Chapter 75
I hope you're enjoyed "the ride" so far
Hidden Secrets
Leona Palmer Haag
Chapter 75
"What's wrong with the bed?"
Jenn's eyes shot open and Katie stirred in her arms.
Bright daylight poured into the dark closet. "Nick!" Jenn squealed,
trying to unwrap from the blankets.
He reached down to help her untangle, but it was no
use. He grabbed them both and pulled them into a huge quilted bear hug.
"How are my little burrito wraps?" he sasked, giving them a squeeze.
"Daddy! Daddy! Daddy!" Katie squealed over
and over. Jenn cried because although little, she hadn’t forgotten her father.
Nick managed to free Katie first. He tossed her in the
air and caught her. "Hey, Katie bug, what have you been up to? It feels
like you put on ten pounds! Did you grow five inches too?"
"Daddy!" Katie squealed again before she
smothered him with slobbery kisses.
"Jenn, I love you," Nick said, pulling her
to him and drowning her in kisses.
"I thought you were dead," Jenn whimpered.
Nick laughed. "Who, me? Not on your life. As long
as I have you, I'm as alive and kicking as a Mexican jumping bean. I hear
you've been getting along great. I see you've got a nice tan and great sleeping
arrangements. Matt said you didn't need much this time. I guess your chosen bed
proves it."
Jenn rolled her eyes. "He lies. We both know
that. I needed you, and that's everything.
And I didn’t have it. We’ve been starved and deprived!"
Nick chuckled. "That's good to hear."
Then Jenn melted into tears. “You’re alive. Really
alive.”
“Pinch me,” Nick said, but she kissed him over and
over again instead.
The task of packing started after breakfast—decisions on
what to keep and what to leave behind. In the middle of it all Nick insisted on
a swim with Katie and Jenn. She hated going to the pool, but complied, and for
an hour it felt like a family vacation. All too soon it ended. Damp towels were
tossed on the bathroom floor and other areas were left untidy for once. The
cleaning crew would arrive on Friday morning with more work to accomplish than
ever before—except maybe the first week after the syrup mishap.
Nick tossed their suitcases in the back of the SUV
while Jenn buckled Katie in. He held her door for her, pausing to kiss her long
and hard before she got in.
They backed out and Jenn spotted her neighbor.
"Stop, Nick. I need to tell Kristina good bye."
"Are you feeling better?" Kristina asked
when she jumped from the SUV and raced to her door.
"Much better, thank you. Kristina, I've enjoyed
having you as a friend."
Kristina gave her a funny look. It was probably due to
the past tense.
Nick got out and joined them. "This is Nick. He's
my… Well, Samuel and I are… not together anymore. Nick is actually Katie's
daddy. I'm going back to Dallas with him."
"Oh," Kristina said in surprise. She tried
to hide a look of shock.
Jenn waved at the house behind her. "I fell in
love with the house, the swimming pool, and a few other things while in
Arizona, but my heart is with Nick and our home in Texas. Thanks for including
me in your cooking demonstrations and introducing me to the mothers in the
children's play group. All of you really helped me during this time of solitary
confinement."
"You're welcome," Kristina said, apparently
not fully recovered from the sudden revelation Jenn had dumped on her.
Jenn cleared her throat. "I enjoyed our day of
sightseeing day in Tucson. It was fun. I'm glad I know you."
Kristina gave her a big hug. "Stay in touch. I'm
glad I know you too. I wish you all the best happiness possible."
Jenn hugged her back. "I think this is best. I've
known…um… Samuel… forever, but my heart belongs to Nick."
"Be happy."
"Good luck with your production this
summer."
"Come and visit us to see it. It will be
wonderful."
Jenn glanced at Nick. "Dallas is far away."
"Not that far. We'll come," Nick promised.
"Then I'll send tickets. Call me later with your
new address. Thanks for all of your beautiful costume sketches. The designers
and seamstresses love them."
"I’d be happy to do more if you need them. Whether
for this production or the next. You have my phone number, too. Just call. I
owe you more than you can ever guess."
Kristina gave her another quick hug. "I will.
Take care now." She pulled away. "Dallin will miss Katie."
"Katie will miss him, too."
That was it. It was time to go to the airport. The
things Jenn wanted boxed up and sent would be handled by local agents.
Unfortunately the swimming pool would have to stay behind. Poor Katie.
End Chapter 75
Thank you for joining me for Hidden Secrets. The ride isn't over yet, so please stick around!
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