“Jacob Arrowood?” He’s one of the new top celebrities that everyone is going nuts over. His last action movie was top in the box office for weeks and the plane crash only added to his fame. It was all over the news for days as they searched for him and the crew.

He nods. “Do you know who else was in that crash?”

It takes me a second to put two and two together. Jessica was a flight attendant. I’d heard that much when Winnie was babbling to Stella about her sister. I normally could avoid anything relating to her, but they were discussing how cool it was that she flew with celebrities. Of course, she’d just done a flight with Stella’s favorite musician and Jessica had sent Winnie a photo.

“What?” I ask, nearly spilling my coffee. “She was in a plane crash? Why didn’t anyone say anything to me?”

Jack’s smug grin makes me want to punch him.

“Hey now, you didn’t want to know anything. Jessica Walker is on your do-not-mention list along with—”

“Yes, her too.”

“Ever think it’s you, buddy? I mean, two girls, two horrible endings to your love story. I’m noticing a pattern.”

I tilt my head back because I wonder the same thing every day. I loved two women and they both left. Jessica and I were young and as much as I wanted to marry her, give her everything, we weren’t ready. When I met Yvonne, though, it was different. I was in grad school and she was pursuing her singing career, both from the same lifestyle and she was everything my mother wanted but I fought against—only I knew I wasn’t ready to date her, but I did anyway.

“At least Yvonne left me with something I love and was worth the hell.”

Jack grins. “Amelia is definitely worth it.”

While I never pictured life being this way, I wouldn’t trade my daughter for every star in the sky.

“Jessica left me with nothing.”

He shrugs. “If it weren’t for her doing that, you wouldn’t have Melia.”

“True.”

“Is she with Stella?” he asks.

“Yeah, she’s having another sleepover. It’s why I was able to answer the fire tones tonight.”

The food arrives and Jennie gives us a warm smile. “You boys eat up. You have to keep your strength if you want to keep saving the town.”

Jack grins. “See, Jennie gets it.”

“Jennie thinks food fixes any problem.”

She stares at me, one brow raised as she smiles. “It does. My Vernon and I have been married for fifty-three years. There’s nothing in this world that can’t be fixed with love, understanding, and some food from the heart.”

My head turns to where Jessica was sitting before. “You think?”