Second Chance Romance

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She shook her head and turned away. With her arms crossed, she gazed out the window once more. The man and children she’d seen earlier were gone. A pain filled her gut. Gone...like her family.

Jackson stood and came toward where she was standing. “Do you not believe?”

“Believe what?” Her eyebrow arched.

“That the power of prayer is unstoppable. Nothing is ever wasted when you share it with Him, Mel.” He reached for her hand. “Whatever it is you’re dealing with, He’s there for you.”

His hand was warm. She found comfort in his touch. Afraid of what might happen if it remained, she jerked from his grip. “I’m sorry, Jackson, but I don’t believe that.”

Silence permeated the air. Several minutes later, Sara entered the room. “Excuse me. Dr. Roberts will be out to speak with you within the half hour. We’re busy today.”

“Thank you, Sara.” Melanie took a seat and released a heavy sigh. She prepared herself for the worst. After the past year, what else could she expect?

Jackson sat down and turned toward Melanie. “Phoebe is a strong woman of faith.” He bit down on his lip. “And she’s pretty stubborn, too.”

She smiled and nodded in agreement. Would she continue to be stubborn about the move? Melanie turned her attention back to the window, hoping to see the family once more.

* * *

Forty-five minutes later, Jackson spotted Dr. Roberts. He saw the man stop at the nurses’ station and hand some papers to the nurse working with Sara. He continued down the hall.

“Hello. I’m sorry you had to wait so long. The ER’s bustling this afternoon.” He paused and glanced at Melanie. “Have you been feeling alright since the accident? You look a little pale.”

“Yes, I’m fine. How’s Aunt Phoebe?”

Dr. Roberts referred to his clipboard and looked up. “The tests confirmed it was a stroke. Thankfully you got her here when you did. Any later and it could have been much worse.”

Jackson watched Melanie. She shook her head. Her shoulders stiffened. “This is my fault, Dr. Roberts,” she said.

The doctor scratched his temple and looked at Jackson before turning back to Melanie. “What in the world would make you say such a thing? You certainly didn’t cause her stroke.”

She threw a look toward Jackson. “She’s upset because I want to move her to DC.”

Dr. Roberts’s eyebrow arched. “Move to DC? Phoebe?”

“Dr. Roberts.” Jackson shook his head. He hoped the doctor would understand now wasn’t the time to discuss an impending move. “You were saying about Phoebe’s condition?”

The doctor pulled a seat in front of the couple and removed his glasses. He rubbed his eyes for a moment. “She’s having some trouble with her speech, and there’s definitely partial paralysis on her left side.”

“Paralysis!” Melanie sprang from her chair and walked toward the window. With her arms wrapped around her waist, she turned and looked at Dr. Roberts with wide eyes. “Will it be permanent?”

Placing his glasses on, he flipped through his papers. Dr. Roberts motioned for Jackson to bring Melanie back to her chair.

His boots pecked on the tile like a redheaded woodpecker as he walked over to her. Melanie flinched when he rested his hand on her arm. “Please, have a seat.”

She shadowed Jackson and sat down. Her breaths were short and rapid while she fidgeted in her chair. “I’m sorry, but she’s all the family I have, Dr. Roberts.”

Jackson’s heart ached for Melanie. Even though she never visited, it was obvious she loved her aunt. He reached over and held her hand. “She’ll be okay, Melanie.”

“Will Aunt Phoebe need rehabilitation?”

“Yes, she’ll need speech and physical therapy to strengthen her muscles.” The sound of the doctor scribbling notes filled the room while they both absorbed the news.

Dr. Roberts looked up and laid his pen on the clipboard. “Madison Village is an excellent facility in Harrisonburg. I’ve already called to check room availability.”

“How long will she have to stay?” Melanie twisted a tissue between her fingers.

“The paralysis won’t be permanent, but I can’t say how much time it will take to go away. Phoebe is incredibly strong, so ideally she’ll be back to normal soon. You’ll have to take care of The Bean, Jackson.”

A knot squeezed in Jackson’s stomach. With everything happening, he hadn’t thought about that. “Of course. I’ll make sure it’s running smoothly.”

Melanie’s eyes narrowed. “Wait a minute, Jackson. It’s Phoebe’s business, too, and she’s my aunt. I’ll take care of the restaurant. Unless you don’t think I can handle it. I do have a law degree, you know.”

Dr. Roberts’s laughter filled the room. “Okay, you two, there’s enough to do at The Bean for everyone.” He smiled. “Why don’t you work together? Phoebe would appreciate it.”

“What about your job, Jackson?” Her lips pursed.

Yesterday had been his first day off in a very long time, and he was on the schedule to return to duty tomorrow. He rarely took a vacation, so he had a lot of leave accumulated. Four years ago, he and Taylor had taken Rebecca on her first trip to the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Rebecca was just learning to walk. He smiled as he recalled the framed photograph on his bedroom dresser. It was a photo of her first footprints in the sand. That was the last time they were together as a family. His world had never been the same.

“Yes, I do go back tomorrow, but I’ll talk to Tom tonight. I’ve got the time, so it won’t be a problem.”

Melanie rubbed her brow. “I really don’t think it’s necessary.”

“The Bean is just as important to me as it is to Phoebe. I’m half owner. If anyone is going to run the place while she’s recovering, it’s me.” Jackson’s jaw clenched. Why did this woman have to make everything so difficult? “Plus, won’t your big city law firm need you?”

Dr. Roberts shot Jackson a questioning look. He stood when the intercom announced he was needed in the ER. “Well, it’s agreed, then. You’ll both help Phoebe.”

Melanie nodded and glanced at Jackson. He returned a nod and shook the doctor’s hand. “When do you plan to move Phoebe to the rehab facility?” Melanie asked.

“I’ll call on Monday morning and schedule her for admission on Tuesday. Of course, that’s subject to change if there are any complications.”

Melanie’s eyes popped. “Complications, like what? I thought you said she’d be okay.”

“Don’t worry. Let’s take this one day at a time.”

Melanie wrapped her index finger around her purse strap. “Thank you for everything, Dr. Roberts. Aunt Phoebe spoke very highly of you after my accident.” She stood, placed her purse on her chair and gave the doctor a hug.

She didn’t let go until the intercom paged him again.

“I have to go. You two should head home and get some rest. It’s been an emotional afternoon.” He started to walk away, but stopped and turned around. “And, Melanie, you should give up the idea of moving Phoebe.”

“I agree,” Jackson said as he glanced at his watch. He needed to get Rebecca home and settled in for the night.

Melanie didn’t acknowledge either of their comments. She appeared lost in thought.

Jackson cleared his throat. “Dr. Roberts, before we leave, could Melanie visit with Phoebe for a moment?”

Melanie’s eyes brightened. “Oh yes, can I see her?”

“I don’t see why not. I’ll send Sara. She’ll take you.”

“Thanks again, Doc.” Jackson shook his hand and thought about what a blessing this man was to their community. Once Phoebe returned to her old self again, he planned to do a little matchmaking.

“What are you grinning about?” Melanie asked as she crossed her arms over her chest.

“Oh, nothing.” He tried to erase the grin.

She rolled her eyes and sat down. “Look, Jackson, about The Bean. Why don’t we cover it in shifts? Since it’s only open from 7:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. for breakfast and lunch, I can take the first three-and-a-half hours and you the second, or vice versa.” She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “Or we could alternate days. There’s no need for us both to be there at the same time.”

Jackson laughed and shook his head. “You don’t think there’s a need for both of us to cover it?” He rubbed his chin. “There’s no way you could handle the crowd alone, especially on a Saturday...with or without a law degree.”

Her knee bounced in agitation. “I think I’m perfectly capable of handling a little country restaurant.”

She didn’t have a clue. “Phoebe has a $4.99 breakfast special on Saturday. It comes with two eggs, two pancakes and two slices of bacon or sausage links, and to drink, orange juice and coffee. It draws a crowd.” Jackson’s stomach growled.

She arched her brow. “I hope there’s a gym in the area. It doesn’t sound healthy. How do people do anything else after such a big meal?”

He slid her a sideways stare. “Most folks around here have a working farm, and believe me, they get their workout.”

“I doubt they get their heart rate up riding around on a tractor.”

Jackson clenched his teeth. “We might not have a fancy gym like you’re used to, but trust me, we get our heart rates up every day.” He hesitated. “In fact, right now mine is through the roof.”

“I didn’t mean to offend you. I just think The Bean should offer a healthier menu.”

Sara approached the couple. “Melanie, if you want to see Phoebe, you can follow me to her room.”

Melanie looked at Jackson. “Do you want to go?”

“No, you go, but give her a kiss for me.”

While Melanie visited with Phoebe, Jackson spent the time alone in prayer.

Ten minutes later, she returned with a huge smile splashed on her face. “Aunt Phoebe looked good, better than I thought she would. She couldn’t speak clearly, but I’m sure it will improve in time.”

Relieved to see Melanie more at ease, he glanced at his watch. “Let’s go get Rebecca, and I’ll walk you to your car.” He slipped on his leather jacket. “Before we go, let’s get back to the schedule at The Bean.”

Melanie spoke without hesitation. “I think you’re right. We both need to work together, for Aunt Phoebe.”

Jackson scratched the top of his head. Melanie had surprised him. She’d been so adamant about working alone. Why the sudden change? Was this all part of her scheme to move Phoebe?

“I don’t get it.”

“Get what?”

“Just a while ago, you didn’t want me near The Bean while you’re there. And now—”

Her eyes softened, twisting his stomach inside out. “Aunt Phoebe told me you’re like a son to her, and that you know The Bean better than anyone. I know how important it is to her, so I promised when I went back to see her that we’d work side by side.”

Jackson gestured in the direction of the front doors. “Okay, then. Let’s go.”

* * *

That evening, Jackson settled into his favorite leather chair in the corner of his bedroom. Thoughts of Melanie swirled in his head. Through the open plantation shutters, the hunter’s moon gleamed across the backyard. A coyote he’d seen hanging around for the past week stopped in his tracks and took a peek toward the window before scurrying into the woods.

He turned his attention from that view and ran his hand along the soft, worn leather arms. For thirty years, this chair had sat in his father’s insurance office. He missed his dad.

With heavy thoughts about Melanie and her plan to move Phoebe, he reached for the worn Bible given to him by his paternal grandmother. It had once belonged to his grandfather.

Jackson opened the Bible to his favorite verse. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding. After his ex-wife, Taylor, left him and Rebecca for his best friend, Wilson, he meditated on these words daily. He did trust the Lord. It was other people, especially women, where he struggled.

“Daddy, I’m ready for my story.”

He closed the Bible. His heart melted at the sight of his daughter standing in the doorway. Dressed in her favorite Winnie the Pooh footed pajamas, she brushed a wild blond curl away from her eyes and sprinted across the room. Gigi, her favorite blanket, trailed behind her along the hardwood floor.

With one soaring leap, she was in his lap. He nuzzled his nose into her hair and smiled. She smelled of sweet honeysuckle from her bubble bath earlier in the evening. Their cuddle time always comforted him. He cherished this time with his daughter. The teenage years would be here in a flash, so he planned to savor every moment.