Jackson’s Jewel

Chapter Twenty

Emerald stared at her computer screen, her eyes burning from overwork. All she’d done since she’d returned home to New York was work. She’d not only managed to recreate all the work she’d lost when her computer was destroyed in the kitchen explosion, she’d outlined an entire new collection as well. Seasons, she was calling it.

So far she’d created summer, which consisted of wildflowers such as daisies, buttercups, violets and a multitude of others, along with butterflies and bees. It was colorful and dramatic and would look wonderful on cards, stationery and journal covers, not to mention a line of accessories that would be ready for next summer.

Now she was starting the work on the fall collection. She wanted rich burnt orange, red and gold as her palette. She’d done some research on the area surrounding Meadows, seen some pictures of the autumn season, but it wasn’t the same.

Pushing her chair away from her desk, she rose and went to the window. Staring out, she took in the sights and sounds of the city. People and traffic bustled up and down the busy streets. Horns blared, people shouted. What had filled her with energy and excitement only months before now just annoyed her.

Slamming the window shut, she leaned her head against the glass and took a deep breath. She longed for the clean air of the countryside, the sound of the birds twittering in the morning, the silence. She wanted to be back on the farm with Jackson.

But she had to stop thinking about him. What was done was done.

“Are you okay?” Emerald almost groaned aloud. It was Topaz. Both she and Sapphire had been watching her like a pair of hawks since she’d returned home.

Summoning up a weak smile, she turned from the window. “I’m fine. I’ve finished the summer collection and started on autumn.”

“That’s good.” Topaz strolled into the room, looking chic and sophisticated in a cool green linen suit. Chunks of amber circled her wrist, set in an intricate band of silver. It was one of Sapphire’s pieces. Emerald, in her jeans and Jackson’s shirt, felt like a wrung-out dishrag next to her sister.

As Emerald watched warily, her sister went to the desk and examined several finished designs for the summer line. Her stomach clenched and she realized she was slightly nervous. With everything that had gone on with the stalker and her design block before that, it had been quite a while since she’d created anything this special.

“This is wonderful.” Topaz carefully laid the drawings back on the desk. “They have a vibrancy and realism that’s amazing. Sapphire is already designing the jewelry to go with this line.” Topaz turned and leaned back against the desk, crossing her arms across her chest. “She’d very excited about the wildflowers and she has an entire butterfly collection in mind.”

“That’s good.” Emerald was pleased but she couldn’t really work up any enthusiasm.

“Yes, it is.” Her sister pushed away from the desk and sighed. “When are you going to tell us what’s wrong?”

“There’s nothing wrong. I’m fine.” The words came automatically and Topaz frowned at her.

“No, you’re not.” Her sister’s voice was flat as she strode forward, determination in every line of her body.

“Am I late?” Sapphire hurried into the office, slightly breathless as she balanced three large beverage containers and a bakery bag in her hands.

“We haven’t started yet.”

Emerald stared from one sister to the other. “What’s going on?”

Sapphire plunked what Emerald suspected were café mochas and a selection of treats from Althea’s Bakery, a favorite of all three sisters. The only time they brought out this much chocolate and calories was when there was a serious discussion on the table.

Topaz wrapped her arm around Emerald’s shoulders and propelled her toward the comfortable couch and chairs that created a sitting area in the office. Sapphire had already curled up in one of the chairs and was busily opening the bag and setting cream puffs and éclairs onto paper napkins.

She found herself seated on the sofa with her café mocha in one hand and a cream puff in the other. Topaz pinned her with her golden-brown eyes and Emerald swallowed. She’d seen that look many times before and knew that time had run out.

“Tell us what happened.” Topaz’s voice was like velvet over steel. If Emerald didn’t spill the story, her sister would end up on Jackson’s doorstep demanding answers.

Emerald opened her mouth to once again say that nothing happened. Instead the entire story tumbled out from deep inside her. She told them about running and how she stumbled upon the job at the farm. She left out nothing as she spun the story of what had happened when she and Jackson met and what had followed. She poured her heart out, stopping occasionally to sniff back the tears that threatened.

“So you see, it’s nobody’s fault that I fell in love with him. We’re both adults and there was no commitment on either side. It was an intense affair and now it’s over.” And if she said it enough times maybe she’d even start to believe it.

Sapphire handed her a tissue, which Emerald took gratefully. Topaz, on the other hand, was thinking, and that was always dangerous. Her older sister sipped her café mocha thoughtfully. “The man insists you stay with him, doesn’t seem to care that his home is almost destroyed and risks his life for you?”

Emerald nodded. “Jackson’s one of a kind. He felt responsible for me.” Her heart clenched. “He’s big on responsibility.”

Topaz was shaking her head. “The man loves you.” She said it so matter-of-factly that Emerald sat up straighter.

“How can you say that? He sent me away.”

“No, he didn’t.” Topaz laid her drink on the table and reached out and took Emerald’s hands in hers. “He set you free. Don’t you get it? From everything you’ve told us, his actions show that he has deep feeling for you.”

“The sex between us was explosive,” she muttered, feeling her cheeks heat. She’d skipped over those parts of the story. They were too private, too special to share even with her sisters.

Topaz shook her head emphatically. “No. I’m not buying that. The guy thinks he’s doing you a favor by letting you come back to the city and your life here.”

A seed of hope began to bloom within her and she suddenly realized that she’d never really lost it. “He did keep saying that my life was in New York and his was on the farm.”

Sapphire came over to sit beside her, offering her a quick hug. “I’d say he was too afraid to ask you to stay just as you were too afraid to tell him you love him. He would no more ask you to come live on the farm than you’d ask him to sell it and move to New York.”

“You really think so?” She so wanted her sisters to be right. It was an idea that she’d mulled around in her own mind, but Jackson didn’t seem to be afraid of anything. Except from what she’d learned about him, he’d isolated himself to keep from being hurt. His family had all left him, leaving him alone on the farm. He didn’t even have a pet for heaven’s sake.

“I do.” There was a certainty to Topaz’s words that had Emerald raising an eyebrow in question. “I saw him one night. I’d already left the hospital, but I’d forgotten my sweater and went back for it. The door was slightly opened and I peeked in just in case one of the doctors or nurses was with you. He was standing there watching you sleep.”

“I never knew he was there.” Emerald was shocked. As far as she’d known, Jackson had left the next morning and not returned to the hospital. He’d never told her any differently.

“I think that was the point,” Topaz pointed out. “The way he looked at you…” Her sister’s voice trailed off. She cleared her throat and continued. “I didn’t say anything sooner because I didn’t want to interfere. I kept hoping one or both of you would come to your senses.” Topaz arched her brow and Emerald felt her cheeks heating at the implication. “Let’s just say that if that man doesn’t love you, he should be making movies because he’s a damn fine actor.” Topaz grinned at both of them. “And he’s hot too, if you go for the rough and rugged type.”

All of them laughed. It was well known that Topaz only dated Wall Street, three-piece Italian suit kind of men. Topaz glanced away as if embarrassed. Emerald squeezed her sister’s hand tight. “Thank you for sharing that with me.”

“You’re welcome.” When she faced them again, all signs of embarrassment and discomfort were gone and Topaz appeared to be back to normal. “The thing I want to know is, what are you going to do about it? You going to just give him up without a fight?”

That’s what she’d done. It occurred to her that she was as bad as Jackson, hiding from her love for him to keep from being hurt. She should have sat him down and laid all her cards on the table. Her old life no longer suited her and it was time for a change one way or another.

Determination filled her as she grabbed an éclair and took a big bite. She hadn’t eaten much the past few weeks, her appetite nonexistent. It was suddenly back with a vengeance and she was starving. As she chewed she realized she’d already been thinking about making a big change. If her relationship with Jackson didn’t work out, she was still going to go ahead with her plans.

One way or another the time had come.

Wiping her sticky hands on a napkin, she took a sip of her drink and laid the cup on the table. “I’ve got a plan.”

Jackson glared at his sister. “I’m fine.”

“You certainly seem fine. You’ve been like a bear with a sore paw ever since Emerald left.” Erin crossed her arms over her chest and tapped her right foot on the floor.

Jackson didn’t know whether to be angry, amused or totally exasperated. His family had barely given him a moment’s peace since Emerald had left. His chest tightened and he swallowed back the ache that always accompanied thoughts of her. Jackson took a deep breath and ran his hands over his face. “Look, I know I’ve been a bit tense, but the bulk of the harvest is in, the barn is being rebuilt and everything is going back to normal.”

“Are you sure that’s what you want?” His sister was too perceptive for comfort.

“That’s the way it has to be.” His voice was flat, leaving no room for further discussion.

She looked as if she might say more, but thankfully left it at that. Coming up to him, she wrapped her arms around his waist and hugged him tight. He could feel the slight bulge of her tummy against him, reminding him that at least part of his family was happy. “I’m making fried chicken for supper. There’s plenty if you want to drop by.” Pushing away, she smiled at him. “I promise we won’t lecture or ask questions. I’m just worried about you.”

He felt like an ungrateful wretch. “I know.” Leaning down, he kissed her forehead. “But there is nothing to worry about and you need to be concerned about yourself and my niece or nephew.” He patted her tummy, making her laugh.

“It’s your job to worry about me and it’s mine to worry about you.” She headed for the door. “If you don’t show up for supper, I’ll bring you some leftovers tomorrow.”

“Good deal.” He walked out to the porch and leaned against the railing, watching as she climbed in her truck and left. It was closing in on the end of September and Emerald had been gone for more than three weeks. The harvest was in full swing, with the bulk of it done. He was on the homestretch and things looked good for the farm. He owned the land as far as his eye could see. This should be the best time of his life.

Instead, there was a never-ending ache deep inside him. It had taken him a while to figure out exactly what it was. It plagued him throughout the day as he tried to work himself into exhaustion and late at night when he tried to sleep. As he lay awake in bed night after night, it had finally occurred to him that he was lonely. And not in the way he’d been when Erin and Nathan had moved out. This went straight to the very marrow of his bones.

He missed Emerald.

He missed her smile, the way she nibbled on her bottom lip when she was thinking about something. He missed talking to her, sharing small moments of his day and listening as she shared hers. He missed walking into the house in the evening and smelling supper mingling with the soft scent of her perfume. His arms ached to hold her at night and many times he rolled over in his sleep, reaching for her only to awaken when she wasn’t there.

He loved her.

There was an empty hole where his heart had been. He still worked and functioned, but the joy was gone from life. She’d taken it with her when she’d driven away. Or when he’d driven her away, a voice in the back of his head reminded him. He’d wondered a million times if she would have stayed if he’d asked. But then, he’d remind himself that she needed to go back to her old life. The time they’d had together had all but been forced upon her by circumstance. Jackson needed to be sure that what she felt was real.

He’d already decided that once the harvest was done, he needed to make a trip to New York to visit the gallery that handled his photographs. He planned to call on Emerald while he was there. Maybe take her to dinner and talk.

Groaning, he buried his face in his hands. Truthfully, he wanted to swoop into New York, kidnap her and drag her back out here with him. “You’ll be lucky if she even wants to see you,” he muttered as he raised his head. Now that she was back to her old life it would be very easy for her to forget all about him.

He’d been thinking about the trip to New York since Emerald had left, but what had sealed his fate had been the arrival of his photos from the developer. He’d sent several rolls, including the ones he’d taken of Emerald that day at the pond.

When he’d first seen them it had been like being hit in the head with a two-by-four. Sexy, mischievous and all woman, she’d stared back at him. The light and shadows had played over her creamy skin, making him want to touch it. He’d spent hours looking at her heart-shaped face, dark brown eyes and curly black hair. Wet and sleek, she was like some mystical creature come to touch the mortal realm and share some of her magic.

That’s what she’d done to him. She’d touched something deep within him and he knew he’d never be the same. So no matter what happened, he knew he had to take the chance and go to New York. If he didn’t try, he’d never be able to live with himself.

Pushing away from the railing, he raised his arms over his head, his muscles bunching and straining against the seams of his T-shirt. It was time to get back to work. The quicker the harvest was completely finished, the faster he’d get to New York. He only hoped that Mother Nature cooperated.

As he stepped off the porch, he heard a vehicle approaching. He swore under his breath, praying it wasn’t another well-meaning member of his family. All of them had taken to dropping by at odd hours to check on him. As much as he appreciated their concern, it was starting to drive him insane.

He squinted as a car came into view, not recognizing it at first. His heart stopped and then began to pound the closer it got. Cold sweat rolled down his back. It couldn’t be, but it was. The vehicle pulled to a stop and the door opened. As if he’d conjured her with his thoughts alone, Emerald stepped out and closed the door.

“Hello, Jackson.”

Emerald couldn’t stop staring at him. After not seeing him for over three weeks, she wanted to soak up everything about him. He looked just as she remembered—good enough to eat.

He was tanned and fit and strong. He hadn’t changed at all. Or so she thought until she took several steps closer. Then she saw the truth. There were new lines around the corners of his eyes and dark circles beneath them. He hadn’t been sleeping any better than she had. That gave her hope that maybe he’d missed her as much as she’d missed him.

His mouth thinned into a firm line and his fists clenched at his sides. Not exactly the reception she’d been hoping for, but she wasn’t giving up. She was here and she was committed to her course of action. He would listen to her. She’d make him.

“Emerald.” Like a man in a trance, he took a step toward her and then jerked himself to a halt. “Why are you here?”

This was it. This was the moment she’d come all this way for. “We have some unfinished business between us.”

Now he appeared perplexed. His eyebrows furrowed and he frowned. “What business?”

“Do you mind if we sit?”

He stepped back and motioned her forward. She didn’t bother going to the door. Instead she went to the swing and lowered herself onto the bench seat. Jackson didn’t sit next to her, but perched on the railing instead. Crossing his arms over his chest, he stared at her, looking cool and aloof. But she could see beyond the façade. The loneliness in his eyes mirrored what she saw in her own daily.

“What was so important you came all this way instead of just calling or e-mailing?”

Her back stiffened and she glared at him. If she didn’t love him so much, she’d be tempted to smack him for acting so obtuse. “You know darn well why I’m here.”

His eyes widened and he straightened. “Why don’t you tell me?”

The low cadence of his voice made her shiver. It reminded her of all the times they’d made love and he’d whispered in her ear, praising her, telling her how much he enjoyed touching her. She shivered and ignored the fact that her nipples were hard nubs and her panties were already wet.

“I love you.” She’d meant to talk a bit more and maybe bring the subject around to them, but the words had just come out of her.

He appeared shocked. All the color seemed to drain from his face, leaving him pale, which was amazing considering the golden hue of his tanned skin. The blue of his eyes seemed to darken to the color of a summer storm the longer he stared at her. “What did you say?”

“I said that I love you.” Rising, she went to him, standing so close that she could feel the heat from his body even though they weren’t quite touching. “I didn’t want to go. I want to stay here with you.”

“But your life, your career, your family is in New York.” He held his body so stiffly she could see the outline of all the muscles in his arms. His jaw was tight, the vein in his temple throbbing.

“My family lives in New York, but we can all visit. My career is portable. I’m no longer involved in the daily running of the store. Topaz is hiring more help and both Sapphire and I are branching out even though we’ll both still be designing mostly for Sisters’ Jewels.”

She took a deep breath, inhaling the outdoorsy scent that reminded her so much of Jackson. It had finally faded from the shirt that she’d taken and she’d missed it. “As for my life, well, New York no longer suits me.”

Jackson’s eyes narrowed, his eyes like lasers studying her. “You say that now, but what about in six months or a year?”

She shrugged, trying to still the racing of her heart, trying to pretend that the rest of her life wasn’t on the line. “Whether I stay here or not, I’m not going back to New York. If you don’t want me here, I’ll drive around the country until I find a new place for myself.” It wasn’t what she wanted, but she was a strong woman and realistic. It might hurt like hell, but she’d eventually get over Jackson. Maybe in ten or twenty years.

“You’re sure.”

“Absolutely.” Reaching out, she touched him for the first time, her hand grazing the edge of his jaw. Beard stubble rubbed against her skin, sending tingles shooting to all the nerve endings in her body. “I love you, Jackson.”

“Thank God.” He dragged her into his arms, all but smothering her, he held her so tight. She could feel the heavy thump of his heart against hers. His muscles rippled in his shoulders as he scooped her into his arms, his face still buried in the crook of her neck. She could feel him trembling as he carried her across the porch and into the house. “I can’t let you go again.”

“You don’t have to.”

His boots thudded on the floor and then up the stairs. Emerald felt as if she’d come home. She was where she belonged. They were meant to be together. They’d work out the details later. For now, she needed to touch him and have him touch her. To come together, two bodies joining as one. Everything else could wait.