Fool's Gold

Seth woke abruptly, his sheet twisted around his feet. He glanced at the clock and sighed. 3:30. Again. He gave the sheet an angry tug and kicked his feet free. He knew he wouldn't go back to sleep. How could he after a dream like that?

Seth?

Yes, Jessica?

You're staring.

Am I?

You are. It's a little disconcerting.

You're a beautiful woman, Jessica. I can't help but stare.

What's brought this on?

Seth rose from the table and closed the distance between them. You have, he said in a low rumble. He stared into her eyes, a fathomless blue. He leaned closer and her eyes fluttered shut. He'd planned to kiss her softly, but as soon as their lips touched, he crushed her to him. She struggled to free her arms, and he broke the kiss, fearing the worst, but she simply put her arms around his neck and pulled him to her, pressing her lips against his and deepening their kiss.

Seth was embarrassed. He was a mature man, a widower, a doctor, for heaven's sake. He shouldn't have dreams like that. Especially not about Jessica.

And why not? asked a silky voice. You're a man, aren't you? Seth almost snorted. These dreams had reminded him of that fact in no uncertain terms. So you've got a fire in your furnace. About Jessica, added the voice unnecessarily. "It's more than that!" he spoke aloud, surprising himself. It was more than just sex, he thought morosely, though he wanted that, too. He wanted it all with Jessica. But what could he offer her?

The unwanted image of David Everett grabbing her in the street and passionately kissing her played again in his mind. It was a clip that played over and over, often at the most inopportune times. David was handsome, dashing, obviously virile. He'd disturbed Jessica's equilibrium in a way Seth had never seen, and never hoped to again, unless he was the one causing the disturbance.

Jessica had been blue since Everett had left town. He'd tried to tempt her out of her melancholy with antiquing trips to neighboring towns, an offer to drive her to Portland for a shore dinner, even rashly promising to attend a book launch of hers in Boston, but none of his attempts had worked. He had to face the fact that he was firmly in the friend category, and he just had to do his best to accept that. He didn't want to lose her completely. He couldn't.

Jessica sat at her kitchen table, drinking a cup of tea. David's unexpected appearance in Cabot Cove had unsettled her. And Seth. Had she really been such a dunce? She could forgive the inexperienced girl she'd been, but she was a mature woman, a widow, a successful author, for goodness sake. Could she really have her head turned by a charming, handsome, sexy man? She'd studiously buried such feelings since Preston. It had hurt so much; she'd felt like a rube taken in by a smooth-talking charmer. She'd vowed then never to let herself be caught out so foolishly again. Yet here she was, entertaining absurd flights of fancy with, not a murderer at least, but a carnival barker, a confidence man.

David was fool's gold: glittering, brilliant, but fundamentally worthless. She'd known, deep down, in that dark place that only came alive at 3:30 in the morning, that David Everett was no Frank Fletcher. No Seth Hazlitt, she corrected firmly. But was she ready for that? Was she ready for the sea change that would capsize her orderly life? Was Seth?

She rather thought he was. He'd been different since David left town, somehow more and less attentive. He'd offered several intriguing options, including accompanying her to Boston for the latest book launch. That had surprised her. But she'd declined them all. She hadn't wanted to put a foot wrong in this delicate dance. She'd needed time to think.

"I appreciate your driving me to the station, Seth." She turned to smile at him when he grunted. "Will you be able to pick me up?" she asked pertly.

Seth huffed. "You know I will." Since when had he been able to deny her anything? Jessica laughed, and Seth's heart clenched. He would miss her, in spite of the fact that she'd been avoiding him. He was so surprised to get a phone call from her; he would have agreed to a trip to the moon if she'd asked. "When will you be back?"

"As if you didn't know."

"Refresh my memory."

"Well, Dr. Hazlitt, today is Thursday."

"I know that."

"And I'll be back on Sunday." Four days, thought Seth. He didn't think that could be any lonelier than knowing Jessica was home and more or less refusing to see him. "What are you thinking?"

"Who me?"

"Who else?"

"Why do you enjoy teasing me so much?"

"Don't you like to be teased?"

His hands gripped the steering wheel. "I'm serious, Jess."

She felt her heart leap into her throat. "I…"

"Spit it out, Jess. I've never known you to be at a loss for words." Seth risked a glance at her; she had a curious expression on her face he just couldn't place. You've gone and done it now, you big dummy. His stomach clenched as he waited for her to say something, anything.

Jessica chewed her bottom lip. She'd thought to tease him just a little, tease him into a better mood before she left. But why? Why should she care? "Because I care about you, Seth. And it scares me," she said quietly.

"You care about me?"

"I care for you." She put a light hand over his, knowing he'd fuss if she tried to hold it. "I have for a long time now."

"Have you?" He couldn't keep the catch from his throat.

"I have, darling."

"Jessica," he breathed.

"I know."

"But how?"

"You didn't really believe I had no idea of your feelings for me, did you?" She smiled gently as Seth dipped his head slightly. "I'm quite observant, you know."

Seth barked a laugh. "That you are, Mrs. Fletcher. That you are." He turned his wrist up to see the time. "We're about half an hour from the train station, Jessica." She shivered as he said her name in that low rumble. "I'm not suggesting I speed, necessarily, but I might be able to shave a few minutes off our travel time."

Jessica raised her eyebrows. "Oh?"

"Indeed, my dear. I think we could make good use of those extra minutes." Jessica felt the car accelerate slightly and inhaled sharply. Seth threw her a quick glance. "You're not afraid, are you?"

His worried tone nearly broke her heart. "Not anymore, my darling." She resisted the urge to smooth her hand along his thigh. She didn't want to miss a moment of that extra time.

A/N: Revisiting Seth's jealousy from I hope a slightly different perspective. Who doesn't love this episode? In my alternate universe, it inspires Seth to throw caution to the wind and declare his feeings for Jessica. Of course, that's not what he did in this story, but who knows? Maybe next time. Thanks for reading!