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.“She’s always adored you so I think she’d accept your offer of help.Maybe you could just offer to come for a visit.Tell her you need a change of scenery or something.Make it seem like she was doing you a favor.”Jessica smiled, pleased with the idea.“I’ll give her a call when I get home.”When Jessica walked in to her apartment later that evening exhaustion from the emotional day washed over her, but she didn’t forget about calling her Aunt Ellen.Though it was starting to get late, she picked up the phone, wanting to get her plans set, if indeed her aunt would allow her to come.After greeting her aunt, who seemed wide awake, Jessica jumped to her proposal.“I could really use some time away, Ellen.” As the words left her mouth she realized that she really did want a change of scenery.“I broke up with my boyfriend today and.” she swallowed, trying to get the sudden rush of sadness under control.“Well, it would be nice to be somewhere else for a while.”“Oh, Jessica.I’m so sorry to hear you’re having trouble.You know I’d love to have you come for a visit.What about your job, though?”“That’s no problem.All my work is done remotely, so it doesn’t matter where I am, as long as there’s an Internet connection.You do have an Internet connection, don’t you?”“I might live in the middle of nowhere, but I have one of those satellites.So I have good TV shows and Internet.I have it all, Jessica.Don’t you worry.”Jessica smiled despite herself.“One last thing.I have my kitty, Hudson.Is it okay if I bring him along?”“Of course.Cats love it out here.”“Great.I have a few things to take care of in the morning, but then I ought to be there sometime tomorrow afternoon.”Once the arrangements had been made, she called her mother to report that she would be going to her aunt’s house to take care of her, although she was certain her aunt would feel like she was taking care of Jessica.The phone calls done, she grabbed a notepad and pen, sat on the couch, and started making a list of what she would need to bring.Hudson soon jumped up beside her and rubbed his head against her leg, looking for attention.Jessica obliged, scratching between his ears and under his chin.Hudson rewarded her with loud purring.“Guess what, big guy? We’re going to the country to visit my aunt Ellen.You’ll love it there.She has a big old house and lots of property where you can run around.But you have to behave yourself and not go too far, or I’ll keep you in the house.”Chapter ThreeIt was late afternoon by the time Jessica neared her aunt’s house.It had taken all morning to get a few loads of laundry done and then pack.After the busy morning and the three hour drive she was tired, but happy to have arrived.Warm feelings washed over her as she pulled in to the gravel road that led to the house.Though she hadn’t been there for several months, Jessica had spent many happy weeks of her childhood with her aunt over summer vacations while her mother worked and the good feelings she’d had while visiting rushed through her.The house was hidden from view as she began the quarter mile drive past tall trees that lined the private road.The trees suddenly ended and the house appeared in front of her, looking just as she remembered.White with cheerful red shutters, the outside always felt inviting.Jessica especially loved the over-sized wraparound porch with the wide staircase leading to the bright red front door.Pulling to a stop, she smiled.“We’re here, big guy.” She reached over to the passenger seat, where Hudson rode in his cat carrier, and opened the latch.The door swung open and after hesitating for a moment, he climbed onto Jessica’s lap, pressing his nose against the window.“You want out.I know.”Jessica opened the car door and Hudson leapt to the ground, then he started sniffing the air.Scooping him into her arms, she walked up the stairs and knocked on the front door, then, realizing her aunt might be upstairs or napping, she opened the door and walked in.Hudson squirmed to get down and Jessica set him on the floor.She smiled as she watched him explore the large old house.“Ellen? It’s Jessica.I’m here.”When there was no answer, she began checking the downstairs.The spacious front room only held her aunt’s antique furniture.“Hello? Aunt Ellen? Are you home?”Still no answer [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]