Unpredictable Love by Jean C. Joachim Page A

this time? And
you didn’t tell me?”
    “ It’s only two weeks. Well, maybe
three. At first, they didn’t know if he was gonna make it. It took
a while to figure out the extent of his injuries and recovery
time.”
    “ Don’t you think I had a right to
know?”
    “ Honey, if he was that bad off, I
figured you’d be better off thinking he ran out on you than having
to face a seriously damaged guy.”
    “ Don’t you think that was my
call?”
    “ I know you. Loyal as a dog. You’d
never leave him, even if it was the right thing to do.”
    “ You’re right about that,” Jory’s
voice was a whisper.
    “ See? I told you. I know you. I was
just looking out for you.”
    “ What changed your mind?”
    “ He got better. Then, I figured the
eyesight thing was a gift from God. Or maybe your mother, in
heaven. You’d be able to be with him, and he’d never
know.”
    “ What happens when he gets the
transplant?”
    “ He’ll be so madly in love with you,
he won’t care.” Nan grinned.
    “ You live in a dream
world.”
    “ Jory, honey, I’m only doing what I
think your mom would have wanted. She was my sister. I oughta
know.”
    “ Please stop, Nan. Stop meddling. Let
me breathe. Let me live my own life. It’s okay if I mess up from
time to time.”
    “ Yeah? You already did. Archie.” Nan
made a face. “Oh, that guy’s the pits.”
    Jory had to laugh. She knew her aunt meant
well, but it boiled her blood to have someone else pulling the
strings in her life. She’d been on her own for over fifteen years,
since her parents had died. She didn’t need a nursemaid. “I agree.
Stop. Will you? Please leave Trent and me alone to work things
out.”
    “ Okay, okay. At least he’s back, and
in one piece—more or less. You take it from here.”
    “ I will.” Jory patted Nan on the
shoulder. “Thanks for caring—even if it was misguided.”
    “ It’s what aunts do. Besides, you’ve
got a second chance because of me.”
    Nan steered the car into the driveway and
put it in park. As they entered the house, they almost got knocked
down by Amber, running down the steps.
    “ Where are you going?” Nan
asked.
    “ Can’t talk. Late for a date with
Troy. Concert. See ya!”
    The sound of a car horn indicated Amber’s
date had arrived. She ran down the driveway and jumped into the
front seat. After a quick kiss, the couple drove away.
    “ I don’t have to worry about that one.
Her heart isn’t easily broken. Supposing she even has one,” Nan
said.

Chapter Four
     
     
     
    “ When are you going back to the
hospital,” Nan asked as she poured coffee.
    “ After work. He might be asleep,
still—I’m making the effort.”
    “ Oh? Is it an effort? I thought you
liked reading to him.”
    “ I do.” Jo added sugar.
    “ Then, what’s the problem?” Nan took
her mug to the table.
    “ I don’t want to get any more
attached.”
    Her aunt chuckled. “Maybe you’d better move
to Alaska, kitten. You’re already in this one up to your neck.”
    “ Have you seen East of Eden ?” Jory asked, ignoring her aunt’s
comment.
    “ On the second shelf in the living
room, last time I looked. Have you read the rest of
Steinbeck?”
    “ The ones we have? Yes. That’s the
last one. Thought I’d start on Sinclair Lewis next.”
    Nan shook her head. “You’re turning him into
you.”
    “ He likes it. Told me his folks didn’t
read much. He was more into sports than books.”
    “ And now?”
    “ Obviously, sports are out of the
question. At least for now.”
    “ Any word on his leg?”
    “ Nobody’s making any
predictions.”
    “ Eyes?” Nan sipped from her
mug.
    Jory shook her head. “These things take time
and patience.”
    “ Are you sure you want to stick around
for this?”
    “ I’m not going anywhere.”
    Nan pushed up from her seat, patted her
niece on the arm, and said, “Good girl. Your mom would be
proud.”
    Jory stopped on her way to the living room.
“Hey, this is no charity