N. Walters: Jackson’s Jewel

It would be nice, but Jackson didn’t want some stranger in his home. “I don’t think so.”

“I already told her to come this morning.”

“Then you can wait here and tell her to leave.” He loved his sister, but there was no way he was having some stranger poking around his home while he wasn’t here.

“No.” She pursed her lips and got a stubborn expression on her face that he recognized all too well. He ignored it. He was more stubborn than she could ever hope to be. “You wait and tell her. I hired her in good faith.”

“I don’t have time for this foolishness.” Dumping the last of his coffee in the kitchen sink, he piled his mug alongside the rest of the dirty dishes. He’d get to them later today he promised himself. Ignoring his sister’s dark glare, he headed for the back door.

“I can’t help out here any longer, Jackson.”

He whirled, a sarcastic comment on his lips, but he swallowed it back. Now that she had her own home with her husband, he didn’t see her enough for his liking. Yes, he saw her practically every day, but it just wasn’t the same. Nothing was the same anymore.

Just a year ago all three of them had been living here and working the farm together. Nathan had worked it part-time as he was a deputy sheriff with the town, but Erin had spent many hours working alongside him in the orchards while running her own blueberry farm. He missed the way things used to be.

“Look. I know you mean well.” He softened his tone. “But I really don’t want or need the help. I know you’re busy with your own farm and with Abel. Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine.”

Tears shimmered in her eyes and he swore inwardly. Erin rarely cried, so this meant that she was really upset about this. Shit! He could feel his resolve weakening. She shook her head and started toward him. Her face suddenly paled and she swayed where she stood. Jackson leapt forward, wrapped his arm around her and guided her into a chair.

“I’m fine.” She waved him away.

Worry began to burn in his gut. Erin didn’t look real well this morning, now that he really took the time to look at her. There were dark circles under her eyes. She looked tired and slightly haggard.

When he was certain she wouldn’t topple over, he left her long enough to grab a clean dishtowel out of the kitchen drawer and dampen it with cold water. Returning swiftly to her side, he laid the damp cloth on her forehead. “Just hold this while I get you some water.” It had been really hot the past few days, even for August. Perhaps she’d gotten a bit dehydrated. When he’d filled a tall glass with water, he made her take small sips until half of it was gone.

“You need to go home and rest. Or maybe you should stay here and lie down. Obviously, Abel isn’t taking good care of you. What the hell were you thinking to let yourself get dehydrated in this heat? You know the dangers of that.” Erin’s eyes widened as his tirade continued. He knew he should shut his mouth, but he couldn’t seem to stop. He’d practically reared Erin, as their father hadn’t been much of a parent.

She placed her hand over his mouth, stopping his rant. A tiny smile played at the corners of her lips. She looked for all the world like she used to when she was just a kid and she’d had a secret. “I’m not dehydrated, Jackson.”

“No? Then what’s wrong with you? You’re pale and you’ve got dark circles under your eyes.” He crouched down beside his sister. “Honey, you look a mess.”

She laughed. “Thanks a lot. You know how to make a girl feel good.”

The back door opened and a large man stepped inside. Jackson slowly stood and glared at his best friend and brother-in-law. “Where the hell have you been?”

Abel cocked his eyebrow as he sauntered into the kitchen. “Good morning to you too. Did Erin tell you the news?”

“Yeah, she did.”

“You don’t look very happy about it.” Abel scowled, his pale green eyes narrowing in anger.

“I’m not.”

Abel’s hands fisted at his sides. “We’d hoped you would be,” he all but growled.

“Umm, Abel.” Erin tried to get her husband’s attention, but he ignored her for the moment, all his attention focused on Jackson.

“How the hell would you feel if it were some strange woman coming into your home?” Jackson’s patience was at an end. He was already behind in his work and every minute he wasted with this foolishness was putting him further behind.

Abel stared at him like he had two heads. “What are you talking about?”

“The damn housekeeper that your wife hired for me. Without asking me, I might add. What the heck did you think we were talking about?”

Abel glanced over at Erin who just shrugged. “I haven’t had the chance to tell him yet.”

“Tell me what?” He propped his hands on his waist and glared at his younger sister. “I don’t have all day. If you have something to say to me, then just say it.”

“I’m pregnant,” she blurted out.

Jackson felt as if he’d taken a hit to his solar plexus. Staggering back, he hit the counter and knocked into a stack of dishes. They crashed to the floor, shattering into dozens of tiny pieces. He ignored them. “What did you say?”

A huge smile broke out on Erin’s face, making her appear absolutely radiant. As she stood, her husband went to her side and wrapped his arm around her waist. There was no mistaking the pride and love in his face as he stared down at her. “I’m pregnant.” She laughed as she leaned against her husband’s chest. “We’re pregnant.”

Jackson swallowed hard. His baby sister was going to have a baby. Jeez, he needed to sit down. He looked at her and could see the happiness in her eyes. This was what he’d always wanted for her, but it was still hard to take in. “When?”

“I’m three months along so it should be late January or early February.” He knew he had to say something, do something, but he was at a loss. Her smile slowly faded as she stared at him. “Jackson?” She left her husband’s arms and came toward him. “I’m going to be a mother. You’re going to be an uncle.”

He felt the corners of his mouth tipping upward. An uncle. He liked the sound of that. Giving a whoop, he lifted her off the floor and swung her around. When he realized what he was doing, he stopped immediately. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that. Are you all right? Is the baby okay?”

Erin laughed. “I’m fine. I’m just tired is all and mornings aren’t the greatest these days.”

He scowled at Abel. “She’d been working too hard. She almost fainted this morning.”

Abel’s indulgent smile disappeared and was replaced by a scowl. “What happened?”

Erin pushed away from Jackson and went to her husband. “I’m fine. I just got up too quickly is all.”

“You need to rest more.”

“You’re damn right she does.” Jackson was still trying to wrap his brain around the fact that Erin was going to be a momma. “Does Nathan know yet?”

She shook her head. “I wanted to tell you first.”

He swallowed back the lump of emotion that welled within him. It meant the world to him that she’d told him first. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. But if you really want to make me happy, you’ll give the housekeeper I hired a chance.”

Oh, his sister was slick. She’d maneuvered him right into that one. There was no way he could refuse her now. She stared at him expectantly, a smug look on her face. “All right.” He raked his fingers through his hair. “A one-week trial run.”

“Two,” she countered.

“Ten days,” he fired back.

“Done.” They all heard the sound of a vehicle pulling up beside the house. “That should be her now. Her name is Emerald Jones.”