It was a cool September evening as Dan opened the door of his favorite local bar, McMurphy’s. He had plans to meet his fellow bob whites there for a celebration for Brian. Brian had gotten into practice with Dr. Ferris at the hospital and now moved to the clinic with him. Honey had organized everyone for a little party.
Dan moved through the door and looked first to Stan, the bartender. He nodded, and then looked to the back corner where they had always hung out. He saw Brian, Honey, Diana and Mart already there. Dan moved across the room and smiled at Honey and Di, planting a kiss on each of their cheeks.
“Hi Dan. We’re so glad you made it.” Honey said.
“I’m glad to be here.” He said and shook hands with Brian and Mart.
Looking around, he noticed Jim and Trixie were still missing.
“Are we the only ones coming?” he asked with a raise of his brow.
Sudden commotion took their attention as Trixie burst into the group. Panting, she said, “I’m here. I made it!”
Mart grinned, “To what do we owe your arrhythmic respirations?”
Trixie frowned for a minute then grinned.
“I ran the whole way! I took the train in from the city. I was late and missed the one I wanted to take.”
Brian poured her a glass of beer from the pitcher he was holding.
“Well, I’m glad you came, little sister.”
“Wouldn’t miss it for the world, big brother.” She grinned and took a sip of her beer.
“Is Jim coming?” Di asked and looked at Honey.
Honey shrugged and Trixie reddened as she felt all eyes turn to her.
“I don’t know if he’s coming or not. Last I heard he was busy.”
Mart saved her from further scrutiny.
“I asked him when I left the school, and he said he’d try. He has an appointment with his accountant in the city tonight.”
Mart worked for Jim as a teacher at the Ten Acres Academy. Or TAA as it was often called. Jim opened the school on the land of ten acres and with some extra land donated from his father; he had a place for the orphan boys. Mart got his degree in education, and not only taught English, and Science, but Agriculture also.
Trixie shifted in
her seat. Talk of Jim made her uncomfortable for the last year anyway. That was
when she’d broken it off with him. They’d dated during college. But given that
they weren’t at the same schools, it was a long distance relationship. Jim
graduated with degrees in both Education and Business and he’d started
construction on the school immediately. Trixie had finished college herself and
wanted to take an internship with the FBI for the summer. Jim wanted her to
stay with him. He wanted to get married, and settle down. But Trixie wanted to
be free. She was done with school, an adult and she wanted to spread her wings
and let them take her to new places. Jim wanted them to build a house on a corner
of his property he’d saved for that purpose. Trixie felt smothered. Finally,
she left and went to
Jim had been hurt and angry that she’d do that to them. Leave him for the FBI, and then when she returned, never even try to fix their relationship.
Jim was outside walking down the side walk to the door of the bar. He had his head down and was deep in thought. He knew Trixie would be there tonight. He’d been avoiding events that she’d be at. He just didn’t want to remember what had happened. Lately, though, he was ready to get back to his regular life and ready to be with his friends and family, no matter if she was there or not. Did this mean he was finally over her? He asked himself. Jim had no time to answer his own question s he bumped into someone just before the door.
“Oh excuse me!” Jim exclaimed. He grasped the woman he’d run into, by the fore arms to steady her.
“It was my fault; I wasn’t watching where I was going. I’m sorry.” The woman looked up at the tall red head.
Jim felt like he’d been struck by lightening. He still held her by the arms and he found he was lost in the pools of her eyes. They were green, but an odd shade, almost gray for an instant. He blinked and took in more of the picture. She was tiny. She had long blonde hair that was cascading in soft waves down her back. It reached her waist he later learned.
She softly cleared her throat. “Well, I guess we’d better go inside.”
Jim snapped out of his fog and realized he still held her arms.
Pulling his hands away abruptly, he said, “Yes, I’m sorry I ran into you.”
The woman stared at him a moment and smiled, then turned to open the door of the bar. Jim grasped the door and held it for her to go through. He watched her walk inside and go to the bar. There was another woman there, and she’d turned to greet her.
Jim blinked again and proceeded to the corner, where his friends were.
Di saw him first.
“Jim, it’s so good to see you. We were afraid you wouldn’t make it.”
“I heard there was a party for my friend, I wouldn’t miss it!” Jim said as he kissed her cheek. Moving by Dan and Mart, he grinned. He stopped by Brian and Honey and shook his hand and kissed his sister’s cheek. He looked down and saw Trixie was seated at the table. She looked up at him and waited.
“Hi Trix, good to see you.” He said softly.
The group seemed to breathe a sigh of relief as a whole, and they began to talk again.
Music had started in the form of the karaoke on the other side of the room. Trixie claimed a dance with Brian and they moved to the dance floor. Honey moved closer to Jim.
“Are you ok?”
Jim looked down at his sister.
“Yeah, sis, I’m great.”
“I was so worried- about you and- everything.”
“Don’t worry, ok? I’m fine. I know I’ve avoided you lately, but I’m back on the road to being me.”
“I’m glad. I love you.”
“I love you too.” Jim hugged her to him and told her to join her husband after the dance ended.
From then on, while Jim didn’t go out of his way to speak to Trixie, he didn’t avoid her either. The others noticed and took it as a good sign.
The bob white men moved to the side to shoot pool and the women huddled and talked.
There was karaoke tonight, and it was just starting.
Di and Trixie went to pick out a song to sing and Honey went to ask the guys if they were planning on singing.
“Ha! Not on your life!” Dan chuckled. “You girls go right ahead.”
The other guys nodded their agreement.
She went to join the other girls. Suddenly the music started.
Jim was aiming for a ball when Dan exclaimed, “Oh my god!”
He looked up at him with his brow raised.
“Gee Mangan, in awe of my shooting?” he grinned, straightening.
“Not in this life time, Frayne.” Dan was still looking toward the stage. Jim followed his eyes and they fell on his blonde from outside. His blonde? That thought had barely registered when she began to sing. It was a Celine Dion song, The Power of Love. And wow, could she sing!
“I think I’m in love!” Dan proclaimed, earning a loud groan from Brian and Mart.
“What?” Dan asked, sparing the two a glance.
“You are always in love, my friend. You have no clue who she is, what she is doing here, or if she’s married.” Mart laughed.
“Yeah, you know nothing about hr, yet ‘you’re in love’! Heck, you don’t even know the basics, he age, height or what color her eyes are.” Brian laughed.
“Green.” Jim said softly.
Three pairs of eyes turned to look at him. He looked somewhat embarrassed.
“I ran into her outside.” He said with a shrug. He still held his pool cue, but turned his back on the game. He watched the tiny blonde on the stage intently. She was awesome. She hit every note. When the last note died, she looked straight at him and she smiled. Jim felt the earth tilt. He gasped for the breath that seemed to escape him.
Then she was done and stepped off the stage.
He faintly heard Brian’s voice cut through his fog. His eyes still searched for her in the crowd, but he heard what Brian had said.
“I know her, that’s Rachel. She’s a nurse at the hospital.”
Jim’s head snapped around. “You know her?”
Brian hid the grin threatening to split his face. He had watched Jim’s reaction to Rachel and thought it was interesting. He had no time to further debate, as Rachel herself approached the group.
“Excuse
“Hi Rachel.”Brian said. And, including her friend and fellow nurse, “Hey Charlotte.”
“We saw you across the room, and don’t mean to intrude, but we wanted to tell you we are so happy for you getting in with Dr. Ferris.”
“Thank you. Please join us.” He waved his hand across to their table. There were still empty seats at it, and Honey moved to add her invitation. She’d met Rachel and Charlotte at the hospital several times. They were always so sweet to her when she visited Brian.
Dan stepped forward
and held a chair out for Rachel. Jim watched with disappointment, if he’d moved
faster he could have held a chair for her. But Rachel had hesitated, and
Rachel looked at
each of them when Brian introduced them around the table. She’d seen and met
some of them at the hospital, and heard of the others. Dan started asking
Rachel about herself. Rachel was from
As Rachel answered Dan’s questions and the others chimed in with questions of their own, Jim watched her. She was beautiful. Her long blonde hair hung down her back in waves. Her green eyes were expressive and bright. When she smiled, Jim was blown away at the way her whole face lit up. He couldn’t help himself; he watched her and enjoyed doing it. She was now laughing at something Dan said, but she was looking at him. He flushed, and quickly lowered his eyes.
Honey and Brian watched Jim with interest. This was the most life they’d seen out of him in a long time.
Dan was definitely interested in Rachel. Jim could see that. He felt a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach. If Dan was interested, Jim probably wouldn’t stand a chance. Dan had more experience, and all of the girls in high school and college went ga-ga over him. Right now Rachel smiled at Dan and excused herself to go to the bar for another drink. Diana grabbed Dan for a dance and Jim decided it was now or never. This isn’t so hard Frayne. You can talk to her too.
Jim walked to the bar and slid into a space next to Rachel. Stan came over to get their order and Jim motioned to him that he’d get these drinks. Rachel looked up at Jim, and grinned.
“Thanks.” She said softly.
“No problem.” He answered, then, “Are you having fun?”
“Yeah I am. Your friends are nice. I already knew Brian and Honey but, the rest of the infamous Bob Whites seem just as great.”
“Infamous?” Jim asked quirking his brow.
“Oh yeah! I have
heard all about you all since I arrived here in
“Don’t believe half of it!” he grinned.
“I already do! You are all as nice as everyone has always told me.”
Jim looked down at her and for just a moment let himself get lost in her eyes. Rachel too, was mesmerized until Jim came back to reality.
“The song ended. Dan will be back from his dance with Di.”
Rachel nodded but stood where she was. Jim thought, ok here goes!
“Rachel, would you like to dance with me?”
The smile Rachel sent his way would melt glaciers. Jim let her precede him to the dance floor, and he placed his hand on the small of her back as they walked.
Rachel felt the heat of his palm. One touch had never affected her this way. She felt like she was melting. She definitely did melt into a puddle, when she moved into his arms on the dance floor. The music wasn’t important, they didn’t hear it anyway.
Jim held her close. He could smell her scent. Her raspberry shampoo, and her lightly applied perfume. He dreaded the end of the song because then he’d have to let her go.
Rachel had never felt the way she did in his arms. Safe and protected, but more. .But she felt something in his arms that she’d never found in another’s. Unconsciously, his arm tightened around her waist, and Rachel rested her head on his chest. He smelled so good, fresh and woodsy. Her cheek rested over his heart, and she could feel his heart beating. The song ended and Jim held her close a moment longer than was necessary. Slowly he relaxed his arms and Rachel actually felt chilled. But Jim held his hand out to her and when she placed her small one, in his large freckled one, all seemed right with the world.
Dan stood up as they
made their way back to the table. He held her chair for her and she sat and
thanked him with a smile. Jim took his seat next to her and she discreetly
moved closer. Under the table, her knee brushed his. He jumped as if shocked by
a jolt of electricity. Rachel was talking to
Rachel was profoundly disappointed when the end of the night came. It was 2am. Wow, she thought, time went by so fast. She stood and gathered her purse, and Dan offered to walk her to her car. She couldn’t help it, she looked to Jim. She’d felt him stiffen slightly at Dan’s offer.
Jim ever the quick one, said, “That’s ok Dan, I’ll make sure she gets to her car safely.”
Jim and Dan stared at each other for a long minute, then Dan grinned and slapped Jim on the shoulder with a grin and he said good night to the rest. Dan left as everyone else made their way outside also. Everyone went their separate ways outside, and Jim and Rachel were left standing on the side walk looking at each other.
Rachel broke the silence first, “My car is this way.” She gestured for him to follow her, which he did.
They walked in silence. Rachel thought it was a beautiful night. Jim thought Rachel was beautiful.
Rachel used her key to unlock her car door, and opened the door. She turned to look at Jim. Smiling, she said, “Thanks for walking me to my car.”
“I felt better knowing you made it safely.”
“Ok, I guess I’d better let you go then.” Rachel said, she stood on the tips of her toes, and kissed him on the lips. Jim’s hands came up automatically to rest on her hips.
“What are you doing tomorrow?” Jim asked, still resting his hands on her hips.
“Um, nothing except laundry, dishes, all of that fun stuff!” she laughed.
“Would you like to come out to the school? I can give you the grand tour, and then we can go riding or have a picnic or something.”
“I would love to.” She replied.
He released her to get into her car.
“Ok, see you tomorrow. Around noon?”
Rachel agreed and shut the car door. She found herself smiling the whole way home. Jim walked to his car whistling a tune he’d heard in the bar. He realized it was one that Rachel had sung.
Saturday dawned bright and sunshiny. It was a perfect fall day. Jim tried to grade some papers before Rachel came over but found his concentration waning. He made them chicken sandwiches and packed some fruit and potato salad. After filling the basket with plates and utensils, he got wine glasses out and packed them wrapped in napkins. He had everything ready long before Rachel was due to arrive.
Rachel drove the short drive out to Ten Acres. She gotten up early that morning and did her laundry. Then she went to the store and picked up a cheesecake for their dessert today. By the time she’d picked up around her apartment, it had been time to get ready to go. Rachel wore an oversized sweater and black jeans with hiking boots.
She pulled into the drive and drove up to the school. Jim had told her to meet him at the school as opposed to the Manor House.
Rachel got out of her car and looked around a bit. She could see the stable from her position. She also saw the woods and the preserve beyond the school. Walking up to the front doors, she could see Jim on his way out.
“Hi. You made it.” Jim said, looking her up and down and approving of her outfit. She’d shown she could dress up as she’d worn a sweater, skirt and heels the night before. She looked just as good in her jeans and sweater. Jim was also dressed casually, in a sweatshirt and jeans.
She held the cheesecake out to him.
“Hope you like this.” She said as he took it.
“Yum! I love cheesecake!” Jim took the box from her and opened the door of the school, and he held it until she’d walked through.
He motioned toward his office and said he’d leave the cheesecake in his frig. Rachel watched as he opened a small refrigerator hidden in his book shelves. He straightened up and smiled at her.
“Well, are you ready to get the fifty cent tour?”
“Absolutely!”
“This is my office.” He said with a sweep of his hand. His office was big. Jim had a huge desk centered on his windows looking out to the preserve. One wall was the bookshelves, and another held an entertainment center with a stereo, TV and VCR. There was a seating area with a small sofa, and also armchairs on the opposite side of his desk. It looked like a man’s office. And Rachel complimented him.
Jim moved her out
toward the outer offices. He explained there, his assistant had her desk where
she fielded his phone calls. And he told her of Robert Townshend. He’d met
Robert in college, and they become fast friends. Robert now taught
“No wonder you are so busy, you run the place and teach.” Rachel smiled admiringly.
He showed her the classrooms, and then showed her the east wing where the dorms were and the cafeteria. They also had a lounge that the boys could play video games or watch TV, and a library. There were rooms for the live in staff, which included Robert and his assistant Laura Anderson. Maggie Baxter was the resident cook, and she also stayed on the premises.
Rachel listened with avid interest. Jim’s pride in the school was obvious. Once they’d seen everything inside, Jim took her outside. The stables were as impressive as the school itself. Jim explained the Regan had been the groom for his parents. When he and his sister and their friends had left for college, the need for the full stables had dwindled, but Matt wheeler had kept the horses and Regan. Then when the school was built, Jim had offered Regan a chance to do what he did best. Work with the horses and teach the boys how to ride and take care of them. He added that Regan was also Dan’s uncle.
“Over there is the path into the preserve. We do hiking and riding and camping out in the woods.” Jim finished up.
“This is wonderful. You have done some great things here.” Rachel smiled.
Jim felt himself flushing under her praise, but it felt good.
“So have you worked up an appetite yet?” he asked to change the focus off him.
“I could definitely eat something!” she laughed. They went back into Jim’s office. He had the basket already packed and setting on the floor by his desk. He added the cheesecake into it. He grabbed it and a blanket, and then motioned for Rachel to lead the way out of the school.
“Which way?” she asked reaching for the blanket.
“I thought we’d go out into the preserve. It is pretty this time of year, and there is a clearing perfect for a picnic.”
“Sounds good.” Rachel said letting him take the lead. It only took them a few minutes to reach the clearing
Once there, Jim set the basket down and helped Rachel spread out the blanket. They sat and Jim unloaded the basket. He then handed her the wine glasses while he opened the bottle. Pouring them each a glass, they settled down to eat and talk.
Rachel had already heard a lot of Jim and the other Bob Whites. She knew Jim had been adopted when he was 15. She’d heard stories of the adventures they’d had as kids.
“Tell me about you,” Jim said between bites of the sandwiches he’d made.
Rachel swallowed and sipped a bit of her wine before she answered him.
“Let’s see. Not
really much to tell. I am Rachel Elizabeth Walker. I was born on Nov. 29. I am
23 years old. I have a degree in nursing. I was born in a small town in central
“So, Rachel Walker,
what brought you to
“I needed a change.
I needed to get out of
Jim topped off their glasses again. “I’m glad we met.” He said quietly.
“Me too.” She said. Then, “I am stuffed. You made this all for us?”
“Yes, one of my many talents.” He mocked himself.
Rachel laughed, and said, “So you teach, you run your own school, you go out with your friends. You get along with kids and animals. Why is it that you haven’t been plucked up by some love struck maiden?”
Jim sipped his wine again before answering.
“I just haven’t been lucky I guess.”
“There has never been anyone you were that serious about?” Rachel asked before she could help it. God girl, chill out. He’ll run for the hills.
“There was once. I thought we were going to get married, but I guess she had other ideas.”
Rachel went through
everything in her head that she’d heard about Jim and the Bob Whites. What was
“So, what about you?” Jim asked. He thought she now knew more about him, turn about was fair play.
“Um, yeah, I was engaged once about a year ago.”
“Engaged, not married?”
Rachel shook her head, “Nope. I guess he had other ideas too. Ones that included my best friend.”
“I’m sorry.” He said.
Rachel smiled at him.
“Water under the bridge. Besides if I had married Jeremy Miller, I wouldn’t be here right now and I’m enjoying this picnic way too much to wish to be somewhere else.”
Jim smiled back and put everything back into the basket.
“I’m enjoying this too. Would you like to go for a walk before we tackle the cheesecake?”
“Yeah, that sounds nice.” They picked up their picnic, and folded the blanket up. Jim set the basket on a huge boulder.
“It should be fine here until we get back.” He said holding out a hand for hers.
Rachel put her small hand in his larger one and God help her, it felt wonderful.
Jim kept a hold of her hand as they walked through the preserve. He pointed things out to her along the way. They soon came to Mr. Maypenny’s cabin. Jim explained about him and that he wasn’t home now. He’d gone to visit his nephew. They walked further and came to the clearing near the lake. Jim showed her the lake and said he’d spent many hours there when he was younger. Now the boys use it.
Jim was conscious of the warmth from her hand in his, the whole way. When they returned to the picnic area, he was reluctant to let it go. But he had to, to get the cheesecake out. Rachel spread the blanket out again, and they settled while she cut them each pieces.
They talked about everything that day. Jim opened up to Rachel about his child hood and his parents. He told her how he’d come to be adopted by the Wheeler’s. He talked about the Bob Whites, and that he thought they were the best group of friends anyone could have. He talked about his dream for the school, and how it was only partially realized. He still felt there was a lot he could do.
Rachel told him
about growing up in
“How is it that you
came here?
Rachel laughed and hid her face for a moment behind her hands.
Looking up at Jim,
she said, “I closed my eyes, spun the globe and pointed. I said I’d go to the first place in the
Jim grinned, “So, it was the luck of the draw that got you here?”
Rachel nodded, and returned his grin. “That and a jerk ex- fiancé, since he was what propelled me to move to begin with.”
“Well, I have to say, I’m glad you came.” Jim said smiling at her.
The sun was setting before they got up from their picnic area and headed back to Rachel’s car. Once again, Jim held her hand as they walked back.
Rachel handed Jim the blanket she’d carried back and turned to open her car door. She looked up at Jim, and said, “I had a nice time today. I hope we can do it again.”
She stood on her toes to brush a kiss on his lips.
Jim bent to plant another kiss on hers.
She reached into her purse on the seat and pulled out a piece of paper and a pen. She scribbled her phone number and address down.
“I am not in the habit of doing this, but, here is my number. Call me.” With a final smile, she got into her car and started it up. With a wave, Jim watched her go.
In the following weeks, Jim and Rachel spent a lot of time together. He’d go to the hospital to have lunch with her, or she’d have him over for diner at her apartment. Sometimes, Jim cooked for her or they went out. Sometimes, it was just Wimpy’s then a movie, but they took every chance to spend time together.
October turned into
November and everyone started making their holiday plans. One night when they
were at Rachel’s apartment, watching videos, she mentioned she was going back
to
It was the day before Thanksgiving, and Jim picked Rachel up at her apartment at 10am, her flight took off at 1:30pm. They drove the hour into the city and Rachel noticed that Jim wasn’t too talkative.
Frowning slightly, she watched as he made his way through the traffic. Wondering what was up; she tried to get him to talk. His answers came out in short sentences or single words. Finally, Rachel stopped trying and they drove the rest of the way in silence. By the time they got to the airport and they had checked her in, Rachel was in a panic that Jim wanted to break up with her. She was afraid to ask though.
“Thanks for bringing me. You don’t have to wait with me though, if you have better things to do.” She said.
Jim just shook his head, “I don’t have anything to do, I’ll wait.”
They sat down to wait for her flight to be called. In silence. Rachel stood up when she heard them call her flight.
“This is it. Thanks again for driving me.” She said, clenching her hands together.
Jim reached for her hands then, barely noticing they were ice cold.
“Have a good trip. I’ll see you when you get back.” He bent to kiss her lightly. When he made to straighten up again, he suddenly wrapped his arms around her waist and hauled her up to his level. He crushed her lips with his. Finally, coming up for air, he hugged her tightly, her feet still off the ground. He nuzzled her ear, and growled into it.
“Please tell me you’re coming back! Back to Sleepyside and to- to me! I love you!”
Rachel felt tears spring into her eyes. She blinked and swallowed before she was able to speak.
“I love you too! I’m coming back! I promise, Sunday night as planned. My flight comes in at 7:20pm.”
Jim kissed her again, this time, gentler. Letting her slide down his body, he grasped her hands and kissed the back of her knuckles.
“I love you Rachel, have a safe trip.”
The attendant making a final call for the flight stopped any further exchanges. Rachel quickly reached up to kiss his cheek and with a final I love you, she was off.
Rachel was settled into her old room before she knew it. They had a boisterous family dinner that only her brother Eric missed. Eric and his wife Alicia would arrive tomorrow morning. Mike and his wife Christy was there as were Jessica and her boyfriend Jack. They had moved in together after high school, and had a 3 year old son Cole, and a 6 month old daughter, Jordan. After dinner was cleaned up and the kids settled into bed, the adults gathered around for more drinks and coffee. They all caught up on recent happenings in each other’s lives. Finally, Howard, Jack, Mike and Christy all went to bed. Rachel grabbed a quilt from the closet and went to sit outside on the porch swing. Her mother was in the kitchen making sure it was set for the dinner the next day.
Settling into the swing, Rachel’s thoughts soon turned to Jim and his admission of love today. Her thoughts were interrupted by her sister Jessica, who had come outside with 2 steaming mugs of coffee.
“I’ll share with you, if you have a corner of the blanket for me.”
Rachel laughed, “Deal!”
Jess settled into the swing and got comfortable.
“I wish you’d come
to
Rachel patted her sister knee.
“I know, but I wanted a fresh start away from everyone.”
“You know we are all proud of you, don’t you?”
“Thanks Jess.”
“You have made something of yourself. We, of course, knew you were smart enough to do it though.”
“Hey, you’re smart too, you know.” Rachel said, slightly embarrassed over the praise from her sister.
“Nah- you got the brains in the family.” And then after a pause, Jessica added impishly, “I got the beauty.”
Rachel’s head snapped up to look at her, and then they both giggled.
They sat in silence.
Jessica broke the silence, “So, who is he?”
Rachel shook her head, “Never could get anything by you, huh?”
“You told us how
wonderful
“Ok, there is a man.” Rachel admitted.
“And is he worthy of you?”
Rachel smiled wistfully, “He’s so wonderful. I almost think he’s too good to be true.”
“Is he?” Jess asked remembering how hurt her sister was by Jeremy Miller.
“No. I mean, he is such a good man. He’s so sweet to me. I have never felt like I do when I am with him.”
“Does Superman have a name? Or should I call him Clark?”
“His name is Jim. James Frayne.”
“Give me the juicy details.” Jess prodded.
Rachel launched into the story of the night they met, and the next day they’d spent together and how they spent as many days together as they could. She told him of Jim’s school and his unselfish approach to life and his attitude of giving back.
“Maybe not Superman, then, but God?” Jessica teased.
“Seriously sis, I am happy for you.”
Rachel’s eyes had glowed while she spoke of Jim and Jess saw the love there that she felt for this man.
“Does he know you are head over heels in love with him?”
“Well, he told me he loved me before I got on the plane, and I told him I loved him too.”
Rachel went on to
explain that Jim seemed to be afraid she wasn’t coming back to
“Does he have a reason to worry?”
“No, of course not. I
love
“Maybe you should give him a call and let him know you made it safely. Then you can ask him.”
“Hey, I thought I was the older sister. I thought that meant you ask me for advice, not the other way around.”
“You may be older, but I, am the master!” Jess jumped up and told Rachel she’d leave her alone to make her call.
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