Falling In Love: A Sweet Traveling Romance Novel (All Roads Lead To Love Book 2)

by Vivian Porter

  "Dr. Harding recommended switching to infusions," Clay chimed in. He turned off the faucet and rejoined them at the kitchen counter. He had a strange look on his face, and when she glanced at Aubrey, she didn't miss the way the way she wrinkled her nose at his statement.

  "I know it sounds scary," Jenny said. "But infusions are sometimes the best option for slowing the progression. I know the nurses over that department, and they’re wonderful people and fantastic at what they do. If you like, I can take you to meet them. and they can tell you more about the process to help ease your mind."

  Aubrey smiled. "That's sweet of you, Jenny. Thank you. I'll think about it."

  She didn't push the subject because it was Aubrey's body to do with as she wished, and she would never interfere with that, but hopefully, she would take her up on the offer.

  "I'll be right back," Clay said. "I need to change shoes. Are you sure you don't want to tell me where we're going?"

  Jenny shook her head. "Nope. I told you, it's a surprise. You might want to carry a change of clothes with you too, just in case."

  His worried expression almost made her laugh out loud, but he didn't question it. When he left the room, Aubrey grasped her arm.

  "Take care of my brother, okay? I need him."

  Jenny gave her hand a tiny squeeze. "He'll be fine, I promise. We're not doing anything dangerous, but I like making him think so just so I can see the look on his face."

  Aubrey smiled, and while Clay was busy getting ready, they talked about other things besides the MS, like Aubrey’s job and the guy she had a crush on who worked for the same company, and Jenny had to pinky swear she wouldn't breathe a word of it to Clay. Her whole demeanor changed when the topic turned to something other than her disease, and Jenny knew she was probably tired of talking about it all the time.

  "Ready to go?" Clay asked.

  He stood in the doorway of the den, and he'd not only put on his sneakers, but he also changed into a raggedy pair of jeans and a T-shirt. He carried a backpack, and he looked like he was ready to take on the world.

  "You said I should bring more clothes, and I took that as a sign we're about to get muddy, so I thought I should change clothes too," he explained.

  He was so adorable, and Jenny tried with all her might not to pick on him. "Well, I wouldn't say muddy, but you might get some dust on you."

  He cocked a brow and gave her a curious look as she stood and hugged Aubrey before leaving.

  "Sis, I have my cell phone, and you know the drill," Clay said.

  Aubrey put up a hand to stop him. "I know, I know. Don't hesitate to call if something's wrong. Blah, blah, blah. Go have fun, and stop worrying."

  She picked up her cane and walked with them to the front door, and once they were outside, Jenny's nervousness returned. When they got in her SUV, Clay looked in the back like he was searching for clues, but she'd covered the bikes with a tarp, so he was still none the wiser.

  "That's not a dead body, is it?" he joked. "I know I said I was up for anything, but that didn't include burying evidence."

  Jenny smiled mischievously as she backed the SUV out of his driveway and headed south. "I'll never tell. You'll just have to wait and see."

  During the thirty-minute drive to the park, they talked about various things, from Aubrey’s health to the upcoming holidays. Her heart swelled when she caught the excitement in his voice and his animated expressions when they talked about Christmas.

  "I'm glad I'll be home this time," he said. "I didn't get to come home for the holidays when my parents were alive because I usually worked extra shifts during that time."

  Jenny furrowed a brow. "On purpose?"

  Clay stared out the windshield, but she didn't miss the distant look in his eyes. "My visits home were usually spent arguing with my dad over my choice of career, so I took extra shifts to avoid coming home. I regret that now, but I can't go back and change it."

  Jenny reached over the middle console and held his hand. "Well, I bet Aubrey is excited about having you home for the holidays. You can't change the past, but you can start right now and make every holiday special from here on out for both of you."

  The warmth of his skin made her tremble, and when he turned to her and smiled, her stomach twisted into knots until it was difficult to breathe.

  "You're right," he replied. "And that's exactly what I plan to do."

  Jenny slowed down at the entrance to the park, and when she drove past the tall wooden park sign, Clay's face lit up.

  "Aha! A clue!" he exclaimed. "I'm guessing we're going fishing or hiking."

  Jenny drove to one of the trailheads and parked her car in the nearest lot. "Not exactly."

  While Clay gathered his backpack and sunglasses, she grabbed her wallet and keys, and they both exited the vehicle at the same time. She made her way to the trunk, and he was already standing there, waiting for her to open it. Jenny laughed as she flipped the handle, pulled the door up, and whisked the tarp off the bikes. "Surprise!"

  The look on Clay's face was priceless. His smile faded, and she could've sworn his cheeks paled a bit.

  "We're riding… bicycles?" he asked.

  He seemed hesitant at first, but it didn't take long before he puffed out his chest and changed his tune. Jenny made a move to unload the bikes, but he stepped in and did it for her.

  "You sound unsure," she replied with a smile. "Before my parents moved, we used to go riding every weekend. These bikes belonged to them, and they haven't been used since they left, so I thought what better way to kick the dust off them than you and me taking a spin through the mountains?"

  He set them on the ground and turned toward the trailhead leading up the mountain overlooking Lake Arrowhead. "How far up are we going?"

  Jenny reached inside the back of the SUV for the two bicycle helmets that also belonged to her parents. "Oh, I would say about three-fourths of the way to the top. I have a couple of favorite resting places, and I want to show you the one overlooking the lake. I promise it will be worth it. You've just got to trust me."

  She gave him a helmet, and he put it on, still looking uncertain over his fate.

  "I do trust you," he replied. "What I don't trust is my clumsiness and two left feet to get me there."

  Jenny retrieved her backpack from the trunk and slipped it over her shoulders before locking up the vehicle. "You'll do fine. The most important thing is to just have fun." She put on her mom's helmet and climbed on her bike as Clay rolled up beside her. "How about a race?"

  She gave him a wink, but he vehemently shook his head and laughed. "There's no way I'm racing you uphill. Ask me again on our way back down."

  Jenny's heart skipped a beat as she took a moment to admire him while he sat back on the seat and waited for her. His toned thighs strained against his jeans, and his biceps bulged beneath his thin T-shirt and nearly caused her to choke on her own tongue. If he noticed her wayward glances, he didn't mention it, but he did smile playfully when she managed to pull her gaze up to his handsome face. Jenny blushed and turned her attention back to what she was doing. When she was satisfied her helmet was snug and secure, she gripped the handlebars and smiled at Clay. "Ready… Set… Go!"

  Chapter 15

  Clay

  The scenery whizzed by so fast, Clay didn't have time to stop and enjoy it, but he didn't mind because he was able to keep up with Jenny—for now. There was room for both of them on the wide trail, and as they zoomed around curves and over hills, he was thankful they didn't meet any hikers in their path. His leg muscles burned from exertion, but it spurned him onward instead of making him want to throw in the towel.

  He fought valiantly to keep his eyes on the trail instead of Jenny, but that was easier said than done, especially with her long blond curls blowing in the breeze and her radiant smile that put the sun to shame. Every so often, the wind got beneath her T-shirt and lifted it slightly, revealing enough of her tanned back to make his heart race as rapidly as their wheels against the d
irt.

  Clay wasn't a stranger to exercise, and he'd upped his game a lot since moving back to California, so he felt confident in his ability to keep up, but there were a couple of instances near the end of the ride when he was tempted to raise a white flag. Fortunately, Jenny started motioning for him to slow down before that happened, and when she stopped, he was finally able to catch his breath.

  "We're here!" she said.

  Clay nodded since he was too exhausted to talk, and his legs were so shaky, he was a bit leery about getting off the bike and trying to walk. Jenny, on the other hand, never broke a sweat, and she literally jumped off her bike the second she rolled to a stop. If she hadn't looked so cute and happy, he would've been tempted to stick his tongue out at her. He glanced at the tall oaks and pines surrounding them on both sides and squinted. "Where exactly is here?"

  Jenny pointed to a worn narrow path to their left between some oak trees. "Just a few more feet and we'll be there. Come on."

  The path was too rocky and uneven for riding, so she stood beside her bike and clutched the handlebars to walk it through. Clay did the same, and despite his legs feeling rubbery and unstable, he followed her without much difficulty. Now that he could take his time and really look at their surroundings, he was amazed at the beauty around them. The tree leaves were various shades of red, orange, and yellow, and every so often, he heard what resembled a crow cawing high up in the branches.

  Ever since he was a child, autumn was his favorite time of year, and the changing colors and nip in the air made him eager for the cool nights he hoped to spend snuggling on the sofa with Jenny, watching football. She walked a few feet ahead of him, and his chest burned as he admired the feminine curves of her body and the way her hips swayed with each step. He was so oblivious to everything else, he almost ran into her when she stopped suddenly.

  "Isn't it beautiful?" she asked.

  He followed her gaze to the open patch of woods a few steps ahead of them. They pushed their bikes the rest of the way through, and he sucked in a breath when he noticed the incredible view on the other side. He and Jenny laid their bikes and helmets on the ground and walked to the edge of the clearing that overlooked Lake Arrowhead, and he was so awestruck, he didn't know what to say.

  "I happened upon this place one day while my parents and I were hiking," she explained. "I've been here so many times since then, and I never get tired of this view. I haven't found another one that even comes close."

  He could see what she meant. The sunlight beamed off the top of the lake, which was still and serene and had a smooth-as-glass appearance. There were only a few people out and about, but from their high viewpoint, he could barely make out what they looked like. It was a picturesque scene fit for a painting in a museum. "You're right. It was definitely worth the ride to get here."

  She smiled up at him before sliding off her backpack and removing a blanket from it, which she spread on the ground before taking out two bottled waters. She sat on the blanket and he plopped down beside her, and they were both quiet as they drank their water and took advantage of the view and the peace and quiet. It felt like the most natural thing in the world, being there with her under the veil of trees and soaking in the rays of sunlight that managed to peek through the branches.

  "I doubt I would've seen such a beautiful sight if it hadn't been for you," he admitted. "I have a bad habit of staying in my own little world most of the time, and I rarely do anything adventurous away from my job. Thank you for bringing me here."

  She nodded as she crossed her legs under her and leaned back on her hands. "You're welcome. I think everyone should do something exciting to shake things up every once in a while. My parents instilled that in me from an early age, and I do believe it helps people, not just mentally but physically too. They always tell me that risk-taking keeps them feeling young."

  She smiled big when she said it, but he could sense something else just beneath the surface. "I'm sure you must miss them though."

  He heard her sigh as he put the cap on his empty water bottle before stretching out on his left side so he could look at her.

  "I do, but they're so happy, and I would never let my missing them interfere with that. We keep in touch every other day, either by texting or video chat, so it's not like I never get to see or talk to them. I hope to visit them soon. We've been planning it for a while now."

  The thought of her going to Rome bothered him more than he expected it would. They'd spent so much time together and talked so often, it was almost like second nature to him, and he couldn't imagine being separated from that for any length of time. "Do they ever come home to visit?"

  He knew he probably sounded a bit too hopeful, but he couldn't help it. He tried to make himself believe he wanted her parents to come to Lake Arrowhead so he could meet them, but he knew in his heart that wasn't the reason. If they were here visiting, then that meant Jenny wouldn't have to travel abroad.

  "Let's see… the last time they were home was for my twentieth birthday, so it's been eight years. They spend so much time traveling overseas, they rarely have time to visit the states. It used to bother me, but it doesn't anymore, and they send me gifts from their travels all the time."

  Clay admired her outlook where her parents were concerned, and he couldn't help but wonder if he'd feel the same way if he was in her shoes. Then again, if he was, then his parents would still be alive, and he would take them living in Rome over having to visit them in a cemetery across town any day of the week. "Gifts can't replace their presence though."

  Jenny sat up straight all of a sudden, nearly knocking her bottled water from her lap. "Oh, Clay, I'm so sorry. Here I am talking about how hard it is having my parents overseas and yours are gone. I know I must sound like such a selfish brat. I apologize for being so insensitive."

  Clay reached out and grasped her hand. "I don't think you sound that way at all, and you don't have to apologize." The pained expression on her face didn't change, and Clay sat up so he could look her in the eye. "Jenny, I mean that. You don't have to apologize to me for anything. I enjoy hearing you talk about your parents, and I admire how you've lived your life on your own and chased your dreams. I've never met anyone like you."

  He felt the tension leave her body as she relaxed and smiled at him. "I think you give me more credit than I deserve," she replied.

  She tried to look away, but he held her chin and kept her focus on him. "I don't think I give you enough credit. You have a wild, adventurous side that draws me to you as much as the soft side of you does when I hear the way you talk about your parents and how much you love being a nurse. You amaze me, Jenny."

  They were so close, he could feel the warmth of her breath on his face, and he wanted so badly to kiss her, but he didn't want to rush anything and risk scaring her away. Her lips were parted slightly, and it took every bit of strength he had not to give in. She surprised him by making the first move, and when she leaned into him, he held his breath as his heart raced out control.

  When their lips touched, a surge of heat coursed through his veins and set his whole body on fire. It was a brief kiss, but the effect it had on him was intense. Jenny sat back and looked at him, and he could see the desire burning bright in her beautiful blue eyes. She put a hand behind his head and whispered his name before wrapping her fingers in his hair and pulling him close for another kiss.

  Clay didn't know how much time passed as the kiss deepened and they clung to each other like their very lives depended on it, but he knew he didn't want it to end. A cool breeze whisked past them and caressed his skin, and he felt Jenny tremble in his arms. He had no idea if it was from the wind or being in his arms, and although he hoped it was the latter, he wanted to be certain. "Are you okay? You're shaking."

  Before Jenny had the chance to answer, he heard voices behind them in the direction of the hiking trail, and Jenny immediately moved away from him. He listened for a moment and overheard what sounded like a large group of people, including ch
ildren, laughing and talking.

  "We should probably go," Jenny said. She was breathless, and he could see the vein pulsing on the side of her neck in rapid succession. The last thing he wanted to do was leave, but their intimate moment was gone, and he doubted they would be able to get it back with other people close by on the trail.

  Resigned, he stood and helped her up so they could gather the blanket and water bottles. Once they were safely stored inside Jenny's backpack, she slipped it over her shoulders and they walked back to their bicycles. They barely spoke, but every time he caught Jenny looking at him, her cheeks turned a bright shade of pink, and he hoped that meant she was turned inside out from their kiss as much as he was.

  Clay grabbed the handlebars and followed her out of the clearing, and when they made their way back to the trail, he saw a large group of people several yards ahead of them. They had on matching shirts with a church logo on the back, and he guessed they were on a field trip through the mountain.

  "Think you can keep up with me on the way back down?" Jenny teased.

  He grinned widely as they put on their helmets and secured the chin straps in place before climbing on to their bikes. "You're on!"

  Chapter 16

  Jenny

  "You're going to trip over your own two feet and go tumbling down these stairs if you don't get your head out of the clouds," Kelly teased.

  Jenny shook her head to clear her thoughts and focus on what she was doing. Her cheeks heated as she gave Kelly a shy smile. "I'm sorry. What were we talking about?"

  They made it to the emergency room landing and headed for the double doors that would take them to the parking lot. It was Friday afternoon, and the area was unusually quiet for a weekend—or it could be she was just used to seeing Clay there, so it seemed bigger and emptier with him off work.

  "You were telling me about your dinner at Clay's house a couple of nights ago. You got to the part where he wanted to make a toast and then your eyes glazed over and you zoned out."