Rachel

I opened my eyes. Matty's handsome little face was in my direction. His words to Jacob from last night, repeat in my head.
I love you, I love you...

My life didn't go as planned. I didn't get the boy I love and I'm a single mom with a small boy. My parents are gone. But I'm lucky to have Katie and Mama Jane. They are my family now. For a while there I never really thought that Jacob would make his way back. He hated living in such a small town. And he made a promise that he would leave and never come back. But I should have known better that he would have come back at some point for his Mama.

I wipe my watery eyes quickly in case Matty wakes up. Thank goodness it's Saturday. I can take my time waking up. I slowly make my way out of bed and put on my house coat. It's 4:30 am. I have a few chores before making breakfast. I tiptoe through the hall and down the stairs, not to wake anyone up. I saw the kitchen light on. I slowly make my way to see who's up.

It's Jacob. Focusing on a pile of papers on the kitchen table. He looks tense holding a long rolled paper up close to his face. I stand still for a moment to take the view of my once-secret boyfriend. He is as gorgeous now as he was then. His body is tall and fit. His broad shoulders were (and still is ) my weakness. His biceps flexes as he holds the paper. His ginger hair is shaggy with a few front pieces falling over his forehead as he looks down. A tingling feeling in the core of my chest. I think he means well but I don't know if I can let him back into my... and Matty's life.

"Good morning," I said quietly, making my way to the kettle.

Jacob looks up, "Hey, good morning. What are you doing up at this time?" He asks looking back at his papers.

"I'm going to have my coffee and feed the animals then start breakfast." Jacob chuckles. I look at him, "What?"

Jacob puts his papers down and looks at me, "Always busy, huh? I'm here today. Why don't you do some school work and I can take care of Mama, Matty and the animals."

I sip my coffee and look down at his papers, " Thank you, but you look busy too."

Jacob sighs looking at his papers, "Well. Let me know. Once I figure out this problem I'm free all day." Jacob says. Looking at his papers again. I stare at his expression. It was one of my favourites. The 'I-need-to-figure-this-out' look. It's that moment where Jacob was just Jacob. I'm curious. I was to see what's Jacob's dilemma.

"The client wants a bigger front entrance. See here," Jacob points at a little square drawn on the blueprint, " Those are electric wires and pipes that are in the way. They want a closet and that's really the only place to put one, but it doesn't work. It will be too crowded."

I look at the blueprint. I love how they look. The lines, the shapes and how they represent someone's home, "Can you extend the entrance?"

Jacob looks at me. I look at him. "What do you mean?" Jacob asks.

I look at the plan, " Well, I mean... I don't know if it can be done but what if you extend the front door about 4-5 feet out. Like a pop-out then you can build the closet in there and maybe some space for a long table. Add lights and maybe a side window for natural light."

Jacob looks at me with his mouth open, "Are you sure you don't want to become an interior decorator or even in architect?"

I smile shyly, "I couldn't."

"Ray. That's a fantastic idea and won't cost as much as it would to move the wires and pipes." Jacob thinks to himself as he moves his finger around the drawing, planning it in his head. I notice the smell of his cologne. A sweet mossy smell and its intoxicating scent sending my senses into overdrive.

"While you figure that out I'm going to feed the animals," I said. I had to get out of there. I was starting to feel like I was going to lose control and I'm scare Jacob won't stop me.

The rabbits are adorable as they scupper over to the bowls of food. Feeding the horse is my favourite. Benny is stubborn but friendly. _____ can have a temper but show no fear and be gentle then she's putty in your hand. The chickens coo as they eat their grains. I collect the eggs for breakfast. I take one rabbit in my hands and cuddle him. This one is Jackson. He's brown with white fur on his tummy. He's the friendly one and I love holding him.

"So do you always steal moments to play with the rabbits?"Jacob says gently at the entrance of the barn, "You always liked the rabbits. We spent a lot of time in this barn with them."

I put the rabbit back in the cage feeling uncomfortable being alone with Jacob, "I try to steal quiet moments from time to time." I answer.

"Thank you so much for your idea of the front entrance. I emailed my clients and they responded immediately loving the idea. My partner is ordering the materials as we speak. Thank you."

"I walk to the door where Jacob is standing. I smile shyly, "I'm glad it worked out."

Jacob steps out of the barn and we walk together towards the house.

"I still think you should consider studying interior design. We can flip houses together!" Jacob say with excitement.

I smile, "I don't know. It's really a hobby. Decor and colours. It gives me peace." I say walking towards the side of the house.

"Where are you going now?" Jacob asks noticing we're not walking to the back door.

"The pool. I'm sure Marty's going to want to swim today. It's suppose to be a beautiful day."

"Ah. That sounds like a wonderful idea."

I walk into the hut and grab the hose. Jacob takes it from me and walks to the side of the pool with it. We set it up and I start to vacuum the pool.

"Can I try?." Jacob says, holding his hand out.

I look at him. " Have you done this before?" I ask.

"No but the house I bought...for me.... Has one." Jacob stutters nervously.

"Then in that case I'll show you." I pass the pole of the vacuum to Jacob. "Just hold it sturdy and slowly guide it up and down"

Jacob takes the pole of the vacuum and slowly lowers it down. We watch quitly at the vacuum in the pool.

"I can't believe Mama got a pool. It must have been pricy to put it in. Mama shouldn't have spent her money on it." Jacob comments, pulling the vacuum up.

"Actually, Mama Jane didn't pay for it. I did." I hesitate to share. I didn't want Jacob to lecture to his Mama about it if she wasn't the one who paid for it. He would find out sooner or later.

"You?" He said stun

"Well, the kids are getting older and it's great exercise for your Mama. I always wanted a pool and Matty and Gavin learned to swim."

"But how. Sorry for asking, but Rachel. It costs a lot to build a pool." Jacob asks, concern.

"My parents inheritance for me. When I came back and moved in with your Mama I thought why not. Your family has given so much to me. Trips, gifts at Christmas and my birthday and I thought it was perfect for all of us."

Jacob stares at me in silence. I swear his eyes started to water. I was feeling very uncomfortable, "why are you staring at me?"

Jacob quickly focus on the vacuum again, " I was thinking how lucky Mama Jane is that you came into our lives." I smile, "actually, how lucky we all are to have you in our lives."

I glance quickly at Jacob. Smiling at this moment we are having together. Maybe he did change. He's spending his Saturday morning doing chores with me instead of sleeping in.

"All done." He said as he lifts the vacuum out of the pool. I bend down to pull the tube out of the filter as Jacob's hand reaches for the tube and touches my hand. I look at Jacob as he nervously looks at me.

"Sorry." I said quickly bringing my hand to my chest, embarrassedly.

"Don't say sorry, Rachel." Jacob says still looking at me. "Rachel. I— I've been meaning — to tell yo—" I feel myself drawn to him as I magnetically get closer to him and —

"Good morning!!" We hear Mama Jane shout as she rolls outside the front door to the porch.

I take a deep breath relieve that Mama Jane stops a mistake that was about to happen. I want to kiss him. But I can't risk being hurt again, or Matty. Jacob isn't staying for good even with his Mama sick.

"Hey Mama. Good morning." Jacob shouts, jumping up quickly hoping he didn't get caught, " did you have a good sleep?" He stutters..

Mama Jane had a big smile looking at Jacob and I. "It was wonderful sweetie. Thank you for asking."

"Do you want breakfast? I ask Jacob as I finish pulling the tube out of the pool, really just keeping myself busy.

Jacob takes the tubes from my hands smiling at me. "I'll take it. You can make breakfast. "

I nod my head feeling my cheeks getting hot. I quickly walk out of the pool area and up the porch stairs.

"It's a lovely day Rachel isn't it." Mama Jane says, staring at my expression.
.
I look at her as she looks at Jacob, "he's grown so much. Hasn't he?" Mama Jane said.

I didn't follow Mama Jane's view. I know who she was looking at proudly.

I take a deep breath, " I think he'll come more often too. I think he misses home." I said.

"I think he misses more than home, Rachel." Mama Jane looks at me.

I smile at her and walk inside. I lean on the door when I close it. I take a deep breath. I rub my hand where Jacob touched. I smile at the feeling of his hand gripping on mine. I smile that secretly I'm happy that Jacob's here. If I keep my distance I can watch him from afar. I did it once. I can do it again. But this time just don't fall in love with him.