Chapter Three
Jessica sorted through her feelings about Seth. For years they had been wonderful friends. They shared so much with each other and she cared for him deeply. She had begun to have stirrings inside. She wanted to discuss them with him but also wanted to wait to see if something was happening to them. Was she falling in love? It had been so long since she desired a closer relationship with someone but her grief over Frank's passing had settled into something less acute although still painful. She wanted more out of her life besides work. She wanted to share her thoughts and feelings with someone, be intimate, be together.
But Seth must have noticed and didn't want their relationship to grow closer. Instead of telling her and being forthright, he ignored her. She stayed away to get over her disappointment but after returning they didn't get back on their even footing. They needed to discuss it in order to get past it or they would never have what they had before, if it were even possible. She felt a pang in her heart whenever she thought of him.
Was it Seth she wanted for a partner or was her body and mind telling her she was ready to move on and she wrongly assumed it was with Seth? She was so unsure. After the fiasco with Preston Giles she didn't know her own mind when it came to affairs of the heart. Her indecision was affecting her friendship. She had always been forthright with Seth. They needed to talk.
Seth knocked on Jessica's back door early the following morning.
"Jess, thought you might like to go to the diner, discuss the wedding, and listen to the gossip. Good morning."
"Good morning, Seth. Let me grab my purse."
They had a full breakfast and spoke with those sitting nearby but you couldn't have a personal discussion there. Everyone was eavesdropping on others' conversations.
Seth cleared his throat. "Jess, would you like to take a drive up the coast? Visit one of the lighthouses perhaps?"
"That's a good idea, Seth."
Plans agreed upon, they exited the diner and began a slow drive up the highway. Conversation was flowing smoothly and the scenery was spectacular. They stopped along the way at an antique shop they hadn't been in for a long while. Neither wanted to spoil the mood so things remained easy going. Jessica was relaxed and enjoying the 'old Seth' and Seth was so cheered when she grabbed his arm to hold as they walked that he wasn't willing to risk destroying the peace.
They were tired after being out all day, shopping, walking, and talking about everything under the sun. Tomorrow was Monday and it was back to work for Seth.
"Thank you for the wonderful day, Jess. It was a fat day." He beamed at her from the driver's seat. They sat in front of her house for a few minutes.
"Do you want to come in for coffee?" She asked.
"I'd better get home and get ready for the week," he replied. He got out of the car and went around to her side to open her door. They stood there awkwardly for a moment, then laughed, and she kissed his cheek and said goodnight. She was pleased that their comfort level with each other seemed to be edging closer to what they had before.
In the days that followed they were regaining their former footing. They still hadn't spoken about the matter, both seemed eager not to rock the boat. Friday night dinners were reestablished as well as antiquing and going out on Caleb's boat. The problems for Jessica started when she began to notice things about Seth again. The way he could rant and complain while they walked but still hold her arm gently the whole time. The way his eyes smiled at her over a private joke or the way he drank his coffee while she drank her tea, both loving the warmth of their drink and their surroundings.
Goodness Jessica, you're becoming lovestruck, she thought. It was true. She was mooning over Seth again. It was August and hot. Once again she wished she had installed air conditioning in her house even if she only used it two weeks out of the year. She drank a glass of iced tea several times a day but it didn't cool her. She was taking showers twice a day to help alleviate the heat but it was barely working. She wished she were younger. The youth in town were wearing shorts and halter tops while the males simply went shirtless with their pants or shorts.
She rummaged in her closet and came up with a sundress she hadn't worn in years. She often considered it for the charity bin but somehow always thought she would wear it again. It was a simple blue dress with vertical white stripes. It had thin shoulder straps and fell three inches above her knee, scandalous for a woman her age. Beyond a little mascara and lipstick she only applied sunscreen to her face and visible body parts. Since she was staying indoors out of the heat she didn't bother with a bra or shoes. It was deliciously liberating. Why didn't she do this more often?
"Jess, you here?" called Seth from the kitchen.
Oh yeah, that's why. Feeling mischievous she went downstairs. She took a deep breath.
"Good morning, Seth." She entered the kitchen and opened the refrigerator. "Coffee or is it too hot?" She looked over at him when he didn't answer. He was staring.
"What's gotten into you woman?" He went over and shut the door. He pulled down her shade at the kitchen window. He pointed up and down her body. "Look at your dress!"
"Isn't it wonderful? I can still fit in it!" She smiled widely at him, blue eyes twinkling. "I think it's been over thirty years since I've worn it."
Seth began to stutter. "You..you..you..it's…your legs!"
She extended her leg and turned it left and right. "You think my legs are too pale?" She wished she could tan, even a little.
"No, they're long and..and..sexy, woman!"
Jessica was delighted. "You think my legs are sexy?" She had recently gotten them waxed and loved how smooth they felt.
Seth looked uncomfortable even as he stared at them. "Jess, what are you doing to me?" He longed to touch her legs, to feel how soft they probably were.
"Seth, I can't chop them off. She pulled a pitcher out of the refrigerator. "Would you rather have iced tea?"
Seth advanced toward her stopping within inches. "I've been trying a hands off approach, I tried distracting you. I don't know what else I can do, woman!"
Jessica looked bewildered. "About what?" She placed the pitcher of iced tea on the counter.
Seth sighed and closed his eyes. He seemed to be having an inner struggle. Leaning forward, he kissed her. Her startled eep gave him the opportunity to deepen the kiss. His arms encircled her waist and pulled her closer.
Jessica was shocked by his kiss, surprised even further when it became more passionate. His kisses went on and on and she was enjoying them. She didn't think, she just savored the sensations filling her.
He slowly stopped and put a little space between them. "Either kick me out or let me take you upstairs. I can't keep trying to be friends when I want much, much more," he panted slightly.
"I thought you only wanted to remain friends, that you didn't want more," she breathed. Could her dreams be coming true?
"Not want more? Woman, I've been in love with you for years but you never paid me any mind, in that regard. I thought when you saw other women find me desirable that you would notice me but you didn't." He looked down at his feet. "Then I felt stupid." He looked up to find her smiling at him.
"Seth, I did find you desirable but I didn't know how to tell you and I thought you were telling me you only wanted to be friends, nothing more."
She saw the hope enter his eyes followed by pure joy.
"Love is never a smooth journey," he mused. He sighed softly. "We're going to have to go out but you have to change first."
"I thought you loved my dress," teased Jessica. She twirled around raising her dress a little higher. "Didn't you say my legs are sexy." Her laughter delighted him.
He grabbed her and lifted her slightly to swing her around. He placed her on her feet before kissing her again. The kiss grew and his hands moved down to her hips, pressing her closer. Her arms came around his neck. He pulled back slightly for air but inhaled sharply. She looked at him but his eyes had fallen to her chest. His fingers brushed over her and he groaned.
"You're killing me, woman. No brassiere?" He leaned his forehead against hers. "I love you, Jess, so much that we aren't going to move too fast and jump into bed right away."
"Seth, I love you, am in love with you, but you aren't going to boss me around. We'll make love when I decide we'll do it." She smiled wickedly at him and slid one of her straps off her shoulder.
He kissed the hollow of her neck before backing away. "Oh no you don't, Jessica Beatrice Magill Fletcher." He put her strap back on her shoulder. "Now run upstairs and change and we'll discuss it on the drive."
"Well, are you at least going to watch?" she asked impishly.
Seth groaned and kissed her fiercely. "I'll be waiting in the car." He moved toward the door awkwardly. Jessica winked at him and went upstairs to change.
Seth let out a huge sigh. Jessica didn't realize how aroused he had become. With a goofy smile on his face he went out to his car, his thoughts on Jessica and their declared love for each other.
Jessica looked in her closet for an appropriate outfit. She found a perfectly respectable pair of Bermuda shorts and a matching sleeveless blouse. Slipping into comfortable sandals she touched up her sunscreen on her arms and legs. Seth loved her. She could barely contain the joy she felt at his revelation. She felt the same way she did when she was younger and fell in love.
Due to their knowledge of the residents of Cabot Cove, they were reserved as they drove out of town. They talked through several topics. Seth chose a leisurely, less traveled route until they reached one of the state parks. They got out to stretch their legs and walked around. There was a lake, crowded with vacationers, and they stopped at a diner and had burgers, fries, and milkshakes. They held hands as they walked back to the car. Was it his imagination or did the sky appear bluer? The clouds whiter? He stopped her from opening the door.
"I just want to tell you that I'm sorry."
She looked at him with a question in her eyes.
"I should have told you how I felt but I figured you didn't feel the same and it would get awkward."
She hugged him before replying. "I try to give the impression of being confident but where my heart is concerned, I'm vulnerable and it's hard to feel that way sometimes. We just have to communicate. I promise to tell you what's on my mind if you'll do the same."
"I can do that," agreed Seth. "I want you to know that I have the deepest respect for you. I know we joke at times but I'm not a bed hopper and if we aren't going to be serious, I don't want casual sex. If you give yourself to me, I want it all." His expression was so serious that Jessica knew he meant what he was saying. "I know you covet your privacy as I do mine."
"I would want you for more than a tryst too. We already know each other so well that I think we can manage intimacy when the time is right." She blushed faintly but maintained eye contact. "Um..earlier today…at my house…I would have taken you upstairs."
Seth's eyes widened before he saw the teasing glint in her eyes. "You vixen!" He wrapped her in a bear hug and planted a whopper of a kiss on her. "Just so you know, I would have dragged you upstairs too." They both smiled at each other.
"Let's go home, Seth." He opened her car door and let her inside. He walked around to the driver's side and got in.
"Home sounds very good," remarked Seth.
Jessica laid her hand on his thigh as he drove. The silence was filled with the comfort they had known for years. The tingling sensation that had been in the background for the past few months was now front and center and she was reveling in the feeling that they were an actual couple, hoping to establish an even deeper relationship. Yes, it was past time to move onward.
The town reacted to the news as expected. Many citizens claimed they had known for years that they were together while others claimed they had secretly married or they knew Seth wasn't living above his office and hadn't for years. The rumor mill grew more outrageous but Seth and Jessica neither confirmed nor denied any of the rumors. Their relationship was private and confined to the two of them.
The women at Loretta's beauty parlor plied her with questions whenever she got her hair done but she usually smiled and changed the subject or declined to answer. Eventually they gave up but it took a while. The women discussed the topic whenever Jessica wasn't around, picking apart every detail they could find out and embellishing wherever possible.
They didn't appear to do anything differently as they walked down Main street. She still had her arm in his, they still browsed antique stores, they still greeted friends they encountered. It was only in the privacy of her home or his that they relaxed and enjoyed loving touches or kisses. Seth smiled as he thought of the citizens who assumed they were old fuddy-duddies. Jessica was very passionate in the right circumstances and so was he. They didn't feel the need to conduct private moments publicly. He wished others could be as considerate.
The outside world was still ignorant of their relationship and both hoped it would be a long time until it was discovered. In late October and into early November, she left for a few weeks to promote her three novels that were sold individually and as a set. As predicted, all three were best sellers and sold out early. They had to print more to fill demand. As agreed, Jessica only gave two interviews in December from the safety and warmth of her home. Seth was delighted that she was spending more time in Cabot Cove, more time with him.
He delighted in romancing her. It wasn't just bringing her flowers, no he helped plant a variety of flowers in her garden. He couldn't wait until spring when all the bulbs would blossom. She was reading some old classics to him and he loved the sound of her voice, so soothing and calm.
He admitted to her that he joined the gym not only because he wanted to impress her but because he wanted her to be proud of him as well. He teased her with stories of the swimming pools in Florida that had been filled with men that were strutting around. He also loved the massages she gave him whenever he overexerted himself. Her smooth fingers caressing him introduced an intimate activity some evenings.
Their confidence in each other grew and communicating was no longer an issue between them. Each knew the other came from a position of caring affection so listening to each other became easier.
It had taken them a while to reach the point in life where each was the desired person in their lives but they achieved it. An accomplished journey of love well deserved.
The End