Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Jessica froze, her body tensing for a split second before she shoved Timothy

away with all her strength. She yanked the comforter up to shield herself, glaring at him with a wariness that hadn't been there before.

"It was just a kiss. Was that really necessary?" Timothy scoffed.

She never used to react like this.

Her rejection stoked his frustration-ever since Herbert Wheeler had shown up, Jessica hardly let Timothy touch her at all.

Jessica silently cursed her inability to speak; if she could, she would have called him a creep to his face.

As if he even realized where he'd tried to kiss her.

After making sure the blanket was secure around her, Jessica reached out and signed, "Trying to pull that stunt in broad daylight at the hospital? Get out. I'll change by myself."

Timothy's irritation softened, if only a little.

She was shy-especially in the middle of the day, in a hospital room no less. With her temperament, of course she couldn't accept it.

As long as she wasn't pushing him away for another man, he could live with it.

He was still coaxing her, after all; the last thing he wanted was to drive her so far that she'd never come home again.

So he left the room.

and

He caught her hand and led her toward the exit, his grip firm

chatting with her. "Miss Sheila, could you please talk to my dad? Tell him now's

Timothy's voice was cold, sharp

scolding he'd received at the paper-cutting contest that morning, he shrank back and clung

Timothy out of this. She didn't

"You shouldn't be so harsh with Henry all the time.

"Sir, ma'am, dinner's ready.

had intended to lecture Henry, but with dinner ready and

nor Jessica had eaten lunch,

hand, leading her to the dining room. Pulling out her chair like a perfect gentleman, he waited

the two of them sat

of soup for Jessica and set it in front of her. "You just got over a high fever

voice was

as if her

tenderness had

kept her head

was there or not, it barely

Jessica, picking out pieces of