“I’m glad you’re okay, too. We all played a role in this fiasco.”
“I want to apologize for everything. I should have been more aware what was going on with Aiko.”
“I should have gone to Peter when Tundra’s insanity first came to light.”
“I never thought Aiko was serious about any of the stuff she’d rant about. Obviously, she didn’t tell me the whole story until afterwards when she begged for forgiveness.”
“We don’t need to rehash this. I care about you. You were a good friend, and I hope we’ll be friends again?”
“I’d like that, but I have to tell you one thing. It’s the reason I forgave Aiko. She went after Tundra. When Aiko found out you were missing, she got everything organized and led the rescue. Caleb couldn’t think straight, he was in such a panic. They worked together to figure out how to find you. I don’t know what might have happened without her.”
“Caleb told me a lot of this. He gave her a lot of credit for the rescue. Can I ask you something personal?”
Quentin nodded. “Anything.”
“Are you two still together?”
“We’re trying. Sounds like something from couples therapy.” He shrugged. “She’s a good person once you bypass the insecurities.”
“If you like her, I’m sure I’ll find something to appreciate in her.” As much as Jenna rationally understood how it was not Quentin or Aiko’s fault, a small part of her remained petty and angry, but she’d give being a better, bigger person a try. “It’s just going to take some time.”
Quentin gave her a hug.
Why did everyone feel the need to hug her?
“You’re the best,” he whispered before turning and heading back to the inn.
Jenna worked until lunch, putting thoughts of the recent experience out of her head. She focused on the plants, soil, and growing things. When she left the greenhouse to head back to the inn, a chilly rain coated her hair against her face and neck, her jacket weighing her down.
Inside, a fire roared in the main entry, the hearth aglow, alleviating the damp. Warmth and the scent of smoky, seasoned wood had her creeping near the heat. She warmed her hands and marveled at the colors she had forgotten existed. The fire blazed, not only red and yellow, but with shades of blue, silver, and gold.
“What are you up to?”
Caleb’s words made Jenna jump. He stood beside Peter, Gus, and Ford.
“Nothing,” Jenna sent them a quick wave of her hand. “What about you? Not sleeping?”
“One of the solar panels doesn’t work. We need to figure out a way to fix it. Dinner still on for tonight?”
“Absolutely.”
First step toward normalcy, she thought.
After saying goodbye, she headed to the kitchen and grabbed a cup of leftover soup. While the warmth of the broth was soothing, she did not have her appetite back. Normally, soup alone wouldn’t have filled her, but today, she struggled to empty the mug of its contents.
Most of the group had eaten earlier and the kitchen was quiet, but she preferred the peace. Between being sick and all her friends’ confessions, sitting alone appealed to her. But all good things must end. As Jenna rinsed her mug, Emma bounded over, curls swinging, full of vitality and pent-up energy.
“Hi, Girlfriend. I was wondering when we would get a chance to catch up.” Emma felt her forehead before dragging Jenna down into a seat. “How are you?”
“Weren’t you in charge of my care? Didn’t you get hourly updates from people babysitting me?”
“True, but I wanted to hear it from you.”
“I’m fine. Feeling better and up and around. Is my improved health the reason you’re so happy and perky today?”
Here we go again. It was understandable everyone was concerned, but how many times could she explain she was okay physically and mentally.
“The attitude’s a good sign. Tell me all your dirty little secrets though. I didn’t interrupt my day for niceties.”
“All my aches and pains are gone. Lilly and Quentin both came to see me, and everything is perfect other than the fact they let Gunnar return. Whose stupid idea was that? How’d you vote?” She shook her head. “Never mind. I don’t want the truth. I also learned Aiko rescued me, so I can’t be angry with her either. Everything is fine!”
“I see that from your calm and rational rendition of things. You and Caleb? All hot and heavy still?”
“You have no boundaries,” Jenna huffed. “Caleb and I have a dinner date tonight. Can’t wait.”
Emma kept the conversation going, and when she did impersonations of Peter, Gus, and Ford at the recent meeting, Jenna relaxed, and almost fell out of her seat with laughter.
Had it always been this way? Or did Jenna need her near-death experience to understand how precious life was?
Joy overwhelmed her, and she wondered how bad the bump on her head had been. Maybe she was still in a coma or had a brain tumor?
Did she have the right to be this happy after everything? Where was the old Jenna who worried and fretted?
24
Jenna worked the horses into the late afternoon and had them pulling a wagon. Hauling wood and needed items would soon be much easier. Once darkness fell, she stabled them, and then headed home.
Back in her room, she changed into clean jeans without rips, tears, mud, or horse manure, and her favorite sweater, a grey cotton pullover with pink and red stripes. As a final addition, she added Mom’s favorite lipstick to her ensemble.
A book sat on the table. It must have been the one she asked Lilly to bring her days ago. How could she have missed it? Jenna hitched a breath. Macbeth by Shakespeare.
Of all the books to bring her, why the tragedy? She was being stupid and paranoid again.
She placed it back on
