Chapter Three

Bonds

    Kaelin hummed along to the song coming from her stereo. As she whipped icing around on the cake in front of her she did a little dance. She didn’t know why she was in such a good mood, but she had even woken up with a smile on her face.

    After finishing that cake she put it in the fridge so the icing could set a little before she cut it into pieces. She washed up the few dishes she had then rooted through her cabinets. She was in a baking mood for some reason and she knew what she was making would be going to her neighbors and friends. You couldn’t always be working.

    Kaelin had gathered all the ingredients for a few things she had in mind and was about to start mixing ingredients when there was a knock on the door. She went and answered the knock and standing on the other side was Jack Henson. She was in such a good mood she put her arms around him and hugged him without even thinking about what she was doing. Jack gave her a big hug in return.

    When they stepped apart she gave him a chagrined look. “I’m sorry.”

    Jack smiled. “Don’t be, maybe I should go away for another few weeks.” he joked.

    “Why didn’t you let me know you were coming back?”

    “It was late when we got done and it was even later when I got home. I thought I would surprise you.”

    “It was a pleasant surprise.” she told him honestly.

    “Good.” He peeked into the kitchen and saw flour, sugar, and the like sitting on the counter. “Did I interrupt you?”

    “No. This was going to be excess baking.” she answered.

    “Can I help?” he asked, hopeful.

    Kaelin looked at Jack in surprise. She hadn’t expected him to ask to help, but she wasn’t going to turn down his offer. She motioned him to head into the kitchen. She walked in after him and stepped towards one of the drawers. After pulling out an item she handed it to Jack with a mischievous smile on her face.

    Jack looked at the apron she had given him then looked at her with mock angry eyes. Kaelin laughed when he actually put it on. The reason she laughed was because it was one of the older short aprons that only covered the lower half of you. Jack winked at her.

    They then got to work.

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    Jack watched Kaelin pull a tray of scones from the oven. He grabbed the other oven mit and took it from her then took the scones from the tray. He set the tray on the top of the stove then turned to look at Kaelin.

    As he looked at her he felt a wave of longing come over him. He tried to push the thought away but it kept coming back. Her hair was halfway coming out of her bun, some strands hanging around her face. She had flour on her one cheek and instinctively he reached out to wipe it away. Once he wiped it away he cupped her cheek in his hand.

    They looked into each other’s eyes and Jack really wanted to kiss her but he curbed himself. He dropped his hand and turned away from her for a moment. When he turned back he had himself under control.

    Well at least physical control.

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    Kaelin sat in Sheridan’s kitchen, her hands cupped around the glass of iced tea in front of her. Sheridan sat in the chair across from her and just looked at her. She was going to let Kaelin tell her what she wanted to tell her at her own pace. Kaelin took a sip of tea then started speaking.

    “Jack’s back.” she blurted.

    Sheridan raised her eyebrow. “I see.”

    Kaelin looked at Sheridan; a small smile curled her lips. She had never really talked to Sheridan about Jack. “He’s my friend, Sheridan.”

    Sheridan gave her a mock hurt look. “Did I say any different?”

    Kaelin chuckled. “No, you haven’t. I just wanted to get that out there.”

    Sheridan gazed at her. “I assume you pointed that out because you have more to tell.”

    Kaelin’s green eyes met Sheridan’s warm brown eyes. “Well he came over to my place a couple days ago. I had been going to make some more goodies and he helped me.”

    Sheridan ran her hands through her blonde hair, fluffing it a little. She waited for Kaelin to continue, but when she didn’t Sheridan spoke again. “You can’t just stop there.”

    Kaelin chuckled again. “You are right. I thought he was going to kiss me.” she blurted.

    Sheridan looked at her friend in surprise. “What made you think that?”

    “Well things had gotten a little messy and I had flour on my cheek. He wiped it off then cupped my cheek.” Kaelin closed her eyes, when she opened them she was blushing a little. “I don’t know what I’d have done if he did kiss me.”

    “What do you mean?”

    “I don’t like him that way.”

    “Could you?” Sheridan asked.

    Kaelin was a little taken aback by that question. Could she like Jack as more than a friend? Maybe, given time, but she wasn’t even thinking along those lines. “Maybe, Sheridan. But like I told you before I’m not looking for male complications.”

    “Maybe you should let Jack know.” Sheridan commented.

    Kaelin looked at her. “What am I supposed to do? Tell him to stop having feelings for me? What if I am reading things wrong? He could just like me as a friend and if I said something like that I’d look like a major fool.”

    “Maybe I’ll have to meet him and judge for myself.” Sheridan suggested.

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    Jack looked at the blonde haired woman sitting by Kaelin. He had wondered why Kaelin had invited him to join her and her friend. He figured it was bound to happen sooner or later, the two of them meeting. You couldn’t keep your friends apart indefinitely.

    Kaelin got up and went to the young girl that had come along. Jack watched as Kaelin’s auburn head perched next to Sheridan’s daughter’s brown head. Jack knew that Kaelin cared deeply for Sheridan and Becky Marshall. She was such a wonderful person that way.

    A small, fond smile curved Jack’s lips as he watched Kaelin and Becky. He then tore his gaze away from them and looked at Sheridan who was looking at him. She smiled at him and he automatically smiled back.

    As Kaelin stayed talking with Becky Jack started feeling a little out of his element. He excused himself and headed home. It wasn’t that he wasn’t enjoying everyone’s company, but he felt a little like an outsider. There was nothing wrong with Kaelin being friends with all of them, but he would have to be around Sheridan a little longer before he’d be totally comfortable. Becky was a charming young girl; he was in no way uncomfortable around her.

    Jack just wondered what Sheridan thought.

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    Kaelin knocked on Jack’s front door, his favorite cake held in her hands. As soon as he opened the door she held the cake out to him.

    “I’m sorry.” she told him.

    Jack looked at her in confusion. “Sorry? For what?”

    “For last night.” she answered.

    That still puzzled him. “What about last night?”

    “I thought you might want to meet Sheridan and Becky since I talk about them so much. Instead I made you feel uncomfortable.”

    Jack gave her a half-smile. “It was my first time meeting Sheridan. I was bound to be a little uncomfortable.”

    “You left pretty quickly.” she pointed out.

    “I’m sorry, Kaelin. It’s just that you and Sheridan have a bond that you and I don’t.”  Kaelin looked at him, a small amount of hurt in her eyes. Jack sighed in frustration. “That didn’t come out right. Becky bonds you closer than you may realize. That’s a bond we can’t have.” He walked around her and set the cake down on the patio table. He then walked back to her and took her hands into his. “I won’t give up our friendship for anything, Kaelin.” He gave her hands a gentle squeeze. “Besides where would I get all my free goodies from?” he joked, trying to lighten up the mood.

    Kaelin smiled at him, squeezed his hands once then let go of them. “I’m just glad you aren’t mad at me for last night.”

    “I’m not, so stop worrying about it. Did Sheridan tell you anything? I mean what she thought about me?”

    “She can’t stand you.” Kaelin joked. “Seriously she thought you were a nice guy and she’s glad I have you to watch out for me.” she told him.

    “Well I’m glad to hear that.” His gaze wandered to the cake. “I think I need to get that thing in out of the sun. I’ll put most of it away then put the rest in the fridge. Care to join me?” he asked. Kaelin nodded in ascent and they headed inside.

    Kaelin was glad they had gotten over that first small bump in their friendship. It seemed to have been a bigger deal to her than it was to Jack, but she honestly didn’t want to lose his friendship. He was one of the good guys and when you found one you tried to keep them, no matter in what capacity.

    Things sometimes happened though that you had no control over which put a strain on even the best of friendships.

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