Chapter Three: A Chance Meeting
Okay this is it, Jennifer thought. She balled up her fist and knocked softly on the door. When no one answered, she said, "Well, no one's home I should go."
Maybe I made a mistake coming home, she thought. It has been so long since I've seen these people that I probably won't feel comfortable with them even if they are my family. She turned to leave.
"No, Jenn," she said, steeling herself and facing the door. "Just ring the doorbell." She did and waited anxiously.
The door opened and she took a deep breath. "Hello, can I help you?" asked the maid on the other side of the threshold.
"Yes, I'm here to see my brother, Paul."
"He's not home yet but his wife, Rosanna, is here. Would you like to speak to her?"
"Yes, thank you."
The maid stepped back and allowed Jennifer to enter. She followed the maid down the hall to the living room. Rosanna had her back to them and was on the phone. "Just go down there and check out the parts yourself …. Okay, yes, thank you …"
Rosanna hung up the phone. "Mrs. Ryan, you have a visitor," said the maid.
Rosanna turned and faced the door. Her face lit up. "Jennifer!" She made quick strides across the room and pulled Jennifer into her arms. "Ohmigod, I had no idea you were in town!"
Jennifer hugged her back. This wasn't so bad …
"Hello, Rosanna," Jennifer said.
"Oh my goodness, you look tired. Sit down, sit down," Rosanna said and ushered Jennifer to the love seat. Rosanna sat down beside her. "What are you doing in town?"
"I just felt like coming home for the holidays … Paris has been sort of lonely since …"
"Oh, yes. I never met Jordan, of course, but the way you talked about him … he sounded wonderful."
Jennifer felt her eyes moisten. "Yes, he was. The best."
"Where are you staying?" Rosanna asked.
"At the Lakeview."
"Oh that won't do. You need to stay here. This is your home."
"I don't want to impose, but thanks for the offer." Jennifer said. "I don't plan to stay in town for very long..."
"Oh, Jenn, we've missed you. We wish you would have come home for the wedding."
"I know. I'm sorry I didn't. Congratulations, by the way."
"Thank you."
"How is my brother treating you?"
"Wonderfully. He is so loving and attentive. Your brother is a great man."
"He is," Jennifer agreed.
"How was your flight?"
"Good. I slept most of the way."
As Rosanna and Jennifer talked, Jennifer felt her apprehension slowly melt away …
They were catching up with each other, when someone behind them cleared their throat. Jennifer looked up to see a handsome, shirtless man standing on the other side of the living room.
"Rosanna, I'm sorry to interrupt," he said.
"It is no problem," Rosanna said.
Jennifer raised her eyebrow and looked at Rosanna pointedly. If Rosanna noticed, she didn't say anything.
"I tried to stop the dripping but I need to go out and get a special part," he said. "I'll be right back."
"Okay," Rosanna replied. The man turned to leave. "Oh, Mike, don't go yet. I want to introduce you to Paul's sister. Mike, this is Jennifer Sinclair. Jennifer, this is Mike Kasnoff. He's an old friend."
"Hi," Mike said. He walked over and reached out for Jennifer's hand. She gave it to him and he shook it lightly. "Nice to meet you, Jennifer."
"Nice to meet you," Jennifer replied.
"Mike is a contractor but sometimes I call him to fix things around the house like our dripping faucet. Your brother is terrible at fixing things," Rosanna explained. "If I let Paul near the sink we'd have more problems than just a dripping faucet."
Jennifer smiled. Mike smiled. Rosanna smiled.
"I'd better get going," Mike said. "I'll see you later, Rosanna. Again, it was nice to meet you, Jennifer."
"Thank you," Jennifer said. She watched him leave the room.
Rosanna stood and poured herself a drink. "Would you like something, Jennifer?"
"I'll just have a little water, please."
Rosanna nodded and poured her some water. She brought it over to Jenn and she drank it slowly.
They chatted amiably until Paul came home. When he saw his sister, he swept her up in his arms and spun her around. "Be careful," Jennifer said, but chuckled. "I'm happy to see you too."
Paul put her down. "Jennifer, this is the best Christmas present ever! When did you get home?"
"Just a few hours ago."
Jennifer sat on the couch and Paul slid in beside her. He put his arm around her shoulder. "So to what do we owe this honor?"
"I just missed everyone," Jennifer said.
"How are you doing?" Paul asked.
"I'm okay."
"No, seriously," Paul said. He knew her too well.
"It's hard," Jennifer said. "I miss Jordan so much."
"He really loved you, Jennifer. I saw the way he looked at you at your wedding."
"I know he did. And I loved – love – him so much too."
"You look pale, are you feeling okay?"
"Yes, I'm just a little nauseated. It comes with the territory."
Paul frowned. "Are you sick?"
"Yes, but not for the reason you think. I'm … I'm pregnant."
"Ohmigod!" Rosanna said.
"Congratulations, Jenn," Paul said and hugged her.
"Thank you."
"When are you due?" asked Rosanna.
"Seven months."
"Are you happy?" Paul asked.
"Yes, very. At first I was wary about raising a child without a father …"
"And now?"
"I feel happy. Jordan gave me this wonderful gift to remember him by. Every time I look at this baby's face, I will see Jordan."
Paul hugged her again. "You should be resting," Paul said. "Especially after such a long flight."
"You're probably right."
"Where are you staying?"
"The Lakeview," Jennifer replied.
"I tried to convince her to stay here, but she said 'no'," Rosanna lamented.
"Are you sure you won't change your mind?" Paul asked.
"No. I'm fine."
"Does Mom know you're in town?"
"Not yet. I'll call her later," Jennifer said. "I'd better go now."
"I'll walk you to the door," Paul said. He helped Jennifer to her feet and they walked towards the door.
At the door, Paul hugged Jennifer. "I'm glad you're home, Jennifer."
"Me too." And surprisingly, she meant it.