Chapter 15
Jennifer smiled at the sound of her voice. Turning to face the child, Jennifer cooed, "Bonjour chérie!" The Harts began to move closer to Ryleigh's bed.
Jonathan asked, "How are you feeling today, Ry?"
"Like an elephant sat on me." She eyed Jennifer before continuing, "Momma, you are moving like an old woman."
Jennifer laughed, "I suppose I am." A knock on the door kept her from saying anything else.
"Good morning, everyone. Mrs. Hart, it's good to see you up and about."
"Good morning, Doctor," Jennifer answered.
He faced Ryleigh, "How about you? Ready to begin walking today?"
"Ugh," the young girl protested. "That sounds painful."
"Ry… when have you run from pain?" Jennifer questioned the girl.
"Yeah, Ry, you've got to get that soccer body back," Jonathan reminded her.
"When does that start? I'd be concerned about her playing before those ribs heal."
"Actually," Jonathan looked at Jennifer, then back to the doctor. "I think swimming starts first, and that is not for another two months."
"Good. We don't want someone tripping Ryleigh and re-breaking a rib. Honestly, I'm surprised neither of you had more extensive injuries than you have had."
"I'm glad they were able to get as far as they did," Jonathan started.
"It was her doing," Ryleigh added.
Looking at her daughter, Jennifer asked, "What? Who's doing, chérie?"
"That woman."
Jennifer looked from Jonathan back to Ryleigh before she spoke again. "What woman?"
Looking at her parents, Ryleigh sighed. "That one in the old-time dress. Wow, you must have hit your head hard not to remember her, Mom." She paused a moment before she added, "You're right. I know I can do this." She looked up at Jennifer standing before her. "If Mom can, then I can."
"That's my girl!" Jennifer responded, still confused by the conversation.
Three months later
Jonathan parked the car at the high school swimming pool. "Hey, did I tell you Detective Duncan called?"
"No, how is he?"
"He's fine. Their investigation turned up some of Jordan's motivation." He opened his car door, and climbed out, as Jennifer did the same. She walked in front of the car to head into the pool area. Jonathan followed right behind her, his hand on her lower back. "Do you remember, right before your celebration, when I had Marcus shut down that merger I didn't feel right about?"
"Of course."
He opened the door for her and followed her into the building. The Harts felt as they walked into a wall of chlorine and humidity as sounds from the pool echoed off the walls. Jonathan spoke a little louder as they walked, "Apparently, the company we were trying to merge with was one of Jordan's. He was using the merger as a back door to financing the building of the one where he tried to hold you and Ry hostage. He planned on using it as real estate to launder drug money."
"Huh… So just how did Jordan end up at my party, anyway?"
"I'm not sure. There's a friend of a friend of someone in publishing. The police are still running that down."
They climbed the bleachers and took a seat, Jennifer turned to Jonathan, "Ugh. I'm so nervous for her."
"Ah, she'll do great. In practice, she's been pushing her personal best." Jonathan sat back, his arm around her, "She's ready, Darling."
"She might be, but I'm not. These things make me nervous."
"Hey, y'all," Claire called as she climbed the stairs to join them at their seats. "The concession stand is out of popcorn…"
Jonathan looked at her, wide-eyed, "What? How does a concession stand run out of popcorn?" He turned to Jennifer, "How?"
"I got nachos instead."
"Oh, lovely. Thank you, Claire," Jennifer declared, ignoring Jonathan.
"I don't want nachos," Jonathan pouted.
"Oh, look, Darling, there's Ryleigh."
Walking out from the locker room, Ryleigh took a deep breath and willed her stomach to stop spinning. This meet was her first since they returned home. There were two things Ryleigh Hart knew... One, she still hurt some and two, she was stronger than she had been. Looking up to the stands, Ryleigh located her parents and gave a small wave when her mother waved at her. "How are you feeling, Ry?" her coach asked as she joined her at the water's edge.
"I think I'm ready, coach."
"Good. Listen up, gang," he called, pulling the other swimmers in closer. "Here's the lineup, Baker, Campbell, Burchill and Adams are doing the 4x400 free, Eastin, Hart, Nolan and Clarke are the 4x200 medley. Everything else is individual. The first heat is Baker and Hart for the breaststroke. Ready?"
"Yes, coach," the girls answered in unison.
"Okay. Team on three… One. Two. Three. TEAM!"
As the group broke their huddle, a cheer rose from the spectators. Swimmers took their lanes and climbed on the starting blocks.
"Come on, Ryleigh!" Jonathan began to yell.
That evening, Jennifer made her way into Ryleigh's room. "Bedtime, Chérie," she told the child as she walked through the doorway. Ryleigh was sitting on her bed, dressed in one of Jonathan's t-shirts, looking at a display on her wall.
"I'm ready, Momma," she answered without looking at her.
Jennifer smiled as she entered the room and sat beside her daughter. "It was a very impressive race, Chérie."
Ryleigh turned to her mother and smiled, "Think so?"
Reaching out to brush a stray curl out of Ryleigh's eyes, Jennifer answered, "Oh, yes! It's not every day one breaks a school record. You did a great job today. Your Daddy and I are very proud of you."
Moving back to crawl under the covers, Ryleigh smiled. "Thank you, Momma."
Jennifer pulled the covers up and leaned over to kiss the girl's cheek. "Good night, Ryleigh. I love you."
"Good night, Momma. I love you."
Walking back out of the room, Jennifer turned off the lights and pulled the door shut. She made her way back down the hall and into her bedroom, unbuttoning her shirt as she walked.
"Hey," she turned to the voice behind her. Jonathan shut the bedroom door before he finished his thought, "That's my job."
"What is, Darling?"
He stepped up to her and took hold of her waist, pulling her body close to his. "I promised to undo the process when you were in the hospital."
Jennifer smiled, "Uh, so you did."
His fingers took over the last of the task she started as his lips found her neck, "I think it's about time I follow through."
"Mmmm, so it is," Jennifer agreed.
Jonathan's hand found the warmth of her skin, and he allowed his fingers to caress her back before traveling anywhere else. He lightly traced her curves as he moved his hands to her waistline and back up to the top of her shirt. Jennifer's breath hitched in anticipation of his next move. "Mmmm, Darling, what your touch does to me."
Pushing her top off her shoulders with one hand, Jonathan kissed his way across her chest, whispering in between kisses, "I like touching you." His hands back at her waist, he slowly slipped his fingers around the clasp on her slacks and let them fall to the floor. In a much quicker move, he picked her up off the ground, as he added, "I also like surprising you."
"Oh!" she gasped as she grabbed his neck to hold on. Laughing, Jennifer added, "And you do it so well, Darling."
Jonathan laid her down on the bed. "You are so beautiful. I'm grateful to have another chance to love you."
"Oh, yeah?" Jennifer smiled a wicked grin at him, "Prove it."
The End