Ecstatic at the realization, Brody held himself in check. He didn’t want to be overly enthusiastic and scare her away. “That sounds reasonable.”
Reese nodded, then went back to her task. “Do you like mustard on your turkey sandwich?”
“Sure.”
A few moments later she set two plates on the small table that sat between a pair of swivel chairs. “What can I get you to drink? I have root beer and coke.”
“A coke would be great.”
After she set their cans on the table, Reese sat in one of the swivel chairs and Brody moved to the other. He took a bite of his sandwich, then said, “This is good. Thanks for having me over for lunch.”
With a smile, Reese said, “It’s only fair that I finally host you after you had me over to your place so many times.” Then she thought about the disparity between his beach house and her thirty-year-old RV, and her smile faded. She pictured the gorgeous interior of his house and the stunning view of the ocean from his balcony, then glanced at the inside of her home. Drab and old, her RV had potential, but she hadn’t had a chance—or the money—to make it cute yet.
With a glance at Brody, who seemed perfectly content, Reese reminded herself that after their two days together she would never see him again. So comparing her home to his was pointless.
Brody set his soda can on the table. “What do you want to do after lunch?”
Thinking for a moment, Reese said, “This morning I stopped by Old Faithful, but I didn’t really get a chance to walk around and check it out. Maybe we could go there.”
“Sounds good.”
They finished eating, chatting about the things they had seen on their hike and what they hoped to see that day, then Reese stood to clean up.
“Do you need any help?” Brody asked.
Liking his thoughtfulness, Reese smiled. “Thanks for offering, but I’ve got it.” Then she filled the small sink with soapy water and began washing their dishes.
Brody stood and walked to the kitchen, which took about two steps from where he had been sitting. “At least let me dry the dishes.” He wanted to prove he was useful, that he was more than a pretty face.
Reese gave him a lovely smile, which filled him with a powerful yearning to wrap his arms around her and hold her close. Then she reached behind her and pulled a dish towel off a hook. “If you insist,” she said, then handed him the towel. “I won’t turn down the help.”
He took it from her and picked up the plate she had washed. “After dinner, I’ll do the washing.”
Reese looked up from the utensil she had been wiping with a cloth. “Dinner?”
Concerned she might see that as being presumptuous, but wanting to make it clear he had every intention of spending as much time with her as possible, he laughed. “Did you already have plans for dinner?”
Fourteen
Though Reese liked knowing Brody wanted to be with her, she was also torn about allowing herself to be drawn to him too much. Telling him to leave at the end of their two days would be more difficult if the connection she felt with him sunk deeper.
Are you willing to take that risk? She considered it, and realized she wanted to have the good memories of the next two days—if only as something to draw upon when the loneliness she was sure to have in the future got to be too much.
“No,” she said. “I don’t have any plans for dinner.”
“Okay then. It’s settled.”
She placed the last washed dish on the counter for him to dry, unplugged the sink, then looked at him with a smirk. “Are you going to make dinner at your tent, or are you assuming I’ll make something here?”
Brody’s face flushed, making Reese feel bad that she had embarrassed him. “I, uh,” he began. “I don’t have anything to cook with.” A sheepish smile curved his mouth. “I only borrowed Logan’s tent and sleeping bag.”
Surprised he was so unprepared, Reese laughed. “Oh. Well then I guess we’ll be eating in my RV.”
“There’s a restaurant at Canyon Village. I ate there last night. It was pretty good.”
With a teasing glint in her eye, Reese asked, “Are you asking me on a date?”
“That depends.”
Surprised there might be conditions, she said, “On what?”
“On whether you want to cook or not.” Brody had finished drying the dishes, and he held out the dish towel.
Reese took it from him, hung it on its hook, then turned to face him. “I always prefer not to cook.”
“Then we’ll go out.”
“All right.”
Though it seemed as if it had been simple to get her to agree to dinner, Brody clearly remembered how often she had turned down his dinner invitations in Malibu. The fact that she had so readily accepted this one showed he was making progress. At least he hoped he was.
“Do you want to go to Old Faithful now?” Reese asked.
They discussed how they would meet in the Old Faithful parking lot, then Brody climbed out of the RV and walked to his truck, pulling onto the road behind Reese’s RV a few moments later.
As he followed Reese—it was so much better following her when she knew he was there and welcomed him—he called Logan to update him on his progress.
“So she didn’t kick you to the curb the moment she saw you?” Logan asked.
“Surprisingly, no. She even seems happy I’m here. I think.”
“You think?” Logan laughed. “Wow, bro. She’s really got you all spun up, doesn’t she?”
Brody didn’t like to think that Reese had that much of a hold on him, but there was no point in pretending she didn’t. Still, he didn’t like his younger brother pointing it out. “Shut up, Logan.”
“Hey, it’s not a bad thing. I’m glad to see you moving on.”
Moving on. Brody’s thoughts went to Megan and how he had hardly looked at a woman since her death. Until Reese. Reese had changed everything. Without even trying, she had drawn him in, and now he didn’t want to let her go.
Brody pulled into the parking lot behind Reese. “I’ve gotta go, Logan. Thanks again for loaning me your truck and your gear.”
“No problem. And I promise I’m taking care of your baby. Not a scratch on her.”
“I appreciate that.”
They disconnected, and Brody found a parking space near Reese before walking over to meet her.
She held up a pair of water bottles. “Do you think we ought to bring these?”
Brody looked toward the geyser basin. Steam rose in the distance, indicating there could be a lot of walking. “Probably a good idea.” He took the water bottle Reese held out, then they began walking toward the basin.
As they strolled side by side in the geyser basin, Brody decided it was time to make a minor move and take Reese’s hand. If she let him, that would be a good indication that things were moving in the right direction. If she refused, well…he would have to come up with another approach.
With a glance at her profile, and noticing that she was focused on all the interesting geologic points of interest, Brody reached toward her hand and slipped his fingers into hers.
The sudden touch of Brody’s large, warm hand against hers caught Reese off-guard. She had been so focused on what she should photograph, she hadn’t noticed him moving closer. But when their skin made contact, a jolt of electricity zinged through her, and she instinctively wanted to pull away. Brody must have sensed that, because his grip on her hand tightened slightly, encouraging her to hold on.
Forcing herself to relax—although it was difficult when her body was responding so strongly to his touch—Reese drew in a slow, deep breath, and left her hand in his.
They approached Castle Geyser, which bubbled and steamed within its grey, cone-shaped walls.
“Look at that,” Brody said, pointing with his free hand.
Reese wanted to take a picture, but now she didn’t want to let go of his hand. If she did, would he think she didn’t want to hold hands? With a small smile, she said, “I…uh, I wan
t to get a few pictures.”
His smile grew. “Of course.”
Brody found it interesting that she felt a need to tell him that. It was as if she wanted him to know that she liked him holding her hand. He watched her as she took several photos, then she glanced at him with a smile.
Taking the hint he hoped she was giving, he intertwined his fingers with hers. Her smile brightened, and he was glad he had taken the chance to hold her hand.
Next step, another kiss.
The anticipation of something that was typically so basic filled him with excitement.
I’m going to kiss her before the end of the day tomorrow.
Smiling at the thought, Brody met her gaze, and the look in her eyes encouraged him to meet the challenge he had set for himself.
Patience, Brody. Patience.
“Let’s see what else there is to see,” she said, and they continued on the walking path.
Fifteen
They spent the rest of the afternoon exploring the Old Faithful geyser basin, and Brody was happy that Reese allowed him to take her hand each time she finished taking pictures.
“I’m amazed by how many great pictures I’ve gotten,” she said as they stood on the boardwalk and looked at the stunning colors of Morning Glory Pool. She snapped a few more pictures. “I had no idea all that was here in Yellowstone.”
The excitement in her voice made him want to pull her into his arms. Not sure how that would go over, he did the next best thing. He moved closer to her, and when she finished taking pictures, he put his arm around her shoulder. And then on impulse, before she had even reacted to his arm around her, he leaned over and kissed her on the cheek.
At the feel of Brody’s strong masculine body so close to hers, Reese’s body went into overdrive—pulse skyrocketing, desire surging. And when his lips softly pressed against her cheek, she froze, not sure what she should do.
With a desperation that surprised her, she wanted to turn to him and let him encircle her in his arms. But she refused to follow that urging, knowing that would lead them onto a path that would be much more difficult to step off of when the time came to say good-bye.
After a moment, she managed to regain control of herself, and she turned her head to meet his gaze. Powerful longing was written in his eyes, and her body responded to it.
No, no, no, Reese. Control yourself.
Her mind and body battled, but her mind came out the winner.
“I think we’ve seen everything here,” she said softly, her voice only slightly shaky. “Do you think we ought to head to…” She laughed self-consciously, not wanting to acknowledge the tension that surrounded them. “I don’t know if we should go to your campsite or mine.”
Brody didn’t say anything, but his eyes spoke volumes and Reese heard the message: I want you, Reese.
Desperately trying to turn their minds in a different direction, Reese said, “I…I guess we can go to your campsite. Since there’s nothing at mine.” She laughed again, trying to break the spell his eyes were trying to put her under. “Everything of mine is in that RV.”
Maybe committing to two days with him—and that doesn’t even start until tomorrow!—was a mistake.
“Sure,” he finally said, his voice deep. “That sounds fine.”
“I…I guess I’ll have to follow you this time.”
He nodded, and a slow smile curved his mouth.
He knows he’s rattled you.
She couldn’t decide if she was happy about that or not.
Brody could see his kiss had had a much more profound effect on Reese than he had expected.
Guess it’s good to follow your instincts.
She stepped away slightly, and he let his arm fall from her shoulders.
At least she didn’t bolt. And she suggested we go to my campsite.
Pleased beyond reason, Brody’s smile grew. “I’m at Canyon Village, so we’ll head north.”
They turned to begin the long walk back to the parking lot, and when Brody took Reese’s hand, she curled her fingers around his.
What am I doing? Reese held back a frown. I’m letting him get under my skin. Deeply.
Though she believed it was a mistake, she couldn’t seem to stop herself. It felt too good. Especially after all the lonely months she had endured.
Just go with it for now. You’ll deal with the consequences when the two days are over. Two days that haven’t even begun!
“Everything okay?” Brody asked, and she realized she had been squeezing his hand.
Relaxing her fingers, she laughed to cover her display of emotion. “Oh, sorry. I guess I was just thinking about how long it’s going to take to upload the pictures I’ve taken. I mean, since there’s no wifi and I have to use my phone as a hotspot.” Good thinking, Reese.
“Yeah,” Brody said. “But at least there’s cell service most places.”
They chatted about innocuous things as they walked, and when they reached the parking lot and Reese climbed into her RV alone, she missed Brody and wished he was in the passenger seat beside her.
He’s right there, fool. Yes. Fool. You’re foolish for agreeing to his deal. If you’re struggling with him not being with you already, imagine how it will be in two days when you tell him it’s not going to work out.
At the thought, pain jabbed at her heart. Ignoring it and what it might portend, she pulled forward and began following Brody to his campsite.
An hour later Brody pulled into the far side of the driveway of his campsite, parking as far over as he could, then he got out of the truck and waved Reese into the other half of the driveway. She parked her RV, then climbed out.
“This is beautiful,” she said as she looked around. “Much prettier than where I’m camped.”
“Stay here then,” he said without thinking. Then he realized it was a great idea. Her campsite was a forty minute drive further on. “Then we won’t have to drive back and forth. And we can just use my truck to drive around the park.” At the look of uncertainty on her face, he went on. “You said you don’t have anything at your site, so why not?”
Should I do it? Or would it be better to have a separate space to be able to go to?
“If you want to get away from me,” Brody began as if he had read her mind, “you can go in your RV and lock the door.”
“It does make more sense,” she said, trying to look at the practical side.
He grinned. “And then I won’t have to go out to eat for every meal.”
“Oh, so that’s your plan. Make me cook all your meals for you.” She smiled. “I see how it is.”
“That’s right. Now you’re catching on to me.”
Secretly, she liked the idea of eating all her meals with him for the next few days.
What is wrong with you, Reese? Have you lost your mind? You need to be putting space between you, not encouraging him to be with you more.
Silencing her inner voice, she nodded. “Sure. Okay.”
“I’ll clear it at the registration desk, and we’ll be all set.”
While Brody got her registered at his site, Reese went in to her RV and set things up to make it more homey and usable—putting out a small box of tissues on the table by the swivel chairs, placing her favorite hand lotion on the counter in the bathroom. Basically setting out the things that she used everyday but that had to be secured while she was driving.
She had filled the fresh water tank before she had left Bridge Bay that morning, so realistically she wouldn’t have to move her RV for a few days.
Which coincides perfectly with the time you have to tell Brody good-bye.
A knock sounded on her door.
“Come in,” she called out, and a moment later Brody stepped inside.
The sight of his handsome face and strong body sent a surge of wanting deep inside her so strong that she almost gasped. “All set?” she managed to ask, her voice a little breathy.
“Yep.” Using a strip of tape, he pressed a slip of paper with the ch
eckout date against a window. “Now you’ll be ready to check out when I leave.”
When you leave? When her heart skipped a beat at the thought, she knew she was in serious trouble.
Sixteen
Reese watched Brody as he turned around. It had been different when she had assumed she would be the one telling him to move on. That had been in her control. But hearing him state that he was going to leave in two days—no ifs, ands, or buts—gave her a different sensation altogether.
What if he decides we’re not right for each other? You’ve been thinking all along that it was completely up to you, that you would put an end to this before it went too far. But guess what, genius? He may decide you’re not right for him much sooner than you’d anticipated. Much sooner than you’re ready for.
With a small frown, Reese bent to take the hand soap out of the cupboard below the sink—a good way to hide her dismay. Then paused while she gathered her thoughts.
But you know that’s going to happen anyway once he learns you have a father in prison and a mother that’s a drunk. It won’t take him long to figure out that you’re all wrong for him, that you’re…not good enough.
Tears filled her eyes.
It’s not fair. I had nothing to do with my father going to prison, and it’s not my fault my mother has a drinking problem. Why am I being punished for it?
“What are you doing down there?” Brody asked.
Quickly wiping away all evidence of her distress, Reese stuck her head into the cabinet and called out, “Just looking for the soap.”
“You mean this?” Brody said.
Reese blinked to clear her eyes, then stood and saw the soap in his hand. “Oh.” She forced a laugh. “I guess I got it out already.”
He smiled. “Do you want to sit outside? It’s pretty nice out there.”
Glad to do something to pull herself out of her self-pity, Reese agreed. “I have a camp chair I can use.”
Searching for Love: The Complete Story Page 16
