Page 80 of Rewrites of the Heart

“I saw the look, but I didn’t know what caused it.” She laughed. “He looked scared shitless.” She laughed, fueled in part by Rain’s colorful description.

“He must really love you, that’s all I can say.”

She sat on the edge of the bunk and invited Rain to do the same. “Tell me about yourself. I want to get to know you better.”

Soon the pair was comparing educational experiences in addition to anecdotes about Kenn.

“You should have seen his reaction,” JJ said, “when he found out I was a romance author.”

“You mean, you’re that JJ Spritely? I’ve read your books. I love your work.”

“Oh, yeah, now we’re all lovey-dovey over there, aren’t we?” the drunk said.

They laughed.

“It looks like you two have kissed and made up. How touching.” JJ jumped off the bunk when she heard her sister’s voice.

Nan glared at her; arms crossed. Rob stood behind her, smiling. Alex and Blake stood behind him.

“I have never been so embarrassed in my life,” Nan said, even before checking to see if she was hurt. “What in the world were you thinking?”

Instead of answering, JJ turned to her cellmate. “This sister of mine moaned when she thought I didn’t have a life of my own. And now that I do, she’s still moaning. There’s just no pleasing some people.”

She returned her attention to Nan, whose pose hadn’t changed. The other three looked as if they were suppressing laughter.

Nan let out a dramatic sigh. “Getting a life doesn’t mean getting yourself thrown in jail. And if I hadn’t already paid that bond, I’d leave you in there for that remark.”

Just then, a police officer walked toward the group, stepped in front of Nan, and unlocked the cell door.

“Come on out, both of you. You’ve been bonded out.”

Rain looked astonished. “Who paid for my bail?”

“Some guy named Thomas Chare.”

Rain broke into laughter. “What a delightful man he is.”

They exited and JJ immediately rushed over to Alex and hugged her.

“Why does she get a hug?” Nan exploded. “I’m the one who paid for her bail.”

“Calm down, dear,” Rob said. “Let it go.”

JJ pivoted. “Does anyone know where Kenn is?”

Rob raised a tentative hand. “I do.” He glanced at his wife. “He texted me. He’s at the Physics Café. He said he’s drowning himself in cappuccinos at the barista bar.”

“That’s not a good sign,” Rain said. “Come on”—Rain grabbed JJ’s arm—“we better get over there, pronto.”

As the women started down the hall, they bumped into Garrett who was jogging toward the cell. JJ noticed Dr. Chare not far behind him. Amazingly, he was trying to jog.

Garrett gave Rain a quick hug. “Are you all right? Your arm. It looks as if you got bitten.”

“I did. But we’ll talk about that later. Right now, I have to ask you a big favor.”

“Of course. Anything.”

“Meet JJ.” The two shook hands. “Could you please give her a ride to the Physics Café? She’s got a very important appointment that she can’t be late for.”

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