Episode 3: Kid the Moon

Seth rubbed his hands together excitedly. He was at the Portland airport, waiting to pick up Jessica. She'd extended her New York stay, but only by a few days. She'd called him Thursday night to let him know her change in plans.

"I'll be home Sunday afternoon, Seth." Seth took a slow, deep breath before responding. "Seth, did you hear me?"

"A-yuh. What time's your flight?" He hoped he sounded suitably nonchalant.

"I'll land at 3. I know it's short notice. Will you still be able to pick me up?"

"A-yuh. Unless something unforeseen happens, I'll be there."

"Thank you, Seth." There was a lull in the conversation, but Seth's patience was rewarded. "My publisher's arranged a few appearances for me in advance of the new book."

"Anything interesting?"

"A fundraiser for the library on Friday night, and tickets to the opera on Saturday."

"That sounds…nice, Jess," said Seth carefully.

"That doesn't sound like you at all, Seth! Usually you're chomping at the bit for me to come home." She came over alert. "Is everything alright?" she asked sharply.

Seth laughed. "It is, woman. Everything's just fine here! I'm just glad you're doing something…enjoyable," he finished.

"Well, I'm not sure how enjoyable it will be." Seth's ears perked up. "I'm beginning to wonder whether all these staged publicity efforts are really worth it."

Seth was relieved that video phones remained in the purview of science fiction. He didn't have to wipe the grin off his face, but he did try to keep it out of his voice. "I guess Susan still thinks they are."

"She does," said Jessica, absurdly pleased that not only did Seth remember that Susan was her PR manager, he had also taken her extended stay in New York in stride. She wasn't convinced that something wasn't up, but after the disagreeable few days she'd had, it was nice to feel that Seth was on her side. "But honestly, Seth, I'd rather be home."

The plaintive note in her voice touched Seth, but he refrained from remarking on it. They'd had such a good conversation. He didn't want to overdo it now. "Just think, Jess! You'll see my smiling face in less than 72 hours." He was pleased to hear her laugh. "And don't tell me you don't enjoy getting gussied up for these special events. At least a little, a-yuh?"

Jessica laughed her full, throaty laugh, the one that twisted Seth's gut in a curiously delightful way each time he heard it. "I suppose I do." She sighed. "It'll be good to see you, Seth. I've missed you."

Easy now. "I've missed you too, woman. It's awfully dull playing a match against myself."

He could hear the smile in her voice. "Well, just as you said, I'll be home in less than 72 hours. Should we plan for a rematch?"

"You're on, Jess.

He smiled as he replayed their conversation, just as he had done multiple times over the last 72 hours. A sudden tap on his shoulder startled him from his thoughts.

"Jessica!" Seth kissed her on the cheek, then pulled her into a hug. "How were you able to sneak up on me?"

"You were away with the fairies, Seth." She smiled and looked around the airport. "It's good to be off the plane. That flight felt so long."

He took her elbow as they walked through the concourse and down to baggage claim. "Are you ready to go straight home, Jess, or would you like to eat something first?"

"Mmmmm. I'm definitely ready to be home, but I wouldn't say no to a nice lobster salad or maybe even a steak?"

He smiled and risked a glance at her. She looked beautiful to him; a little tired, but that wasn't unusual after a trip to New York. "I read about this new restaurant in the city. I hope you won't mind, but I took the liberty of making a reservation, just in case you were peckish."

Jessica smiled. "Is it far from the airport?"

"Not terribly, and even better, it's on the way home."

"That sounds wonderful, Seth." She wrinkled her nose. "I didn't eat on the plane. I am hungry."

"Say no more, Jess! Let's pick up your bags and get out of here."

Seth watched as she finished the last of her lobster. She hadn't been kidding about being hungry. He'd ordered a dozen oysters, which the two of them made short work of, and she sampled several bites of his steak, even though in her opinion it was undercooked. He hadn't yet converted her to medium, much less medium rare, but he thought he'd get there in the end. He smiled as she dipped the last piece of her lobster in drawn butter.

"What?"

"What, woman?"

"You're staring, Seth." She looked momentarily alarmed. "Do I have butter on my chin?"

Seth cleared his throat. "No, no. It's just good to see you enjoying your meal."

She looked sheepish. "I didn't eat much last night or this morning. I didn't want to say at the airport, but I was starved." She smiled at him. "Luckily for me you had a plan." She looked around as she chewed her last bite. "I don't recall ever hearing about this place. Is it new?"

"A-yuh, pretty new. I read a review of it in the paper a few weeks back. Had it in mind in case we wanted to try something a little different."

"My lobster was perfect, and I must admit your steak was delicious, even if I do prefer mine cooked just a tad longer."

Seth laughed. "One day, woman. One day I'll have you ordering your steak medium rare. You cook all the flavor out of yours!"

She sniffed. "Perhaps." She smothered a yawn in her napkin.

"Tired, Jess?" Seth signaled the waiter. "I'll get the bill and we can be on our way." He looked at his watch. "We should pull up in your dooryard about 8:00."

"I am tired. I know I'm not good company tonight." She smiled apologetically.

"Nonsense. It's always good to have you home." The waiter hovered at Seth's elbow and Seth instructed him to bring their check. "I know you must be tired after this weekend." He was pleased to have managed such a neutral tone.

Jessica looked at him quizzically. "You usually complain about my trips and the various unnecessary events I'm forced to attend!" in a passable imitation of Seth.

"Now, Jess, I've been thinking. You work hard, very hard. I know these events aren't social (at least I hope they aren't), and I hope that you can at least enjoy yourself." He looked at her sincerely. "I know I can be something of a spoilsport, but I'm trying to change."

Jessica's face softened; she reached for his hand and squeezed it. "Not a bit of it, Seth. If it weren't for you, I'd never get away from my typewriter." His hand felt solid under hers, his skin soft and warm; she grew flustered and pulled back. "Maybe we could even do a little fishing while I'm home?"

"I'd like that, Jess." He longed to turn his hand up and grasp hers, but it was too soon. Much too soon. She was unsettled, that much was obvious. Maybe it meant something good for him, for them, and maybe it didn't. He hoped she wouldn't have to travel again anytime soon, but he knew that was wishful thinking. Her new book was bound to be released soon, and that always meant a multi-city book tour. He sighed.

"Are you alright, Seth?"

"I'm a little tired, too. It's been a busy week."

"Oh, I have been rude. I've not asked about anything going on at the hospital," she grinned mischievously, "or at home."

"Pretty quiet on both fronts, actually. I just picked up a few extra shifts at the hospital. I guess I'm a little out of practice."

Jessica frowned. "Extra shifts? Why?"

"The hospital's been short-staffed for a couple of months now, and I had the time."

"I see." Why should she be concerned about his picking up more shifts? The waiter brought the bill, which Seth scanned perfunctorily, then gave the young man his charge card. "Thank you for dinner, Seth." She smiled. "I certainly enjoyed it. Perhaps a bit too much! I probably shouldn't have eaten all that I did."

"Food is energy, woman. And you're going to need plenty if you plan on keeping up with me out on Caleb's boat. Fish are jumpin' and the cotton is high*," he sang in his gravelly baritone.

Jessica laughed. "If you say so, Dr. Hazlitt. But I think I'll manage just fine on the boat. Give me one day to recover and you're on."

"It's a deal." The waiter returned with Seth's card and receipt. Seth signed the restaurant copy and put his copy in his wallet along with his credit card. "Ready to go home, Jess?"

"Ready!"

Was it his imagination, or was she pressed just that much closer to him as he gripped her elbow and steered her out of the restaurant. She'd certainly given him something to think about tonight.

They had a marvelous few weeks while Jessica was at home. Rewrites on the final proof had gone smoothly, just minor typos and a few uncharacteristic grammatical errors that Seth enjoyed teasing her about. They fished, hiked, cooked several meals together and always the inevitable games of chess. He loved to watch her as she studied the board, brow furrowed in concentration. Sometimes the tip of her small pink tongue would rest against her upper lip, and sometimes she would pull on her bottom lip when she was particularly focused. On those nights, she tended to win matches against him very easily.

Since his dream conversation with Ruth, Seth had given a great deal of thought as to how best to woo Jessica. He knew that she prized honesty; she was a very direct woman, and she appreciated that quality in her friends. She had no use for prevarications or outright lying. Yet he was sure she wouldn't want to hear a declaration of love from him. Not yet, at least. But someday. He hoped.

So. He needed to be circumspect, understated. He needed to show her his feelings, but he couldn't overwhelm her. He needed gestures that were quietly romantic…something between sharing a meal in the diner and skywriting. But those gestures had to be authentic. He had to mean whatever it was he said or did. He didn't want to trick Jessica into falling in love with him. She was too smart for that anyway.

After several nights of staring at his ceiling before finally falling into a fitful sleep, Seth had the beginnings of a plan. He'd begun the very afternoon he'd picked her up from the airport. He'd decided to control his impulsive habit of speaking before giving the proper or any thought to what had been said. And he'd decided to become a more attentive listener. More like Jessica, who was both a careful listener as well as a thoughtful conversationalist. She made Seth feel like what he was telling her was important to her, and he seldom had the sense that she was simply waiting for him to stop talking so that she could have her turn. He appreciated that about her, yet how often had he bulldozed over her in order to make his own point? How often did he really listen to her?

He was also going to try to be more supportive of her in general. He was proud of her career, proud of the way she'd rebuilt her life after losing Frank. He knew the grief of losing a spouse too young. She couldn't have been much more than 50 when Frank died unexpectedly from a heart attack. At least he'd had time with Ruth, time to have those difficult, albeit loving conversations. He wasn't sure which would have been worse: watching Ruth suffer or having her taken from him so abruptly. Regardless, Jessica had still been reeling from the shock of it when he moved back to Cabot Cove, and he'd watched, from a distance, as she slowly began to come back to life. Theirs had been a gradual friendship, deepening over the years until now he couldn't—didn't want to—imagine his life without her. That was part of the reason he kicked up such a fuss when she had to travel. But only a part. He couldn't deny that he thought, he believed, that they could have more, have a chance at a more fulfilling happiness. And the thought of holding her in his arms, pressing his lips to hers caused his pulse to quicken and his palms to sweat. It had been quite some time since he'd courted a woman. Since he'd wanted to.

And so he'd been quietly wooing her, giving her clues that she would easily recognize if only she cared to look. And tonight, as he sat across from her as they enjoyed their Friday night dinner, his heart swelled with love for her. He only hoped it hadn't been broadcast across his face.

"Seth," she began. He knew that tone. "I want to talk to you about something."

"A-yuh." Remember, you're supportive. You're a supportive friend.

She shifted in her chair, a sure sign she was reluctant to tell him something. "You know the book is coming out soon."

"A-yuh. Next week, right?"

She smiled, pleased he'd remembered. "Yes, and, since the last book did so well—" She dipped her chin. She was so modest; it touched him deeply. She took a deep breath. "Well, since the last book did so well, Susan wants to send me out on tour a little sooner this year."

"A-yuh?"

"A-yuh," she repeated absently, studying his face intently. "I mean yes," she said, flustered. "Yes, she wants to send me out sooner…and longer."

"Longer?" Seth didn't like the direction this conversation was taking. She'd only just gotten home!

"Yesss…instead of the usual six weeks, they want to send me out for…well, twelve weeks."

"Twelve weeks! That's twice as long," he added unnecessarily. His knife and fork scraped harshly against his plate.

An uncomfortable silence bloomed between them. Jessica watched as Seth finished the remainder of his meal methodically, and she suppressed a sigh. Things had been going so well between them. There'd been such ease in their friendship since she'd been home. What right had he to make her feel guilty? They were friends; nothing more. But you know that's not true, whispered a voice that sounded suspiciously like Frank's.

"I have to go, Seth," and immediately wished she'd let him break the silence between them.

"Why? Why do you have to go, Jess? Why do you have to do anything?"

She exhaled through her nose. "I have obligations, Seth, to—"

"Obligations. Believe me, I know all about your obligations. What about you, Jess? I know why you started writing." He pointed his fork at her. "You know I do. But why do you keep writing? Do you enjoy it? Is it something that brings you joy?"

"What are you trying to say?"

"I'm not trying to say anything. I'm only asking what you want, Jess. What is it you want? I hear everybody asking you for something, but I never hear from you."

Another uncomfortable silence filled the room. Seth stifled a sigh. He'd pushed things too far tonight. Why couldn't he accept Jessica and their friendship as it was?

"I don't know what you want from me," said Jessica softly.

Seth's fork clattered against the plate as he pushed himself away from the table. "I don't want anything other than what you can freely give, Jessica."

"I have—"

"Obligations, I know." Seth sighed and gathered his dinner dishes. Thank goodness we cleaned up as we cooked. He carried them to the sink and began to wash each piece methodically, then stacked them neatly on the draining board. "I'd best head home, Jess." He dried his hands on the dish towel and attempted a smile. "I'll see you, Jess."

"Seth, I—"

He smiled sadly. "I know, Jess. I'll see you."

She watched him as he walked down the path to his car. Why did she suddenly feel like crying?

The phone rang as she was turning out the lights and locking up for the night.

"Hello?"

"I didn't like the way we left things, Jess." He grunted. "The way I left things. I'm sorry. I'd like to take you to the airport." He paused. "If that's alright with you."

"I'd like that," she said quietly. "I'm sorry we rowed."

"Me, too, Jess. You know I'm a stubborn old goat." He smiled as he heard her chuckle. "I just don't like change, as you well know."

"So happens I do," said Jess companionably, "but remember, Seth. Some changes are welcome."

He well knew which changes he'd welcome, but tonight's conversation wasn't the time. "When do you need to be at the airport?"

"Susan has a launch party scheduled for Wednesday night, so I thought I'd fly down sometime Tuesday. I was going to call Phyllis tomorrow."

Tuesday. "Tuesday ought to be fine for me. I'm not due at the hospital, and I'll have Beverly shift my appointments."

"That sounds like an awful lot of trouble, Seth."

"Not at all, Jessica! I'm happy to drive you to the airport. The sooner you leave, the sooner you'll be back." Seth grimaced. What a dope.

"That's a good way to look at it," said Jessica. She paused for a moment. "I do miss home…miss you…when I'm away."

"Well, now. It's not the same around here without you." He cleared his throat. "I'll say good night, Jess."

"Good night, Seth." She placed the phone gently in its cradle and made her way up the stairs, thinking.

Seth pulled the car smoothly into the lane for departures and managed to find an open space right outside the terminal. He put the car into park, then turned to look at Jessica. "Good luck on the tour, Jess," he said with as much good will as he could manage.

"Thank you, Seth." She put a hand on his arm. "I'll be back to aggravate you before you know it."

Seth grunted as he opened the car door and got out. He walked around the front of the car to open Jessica's door. He held the door as she exited the car, then he shut the door behind her and walked to the back of the station wagon.

"Do you really need all of this, woman?" he groused half-heartedly as pulled out Jessica's luggage.

"Thank you, Seth," she said again. Why am I acting like such a schoolgirl? "For everything."

"A-yuh," he said gruffly as he moved her bags to the sidewalk. He noticed an eager porter was making his way over to them. "Don't worry about anything at home. I'll look after your place."

"I'll call you from the road, alright?"

Seth nodded as the porter touched Jessica's arm. "Ready, ma'am?"

Jessica started. "As I'll ever be," she said softly, staring at Seth. The young man looked at her quizzically. "Yes, I'm ready."

"Which airline?"

"American."

"If you'll follow me?" The young man gathered his luggage and turned toward the terminal. Jessica placed a swift, awkward kiss on Seth's lips, then turned quickly to follow the porter. Seth pressed his fingers against his lips and watched as she walked through the automatic doors. Hoo boy.

A/N: *Seth is singing a snippet of Summertime by George Gershwin from Porgy and Bess. See you next Wednesday!