She Belongs to Me (23 page)

Jaynee could hear Jordan’s voice, soft and deep, sensual as always.

He loved her; he had always loved her. She had to tell him about Brian. Why couldn’t she open her eyes so she could see his face? Her mind launched back into pitch darkness unable to remain with him.

63

Chapter
Sixteen

(September 2004)

The last two days of their honeymoon passed swiftly, and Jordan and Jaynee were now boarding a plane heading toward her new residence.

Jaynee felt comfortable with Jordan, as if she’d already known him for years, not days. She discovered some of his likes, anything outdoors. His dislikes, such as his passionate hatred for innocent tomatoes. And his quirks, the strange noise he made when he brushed his teeth. She thought it might annoy her at first, but she found herself laughing every time she heard him. And though they didn’t allow much time for television, several times when she was in the bathroom, he clicked it on. She could hear him from the other room laughing all by himself, with no one to share in the humor.

Jaynee loved to watch funny shows, movies and comedians but realized she rarely laughed aloud. Her father had made her laugh. He made everyone laugh. He’d be in a roomful of strangers and could have them laughing within minutes, forever the comedian. His wives never laughed at him though. She remembered telling his last wife, if you like him the way he is now, fishing, playing and humor you’ll succeed, if not your marriage will never last. The woman told Jaynee she
loved all of those things
.
A
fterward
,
Jaynee
had
learned otherwise. Not only did she despise fishing, she couldn’t even swim
;
she was terrified of the water. Her dad had longed for retirement, so he could move onto a houseboat and become a charter fishing boat captain. When he realized his dream would never come to fruition, shackled by this woman who didn’t love him, knowing if he divorced her, she’d take half his money and retirement, he decided to take his own life.

Jaynee found all the characteristics in Jordan that she’d loved about her father. He was funny, charming and above all, giving. Jordan was the kind of guy
who
would give the shirt off his back to a man on the street if needed. She was anxious to learn how to do all the things he enjoyed.

It had petrified her when her dad killed himself after growing up with the knowledge her mother had been suicidal.

She had questioned her aunt about her concerns. How did she stand a chance at being normal when both her parents were crazy? Her aunt chastised her lovingly, reminding her, Gram was her mentor and telling Jaynee she thought she was the sweetest and strongest young lady she had ever known, and that she was proud Jaynee hadn’t used her past as a crutch. Jaynee was thankful for her aunt and grandmother and even her three older cousins whom had all treated her like a daughter. But it would never be the same; she would always wonder what it would
be like to have a real mother—
a family. An
alive
father and
a mother who wasn’t always one-
step away from committing suicide anyway.

She felt reprehensible for not allowing them the opportunity to participate in her wedding. She just hadn’t wanted to burden them. Gram would have notified everyone. Jaynee would have to call them next week and explain her actions, but for now, she was with Jordan.

And on Jordan’s arm, Jaynee felt
as if
she was finally going home.

She wasn’t sure if she even knew what home was supposed to feel like. She had been unloved and abused most of her adolescence and never felt wanted.

Living on her own this past year had been as close to a home as she had ever known, but she was lonely. She did the same thing every day, ate the same foods, read the same things and went to the same places. It wasn’t a life; it was an existence.

Jordan was her home now. He was offering her love and a life. She wrapped her hands tighter around his arm as they stood at the front of the line to board the plane.

Jordan looked down into her eyes, kissed her on the forehead and draped his other arm across the front of her, pulling her closer. He didn’t say anything but seemed to comprehend.

Jaynee reached up on her tiptoes. He understood and tilted his head to kiss her gently on the lips. Not a long kiss, but it was warm and loving as his lips parted and melted into hers.

He pulled back to look at her face, searching her eyes, seemingly trying to discern her thoughts. “Are you nervous?” he asked.

“Not really. I was just thinking how much I love you,” she said, resting her head on his bicep.

“I love you too, truly I do.” He breathed in deep. The warmth of his love filled her senses. “We’ll be home soon. Are you ready to see your new house?”

“I am…” And the truth of the statement hit her hard. She was ready to begin her new life with Jordan. “Won’t you tell me anything about the house or the pets?”

“Nope,” he said, directing her to their seat on the plane. He stored their luggage in the overhead compartment before continuing. “You know how I like my surprises. And since I cannot make any alterations without consulting you first, I would sort of enjoy having this final opportunity to surprise you.”

She playfully slapped his arm. “Jordan, you know that is not what I meant, and you
have
managed to drop many surprises on me anyway.” She looked at him under her lashes, an attempt to be seductive, whispering, “Besides, I rather like your surprises.”

***

Melissa had arrived early to ready Jordan’s house for his return. Rach
a
el too, but she hadn’t stopped moaning since they walked inside.

Jordan
had
asked Melissa to bring home Boomer, his boxer, who had been staying with her and Bobby while he was away. Melissa never minded. Boomer was like one of the family
;
everyone loved him. Melissa noticed Boomer looked despondent the last couple of days, even playing with the kids he looked depressed. He kept
looking toward the front door, anticipating Jordan to walk in she suspected.

When she loaded him in the truck this morning, he was as happy as she had seen him in weeks.

Jordan had requested Melissa and Rachael freshen up his residence. And if it wasn’t too much trouble, to purchase two dozen red roses and have them sitting in the foyer so his new wife would see them when they arrived.

Rachael, as always, complained. She grumbled about everything. Melissa never understood why. Jordan was a fantastic brother. He was five years younger than Melissa and two younger than Rachael, but he had never been a nuisance as som
e of her girlfriend
s
’
little brothers. She loved taking him places when he was little. Everyone loved Jordan, especially her husband Bobby.

Melissa had missed Jordan when he entered the Army. Times were difficult. They all had returned to their parents’ hometown when
D
addy retired for medical reasons, but
D
addy and Jordan always a
rgued. It wasn’t Jordan’s fault;
D
addy just never let up on him. He pushed him toward a career he never wanted. Jordan always wanted to be a cop and was extremely talented with his hands. He didn’t want the life
D
addy made for their family. Jordan didn’t want to live in a different city every two years or be away from his family six months at a time. Even when he was young, Jordan wanted a real family. He wanted a wife and kids, something abnormal to hear from a teenage boy. And he was always affectionate with her children. So, Melissa wasn’t surprised when he called and said he was getting
married and asked her to freshen up the house and prepare a cookout tomorrow.

She owed him big, and so did Rachael. If it wasn’t for him, neither of them would be enjoying their current lifestyle. Jordan had started his business modestly, doing odd jobs at night and on weekends, and then larger opportunities started pouring in, so he offered employment to both of their husbands. Next thing they knew, the three of them were building mansions on Lake Norman. Of course, Jordan was the sole proprietor of the company but both Bobby and Ronny did extremely well working with him. Ronny attempted venturing out on his own, but when that failed, Jordan welcomed him back no hard feelings. Rachael could just get over herself. She always wanted more than she had, always afraid she’d ruin that perfect manicure.

It wasn’t as if there was even anything to clean. Jordan never left junk around, always picked up after himself. More than she could say for Bobby, but Bobby was a wonderful husband. He worked hard, and when he finished, he was home with her in their children.

Melissa wondered what Jaynee would look like. Always one for surprises, Jordan refused to divulge anything. Bobby thought she’d look like a beach-bunny with long, platinum hair and dark tanned skin. Bu
t that didn’t sound like Jordan;
he always preferred brunettes. She didn’t care what Jaynee looked like
,
providing sh
e treated her baby brother well;
that was all that mattered to Melissa.

While Rachael finished vacuuming, Melissa pulled out the chocolate-chip cookies she
’d
baked and prepared
a pot of vanilla coffee. The weather was perfect, a beautiful autumn day, so she opened the windows to allow the aroma of the fallen leaves and cut grass to drift through the house. After flipping on the water-heater fuse, she locked Boomer in the garage with his stuffed animal. The toy was missing both of its eyes and nose, had only three legs and its tail was barely hanging on, but he lunged for it, happily throwing it in the air and then proceeded to pounce on it once it landed. He loved his lion, and every year Jordan purchased him a new one for Christmas. It was a good thing Christmas was close;
Simba
was looking rather ragged.

“So tomorrow night around six,” Melissa reminded Rachael as they exited the front door, locking it behind them. They all had keys to one another’s houses in case any of them needed help. One big happy family or at least Melissa always thought so. “I’ll prepare the barbeque, Mom’s bringing dessert and you’ll make all the side dishes, right?”

“Sure thing, Sissy,” Rachael grumbled, “anything for our baby brother…”

“Rachael, why are you always so negative?” Melissa asked, suppressing a growl. “You of all people should be thankful to Jordan for everything he’s done for you and Ronny.”

Rachael dropped her shoulders in surrender. “I know,
and
I am,” she admitted. “I just think this is irresponsible of Jordan, marrying without the family even knowing her, don’t you agree?” Rachael’s face flushed with chagrin.

Melissa shook her head, suppressing a laugh at her sister’s ridiculous comment. “When has Jordan ever done anything irresponsible? He’s one of the most responsible men I know. We need to support him and make her feel welcome. Do you hear me? You need to be pleasant. Jordan deserves that.” Melissa walked off, leaving Rachael standing on the porch.

Melissa was right Rachael realized.

Ronny had been such a bear Saturday and had been worried sick all week that this woman would change everything. She was probably after his money Ronny alleged and would ruin Jordan and his business, maybe even fire his brothers. But now that Rachael considered his concerns, they did sound juvenile. Why had Ronny been so upset? Why was he worried? Even when they had lost almost everything, Jordan helped them get back on their feet. He had given Ronny his position back and an advance to catch-up on their mortgage payments.

Rachael would demonstrate southern hospitality to Jordan’s bride. She could pretend to be sweet.

***

Lorraine watched from a driveway down the street as the two women left Jordan’s house. She wondered what his sisters were doing, but then again knowing Jordan she could imagine.

She left work early in the pretense she was working on the reception for Jordan but instead decided to come here. She neede
d to see them when they arrived;
she
needed to witness with her own eyes that Jordan had really married someone else. Maybe his bride-to-be
had
developed cold feet and changed her mind after taking advantage of Jordan and his complimentary vacation to Vegas.

Jordan had called only once since Saturday. The conversation had lasted mere minutes, long enough to double-check all arrangements for the reception were going smoothly and that she
’d
invited everyone from his precinct along with his other friends, neighbors and associates they did regular business.

He hadn’t even inquired about their latest project. Would he allow the business to suffer because of this woman? Lorraine held a stake in the business too, when the company was profitable, she received her share of compensation. She couldn’t afford to relinquish that part of Jordan too.