Taken by Surprise

Chapter 10

Jessie stared at the envelope then turned it over. Her name was written on the front in flowing script but nothing on the back. And it was sealed. She noticed her hands shaking and stuffed the envelope in her jeans pocket.

"Thank you. I appreciate you bringing it by."

"Again, my sincerest apologies."

"No problem. Listen, I'll send Rona out to take your order, okay?" She wasn't sure she could write two words at the moment.

"Of course. And if there is anything in there that needs my assistance, please don't hesitate to call.

The letter burned a hole in her pocket all day. She was so distracted when Bob came in he told her to please stick to cleanup and stop screwing up the orders. At last the day was over. She locked up and headed home, her head whirling as she wondered what Delfina had thought so important she wrote her a letter. Maybe she'd tell Jessie how they were related.

She had no appetite for anything to eat so she took a shower, pulled on her sleep shirt, and fixed herself a mug of tea. She carried the mug of tea and the letter into her bedroom and settled down on her bed to read. When she finished it her heart pounded so hard she wondered it didn't shatter the windows. She fortified herself with a sip of tea and began again.

"My dear Jessie,

I have thought of you and your Grandma Rose all these years and my heart ached with the need to see you. Rose did keep me up on your life and sent me pictures, despite the bitterness between us. I want you to know that was all on me.

Decades ago, I fell in love with a dashing carpenter who was working his way up in the construction company where he worked. I was absolutely mad for him. But when he asked me to marry him, I turned him down. You see, I was working for a catering company and had plans to one day own my own. I did not have time for a relationship. I could not afford to lose my focus.

He was very angry with me. Asked me if I cared so little for him when he loved me with all his heart. He tried to tell me I could do both but I was young and stupid and walked away from the greatest love I would ever find. When I finally realized what I'd lost, I went to him and tried to take it back, but I'd hurt him too badly. He told me I'd thrown away his love for a dream we both could have shared.

I had to leave town. I could not stay in the same city with him, knowing I'd be tempted to beg him every day to let me come back. I heard about a job as a cook at a ranch in West Texas, which is how I ended up in Fort Mavis. I worked there for a while then got a job in a restaurant in town. I'm sure you figured out I'm talking about Delfina's Diner. Eventually I was able to buy it and threw myself into it. After all, what else did I have?

I think my worst pain came when I learned the love of my life had married my sister, your Grandma Rose. For years after that, I couldn't even contact her. I was so bitter. I learned much later that she was too embarrassed to reach out to me, so there we were, two sisters who loved the same man. But she had been smart enough to hang onto him. The town became my family. But eventually curiosity got the better of me and I wrote to her. Among other things, she told me about your desire to become a chef.

I know you must be a good one, but if I can pass anything along to you, it is the knowledge that success is no replacement for a strong and a biding love. That only comes along once. I hope you will keep the diner going and not sell it. That you will love the town as much as I do and find a man who will own your heart. If you do, don't be foolish and throw it away. If I leave you any legacy, that would be it. Follow your heart. It will take you to your dream.

All my love and the hope that you will make Fort Mavis your home as I did,

Great-Aunt Delfina.

Jessie read the letter twice more, tears streaming down her face. She hurt for her great aunt, knowing firsthand the pain she felt. All those years she lived without the man she loved, and to know he had married her sister. Jessie was glad she had a brother instead because if she found herself in that situation she didn't know how she'd handle it.

What had she done to herself? Would she end up like Delfina, alone and regretting it every minute of the day and night, no matter how successful she was? Her problem now was how to mend fences with Jack and see if she still had a chance with him. If he could get past the way she'd walked away from him.

She plucked a tissue from the box on her nightstand and wiped her wet cheeks. Her tea had cooled by now so she took it back to the kitchen, dumped it, and rinsed the mug. Despite the early hour, the emotions running through her exhausted her. Clutching the letter, she lay down on the bed, closed her eyes, and conjured up an image of Jack, the last time they'd been together before she walked away.