Shaye was carrying the salad to the table when Katherine called everyone to the dining room. When she returned with the bread, she realized that Chelsey had taken the seat next to Matt. Matt’s eyes met hers, and he shrugged slightly as Shaye took the seat across from him.
During the meal, Chelsey dominated the conversation, raving about her experiences as a cheerleader for the University of Virginia. Shaye kept her eyes on her plate, playing with her food more than eating it.
“This bread is wonderful, Shaye,” Jim broke into the conversation when Chelsey stopped to take a breath.
“Thanks, Jim.” Shaye forced a smile.
Chelsey raised her eyebrows and turned to gaze coolly at Shaye. “How long have you been a friend of the Whitmores?”
Shaye suddenly realized that she had automatically called Matt’s father “Jim” instead of “Senator” like everyone else had. “Actually, they were just kind enough to take me in for the weekend,” she said quietly.
Chelsey clutched Matt’s arm possessively, her voice smooth as she spoke. “Yes, these Whitmores are wonderful about taking in strays.”
Silence hung in the air for an uncomfortable minute, which then dragged into two. When everyone started speaking again, their words jumbled over each other.
Shaye looked down at her half-eaten dinner, knowing that she couldn’t force herself to eat another bite. “Will you excuse me, please? I’m afraid I ate too much at lunch.”
“Of course, dear.” Katherine studied Shaye’s pale face, then glanced over at Chelsey with a hint of disapproval. She turned back to Shaye before speaking again. “You know we want you to feel at home. Just let me know if you need anything.”
“I just need a little air.” Avoiding Matt’s gaze, Shaye picked up her plate and made her way back to the kitchen.
The tears were flowing freely by the time Shaye reached her room. She pulled on some sweats and grabbed her swim bag. The walk to the swimming pool only took ten minutes, and she was grateful she had paid attention when Matt had driven there the day before.
She swam with determination, trying to drown out the images of Matt and Chelsey. The image of them in the hallway together haunted her. They had looked so natural being with one another, and then Matt had looked guilty and embarrassed when Shaye had come upon them in the entryway.
Jealousy was a new emotion to Shaye. Her place in Chase’s life had been secure. They were friends, then they were dating, and trust was complete. Never had she worried, even when girls flirted with him. What Shaye didn’t understand was why Matt had insisted on her coming home with him. Maybe he didn’t know Chelsey would be in town. Regardless, Shaye was certain she didn’t stand a chance against Chelsey Brandenburg.
Chapter Ten
Shaye was halfway through her workout before she found her rhythm. Pull, kick, glide. Pull, kick, glide. Her hands skimmed over the surface of the water as her legs powered her forward. Even after not swimming breaststroke for months, she glided through the pool with amazing speed.
Her emotions had overtaken logic, and she barely thought to look around before starting to swim her favorite stroke, finally reverting to freestyle for her cooldown.
When the lifeguard blew his whistle to announce the pool was closing, Shaye slipped out of the pool with practiced ease. Her eyes widened when she saw Matt standing by her lane, holding a towel for her.
“What are you doing here?” Shaye asked, looking past him for Chelsey.
“What do you think I’m doing here?” The muscle in his jaw twitched as he stepped forward and wrapped the towel around her shoulders. “I’m looking for you.”
“I’m sorry. I should have left you a note,” Shaye apologized.
“I’ll wait for you in the hall.” Matt turned and strode out a glass door into the hallway.
Shaye pulled her sweats on over her suit and forced herself to follow him. Slinging her bag over her shoulder, she pushed the door open and came face-to-face with Chelsey. Matt stood at her side, clearly annoyed. “Chelsey has something to say to you.”
Chelsey shrugged and let out a frustrated sigh. “I just wanted to apologize if you misunderstood what I said at dinner. I didn’t mean to imply that you were a stray.”
Shaye looked away momentarily. “Don’t worry about it,” she said unconvincingly.
“Come on. Let’s get back to the house.” Matt motioned toward the stairs.
Shaye could feel the tension returning to her shoulders as they walked upstairs. She didn’t want to be here, and she was annoyed that she had left herself vulnerable to a relationship. When they reached the parking lot, Shaye stopped in front of Matt’s car, waiting for him to unlock it. Chelsey marched past her and claimed the front seat.
Matt glared at her. “Chelsey, did it even occur to you to offer the front seat to Shaye?”
“Oh, I’m sorry.” Chelsey tossed her head and looked at Shaye but made no effort to move.
Shaye just shook her head and climbed into the backseat. They drove in silence until Matt parked in the driveway next to Chelsey’s BMW. He then stepped out of the car and took Shaye’s hand to help her out of the backseat.
“Did you still want to get in the jacuzzi tonight?” Matt asked Shaye.
“Oh, that sounds like fun,” Chelsey inserted before Shaye could answer.
“Chelsey, didn’t you say that your parents were expecting you home?” Matt asked politely.
“Yes, but . . .”
“Maybe I’ll see you around at Christmas.” Matt opened the door to Chelsey’s car.
A pout played on Chelsey’s lips before she kissed Matt on the cheek and climbed into her car. “That would be lovely.”
Matt and Shaye stood in the driveway and watched her car disappear into the night. As soon as it was out of sight, Matt put his arms around her.
“I’m sorry she upset you.” Matt’s voice was soft, the annoyance gone. Still, he was surprised he felt the need to explain. “I used to hang out with her after I got back from my mission, mostly hoping to get her active in the Church again. She asked me out a couple of times, but we never dated.”
“Don’t worry about it. You don’t have to explain.” Shaye pulled free from him and started walking toward the house.
“I am worried about it.” Matt grabbed her arm, forcing her to stop. “I’ve never seen you like this.”
“I told you it wouldn’t be a good idea for me to come here.” Shaye shook her head, fighting back tears.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” He stepped closer, leaning down so their faces were close. “My family loves you, and I thought we were both having a good time.”
“We were. It’s just . . .” Shaye struggled, trying to organize her thoughts. “Holidays are just hard for me.”
“I know it must be hard being away from home for the holidays.” Matt’s voice softened. “Maybe I could come to Denver for part of Christmas break.”
Shaye shook her head, and tears began to well up in her eyes.
“What’s wrong?” Matt held her shoulders as she tried to run past. He pulled her into his arms and held her tightly. “Tell me why you don’t want me to come home with you. Don’t you want me to meet your dad?”
“I don’t have anyone anymore. My father died last summer,” Shaye blurted out. She tried to pull away, but Matt held her to him.
“I’m so sorry.” Matt stroked her hair. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
Shaye just shook her head. “It’s still hard to talk about it.”
“I wish I had known.” Matt ran his hands down her arms and then back up again. “Is that why Chelsey’s comment bothered you so much?”
“She was right when she called me a stray. That’s exactly what I am.” Shaye looked away.
“No, you’re not.” Matt stepped back so that he could see her face. “You’re the girl I’m falling in love with.”
Shaye shook her head, trying to clear the fog from her brain. Words that should have given her warmth instead invoked only f
ear. “Matt, don’t say that.”
“Why not?” Confusion clouded his eyes, but when her eyes lifted to his, he could see his feelings were returned even if the words hadn’t been.
“I just don’t want anything to happen to you.”
Matt leaned down and kissed her. When their lips parted, he whispered, “It’s too late. I’m definitely in love with you.”
Shaye shivered in the cold night air.
Matt searched her face for a moment before taking her hand. “Let’s go relax in the hot tub.”
Shaye nodded in agreement, too stunned to argue. When Matt led her onto the enclosed porch, his parents were already relaxing in the hot water.
“We were hoping you would join us,” Katherine said as Shaye shed her sweats. Matt held her hand as she walked up the steps and slipped into the hot water.
“I’m sorry I invited Chelsey to stay for dinner,” Jim told her. “I’ve never seen her act like that before.”
“I’m sorry I left without telling you where I was going,” Shaye apologized. “It was unthoughtful of me.”
“That’s okay, dear.” Katherine smiled approvingly. “Matt said you probably just went down to the pool.”
Shaye looked at Matt, surprised. “I guess he knows me too well.”
“I try.” Matt smiled.
After a few minutes, Matt’s parents excused themselves to go to bed. As soon as they left, Matt slipped his arm around Shaye and pulled her closer.
“Do you forgive me for not kicking Chelsey out as soon as she got here?” Matt asked, the moonlight splashing over them.
Shaye nodded as she settled against him. “I shouldn’t have called your dad by name.’”
“He wants you to.” Matt stared at her, surprised by her statement. “It just caught Chelsey by surprise. You’re the first of my friends that Dad has ever asked to call him Jim.”
“Really?” Shaye looked up at Matt.
“I guess he realizes how important you are to me. He expects you to be around a lot.”
“I hope so.” Shaye reached up and kissed him, wishing the weekend would never end.
* * *
“Who are all of these people?” Shaye asked Matt as they looked into the living room. Just an hour before, they had returned from church and the house had been empty.
“Mostly people from church and a few nonmember friends. Mom tends to have a brunch every time the missionaries are coming over. Her open-door policy tends to have a snowball effect.” Matt took her hand. “She invites a few close friends, then those friends invite someone they think might be open to the gospel. It’s hard to know how many people will show up.”
“This seems like a pretty elaborate way to introduce people to the gospel.” Shaye eyed the banquet table laden with a variety of food ranging from pastries to finger sandwiches. She remembered seeing much of the food stored in the refrigerator the night before when she helped make dinner. “Back home, we usually just invited our nonmember friends to the ice cream socials the ward sponsored every couple of months.”
“They have those out here too. Mom just likes to do things her own way.” Matt shrugged. “I guess she wants their friends and Dad’s associates to at least understand what our religion is about. Every once in a while, someone will see a spark of truth and take the discussions.”
Shaye glanced over to the kitchen to see Katherine walk into the living room carrying a tray of finger sandwiches. She stopped to talk to people as she made her way to the table, clearly at ease having guests in the house. Shaye marveled once again at how lucky Matt was to grow up with such a mom.
“Come on. I’ll introduce you to everyone,” Matt said, interrupting her thoughts.
He led her from one couple to another. The Sunday brunch had already resulted in a dozen guests, and still more continued to trickle through the front door. A handful of the faces were familiar from church, but many were new to Shaye. When they stopped to talk to the missionaries, they found them already engaged in conversation with a few of the guests.
“Oh, look—Brother and Sister White brought the Rushes with them.” Matt nodded at the two middle-aged couples talking with his father across the room.
“I think I met the Whites at church today,” Shaye commented as Matt led her across the room. She remembered their names because of how their appearance contrasted with their surname. Both Brother and Sister White had olive complexions and nearly black hair.
“I think my family has known both families forever. Brother White and Judge Rush were both big supporters during Dad’s campaigns.”
Sister White turned and smiled as Shaye and Matt joined them. Brother White clasped Matt’s hand in greeting and then extended his hand to Shaye. “Have you enjoyed your visit with the Whitmores?”
“Very much, thank you.” Shaye smiled at him and then shifted her gaze to the couple she had yet to meet.
“Judge Rush, Mrs. Rush, I’d like you to meet Shaye Kendall,” Matt said.
The judge shook hands with Shaye. His dark hair was peppered with gray, and she could easily imagine him sitting in the courtroom, serious and somber.
Mrs. Rush stepped forward and extended her hand, a diamond bracelet sliding down her wrist. A matching necklace was draped over her rust-colored dress that was just a shade darker than her hair. “It is so nice to meet you. Jim was just telling us about your ride to the falls yesterday.”
Shaye nodded and continued to exchange small talk with the group until Jim excused himself to greet the last arrivals, taking Shaye and Matt with him.
“After you meet this last couple, we’ll get something to eat,” Matt whispered to Shaye as they followed his father to the door. When at last they had a free moment, Matt led her to the buffet. They fixed themselves plates and found a place to sit in the living room. A few minutes later, Judge and Mrs. Rush joined them.
“Charlie was just telling me that you’re a swimmer,” Judge Rush prodded.
“Yes, I swim for Royal,” Shaye told him briefly.
“I followed swimming back in my college days,” he continued. “What strokes do you swim?”
“Butterfly and freestyle,” Shaye answered.
“Really? I thought in college you would have to swim all of the strokes.”
“Not often, actually. My backstroke isn’t terribly strong, and I can’t swim breaststroke because of my knee.” Shaye’s expression was serious.
“What’s wrong with your knee?” Mrs. Rush spoke now. Even Matt looked on curiously waiting for Shaye to answer.
“When I was eleven, I tore the ligaments skiing. I haven’t been able to swim breaststroke since. I was actually only able to start swimming butterfly a few years ago,” Shaye recited the fabricated story with ease.
“Well, you must have overcome the obstacle to be swimming at the college level.” Mrs. Rush smiled.
“As much as possible, I think.” Shaye nodded politely, wishing the topic would turn to something else.
As if he read her mind, Matt changed the subject. “Mrs. Rush, do you have plans to ski this winter?”
“Oh, yes.” Mrs. Rush beamed with enthusiasm. “We’re going to Vail for Christmas, and I hope to go to Park City in February. Then I’ll stop by and visit my favorite spa in Sedona for a week.”
“Sounds like you will be busy this winter.” Matt smiled and took Shaye by the hand. “If you’ll excuse us, we need to see if Mom needs any help.”
Within minutes, Shaye and Matt were helping to replenish food on the buffet table and clear away empty dishes. It wasn’t until the crowd started to diminish that the missionaries finally found the opportunity to eat. When most of the guests had gone, Katherine urged Matt and Shaye to finish packing so that they could get home before dark.
When they returned from gathering their personal things, the last of the guests were departing. Amy was already helping Katherine put away the leftover food. Matt crossed the kitchen and kissed his mother’s cheek. “Mom, I can’t tell you how glad I am that you de
cided on paper plates today.”
Katherine laughed. “It’s one thing to have people over on a Sunday, and quite another to spend an hour cleaning up after them.”
“Is there anything else you need done?” Shaye asked.
“I think if I can get Matt to take the garbage out, we’re about done here.” Katherine turned to her son. “Are you about ready to leave?”
Matt nodded. “I just have to put the bags in the car.”
A few minutes later, Shaye found herself in the crowded entryway as she and Matt prepared to leave, and Charlie and his friends also began saying their good-byes. Matt and Shaye somehow managed to be the first to depart. As they stepped toward the door, Pete called out to Shaye, “Good-bye, Christal.”
Shaye’s blood ran cold and froze under her skin. She turned, her eyes meeting Pete’s. Her urge to deny it was no match for the smug look on his face. Instead, she just shook her head and walked out the door.
Matt’s voice carried into the cool evening air. “Pete, give it a rest.”
Chapter Eleven
“Don’t worry about him,” Matt said, putting the key in the ignition. “He’s harmless.”
Shaye shrugged, unable to speak. She hadn’t been called Christal in over four months, and her stomach was in knots at hearing her name again.
“Are you okay?” Matt studied her as they drove through his neighborhood. The color had drained from her face, and she remained oddly quiet. “You look a little pale.”
“I’m just tired,” Shaye said softly, staring out the window as memories came flooding back. She closed her eyes, wondering if she could have done anything differently that would have kept Chase alive.
Relying so heavily on Chase after her father died had probably been a mistake, but he was the only person whom she could truly confide in. He had taken care of the funeral arrangements, helped trade her dad’s car in for something less expensive, and even helped her prepare her house to be sold. All the while he had been her emotional crutch even though his work demanded so much of him.
Chase had even encouraged her to resume swim practices just days after her father died, knowing how therapeutic the familiar routine would be for her. Of course, he had no idea that Christal would be using the therapy again so soon to recover from yet another loss.
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