Imperative - Part II
In the days that followed, a pattern emerged. Jensen would wake up to find Jared meditating, usually in the open doorway, but when it had rained midweek, he’d been sitting silent and still in front of the fire.
They’d eat, and then Jared would go outside to tend his animals and his crops. As Jensen grew stronger and more mobile, he began going out with him. Sometimes, he’d lie on a blanket under one of the property’s many trees and doze, breathing deeply of the fresh country air, the dogs curled up alongside him. Other times, Jared would find him simple chores to do-snapping the ends off a bowl of green beans or labeling the bottles of herbal remedies Jared was preparing for that week’s market.
Jensen welcomed the tasks. He was used to earning his keep. Being idle for so long didn’t sit well with him. As much as he was enjoying Jared’s company, the more he healed, the more restless he became.
In the afternoon, they would go inside and begin preparing the evening meal. Jared had surprising skill as a cook and taught Jensen-who’d been raised on fare prepared by the palace kitchens-some of his tricks of the trade. From him, Jensen learned how to dress a rabbit and cook it on a spit until tender, the proper way to fillet a trout and grill it over hot embers in the cottage hearth.
At night, they played chess on a well-used board Jared told Jensen had once belonged to his father.
“He had it as long as I can remember. If you look here on the black bishop, you’ll see the finish worn away on one side.” Jared held out the piece so Jensen could see it. “That’s because when I was very little, I stole it off the board when my father wasn’t looking and gnawed on the tip.”
“Didn’t your parents feed you?” Jensen asked.
“I was teething,” Jared replied. “My father told me he only just rescued the piece, and no doubt my insides. I learned to play on this board. It took me a long time before I won my first game.”
Jared had no such trouble with Jensen, who found it humbling how many times-and with what ease-his queen was captured. Thank God, the dice seemed to favor him when they played backgammon.
When games no longer amused, they’d simply talk. Jensen would tell Jared about life at court, about some of the more colorful characters found there, and the liaisons and intrigues that occupied their days. He’d speak about his family too, the mother he’d lost far too young and the father he’d adored.
“I don’t remember my mother at all,” he said one night when Jared and he sat, lit by firelight, at the cottage table, sharing a nightcap of amber-colored mead. “She died giving birth to my little sister. All I have is a painting of her as a young girl and the stories my father told me.”
“What happened to your sister?” Jared asked.
“She died a few days later, too small and weak to survive.” He shook his head. “In what must have seemed like the blink of an eye, our family was cut in half. All my father and I had were each other.”
“Did he remarry?” Jared asked.
“No,” Jensen said. “He never did. He raised me on his own.” Jensen thought back on all the bedtime stories and fishing trips they’d shared, of his father’s patience with him and the generosity he showed with both time and praise. Jensen wasn’t even surprised when his eyes began to sting. “I learned how to be a man by following his example,” Jensen said, his voice thick. “I hope one day I can be a credit to him.”
“You are,” Jared said softly. “Of course you are. Even only knowing you for a short time, I have no doubt of that.”
Jensen smiled slightly and looked down, suddenly fascinated by the cup between his hands.
“My mother died the summer I turned ten,” Jared said after a time.
Grateful for the change in subject, Jensen lifted his head. “What happened?”
“She was collecting apples from the orchard to bake a pie,” Jared said, not meeting Jensen’s eyes. “She lost her balance on the ladder and fell. My father was a great physician, but not even he could mend a broken neck.”
“God,” Jensen murmured.
“He was devastated,” Jared said, glancing Jensen’s direction, then away. “We both were. At first I didn’t know if we’d survive it, going on without her. But gradually we did, we figured out a way to live on our own.”
“But why on your own?” Jensen asked, seeing an opening for the question he’d been dying to ask.
“What do you mean?” Jared asked.
“Why did you have to be on your own?” Jensen asked. “Why didn’t your father take you to live in the village where you sell your wares or even someplace bigger, like Westerly itself? Skilled physicians are rare and always welcome.”
Jared took a sip from his cup. Jensen couldn’t tell if he was trying to buy time or hoping for a little liquid courage.
“I was born far from here, in a city where my father was the personal physician of a rich and powerful man,” Jared said finally, holding Jensen’s gaze. “I don’t remember any of that time. I was only a baby when we left.”
“Why did your family leave?” Jensen asked.
“There was a person there who bore a grudge against us, someone powerful enough that not even the man my father worked for could protect us from harm,” Jared said. “This person threatened me, my mother, anyone who would stand against them. So we fled, bringing with us only what a single wagon could carry.”
Jensen frowned, confused. “But that was years ago. Your father and mother are gone. No doubt the grudge has been long forgotten or the person who’d threatened you has moved on.”
“No,” Jared said, shaking his head. “The situation hasn’t changed as much as you might think. I can’t go back there. It’s not safe for me or anyone I might get close to.”
“Then don’t go there,” Jensen said. “You could go someplace else, someplace new. You could come back with me to Westerly. I could help you find work.”
Jared smiled, though his expression was sad. “That’s very kind. I appreciate the offer. But I can’t. This is where I belong-in my cottage, in these woods. I have a life here. It may not be perfect, but it’s safe and it’s mine.”
Hurt by Jared’s refusal, Jensen couldn’t keep the bite from his words. “I can’t stay much longer, you know.”
Jared nodded, his hair slipping forward to hide his eyes. “I know.”
“Will you miss me?” Jensen asked, not really sure how he wanted Jared to respond.
Jared lifted his head, his expression incredulous. “After what I told you before, how can you even ask?”
“Prove it,” Jensen said, edging closer. Jared frowned as if unsure of his meaning. So Jensen decided to spell it out for him. “Kiss me.”
For an instant, Jared froze, his eyes growing wide. Then he leaned across the table and with only the slightest hesitation, covered Jensen’s mouth with his own. His lips were sticky sweet with mead and warm, softer than Jensen had thought they would be.
Not bad. Not bad at all.
Jensen murmured in encouragement and circled his fingers around the nape of Jared’s neck, thinking to draw him closer. But before Jensen could begin to deepen the kiss, Jared pulled away, blinking, his color high. He seemed…startled. Jensen couldn’t tell if it was because he was surprised by his own daring or if perhaps the kiss hadn’t met with his expectations.
“What’s wrong?” Jensen asked.
Jared looked away and rubbed his hand over his mouth before he spoke. “Nothing. Nothing is wrong.”
“You’re not acting as if it’s nothing,” Jensen said before finishing off his mead. Jared’s reaction wasn’t exactly what he’d been hoping for.
“No,” Jared said, laying his hand over Jensen’s wrist, as if he feared Jensen might try and make his own getaway. “It’s not that. I just…you’re still injured, and I don’t…I don’t want to do anything that would cause you harm.”
Oh, for God’s sake.
“It’s been over a week,” Jensen said, letting some of his exasperation show. “And you’re a very good healer.”
“You still have stitches in you,” Jared said.
Jensen shrugged. “You could take them out.”
“Jensen,” Jared said, letting go of him with a frown. It seemed he felt some exasperation of his own.
“All right, fine. I guess I’ll have to convince you then,” Jensen said, sitting back in his chair and crossing his arms.
“And just how do you plan to do that?” Jared said.
“That market you go to is the day after tomorrow, isn’t it?” Jensen asked.
“Yes. I’m sorry, but I have to go. I missed last week.”
“Don’t apologize,” Jensen said. “You should go, and take me with you. I can work as your assistant.”
Jared shook his head. “I appreciate the offer, but that’s not a good idea. Market day is long and can be tedious. You don’t have to come with me just to prove a point. Stay here and rest.”
“Whether you want to believe it or not, I’m nearly well enough to make the trip home,” Jensen said, leaning in once more, his elbows braced on the table. “And given I’m not having much luck convincing you to come with me, it’s unlikely we’ll see each other again.” He paused to let that last bit sink in. It might have been a trick of the firelight, but he thought perhaps Jared’s eyes had taken on a sheen. “I’d like to make the most of the time we have remaining. Only that’s not going to happen if you continue treating me like I’m made of glass. So, if I have to sit on the back of some wagon and sell your concoctions to farmers’ wives and barmaids to prove to you I’m fit, I’m willing to do that.”
Jared grimaced. “I don’t want you-“
“Truly?” Jensen said. “Because that’s the only reason I would stay behind and nap-if you could look me in the eye and tell me you have no interest in what I’m offering.”
Jared stared at him for a moment, saying nothing, before admitting. “No, not truly. I…I can’t say that.”
Jensen smiled. “Well then, it looks like I’ll be going to market,” he said, pushing to his feet. “Try not to work too hard that day. Because I have plans for you, Jared, when we get home.”
*
Market day dawned clear and cool and particularly fine. Jared’s wagon, packed with all his wares, left the yard before the sun had entirely cleared the horizon. Jared walked ahead, leading Monty the mule down the forest’s winding paths. Jensen sat perched on the wagon’s bench.
“I can walk too, you know,” Jensen called. “At least part of the way.”
“The deal was you would ride to the fair and then sit once we got there,” Jared called back, not even bothering to turn around. “If you’re unwilling to live up to your end of the bargain, I can turn this cart around and take you home.”
“If you did, I’d just wind up following you on foot.”
“And I’d just wind up taking you back again. Maybe I’d even try locking you inside the cottage for good measure.”
“As if your door has a lock,” Jensen scoffed, enjoying himself.
“I’ve never needed one till now,” Jared muttered, shooting Jensen a look over his shoulder.
Jensen grinned. Let Jared glare daggers. Jensen didn’t care. It didn’t mean anything. Jared was only worried about him, which was kind, but increasingly unnecessary. Jensen was feeling better every day. His appetite was good and he was no longer taking naps. At Jensen’s urging, Jared had even removed his stitches the day before. Jensen was on the mend, there were no two ways around it. Soon he’d no longer have an excuse to linger, hidden away in Jared’s cozy forest haven. Soon Jensen would need to rejoin the real world.
But not today. Today was for spending with Jared.
They traveled largely in companionable silence. Occasionally, Jared pointed out something he thought might pique Jensen’s interest-a doe with the tiniest fawn Jensen had ever seen, a golden eagle perched high atop a dead tree, a clearing painted purple by bluebells-but otherwise, each man kept his own counsel. Jensen sat back on the wagon’s bench and admired the scenery-both the forest and the view of Jared walking straight and strong in front of him.
Pleasant as the morning was, it didn’t take long for them to reach the village.
“I just realized I never asked,” Jensen said as they passed by one of the outlying farms. “What’s the name of this place?”
“Paxton,” Jared said, then smiled. “Town of peace.”
“I like the sound of that,” Jensen said, returning the smile.
He liked the village too, though it wasn’t much different from the ones he’d visited back home. It had the usual services and businesses-a school and a church, a village shop and a public house. Still, it was cleaner than most, its homes well-tended, and the people they passed were friendly.
Not a bad place to spend the day, Jensen thought.
Making their way towards the village center, they could see in the distance that vendors were already setting up on Paxton’s common. As the wagon drew closer, Jensen heard a female voice call out, “Jared! Over here. I’ve saved you a spot.” Jared glanced over to his right, smiled and waved.
Coming forward to greet them was a pretty maid, dressed in a pale blue frock and white apron. Her curly blond hair was tucked up under a matching bonnet, though several rebel corkscrews had escaped to frame her face. Toddling alongside and holding the young woman’s hand was a pint-sized version of the same. They could be nothing other than mother and daughter. Both looked pleased to see Jared.
“Anna! Betsy!” Jared said, beaming as he brought Monty to a stop. “How are my two favorite girls?”
Anna. The soap maker.
“Well,” Anna said, smiling almost as widely as Jared. “Very well, now that we’ve seen you again. We missed you last week.”
“I had matters to attend to at home,” Jared said, reaching down to brush his fingertips against Betsy’s chubby cheeks. The child giggled.
“Have those matters been resolved?” Anna asked.
“Those matters have come along for the ride,” Jensen said as he began to climb down off the wagon. He didn’t get far before Jared dropped Monty’s reins and hurried over to help guide him to the ground. Jensen made it unscathed.
“Ah…yes, in fact…this is Jensen,” Jared said, hand on Jensen’s shoulder as he led him forward for introductions. “He’s been staying with me. Jensen, this is Anna. She’s a regular at the market, the same as me. The little one with her is Betsy, her daughter.”
“Sir,” Anna said, dropping into a graceful curtsey. “It’s a pleasure. How lovely you’ve come to visit. Are Jared and you old friends?”
Jensen looked up at Jared and smiled. “When did I show up on your doorstep again?”
Jared returned his smile and made a show of doing the math. “Um…ten days ago, I believe.”
Jensen returned his attention to Anna. “So then-not too terribly old, I’m afraid.”
“I see,” Anna said, though that was clearly not the case. “Well…welcome! I’m glad you’re able to join us today.”
With one last smile in Jared’s direction, she returned to her cart, her child in tow. Jensen watched her for a moment before stretching up to murmur in Jared’s ear. “Are Anna and you…?” Pulling back so Jared could see his face, he lifted his brows.
“Are Anna and I…what?” Jared asked, letting go of Jensen and frowning.
Jensen frowned back at him, but kept his voice low. “Together. Is that why you don’t want to come to Westerly? Is there some sort of understanding between the two of you?”
“An understanding between... What? No!” Jared said, drawing back. “No. What are you…? No!”
“All right,” Jensen said, hands outstretched before him. “Calm down.”
“Why would you say that?” Jared said, turning away to gather up Monty’s reins.
“Just stating the obvious,” Jensen said, following Jared as he began maneuvering his wagon into place. Anna was busy with her child, so he believed it safe to continue the conversation, as long as he spoke quietly. “Anna lit up like a sunbeam when she saw you. Surely you must have noticed.”
Jared waved him off. “Anna and I are friends.”
“I’m certain you are,” Jensen said. “I’m even more certain she’d like for you to be more.”
Jared stared at him for a moment in disbelief, then shook his head. “That’s never going to happen.”
Jensen nodded, so the conversation came to an end. But when Jared went around to the back of the wagon to begin unloading, Jensen couldn’t keep himself from murmuring, “Good.”
By the time Jared, with Jensen’s help, unpacked his tinctures and produce, shoppers had begun milling between the wagons and carts, seeing what was on offer from the various merchants, and making their selections.
Sitting on the back of the wagon, Jensen watched Jared greet returning customers and answer questions from those unfamiliar with his wares. People seemed happy to see him. They smiled and inquired as to his whereabouts the previous weekend. Jared always evaded giving details, but introduced Jensen as he had before with Anna. The morning passed quickly and Jared’s stock began to deplete.
“I’ve got only one bottle of Joint Remedy left,” Jared said at midday, peering into the box where they’d stored his tinctures.
“That’s a good thing, isn’t it?” Jensen asked.
“It is,” Jared said, frowning even so. “Only Widow Murphy hasn’t stopped by yet.”
“Who’s Widow Murphy?”
“A sweet old girl whose knees give her trouble,” Jared said, pulling free the bottle in question and turning his frown in its direction. “She’s one of my best customers. I wonder if I should save this for her. I’m surprised she hasn’t been by. It must be a month since the last time she made a purchase, so she should be due.”
“Maybe she doesn’t really like your Joint Remedy,” Jensen said, teasing.
Jared glowered. Though Jensen could tell it was all in fun. “She loves my Joint Remedy. She’s been buying it, regular as clockwork, for nearly a year.”
“Well then,” Jensen said with a shrug. “Maybe she’s cured.”
Jared chuckled, but before he could respond more fully, a new customer toddled over. He was old and gray, his back bowed, his face craggy. He walked with a cane.
“Young man, did I hear you say something about a medicine for joints?”
Jared glanced down at the bottle in his hands. “Uh…yes, sir. Only…this is my last bottle…”
“Let me see it.” The man held out his hand. Jared hesitated for a second, then gave it to him.
Jensen watched, surprised.
The man squinted as he studied the label. “Joint remedy. Yes. This is exactly what I need. These old bones of mine aren’t what they once were. What do you want for it?”
Jared shook his head. “I’m sorry, but I can’t sell that to you.”
“Nonsense,” the man said. “Why would you bring this stuff to market if you didn’t intend to sell it?”
“I do intend to sell it,” Jared rushed to explain. “Only…I have a regular customer, you see. And I’m afraid I need to save it for her-“
“Don’t be ridiculous,” the man said. “She’s not here and I am. You’ll sell it to me.”
For an instant, Jared stood, still as a statue. Then, in a low, pained voice, he said, “All right.”
Jensen took hold of Jared’s arm and tugged to get his attention. “Jared, what about the widow?”
Jared turned to face him, his expression stricken. “I…I know.”
“I thought you were thinking of holding that for her,” Jensen said.
“I was,” Jared said. He almost seemed ashamed.
“How much, young man?” the man asked, the tincture held tightly in his hand.
Jensen ignored him. “If that’s what you want to do, don’t let this man bully you. Take the bottle away from him.”
Jared’s eyes widened. Then, saying nothing, he turned suddenly and snatched the bottle from the old man’s hand.
“Hey!” the man cried, flailing to keep his balance.
“I’m sorry,” Jared said quickly. He took a step away as if he feared the man might try and steal the bottle back from him. “I’m so sorry. Please, I… I’ll come back next week and give you a bottle for free. All right? It’s just...today, I...I had to get it back.”
The man shook his cane, first at Jared, then at Jensen. “Maniacs, the pair of you.” Saying nothing more, he pivoted on shaky legs and left, muttering under his breath.
Jensen waited until he was out of earshot before asking, “What the hell was that?”
Pointedly not meeting Jensen’s eyes, Jared put the tincture back in its box. “Nothing. Just…nothing.”
“Would you mind telling me why it is that every time you say ‘nothing’ I can tell it’s really something?” Jensen asked.
But before Jared could reply, Anna peered around the side of the wagon, her eyes as big as pie plates. “Is everything all right? There’s a little old man over here, saying he nearly got into a fight with Jared.”
“Everything is fine,” Jared said, but his smile seemed forced. “Just fine.” He turned to Jensen. “Can you watch the wagon for a bit? I have to…I need to clear my head.”
“Of course,” Jensen said, concerned.
“Thanks.” Jared gave him a quick, tight smile, then left. Jensen watched as Jared skirted around the edge of the market and disappeared down one of Paxton’s narrow side streets.
“What was that about?” Anna asked. Jensen turned towards her. She was watching Jared’s retreat, a frown wrinkling her brow.
Jensen shook his head. “I’m not exactly sure. The old man you heard carrying on wanted to buy something Jared didn’t want to sell. Somehow it became…awkward.”
Anna nodded, sympathy in her big blue eyes. “I was worried it might be something like that. Kind as he is, sometimes Jared has trouble with people.”
“Trouble how?” Jensen said, coming to stand beside her cart. “Jared doesn’t strike me as the type to start a brawl.”
“Jared fight?” Anna said, eyebrows lifting. “Oh, no. No matter what that old man might have said, I knew it was nothing like that. It’s more…communication that’s the problem, I guess. Sometimes Jared lets people take advantage of him. Other times there are misunderstandings… It’s odd.”
“Jared needs to get out more,” Jensen said.
Anna smiled, small and vaguely sad. “Or let more people in who care about him.”
Jensen couldn’t really argue about that.
*
Jared didn’t stay away long. When he returned, Jensen asked him where he’d gone.
“To the church,” he said.
“Why?” Jensen asked.
“I needed a little time to myself,” Jared said. He shrugged, his expression sheepish. “There’s no better place to be alone than inside a church on market day.”
Jensen nodded his understanding and questioned Jared no further, even though he very much wanted to. The common was still bustling with people, many of them stopping by Jared’s wagon. There really wasn’t time for them to do anything but attend to customers. The answers regarding Jared’s strange behavior would have to wait until later.
Jared remained distant much of the afternoon. He was polite to everyone, smiling and chatting about inconsequential things. But he ducked Jensen’s gaze more than once, and those dimpled grins Jensen had grown to love looked strained and seemed to fall short of his eyes. Not even the late arrival of Widow Murphy, coming at last to claim her Joint Remedy, was enough to lift his mood.
It was almost a relief when the market wound down, people saying their goodbyes and returning home to prepare the evening meal.
“We’re getting ready to head out,” Anna said, coming around the back of their wagon, Betsy clinging to her skirt. “Will we see you next week?”
“I should think so,” Jared said from where he knelt in the wagon bed, securing things for the trip home. “Did you have a good day?”
“Very good,” Anna said, bending down to lift Betsy into her arms. “I’ll be keeping busy the next several days, replenishing my stock.” She came to stand in front of Jensen. “Jensen, it was a pleasure meeting you. Will you be returning with Jared next week?”
Jensen glanced at Jared before answering. Jared didn’t meet his eyes. “I don’t think so.” It was all he could do to stop himself from checking Jared’s reaction. “I need to return home. I’ve stayed too long already.”
“Of course,” Anna said, smiling. “Safe journey.”
“And to you,” Jensen said with a small incline of his head.
Finishing up what he was doing, Jared climbed down from the wagon and went to Anna and her child. Bending down, he gave Betsy a quick kiss on the head. She laughed and said something that sounded close to Jared’s name. He smiled at her and at her mother in a way more genuine than Jensen had seen all afternoon. “Take care of this one for me,” he said. “Have a good week.”
“We will,” Anna said, her answering smile fading suddenly, a look of uncertainty taking its place. Then, hurrying, as if wanting to act before she thought better of it, she stood on tiptoe and pressed a kiss to Jared’s cheek. Immediately afterwards, her face flooded with pink. “Take care of yourself,” she said softly, her eyes averted. With a small wave, she returned to her cart.
“I still say you could have that, you know,” Jensen murmured, coming to stand beside Jared, his arms crossed. “A pretty wife, a sweet child. If you wanted that life, it could be yours. You wouldn’t have to be lonely anymore.”
Seeming almost hurt by Jensen’s suggestion, Jared turned to heave one final box up onto the back of the wagon. “I don’t want that. I told you.”
“No, you said it was never going to happen,” Jensen said, following closely behind him. “That’s something else entirely.”
“So what?” Jared asked.
“So I’m telling you it could,” Jensen said, hands braced against the wagon, his frustration growing. “Anyone with eyes can see that girl is yours for the taking. Give her a sign, one tiny bit of encouragement, and Anna would be in your arms so fast she’d knock you flat.”
Jared turned around, glaring. From his place atop the wagon bed, he towered over Jensen even more than he usually did. “Will you let it go? Why do you keep pushing me? Why do you make insinuations and assumptions about what I and everyone else wants? Why can’t you just leave me be?”
Why did he? Jensen couldn’t answer that. He didn’t want Jared to choose Anna. That was just about the last thing in the world he wanted. But Jensen also didn’t want him to be unhappy. Jared had said he was lonely, yet he didn’t want to leave his home behind to come to Westerly. Maybe if Anna and Betsy came to live in the Great Forest, he would be more content. He’d have someone to look after him, to make him laugh, to share his life. Someone to love him…
…someone who wasn’t Jensen.
“I’m sorry,” Jensen said, pushing off of the wagon and away. “You’re right. I was out of line. I won’t mention Anna again. You have my word on it.”
Jared seemed surprised by Jensen’s abrupt about-face. But he nodded, his brow still wrinkled in a frown. “Thank you.”
They said little more as they secured the rest of their belongings and started off for home. Jensen rode as before, with Jared again leading Monty. They didn’t speak until they were well into the woods. But the silence wasn’t comfortable like before. This time it was heavy with tension and all that was unspoken between them. Finally, Jensen couldn’t stand it any longer.
“Are you angry with me?”
Pulling his mule to a stop, Jared turned around. His eyebrows nearly touched his hairline. “Angry? Do you mean about Anna? No, of course not. I accept your apology.”
“No, not about Anna,” Jensen said, climbing down before Jared could stop him. “Even before that. You’ve been acting strangely all afternoon, ever since you came back from your walk. Have I done something to offend you?”
Jared looked positively stricken. “No! God, no. Jensen-how could you even think that?”
“Then what is it?” Jensen asked. “What’s going on?”
Jared shook his head and looked away. When he spoke, his voice was soft as the shadows falling amongst the trees. “Don’t you see? It’s me. I’m the one who gave offense.”
Jensen came to stand beside him. He took hold of Jared’s arm and made Jared face him. “I swear to God-half the time I have no idea what’s going on inside your head,” he said, bending down to try and capture Jared’s gaze. “Who exactly is it you believe you’ve offended?”
“Who did I offend? What a joke,” Jared said, meeting Jensen’s eyes and pulling free of his grasp. “Who didn’t I offend?” He began to pace, Monty’s long reins still held loosely in his hand. “You, that old man, anyone who might have been standing nearby and heard what I said to him, saw what I did. It was-I was-ridiculous.”
“Jared, I think you’re making more of this than it truly was,” Jensen said, trying to calm him. “The man was an ass.”
“He’s infirm, and I practically ripped the bottle out of his hand,” Jared said. “It’s a wonder he didn’t fall over and injure more than just his joints.”
“You took it from him,” Jensen said, “and he retained his fingers. Seems to me like everyone came out a winner.”
Surprised by Jensen’s attempt at humor, Jared gave a single chuff of laughter. “I’m sure he doesn’t feel that way.”
“Yeah, well I’m not worried about him,” Jensen said. “I’m worried about you.”
“Why, though?” Jared asked, his confusion written on his face.
“I like you,” Jensen said.
He could tell by Jared’s expression that his words rang familiar. The corner of Jared’s mouth pulled up, acknowledging Jensen’s effort, but his eyes were sad. “Jensen, don’t you see? I do this kind of thing all the time. Nearly every week, when I go to market, some calamity occurs. I’m no good with people.”
“You’re good with me,” Jensen said, moving closer.
Jared laughed again, a little rueful, but more genuine than before. He looked down and scrubbed the back of his neck with his hand. “I’m sure that says more about you than it does about me.”
“I think it says you need to keep trying, keep practicing. People aren’t all that hard to make sense of once you get to know some,” Jensen said.
“I know enough,” Jared said.
“Who? Me? Anna and Betsy? A handful of customers from the market?” Jensen said, taking hold of his arms. “Jared, there’s a great big world out there. You don’t have to be afraid of it.”
“You don’t know what you’re saying,” Jared said, shaking his head. “What you’re suggesting…it’s impossible.”
“Impossible?” Jensen echoed, giving Jared his most charming smile. “No. Impossible is my finding you in the middle of these vast woods. Impossible is your being able to heal me, when I would have bet a king’s ransom I wasn’t going to last the night. Impossible is this.” He slid his hands up Jared’s strong arms and around the back of his neck. Plunging his fingers into Jared’s mop of hair, Jensen stretched up and covered Jared’s mouth with his own.
Jared gasped, then kissed Jensen back, his arms closing around Jensen to draw him near. Jared’s lips were as soft as Jensen had remembered and giving. Jensen took what he could, then gave it back again, licking his way inside Jared’s mouth the moment Jared allowed him access, swallowing Jared’s moans while only just holding his own at bay.
Finally, when he judged they both needed a moment to catch their breath, Jensen pulled away, smiling when Jared, eyes closed, instinctively tried to follow him. Jensen stopped him by laying his hand gently on Jared’s cheek.
“Not so impossible after all, is it?” Jensen said softly, reaching up to tuck a fall of hair behind Jared’s ear. Jared was looking at him now, his eyes dark and unfocused. “You say we can’t have this, but I’m going to prove to you we can.”
Want had fogged Jared’s eyes , but his faculties-and his worries-weren’t entirely gone. He shook his head, even as he pulled Jensen against him more tightly. “You’re wrong. I’m sorry, Jensen. I wish it weren’t true. But it is.”
Jensen only just resisted the urge to shake him. “We’ll see about that. Don’t forget-I’m a diplomat. I’ve been trained to persuade.” That coaxed a smile from Jared, weak though it was. Still, Jensen was heartened. “Come on, let’s get home. I want to hold our negotiations in a more comfortable setting.”
With a nod, Jared gave Monty’s reins a tug and got them started again on their way. Jensen didn’t return to his place on the wagon, and for once, Jared didn’t request that he did. They walked side by side the rest of the way to the cottage, each lost in their own thoughts.
The sun had almost entirely disappeared behind the trees by the time they reached Jared’s home. All that remained was the violet twilight and a thin line of blood orange along the horizon. As they hiked wearily up the path, Clarence and Daisy came bounding out to meet them from the yard’s shed.
“I’ve got to feed them and get everyone else settled for the night,” Jared said, bending down to scratch an exuberant Clarence behind the ears. “I hung a pot of water in the hearth this morning; there should be some left. Why don’t you get the fire started, so you can wash up.”
Even though it had been a long day, and the walk back had been more exercise than he’d had since his injury, Jensen was feeling alert and rather well. Still, he was dusty from the trip. He had no objection to Jared’s plan. “Sounds good,” he said, capturing Jared’s cheek in his hand and pressing a kiss to it. “Don’t be long.”
A shudder went through Jared and his ears turned pink. “I won’t.”
With a smile, Jensen went inside.
He found the pot waiting, just as Jared had said, and stirred the embers below before adding fresh kindling to the fire. Soon a new blaze crackled, warming the water hanging over it and the room. Tabitha seemed to approve and, after rubbing against Jensen’s leg in welcome, curled up neatly in the fireside chair and closed her eyes, ignoring him.
Stripping off his shirt, Jensen lit the room’s candles before finding the soap, toweling and basin Jared had used before. Once he was satisfied with the water’s temperature, he scooped some of it into the basin and began washing up. He was finishing just as Jared came through the door.
(to be continued)
Masterpost Part I Part III