Treasure on Lilac Lane: A Jewell Cove Novel by Donna Alward Read Free Book Online

donation.”
    Jess concentrated on slowing her breathing, unsure if the rapid rise of her pulse was the result of her irritation or something very different. Something unexpected. She hid her face as she moved to untie the tarp Rick had abandoned.
    “Where should I put the boxes?” Rick asked. Jess cursed him in her head for having the ability to sound so normal when her emotions were still swinging wildly.
    “I’m going to open our garage, and you can stack them there. We’ll go through them later.”
    “Yes, ma’am.”
    Jess stepped forward, determined to act like nothing had happened. “I’ll help. Many hands make light work.”
    Rick sent her a pointed stare … of course she’d said “hands,” plural. Funny how everyday sayings took on an extra meaning …
    Catherine smiled. “Me, too. Why don’t I get in the back and move the boxes forward for you?”
    With an agility unexpected of a woman of her age, Catherine climbed over the tailgate and dusted off her hands.
    Rick let down the tailgate and reached for the first box. Jess grabbed one, too—she was used to hauling around supplies and inventory for the shop, so the weight was nothing at all. For a few minutes they worked, stacking the boxes in the spotless garage that housed Catherine’s car and the yard-care equipment. With a grinding sound of dust on cardboard, Catherine slid the last box over the bed of the truck into Rick’s waiting arms. He went off to the garage, leaving Catherine to hop down and Jess to wait.
    “What’s his deal?” Catherine asked quietly.
    “His mom just died.”
    “And the hand?”
    “You noticed,” Jess acknowledged quietly. “Courtesy of a firefight, from what I gather. Not that he talks about it.”
    Catherine nodded. “He’s troubled, isn’t he?”
    Jess’s heart clubbed. “Yeah, he is. And I should want to help him. Except he makes me angry and very, very defensive.”
    “Oh, Jess.” Catherine smiled at her warmly. “You’ve been very cautious and smart since you were here.” She put her hand on Jess’s arm. “Maybe a little too careful? He can’t take his eyes off you.” Her gaze followed Rick as he put the box down on the concrete floor of the garage.
    “Me? And Rick?” Jess laughed, though the idea of Rick not taking his eyes off her did funny, delicious things to her insides. “Not in a million years. He’s too unstable. We fight too much. I know that he’d never lay a hand on me.” She knew in her heart he wouldn’t. That wasn’t the problem. “But he’s got too many issues, Cath. I’d be crazy to take that on.” She didn’t mention the alcohol. Catherine sensed a troubled soul, but Jess refused to gossip.
    “Well, you could be a good friend, then. He looks like he needs one.”
    Rick came back, brushing his hand on his jeans. Jess knew she wasn’t being fair to him. As she’d told Catherine, intellectually she knew Rick was nothing at all like Mike, no matter how much he drank. But that didn’t matter, she couldn’t be around him. Not without worrying and wondering. Soon Rick would have more time on his hands when he was laid off for the winter. How was he going to fill his days?
    “That about does it,” he said with a smile. The physical labor had seemed to help get rid of some of his frustration. His facial muscles were much more relaxed, and his voice had lost its hostile edge.
    “Thanks so much,” Catherine said. “It’ll be like Christmas here later. Some of the women show up with only the clothes on their backs.”
    Rick nodded soberly. “You’re doing a good thing,” he confirmed. “If I find more, are you interested?”
    “Just call in advance so I can make sure I’m here to receive it. We do try to protect our residents’ privacy.”
    “Of course.”
    Catherine lifted a hand. “Jess, always a pleasure to see you.”
    Jess nodded. “Call when you have your next fund-raiser. I’ll lend a hand or donate items, whatever.”
    “You bet.”
    Jess and Rick