Running Home (Warm Springs Trilogy Book 2)

by Christina Kirby

  “Dance with me.” His command was quiet, but powerful.

  Her eyes darted to where James stood talking on his cell phone. “I don’t know if that’s a good idea.”

  “Dance with me anyway.”

  Jenny’s palms were damp as Adam held his hand out to her and guided her to the floor. As the first piano notes played the old Garth Brooks’ song, ‘The Dance’, Adam pulled her close and held her. The heat from their bodies met in the middle and wove together as they started to move.

  If she were smart, she wouldn’t have agreed to the dance, but when it came to him, she never thought rationally. And, for the next three minutes, she didn’t want to. All she wanted was to be held by him and forget everything else. His cheek hovered near hers, so close she could feel his breath near her ear. She longed to tilt her head to the side. To rest her cheek against his, but that would be reckless.

  “You looked beautiful today at the wedding.”

  She smiled. “I was a mess.”

  “A beautiful mess.” His hand pressed into her back, forcing her closer to him.

  Her chest tightened until she feared she wouldn’t be able to breathe. The words would’ve been harmless coming from someone else, but not him. Not Adam. From him, they cut to the core.

  She gripped his shoulder tighter, her fingertips digging into his white dress shirt and the solid shoulder underneath. “Adam, I . . .”

  “We don’t have to talk. For now, let’s just dance.”

  She relaxed again and let her eyes flutter closed as they danced beneath the stars. While they held each other, she was vaguely aware of the other dancers moving around her, but they seemed like ghosts. Phantoms locked outside the oasis where she was stranded with Adam. A place she’d longed to be since she’d seen him in her office. As the song came to an end, she pulled back and exhaled, her eyes never leaving his.

  “Well, if it isn’t my two favorite people.” Spencer stopped beside them with Sam. Her cheeks flushed from dancing.

  “Good party,” Adam said. “And, a hearty congratulations.”

  Coach Pritchard tagged Adam’s shoulder. “I was just coming over to say the same thing.” He shook hands with Spencer and smiled warmly at Sam. “You kids have ya’ a nice place here.”

  “Thank you,” Sam said. “You’ll have to come by and have dinner one night.”

  “Yeah, you should, and bring Mrs. Pritchard,” Spencer added, giving the thumbs up signal with both hands.

  “I just might do that.” Coach turned his attention to Adam. “I’m glad you’re here. I wanted to run something by you.”

  “Shoot.”

  “The boys have a game coming up and I was wondering if you’d be willing to come by and talk to them, maybe even throw out the first ball?” He crossed his arms over his chest the same way he did while he watched practices and games. “They’d get a kick out of it.”

  “Sure,” Adam said. “Sounds fun. I can call you next week and we can set it up.”

  “Well, all right. I’m going to head out. Us old folks can’t party all night like you kids.” He clapped a hand on Spencer’s shoulder. “I’m proud of you, boy. And, your daddy would be, too. Lord rest his soul.”

  “Thanks, Coach.” They watched the old man leave before falling back into conversation. “I’m glad he could come.”

  “Yeah, it’s good seeing him,” Adam focused his attention on the couple standing before him. Glad to see his friend so happy.

  “It’s turned out to be the perfect day.” Sam stretched onto her tiptoes, kissed Adam’s cheek and then gave Jenny a hug. “Thank you both so much for all your help. The day wouldn’t have been as picture-perfect without the two of you.”

  “You’re most welcome,” Jenny said still a little flustered by Adam’s close proximity.

  “I’ll get even with you when I call you next week to beg for you to come help out with my kitchen.”

  Spencer looked at Sam. “Make it two weeks.” Sam’s cheeks turned as red as roses and she bumped Spencer’s hip with her own. With an arm around Sam, Spencer turned his attention to her and Adam. “You know, this is how I always pictured it.”

  Adam cocked his head to the side. “Pictured what?”

  “Growing up. Somehow in my head I always thought this was how it would be. All us guys getting married and having kids. Coaching little league together. Our kids getting into trouble together the way we used to.”

  Adam grinned. “It paints a nice picture.”

  “That it does,” Spencer agreed.

  Someone tapped on a glass, the clinking sound grabbing everyone’s attention. When the foursome turned to see who it was, Jenny’s heart flew into her throat. James stood on the porch with his eyes locked on her.

  “If I could have everyone’s attention.” The crowd quieted down and the music faded out. “I was going to do this next week when Jenny and I go on vacation, but I can’t wait any longer.”

  Her eyes darted to Sam and Spencer. Had James’ voice faltered, or was that due to the sudden ringing in her ears?

  “You see, we’ve been together for a while now and it’s time for us to take the next step. Jenny, if you would come up here and join me.”

  With a sinking feeling Jenny stepped forward, fighting back nausea. Not here. Not here. Not here.

  Eyes downcast, her mind raced. A part of her wanted to glance back at Adam, but she couldn’t. What good would it do?

  She found Ann in the crowd. Her mouth was slightly open and her eyes wide. Jake was beside her, a crease between his brows. It seemed she wasn’t the only one reeling. As Jenny slowly made her way through the crowd, an overwhelming sense of dread pressed down upon her until she feared it’d be too much to carry.

  As panic mounted, the open fence door called to her and offered an escape. She debated running for a moment. She could make it. Just go. Instead, she kept moving. She wasn’t a coward.

  James reached for her hand to help her up onto the steps beside him. Her fingers were cold in his hand, like the icy fear in her chest had spread throughout her body.

  She glanced nervously out at the crowd. Familiar faces beamed up at her except for those select few who knew the truth. Before she could help it, her eyes came to rest on Adam, his face a hard mask void of emotion.

  James released her hand and knelt in front of her. She tore her gaze away from Adam as James pulled a velvet box out of his pocket. Her breaths became short, shallow bursts. Why did he have to make it public? She didn’t want to embarrass him.

  “Jennifer Fillmore, will you marry me?”

  Oohs and ahs sounded from the crowd. Mouth dry, she reached for the box and closed it. “Can we talk?”

  “Come on, Jen,” he hissed, glancing around at all the people staring at them. “This isn’t really the time. I’m down on my knee here.”

  Jenny bent over to speak in a quiet voice. “Let’s go talk inside.”

  She started for the house and heard Spencer yell to turn the music back up. She left the door to the kitchen open behind her. Slowly, the sound of voices began once more, a few at first followed by more, until the party was underway again. She had no doubt people were itching to discuss and dissect her little drama, but being polite, they’d wait until later or at least until she was gone for the night. The voices muffled when James closed the door between them and the rest of the guests.

  “What’re you doing to me here, Jen?” He ran a hand through his slicked hair, leaving a few disheveled strands in his wake. “Are you trying to make me look like a joke in front of half the town?” He paced in front of a row of cabinets. “Not that I give damn about what these rednecks think, but—”

  “James,” Jenny started, her voice unsteady, “I wanted to wait to speak to you about us until after the wedding.” She blew out a breath. “
We can’t, I can’t,” she corrected.

  “It’s him isn’t it? The baseball has-been?”

  His question threw her off guard. She stared at him while she searched for the right words. The kitchen might as well have been as wide as the Grand Canyon for all the space that opened up between them.

  “Your silence is telling me what I already know. You’re in love with him.” He scoffed and shook his head. “You know, that’s why I asked you tonight. I could see it. I knew there was something going on between the two of you. I figured the only way I’d have any chance would be to make my move before he did. Looks like I was too late.”

  She took a step toward him and he recoiled. She stopped short. “I’m sorry, James.”

  “Well, as long as you’re sorry.” His voice was harsh, but she’d expected it. He crossed to the hallway, started to leave and then turned back. “What is it about this guy? You’re usually so smart and now you’re going to fall for his bullshit and let him crush you all over again?”

  He tapped his fingers on the door frame and refused to look at her. “Maybe it’s better I don’t end up with you. You’re just like the rest of the people in this town, stupid.” He turned on his heel and left. The front door opened and then slammed shut a minute later.

  Jenny sagged against the counter and closed her eyes. A fresh wave of panic threatened to overtake her, but it wasn’t the loss of James. It was the ring of truth in his words. What if he was right? What if she gave herself to Adam and he walked out on her again?

  A light knock sounded. Jenny turned her head to the side and saw the man himself in the doorway. Somehow she wasn’t surprised, but instead of being happy to see him, she was angry.

  “You okay?” He walked the rest of the way into the kitchen and closed the door. “I was out front getting some air and saw James leave.”

  “That’s just perfect, isn’t it?” Jenny pushed away from the counter and the anger she’d tried to hold back broke free. “He’s gone. I hope you’re happy.”

  “Wait. What?” Adam raised an eyebrow at her. “Are you pissed at me?”

  “Well, since everything’s about you, why not?” She covered her face with her hands and then dropped them.

  “Okay, I get that you’re having a rough night, but none of this is my fault.”

  “Tell me you’re kidding?” Jenny took a step toward him and pointed a finger at his chest. “Of course this is your fault. Everything that’s gone wrong in my life in the last two months is your fault.”

  “That’s rich. You dodged a bullet by not agreeing to marry that jackass. You know it. I know it, and now you’re acting mad about it. What’s the real reason you’re so upset? Are you worried about what people will say?”

  Jenny pinched the bridge of her nose. “Look, I’m tired and I’m not in the mood to scrutinize my life. It’s imploding nicely on its own.” She exhaled and turned her back to Adam, desperate for a chance to catch her breath before she said something she would regret. “Please, just leave me alone.”

  “When you’re ready to talk, I’ll be around.”

  After he was gone, she dropped into a chair at the kitchen table and buried her face in her hands. But, for how long?

  Chapter 18

  Jenny ran the highlighter across the list lying on the kitchen counter. “All the baskets are accounted for.”

  “Excellent. I still need to touch base with the caterer to finalize any last minute details, but other than that . . .”

  “Baby, what’s wrong?” She reached out and laid her hand over her daughter’s. “I can’t pretend like I don’t see the sadness in your eyes, and your lips are raw where you’ve chewed on them. Tell me what’s going on.”

  Jenny let out a sigh and fell back against her chair. Sitting at the kitchen table discussing her love life with her mother felt like a high school flashback. “I didn’t want to burden you when you already have so much on your plate.”

  “Don’t be silly. You’re my daughter. Everything else comes second.” The simplicity of her mother’s statement left little room for doubt. Her mother always put her family first.

  Jenny pushed her hair behind her ears and took a deep breath. Better to put it all out there. “So, last night at the wedding—”

  “I thought you said the wedding went off without any trouble?”

  “It did, but . . . well . . .” Jenny chewed her tender lip again. There was no easy way to say it, so she’d just say it. Blurt it out all at once. “James asked me to marry him.”

  Her mother gasped. “And, you’re just now telling me? You’ve been here for over an hour. Jenny, what did you say?” Her eyes shot to her empty ring finger.

  Jenny’s own gaze followed her mother’s and made her shift on her seat. The silence which stretched on as the reality of the situation settled around them like a fog made it hard to breathe.

  “Oh, I see,” her mother said in a hushed tone.

  “I’m guessing, based on your expression, you didn’t know?” Somewhere deep down, Jenny knew he hadn’t asked for her father’s permission. It wouldn’t have occurred to James to do so.

  “Not a clue.” Her mother pulled her hand back across the table and thought a moment before continuing. “It’s not surprising that he asked. Your father and I assumed it was coming.” The quiet of the kitchen surrounded them as a vanilla scented candle flickered on the counter. It’s smell as comforting as the company.

  Her mother, composed now, turned to her. “Are you regretting your decision?”

  “No. I can’t marry him, Mom.” Tears threatened, but she choked them back. She’d already cried and it didn’t change anything. “I don’t love him.”

  “Don’t love who?” her father stepped into the room. He took in the sight of them huddled together at the kitchen table, immediately let go of the refrigerator door and crossed to the table. “What’s going on?”

  Her mother looked toward heaven. Her dad’s ability to only catch the end of a conversation and then jump to conclusions was legendary in their house.

  “Daddy, it’s nothing.”

  “It’s not nothing,” her mom’s exasperated tone revealed more than mere words, “but there’s nothing to worry about.”

  Jenny repeated the ordeal to her father and waited while he took a seat. At this point, she was yo-yoing between misery and mortification. Both her parents seemed to be searching for something to say. It wasn’t everyday their daughter announced she’d rejected a proposal.

  “Jenny, if James had asked you a few months ago, what would you have said?”

  She stared at her mother. It was a strange question. “I don’t know. I mean I’ve been back and forth about my feelings for James about a million times.”

  “That’s not what I asked.” Her mother’s eyes bored into hers; forcing her to accept the reason she made her decision.

  “I probably would’ve said yes. That’s what people do at this age, right? They get married. So what if there weren’t fireworks all the time? We’re adults.”

  “Oh, baby.” Her mom ran a hand down her cheek and Jenny leaned into the familiar smooth skin which always smelled vaguely of lemons. “You should never settle. It doesn’t matter what people think you ought to do. What matters is what you want.”

  “I wish I knew.”

  “I think you do know what you want. That’s why you turned James down. Your heart is already taken.” Her mom offered her a warm smile full of understanding. The kind only a mother can offer. One that let her know she wasn’t alone.

  “Adam is a good boy, Jenny,” her father spoke up for the first time since he’d sat down. “Well, a good man. He always has been.”

  Jenny turned her head to the side and studied her dad’s face. “You’ve always been quick to defend him. Why? Even after he left to play ball. When everyo
ne else was raking him over the coals, you always played devil’s advocate.” She’d grown angry at her father more than once for doing so.

  “Just because the two of you had a falling out doesn’t mean he isn’t good people.”

  She opened her mouth to argue, but stopped when her dad continued.

  “You were young. And sometimes,” he joined his two index fingers and then pulled them apart for emphasis, “life pulls people in different directions.”

  “He’s here now,” her mom said.

  “I know, but I’m scared.” Being afraid made her angry. As she ground her teeth together, she realized she didn’t want to be afraid of anything or anyone ever again. Least of all Adam. But, loving him gave him all the power. By giving him her heart, again, he could hurt her worse than anyone else ever could.

  “Love is scary, Baby, but if he’s the one you want, you should face your fear. Life is short.”

  Jenny leaned over and hugged her mother. Relief washed through her as her mother’s comforting arms wound around her. Her parents accepted Adam. And, her mother was right. Jenny did want him, but could she trust him not to hurt her? Could she give herself fully without trust? She had to find out. It was time she tested the waters with Adam.

  Several hours later, after leaving her mother’s and swinging by her apartment to freshen up, Jenny made the final turn to Adam’s place. The lights from the house blazed through the darkness and she heard music as she slid out of her car. She paused for a beat as her confidence waivered, but then straightened her shoulders. She needed to do this. She needed to take control.