The Come to Me Complete Collection: Contemporary Christian Romance

by Leah Atwood

  “Speaking of Bryce, any news on Rob?” Shifting her arms, Gina put Erik over her shoulder and patted his back.

  “Way to be subtle,” she teased, but didn’t mind. Her mom and Gina had become her confidantes regarding Rob. “The answer is no.”

  “What are you waiting for?” She moved the baby back to her arms and continued to feed him.

  Her fears came out in a sigh. “At first I told myself I needed time after Gramps passing and breaking up with Jeff.”

  “Which you’ve had and done.”

  “Then I got scared, which is where I’m at now.” Sitting up, she readjusted her ponytail.

  Gina gave a slow nod. “I can see that. What scares you?”

  “Lots of things, but one in particular.” Several blades of grass hadn’t died naturally with the others. Distractedly, she picked at them. “We have such different lives. Is a relationship even possible?”

  “If you want it to be, then yes. Have you talked to Sophie at all? She could probably offer some insight.”

  “I’ve thought about it, but Rob and I aren’t Bryce and Sophie. They were crazy about each other from the beginning and went straight for the deep end of a relationship.” She chewed on her bottom lip, trying to figure out how to explain what she was feeling.

  A suspicious cough came from Gina. “That doesn’t even make sense, Dani. You and Rob have been crazy about each other from day one also, but the difference is, you both denied it and weren’t ready for a relationship.”

  “That’s it—how do I know we’re ready now? His fiancée’s death tore him apart for so long. Can I be sure he’s really over her? I like him, Gina. I really like him, but I don’t want to play second-fiddle to someone’s memory.” Admitting it, finally, took the breath out of her and tears burned her eyes.

  “Oh, honey.” Now that Erik was finished eating, Gina carefully laid him back on the blanket and gave him a rattle to grip. She scooted around him and put an arm over Dani’s shoulders. “I can understand your fear, but you need to talk to him. Don’t make assumptions for him.”

  “What if it’s an answer I don’t want to hear?” She was grasping at straws, she knew that, but her heart was vulnerable where he was concerned.

  “Ask yourself if that’s a risk you’re willing to take.” Erik giggled and Gina smiled at him with an adoring gaze. “Greg and I took a risk getting married so young and it hasn’t been easy, but we trusted in faith, and look at this precious blessing we have now.”

  “You’re right.” Like a light being switched on, she realized how much she missed Rob, which she also found odd considering the little time they’d spent in each other’s presence. Proof that quality trumps quantity. “I’ll call him.”

  “There’s no time like the present.” Gina stood, patted Dani’s shoulder then lifted Erik. “I’m going to lay Erik down for his nap before his giggles turn to screams. I’ll be inside if you need me.”

  Left alone, Dani bent over, stretching to the opposite edge of the blanket where her phone had ended up. She grabbed it and thumbed through the contacts, stopping on “Rob.” Her heart drummed against her chest. He probably wouldn’t even answer. Most people worked during the day.

  She gave herself a short motivational speech. “No excuses.”

  Too bad they couldn’t have this conversation in person, but it couldn’t wait. Given the opportunity, she’d keep finding reasons to let her fear win.

  Her index finger seemed to move on its own and tap Rob’s number. The line rang once.

  “Hello.” The accent, unique to Rob, came through. His abnormal blend of polished enunciation and a lazy drawl had attracted her from first time she’d heard his voice.

  “Hi,” she stammered. “This is Dani.”

  “I know.” A hint of amusement touched his lowered timbre. “How are you?”

  “I’m good. You?”

  “Good.” Voices in the background got louder, and she worried she’d interrupted something. “Is this a bad time?”

  “No, I’m at Bryce’s. We just finished a round of rehearsal and are hanging out. Hold on a second.” Moments later she heard a door open then close. “I’m outside now.”

  Her lips went dry, and she wetted them. Stalling, she asked, “How’s Bryce? I haven’t talked to him lately.”

  “He’s good, too. I can put him on the phone if you’d like to speak with him instead.” There was that jocular tone again.

  “No.” A nervous giggle bubbled out of her.

  “Why are you calling, Dani?” His voice went sober, but had unmistakable hope.

  “I wanted to talk.”

  “About?” Goodness, he wasn’t making this easy.

  She breathed in deep, sucking in all the courage she could. “Us.”

  “That’s a topic I don’t mind discussing.” If she closed her eyes, she could picture him holding the phone, smiling.

  “Jeff and I broke up,” she admitted.

  “I know.”

  Her confidence waned. If he had known, but didn’t call… “How?”

  “Your cousin has a big mouth.”

  “Oh.” Restless energy took over, and she stood, not saying anything more.

  “Are you still there, Dani?” He sounded worried.

  “Yes.”

  “There were so many times I picked up my phone to call you.” The truth of his statement was heard in his earnestness.

  “Then why didn’t you?” Her hand tightened around the handset.

  She heard him sigh. “I didn’t want to push you. Your grandfather had just died. You’d just broken up with someone. You had a lot coming at you, and I didn’t want it to seem like I was taking advantage of that.”

  Her heart beat faster. “Thank you.”

  “What now?” He spoke so low, she barely heard him.

  She looked back at the house, silently replaying her conversation with Gina. Emotions swelled in her throat and she swallowed. “I need to ask you a question before I answer yours.”

  “Go ahead.” His voice was husky.

  “Do you still love Carrie?” Left breathless by the energy it took to ask, she tried to take deep breaths without being obvious. His lingering silence didn’t help.

  “I wish we were face-to-face so you could see me tell you the answer.” His words came out strangled and her stomach knotted. “Carrie was a part of my life, and I’ll always love her.”

  He’d confirmed her fears, and she fought in vain against the tears. “That’s what I needed to know.”

  “Stop, Dani. I can hear you crying and you need to hear the rest of what I have to say.” The desperation in his voice gave her pause.

  “I’m sorry,” she said, but didn’t know exactly for what she was apologizing.

  “Listen to me, please,” he pleaded. “Yes, it’s true, Carrie holds a piece of my affection, but that won’t carry into a new relationship. They’re compartmentalized in the past, that’s where they’ll stay. Any relationship between you and me would be strictly between us. I’m done living in the past, Dani, and I want you in my present. If I wasn’t able to offer you that, I never would have hinted at a relationship.”

  “Do you mean that?” she braved asking.

  “Yes. Completely.”

  “What do we do now?” She paced the length of the yard.

  “We talk, we go on dates.” He laughed softly. “All the normal things couples do except we find a way to do them while separated by hundreds of miles.”

  “You make it sound so easy.” His optimism boosted her own confidence. “Any suggestions on how we do that?”

  “We’ll find a way, I promise.” She heard a door open again, followed by Rob calling out to someone that he’d be there in a minute. “Will you be home tonight?”

  “Not until nine or so. I’m spending the day with Gina.” Speaking of, she glanced toward the house and saw her standing at the window. When Dani caught her eyes, Gina alternated raising her shoulders and giving a thumbs up with lowering them and giving a t
humbs down. Dani sent back a thumbs up.

  “Jay keeps motioning for me to get back inside, and I better see what he wants. I’ll call you tonight, or you can call once you’re home.”

  “I’ll call you.” Looking back at the window, she saw that Gina had disappeared.

  “Before we go, what’s your favorite movie?”

  “That’s random,” she teased.

  “Humor me, I want to know.” In her imaginary vision of him, he was smirking, and had no doubt that’s what he was doing. She could hear it in his voice.

  Several titles came to mind because she’d never been able to pick a favorite, but she chose one to tell him. “Never Been Kissed.” Right after she said it, she groaned, fully expecting a sarcastic reply.

  He surprised her by not giving her a hard time. “Good to know. Have a great day, Dani.”

  “You, too.” She hung up and went to pick up the blanket still spread on the ground.

  Gina was standing by the door waiting for her. “I see a gigantic, happy, smile. That’s good right?”

  Bashful all of a sudden, she felt her cheeks warm. “Yes.”

  “That’s all I need to know.” Gina flashed a coy look. “Unless you want to tell me details?”

  “There’s not much to tell. He already knew about Jeff.”

  “Let me guess, Bryce?” A few bugs flew into the house, and Gina shut the door.

  “Ding, ding, ding, we have a winner.” The both laughed while they walked to the kitchen table and sat down.

  “Did you ask about Carrie?”

  Dani sobered. “Yes.”

  “And?” Gina crossed her arms on the table and leaned forward.

  She relayed that part of the conversation to Gina. “I can’t be jealous of a dead person. I know I have to take his word as truth on this subject.”

  “It sounds like things are on the right track.” Gina sat up straight. “I, personally, am rooting for the two of you.”

  “Thanks.” Dani chuckled then pointed to the baby monitor. “Did Erik fall asleep?”

  “As soon as I laid him down. If only he’d go to sleep that easy at night.”

  The vibration of Gina’s phone shook the small table, a split second before the phone rang. “It’s Greg. That’s weird he’s calling at this hour. Do you mind?” She gestured toward the phone.

  “No, go ahead and answer.”

  “Hi, honey.” Gina’s voice changed when she talked to her husband. It became lighter and airier.

  Did Dani’s change when she talked to Rob? Curious, she’d have to ask someone.

  “Really? When?”

  Eavesdropping on Gina’s part of the conversation made her uncomfortable and she moved to the family room. A brushed pewter photo album Gina had shared earlier in the day sat on an end table. Dani sat down on the sofa and flipped through the pages. A few minutes later, Gina came in with worry etched on her features.

  “Greg’s on his way home,” she announced.

  “Oh no. What happened? I thought he wasn’t due in until Friday.”

  “His uncle called a delay. Have you watched the news at all?” Gina sat down, cross-legged, on the opposite end of the sofa.

  “Not today.” She set the photo album aside.

  “So you haven’t heard the latest about the tropical storm?” Gina asked.

  “Roderick?” Her head tilted slightly to the right. “Vaguely, but I thought it was fizzling out.”

  “Not anymore. Apparently, not only has it strengthened, its path has also changed.” Grabbing the remote from the coffee table, Gina turned on the television and tuned to a weather station.

  “Where are they saying it’s going now?” Unfortunately, the weather program had just gone to a commercial, so they had to wait for more information other than the warning that scrolled across the bottom of the screen.

  “Greg said hurricane watches have been issued for all southern parishes, including us. The meteorologists are now saying it could reach cat five level.”

  Mouth agape, Dani absorbed the news, then sat silently watching when the weather program returned.

  ALL DANI HEARD about the following day at work was the incoming hurricane. Everyone was concerned, taking the threat seriously. There hadn’t been any change in the projected path overnight, with most models having Roderick making landfall either in Cameron or Vermillion parish. Though several parishes north, the effects could still be catastrophic for Oden Bridge.

  Business was slow, and she spent time talking with her patrons, an activity she enjoyed but rarely had the time to do.

  “Will you stay or evacuate?” she asked Mr. Anderson, the postmaster. He and his wife, Louella, were sitting at the table nearest the kitchen, and Dani had delivered their salads.

  “We’ll make that decision tomorrow. If so we’ll leave before the traffic becomes too much of a nightmare.” Mr. Anderson didn’t look too worried, which eased the butterflies in her stomach.

  “Where will you go?”

  “My sister lives in Texarkana, so we’ll go there and visit for a few days.” Mrs. Louella unfolded her napkin and placed it on her lap. “What are your plans?”

  “I’ll go with my dad’s advice, whatever he thinks best. As of this morning, he hadn’t made a decision.”

  Mindy, the new server she’d hired last month, came out from the kitchen. “Miss Dani, there is a guy at the back door with a delivery you have to sign for.”

  “I’ll be right there.” She gave the table a bouncing tap. “Enjoy your meals, Mr. and Mrs. Anderson.” Turning on her heel, she went through the kitchen, to the back door, wondering why she had to sign for a package when, in the past, any employee had been able to receive one.

  “Are you Dani Trahan?” A driver, unfamiliar to her, was waiting at the door. He must be new or a substitute.

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Please sign here.” He handed over a brown, electronic gadget, and she took the stylus and signed her name. She exchanged the gadget for a box and the driver tipped his head. “Have a good day, ma’am.”

  “You, too.”

  On the corner of the box was a stamp identifying the package as an overnight delivery. Prying fingers got the best of her and she snuck to her office, tearing the tape as she walked. She set the box on her desk and lifted the flaps. A large smile spread across her face. Inside was a tin of gourmet popcorn and a DVD copy of Never Been Kissed. An envelope was taped to the case. Sliding her finger under the flap, she tore it open to find a hand-written note from Rob.

  Call me when you’re home from work. We’ll have our first “date” from the comfort of our homes. –Rob

  The smile grew larger if that was possible. He had to have worked fast to accomplish finding the movie and getting it shipped before the cut-off. She wasn’t sure how a date from separate homes would work, but she looked forward to a relaxing evening before the hurricane preparations began. Orders in the kitchen waited to be prepared, so she hurriedly sent him a text.

  Package arrived. That was sweet, thank you. Can’t wait until tonight.

  Returning to the kitchen, she washed her hands and started on the next order. No customers came in after seven forty-five, and at eight thirty, she made a decision to close early. In the past, she would have worried, but not tonight. She was learning to accept the ups and downs, especially when there were logical explanations for the downturns. Next week, once the hurricane had passed and, Lord willing, the damage was minimal, business would return to normal.

  The counters were cleaned and sanitized, floors mopped, food saved, and reports run. All employees had been sent home, and Dani sat at her desk entering the last of the numbers into the computer program. She hit save and shut it down. At the end of this shift, her feet didn’t ache like normal, nor did she feel tired. She felt energized, ready to “spend time” with Rob.

  Last night, they’d talked long into the morning hours and by the time they’d hung up, she felt a closeness to him that took her by surprise, albeit a good one. E
ven back in the summer, when they’d had many conversations through texting, they hadn’t communicated with abandon like they were now, with no pretenses, no holding back.

  A black cloak covered the sky and very few stars shone through the clouds. An eerie silence filled the town as she drove through as if the storm were already moving in. Pushing the thought aside, she focused on driving. She didn’t want the impending weather to dampen her mood.

  At her house, she rushed through feeding Pip and taking a quick shower, dressing in a T-shirt and sweats afterward. Frustrated when she couldn’t find her phone to call Rob, she slipped on a pair of flip-flops and went to look in the Explorer. It wasn’t in the cup holder, where she usually kept it while driving, neither was it in the passenger seat. Blowing out a breath, the wet hair hanging around her face tickled her chin. She pushed it behind her ear and looked under her seats. Finally, she found it under the rear passenger seat.

  Still outside, she called him.

  He answered before the first ring was completed. “Hi, there.”

  Her breath caught in her throat when he answered. All the things she imagined she should feel with Jeff came true with Rob.

  “Hi.” She felt giddy, a feeling she wasn’t accustomed to but discovered she liked.

  “Are you home from Bayou Bits already?” His words drawled out slow.

  “I closed early because there weren’t any customers coming in.”

  “I could say I’m sorry, but I’m not because I get your attention sooner. Any updates on the hurricane?”

  “Not since we talked this morning.”

  He yawned. “I’m sorry. After we got off the phone last night, I never went to sleep. Once I knew you got the package, I decided to get some shut-eye before you called.”

  “Thanks again. I wasn’t expecting anything like that.” Mosquitos, not getting the message that summer was over, began to attack and she went inside. “How’d you pull it off in such a short time frame?”

  “I have superpowers.” He laughed. “But seriously, I had it planned for when you finally called, it was only a matter of finding out which movie.”