Chapter Twenty-One ~
The
last few days had been hectic. Janna ran down the path, her mind whirling in
fifty different directions. Lawyers, builders, insurance people… Would it never
end? And then there was him. She
shrugged the urge to shudder out of her mind. Jedidiah would keep her safe.
She
hadn’t seen her tormentor, nor heard anything at home. Maybe he’d given up. She
smiled and plugged the ear buds back in her ears. Her favorite pastor continued
his sermon on the family. And she was one now. A family. The thought scared her,
yet caused a rush of excitement as well. She’d never entertained the idea in
the past, but found it pleasant to dwell on now.
She
caught a glimpse of the glass door on ‘Hometown
Meets’ as the evening sun glared upon it. She tried to push away the glow
of pride her restaurant caused to swell inside her. It wasn’t through anything
of herself she’d accomplished it, but through God. He’d given her everything,
right down to the minutest detail in planning. Yes. Amen. And he could’ve taken it away in the tornado, but he let
me keep it. And my home. Thank you God.
Her
feet began to slow as the path dwindled into a few pebbles and loose dirt.
Maddy Jones came out the door, waving and smiling. “Hey Janna. How was the
run?” She yelled.
“Going
good, thanks.” She was only slightly
winded. Her broken arm ached and she cradled it in her good one as she came to
a stop at the end of the trail.
Hairy’s
barking encroached on her euphoria.
Janna
scrunched her shoulders and turned to see what her protector was barking about.
She caught an almost imperceptible movement in the woods just past the start of
her jogging trail. “What is it Hairy?”
But
Hairy was intent on what he’d seen. He broke away from Janna’s side and ran toward
the shadow in the woods.
Where was Jedidiah? Her
heart pounded. Was it him?
“Don’t
freak out. Walk toward the restaurant. Slow,” she muttered.
“Is
everything okay?” Maddy asked. Concern was evident on her elfin features.
Janna
smiled, feeling like a wooden doll. “Yes. Hairy must’ve seen a squirrel.”
Maddy
shrugged. “Maybe.”
Janna
walked inside and went around the counter to wash her hands. She was planning
to open it up for the first time after the tornado in just a few minutes.
That’s why she’d done her jog first. She’d be too busy later to even think
about exercise.
Maddy
stood at the counter. Janna noticed for the first time she was hopping around
like a nervous cat.
“Can
I help you Maddy?”
“Yes.
I…” Her voice trailed away.
“Is
something wrong?” Janna was only half paying attention. She was watching out
the window to see when Hairy returned.
Janna
pulled her gaze from the window. No sign of him yet. “Maddy?”
“Yeah?”
“What
did you need?” Janna gave her an encouraging smile. It was obvious she wanted
something, Janna just wasn’t sure what.
“Oh.
Sorry.” Nervous laugh. “I was wondering if you might need some help.”
At
Janna’s confused look she continued, “You know, a waitress?”
Janna
heard the caution in Maddy’s voice. She
doesn’t want to upset me. How sweet. The question surprised her, though it
shouldn’t. She needed a waitress. She should’ve realized that sooner. I probably would have the minute it got busy
in here tonight.
Janna
smiled. “I do. Are you applying for the job?”
Maddy
shook her head. “Yes. I need to make extra money to pay Mary’s medical bills.”
“That’s
right. I’ve been meaning to tell you how sorry I am to hear about that.”
“It’s
okay. I’m not the only one who has mounds of debt due to the tornado.”
“I
know you’re not. But she’s your daughter.” Janna’s heart flipped at the thought
something more serious than a broken bone might happen to Jessie. How quickly he’s grown on my heart.
“But
she’s alive. They operated on her yesterday and she’s supposed to make a full recovery.
I’m so blessed. Who would’ve thought they could save someone who’s had their
liver cut in half?”
“You
have more faith than me, Maddy. You have the job, by the way.”
“But
I haven’t even interviewed…”
“There’s
no need. I have a feeling there’s no motivation like a mother determined to
care for her child.”
“God
bless you Janna James,” Maddy gushed. She ran around the counter and pulled
Janna into a bear hug.
“God
bless you too, Maddy. I hope Angela gets well soon. Maybe she’ll even be able
to go to the prom.”
“The
prom? Oh I hope so. I hadn’t even thought of that but she had her heart set in
it. She picked out her dress months ago.”
“Who
was she going with?”
“Joshua
Sellers.”
“Oh,
good choice. He goes to my church and sings in the youth group.”
“Yeah,
and he’s cute too. That always helps.” Maddy smiled.
Janna
could already tell a mountain of worry had been lifted from the middle-aged
woman’s shoulders.
“Where
can I get an apron?” Maddy searched under the counter.
“Oh.
Are you going to start now?” Relief washed through her. She was thankful God
had been watching out for her because she would’ve been in here running around
like a crazy person trying to run the whole place by herself.
“Yes.”
Maddy grinned. You know how busy this place gets at supper. If I don’t stay,
how will you do it all alone?”
“God
bless you Maddy. I don’t know why I didn’t think of that.”
She
shook her head. “It’s this horrible tragedy. Nobody’s thinking straight right
now.”
“You
got that right.” Alarm was beginning to work its way into Janna’s mind. Hairy
hadn’t returned yet. “I’m just gonna see if…” She broke off as Hairy came
running down the path toward the restaurant. “There he is,” she said in relief.
“Whose
dog is that, anyway?”
“He
belongs to Jedidiah Crane. He just moved into town a few days ago.”
“Oh
yeah. I saw him at the store the other day. He’s a dreamboat. If I was ten
years younger…” She grinned.
“He’s
mine.”
Maddy
jerked to face her. “Huh?”
Janna
felt her face grow warm. “I said he’s mine.”
The
door to the restaurant opened just as she spoke and Jedidiah walked in. “What’s
yours?” He held something brown between his fingers.
“I
was just telling Maddy you were mine.” Scorching heat spread up her neck, but
she was determined to face him.
His
grin was so brilliant it caused her heart to skip a beat and then pound upon
her ribcage.
“Then
why do you have another man’s wallet on your doorstep?”
As
realization dawned the grin disappeared from Jedidiah’s lips and Janna’s heart
ran cold.
“Oh
no. Look inside,” she demanded.
Jedidiah
opened it, looked at her and frowned. “It’s his.”
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