Finding Home

Chapter Twelve - Jacket

And then he is gone. He walks down the porch, back into the cab and drives off. I am left on the porch stunned. 

Incredible?

I slowly make my way into the house. Lock up. Get to my room. Take off my dress and make-up. Brush my teeth. Get into my pyjamas and then into bed. The entire time replaying those short minutes on the porch. While I was standing there with Dean hovering over me, his hand on my hip warming my entire body, burning my entire body, time seemed to slow down. But looking back on it now it was too fast. I wanted more time with him. I wanted to go back into that moment and slow it down even more. Drag it out and make it last an eternity. It slowly dawns on me. I like Dean. I really like Dean. It's like a stupid, big, high school crush.

Shit.

For the first time since I arrived home I can't sleep.

                                           ****************************************************

When the sun finally rises I feel groggy. It had taken hours to drop off and then I kept waking up when my dreams kept replaying Deans hand on my hip, only in my dreams it moved. It moved up my waist, both hands wrapped around me. Pulled me closer to him, his lips searching for mine.....

I need a shower! I climb out of bed and head for the bathroom.

Once out the shower and dressed in my jeans and a t-shirt I start tidying my room. My clothes from last night were just thrown to the floor. It's then that I notice Dean's jacket on the reading spot.

Shit.

I was so caught up in the moment I forgot to give him it back. I have to give him it back. Breakfast first. I make my way downstairs. Dad is just starting to cut the grass outside. Mom is at the kitchen island arranging some flowers.

"Morning sweetie, I've just made coffee" she says without looking up

"Morning" I grab an empty cup from the cupboard and head for the coffee machine

"Did you have a nice night?" She asks "You must've had fun, you were out quite late"

"Yeah, it was great" I keep it vague. I don't need her to know who I ended up with last night, who walked me to the door and.....

No. Stop thinking of him.

"I'm so glad you're settling in Annie" Mom looks up and gives me a warm smile.

"Yeah.... It's not so bad here after all" I'm still thinking of Dean

She laughs.

"In fact.. I may have landed a job last night"

"What? At the bar?" She asks, not sounding happy with the idea of me working at the bar.

"No, not the bar Mom. Jess told me her Mom might be looking to hire another waitress. She said she would suggest me. In fact....." This could be a good excuse to get out and give Dean his jacket back "I was going to head out and see Lizzy myself"

"That's a great idea! Why don't you take your Dad's truck? It's a little colder out there this morning, it's supposed to rain later too"

"Sure" I start making my toast, it's mid-morning now and I'm starving. I need food.

When I'm finished I get into Dad's truck feeling....giddy. 

It never occurred to ask my Dad to borrow this. I turn the radio on, turning it up when a song I like comes on. Deans jacket is on the passenger seat. I had put a sweater on and my own jacket and boots, it was definitely colder today.

First stop the station. Get it done. My stomach is doing so many flips on my way. I don't even know if he's going be there. Will Georgia be there? I wonder if anything happened with her and Ben last night.

When I get to the station I jump out the car quickly folding the jacket over my arm and almost start jogging inside. I'll do it quickly.

Georgia isn't at her desk. Ben isn't either. Dean's office blinds are open, I can't see anyone in there and the door is closed.

"Can I help you?" An officer starts approaching me.

"Oh, yeah, sorry. I was just looking for the Sheriff. Is he in today?" I ask suddenly feeling embarrassed.

"He's not. It's rare but he has taken the weekend off, is there anything I can help you with?" The stocky, black-haired officer tilts his head.

"I don't think so, I just wanted to return something....."

"Oh... he's back on Monday if it's not urgent"

"No... I guess it's not urgent.....thank you" I give a smile and walk out.

I can feel the disappointment in my chest. I was so nervous to see him I had started building it up and to find that he isn't there made my good mood nose-dive. The fact that I don't get to see him today leaves me feeling a little down.

I take a deep breath and make my way to Lizzy's.

Mom would know if I didn't go, she'd ask about it and she see's Lizzy all the time so I couldn't get out going just because I'm not feeling great. Besides, I do want to check out this job offer.

I can't see Jess when I enter so I go straight to Lizzy.

She tells me she would love some extra help but it would only be part-time to begin with. That's fine by me. Anything to get me out of the house before I go crazy. 

I start on Monday at 8am and fir the first time in my life I'm looking forward to Monday morning. 

I thank her a few times and start to leave when a to-go coffee cup lands in front of me.

I look up to see Jess leaning on the counter, trying to smile.

"You'll need this if you feel anything like I do today" she looks tired and a little grumpy.

"A little hungover?" I ask, trying to sound sympathetic 

"A lot" she grunts "How are you feeling?"

"Not too bad. I skipped the shots and my last round was a bottle of water remember?"

"Urgh! Why didn't I do that!" She complains.

"You can go home once the lunch rush is over" Lizzy is rolling her eyes.

It was just beginning to pick up. I take a sip of my coffee and an idea forms.

"Jess......?"

"Yeah?" She begins loading some drinks onto a tray.

"You said the Sheriff lived near me?"

"Hhm"

"Do you know where......exactly?"

She looks up to me raising her eyebrows

"He gave me his jacket last night because I was cold and I want to return it" I quickly say

"I see...." She is watching me carefully

"He wasn't at the station..."

"Oh, you checked the station?" She looks amused now.

"What?"

"Nothing, nothing..... yeah he doesn't live too far from you. About five houses down I think, number twelve?"

That is close to me, the cottages are spread out but number twelve it is only about two and a half miles down to street.

"Thanks Jess, see you Monday" she gives me a thumbs up and I practically skip to Dad's truck. That excited and slightly anxious feeling is back. Maybe I will get to see Dean today after all.