Taken Home

by Ruth Cardello

  And the raging hard-on she’d left him with.

  Chapter Four

  Chelle walked into the reception with her head held high. She couldn’t deny it had felt good to stand up to that woman. She wasn’t the least bit sorry about putting her in her place. Thought you could come here and look down your nose at us? Think again, sweetheart. There’s a reason people say you don’t mess with Texas. Even the sweetest of us can dole out an ass-whupping when we come across a person in need of one.

  She also didn’t regret telling Mason what she thought of him. Sure, he was gorgeous, but he had an ego the size of the state he represented. Chelle rolled her eyes skyward and reviewed her behavior over the past few hours. I can’t even imagine what Mason thinks of me. I chase him around like a horny teenager, I smack him, then pretty much propose to him. If I keep this up, I’m going to end up on some government watch list.

  Melanie spotted her and walked over with Charles. She looked Chelle over, then gave Charles a look. “Chelle, is everything okay? You sprinted out of here in such a hurry I thought you were upset.”

  Chelle looked into Charles’s carefully expressionless face, then back at Melanie. “Weddings are emotional, even when they aren’t your own. I lost my head for a minute there, but I’m fine now.”

  Melanie turned to her fiancé. “Charles, could you get me a soda water and lemon? Chelle, would you like something?”

  “No, thank you.”

  After Charles gave Melanie a quick kiss on the cheek and walked away, Melanie said softly, “Your turn will come, Chelle.”

  Knowing the trials Melanie had gone through and how her life had turned around gave Chelle hope in that moment. “I know it will. I just don’t know if I can find what I want in this town, Mel.”

  “I guess that depends on what you’re yearning for.”

  Chelle looked across the reception hall at her parents. “I’m twenty-five. Do you know how many times I’ve been out of Texas? Zero. I love my parents, but living on their ranch and helping them run it is all I know. Did you ever look at yourself in the mirror and think, I thought I’d be more than this?”

  “Yes, I did,” Melanie said quietly. “I remember that feeling too well.”

  “But you did something about it.”

  Melanie started to shake her head, then stopped herself. “I was about to say Charles did, but you’re right: it was me. I finished my degree, and even though I’m engaged, I’m still running my interior design business. My mother always said people should never be a destination, but rather a partner for the road. I like to think that’s what I am with Charles. Before I could invite him to be part of my journey, though, I had to find out for myself what my journey was. It sounds like that’s where you are. Where would you go if you could go anywhere? What would you do if you thought anything was possible?”

  Possibilities were sometimes as terrifying as they were exciting to consider. “I used to want to travel. I was accepted to Boston College. I didn’t know what I wanted to do, but I felt I could make a difference. Then my grandmother passed away, and there was no one to watch my grandfather during the day. If I’d had sisters or brothers, maybe I could have gone away to a state school, but instead I took classes online so I could get my degree and live at home while everyone else worked.”

  Melanie said softly, “It sounds like you did make a difference.”

  Chelle nodded. “I don’t regret any of the decisions I’ve made. I was holding my grandfather’s hand when he passed away. I have a degree in accounting, and I’ve been able to help my parents weather some financial storms. I’m sorry. I don’t mean to bring up sad topics—it’s just that I started thinking today about all the things I haven’t done yet, and I panicked.” She looked across the room and caught Mason watching her. Her cheeks warmed when she remembered how she’d thrown herself at him, only to have him explain that sex hadn’t been what he’d wanted from her. Perhaps he had done her a favor. If he had said yes, he would have been her destination, albeit probably only for that one night. Instead, he’d brought her full circle, back to a place where she needed to once again ask herself what she really wanted. Was it really a one-night stand? Would she regret it? She’d waited so long for someone to look at her the way Tony had gazed down at Sarah when he’d said his vows. Did not wanting to wait anymore mean she was settling? Giving up?

  I’m going to die a virgin.

  “Chelle, I know you well enough to know you’re sitting on enough money to go somewhere if you want to. So maybe you should. Life is too short to live it feeling as if you’ve missed out. Pick a destination and go. Your parents are fine. And who knows, you might discover everything you want is back here. Or discover something you love out there.”

  “I can’t go by myself.”

  Melanie gave her a pointed look. “Because you’re scared?”

  “Shitless,” Chelle added with humor. “This is all I know.”

  Melanie shrugged. “I completely understand that, too. I let my fears hold me back for a long time. I don’t have all the answers, Chelle, but I do know one thing. You can’t see the world if you never leave Texas.”

  Mason folded his arms across his chest and leaned against a wall near the side exit. He considered leaving the reception early, but he couldn’t. As Chelle moved from one table to another, his fascination with her grew. Both David and Charles had described Chelle as a sweet woman, someone they didn’t want him to lead astray. How was she also the brazen beauty who had kissed him with a condom tucked in her bra? As he watched her interact with her friends and family, he saw a woman who had an extra-warm smile for both children and the elderly. A woman who seemed to know and like everyone. There had to be someone she had issues with. Someone she’d reveal she had no patience for.

  No one is that fucking perfect.

  He told himself curiosity was the only reason he couldn’t look away. He didn’t want to acknowledge that there was more. She was alluring in ways that were difficult for him to align with his usual partners. By his jaded standards, Trish should have been more appealing to him. Like many of the women he knew, Trish obviously prioritized her physical appearance. Endless hours in the gym. Salads with a portion of protein but no dressing. Every imperfection in her features had been professionally smoothed away.

  He watched Chelle adjust her bodice again as she walked from one table to another, and smiled. He would bet she couldn’t wait to get home and take off that dress.

  The idea brought his cock instantly back to attention, an uncomfortable state of affairs considering the table she’d joined. He recognized the man and woman as her parents. She was standing beside her father when she turned and sought Mason’s eyes.

  My God, you’re beautiful. I can’t believe you’ve never been with anyone. The things I could teach you about yourself. Something tells me you’d be worth whatever trouble being with you brought.

  Her father said something, and Chelle blushed, then turned away again. A moment later, her laughter rang out, and he wondered if the comment had been about him. Her father sent him a brief glare, and Mason fought back a guilty smile.

  He knows what I’m thinking.

  Chelle glanced at him again with a shy smile. She, however, has no idea. She leaned down and made one last comment to her parents, then began walking in his direction.

  His breath caught in his throat and his heart beat crazily in his chest. Behind her, he saw Charles give a curt shake of his head.

  I know. I know.

  Mason pushed off the wall and exited the reception hall. He was halfway across the foyer and headed toward the stairs when he heard her voice.

  “Mason, there’s something I need to say before you go.”

  Mason groaned and stopped without turning around. I am only human. “I have to meet my plane. I’m flying out tonight.”

  She stepped in front of him and looked up. The siren of earlier had been replaced by an earnest innocent. “I want to apologize for my behavior tonight. I don’t know what
came over me. I’ve never hit anyone in my life.” She chewed her bottom lip. “And I shouldn’t have called you a dog. I don’t know anything about you, and I only said it because my pride was smarting.”

  He stood there staring at her, digesting what she’d said. He’d expected her to try to give him one final cutting remark. Or to make another play for him. He didn’t quite know what her agenda was. Women always had one. “No need to apologize. You made up for hitting me by convincing Trish we were together.”

  She smiled wryly. “I’m glad it worked out the way you wanted it to.”

  He frowned at her instead of answering. Glad wasn’t how he would describe how he felt. Part of him wanted to push her, see if a little temper would bring back the passionate woman he’d glimpsed within her. Leave well enough alone, he warned himself.

  She held out a hand for him to shake. “Since you’re close with Charles, I’m sure this won’t be the last time we see each other. If you can forget my temporary lapse in sanity tonight, maybe we can be friends.”

  Mason wrapped his hand around hers and simply held it. Her grip was strong and honest. Her lips, the ones that had sought his earlier, pursed sweetly as if she were holding back something she wanted to say. “Friends?”

  She pulled her hand back and hugged it to her, seeming suddenly less sure. “Why not? I’ll admit I was embarrassed earlier, but my grandfather always said people are only as happy as they make up their minds to be. So I’m looking for the positive in us meeting. I’m grateful it worked out as it did.”

  The more she spoke, the less happy he was. “That you didn’t leave with me?”

  She smiled with shyness, and it took everything in him not to pull her into his arms. “Yes. I do want the first time to be with someone I care about. I appreciate how you respected that. Awkward as this conversation is, I wanted to say thank you.”

  “Glad I could help,” Mason said tightly and turned on his heel. He needed to get out of Texas and away from the woman who had succeeded in tying his insides up into a hundred painful knots.

  Chapter Five

  Two weeks later, Chelle was sitting with Sarah and Melanie in Sarah’s living room. It was the second time that week she’d been invited over for lunch. The discussion the last time had been mostly about the Hawaiian honeymoon Sarah and Tony had just returned from and the little they had actually seen outside their presidential suite. Both Melanie and Sarah looked like they were bursting to tell her something.

  Could one of them be pregnant?

  Did Melanie and Charles pick a date?

  Chelle had done some serious reflecting since her freak-out at Sarah’s wedding. She refused to be the kind of person who couldn’t be happy for her friends just because they were in a better place than she was. In that spirit, she smiled and asked, “I can’t take it anymore. Spill whatever it is you two are sitting on.”

  Sarah clasped her hands on her lap. “I spoke to Josie. She said you had gone to her travel agency and picked up some brochures last week, but she hadn’t heard from you since.”

  Chelle’s smile faltered. That wasn’t at all what she’d expected her to say. “I’ve been busy.”

  Melanie leaned forward, and her skepticism was obvious. “Is that all it is?”

  Chelle looked away and shrugged, not comfortable with sharing what she didn’t want to admit even to herself. “Sure. You were right. I do want to travel. I just haven’t had time to decide where I want to go.”

  Sarah reached behind a cushion on her couch and pulled out a small gift-wrapped box. “I was hoping you’d say that.” She held the box out to Chelle. “I made this for you, but before you open it, I want you to promise me something.”

  Chelle took the gift and held it on her lap while watching her two friends cautiously. “I’ve never gotten a gift that came with conditions before.”

  Sarah’s smile widened. “Then today is your lucky day.”

  Melanie nodded toward the box. “Sarah made it, but I have to admit I like the idea.”

  Chelle lifted the gift and shook it. The contents sounded like pieces of cardboard sliding back and forth. As her curiosity grew, she started to unwrap it, but Sarah quickly placed her hand on it to stop her.

  “First, you have to promise to use it.”

  Looking back and forth between Sarah and Melanie, Chelle said, “How can I do that before I know what it is?”

  Melanie shared a look with Sarah.

  Sarah waved a hand at the still-unopened gift. “Do you trust us?”

  Chelle thought about how good both of them had been to her. Sarah had been open and kind since the first day she’d met her. And Melanie, well, she took longer to open up, but underneath her tough exterior, she was actually pretty sweet. Neither had ever given her a reason to doubt their friendship. “Absolutely.”

  Sarah pointed to the box again. “Then just promise. Let us help you change your life.”

  Melanie raised and dropped one shoulder. “I wouldn’t have said it so dramatically, but I do think it’s a nice idea.”

  Chelle tipped the box again, trying to guess the contents from the sound inside. What could she possibly use that would come with life-changing rules? “You’re serious?”

  Sarah nodded forcefully. “Swear to follow the rules before you open it.” When Chelle didn’t agree immediately, Sarah held out her hand. “Of course, if you’re too afraid to do that, you can always give it back to me.”

  Chelle tightened her hands on the gift. Her fears were already holding her back from leaving town; she wouldn’t let them stop her from opening a silly little present. “I swear.”

  Sarah clapped her hands. “Then open it.”

  Chelle ripped the white wrapping paper off, revealing a simple cardboard box. She removed the tape that held it closed and reached inside. Her hand closed around what felt like a deck of cards. She pulled one out and studied it. It was a regular shiny playing card with a photo of Niagara Falls taped to one side of it. She looked at Sarah in confusion.

  Sarah said softly, “Josie gave us a list of everywhere you had taken information about. I glued each destination on a different card and put all of them in there. Now all you have to do is close your eyes, stick your hand in there, and let fate decide where you should go.”

  Chelle pulled out a handful of the cards and fanned them out. It was just as Sarah had said. From Paris to Alaska, each represented one of the many places she’d always dreamed of visiting. She dropped the cards back in the box and looked at Sarah and Melanie through tear-filled eyes. “I can’t believe you did this for me.”

  Sarah’s eyes shone with emotion. “We both know what it’s like to feel trapped. I can’t speak for Melanie, but I was my own roadblock. It took coming to Texas to break me free. Now I feel like I could go anywhere—do anything. I just happen to want to be here.”

  Melanie gave Sarah a hug. “For me, it took watching you charge forward with your life to get me to believe there was something I could do about my own.”

  “And now you and Jace spend your holidays traveling with Charles. Did you ever think you’d be a world traveler?”

  Melanie met Chelle’s eyes. “Never. I didn’t think I deserved more than I had, and I was afraid to open myself up to disappointment again. Maybe we’re wrong, Chelle, but is that where you are?”

  Chelle wiped away a stray tear. She hugged the box to her stomach and nodded.

  “Then decide today that you are going to take a leap of faith,” Sarah said cheerfully. “Pick a card and go wherever the card tells you to. No second-guessing. No procrastinating. Take that card to Josie today and choose your first adventure.”

  “I’m doing it. Here goes.” Hope replaced fear. Chelle put her hand into the cardboard box and closed her eyes. She shuffled through the cards, fervently hoping the right choice would come to her. In a comically dramatic voice, Chelle said, “Oh, magical recycled cardboard box, help me choose where I should go. Show me my destiny.”

  She pulled out a card an
d held her breath. Would she be buying a bikini, hiking boots, or tickets to a Broadway show? Wherever the card said, she suddenly felt ready to embrace it. Her heart was beating wildly when she finally opened her eyes.

  Disappointment quickly followed as she looked at what she had chosen. “The paper must have fallen off this one. It’s just the king of hearts.” An image of Mason came to her, but she dismissed it as ridiculous. She tossed the card on the table. “I appreciate what you’re trying to do with this game, Sarah, but maybe this isn’t how I should make a big decision like this.”

  Sarah picked up the card from the table. “Wait. How do you know this isn’t it?”

  Chelle put the box aside, brought her legs up onto the edge of the couch, and hugged her knees to her chest. “A blank card? If that’s really an answer, then what does it mean? That I’m not meant to go anywhere?”

  Sarah turned the card around between her fingers. “Or you’re not supposed to go alone. The king of hearts. Maybe the love of your life is waiting for you at the destination you choose.”

  Melanie rolled her eyes. “Or, Sarah, you didn’t use strong enough glue.”

  Sarah swatted at Melanie. “Don’t discourage her. You agreed this was a good idea.”

  With a sigh, Melanie conceded the point. “Fine. Please pull another card, Chelle, or I’ll never hear the end of this.”

  Chelle glanced at the box with doubt. She didn’t really want to raise her hopes again, but in the face of her friends’ urging, she didn’t see a whole lot of options. She reached inside again, this time not bothering to even close her eyes, and pulled out the first card her fingers brushed.

  Sarah grabbed the card as Chelle tossed it on the table, and exclaimed, “The Golden Gate Bridge. You’re going to California!” She turned to Melanie. “Mason is out there. I bet he has single friends he could introduce her to. Oh my God, that’s perfect.”

  The heat of a blush spread up Chelle’s neck and warmed her cheeks. “I should pick again.”

  “Oh no,” Sarah said as if she were a high authority. “You have your answer. Besides, you told me you were concerned about traveling alone. Now you don’t have to. You’ll have someone who can show you around. Trust me, Mason won’t mind. I’ve known him half my life. He talks like he thinks he’s God’s gift to women, but he’s a good guy. Just tell him you’re not into the wild crowd.”