The Come to Me Complete Collection: Contemporary Christian Romance

by Leah Atwood

  “Confident, were you?” Before she settled in and got comfortable, she grabbed a bottle of water.

  “I prefer optimistic. Are you complaining?” he shot back with a light chuckle.

  “Nah.” She grabbed the movie case from the counter, took out the disc, and then put it in the DVD player. On the way to the sofa, she picked up the remotes from the coffee table.

  “Good. Ready to do this?”

  Sitting with her legs crossed, she found her comfy spot on the sofa. “How does this ‘date’ work?”

  “I’ve never tried anything like this before, so don’t blame me if it’s a total flop, but as I see it, we watch the movie together, you from your couch, me from mine. We stay on the phone, pretending it’s a real date.” He stopped talking and sighed. “It sounded so much cooler in my head.”

  His lapse in confidence was endearing. “It’s unique and thoughtful. I like it.”

  Chapter 17

  Hurricane Roderick’s arrival was imminent. Watches turned to warnings and evacuation orders were issued. Dani and Angela worked to prepare Bayou Bits for the storm, and the restaurant would remain closed until further notice. She tried not to think about the loss of income, especially after closing for a week last month. When God was trying to teach her a lesson, He didn’t pull any punches.

  Deciding her thought was irreverent, she wrinkled her nose. Bayou Bits was successful, even in its down times. Another week of closure would hurt her wallet, but not break it. She was blessed to do what she loved.

  “You’re not worried about riding out Roderick here?” Dani carried the last of the potted plants inside.

  “My house is made of cement and built well above flood level. I’m not too concerned.” Angela cast a smile over her shoulder then hammered in the last nail to the plywood. “I think we’re done here."

  “Are you still fine with checking on the building after the storm passes?” On the advice of her dad, Dani was joining her parents and going to stay with family in Monroe. They’d be caravanning with Gina, Greg and Erik.

  “Absolutely. When do you think you’ll be back?” Stepping down from the ladder, Angela looked at all the windows.

  “Monday morning, hopefully, but it all depends on the storm and damage.” Dani surveyed the preparations. “Do you see anything else that we should do?”

  “It all looks good. If you don’t mind, I’m going to cut out—I still have my yard to take care of.” She snickered. “With all the grandkids’ toys outside, it will probably take the better part of the afternoon.”

  “Go on. I’ll put these away and lock up.”

  “Be careful on the road. Traffic’s bound to be a beast.” Rarely one to carry a purse, Angela pulled her keys from the front pocket of her pants and got into her car.

  Dani picked up the hammer and container of nails then went inside, dropping them off in her office. In the file cabinet was a folder of vital papers, including Bayou Bits’ insurance policy. She removed it and tucked it under her arm, just in case, before taking her purse, which was hanging over a chair. Checking her phone before leaving, she saw nothing from Rob, but that was expected because he had a meeting this morning.

  A message from Bryce confused her.

  When you get to Gram’s, just say ‘yes.’

  What are you talking about? She’d briefly talked to him that morning, but had no idea to what he was telling her to say yes.

  You’ll know when you get there.

  She huffed, exasperated. Too much was happening to play his guessing games. You’re a royal pain. Heading over there now.

  I know. Remember, just say ‘yes.’

  It became obvious he wasn’t going to tell her anything. She carried her belongings out to her SUV. The temperatures were warm, and she drove with her windows open. Cold chills shot down her back when she drove through Oden Bridge. Main Street was a ghost town with boarded up storefronts and windows. Few people were out, even fewer cars. This wasn’t the first hurricane to hit Oden Bridge, but she’d never experienced such extreme precautions for other ones and the town’s vacancy made the threat more tangible.

  Her mom’s navy blue sedan was parked in Gram’s driveway. Dani parked behind her and went inside.

  “Oh good, you’re here.” Dani’s mom greeted her at the door, dressed for comfort in a bowling shirt and jeans.

  “I came as soon as I finished at the restaurant. Driving through town was eerie.” A shudder passed over her again. “Looks like everyone’s already cleared out.”

  A brief look of guilt passed over her mom. “About that—there’s been a new development.” Her mom twisted her shoulders and looked behind her. “Come here.”

  Dani followed her mom to the porch with increasing interest. “What’s going on? First, I get an odd message from Bryce and now you’re being weird.”

  “Gram has decided she wants to ride out the storm in Tennessee.” Her mom sighed. “Bryce had wanted her and Gramps to visit for a while, and Gram` has decided this is the perfect opportunity for her to go.”

  “Good for Gram. She’ll have a good time.” She leaned against the railing. “What’s the problem?”

  “Gram doesn’t drive long distances. She never has.” Dani’s mom crossed her hands in front of her torso. “I can’t go right now because I’m on call through next Wednesday for work and can’t be more than a few hours away until the storm passes and then have to come right back.”

  “Oh,” she drew out into a two-syllable word. It all made sense. “And I’m volunteered to drive her?”

  “Please, Dani.” Hands went from a crossed to clasping gesture. “I know you don’t want to leave for a week and not be able to check on the restaurant after the storm, but this means a lot to Gram. I promise your dad and I will take care of anything with the restaurant or your house, if need be.”

  That was asking a lot, even considering the lengths she’d gone to not allow work to control her life. If Bayou Bits was damaged in the storm, how would she handle it from Nashville? “I don’t know.”

  A crestfallen expression shadowed her mom’s face and her hands dropped to her sides. “I knew it was a long shot, but I had to try.”

  “I didn’t say no, Mom.” An image of Rob materialized in her mind. If she drove Gram to Bryce’s, she’d get to see him. The plan seemed much more inspired when she thought of it that way. Even then, it wasn’t a guarantee. “Let me call Angela. If she can step in, I’ll take Gram.”

  “Thank you.” Her mom squeezed her and kissed her cheek. “Have I told you today how much I appreciate you?”

  “No, but don’t get carried away.” She backed away and threw a quick wink her mom’s way. “My motives aren’t completely altruistic.”

  A large grin stretched across her mom’s mouth, and her eyes lifted. “Is this your way of telling me you finally talked to Rob?”

  “Yes.” That lightheaded, happy feeling returned.

  “Good, good.” Her mom’s eyes sparkled. “When were you going to tell me?”

  “Soon, but it’s only been a few days.” She couldn’t wait to call Rob and tell him the good news as soon as she spoke with Angela. Even more, she couldn’t wait to see him.

  “I’m happy for you, sweetheart. I don’t know Rob very well, but Gram thinks the world of him, and that says a lot.” Motioning to the door, she took a step. “Let’s go tell Gram the good news. About the trip that is—you can tell her about Rob on your terms.”

  On the way into the house, she sent Bryce a quick text. I’ll see you tomorrow.

  A reply came before she’d even reached Gram. I knew you’d say ‘yes.’

  She shook her head, laughing. The upcoming week was sure to be interesting.

  Chapter 18

  “This should be our last stop. According to the GPS, we only have an hour left,” Dani spoke quickly.

  Adrenaline pumped through Rob. He’d see Dani soon. Too bad a hurricane was the root cause of the visit, but still, he was going to see her. When she’d giv
en the news yesterday, he could’ve whooped for joy, which wasn’t his style at all. His excitement was palpable. They’d be able to go on a real date, spend time together, act like a normal couple for a few days.

  So what if they’d only decided a few days ago to pursue a relationship? It seemed to be happening fast, but had been months in the making. He’d prayed and had been given peace. This was right. He knew that with every fiber of his being, from the total lack of nervousness, to his heart’s drumming in excitement.

  He balanced his phone between his ear and shoulder as he dusted the TV stand. If he’d had more notice, he would have brought in a maid. “Should I wait and come over after you’ve arrived or do you want me there already?”

  “Be there waiting.” Her quick answer made him smile.

  “They’re going to ask questions.” Their relationship was so new they hadn’t discussed telling anyone.

  “Let them.” The conversation lagged a second. “They’re going to find out anyway. I don’t think we can hide it all week.”

  “Good because I intend to take you out as much as possible.” He lifted a DVD case he’d forgotten to put away, dusted underneath of it, then set it back. On second thought, he grabbed the case again and put it back on the shelf where it belonged.

  “Gram’s coming back. I have to go, but I’ll see you soon.” The anticipation in her voice just about killed him.

  He had it bad. “I’ll be waiting.”

  After he heard the click of her disconnecting, he slid his phone into his rear pocket and scrambled to finish making the condo presentable. Despite being a bachelor at thirty-one, he’d never been too keen on cleaning. At some point, she’d probably want to see where he lived, and he was embarrassed by his lack of housekeeping. It wouldn’t be today, since it was late afternoon already, but he didn’t want to risk losing time with her later because he had to clean. If only he hadn’t had a meeting this morning, the cleaning would have been done already.

  He bit the inside of his cheek as he passed the vacuum over the carpet. Getting to Bryce’s house would take thirty minutes, and that was banking on a good traffic day. His clothes were a mess, and he still needed to change.

  All that meant he needed to get moving if he was going to get there before her. He shoved the vacuum back into the hall closet, not taking the time to wrap the cord. Going into his bedroom closet, he exchanged his ripped shirt for a dark green T-shirt and slid a button-down shirt over it. The jeans he wore were passable. He went into the bathroom, brushed his teeth and ran a comb through his hair. That would have to do.

  Fifteen minutes into the drive, he realized he’d never told Bryce he was coming over. He hit a button on his steering wheel, activating the Bluetooth.

  “What’s up?” Bryce answered, his voice coming through the Jeep’s speakers.

  “I’m on my way over. I’ll be there in ten to twenty minutes.”

  Bryce faltered. “Yeah, um, now’s not the best time. I have company coming any minute.”

  “I won’t be long.”

  “Okay, but fair warning, it is Dani and Gram that are coming.”

  He almost laughed. “I think I can handle that.”

  “Good, because I’m inviting you to dinner with them Sunday night, once they’re settled.”

  “That’s tomorrow.” Maybe it was selfish, but he’d hoped to take Dani on their first real date. He should have figured Bryce would make plans.

  “Can you make it?” Bryce asked.

  “Should be able to. I’ll talk to you more when I get there.” When he hung up, the radio played again, a Johnny Cash song.

  Dani’s Explorer wasn’t in the driveway when he made it to Bryce’s house. He’d managed to beat her there. Should he have brought flowers? Probably not—that would have caused too many questions up front from Bryce and Sophie. He’d make it up to her tomorrow. Sliding out of his vehicle, he didn’t bother locking the doors.

  The walkway to Bryce’s house was expertly landscaped with flowers to match the seasons. This month, there were mums in hues of oranges and yellow. A few years back, Bryce had admitted the flower beds were all Fjolla’s doing since she insisted his home’s curb appeal needed sprucing up.

  Sophie answered the door seconds after he knocked. “Hi, Rob, come in. Bryce is on the phone. Dani took a wrong turn, and he’s talking her through getting here.”

  “They're almost here?” he couldn’t help asking.

  She nodded. “From what I overheard, it should only be another five minutes, if that.”

  “Gracie is excited?” The small talk did little to distract him. Acting normal was nearly impossible.

  “You have no idea.” Sophie glanced around. “She’s bouncing off the walls. I’m surprised she didn’t come running when she heard you at the door.”

  Bryce walked into the room, and gave him a high five. “What’s going on?”

  Not a single word came to mind. In all his grand ideas, he’d failed to compose a reason for showing up out of the blue. “I left a paper here the other day with my meeting time on it.” The words weren’t fully out of his mouth when he knew he’d made a mistake with the flimsy excuse.

  One of Bryce’s eyebrows quirked. “You could have called and saved yourself a trip.”

  As luck would have it, the doorbell rang, buying him a few minutes.

  Gracie ran right past him, to the window. “It’s them! Gram and Aunt Dani are here.”

  Rob laughed with Bryce and Sophie, but he understood her enthusiasm. He stood to the side, by the staircase bannister, while Bryce answered the door. Dani walked in and his breath caught in his throat. Brown leather boots covered the bottom section of her pants and stopped mid-calf. She wore a deep royal purple, long sleeved shirt that fell to her hips and hugged her figure. A dark shade of lipstick complemented her features. Makeup had never made his stomach topsy-turvy before, but he couldn’t tear his eyes from her perfectly shaped mouth.

  She was beautiful as usual, but there was more to it this time, or maybe he was seeing her through fresh eyes. To his awareness, she hadn’t seen him yet. Gracie hugged her then moved to Gram, throwing her little arms around Gram’s waist. Bryce and Sophie greeted their guests, asking all the normal questions, inquiring on their trip.

  He was all but forgotten until…

  Dani turned her head—he wanted to believe she was searching him out. Their gazes locked and everything else fell away, the voices faded to the background. He wasn’t sure which one of them moved first, but they met in the middle.

  “I’m here,” she said.

  “You made it,” he said at the same time.

  His arms encircled her, and she willingly came to him, resting her cheek against his chest. The tantalizing scent of spice and floral tickled his nostrils in the most pleasant way he could imagine. He crooked a finger under her chin, gently guiding her head so he could see her eyes. They were hazy with an attraction that went beyond the physical. He didn’t blink, afraid to lose this moment. Dani moved an arm she’d wrapped around him, and he felt the loss of her touch until she trailed a finger along his jaw with a feather touch.

  “Daddy, why are Mr. Rob and Aunt Dani looking at each other like you and Mommy do?” Gracie’s innocent question broke the trance.

  Dani giggled nervously and broke away. Unwilling to lose her touch completely, he slid a hand down her arm and laced their fingers. Red-faced, but not ashamed, they turned to look at the others.

  “That’s a good question, sweet pea.” Bryce stood with his legs apart and arms crossed. His lips twitched into an amused smile, holding back the laughter already in his eyes.

  Sophie and Gram wore equally pleased grins, and Gram looked downright gleeful.

  He glanced at Dani, who smiled at him. Raising his shoulders, he looked back to the others. “Surprise.”

  Gram tapped Bryce’s sleeve. “Looks like we’re too late.”

  “Too late for what?” Dani stepped forward, but tightened her grip on his hand.


  “Doesn’t matter now,” Bryce said quickly. Too quickly.

  Any other time, Rob would have pressed, but he was too euphoric. That he hadn’t yet greeted Gram dawned on him. “Hi Gram, welcome to Nashville.”

  “Thank you. I’m glad to be here finally.”

  “Hey, Rob.” Bryce smirked. “If you think you can tear yourself away from my cousin for a minute, can you help me bring in their bags?”

  Reluctantly, he let go of Dani. “I’ll be right back.”

  “I’ll be here.” Their eyes locked again.

  “Ahem.” Bryce cleared his throat.

  Yeah, he was never going to hear the end of this, even more so than the nail-painting incident. That was okay. He’d take the ragging if it meant being with Dani. The front door hadn’t closed behind them and Bryce was asking questions.

  “I don’t even know where to start.” Bryce paused on the porch step and chuckled.

  “You’re worse than a girl.” Rob pressed past Bryce and went to Dani’s Explorer. “You coming?”

  Bryce thrust his palms out. “Dude, this is huge. After those smoldering looks between you and Dani in there, you can’t expect me to let it slide without comment.”

  “Fine. You have two questions. Use them wisely.” He flashed a smile as he opened the rear door.

  “When?” Bryce came and lifted out a bag.

  “Tuesday. One more.” He held up a single finger. “And only one.”

  Setting a suitcase on its wheels, Bryce calmed his teasing. “Do you think she’s the one?”

  Rob jerked. “That’s a hefty question.”

  “You said two—you didn’t clarify depth.”

  “It’s too soon to tell.” The answer rolled off his tongue without thought. “No, that’s a lie. It is soon, but I know. Yes, she’s the one.”

  Nodding his approval, Bryce took out a bright yellow duffel bag. “I knew Sophie was the one from the day we met. It’s not that crazy of a concept. Have you made any plans?”

  “That’s three questions.” He elbowed Bryce in the ribs. “And don’t push it. We, meaning Dani and I, not you, have to sort this out at our own pace.”