Jessica was a strong woman. She knew she was strong. She disliked feeling weak, becoming weaker, or appearing weak. Ever since her husband Frank died she made it a point to appear strong even if she wasn't feeling it.
She just completed her third mystery novel and she wanted to take a long rest but it wasn't working. She wasn't sleeping. She tried tiring herself out but she couldn't shut off her brain. She tried reading before bed, even meditating but she was only managing a couple of hours of sleep. She suffered insomnia after Frank died and she recalled her doctor prescribing medication to help her.
She went into her bathroom and opened her medicine cabinet. She never took the pills, instead she had begun writing until she was exhausted and fell asleep.
The prescription pills were a couple of years old but she was certain they were still valid. She took a pill and went back to bed. She never told Seth about the pills because she hadn't taken them and because she knew the lecture she'd receive.
Seth Hazlitt considered himself to be a reasonably rational male so when he woke up and realized he wasn't alone in the bed, he wondered if he invited someone and tried to remember how much he drank at the pharmaceutical sponsored dinner last night. He made a vow years ago to always stay overnight at the woman's house and not at his in order to reduce the chance of nosy neighbors making note of any woman leaving his house in the early morning hours.
He was about to shake the woman's shoulder when his brain kicked in and he realized the reddish blond hair was the exact shade as Jessica's hair. Jessica was in his bed. He hadn't even seen her last night. He silently slipped out of bed. She must have come over for a reason but he had rounds at the hospital so he dressed quietly and left the house. He would speak to her when he returned in a couple of hours.
Jessica slowly came awake as the water from the showerhead washed over her. She was tired and barely functioning but she had been told it would take a couple of weeks before she started waking up feeling refreshed. At least she was able to sleep last night. She hoped the dopey feeling would become a distant memory and she would feel more like herself in a few days.
She was dressed and making tea when Seth knocked on her kitchen door before entering.
"Good morning, Seth," she said, cheerfully. "Care for coffee?" She didn't wait for an answer. She got a mug from her counter and poured him a cup.
"Thanks Jess," he said. Taking a long sip, he looked her over. She appeared to be in a good mood. Since he was certain they hadn't indulged in any aerobic activity in his bed last night, he wondered what was going on.
He had stopped by the sheriff's office on his way over and spoke to Amos. Of course he didn't tell him that Jessica had slept in his bed last night.
The lawman couldn't figure out why any woman would climb into a man's bed just to sleep so he told Seth more than likely the woman was hoping the man would make the next move. Naturally he had to ask who the woman was but Seth told him it involved a patient and he couldn't say more.
"How was the dinner last night?" asked Jessica. Seth always grumbled about them but she knew he enjoyed a free meal in an expensive restaurant.
"It was good. I had the rack of lamb," replied Seth. "What did you do last night?
"Nothing much, just a quiet evening at home. I even went to bed early."
Seth schooled his features so his shock wouldn't show. When she woke up, did she realize they hadn't done anything and now she would deny, deny, deny?
A week passed and every night Jessica went over to Seth's house and climbed into his bed. Seth wasn't aware until morning. He always eased out of bed and left before she woke. Partly because he believed she would be embarrassed and partly because he was afraid to find out what was going on with her.
He drove over to the Sheriff's department. "You never told me whose bed your patient was climbing into," commented Amos when Seth brought up the subject again.
Hoping to throw Amos off the scent Seth was circumspect. "Well, it happened again yesterday so I don't think the woman is trying to seduce the man."
Amos walked around the small office. "I've been thinking that maybe she's afraid and wants the protection of a strong man."
Seth considered it. Jessica wasn't one to air her fears to just anyone but what could she be afraid of? He would stay awake tonight and ask her what she wanted from him.
Jessica climbed out of the tub and went through her nightly routine of moisturizing. She had done a few exercises before soaking in the tub to help her body relax. She wasn't comfortable taking sleeping aids every night but she had to admit she was sleeping. She disliked feeling groggy though and it seemed like she was never truly awake until the morning was half over. Maybe she should just take half a pill tonight.
Seth went to bed a little earlier. He wasn't sure what time Jessica usually arrived at his house but he listened with half an ear. He drifted off eventually but he heard her when she closed the front door and was fully awake when she approached his bedroom.
She didn't turn on the light but she removed her coat and placed it on the chair by the bed before climbing into the bed. She immediately snuggled into him.
Seth tried to see her in the darkness. He felt the silky fabric that he presumed was her pajamas. Placing a hand on her shoulder, he gave her a small shake. "Jess?"
She didn't respond. He waited a moment before calling her name again. She sighed and snuggled closer. She stayed asleep. While he didn't have a problem sharing a bed with her while he was asleep, he wasn't sure what to do when he was awake. He turned on the lamp sitting on the nightstand.
She didn't stir. He picked up a book and began reading. Once drowsy he would go back to sleep if she didn't wake up first. An hour later he turned off the lamp, his mind whirling. This was unusual. Jessica was a light sleeper. He was going to stay in bed when he woke up and confront her once she was awake.
He opened his eyes at six in the morning. She was still in bed asleep beside him. Her eyes flipped open and she stared at him. He stared back.
"Good morning, Jess."
"Mmmm morning, Seth."
She stretched and he wrenched his eyes away from the sight of her chest rising and falling. Staring would get him in trouble, probably.
"Any reason you're in my bed?"
Jessica sat up with a jerk and stared down at him. She stared down at herself then looked around the room. She was in Seth's bedroom! In his bed!
Her bewildered look concerned him. "You don't remember coming here and climbing into bed?" He asked.
She shook her head no.
"Have you ever sleep walked before, Jess?"
Instead of answering, she looked around the room searching for her robe. She saw her coat on the chair and grabbed it. She pulled it to her chest and climbed out of bed. With her back to Seth, she put on the coat before turning around.
"I…I…" she stammered. "I need to go home." She walked to the door before turning around again. "Did I walk or take my bike?"
Seth got out of bed and grabbed his robe. "Wait Jess!"
She paused long enough for him to speak.
"Sleepwalking is serious. I want to see you in my office later today. No need for an appointment. I'm free after lunch."
She nodded and left.
Jessica's mind was whirling. Did the medicine cause her to be unaware of leaving her house at night? Seth didn't live very far from her but she had to cross several streets. She didn't see her bike at his house so she must have walked. With a sigh, she walked home. She was going to have to tell Seth about the sleep aid and get a long lecture. She took the pills from her medicine cabinet and tucked them away in her closet.
She rode her bike over to his house after lunch. Maybe it would be better not to say anything and let him talk first. Things went better than she thought it would. Seth wanted to run a few tests and then do a sleep test at the hospital. Maybe they would find an answer for her insomnia and she wouldn't have to mention the sleeping pills since she wouldn't be taking any. Seth insisted on two nights at the hospital so he drove her home to pack a bag.
A week later she was frustrated. Her stay in the hospital hadn't resulted in results that would help them reach a conclusion regarding her insomnia. Seth was still looking for clues to her sleepwalking. Twice she almost told him about the sleeping pills but chickened out.
"Jess, I'd like to stay over Friday night," stated Seth. He watched the blush form on her neck and up to her face.
"Seth," stammered Jessica. "Uh…"
"I'll sleep downstairs on the sofa. I want to see if you sleep walk again."
"But I haven't done so in a week now," objected Jessica.
Seth sighed but he led her into her family room, away from her kitchen windows. "Jess, I won't break a confidence. You can speak with me about anything."
Jessica smiled weakly.
Seth patted the couch beside him. "Sometimes when you worry, you can repress it and it manifests itself in various ways. Sleepwalking is one way."
She remained silent.
"What worries are you struggling with?" She remained silent. "Have you met someone? Perhaps engaged physically?"
"Seth! Really!" She couldn't believe her ears.
"Jess, you're a vibrant woman. If you're being pressured to have relations…or feeling guilty about it…" He trailed off waiting.
Jessica was shaking her head.
A knock sounded on the back door and Jessica called out for them to enter. It was Amos Tupper, Sheriff of Cabot Cove and a good friend.
"Am I interrupting?" Amos asked in greeting.
Seth looked at Jessica for permission to speak but she beat him to it.
"Just a slight disagreement." she shrugged her shoulders. "I've started sleepwalking and Seth wants to spend the night and be on watch."
"That's a good idea," agreed Amos.
"That's what I've been telling her. I had her in the hospital for a couple of nights but nothing happened," grumbled Seth. "I'd like to see what happens when she sleeps in her own bed."
Jessica was shaking her head but Seth continued speaking.
"Amos, she sleep walked to my house, crossing streets!"
"Back in Kentucky, we had a man that sleep walked to his job at three in the morning. From Low Creek Hollow all the way into Pippen. He walked six miles. His coworkers couldn't wake him and they were concerned since he was still wearing his pajamas and slippers."
"How many times did he do it?" asked Seth.
"Twice. The first time he was taken to the hospital and he eventually woke up naturally," answered Amos.
"What happened the second time?" asked Seth.
"He got run over by a cab when he stepped out in front of it," said Amos, grimly. "Mrs. F, it can't do any harm."
"Besides I can tell you aren't sleeping well," injected Seth. "We can let your nosy neighbors know you're sleep walking and we're worried, that's all."
Jessica groaned. She knew what her neighbors were going to make of that knowledge.
"Mrs. F, I came by for that sewing kit you said you had for me." He smiled. "I have the night off and several buttons to sew on my shirts."
Jessica went into the kitchen to get the kit for Amos and returned in time to hear Seth telling Amos to let his officers know if they see her walking during the night that more than likely she was sleepwalking.
Handing over the kit, Jessica sat and put her hands on her head. "If I sleepwalk again, you can sleep over, Seth. In the meantime let's take a wait and see approach."
Seth looked skeptical but Amos was accepting.
Seth suggested an outing and Jessica agreed. Maybe a hike or long walk would get her tired enough to get a good night's sleep later.
She drank a glass of warm milk after a long soak in the tub. She had taken a long walk, half of it uphill, with Seth, and eaten a light supper when they returned. Seth was still insisting on sleeping over and Jessica finally gave in simply because she was tired of arguing.
She opened her window slightly to keep her bedroom cool before slipping beneath the covers.
At midnight she was still awake. She could hear Seth snoring in the guest room. Just half a pill would be enough for a few hours of sleep and Seth was here to prevent her from leaving the house. If the pills were causing her to walk in her sleep, she would never take them again, she promised herself.
Seth left his bedroom door open so he would hear if Jessica got up. He knew every sound at his house but her house hosted a slew of noises and creaks. He opened his eyes at every sound before rolling over and eventually falling asleep.
Feeling warm, he tossed off the covers and jumped when an arm snaked across his waist.
Jessica was pressing her body into his back.
Was she afraid to sleep alone? He turned on the lamp on the nightstand. Her eyes were closed and she appeared to be in a deep sleep. He had an inner battle about remaining in bed with her before he got up and went to her room. He crawled into her bed but immediately got up. He would never get any sleep with her scent tantalizing him. He went to the hall closet and got a blanket. He went downstairs and fashioned a bed on the sofa.
Jessica woke up and looked around. She was in the guest room, not her own room. She got out of bed and put on her robe. She peeked into her bedroom and took note of the unmade bed. Oh no. She quickly made the bed before entering the bathroom for a shower.
Seth was in the kitchen making breakfast when she went downstairs.
"Your sofa isn't fit for man or beast to sleep on," grumbled Seth. He put a glass of orange juice in front of her. "Seems to me you didn't walk very far, just to my bedroom."
Jessica colored but remained silent. Seth placed a dish of scrambled eggs and toast on the table then returned and dished up his own plate of food.
He sat and faced her at the table. "I'm not upset but why come to my bed?" He was actually curious about her answer, more than anything he hoped her subconscious was speaking to her.
Jessica debated her answer. On the one hand she could admit she was taking a sleeping pill but on the other hand her finding his bed multiple times implied she wanted to sleep, in the literal sense, with him, didn't it? Her face was colored a fiery red and she couldn't look at him.
"I don't know what's going on," she answered, honestly.
"We're going to do something different tonight," declared Seth.
"What?"
"You'll see," he answered. "In the meantime, I'm going to head to the office. I'll return in time to make dinner."
Jessica nodded and rose from the table.
She puttered in her garden and then did a few chores in the house trying to get the clock to move faster. By the time Seth returned with groceries she was worrying about telling him. He was not going to be happy.
Dinner was a simple affair instead of the gourmet dishes he usually prepared for her. Roasted chicken, Potatoes Au Gratin, and veggies, simple yet filling. She wanted to open a bottle of wine but he didn't want her imbibing until they knew what they were dealing with.
They settled in the living room and Jessica placed her hands in her lap.
"You know I don't always assume conventional methods are the only way to go," began Seth. "But you're a very good friend and I don't want to go through months of testing."
"Spill it, Seth, I'm already antsy."
"I want you to share my bed tonight, sleep in it with me," replied Seth.
Jessica's eyes widened in shock. Seth stared back passively.
"What is that going to solve?" she asked.
"Well the end result has always been finding you in my bed so let's see what happens when we begin there," reasoned Seth.
"That's…that's.."
"Brilliant?"
"I was going to say insane," remarked Jessica dryly.
"It's one night, Jess." He cleared his throat. "I wouldn't normally suggest this to a patient but we're good friends too and you know you're safe with me."
"I was taking sleeping pills!" she blurted out.
Seth looked at her before sighing. "Every night?"
"Just the nights I left my bed. When I don't take the pills, I can't sleep," she admitted.
"You took one last night?"
Jessica nodded. "Yes."
"But you came to my bed, not to my house," mused Seth. "I still want to see what happens when you sleep in my bed from the beginning.
"It will be awkward," stated Jessica.
"Not for me," smiled Seth. "Just don't wear anything sexy."
Jessica gave him her evil eye before nodding slowly. "We may as well sleep in my bed, it's larger."
It was indeed awkward getting into Jessica's bed. While her bedroom wasn't overly romantic, it was feminine. Seth was about to laugh when she entered her bedroom but he turned it into a cough. She was wearing a nightgown, probably flannel or at least thick cotton, and it fell to her ankles and covered her up to her neck.
He waited for her to get inside before he went to the opposite side and got in. She was fresh from a bath and smelled divine. It was difficult to remain professional when she smelled so good but he managed.
They shifted about getting comfortable, her on her side facing away from him while he was on his back. He had gone out that afternoon and bought a new set of pajamas before going home and running them through the dryer to release the wrinkles.
It took a few moments to clear his head of thoughts about her rolling over and plastering her body to his but he began to feel drowsy and drifted off.
Jessica wasn't having such luck. Did he always wear cologne to bed or was that from earlier in the day? She tried meditating, breathing in and out slowly, clearing her mind of all thoughts. She heard his heavy breathing and knew he was asleep. He did it so easily and she admitted to herself she was a little jealous.
She slowly relaxed and fell asleep.
Seth woke up first and couldn't help smiling. Jessica was lying against his side with her arm over his waist. Her head was on his shoulder too. He nudged her. "Jess?"
She snuggled closer before opening her eyes. Groaning, she sat up.
"Don't say it," she cautioned.
"Don't say that your subconscious is telling you that you don't want to sleep alone?" Seth sat up and looked at her. "You didn't take a pill?"
She shook her head. I'm going to ask a female friend to come over and spend the night. If I get in bed with her, you're on the wrong track."
Seth smiled widely.
"Really Seth!"
He left and stayed away the entire day. Phyllis Grant was going to spend the night with Jessica and he didn't want to become a topic of gossip. He doubted Jessica told her much anyway.
It was after midnight when Jessica entered his house and climbed the stairs. Seth didn't believe for sure that she would come but he wasn't surprised. She was wearing one of those nylon nightgowns she favored in the summer.
He knew it was dangerous to wake her so he watched her climb into bed and press herself against him. He savored the feeling before admonishing himself to go back to sleep.
In the morning light he brought the covers up but not before taking a lingering look at her legs. Her gown had ridden up to her thighs and the sight of firm, lightly muscled legs appealed to him.
Jessica was embarrassed when she woke up but thankfully Seth wasn't in the room. She grabbed her coat and left, hoping Seth was in the bathroom. She wanted to get home before Phyllis woke up and noticed her missing.
Jessica never considered herself stubborn. For three weeks she suffered bouts of insomnia at night and dragged through the days. Seth had taken her sleeping pills away and she wasn't sleepwalking. You had to be asleep to do that. Seth offered to share a bed with her whenever she wanted but that wasn't a solution, however tempting it might be. It was only when she twisted her ankle exercising one evening that Seth put his foot down.
He knocked on her kitchen door before entering and put a pillow, two blankets, and a sheet on her sofa. He looked over her ankle before telling her to elevate it while he got an ice pack.
"Woman, I've put up with you doing things your way but this is not working," grumped Seth. "I'm coming over every night until your insomnia goes away. We'll sleep in your bed and once you're snoring, I'll slip down here to the sofa and sleep the rest of the night. Just tell the gossip mongers you're sleepwalking and I'm watching the door to make sure you don't leave and get yourself killed."
"Seth, it can't last forever," complained Jessica.
"Yes it can, Jess. There are chronic insomniacs." Seth lifted an eyebrow. "Surely you can keep your hands to yourself for a couple of hours."
Jessica turned red but she didn't argue anymore. Three nights later it had become normal. Somehow the town learned of her sleepwalking and several people volunteered the information that they were watching out at night or are willing to sleep on her sofa. It was a nice gesture but she told them Seth had already taken custody of the sofa. The dark circles around her eyes were proof she wasn't getting enough rest.
As they turned in for the night, Jessica reflected how natural it seemed now. She didn't wake up when Seth left the room. He stayed on his side of the bed and he didn't snore while in her bed. He might have if he stayed longer.
Saturday morning Seth overslept. He wasn't sure why but it was seven o'clock when he woke up and he was cuddled up with Jessica. His arm was around her waist with his head on her bosom. Soft bosoms too.
"It was fine while you were sleeping, Seth but you're awake now," reasoned Jessica. She had awakened first but didn't have the heart to wake him.
"I'm going back to sleep for another hour," he mumbled into her chest.
It seemed like a good plan so she closed her eyes again.
Eventually her insomnia went away but they continued to share the bed at night. Seth admitted he hadn't slept so soundly in a long time. Jessica stopped wearing flannel and went back to wearing her pajamas. They slept close together and if one of them accidentally brushed against the other, it was ignored. Seth was the one that started kissing her cheek goodnight but it was Jessica that wrapped her arm around him and let her fingers dangle on his bottom.
More and more of Seth's clothing hung in the guest room closet and he was given a drawer in the bathroom for his toiletries. It didn't dawn on either of them how comfortable they were while she brushed her teeth and he showered behind the curtain. Soon he was sleeping in his boxer shorts and a t-shirt and she removed her robe before turning out the light. It was a gradual shift in their relationship and when they woke with his hand on her breast, he caressed it softly and she sighed. Caresses became kisses which in turn allowed them to remove the few articles of clothing they wore.
A month later they were sharing the bed for other activities now and there was little gossip. Friends popped over and didn't comment about the bed linens on the sofa but gave her advice on how to fall asleep and stay asleep. She dutifully wrote each suggestion down. Eventually Beverly, his nurse, moved into the apartment above the practice to save money and Seth moved his things over to Jessica's house until he could find the time to look for a new place. Jessica never learned if she could sleep alone again