Page 13 of Coming Home

She moved to her tiny bathroom. It had a small vanity barely wider than the sink, a toilet, and a shower stall that she doubted any male would fit into. The thought of a naked male in it brought to mind the very large Jackson Martin. She still remembered his stats listed in the weekly football program. Six-two. One hundred and ninety pounds. Friday nights in the fall meant attending games, and her father continually raving about Jackson and his throwing arm. He had also taken Ainsley to the high school basketball games, where Jackson’s height had gone up an inch the last season he played before graduation. Having stood next to him twice this morning, she believed he had topped out at six-three, though he seemed even more muscular than his playing days. She recalled his calves and how they had made her grow faint.

“Even more ridiculous,” she told herself.

Jackson was only visiting the Cove. Willow had told her he practiced criminal law in L.A. and that he had just wrapped up a huge murder case, getting his client off. Ainsley didn’t keep up much with the news. She preferred spending her free time getting lost in old movies and books or biking and hiking outdoors. The news always seemed depressing to her, full of violence and heartbreak.

But Jackson was here this weekend. And he had asked her out. She wondered why he had done so. It had been a very spontaneous request, coming out of the blue. She wondered if Willow and Dylan might accompany them to the Old Coast Pub House since she doubted Jackson would be in town long and would want to spend as much time as he could with his sister.

Her heart began beating rapidly again as she thought of spending tonight in his company. Game Night was always a highlight for her. She enjoyed the group of friends. Their teasing and camaraderie. Their closeness. She would have to watch herself, though, and make sure her gaze didn’t linger on Jackson too much. Though she’d never told anyone about her crush on him—not even Rylie—her friends were astute. They would pick up on anything out of the ordinary.

Besides, did she really have a crush this many years later? She had been twelve when she idolized Jackson Martin. She was twenty-eight now. An adult. A responsible adult who owned a bakery. She wasn’t a gawky pre-teen any longer. She would behave in a mature, responsible fashion tonight. And tomorrow night, when Jackson picked her up. Their date was nothing special.

“Liar,” she said under her breath as she freshened her lipstick and squirted the last bit of perfume on her wrists before rubbing them together and then dabbing them against her neck.

Ainsley ran a brush through her hair one more time. It fell into waves, striking just below her shoulders. She studied her image in the mirror with a critical eye. This was as good at it got. Time to leave and stop second-guessing herself.

She left the bathroom and slipped into her all-weather coat since rain was predicted for later this evening. Heading downstairs, she collected Dylan’s cupcakes before she went out the back door of the bakery. Her SUV sat next to the door. She always parked it behind the bakery and requested that her employees do the same so that parking spaces were readily available in front for customers.

It was a short drive to Tenley and Carter’s house. Normally, she would walk, but with the predicted rain, she thought it best to have her car available. She pulled up to the curb in front of their house, seeing Gage in front of her, getting out and locking his Jeep.

He waited for her and smiled. “If I remember, Dylan requested cupcakes for his win.”

“You remember correctly,” she told him.

“What kind?”

“Dylan left it up to me. It’s a surprise.”

His lopsided grin was endearing. “I wonder what Carter is making for dinner.”

By now, they’d reached the porch and rang the bell. Tenley answered, glowing as she always seemed to nowadays. She had arrived in the Cove sad and unsure of herself. Falling in love with Carter had caused her to blossom, and Tenley now brimmed with confidence.

Ainsley inhaled. “Smells heavenly,” she commented, handing over the two Tupperware containers of cupcakes and following Tenley to the kitchen. Gage trailed after them, placing two six-packs of beer in the refrigerator.

She glanced around. “I simply love everything you’ve done to the kitchen.”

Tenley pointed out some of the highlights, and Carter chimed in, saying he liked the pot filler most of all.

The doorbell rang again. Soon Rylie entered the kitchen, followed by Willow, Dylan, and Jackson. Jackson greeted everyone and thanked Tenley and Carter for allowing him to crash Game Night.

“Another man is always welcomed,” Carter proclaimed. “Sometimes we play in teams—and the girls wind up stomping us every single time. I remember you were smart. Weren’t you the valedictorian of your graduating class?”

“High school and law school,” Willow said proudly, grinning at her brother.

“What happened in college, Slacker?” Rylie teased.

“I did a program where I earned my bachelor's degree in three years. It was combined with my three years in law school. Since the first year of law school technically was the last of college, it wasn’t factored into my bachelor's degree,” Jackson explained.

“It doesn’t matter,” Willow said. “He’s a member of Mensa. That means he’s ultra-smart. With Jackson playing on their team, the guys are going to wipe the floor with us.”

“But it’s only for tonight, right?” Ainsley asked. “I mean, it’s not like you’ll be here for future Game Nights.”

His gaze pinned hers, causing her to hold her breath.

“About that,” he said, looking at the others, his gaze finally returning to her. “I’ve moved to the Cove. I’m back. Permanently. I’ll be taking over Clancy Nelson’s practice.”

Everyone began congratulating Jackson. Ainsley only swallowed, feeling her eyes had grown large. She glanced away, not wanting him to see what her face might reveal. She busied herself with opening the wine sitting on the counter.

Jackson Martin had returned to the Cove. Suddenly, she grew dizzy. She slipped onto a nearby stool and propped her elbows on the island for support.

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