Page 42 of Finding Jacob
“Slow down, we have months,” I said, smiling at his mounting enthusiasm. “Nathan knows.”
“I’m glad. If there was ever a man to confide in, it’s him. He is my keeper of secrets,” he said. “When he allows it, I’ll tell you his story.”
“I know some things, but I’m beginning to think there is a crossover with you two. Hence the evasiveness from you both.”
“There are things that you won’t know, for your safety, Anna, but, over the next week or so while we deal with logistics, I’ll tell you what you want.”
“Logistics?”
“Where to live, that kind of thing. My house isn’t exactly child friendly and yours isn’t large enough for me. So, we need a new home.”
“A new...?”
“You weren’t expecting us to live apart, were you?”
He had cocked his head to one side as he’d spoken, and I detected a challenge rather than a question.
“I hadn’t thought about it. Like you, I think I need to get my head around a few things as well. I had expected to go into this as a single parent.”
“That’s not going to happen. Let’s eat, this revelation has me starving.”
I watched him while pretending to scan my menu. I wasn’t convinced he was as happy as he was letting on, not that he was ecstatic, I didn’t think. There was an element of him saying what he thought he needed to say, I was sure. I hadn’t witnessed the beaming smile that a man pleased to learn he was a father would show, not that I expected it. I could only hope we’d be able to come to a reasonable arrangement on how we moved forward.
“Stop thinking and start ordering,” I heard. I hadn’t realised all the while I was staring at him, I wasn’t seeing him.
“I can’t stop thinking. I have a lot to think about,” I said quietly.
“I know you do. But no matter what, I’m not letting you go through this alone.”
“That sounds very...demanding,” I said, smirking at him.
“I’m a demanding kind of guy. I’ve gotten my own way for over fifty years; I highly doubt I’ll change anytime soon.”
Before I could reply, the waiter appeared to take our order. I placed my menu down on the table, having not looked at it at all.
“Order for me?” I asked Jacob. If he was going to be my demanding partner, I might as well make use of that.
He ordered a selection of dishes to share, a bottle of sparking water, and a large glass of red wine for himself. He had offered to order me one as well, but I’d declined.
“What do you want from us?” he asked, rather unexpectedly.
“I’m not sure what you mean.”
“I think we’ve both hinted we’d like for this to become a relationship, but how serious?”
“I’m not looking to get married, if that’s what you’re worried about.”
“I was married once,” he said, his voice lowering. “She was killed, and I don’t think I’ve ever gotten over that.”
“I don’t expect you can, Jacob.”
“She was killed because of me, Anna.” His voice broke and he coughed to regain his composure.
I sat holding my breath.
“I made a wrong call, took on a job I shouldn’t have. Your safety will be paramount to me.”
“Okay,” I said, slowly. “Is it likely to happen again?” I wasn’t sure how to phrase the questions.
