Abel arched his eyebrow, making her laugh. “Okay. I get the picture.” She watched the beehive of activity with growing interest.
“Nathan decided the best thing to do was to set things straight. So he went to the diner yesterday afternoon and laid things out for folks. Carly’s been doing the same all day today. We figured a stranger would be easier to spot if everyone in town and the surrounding area was looking for him.”
Emerald was uncomfortable with the idea that everyone knew her business, but it did make sense. “But what does that have to do with all these people?”
“Heck, darlin’. Folks started arriving as soon as the police gave the okay. The actual fire damage was minimal. Most of it came from smoke and water. People have been cleaning and scrubbing throughout the night. This is the second shift.”
“Wow.” Emerald didn’t quite know what else to say. The community of Meadows was unlike any she’d ever experienced. It also said a lot about Jackson that all these people would leave their busy lives to come and help.
“We had to put in a couple new windows in the kitchen, but everything in the room has been cleaned and floor has been hauled up. We also decided it was better to just haul out the walls and redo the drywall. The bottom cabinets were a write-off, so we tore them out and replaced them. Paul Werner at the hardware store sent out some that will match the existing ones.”
Jackson nodded as he watched the activity. A few folks had looked their way, but for the most part, they just kept on working. Emerald wondered if he was as overwhelmed as she was. Sidling up beside him, she tucked her hand into his. His fingers closed around hers as he tugged her closer.
“We should get you inside.” Voice gruff with emotion, Jackson led her toward the porch.
People stopped as they approached. Some nodded while others stopped to offer their sympathy about her injuries and the damage to the house. Names flew at her so quickly she couldn’t keep track of them all. There was what had to be the entire Applebee family, the Martins, the Werners, Dirk Marshall and his brother Peter, the Essex sisters and the list went on and on.
A few of them mentioned that they were fans of her parents’ music. Emerald felt their genuine concern as she made her way into the chaos of the kitchen. She blinked at the transformation. New walls had been installed, taped, plastered and were now in the process of being primed. Pristine cabinets were going in and a new sink was being installed. The floor was nothing but plywood, but Emerald had a feeling that would be changed by the end of the day. Two new windows replaced the ones that had been damaged in the blast.
Erin walked toward her with a huge grin on her face. “What do you think?”
Emerald’s answer came straight from the heart. She didn’t even have to pause to think about it. “I think you people are amazing.”
A large man of about fifty with a wild, gray beard gave a hoot of laughter, but she could see the pleased gleam in his eyes. “This is nothing, little lady. We’d have rebuilt the whole house if we’d had to.”
She could see the sincerity in his eyes and again marveled at this place and the people who lived here. “Since this was my fault, I want to help.”
The man was already shaking his head. “From what I heard, it ain’t your fault. You just got out of the hospital, so the only thing you’re allowed to do is sit and watch.” His eyes twinkled with mischief. “I’d have thought it was every woman’s dream to sit and boss a bunch of men around.”
She laughed, unable to resist his humor. “Emerald Jewel.” She held out her hand and he reached out and engulfed it with his huge paw of a hand. “Francis Parker. My missus is here somewhere. You’ll meet Frannie later. She’s a big fan of your parents, but don’t be letting her wear you out with questions about them.”
“Now, Francis, don’t you be frightening that young woman before she even meets me.” Emerald had to blink twice when she saw who she assumed was Frannie Parker. The woman was about half the size of her large husband. Her hair was an ash blonde and sleekly styled. Delicate was the only word for her. She walked up to her husband and gave him a playful swat before introducing herself. Before she knew what was happening, Frannie was leading her upstairs. Emerald glanced behind her to find Jackson surrounded by the men working in the kitchen.
“Don’t you fret none,” Frannie continued as they made their way up the stairs. “We’ll have the worst of it taken care of by dark.” Emerald just nodded as the older woman led her to the clean spare room and made her lie down. Suddenly exhausted by it all, she snuggled on her side beneath the covers and fell asleep.
It was quiet when she awoke. She had no idea how much time had passed, but it was dark outside. Seems she’d slept most of the afternoon and evening away. She sensed Jackson’s presence even though she couldn’t hear him. Sitting up, she pushed her hair out of her eyes and saw him leaning against the wall by the window, looking out over the land. When he heard her, he glanced her way.
“How are you feeling?”
She stifled a yawn and took stock of her body before answering. “I actually feel pretty good.” Even her voice sounded better. It was still husky, but not quite as raw. “How about you? I didn’t mean to sleep the entire day away.” And she was rambling, nervous without knowing why.
Jackson levered himself away from the wall and strode toward her. It was then she noticed the rifle in his hands. She swallowed hard. It brought home once again just how much danger surrounded her.
“You needed the rest.” His voice was low and warm as he sat down beside her. The mattress dipped and she slid closer to him. He cupped her face with his hand, leaned down and kissed her. It was a soft, gentle kiss, but it made her toes curl beneath the covers.
There was so much caring in that tender caress that it brought tears to her eyes. She blinked them back, but it wasn’t easy. She’d found herself on the verge of tears several times since the explosion. A nurse at the hospital had told her to expect to be more emotional, that it was a normal thing after going through such a traumatic event. Emerald thought it had more to do with her depth of feelings for the man seated next to her than the explosion.
She could have sat there and kissed Jackson all night long. He used his lips and his tongue, plying them lightly against her mouth before slipping inside. Warmth filled her, adding to the sleepy, dreamlike quality of the night. She whimpered as he pulled back.
“Are you hungry?”
“I guess.” She knew she should be hungry, as she’d barely picked at her breakfast and lunch.
“Come on then.” Jackson held out his hand as he stood. She slid out of bed, stopping long enough to shove her feet into her sneakers before she took his hand.
But he didn’t lead her downstairs as she’d expected, but down the hallway to his bedroom. A small table had been set up in front of the window. A grouping of tea lights sat in ceramic holders in the center, illuminating the bounty set out on it. There was fresh bread and biscuits, sliced deli meats, several kinds of cheese and cold iced tea. And sitting there in the center was the perfect cherry cheesecake.
“Ohmigod,” she moaned, her stomach suddenly grumbling.
Jackson shook his head but chuckled as he propped the rifle against the windowsill and sank down into the large leather chair that was pulled up next to the table. He gave her hand a tug and she went willingly into his lap. “I guess you’re hungry after all.”
“I guess I am,” she agreed as she wiggled around trying to get comfortable. “When did everyone leave?”
“About a half-hour ago.” Leaning forward, Jackson quickly began to assemble a sandwich.
“I want some of that chicken.” Under her guidance, Jackson made her a chicken sandwich with Swiss cheese and mayonnaise. She held the plate in her lap and moaned in pleasure as she took the first bite. She chewed and swallowed. “This sure beats hospital food.”