"I'm sorry." Morgan looked surprised and confused as she stumbled backward. "I'm not sorry that I kissed you...I'm sorry that...I know I shouldn't have." Morgan hung her head. "You make it so easy, Jaclyn." She leapt off the top step and jogged away without looking back.

Stunned, Jaclyn could only watch her go.

Chapter Twenty.

"Monumental overreaction, dork, idiot!"

Morgan was halfway home before she realized that her Jeep was still sitting in Jaclyn's driveway, and she didn't want to go back and get it.

"This is stupid. Why do I have to make this so complicated?" Morgan heard a noise as she stepped onto her driveway. Someone moved in the shadows on the road nearby. She strained her eyes. "Betsy?"

"I was taking my evening stroll. I didn't mean to eavesdrop on your conversation with...yourself."

Morgan's shoulders sagged. "Why am I always doing something stupid when I run into you?"

A shaft of moonlight fell on Betsy's smiling face as she took a step closer. "Had you come by this morning, you would've found me having a long conversation with one of Clarice's cats. I have a daughter around your age, she lives in Texas. I don't get to see her much, but I still know when something's troubling her by the look in her eyes-the same one you've had since you came here. I pour her a gla.s.s of tea, and we talk until her burdens are lifted or at least lighter. I'm a good listener."

"I have tea," Morgan said numbly. Betsy gently took her by the arm and led her to the house. "I came here in hopes that the change would do me good, help me clear my mind, but everything is just getting more convoluted." She opened the door and held it for Betsy, who simply patted her cheek as she pa.s.sed.

Morgan stood at the bar that divided the kitchen and den watching Betsy take two gla.s.ses from the drain basket next to the sink and fill them with tea. She handed Morgan one and went into the den where she sat down. "Now, sweetie, sit, and tell me what's troubling you."

Morgan sank into a chair, not knowing where to start. "I lost my dad and my job and my girlfriend. These things happened one after the other, and I came here because it was the only place I had."

Betsy's brows rose as she sipped her tea. She lowered the gla.s.s and gazed sympathetically at Morgan. "That's a lot of change, sugar, and an awful lot of loss."

"I don't know who I am anymore, then there's Jaclyn." Morgan shook her head miserably. "I'm so attached-too attached-already to her and Austin. Celeste, who works at the company that canned me, thinks I may be offered my old job by the end of the year. I couldn't have met her in Atlanta, no, I had to come to the swamp to find what appears to be the perfect woman." Morgan lowered her voice and her head. "I kissed her tonight, then ran away like a dumba.s.s. She has to think I'm a complete flake."

Betsy was grinning ear to ear when Morgan looked up. She put a hand over her mouth and cleared her throat before asking, "Were you happy with your life before you came here? Do you miss it so much that you can't wait to get back?"

Morgan couldn't immediately answer the question.

"Have you stopped to consider you're exactly where you belong?"

"No, I guess I haven't. I pretty much have to go wherever employment takes me."

"Not to get too personal, but do you have a lot of debt?"

Morgan shrugged. "Not really, but I'm certainly not retirement age. I have to work, and the jobs around here don't pay anything near what I'm used to making."

"Well, darlin', what do you work for? A comfortable place to live, you have that already. Call me a romantic fool, but you've admitted that you've become attached to Jaclyn. Isn't that worth exploring? You may just find that there's no place you'd rather be than White Oak." Betsy wagged a finger when Morgan's expression went blank. "You won't let yourself consider that because everything's been a jumble lately. It happened to my daughter Diane after Katrina. She lived in New Orleans, and her house was, of course, flooded. They lost everything but what they took with them when they evacuated." Betsy rolled her eyes and groaned.

"It was devastating to her and her husband, who had an electronics store that went under, as well. They were paying notes on the house and couldn't live in it. The insurance company fought them tooth and nail over every cent. It seemed as though every time they thought they were going to get back on their feet, they were shoved down by something else. Ethan, her husband, got a job offer in Houston. He took it because they needed the income, but it broke his heart to give up his own business, and of course, their home. It all looked so bleak for them, but now, Ethan loves his job and he doesn't have to worry about keeping the business running. Someone else does that. The house they live in is beautiful, and the schools are better where they live. What started out so terrible has turned out to be a blessing for them. You know, sometimes calamity forces us to reconsider what's important, and sometimes change is a good thing."

Betsy smiled at Morgan sympathetically. "It's not easy, darlin'. It took Diane a while to come to accept life for her wasn't going to be the same. It's gonna take a while for you, too. If she were here right now, I think she would tell you the one thing she would've done differently was not to fight it as hard as she did. Relax, and just see where life is taking you because you may find that you're in a better place."

Betsy's foot was poised to step on her driveway when someone grabbed her arm. "You've broken the rules, Betsy Schaffer," Ida spat out in a whisper as she dragged Betsy toward Clarice's mobile home.

"She needed me," Betsy protested.

"You know the leaves said 'no meddling,' and you meddled!"

"You make fun of the stupid leaves and stop squeezing my arm, Ida."

Clarice looked aggravated when they walked in. "What have you done?"

Betsy threw her hands on her hips and bowed her shoulders. "I did what any compa.s.sionate soul would. That child needed someone to talk to. She's under a lot of stress."

Ida waved off the offered joint from Clarice and took a seat. "Well, sit down and tell us what you know."

Betsy remained standing as she relayed the conversation. "I'm afraid we've made the potion too strong. That poor girl's in a complete tailspin. She's dealing with too much, and I'm afraid that she's gonna...lose her mind."

"I'm gonna offer her some comfort," Clarice said, gazing at the joint in her hand. "She needs to see some hibiscus."

"Now that would be meddling," Betsy said sternly. "She may take off in the woods naked, then what would Jaclyn think?"

Clarice grinned. "She might run with her."

Chapter Twenty-one.

"I know you're bored, but you have to stay in bed and let your body heal just like the doctor told you. Hold on." Jaclyn pulled the phone from her ear and looked at Austin. "Did you hear what I just told your Aunt Maddie?"

"Yes, ma'am."

Jaclyn stabbed a finger at him. "Same thing goes for you. Haul it back to the couch and lay down."

"Can I sleep on the porch swing? I'm tired of being in the house."

"Nope, you'll be in the yard next. Back to the couch." Jaclyn put the phone back to her ear. "I cannot believe I'm having the exact same argument with you."

"Half my toe is missing, I'm not an invalid. Heath can't be alone in the store. There's no telling what he'll tear up, and he took my car keys. Bring me yours."

Jaclyn squinted as she pinched the bridge of her nose. She'd gotten one hour of sleep the night before and was in no mood for bulls.h.i.t. Like her grandmother, Jaclyn didn't scream when she was angry. Her voice dipped lower, and she spoke softly. She began her next sentence just as Augie had done when she'd put up with enough. "Now you listen to me, Madeline. The doctor said to stay off of that foot for a minimum of three days, and that's what you're going to do. If I find you hobbling the streets of White Oak, I'll run you down myself. Now prop up that foot and b.u.t.ton that lip that I'm sure is hanging down to your waist right now. Call me only if you need me."

"Jerk," Maddie said like a petulant child and hung up in Jaclyn's face.

Austin, who at that moment was much wiser than his aunt, had retreated to the couch when he heard "the voice." Jaclyn filled a gla.s.s with juice and set it on the coffee table. Their visit to the doctor that morning confirmed her suspicions-Austin was suffering from a severe sinus infection. "I have to go relieve Chet at the store. I expect to find you right here when I come back at lunchtime."

"Okay, Mom."

"I love you," she said as she kissed his head. "You call me, if you need me. Sleep, it'll make you heal faster."

The sky was blue, and a cool autumn breeze had chased away the humidity. The atmosphere seemed to be devoid of the haze brought on by the wet heat that permeated the air. Jaclyn inhaled deeply, letting the fresh air clear her muddled mind. She'd gone to the door many times with the intention of talking to Morgan the night before. The opportunity came when Morgan returned sometime after ten to collect her Jeep, but Jaclyn felt rooted to the floor as she watched her from a darkened window.

Whether they wanted to admit it or not, that kiss had changed everything. It made Jaclyn want things. Most of all, she wanted the freedom to let what she was feeling to grow at will. She despised complications, and that was just what this was-a complicated ball of emotions. She wanted to take the easy option, just get p.i.s.sed off at everything, but she couldn't find it in her heart to be angry at Morgan. And that signified to Jaclyn she was in deep trouble.

Ida was standing at the counter and looked startled when Jaclyn walked into The Lure. "I was just getting a gallon of milk, Clarke gets grumpy when we run out," she explained in her typical brash manner as she looked back at Chet.

Jaclyn felt suspicion rise when she concluded that she'd walked in on a personal conversation. The way Ida fidgeted told Jaclyn that they'd been talking about her. "Okay," she said with a shrug.

Ida grabbed the gallon of milk and shot Chet another glance. "Have a good one, Jaclyn. See ya, Chet."

Chet picked up a newspaper and hid his face behind it. "Everything okay?" Jaclyn asked.

"Dead as a doornail." He lowered the paper and studied her face. "When Augie was bothered, she always looked like something stunk. You look like that right now."

"Things do stink. Austin's sick and whiny, and Maddie is...well, the same."

"Maddie's sick?" Chet asked.

"She...it's a long story that I'm too frustrated to tell."

"You work too much. It's a beautiful day, go take a walk."

Jaclyn shook her head. "I can't. Austin's sick and-"

"I said, go take a walk. Go all the way to Miller's Bridge and don't turn around until you get there," Chet said firmly. "I can check on Austin and handle the store, too. Don't make me tell you twice, girl."

Jaclyn recoiled at the unusual behavior. "What's wrong with you?"

"I don't like the way you've been looking lately. You need to be aired out, now go. I'll take my belt off if you don't. You're not too old for an a.s.s whoopin'."

Jaclyn regarded him with a bewildered smile "Are you drunk?"

"Stone-cold sober." Chet tossed the paper aside and softened his tone. "Go for a walk to Miller's Bridge, Jaclyn. Do it because I asked you to, okay?"

The idea of a walk on such a beautiful day was certainly appealing. There weren't many pontoon bridges in Louisiana anymore, and Jaclyn often found her peace standing on Miller's Bridge looking out over the dark waters of the swamp. "Do I really seem that bad off that you feel the need to run me out of my own store?"

Chet pointed at the door. "Go, and don't come back too soon, or I'll send you packing again."

Jaclyn grabbed a bottle of water. "I'll take a hike if it pleases you."

"It does," he said with a grin.

Jaclyn headed down the road, trying not to pay too much attention to Morgan's cabin as she neared it. She'd pretty much put talking to Morgan out of her head. What could they say? The attraction was there, but there were just too many obstacles. Betsy was at her mailbox and drew Jaclyn's attention from the quiet cabin.

"Good morning," Betsy chirped. "How's Austin? Maddie told me he wasn't feeling well."

"The doctor prescribed him antibiotics and gave him a Celestone shot this morning. I imagine he'll be on the mend soon."

Betsy inhaled deeply and let it out with a smile. "It's a beautiful day for a stroll."

"Chet suggested I needed airing out. Actually, he demanded it. I'm going to Miller's Bridge. Do you want to join me?"

"Oh, no, not this morning, I can't." Betsy looked nervously at Clarice's trailer. "I have something on the stove. You go on, baby, and enjoy."

Jaclyn waved as Betsy scampered up the driveway. Birds chirped, and the breeze lifted her spirits as she strolled along at a lazy pace. She had been stressed lately and had not stopped to realize how it was affecting her. Taking Morgan out of the equation, there was something else that weighed on her heavily. Her parents were coming in for Christmas, and she was not looking forward to that. Maddie's injury and Austin's illness had just compounded the tension. But the most prevailing emotion was loneliness, and Morgan made her feel that way. She pushed her hair from her face, allowing herself to ponder that for a moment. Until Morgan arrived, she'd just gone on with her daily life telling herself all the while that she was too busy to care that she didn't have anyone to hold. But Morgan made her want it. Morgan made her want many things.

Leaves and twigs crunched under Jaclyn's sneakers as she left the asphalt and followed the gravel road to the bridge. At one time, the road led to many hunting and fishing camps deep in the swampland surrounding the lake. Hurricane Katrina had decimated them all, and where land had once been, there was only swamp. Jaclyn had been a resident of Louisiana all her life, but it still mystified her that a storm could change the entire landscape. Some part of her felt that she alone was enduring a storm that was reshaping her world, too. Hurricane Morgan was battering her defenses.

She rounded the curve, and the bridge came into view; sitting upon it was the storm. Sunlight glinted off her dark hair as she sat staring out at the water. Jaclyn came to a stop. Logic told her to turn and go the other way, but something else deep inside told her to stay. Morgan turned and looked her way. Her eyes widened for a second, then a small smile creased her lips.

"Funny meeting you here," Jaclyn said as she walked onto the bridge.

"Betsy told me this was a good place to think."

Jaclyn laughed lowly and nodded as the pieces came together. "Chet told me the same thing. Apparently, everyone thinks we need to think a lot."

"It's overrated." Morgan shrugged and tossed an acorn into the water.

Jaclyn sank down beside her. "I'm inclined to agree." She looked up at a piece of rope hanging from a tree branch. "We used to have a rope swing right there. Skip and I would dare each other to swing out into the water, though we weren't supposed to swim here."

"Why not?"

"Too many gators and cypress knees. Our parents forbade us, so we put up a swing because we were stupid."

Morgan stared at it for a second and looked at Jaclyn. "I need to apologize for last night. I-"

"I'm not mad. I wish I hadn't been so surprised because I would've kissed you back." Jaclyn blew out a breath as she watched the wind make ripples on the water. "I was attracted to you the minute I saw you, and the more I know about you, the more I like. So I don't want to discuss that kiss or why it shouldn't have happened."

Morgan sat cross-legged, her elbow on her knee, chin propped in her hand staring at the water. "You want to pretend it never happened?"

"No."

Morgan's brow furrowed as she looked at Jaclyn.

"It happened, and there's no use in pretending that we didn't both want it to." The shimmering light coming off the water reflected in Jaclyn's eyes, making them a lighter shade of blue. "I started to come to your house last night and tell you it was no big deal, forget about it. Then I decided it was a big deal, and I didn't want to forget about it. I spent a sleepless night going back and forth, and when I walked onto this bridge, I came to a conclusion. Attraction and emotion are as old as time, we're not the first people to feel this way. We can pretend it isn't there, and we can fight it, but if you end up staying here, we will have put ourselves through a lot of misery for nothing."

"And if I have to leave?"

Jaclyn sighed and looked at Morgan. "Then that's what's meant to be. I can't pretend that you're not here or that I don't want to kiss you every time I see you."