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Jennifer comes home to Georgia, divorced. The last thing she expects is loving again. |
| Blue lights flashed in the rear view mirror. Jennifer sighed as she pulled over to the side of the road. “Way to go. We didn't make it ten feet into the city limits and you already got the cops after you.” Jennifer shot her fourteen year old daughter a warning glare and rolled down the window. “Reach in the glove box and get me the registration and insurance card.” “This is a sign you know, that we ain't meant to be here.” Jennifer fished her wallet out of her purse. “Chloe, I really don't need this right now.” “Maybe you'll get lucky and the cop's related to you. After all, the sign said when you're here, you're part of the family.” “Chloe Rechelle, I told you that's enough. Sit there and be quiet.” Chloe crossed her arms over her chest and slammed her back against the leather seat. Jennifer tapped her fingers on the steering wheel as she waited for the cop to reach her door. She watched his approach through her driver side mirror. She couldn't help but admire the broad shoulders, tapered hip and long legs. A white Stetson covered his head and shielded his face from her perusal. His brisk stride brought him to her window. “Afternoon ma'am. Can I see your license, registration, and proof of insurance?” The officer's thick southern drawl warmed her insides. She stared into startling blue eyes. “You going to stare at the man all day or give him what he needs?” Jennifer jumped in surprise. “Oh, uh sorry.” She handed the items over. The officer's callused hand brushed against hers. She jerked away. “Thanks. I'll be right back.” Jennifer watched him retreat to his car. The khaki pants pulled tight over his rounded butt. “Geez. Quit drooling.” Jennifer rolled her eyes. “I wasn't. I just wanted why he pulled me over.” “Why don't you ask him? He's coming back.” He appeared back at her window. “Here's your things. Do you know why I stopped you?” She shrugged. “We were just discussing that.” He nodded towards the back of her truck. “You have a taillight out.” Jennifer frowned. “Are you sure? I've been on the road for six hours and haven't had anyone stop me yet.” “Your license said you live in Atlanta. The cops there have a lot more crime to deal with.” He did have a point. “I'll have my step-dad take a look at it when I get home.” “Good. Get it fixed soon. If you'll just sign the ticket, you can be on your way. Review all the information to make sure it's correct.” Jennifer scanned the cop's handwriting. “My address isn't the same. I'm moving back here. Do you need to change it, or keep what's on my license?” He pulled out a notebook and clicked his pen. “You'll need the new one. What is it?” “212 Matthews Dr.” His eyebrow disappeared under his Stetson. “The Bar M?” She nodded. “It's my grandparents ranch. We'll be staying there for a while.” He wrote something down. “Are you Jennifer Matthews?” “Yeah. Why?” The officer smiled. “You don't recognize me, do you?” She studied him a bit more. He had a strong jaw line, covered by a growth of beard, a full lower lip. His nose was crooked at the bridge; probably from being broke. She couldn't place face, but the eyes seemed familiar. She glanced at his name tag and gasped. “Jordan Taylor?” He winked. “I'm surprised you remember me. Welcome back.” “Thanks. I didn't know you were here.” He leaned against her truck and crossed his left leg over his right ankle. “Yeah, I moved back years ago. I'm the chief now.” “That's great. How have you been?” “Pretty good. You?” Jennifer felt herself grimace. She tried to force her face into a blank mask. “Not too bad. Glad to be home.” He tilted his head to the side and looked at the passenger seat?” “This your daughter?” “Chloe. Sweetheart, this is Jordan. An old friend of mine.” She rolled her eyes. “Hi.” “We should get together one night for dinner, after you get settled in.” Chloe leaned forward and glared at Jordan. “She's married.” He stared back. “What has that got to do with two old friends catching up?” Jennifer felt her stomach roil. “I appreciate the offer, but I think I'll pass. It's going to take a while to get Chloe settled in. She's not used to being out of the city.” Chloe snorted. “We won't be here long enough for me to adjust. Dad'll be here soon to bring us back home.” Jennifer shot her daughter a warning glance. “Well, maybe you'll change your mind. It was great seeing you. Be sure to get that taillight fixed; unless you want me to pull you over again.” Jennifer gulped. He was flirting with her. She took the ticket he held out and put it over the visor. “He'll come back if you don't drive off.” Jennifer's hand shook as she turned the key and put the truck in gear. “I can't believe he asked you out.” “What's that supposed to mean?” “Oh come on. You look like crap. And you're married. I thought small towns looked down on infidelity.” As Jennifer drove over the Tishacomb River bridge, she tried to ignore her daughter's hurtful words. It wasn't the first time Chloe had insulted her. She seemed to enjoy hurting her mom's feelings; a way to get back at her for something that wasn't all her fault. “Chloe, I've already told you, your father and I are getting a divorce. If I was going to date someone, it wouldn't be cheating.” I'm not like your father. “You're just going through a mid-life crisis. If you fixed yourself up a bit, Dad might pay you more attention. Things would be better between you.” I'd have to be twenty years younger to get your dad's attention. “Oh gross. Look at that water.” Jennifer watched the churn of the muddy river below. “That's just from the banks washing out from the rain. It'll be clearer in a week or so.” “I doubt that. I hate it here.” Jennifer turned onto the gravel drive leading to the ranch. As she rounded the curb, she saw her family sitting on the porch. She smiled. “I don't even know these people.” Jennifer put the truck in park and forced her cramped hands to relax. “Well maybe you should introduce yourself. They're your family and you're going to be seeing a lot of them from now on. They're really excited to have you here.” She got out of the truck without waiting for her daughter's answer. She walked around the front of the vehicle and ran into her mother. Julie gripped her to keep them from stumbling. “Baby, I'm so glad you're here. We expected you an hour ago.” Jennifer squeezed her mom. “I know. I had to stop a few times for Chloe, then I got pulled over by the Gardens.” Julie gasped. “What for?” “Broken taillight. How come nobody told me Jordan lives here?” Julie leaned back and smiled. “Ah, you saw him huh? He looks pretty good, doesn't he? Not that he wasn't the cutest thing when he was a teenager.” “He asked me out to dinner. Chloe had a fit. I hope he wasn't offended by her attitude. She has one with everybody these days.” Julie waved a hand through the air. “I'm sure it didn't affect him any. He was your best friend after all. He should be used to it. You go say hi to your grandparents. I'll get Chloe.” Julie started to step around her. Jennifer grabbed her hand. “Careful Mom. She's not too happy about being here.” “I've dealt with this sort of thing before, remember? I'll be fine.” Jennifer watched her mother walk over to the truck before turning back towards the porch. Her grandfather grinned and held out his arms. Jennifer ran into them. She buried her face in his neck and breathed in the comforting scent of leather, butterscotch and horses. She felt some of the tension drain from her. “Welcome home sugar pie. It's so good to see you.” She grinned and nodded her head. She felt his stubble pull at her hair. “I'm so glad to be back here. Everything's just as I remember.” “Are you sure your staying? I don't want that swindler you call a husband trying to take you away.” Jennifer pulled away and looked into Pa's aged face. “Nope. I won't be leaving, no matter what he tries.” “Well he won't be starting no trouble with you here. If he steps foot on my property, I'm shooting him.” Jennifer gasped. “Pa, you can't do that. He's lower than dirt, but he's still Chloe's father. She loves him. That's why I haven't told her about his affairs.” “Jennifer, I know you're grown and you can do what you want, but you need to remember how you felt when you learned your mom lied to you. It didn't turn out well. And maybe, if she found out what that jerk put you through, she would quit being so defiant towards you.” Jennifer chewed on her thumb. “Pa, I know it's not the right thing to do, but I can't hurt her. She's been through enough already, with the divorce and move. I'll tell her when the time's right. Right now, I'm taking it one day at a time.” He pulled on the straps of his overalls. “You know we'll support you no matter what sweet pea.” “Move you old coot. It's my turn. You go see Chloe, but don't scare her. She ain't seen ya since she was a baby.” Pa grunted and moved over so his wife could reach Jennifer. She smiled at the older woman, who was beginning to remind her of Paula Deen. “See sweetie, you have to make sure a man's trainable before you marry him. I know a few good choices in town. I'll give you their numbers.” Jennifer shook her head. “Hi Ma. It's good to see you too.” “Oh you know I'm glad you're here. I've been waiting forever for you to come back. This is where you belong. Now, about those dates.” “Ma, I just got here. Can't you give me time to get settled in before trying to plan my next wedding.” Ma shoved her hands on her ample hips. “I ain't trying to marry ya off. I'm just trying to help ya out in a certain area. Women your age have certain needs, ya know and I doubt that bastard husband of yours took care of them.” Jennifer felt her face grow warm. “Ma. Please.” “Oh come on. I may be old, but I ain't dead. There ain't nothing wrong with using a man for a lil' pleasure.” Jennifer buried her hot face in her hands. “I'm not ready for any of that Ma. I need to focus on my daughter right now. But when it's the right time, you'll be the first to know.” Ma huffed. “Jennifer Nikole, I never thought you'd be a chicken. Just because your husband didn't turn out to be the prince charming you'd hoped doesn't mean you should give up on love. It can come out of nowhere, as long as you're open to it.” Jenifer threw her hands into the air. “Alright Ma. I won't resist if I mean my soul mate. Other than that, relationships are off for now.” “Good. Now, let's get y'all in the house. Supper'll be ready soon and Betsy'll get us with a broom if we're late.” She turned towards the stairs before glancing back over her shoulder. “You better be ready. She's gonna fuss at you. You're too darn skinny. You better not be on one of those darn diets. There ain't nothing wrong with a woman having meat on her bones.” Jennifer grabbed two of the suitcases her step-father, Scott, had unloaded from the truck and headed towards the porch. Julie had Chloe by the arm and was pulling her towards the house. She'd made it to the top step, Jennifer one below her, when a noise from the left side of the house made her stop. Jennifer slammed into her back and dropped the bags. She tensed, ready to do battle. Chloe kept her head turned towards the noise. Jennifer glanced over to see what had her daughter's attention. She gasped. “Oh my God.” Chloe nudged her mom. “Do you see that? It's gorgeous.” Jennifer nodded. “I can't believe he's still alive. I remember seeing him my first day here too.” “Why isn't he in a pin with the other horses?” “Spirit's a wild horse. He roams Pa's land as he pleases.” Chloe leaned closer to Jennifer. “Can you ride him?” Jennifer laughed. “I chased him for three years before I finally got on him. He made a huge difference in my time here. I wouldn't have made it through without him.” And Jordan. She shook her head. “I want to ride him.” “Maybe you should let Pa or Scott teach you to ride first. I'm sure they wouldn't mind.” Chloe shrugged. “I guess.” Spirit tossed his head, his white mane flying in the breeze to settle against his muscular neck. He pawed the ground before trotting back behind the house. Chloe watched him disappear before stomping up the steps and across the porch. Jennifer grabbed the bags and marched across the porch. Chloe stood in the middle of the bags, her face bright with excitement. “Did you see him? He was amazing. Someone has to teach me to ride.” Jennifer groaned mentally. She could just imagine the older women's disapproval over Chloe's demand. Scott laughed. “Chloe, you wouldn't have it in your mind to chase that horse, would you?” Pa grinned. “Of course. She's just like her momma. I'll teach you to ride sugar pie, tomorrow morning.” “Okay. Where's my room?” |
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