It's All Relative(88)

Harmony grinned at her irritation. “You could always tell him you’ve switched sides?”

Jessie laughed, then started choking on some milk she’d been swallowing. Coughing, she smacked Harmony on the shoulder. “Thanks,” she finally got out.

When she could breathe again, Jessie frowned into her cereal bowl. She wished she could be honest. Harmony looked about to question her again when they heard April shout, “Catch you later, Harm!” The door banged shut and Jessie shook her head. She’d just been dissed by omission.

Harmony stared into the living room then returned her eyes to Jessie. “Don’t let April get under your skin. You know her, this will eventually blow over.”

Jessie nodded, then glumly returned to her cereal. Hoping Harmony wouldn’t ask her why she had gone off on their roommate in the first place, Jessie asked her about their weekend plans. Smiling bright, Harmony started filling her in on the many perks their lodge provided, and all thoughts of April’s annoyance were momentarily forgotten.

After Jessie was done with her breakfast, she ambled around her house for a while. When that did nothing to lift her spirits, she decided to go check on her grandmother. She was sure Grams was fine and didn’t need her help with anything, but Jessie did. She needed a distraction, even if the distraction was a painful one; being around her grandmother reminded her of being around Kai.

After having afternoon tea filled with polite conversation, thankfully none of it about Kai, Jessie offered to stay and help her grams make dinner. She just didn’t feel like going home and dealing with April’s cold shoulder. And, if she were completely honest with herself, she was hoping if she stayed late enough, she might get lucky, and Kai might decide to visit Grams. Although, perhaps that wasn’t good luck. As much as she wanted to see his face, hear his voice, she was sure the shock of it would rip open her still-fresh wounds. She might bleed out right in front of her grandmother, and how on earth would she explain that?

Jessie prepped the potatoes and put them in the oven. When they were almost ready, Grams wandered out to her greenhouse to get some fresh herbs to go on top of them. With Grams gone, Jessie’s mind started to drift. And as always, it drifted to Kai. Jessie wondered what he was up to today, what he was up to everyday. Not being able to ask him, not being able to check in on him, amplified her heartache. It was in her nature to nurture her loved ones, and when all was said and done, that was what Kai was to her—a loved one.

The kitchen door slamming closed startled Jessie from her melancholy thoughts. Grams had just returned carrying a small bowl and several plastic bags. Slapping on a smile, Jessie made herself seem as relaxed and content as possible. Her grandmother was watching her with pursed lips, so Jessie wasn’t sure if she was buying the act or not. “Just a few more minutes on the potatoes, Grams.”

Her grandmother’s eyes narrowed, and Jessie tensed. She was sure she was going to ask her what was wrong, and Jessie didn’t have a good lie prepared. And she didn’t like lying to her grandmother either. Hoping to pass her inspection, Jessie kept a small smile plastered on her face; it probably looked as forced as it felt.

Grams examined her for a few more seconds, then smiled and patted her shoulder. “That’s good. I got us some chives.” She handed the bowl to Jessica, then grabbed a marker and began labeling the small bags.

Jessie wondered why she was marking what they were, since Grams could probably identify the different herbs blindfolded, and then it hit her. Grams was making a care package…for her grandchild. Before she could stop herself, she asked, “Are those for Kai?”

Her tone came out wistful, and Jessie immediately began studying the chives. She didn’t want Grams to see the longing in her face that surely matched her voice. Grams sounded curious when she answered, but not suspicious. “Yes, these are for Kai. I’m determined to turn that boy into a good cook. Every man should know how to make a decent meal for his woman.” She sighed and there was a sadness in the sound that hit Jessie a little too close to home. “He might have broken things off with your friend, but eventually he’ll find the right girl.”

Jessie quickly turned her head away, and was grateful that her thick, curly hair covered her expression. She didn’t want to think about Kai finding the “right” girl, didn’t want to contemplate him truly moving on. Nodding, Jessie moved to the fridge and began aimlessly looking through it. “I should get you some groceries soon,” she muttered into the cool, refrigerated air.

From behind her, she heard her grandmother say, “Don’t worry about it, dear. Kai brings me a bundle nearly every time he shows up. As I don’t eat that much anyway, I don’t think I’ll be starving anytime soon.”

A soft chuckle escaped Grams, and Jessie was suddenly struck by the image of Kai riding down the road with grocery bags dangling off his arms. Amazed by his never-ending sweetness, Jessie looked back at her grandmother. “Kai brings you food?”

Grams nodded, pride clear in her features. “Constantly, like he’s worried my cupboards will run dry in a week.” Grams laughed as she rolled her eyes. “If the boy had moved here with something more substantial than a motorcycle, he could save himself some time and bring me a month’s supply at a time.”

A small laugh escaped Jessie, and her eyes drifted out of focus as she thought of being on the back of Kai’s bike with him. “Yeah, he does love that bike…”