Safe & Sound (30 page)

“I promised her that you would call when you woke up and after you ate,” he said sheepishly.

“You spoke with her?”

“Believe it or not, I have spoken with Lanie and Stella several times in the last 24 hours. They care a great deal about you. You are all very lucky to have each other. That kind of friendship and loyalty these days is rare.”

I nodded in agreement. I spent the next 30 minutes on the phone with Stella, assuring her that I was okay. Yawning, I turned to Ross, who declared it was time for bed. After much protest, he let me walk to bed. He again pulled back the cover and let me slide in while he got on top of the blankets, letting me curl up on his chest.

“You probably haven’t gotten any sleep in days,” I mumbled.

“Don’t you worry about me. My nights have been just as wonderful as my days,” he whispered as I fell asleep.

I woke up the next morning trying to remember everything that had occurred over the last few days. My body ached as I stretched my legs and moved slightly, trying not to wake Ross.

“I hope you’re not thinking of sneaking out of bed again,” he said from beside me.

“You’re awake?” I said, surprised, and rolled over to look at him.

“Just barely. How are you feeling?” He looked concerned.

“I’m achy and sore, but my head isn’t pounding.” I gingerly touched my check. “How are you feeling?”

“Me? I’m fine.”

“I’m not the only one who took a hit. You took a few swings that got stitches and bruises too,” I added, reaching up and letting my fingers lightly touch his cheek.

“True, but you’re the only one who got knocked out,” he mumbled, grabbing my hand and kissing me on the nose.

“Breakfast?” he asked

“Yes, but let me cook,” I said, looking back at him.

“Are you up for it?”

“Yes. Please let me feel useful.”

“Okay, but we will probably need to go to the store. Your fridge is pathetic.”

We lay in bed a little while longer, chatting, and then I got up and dressed while Ross went downstairs and made coffee for both of us. After that, we drove to Ross’s uncle’s place so he could change and grab a couple of items before heading to the grocery store. When we returned home, I was more tired than I thought I would be. I napped on the sofa while Ross ended up making something to eat, more as an early lunch than breakfast. We decided to sit on the beach and enjoy the peaceful late summer afternoon. For dinner, I was finally able to show my cooking skills, making Ross steak and potatoes while I enjoyed a simple salad and more soup from the previous night.

The sun started to set and Ross and I found ourselves on the sofa. We first talked about Harry, and I explained my friendship with him as well as his odd behavior since Jay’s death. Ross asked several questions about Jay, which I answered before his phone rang. He excused himself for a moment to take the call.

“The group is going to be out on the beach this evening if you are interested,” he said when he came back.

“Oh,” I said, not sure if I wanted to see anyone.

“Actually, they specifically asked for you to come.”

“Really?”

“What? They took a real liking to you. You’re easy to like.” I finally agreed that it would be nice to see everyone and enjoy the summer for as long as we could. I changed into jeans and a cotton shirt and grabbed a blanket off the sofa as Ross grabbed his guitar and we headed to the beach. I could already see the group gathered around the bonfire as we approached. I was thankful it was already so dark that my injuries wouldn’t look as bad.

“Jill! Ross!” April called us as we approached. Several people got up and gave us hugs and asked us how we were doing. Apparently, the island was abuzz with the encounter at my house and everyone already knew all the details as if they had been there themselves. Mandy and April fussed over our injuries before letting us settle in around the bonfire. Zach appeared with the ingredients to make s’mores and soon the conversation became a steady hum of stories and chatter as everyone toasted marshmallows and enjoyed each other’s company. In no time, as usual, people asked Ross to play, and he happily picked up his guitar and started to play. After a while, he asked me if I had any requests. I thought back to my research in New York, discovering all the songs he had written and picked one I could remember. He raised his eyebrows at my request but said nothing and just started to play.

“I love that song,” Mandy commented when he was done.

“I know. That group is one of my favorites,” Mark commented.

I was shocked that no one had made the connection to Ross and was about to say something when Ross shook his head at me. Apparently, he wasn’t forthcoming with his friends either.

“I have to get going. I have an early shift at the grocery store,” Zach said, rising, and as if on cue, we all stood to leave, one by one. Ross grabbed my hand and we strolled quietly back to the house. On the porch, I stopped to look out over the ocean. Ross cleared his throat.

“You really did your research, didn’t you?” he asked in a playful voice.

“I told you I did,” I said, turning to face him.

“I have known those guys for years and none of them have ever figured it all out. They know bits and pieces, but most of them think I couldn’t hack it. Yet you figure it out in weeks,” he said, shaking his head.

“What can I say? I wanted to know,” I said, shrugging my shoulders. “Ross I think it’s time for you to leave Oak Island,” I added hesitantly.

“I know I need to leave, but I finally have a legit reason to stay,” he said, leaning down to kiss me. I kissed him back and he eventually stopped and started to pull away. I looked up into his eyes and for a brief second I saw my future in them. I put my hand on the side of his face, and poured my heart into my kiss. Somewhere in the middle of the kiss something changed and I led Ross back into the house. At the bottom of the stairs, he swept me up and carried me to bed. He hesitated before he put me down on the bed looking at me for reassurance.

“Are you sure?” he asked, gently leaning over me. I nodded in response, pulling my shirt over my head and dropping it on the floor next to the bed. He leaned back, and I pulled his shirt over his head, dropping it on the floor next to mine. Carefully and gently, we explored all that was left to explore between us before finally making love. Afterward, I curled up next to Ross, who had joined me under the covers and listened to his breathing deepen as he started to fall asleep.

“Ross?” I whispered. I waited for a response but didn’t hear anything.

“I love you too,” I whispered again before falling asleep.

CHAPTER 33

R
oss and I settled into a familiar pattern. I would get up with Ross for breakfast, and he would leave for work while I would go for a run. After work, we would eat dinner on the back porch and spend most of our evening on the sofa where I would write in my journal and he would play the guitar and write music. On many evenings, we joined our friends on the beach, hanging out, listening to music, and more specifically, listening to Ross play the guitar and learning the latest town gossip from Mandy. It was a comfort and security that I hadn’t felt in a long time. It made me relax. It was this routine that carried us through the end of the summer to Labor Day weekend.

“I can’t believe everyone is coming to visit this weekend,” I exclaimed one night at dinner.

“You can at least pretend to be excited your friends are coming,” Ross said teasing me.

“Given the past year, this is the longest the three of us have gone without seeing each other,” I said, ignoring his comment. “Are you nervous?”

He was fidgeting with his food. “I have played in front of thousands, met some pretty big names in the business, but strangely, yes,” he said. “Spending a weekend with you and your two best friends terrifies me.”

“You have nothing to worry about. They already love you and you have met Lanie before.”

“Under extremely different circumstances,” he commented as I continued to prattle on about our weekend plans.

After 15 minutes, he interrupted me. “Do you want me to stay at my uncle’s this weekend?”

“Why?”

“I just don’t want to get in the way of your time with your friends.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. They want to meet you and I want you to meet them.”

“I understand that, but if it’s weird about me spending the night …”

“No. Don’t be silly. Your place this weekend is with me.” I ruffled his hair as I walked past him on the way to the kitchen.

“Okay.” He laughed.

Stella’s plane flew into Raleigh and Lanie and Mary Elizabeth were going to pick her up before heading to the beach. I had spent the better part of the week cleaning and making the guest bedrooms as inviting as possible. It was a little after noon on Friday when they pulled into the driveway. I flew down the stairs and met them at the car before they could even get out.

Stella got to me first and embraced me in a long hug.

“Let me take a look,” she said, pulling me back.

“Look at what?” I asked in confusion.

“No scars,” she said, looking at my face. She was referring to my stitches and fractured jaw.

“Nope. No evidence it ever happened,” I said, turning to Lanie for a hug to avoid further inquisition from Stella. The doctor had removed my stitches and cleared me on all my injuries several weeks earlier, which I had already told Stella several times.

“Jill, you look really good, happy,” Mary Elizabeth said when I embraced her.

“Thank you. It’s taken a while, but I’m getting there.” I helped them with their luggage as I directed them to their rooms.

“Where’s the boy toy?” Stella said, once we got inside.

“He has to work to the end of the day,” I answered, showing everyone the final improvements that had been done around the house. Stella nodded and reached into her bag to pull out two bottles of champagne. I giggled and showed her the two I was already chilling in the fridge.

“Perfection,” she said as she opened one and poured everyone drinks. We settled in on the back porch with our drinks and snacks and chatted until I heard the front door open and close.

“Does he have a key?” Lanie whispered, and I nodded my head and leaned back to wave to Ross, who walked out onto the back porch and instantly kissed me on my forehead. He was dressed in long ripped jeans and construction boots with a semiwhite, tight shirt that showed his muscular figure. He greeted everyone before excusing himself to shower and change.

“Is he living here?” Stella whispered.

“I guess for the most part,” I said, shrugging my shoulders. We had never had a formal conversation about it. It just happened. As we spent more time together, he started keeping some of his things at the house.

“I’m sorry if I’m being rude, and you know you don’t have to worry about me, but, damn, Jill, he’s fine,” Mary Elizabeth said. I paused for a moment, looking at Mary Elizabeth before we all burst into giggles. It felt so nice to have everyone under one roof.

Ross joined us after he had showered. He was dressed in dark jeans and a, faded polo with the collar up. He passed when Stella offered him a glass of champagne and instead helped himself to a beer in the fridge. As soon as he sat down, Stella, Lanie and Mary Elizabeth launched into a battery of questions for him. I excused myself to start preparing dinner. At one point, I stepped outside to see if anyone needed refills and I stole a glance with Ross. He just shrugged his shoulders and took it all in stride. I called everyone in for dinner around seven and the conversation shifted away from Ross and onto general topics. It was well past midnight when we all said goodnight and I crawled into bed next to Ross.

“That wasn’t too bad?” I asked as he leaned over and turned off the lights.

“No, it wasn’t. They are all very nice,” he said, pausing. “I kinda feel like I just met your parents.”

“Not a bad analogy,” I said, thinking it over. “Ross, is this moving too fast for you?”

“Is what moving too fast?”

“Us—this relationship. I mean, you’re fairly young. Most people your age are still dating, going out every night, hooking up with random people. We have kinda settled into a domesticated relationship. We do practically live together.” I could feel him tense up slightly but I couldn’t read his face.

“Two thoughts,” he finally said after a pause. “First, would you rather I shacked up with a stranger every night?”

“Well, no,” I replied.

“Didn’t think so. Second, I wouldn’t trade what we have going on, domesticated or not, for anything.” He leaned down and kissed the top of my head. “I mean, my age is just a number. So what if you were born in an era when they still used rotary phones and cassette tapes? I think it’s cute.”

I laughed and snuggled up closer to him as I fell asleep.

In the morning, Ross helped me make breakfast for everyone. We were enjoying our first cup of coffee, waiting for everyone else to get up, when his phone rang. He grabbed it and motioned he would be right back as he stepped out on the porch. Just then, Stella came around the corner.

“Good morning,” I said.

“Coffee?” she asked, and I pointed to the counter.

“How did you sleep?”

“At first I couldn’t sleep because there was no noise, but once I did, it was nice not to be woken up this morning by a honking taxi or garbage truck.”

“That was the best night’s sleep ever,” Mary Elizabeth added as she and Lanie came around the corner, also directly heading for the coffee.

“Breakfast is on the table if you guys are ready to eat.” I motioned to the pancakes and fruit sitting on the table.

“Where is Ross?” Lanie asked.

“He took a call out on the porch,” I said and shrugged my shoulders when Stella asked who had called.

We settled in for breakfast and Ross joined us a couple of minutes later.

“Everything okay?” I asked as he sat down.

“Yea,” he said, clearly distracted by the call.

I let it go and we enjoyed our breakfast and discussed our plans for the rest of the day. It was unanimously decided that we would spend the day on the beach and then head out for dinner. After breakfast, Lanie and Mary Elizabeth insisted on doing the dishes. We were standing around talking when Ross came up behind me.