Chapter 19: Chapter 19
Jake strolled out of the barn sometime after two A.M., his body physically exhausted but his mind in overdrive. All he'd do if he tried to crash was lie awake and think of Serena, tucked in her bed just across the way, so he decided on a walk to clear her from his mind. Not that it would work.
There was never an escape in his mind. Only her.
Hadn't he stood on his porch not two hours ago, watching her bedroom window until she turned out the light? Having her home only resurfaced all the pain he'd struggled to ease these past three years. It was killing him. And damn it, he wanted to go over there and kiss all sense out of her like he used to do, when things were normal. When his world was right.
Only an acre away and it seemed like miles. He pictured her in her room, the shades she never closed, those eerie dolls that always seemed to be staring at him, the pale pink child-like walls she refused to paint. And that bed, the one with her in it.
He was an idiot to let her get to him after all this time.
His boots made no sound in the grass while he walked. They used to take a walk together in the evenings like this, hand in hand. Her laugh would erupt from that full, lush mouth at something he'd said. She would throw her head back with the gesture, exposing her long neck and smooth olive skin.
He could always make her laugh.
He didn't know why she was back in Willowsby, but he knew it wasn't for him. And that was just fine. He didn't miss her scent of vanilla, or that damn laugh of hers, and especially not those golden brown eyes that clouded over
He halted as movement to his right caught his attention.
Now he knew he was seeing things. An angel. A ghost?
No. Not possible.
A woman floated--no, not floated, walked--across the field not twenty yards in front of him, golden blonde hair shielding her face. A long white nightgown touched the tops of her bare feet and flowed with her movement. The thin straps exposed creamy white skin, and the gown was fitted enough to hint at curves underneath.
He shook his head, rubbing the back of his neck. Austin's dream woman must be confused, as she was appearing for Jake now. While he was awake, no less. He looked away, knowing for sure when he turned back that the sleep-deprived hallucination would be gone.
She wasn't.
And why couldn't he move?
Her face tilted toward the stars, bathed in moonlight, and then turned to him, as if calling him. Blue eyes wavered a moment, appearing startled to find him there.
His feet moved closer, her gaze trekking his progress. "Am I dead?"
She smiled, an endearing, comforting lift of her lips. She responded in a voice so calm it ran bumps along his skin. "I don't think so, seeing as you're standing there, talking to me."
He didn't answer, because now his mouth didn't work. He just stood there like a moron, trying to figure out where she came from and who exactly she was.
"You're Jake?" she questioned, almost with certainty, as if she didn't even need to ask.
He nodded. "How do you know me?"
"Serena said you have eyes the color of emeralds in the sunlight."
He jerked at her name, bringing him back to reality with whiplash.
"She was right about your eyes."
Gradually, his brain began working again and he took a couple steps in her direction, sealing the distance but a foot between them. "You're her friend? The one who traveled home with her?"
She nodded.
Austin had said she was innocence and fantasy wrapped together. Jake grinned and looked down the length of her. Yep, that would be the right description for her. He felt no pang of longing, no greedy lust, but he could appreciate beauty when he encountered it. She was quite lovely standing there, looking like a heaven sent.
He held out his hand. "Jake, as you know. Nice to meet you."
She took a moment's hesitation, then slipped her small pale hand in his. "Courtney. It's good to meet you too."
"So what brings you out so late?"
"I heard children laughing." She turned her head to glance out at the estate.
Goosebumps skittered up his arms and the hairs on his neck stood erect. She stood there, staring at him with those eyes, and he realized she was serious. "Austin says he can hear laughter sometimes too. I never could. He thinks it's..."
"The three of you as children," she finished for him, causing him to take a step back in shock.
"Umyeah." Who exactly was this woman? He swore she climbed inside his head and started digging around. "I couldn't sleep either," he said stupidly.
"You're a nice man." By the vex of her brows this came as a surprise to her. She tilted her head, like she was rummaging in his brain again. "Serena also said that your grin got her every time. Now I know what she meant."
His "grin" slipped as his heart twisted behind his ribs. "She said that?" He paused, unsure what to make of the knowledge. "Does she talk about me often?"
She pressed her lips together in thought. "She thinks about you more than she speaks of you. It hurts her too much."
What did that mean? He stared numbly at her, getting the distinct impression she could read minds, and wondering why he was inclined to believe her. He swallowed hard, backtracking. Wait. Serena was hurting? She's the one who left him.
"She'll tell you why."
His gaze whipped to hers. This entire encounter would be creepy if she wasn't so...ethereal. Hell. Maybe he was dreaming.
"She'll tell you." As if she knew what he was fighting inside himself, had been fighting for years, she smiled with a trace of sadness. "Goodnight."
She walked to Grams' house, leaving him to stand there and gawk for long after she had disappeared inside.
Sleep was overrated anyway.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone