Page 16 of Love Somebody Like You

Jackson pulled the pickup outside the main doors, which were positioned under a pretentious porte-cochere that looked more suitable for a castle than a college devoted to teachings about a humble servant-King. Now, to get inside before her mother felt the need to investigate who had dared drive in so late at night.

“Thanks.” She opened the door, carefully grasping the washed plate of the unfortunate pavlova. At least her disguise job in Barb’s kitchen meant it had all been eaten, with some people—she might’ve noticed Jackson—returning for a second slice. “I appreciate the ride.”

“No problem.”

Jackson flashed another smile at her, and her heartbeat skittered again.

This was insane. She shifted from his view, going to speak to Ellie, who powered down the window. “Um, do you want your jacket now, or—”

“Keep it. For the moment, anyway. Hey, we’ll have to have you come visit the ranch sometime. What do you think, Jackson?”

He might’ve mumbled a “sure” but in truth, it didn’t matter what his answer was. It was a solid no from her.

“Thanks, but I’ll have to see how I go. It gets busy sometimes.”

“But it’s summer.” Ellie’s tone held a combination of disbelief and protest. “Don’t all the students have a break?”

“There’s still stuff to do.” Lexi thought quickly. “Cleaning, and … stuff.”

“Oh.”

From the look on Ellie’s face it didn’t seem she was buying what Lexi was trying to sell. Had her blow-off been that obvious? And this, from the woman who had only been kind to her? “Thanks Ellie, I really do appreciate your offer. I better go—”

“Lexi?”

She closed her eyes for a moment then turned to face her mother. “Hi, Mum.”

Her mother gasped. “What happened? Why didn’t you call?”

“I ended up going for a swim after all. So did my phone. Ellie was kind enough to bring me home.”

The engine died behind her, and a door opened. “Lexi was a hero tonight,” Ellie said.

“She saved Jordan Andersson from drowning,” Jackson’s voice joined Ellie’s praise.

“What?” Her mother looked from Lexi to the others then back again. “Is he okay?”

“The paramedics took him to hospital for observation,” Ellie said.

“I just got a message from Hank.” Jackson held up his phone. “He said Jordan has been released now.”

“Oh, praise the Lord,” her mother breathed.

“Amen,” Ellie said.

Indeed.

“I’ll message Barb as soon as I can. Poor woman. That must’ve been so frightening for her. It always is when one of your children is involved. I can remember—” Her mother glanced at Lexi, as if remembering what Lexi had made them promise not to say. “Anyway, darling, are you okay?”

“I’m fine. Really.” Except for the fuss everyone was making.

“Oh my goodness. Well, praise God you were there in time. Jackson, Ellie, thank you so much for bringing Lexi home.”

There was that five-year-old feeling again.

“The least we can do, ma’am.”

Oh. So “ma’am” was actually Jackson’s thing. He didn’t say it to tease or be annoying.

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