“Jess, are you okay?” Summer’s voice came from beside her, deep with concern. “You’ve gone really pale.”
Breathe. In, out. In, out. Jess forced a smile and slipped the thimble from her finger. “Sorry. I’ve got a bit of a headache. I felt a little woozy there for a minute.”
“We can stop for today. Maybe you need to lie down? Or maybe it’s the fine detail of the stitches bothering your eyes. Do you want to take something for it?”
Bless her, Summer was in mothering mode and it was hard for Jess to say no. Mike had no power over her now. Never would again. She’d repeat it to herself until she believed it, just as she’d done in the years since she’d left him. And it would be okay.
“I’ll be fine. I just need to make some tea or something.”
Summer popped up from her chair. “You need to relax. Let’s leave this for now and go up to your loft. You can chill out and I’ll make the tea.”
What Jess really wanted was to be alone, but she could hardly throw Summer out. Truth be told, she was tired. The foot traffic was picking up again and she had added extra evening classes. During the day she’d been working on replenishing her stock—something she didn’t have much time to do over the summer months. Yesterday she’d spent the whole day on candles, which sold briskly when the autumn set in. There were still the necklaces for the wedding to make, too …
They climbed the stairs to Jess’s loft—her living space above the store and workroom. It was a huge area, the entire second floor divided into a single bedroom, bathroom, and common-area living room and kitchen. She’d kept the colors deliberately light and restful—creamy white and pale aqua with the smallest splashes of taupe and apricot in the decoration. The floor was natural maple hardwood, adding to the impression of light and space. An array of Jess’s candles and seashells were arranged atop a glass-topped coffee table. The same wall of windows faced the harbor, with white roman blinds pulled open now but ready to drape down for privacy as needed.
Jess preferred to keep them open as much as possible.
Just being here brought her stress levels down. Summer instantly went to fill the kettle sitting on the stove and told Jess to sit.
Jess obeyed, sinking into the soft cushions of her sofa. From there she directed Summer to the cups and tea bags, leaned back, and gratefully closed her eyes. It made sense if Summer thought she had a headache, but truthfully she was just trying to calm down and not have a panic attack. She’d already felt her head go light, her leg muscles tighten up, the telltale tingling of her scalp. It didn’t happen often, not anymore. The mention of Mike Greer was enough to set it off.
“You like milk, Jess?”
“Just a little, yes, please.” She opened her eyes, feeling slightly more in control. “Thanks, Summer. I don’t know what came over me.” Liar, a voice in her head accused, but she ignored it. She’d learned how to cover a long time ago.
“Please,” Summer chided, bringing over a steaming mug. “You’re always taking care of everyone else, Jess. Sometimes you need looking after, too. How’s the head?”
“A little better, thanks.” She sipped at the hot tea … delicious. More of the tension drained away. Summer, for all her quirky appearances, was a nurturing soul.
“I really love it up here, Jess. It’s like having the beach right in your apartment.”
“That was the general idea.” She smiled faintly. “Thanks for this. I think I needed the sit-down.”
“Tessa’s got the store and you’re right here if she needs anything. You should have a nap. You’ve got that burning the candle at both ends look about you.”
“I might do that.”
“In that case I’ll let you go. I want to stop by the soap shop on the way home. I’m out of lavender oil.”
Summer took her mug to the kitchen and came back, giving Jess’s hand a squeeze. “Take some time for yourself, sweetie. You deserve it as much as anyone else. See you later.”
When she was gone Jess sighed and put her mug on the coffee table and slid down on the sofa, pulling a cream-colored throw over her. Maybe just a short nap. Just for a few minutes …
* * *
Darkness filtered through the windows as Jess jerked awake from a nightmare, sitting up abruptly. Her breath came hard and fast; sweat trickled down her temples and she pulled her knees into her chest while she tried to get her bearings.
God, it had been so real. Like he was right there, back in the Greer summer cottage where they’d moved in together. Sheltered by the woods on three sides and with wide open water on the other, the property was secluded and private. More like isolated. A prison. Over the years, Jess had learned a lot about abusive relationships, about the emotional and psychological damage that came with living with someone like Mike. But at night, she just remembered the sight of his face twisted with ugly anger, the sound of his hand hitting her cheek echoing through the air the millisecond before the numbing pain struck.
Jess smoothed her hands over her face, trying to shut the memories out and focus on the present, but in the dim light of her living room, she could still feel Mike’s hands circling her neck until she saw black and gray blotches. Not long enough for her to lose consciousness. Only long enough to keep the fear pounding through her veins, just the way he wanted it.
She trembled all over and couldn’t stop. Tears streaked down her cheeks as she fought to banish the images from her mind. She was in her home. She was safe, and Mike Greer was long out of the picture. But his family had just moved home, and his mom was sick. There was no way one promise made years ago was going to keep him away for good.
Shoving her damp hair back from her face, she rose unsteadily, went to the kitchen, and poured herself a glass of water. Then she picked up the phone and dialed.
“This is Josh.”
“Hey, brother.” Her voice came out slightly shaky. Damn.