Page 41 of Sweet Deal
All Jim could think was what a difference a day made. The bathroom door, which had previously represented a carefully negotiated boundary, now creaked open and closed with an easy familiarity.
Rachel moved about the room, her earlier tension replaced by a soft, contented glow that made his chest ache in the best possible way. She hummed a little tune as she brushed her hair, the lamplight catching the silver in her pearl earrings—the same ones she’d worn that morning, an eternity ago, before their world had tilted, then righted itself in a way he still couldn’t quite believe.
Taking his turn in the bathroom, he changed into his usual pajama pants and tugged the t-shirt on as he walked back into the room.
Glancing his way as she pulled back the covers on her side of the bed, Rachel’s eyes fell on the angry bruises surrounding his battered ribs. “Still sore?”
“Barely feel it,” he lied. Watching her climb into her side of the bed, it struck him how quickly they’d established these small rituals, how easily they’d carved out space in each other’s lives. Only tonight felt different—no more pretending, no more walls between them.
As they climbed in, instead of the usual careful retreat to their respective edges, a silent, mutual understanding drew them towards the middle. He settled onto his back, and without a word, Rachel turned onto her side, her head finding the curve of his good shoulder, her arm draping lightly across his chest. Her hair, smelling faintly of wildflowers, tickled his chin. He instinctively tightened his arm around her, pulling her closer, breathing in her scent. This felt… right. Impossibly, wonderfully right.
“You’re quiet,” she murmured, her breath soft against his neck.
“Just thinking,” he admitted. All through dinner, washing dishes, the casual family conversation afterward, his mind had been racing, filled with possibilities he’d never considered before today.
“About?”
His fingers traced idle patterns along her arm, marveling at the softness of her skin, the easy intimacy they’d fallen into. How had he ever imagined this would be temporary? “Mostly about what comes next.”
Rachel shifted, propping herself up on one elbow to look at him. In the soft glow of the bedside lamp, her eyes searched his face. “You haven’t changed your mind, have you?”
The uncertainty in her voice tugged at something deep in his chest. Jim reached up, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “Not a chance. Not ever.”
The smile that spread across her face was like sunrise—slow, beautiful, illuminating. She leaned down, pressing her lips gently against his. Jim’s hand came up to cup the back of her neck, keeping her close as the kiss deepened, still marveling that he was allowed to do this now. That this wasn’t for show or appearance, but because they’d made a vow, no longer a business deal for one year, but now it was understood they would love and honor till death do they part.
When she pulled back, he reveled in every detail of her face—the slight flush in her cheeks, the flecks of gold in her green eyes, the softness of her lips.
Jim shifted, sitting up a bit straighter against the pillows, organizing his thoughts. “I’ve been thinking about Michael and kids like him. The ones falling through the cracks.”
“There are so many,” Rachel said, a familiar sadness touching her eyes.
“Too many,” Jim agreed. “And the system is broken. I saw that today.” He paused, gathering his courage for what felt strangely like a second proposal. “I have resources, Rachel. What if we used some of it to start a foundation?”
Her eyes widened. “A foundation?”
“Something to help these kids—a safe home, halfway house, outpatient therapy.” His words came faster now, excitement building. “Whatever you think would make a real difference.”
For a long moment, Rachel just stared at him, her lips slightly parted in surprise. The silence stretched, and doubt began to creep in.
“I’ve learned a lot since coming home. The business can run just fine without me. Don’t get me wrong, I’ll still go back from time to time to make sure all is as it should be, but I don’t ever want to live for my job again. I could run this new foundation—with your guidance—and really make a difference. Is it a bad idea?” Uncertainty edged into his voice.
Then Rachel’s face transformed, a smile blooming that rivaled the Texas sun. She leaned over him, her face hovering just above his, close enough that he could feel her breath on his lips.
“No, Mr. Henderson,” she whispered. “I think it’s a wonderful idea.”
Relief and joy surged through him. He reached up, his hand cupping the back of her neck, drawing her down for a kiss that was slow, sweet, and full of a future he hadn’t dared to dream of until her. It was a kiss that promised shared dawns, quiet evenings, and a lifetime of making a difference, side by side. A lifetime of sweet.
Chapter Eighteen– Epilogue
Jillian Sweet leaned back, surveying the scene spread out before her. Chores were done, the week was winding down, and the conversations flowed as easily as the sweet tea Alice kept refilling. Garret stood by the massive smoker wielding tongs with the authority of a pit master while the scent of burning mesquite and seasoned meats made her mouth water.
Across from her Rachel and Jim’s shoulders brushed as they leaned in to share a quiet comment over something Mason explained with barbecue-sauce-covered hands. A moment after, the newly married couple shared a glance. The food forgotten, Jim sweetly swirled gentle caresses with his thumb along Rachel’s arm. Her sister and her new husband radiated a quiet, confident happiness, a comfortable intimacy that made Jillian’s heart feel a little lighter.
“Garret, these ribs are fantastic.” From her seat at the picnic table under the massive oak, Sarah Sue licked sauce from her fingers.
“You outdid yourself with the brisket.” Seated beside his wife, Carson stabbed at another slice, the two pausing to smile at each other as if their very lives depended on maintaining a silent connection.
“Honestly, Alice,” Jess reached for another helping of potato salad, “what’s your secret? Mine never, ever tastes this good, and I swear I follow your recipe to the letter.”
