Several emotions flitted through Jericho at breakneck speed. Disappointment came first. Then another level of relief. Finally, a streak of annoyance came and went. Now he would have no excuse for not spending all his time with Rosie
and working on her case.
Do you think T.J. is going to be broken up about the change in marriage plans? He hoped not. Deep down the kid was really good and Jericho hated to see him hurt.
Macy shook her head. Dont worry about it. Actually, hes been pretty antsy over us getting married. I imagine hell be happy to hear his mother will continue being single.
Jericho didnt like the sound of that. Is he still upset over my giving him community service? I only did it to keep him out of the juvenile system. I
No, Jericho, she interrupted. You did the best thing for him. Youre not trying to be his friend. Me neither. Its our job as adults to do the right thing. I really believe T.J.s biggest trouble with the wedding is Tims memory. He saw you as Tims friend for so long that he couldnt quite get past the changeover to having you take Tims place.
But I wasntI wouldnt.
Macy chuckled at his mumbling protests. I know. And T.J. wouldve found that out if hed had the chance.
But calling it off is for the best, she continued. For all of us. This way, youll have the opportunity to find someone who you can
At that moment, Rosie cleared her throat to announce that she was interrupting. She still had on his old T-shirt but shed slipped on her jeans underneath it and her hair was wet from the shower. The sight of her in the hallway simply set his veins on fire.
The difference between how hed felt seeing Macy and how he felt right now seeing Rosie seemed extreme. And he didnt care for it one bit.
Chapter 4
Taken aback by such an effusive greeting, Rosie felt torn between laughing and running for her life. But there was just something about Macy Ward that made her want to smile.
Slinging her arm around Rosies shoulder, Macy hugged her close. I brought you some decaffeinated teas and a few things to wear, honey. Just to get you by for a day or two. I cant imagine not having a closet or even a purse to call your own.
Oh, makeup, Macy added with a start. Darn. I shouldve thought of that, too.
Um. Thats okay. I dont know if I wear any. With that thought, Rosie lifted the back of her hand to her mouth in an effort to hold off what might turn into a sob.
But she stopped in midair, struck by the wayward idea that she might be a nail biter. Checking, Rosie was relieved to find her nails seemed intact. And manicured and polished at that.
So she was a woman who took care of her appearance. Spent money and time on it. Not that anyone could judge by the way she looked this morning. One glance in the bathroom mirror after her shower, and Rosie had nearly fled screaming. In addition to the bruises and cuts, her disaster of a hairdo could not possibly be normal. Not only didnt it look like shed spent any money or time on it, but it just didnt feel right.
Rosie nearly broke down again as she wondered how long it might take her to get a clear idea of what her hair was really supposed to look like. Would that ever happen? It was possible, she supposed, that the memory would never return. But thinking that way made her knees weak.
Macy turned back to Jericho, who had been standing there with his mouth gaping open. Jericho, fix Rosie this tea and us some coffee, will you? Maybe you could even scramble Rosie a couple of eggs. You do have fresh eggs?
Being called down by Macy seemed to shake Jericho out of his reverie. Ive got a few eggs, and the coffees already made. What are you going to do?
Im going to help Rosie change. The things I brought should be a close fit to her size. Shes a little taller and thinner than I am, though. So well have to see. With that, Macy spun them both around and headed down the hall.
Rosie heard Jericho mumbling from over her shoulder. Well, sure. Yall help just yourselves. Ill cook.
Fifteen minutes later and she was still feeling a bit weepy. Macy had been trying to brush her awful hair into some semblance of a style. Of course, without much luck.
Rosie thought things in general seemed a lot better. Macy bringing clean underwear had been a real blessing. Putting clean clothes on made Rosie feel almost human again. Theyd discovered Macys slacks were about an inch too short and the shoulders of her blouse were big enough for a Rosie and a halfyet the buttons in front barely closed. Still, clean clothes had made a world of difference
in how Rosie saw her situation.
Im sorry I messed up your wedding yesterday, Macy. Are you upset? Can you reschedule?
The other woman turned and captured her in a big bear hug. Youre a sweetheart for thinking of me when you have so much trouble of your own. But not to worry. The wedding is off for good. You didnt mess up a thing.
Rosies curiosity was piqued and she decided she didnt care about sounding too nosy around this sweet woman with the blazing white smile and two tiny dimples. Why did you call it off? Did something happen between you and Jericho?