Nate stepped into the well-lit house and waited for his eyes to adjust while he took in his surroundings. The house was nicely decorated with a strong southwestern flair. Rich reds and golds permeated the color scheme. Overstuffed couches beckoned visitors, and the walls were adorned with natural landscapes, only adding to the heavy color that already saturated the house.
Beyond the main living space, Nate could see the large backyard patio where the rest of the family was gathered. The smell of spices and meat sizzling rose in smoky waves from the BBQ and lit candles in hanging lanterns illuminated the rest of the yard, the tree’s branches casting shadows as they moved subtly in the breeze.
Jennie seemed to sense his nerves. “My family doesn’t bite,” she said, her eyes gleaming playfully. “At least not very hard.”
Nate laughed, but his jaw remained stiff with tension. “Come on,” she said, taking his gloved hand to lead him to the patio. Jennie wondered why he’d been wearing leather driving gloves so much lately but decided not to ask. She was just happy to have him there.
As soon as they stepped out onto the porch all eyes were on Nate. He felt as if he were meeting a panel of judges instead of Jennie’s family. He suddenly felt a new wave of nerves but soon realized his nervousness was self-imposed.
Jennie’s mother, Cathy, rose to greet him with a light embrace and invited him to sit down. Dinner followed quickly and Nate began to relax as they talked about everything from school to her little sister Kate’s unusual interest in politics. Nate couldn’t help but like Jennie’s family. They were warm and accepting and treated him with respect. In fact, the more he learned about them, the more he saw where she got her good qualities.
When dinner was done, they pulled out a well-worn Pictionary box. After a lengthy discussion about the family’s house rules, teams were chosen by Jennie’s mom. It was Nate and Kate versus Jennie and her dad while her mother made brownies in the kitchen. Nate pulled the first card. He read the phrase twice. He couldn’t believe it. He wondered if somehow Celeste had planted the phrase to play a joke on him; then he remembered Celeste didn’t have a sense of humor.
“It’s two words,” Nate warned before he began to draw on the large white sketchpad. Like everything else, drawing came easily to him and he quickly sketched a rough outline of an angel. Kate yelled out “Angel!” Nate knew he couldn’t speak so he held up his hand palm facing forward as if to say wait, then he held up two fingers to remind her that there were two words. Jennie’s father Alex looked at the timer and smiled smugly. Nate’s team was quickly running out of time. Nate turned back to the paper and swiftly sketched enormous detailed wings and in the crook of those wings, two small children huddled together. As he stepped away from his rudimentary masterpiece, a perfect silence fell over the room.
“Guardian angel,” Kate said almost reverently. The sound of the timer going off sounded stark and abrasive in contrast to the mood of the room.
“You’re an amazing artist, Nate.” Jennie quietly said what everyone else was thinking. Nate could feel the color rising in his cheeks once again.
“So we get the points then?” Nate said, trying to shift the unwanted attention to something else.
“Yes,” Jennie chuckled. “You earned them.”
Next, it was Jennie’s turn to draw. She sketched an apple tree and a cup. Her father guessed apple juice just as the timer was going off. Nate was relieved when Jennie’s mother invited everyone in the kitchen for brownies. While they ate their brownies, the conversation finally turned to Jennie, and Nate sat back and listened to her family talk about her achievements. Her parents were proud of their little girl. Nate tried not to think about Jennie’s and Kate’s future. He forced himself to listen to the conversation, to participate, anything to keep his mind off March and the end of his time with them. This job was turning into the most difficult assignment he’d ever been given.
An hour later, after thanking her parents and saying goodnight to Kate, he and Jennie sat on her doorstep for a few minutes talking. The stars were bright, casting a soft glow on Jennie’s face. Nate couldn’t help but notice how beautiful she looked in the moonlight.
Jennie sat close to Nate, wondering if she should try to take his hand. Nate seemed to sense the direction of the conversation and took control, steering it away from anything too intimate.
“Thanks for having me over, Jen. Your family is great.”
“They’re okay,” she said. “Kate can be a little overbearing but I figure maybe someday she’ll run a small country and then she can tell everyone what to do.”
Nate burst out laughing in pure delight at the irony. If only Jennie knew how right she was. A picture of Celeste making him promise not to reveal any information he’d been given popped into his head, helping him to stifle his laughter. Jennie cocked her head to the side and scrunched up her forehead like she always did when she was confused by Nate’s behavior.
“Sorry,” he covered his tracks. “I just got a visual of her as a dictator.” Jennie smiled, sharing his made-up visual. For a moment, it was quiet, and then the silence became uncomfortable again.
“Hey, Nate,” Jennie broke in, “I don’t want to take a date to Homecoming; will you go with me instead?”
As soon as she said it, Nate’s amused expression made her realize her verbal faux pas.
She tried again. “I don’t want to have a romantic date, so I want to take you.”
Nate pulled back his lips trying to suppress full-blown laughter. Jennie was beginning to get flustered but tried again.
“What I mean is you and I have fun together but don’t date and I would like…”
Jennie’s voice trailed off as she finally gave up. Luckily, Nate realized that this could end with Jennie’s feelings getting hurt. The protector instinct kicked in and he reached out his hand and lightly touched her arm. He hated to see her hurt, even a little. The sensation followed, lightly like a feather tickling every nerve ending in her arm. Immediately, it soothed her nerves and her tension gave way to a small smile.
As soon as Nate felt the warmth of her skin he recoiled, but it was too late; she’d already felt it and so had he for the first time. He forced himself to remember his mandate, but his words still came out soft and inviting.
“I’d love to go with you to Homecoming,” he said. “I’ve never done that before.”
Jennie didn’t notice, but as he spoke he put back on his gloves. He was at least learning to quickly regain control of the situation.
“I mean, we are friends, right?”
Jennie’s face crumpled with disappointment. Nate knew that look. He’d seen girls wear that expression far too often around him.
“Yeah,” she said sounding just a little exasperated. “You are definitely one of my best friends.”
Nate was smart enough to realize if he stayed around he might say something to make it even worse, so he clasped her hand in his gloved hand and said, “I’d better get going. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Jennie watched him walk down the stone path and out to his car. That hadn’t gone the way she’d pictured it in her mind, but they were still going to the dance. Just before he got into the car, he met her eyes one more time and raised his hand in a simple wave. Jennie’s look of admiration had returned. She raised her hand in response. Nate took a deep breath and climbed into his Mustang.
Jennie stood and waited for his car to drive away before going inside. When she walked in, her mother was stretched out on a couch, waiting for her in the living room.
“So?” her mother asked, already knowing how her daughter felt about Nate. Jennie ignored her question and asked one of her own.
“What do you think of him, Mom?”
Her mother smiled at her lovingly. “It doesn’t matter what I think of him, sweetheart,” she said. “You’ll be 18 on New Year’s Eve, old enough to choose for yourself.”
Jennie flopped onto the other end of the couch, picked up a small round pillow and threw it playf
ully at her mom.
“I can choose for myself now,” she responded. “I’m asking because your opinion is important to me.”
Her mother was thoughtful for a second, trying to put words together carefully, but in the end just spoke her mind. “He is amazing,” she stated.
“I agree,” Jennie confided to her mom, “but he says he just wants to be friends.”
Jennie’s mom chuckled. “Give him time,” she counseled her daughter. “I saw the way he looked at you; before long, he’ll want more.”
Jennie’s face broke out into a hopeful smile. She rose from the couch and kissed her mother on the cheek.
“Good night, Mom,” she said “and thanks. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
Jennie’s words, although intended as a compliment, sent a chill down her mother’s spine. Luckily, Jennie was already on her way up the stairs and didn’t notice. Jennie’s mother stood up, trying to shake off whatever was bothering her. Soon the feeling passed and she went around turning off the lights before finally climbing the stairs to go to her own bed.
Chapter 11
After the Sunday with Jennie’s family, Nate’s life evolved into a comfortable pattern. Most afternoons he played basketball. Braiden introduced him to all the returning players from the previous season, and he easily became part of the team. During pickup games, Nate quickly became known as his team’s highest scoring player. His ability to maneuver around his opponents and consistently slam-dunk the ball amazed his teammates and protected his position of popularity in school.
Nate soon learned why Jenny asked him to the dance so early. It seemed like every day a new girl asked him to go to the dance and every day he was grateful to already have plans. Most days after basketball practice, Nate would stop by the pet store for a few minutes. He loved watching Jennie work and eventually decided to adopt Sebastian.
One of the many rules he was supposed to live by was NO PETS. That rule went right along with the no attachment rule, but Sebastian needed a home and no one else would take him. Besides, Sebastian behaved perfectly whenever Nate was around. Nate reasoned that he might be able to reform Sebastian, help bring out his inner angel, then he would find a permanent home for him.
With school and Jenny keeping him busy, the days until homecoming weekend passed quickly. Finally, the week of homecoming, the oppressive desert heat gave way to the milder days and cooler nights of fall.
* * *
As Jennie finished placing the last bobby pin in Marissa’s hair, she broke out in a smile. In the mirror, Jennie barely recognized their dressed-up images. They were ready just in time. The boys would be arriving soon.
While Marissa touched up her lipstick, Jennie nervously twirled a single ringlet that had escaped from her elaborate up-do.
“What are you nervous about?” her best friend asked, without actually taking her eyes off her own image. Jennie laughed.
“How did you know?”
“You always twirl your hair when you’re nervous about something. You used to do it during spelling bees. That’s how I knew you didn’t have the answer.”
“Am I that obvious?” Jennie asked pointedly.
“To me you are,” Marissa replied, “but not to Nate.” Marissa turned around, her dress making a soft whooshing sound as the feathery skirt caught up with the turn. “Why don’t you just ask him how he feels about you?” she suggested.
Jennie smoothed her dress out and picked up her black satin elbow-length gloves from the counter before responding. She looked at her friend, knowing that she could confide in her, needing to talk to someone before she went crazy.
“Because this guy is different,” she began. “He’s not just some crush of the week. Somehow, I feel like I’ve known him forever and yet everything with him feels...” She paused, processing the thought even as she spoke. “It feels like coming home.”
“Wow.”
“Yeah,” Jennie continued, “and I don’t want to blow it.”
Outside, a horn announcing their dates’ arrival broke up the conversation, but Marissa gave Jennie one last knowing glance as they bounded to the door. Unable to wait, Jennie opened the door to find Nate strolling up to the porch dressed in a classic black and white tuxedo. His normally tousled blond hair had been tamed and his silvery blue eyes looked especially vibrant.
Nate took one look at Jennie in her muted pink dress and had to look away to avoid giving away his surprise. Jennie was always beautiful to Nate, but tonight she looked regal, and the way the dress hugged each curve of her body, downright distracting to a guy trying to remain a friend.
Marissa could tell their greeting was going to take a little while, and gently pushed past them to meet Braiden in the yard.
Nate cleared his throat. It was silly; he was hundreds of years old, but everything he experienced with Jennie felt strangely new and different.
“You look beautiful,” he nearly whispered as they stood inches apart… “The pink with your skin, your freckles, and your eyes.”
He was babbling and Jennie looked pleased. He knew he had to stop and keep his feelings in check, but for a moment he actually felt mesmerized and the way Jennie was capturing him with her eyes wasn’t helping at all.
“Hey, guys, let’s go,” Braiden called out across the yard, momentarily breaking the spell.
Jennie remembered the gloves in her hand and slipped them on. “Do you like them?” she asked Nate. Thinking about how much easier they would make the night, Nate answered honestly, “I do.”
Without waiting for an invitation, Jennie reached down and took Nate’s hand in her own. Nate didn’t resist. It was all he could do to think straight with the scent of her perfume lingering in the air and the feel of her slender fingers wrapped in his.
Must focus, he demanded of himself.
Jennie and Nate climbed into the limousine and took a seat across from their friends. Marissa and Braiden talked excitedly about the hotel where the dance was being held while Jennie and Nate listened quietly. When they pulled up to the Ritz Carlton, the car grew quiet. Dances at Palm Springs High were always a social event to remember, but this year the dance committee members had outdone themselves. They’d reserved one of two grand ballrooms in one of the most prestigious hotels in the valley. The hotel was built on a mountainside on a small piece of private land in the middle of a bighorn sheep preserve. During the day, it was common to see the magnificent endangered sheep, distinctly recognizable by their tightly curled horns, roaming the hillside or eating grass around the hotel’s perimeter. At night, every room maximized the majestic view of the valley with large, carefully placed windows. On a clear evening, so many lights twinkled in the valley below that it mirrored the brilliant night sky above. Tonight was one those clear nights.
The four friends climbed from the limo and found their way to the hotel’s lobby. High school students decked out in formals and tuxes milled around the enormous room, some just arriving and some having made their appearance and now leaving to go to after-parties. Nate took Jennie’s gloved hand securely in his own and guided her to the ballroom while Marissa and Braiden wandered off to look at the hotel.
The ballroom throbbed with the music from the band. Floor-to-ceiling windows took advantage of the spectacular view outside, showcasing thousands of twinkling lights emanating from the valley below. All the way around the mood was festive.
The band began to wind down from a more upbeat tune and seamlessly slipped into a much softer ballad. Nate had been reminding himself over and over that he was here to be Jennie’s protector and forced himself to stand unmoving in the swaying music. Jennie had another idea.
Firmly, without asking for permission, she tightened her grip on his hand and led him to the dance floor. Nate couldn’t help but notice that in the soft glow of the pulsing lights, her face looked angelic. As Jennie pulled their two bodies close, Nate had to look away. Now he couldn’t see her eyes, but he could feel every curve of her body, and worst of all every b
reath she took reminded him of the fragile nature of her life and his role in it.
Forgive me, Celeste, he thought, as he enjoyed the feel of holding her close.
Couples around them chattered as they danced, but Nate and Jennie danced slowly, barely moving, with their cheeks so close that Nate could feel the warmth radiating from her soft skin. Nate was losing resolve; his mind was muddled with confusion. He just wanted to feel her downy cheek against his own. He could smell the scent of her shampoo and hungered to know what it felt like to run his fingers through her silky curls. He tried again to picture Celeste with her angry scowl. He tried anything to derail his feelings but they were solidly on track.
“Something’s going on,” Jennie whispered near his ear, shocking him back to reality.
“I know,” he nearly moaned. “I’m trying to stop it.”
Jennie pulled back and looked at him with a puzzled expression. “What are you talking about?” she asked.
Jennie had turned her eyes back to the patio area just outside of the ballroom. Nate followed her gaze and suddenly realized they were talking about two different things. She was right—some kind of confrontation was happening and it didn’t look like it would end well.
“That’s Kaelen and Hanna,” Jennie spoke with an urgency that Nate didn’t fully understand, and then it dawned on him. The gossip floating around school was that Hanna dumped her boyfriend of two years for Kaelen only a week before the dance. From the looks of the boy standing stiffly across from the new couple on the patio outside, he must have been the one that was dumped.
“Who’s that?” Nate asked Jennie.
“Zane, and he’s hot tempered. Got kicked off the football team for beating up, well, everybody smaller than…” Before Jennie finished her sentence, Nate began to move.
“Stay here,” he said firmly before weaving his way through the crowd to reach the patio door.
Inside, hardly anyone noticed Nate slip through the door and out onto the patio. The band had started in on a song with an upbeat tempo and the dance floor filled with another wave of students.
Unbreakable Love Page 4
