Jared (The Protectors #2)(32)
Chapter 14
Tessa finally got home from seeing Gramps and grocery shopping. Climbing out she went to the back of the car grabbing bags to carry in the house. Turning she ran into Jared’s rock hard chest.
“Here I got these.” He took the bags out of her hands then reached in the back for more, but stopped his stare still on her face, intense. “Have you been crying?”
Tessa looked away for a second. “Kind of.” She hated for anyone to see her weakness. “It’s all good. Just had a moment.”
Jared sat the bags on the hood of the car. “Why were you crying?” His tone was soft yet a hint of hardness edged each word.
The image of Gramps flashed through her mind as she touched the spot above her heart he had touched. Tears tickled her eyes…dammit.
He grasped her chin causing a tear to overflow which he caught with his thumb wiping it away. “Who made you cry Tessa?” His eyes darkened dangerously.
“You really are a nice guy aren’t you?” Tessa sighed.
“Not to the one who made you cry.” Jared growled, his eyes narrowing. “Now answer my question.”
“No one made me cry Jared.” Tessa looked into his beautiful eyes, eyes she could get lost in. “It’s just hard for me to see my grandfather some days. I miss him so much and with everything going on right now it just hit me harder today than others.”
“What do you mean you miss him?” Jared wiped the last tear that escaped before letting her go.
“He has Alzheimer’s. He doesn’t talk much anymore. Some days he knows us and some days he doesn’t seem to even know we’re in the room. The doctors tell me that the disease is very progressive and soon he will be lost to us if he’s not already. But then there are days like today when I know…” Tessa slapped her hands together in an angry fashion. “I totally know he is in there and he knows exactly who I am, knows what I’m saying because he does something so like himself that makes me know he still sees me.” Her chin crinkled up as she tried to hold in the sobs of frustration that wanted to break free from her broken heart.
Jared pulled her into his arms and held her tight. “I would like to meet your grandfather.” He whispered into her hair.
Nodding into his chest Tessa wrapped her arms around his waist so tight she didn’t want to let go. He made her feel like she mattered, something she hadn’t felt in a long time. She smiled into his chest. “He would have liked you.”
“Of course he would.” He said seriously, but winked down at her. “Everyone does.”
Tessa couldn’t help but smile. It would be so easy to fall for this man and that scared the hell out of her. Otis had been nice and caring at the beginning too and look where that got her. “Full of yourself much?” She teased pulling away. “Thanks. I didn’t mean to get your shirt wet.”
“Honey you can cry on me anytime you want, but don’t make it too often because I really don’t like seeing those gorgeous eyes filled with tears, you hear?” He waited for her nod. “Now let me get this stuff in the house so I can fire up the grill. I’m starving.” Jared once again grabbed grocery bags yelling for Adam to get the rest.
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The Campbell County Fair was in full swing by the time they arrived. Tessa was happy to see Damon and Nicole waiting at the gate for them. A boy who looked to be around Adam and Jill’s age stood with them.
“I was so glad Jared called.” Nicole gave her a tight hug. “It’s been so long since I’ve been to the fair.”
“Me too.” Tessa’s grin was full of excitement.
“Well let’s go.” The young boy, who was with Nicole and Damon, laughed. “I’m Steve by the way.” The boy told the group his golden eyes shining with happiness. “It’s nice to meet you Steve.” Tessa grinned. “I’m Tessa and that’s my brother Adam and Jill is a friend of ours.”
Tessa fell in line behind everyone as they made their way into the gate with the rest of the fair goers. Her excitement almost matching the little kids holding tightly to their parents hands, eyes wide in awe at the rides in the distance.
“I have four.” Jared told the lady taking money and handing out tickets.
“I’ve got ours Jared.” Tessa cut her way through Adam and Jill, but Jared ignored her handing the woman the money. Tessa frowned, but instead of making a scene she decided she would pay him back later, without his knowing. “Thank you.” She took the ticket he handed her.
He smiled down at her with a wink. “You’re welcome.”
The smell of funnel cake hit Tessa full force smelling so delicious her stomach rumbled. Making a note where the funnel cake booth stood she took another deep sniff as they passed.
“Hey, can we go ride some stuff?” Jill asked, finally feeling at ease enough to talk to them now.
Tessa noticed the instant Damon and Jared turned warrior. They both focused all around, each scanning the area for something Tessa couldn’t see as they followed the teens toward the rides.
“Pretty impressive isn’t it?” Nicole fell back with her as her soon to be hubby’s attention was on other things. “One minute they’re talking about who can pee the farthest and then…BAM…vampire warrior mode takes over.”