey. Or have you come over unannounced and be surprised."
Jessica rolled her eyes, but of course, she was happy for her mother. "I see. So, you and the chief are doing a little more than watching old movies and popping popcorn, I gather?"
Carol made a show of offense before beaming with obvious pleasure. "He is very much a gentleman and we're taking things fairly slow. But we're also old enough to know what we both want. One of these nights will turn into one of these mornings, I'm sure."
Jessica hugged her mother, surprised by her own tears. "I am so happy for you, Mom. I know it's what Dad would have wanted, too." She suddenly felt a great sob rise within her, all of the emotions she'd been trying to hold at bay bursting out.
Carol rocked her daughter until the sobs eased and then held her chin up so that she could brush the tears from Jessica's cheeks. She shushed her as she'd done when Jessica was a little girl. "I know that your dad wants me to be happy, honey. I don't expect it to be the same as it was with him, with Chet, but I think it may just be special in a different way. We'll just have to wait and see."
Mother and daughter made tentative plans for the four of them to spend Christmas together, but neither had much confidence that it would happen. A fire chief's schedule was hard to pin down, and apparently, so was a magazine editor's. At least this one's.
Driving back to her apartment later, Jessica couldn't stop grinning. Her mother and Chet, after all these years and all the experiences together with their spouses. Would wonders never cease?
Her car's Bluetooth alerted her to a phone call. "Hey, handsome," she said, recognizing the number.
Worth chuckled. "Hey, beautiful. I have a favor to ask."
"Name it!"
"Can I get a ride to the airport tomorrow?"
Jessica's heart began to pound. "Sure."
Chapter 10
So Much for Spontaneity
Jessica had tossed and turned all night. As she washed her hands in the employee lounge at work, her reflection chided her for it. She examined her make-up and fluffed her hair a little. Worth had sent her a memo by way of an intern earlier. "Please clear your schedule so that we can leave for the airport by 1:00." Like I could get anything accomplished today. We haven't been in the same room alone in weeks and now we'll be in a car? I still want to ask him about that boy, but if we're going to the airport…parking garage…
The thought of being in the backseat of her car with Worth, tucked privately away in some dark corner of the airport parking garage, making passionate love—which would require gymnastics notwithstanding, since her car was not exactly an SUV—was so distracting a mental picture, that twice, she'd caught herself staring off into space. During conversations with others, no less.
"What is up with you today?" Donna asked with a giggle as they both stood in line to make copies. "Halfway into my story, you completely zoned out."
"What?"
"Exactly." Donna made a face. "Hey, what's this about getting tapped to be the boss's driver? Are you going to complain to HR? That's so bogus. Eric would never dream of asking an employee to go that far out of her job description. With his money, Mr. Vincent could hire a limo or an Uber at least. Or pay to park his car like other people do, for crying out loud. Sheesh."
Jessica bit her tongue before making any comment about what Eric might never dream of doing. "I was going that way anyway. It's no problem at all."
"You are a much better employee than I am," Donna sighed. "I wonder if his trip is business or pleasure." She wiggled her eyebrows up and down for effect. "Mr. Vincent might have a rendezvous in Boston with some hot divorcee." At Jessica's horrified look, Donna punched her friend. "Just kidding! Why, are you hoping to sink your hooks into him yourself?"
It was Jessica's turn for making a face.
"Or are you after some other 'fish in the sea'?" Donna said, leaning in for what she hoped was juicy gossip.
Jessica stepped away, grateful that the copier was finally free. Passing Donna, she made the copies she needed without comment and flashed her friend a big, entirely fake smile as she headed back to her cubicle. "I decided to go vegan, didn't I tell you?"
She left Donna shaking her head as she worked, muttering about unreasonable standards. I don't have unreasonable standards, she thought as she sat staring at her screen. Do I? Passion, laughter, respect, being adored by the object of her adoration—was
