Sara hadn't really thought Nick would have taken her suggestion quite this way, and now, she was seriously contemplating catching a red-eye flight out of Dallas to head back to Vegas. Part of her wanted to stay, but part of her was urging her to run; but either way, she wanted to be no where Nick at this particular moment. So here she was, pacing around the pool in the expanse between the guest house and the main house trying to decide what to do while Nick was storming around the guest house acting as if she'd just suggested that he killed Amy.
It wasn't until she felt a soft hand on her shoulder that Sara realized that she wasn't alone. She glanced up a bit startled to find a concerned looking Jillian Stokes smiling at her. "Come on into the house and have some coffee, Sara."
Sara just nodded and sniffled back tears that she hadn't really been aware that she'd been shedding. The kindness of Nick's mom was so much like her own mother was during those few happy moments that she could remember from her childhood. She had her arms wrapped around her body in a protective gesture as she followed Jillian into the house.
As they entered the kitchen Jillian walked over and pulled two coffee mugs out of the cupboard and poured fresh coffee into them. "You know, Nicky, can be a hothead sometimes, but he'll cool off."
Jillian's perceptiveness of the situation perplexed Sara but she gratefully accepted the cup from her hand and took a sip of coffee.
"He's been through more than his fair share and I don't really think he realizes that he doesn't have to be the strong one all the time." Jillian smiled at Sara. "He'll come around, hon."
Sara was glad that someone felt that way, because she honestly wasn't sure if Nick would. She had merely suggested that he might consider seeing a counselor to help deal with all that he'd been through and he'd nearly bitten her head off. Sara sniffled again.
"You want to talk about it?" Jillian liked Sara; she reminded her of herself when she was Sara's age and she knew that she was good for Nick.
"I don't know." Sara felt a weight beginning to lift at the offer. Somewhere deep inside, she knew she could trust Jillian. "There's just been so much...the last few days...I don't know."
Jillian smiled at Sara. "Maybe what you need, Sara, is a little time for yourself. The two of you seem a little intense." She raised her hand to silence Sara's immediate protest for a minute. "I like you; don't get me wrong, but a woman needs to take care of herself or she isn't any good to anyone else." She smiled. "If there's one thing I learned raising seven kids and having a career, it was making time for myself once in a while."
"Yeah." Sara considered Jillian's words and took another long sip of coffee. She didn't really feel compelled to tell her what she and Nick had argued about; that was between her and Nick; but she couldn't deny the wisdom in the older woman's words.
"Bill's out for the evening with a colleague. Why don't you let me take you out for dinner and you can tell me more about yourself." Jillian had a very welcoming smile.
Sara glanced down at what she was wearing and furrowed her brow. She wasn't completely sure that jeans and a peasant blouse were appropriate attire for wherever Jillian Stokes had in mind.
"Don't worry about what you're wearing; this is Dallas, hon." Amusement danced across her face. "You look fine."
"Ok, I'd like that." Sara smiled and for the first time since Nick had blown his temper, she felt at ease. Jillian was right; she did need time for herself and Nick could probably use the space. She knew him well enough to know that he'd probably be more willing to talk after he'd had a chance to spend some time alone.
Jillian's smile widened; it looked so much like Nick's. "Alright then, I'll get my purse and my keys."
It occurred to Sara that her purse was still out in the guesthouse and she felt incredibly awkward expecting Jillian to pick up the tab. She was about to say something, but Jillian was already out of the room. The sound of the back door opening startled her and she found herself looking at a still frustrated Nick.
Nick's eyes clouded; there was something about his demeanor that was still edgy, but there was also a waver in his voice as he spoke. "I'm sorry, Sara...I shouldn't have yelled at you."
Sara wasn't really sure what to say, but she knew that he was trying. "I didn't mean...I was only." She stopped talking when she saw him clench his jaw. She quickly changed the subject. "Your mom invited me out to dinner."
A flicker of something Sara couldn't quite identify crossed Nick's face. "Oh."
Just then, Jillian breezed back into the kitchen. "Nicky, I'm going to steal Sara for a little while for a ladies night out." She gave Nick a look that told him that she knew more than she was letting on.
"That's what she said." Nick wasn't sure whether to feel relieved or upset that he wasn't going to get the chance to talk things out with Sara until later.
"Why don't you give your brother a call; you haven't seen any family since you got here and people have been asking about you." Jillian had a look that could only be described as motherly and commanding all at once.
Nick let out a resigned sigh, seeing his brother might be good. "Ok, I'll call Mike." He wasn't sure that his brother the lawyer would be willing to drop whatever he was doing to see his little brother, but he'd give it a try anyway.
"Good." Jillian seemed pleased outwardly, even though inwardly she was concerned for Nick.
Sara watched all of this with interest, wondering if she and Nick could talk this out, hoping that she really wouldn't have to head back to Vegas and then regret it later. She smiled tentatively at Nick. "I'll see you later."
The look on Sara's face almost broke Nick's heart and he realized just how much his outburst at her suggestion had hurt her. His eyes pleaded with hers and he desperately wanted to pull her into a hug and let her know how much he cared about her; but instead he forced a smile and nodded. "Yeah."
Sara felt a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach as she turned to follow Jillian towards the front of the house. Her mind started swimming with a dozen possibilities when she felt Jillian's hand on her shoulder.
"He really does care about you, hon." Jillian had that look of someone who knew how the story ended. "Don't worry; he'll be ready to talk when you get back."
"I hope so." Sara breathed out softly.