Page 37 of The House on Blueberry Lane

“What’s really sad is that you honestly thought that it would be easy, Jaye.”

No, he hadn’t thought that, but he figured he had a plan and time on his side. What he hadn’t expected was the proposal she’d offered him, where she made it clear all she wanted from him was sex. Just like he’d assumed in the beginning that that had been all he’d wanted from her.

“I didn’t think it would be easy, Dad. I just assumed if she truly loved me, she would still have some feelings for me. Feelings that I could rekindle.”

“And you’ve discovered she doesn’t.”

He took a sip of wine. “That’s what she says.” But there was no way he could accept that. “I still plan on getting her back, Dad.”

“You can only do so if she lets you, Jaye. The worst thing you can become is a nuisance.”

No way he would tell his dad that Velvet didn’t see him as a nuisance but the man she wanted to scratch her sexual itch. “I won’t become a nuisance, but I’m determined more than ever to regain her love and her trust.”

Jaye swirled the wine in his glass and then looked at his father. “How did you do it? You sent Arlene away at first.”

“Yes, but not for two years. That’s a long time. I came to my senses about Arlene in less than two weeks. Even then, I had to prove to her just how much she meant to me. I thought that was your plan for Velvet.”

“It was and still is, but she’s convinced that she no longer loves me.”

“If that’s true, then what do you plan to do? I know how much you love her, Jaye, and for you, giving up and walking away is not an option, is it?”

“No, it’s not. I love her too much and already I might have competition.”

His father lifted a brow. “She’s involved with someone?”

“No. In fact, it’s my understanding she hasn’t dated since ending things with me.”

“Just like you haven’t dated since things ended with her,” his father said. “So, who is your competition?”

Jaye told his father about Webb Crawford’s visit. Not surprisingly, his father shook his head and said the man had a few screws loose if he thought his arrogant attitude was a way to win over Velvet.

Jaye thought so, too. At least the old Velvet wouldn’t tolerate such foolishness. However, this new Velvet concerned him. She claimed she wasn’t looking for forever anymore, just a bed partner. That was all Crawford wanted as well. Jaye knew he had to convince Velvet she was much more than that to any man. “I made a mess of things and intend to fix it.”

“So, I’m going to ask you again, Jaye, what are you going to do?”

Jaye released a frustrated sigh, when he thought of his last conversation with Velvet. Maybe giving Velvet what she wanted, or thought she wanted, wouldn’t be a bad idea. Especially if it would give him time to convince her they would be sharing love and not just lust.

He would make things so good between them that the little fling she wanted would become something more meaningful and permanent. “Nothing has changed. I intend to repair the damage I caused, but with a new strategy.”

“And what strategy is that?”

“Not anything specific, but nothing is off the table.”

And Jaye meant nothing. He didn’t like the idea of them not going public because of possible small-town gossip, but he had to remember they weren’t in Phoenix. They were in Catalina Cove, Louisiana. From the short while he’d lived there, he knew most of the people were good and not judgmental. However, there were those who thought they had a right to know everything that went on. They were the same people who expected high morals and virtuous behavior even if their own were questionable.

For that reason, he could understand Velvet’s concern. Maybe keeping out of sight of prying eyes was a good thing for now, especially when he intended to make sure the house on Blueberry Lane became the place when their love would blossom again.

“I wish you success, Jaye. You know how I feel about Velvet. She was the best thing to ever happen to you. I’m sorry you let what happened between me and your mother be the reason you refused to fall in love. But then I did the same thing for years.” Jack Colfax, Sr., took another sip of wine. “Now that I know what it’s like to have a good woman in my life, I want the same thing for my sons. I honestly hope things work out between you and Velvet.”

Jaye nodded. He was hoping for the same thing.

“AND JAYE DIDN’T tell you when he’d be back, Velvet?”

Dressed in her pj’s, Velvet sat at the kitchen table talking to Ruthie. She’d finally gotten around to calling her best friend to tell her how things had gone down between her and Jaye Monday night. Of course, Ruthie had been pleased Velvet had taken her advice to have a fling with Jaye. Especially since she’d admitted to Ruthie months ago, before Jaye even arrived in town, that she was going through sexual withdrawal. Now, after experiencing her first orgasm in two years, she was convinced what she was now facing was an addiction. To her detriment, those wants, needs and desires were only for Jaye.

“No. All he said was that he was going away on business.”

“I’m a little disappointed,” Ruthie said. “I would have thought that once you told him what you wanted and needed, he would have acted immediately. Why is he giving you time to think about anything?”

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