Finding Solace (The Finding Series Book 4)

by C. J. Allison

  Zeke

  I feel bad that I’m apparently a bed hog. I’ve slept by myself for so long, it’s just what I’m used to, I guess. I’m going to try to make a conscious effort to try not to do it on this trip.

  We get the last of the stuff loaded in the truck and I’m starving, so I decide to make a stop at a little diner I liked to go to while living here.

  “I’m going to do a little video blog of our trip. I wish I would have started it from the beginning, but I want to capture it now moving forward. Hope you don’t mind being recorded?” she laughs, pointing her phone in my direction.

  “This face was born to be on film, sweet girl,” I joke, giving her my best side pose.

  “Okay, entry day one on Zeke and Gracie’s adventure. Operation, Home Bound. Wasn’t there an old movie called that? Damn, I may need to change it,” she says.

  “Operation California King,” I respond with a smirk.

  “Perfect. Okay let me start over. Entry log day one of Operation California King. This is Zeke.” I wave at her and then she changes the camera view from rear to front facing. “I’m Gracie and this is the start of what I know will be an amazing adventure. Right now, we are stopping at Zeke’s favorite diner because his condo was empty and he’s a muscle man that needs his nourishment and protein. Although, I am hungry, too. Because, well I like food. Anyway, this is our first stop. Many more to come.” She leans over to me and lifts the camera so we are both in view. Kissing my jaw, she stops the video and jumps out of the truck.

  I shake my head and laugh as I round the truck and throw my arm around her shoulder. “Muscle man, huh?”

  “Well, yeah. Have you not seen yourself in the mirror? You have like zero body fat. Maybe I need to fatten you up a little on this trip. Nah, forget that, I like you just the way you are,” she says, running her hand over my chest and stomach.

  “I like you just the way you are too, sweet girl. We agree on that as far as not wanting to change anything,” I say.

  “Nope, you are perfect. Except for the bed hog thing,” she says, laughing. “And hogging the water in the shower.”

  “You’ll find more to complain about I’m sure. I’m not perfect, nobody is, but promise me you will tell me when I do something you don’t like, please? I won’t know if you don’t tell me,” I say, giving her a kiss.

  “Same for you, too,” she says, leaning into me.

  “Nope, you are perfect as far as I’m concerned,” I tease. “I’ll tell you, I promise.”

  As we walk into the diner and are seated, Gracie says, “Thank you for this. For everything, really. I tend to joke about things a lot when I don’t know how to express myself, but I really think what you are doing is incredible.”

  “This is just the beginning, sweet girl. Just the beginning.”

  Gracie

  Breakfast is my favorite meal. I don’t normally eat it in the morning, though. This diner is fantastic. It’s like one of those old-time kind with all the chrome accents and waitresses in aprons. The food is incredible, too. I don’t think Zeke even looked up but maybe once after his plate was set before him. I’m just as guilty. It’s like I can’t get enough. When we finish, we both lean back in the booth and let out a sigh, holding our bellies.

  I take out my phone to capture the moment. “Hey, everyone. I think we are both in a food coma right now.” I flip to get Zeke in view and he has his head back and is rubbing his belly.

  “I don’t think I can move,” he says, giving me a one-eyed glance and a smirk.

  I flip the camera view back to me. “I’m not sure if we are going to make it out of here anytime soon. Thank God we are not on any kind of schedule,” I laugh.

  “I’m good, let’s roll,” Zeke says, scooting out of the booth and groaning.

  I switch the camera view back so I can capture him. It takes him a good five minutes to finally get out of the booth, and I’m in tears laughing.

  We make it out to the truck and Zeke opens my door for me. I think about how men don’t seem to do this anymore and it makes me smile at how he still has old fashioned values instilled in him.

  “First stop Dallas. I did a quick Google search and since we plan on just staying a day, I only want to see the JFK Memorial. It’s not much more than structure, but I think it looks cool. Something to be captured at least,” I say, switching the view back to Zeke who has already started down the road.

  “What my girl wants, my girl gets,” Zeke says, tapping the bill of his hat.

  I’m doing sporadic videos of Zeke singing as we roll through town by town, and he suddenly makes a face. “Umm, you may want to roll down a window,” he says nervously.

  “Oh my God, Zeke. Is that from breakfast? Holy shit,” I say, trying to get the window down as fast as I can. I cover my face with my shirt and try not to gag.

  “Okay, I need to sign off for now…. I think Zeke needs to use the facilities,” I laugh through my shirt.

  “Babe, really? You need to record this?” Zeke laughs. “Okay peeps, I need to take a shit, so bye,” Zeke says, grabbing the phone and stopping the record button.

  “Seriously, when our kids see this, priceless,” I say and stop realizing what I just said.

  I glance over at Zeke and he’s smiling from ear to ear. “I like that. You are thinking of us having kids? Sweet.”

  “If you keep expelling toxic gas, I won’t be able to bear your children, so calm down there,” I say, thinking that I slipped but he was all in. I don’t know what to make of this whole situation.

  “Zeke?” I ask hesitantly.

  “Yeah babe?” he responds.

  “I know this thing between us is all new and stuff. We are still getting to know one another, but can I ask what you are thinking it will lead to? What your thoughts are?” I ask.

  “Oh, sweet girl. I’m all in here. I’m picturing you fat and pregnant in my bed and me doing everything in my being to make you happy. I’ve never felt a connection like I do with you. If you can handle my gas…why would I turn my back on that? I’m kidding, of course.” He pulls the truck to the side of the road and turns to me.

  “I’m going to be completely honest with you, because it’s important to always be, but this thing between us... I feel it’s the most real thing I’ve ever felt. The moment I met you I was struck dumb. I started planning our future. I knew you had reservations, and I want nothing more to squash them. I want you to see what I see,” Zeke says.

  “What do you see?” I ask, turning toward him.

  “I see you and me and a house filled with love. Maybe a kid or two. But mostly I see a future with a beautiful woman that I see loving me…am I wrong?” he asks.

  “No. You aren’t wrong. I can see it, too. It may be too soon, but I need to say this…I love you,” I say, looking him directly in the eyes.

  “Wow, sweet girl. I love you, too, Gracie. I think I have since day one, if that’s possible,” Zeke says, reaching out and pulling me over to kiss me.

  It’s the softest and sweetest kiss. I could feel it throughout my entire body. With a press of his lips against my forehead, he groans.

  “I don’t want to ruin this moment, but if I don’t get a restroom soon, this is going to end totally different that we both expect it to,” he says, throwing the truck in drive and speeding down the road.

  I can’t help but to start laughing at the panic look on his face. I know I shouldn’t because he really looks like he’s uncomfortable. He whips his ball cap off and wipes his forehead with his forearm. There’s sweat starting to roll down his face. I hear a loud rumbling coming from his stomach.

  “There’s a gas station right up there.” I point down the road.

  “Thank God,” he mutters, speeding up.

  He pulls quickly into a parking spot and jumps from the truck, breaking wind loudly.

  I pull out the keys from the ignition and decide to go ahead and try to go to the bathroom myself. I sure as hell do not want to let one rip in front of him.
/>   Zeke

  We are about two hours into the drive, halfway to Dallas, when I fell a rumble roll through my gut. Gracie is recording me singing, and I can’t stop myself.

  I can’t believe this is happening. I warn her to roll down the window and notice she’s still recording. I grab her phone and stop the recording as she makes a statement about how priceless this would be to show our kids.

  I see her eyes go large like she didn’t mean to let that slip. I pull to the side of the road and tell her how I truly feel about her.

  Hearing her say that she loves me is the most amazing feeling in the world. I may still be a little ahead of her in my feelings, but she’s catching up.

  Another rumble goes through my stomach and I know if I don’t find a restroom quick, this moment will be ruined. Pulling into the gas station, I can’t get out of the truck fast enough. I do a shuffle run to the bathroom.

  Feeling a hundred times better and about ten pounds lighter, I pick up a few bottles of water and some snacks and pay. There’s no sign of Gracie when I get back to the truck, but it’s locked so I don’t panic.

  I feel arms slide around my waist and hands pat my belly. “Feel better?” Gracie says laughing.

  “Much. Sorry about that,” I respond, walking us towards the truck.

  “It’s natural. If it makes you feel any better, I feel a little lighter myself,” she giggles.

  We make it to Dallas, and Gracie is sleeping with her head against the window. I take a moment to just look at her. She looks so cute with her mouth slightly open and little bit of droll coming out of the side of her mouth.

  I run my hand over her hair and she smacks her lips a few times, letting out a little snort.

  Laughing, I softly say her name to try not to startle her. I watch as her eyes flutter open and she looks at me and smiles. Then a look of horror flashes over her face as she reaches up and wipes her mouth.

  “First day on the road and we both embarrass ourselves. We make a hell of a pair,” she says as a blush falls over her cheeks.

  “Don’t know what you are talking about. I wasn’t embarrassed,” I say, giving her a smirk. “Besides, you said it was natural. I’m sure we are going to learn a lot of somewhat embarrassing things about each other. I’ll embrace each one of yours. Because that’s what makes you unique and special.”

  I run my thumb over her bottom lip to the corner of her mouth. Lightly biting my thumb, she growls.

  “How do you come up with just the right things to say?” she asks. “And turn me on with just a look?”

  “Just speaking the truth, and that fucking growl…damn girl. Let’s get checked in and get naked.”

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  Backwards View

  Zeke

  As we hit all the cities I stopped at all those years ago, it’s like looking through a review mirror. This time I’m seeing it through Gracie’s eyes. She has this enthusiasm about her that is contagious. Just like when we went through the Alamo, each place we visit is the best thing she’s ever seen.

  I can’t believe how much I actually missed coming through the first time. Of course, I was eighteen then and had a different view on life and on things.

  I mean, I was in Memphis for a week, and I don’t think I got much further than Beale Street. Gracie was bouncing in her seat the whole drive to Graceland.

  I felt it was a little too touristy and a bit tacky, but Gracie was in total amazement. When we were in the foyer, I whispered to her that I thought I saw the curtain move that hides your view from the second floor. She had a death grip on my arm the rest of the tour which had me laughing.

  The house is smaller than I would have thought. I mean it was a mansion back in the day. Gram Pam’s farm house is twice this size. The leopard lounge was so over the top, but Gracie was recording the whole time. Of course, I had to make the comment of wondering if anything would show up on the recordings later.

  “Zeke, quit freaking me out. Seriously, I’ve got goose bumps now. Can we just skip the rest?” she says with a shiver.

  “I’m sorry. I’ll quit. I’m just teasing you, you know? I didn’t mean to ruin anything for you,” I say, regretting my actions.

  She starts laughing and turns in my arms. “Karma is a bitch. Do you really think I’m that gullible? I wanted to come this week in hopes we could do some ghost tours in San Antonio. I love Halloween.”

  “Shit, I totally forgot about that,” I say, kissing her forehead. “Let’s do ghost tours in each city.”

  She starts bouncing up and down. “Yay! I’m so excited!”

  From that moment on, we do research and do every ghost tour we can take part in. Her squeals make me laugh and at the same time, it pulls at my heart. To see her so happy is almost euphoric. Every moment makes me fall more in love with her, if that’s even possible.

  Gracie

  I’m seeing and experiencing so much during this trip. Zeke is so attentive and makes sure that I’m getting to take part in everything I want. I feel like a queen.

  I think I even have him trained to not be such a bed hog. Instead of kicking him, like he suggested, I curl into him or lay over him. He immediately turns and pulls me into him. It’s a wonderful feeling, but the amount of heat he expels is something I’m still trying to get used to. Especially when I end up engulfed in his arms and legs.

  I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

  When we make it to Nashville, Zeke informs me that he spent the majority of his time here. He then proceeds to tell me that he played with a band that is now a house hold name. They just got off their summer/ fall tour and were actually in town. He makes a few phone calls and the next thing I know we are heading to a private party.

  To say I was star struck is a vast understatement. I was stiff and silent the majority of the time I was there. Zeke noticed something was off and pulled me to the side.

  “Everything okay, sweet girl?” he asks.

  “Umm…I feel a little out of my element here and well…these are famous musicians. I’m not sure how to act,” I say.

  “They are just people like you and me. Hey, Lee. How about we play a song like old times?” Zeke shouts across the room.

  I hear a “Hell yeah” as Zeke pulls me with him to where the group is sitting. I stiffen again, but when I meet one of the wives, I’m put completely at ease.

  I watch as Zeke sits within the group with his guitar, and suddenly, it’s like I’m at a private concert.

  I then realize that he could have been a part of this, all those years ago when he filled in for them, he could have stayed. He could be famous right now. His road lead him down a different path, and that road lead him straight to me. A road that is now leading him home. To the place I feel he belongs.

  He beckons me over and I go and sit by his side. I can’t help but join in with everyone else and sing along. I ask if I can record it and am giving a thumbs up by the lead singer. I’m going to hold these memories as one of the best of my life.

  We get back to the hotel, and my cheeks hurt from smiling so much.

  “That was amazing. I feel like I’m dreaming. I still can’t believe that actually happened. I mean you know famous people, Zeke!” I spin around and bounce on my feet.

  Zeke just shakes his head and smirks. “I guess I never really thought of it that way. I mean, I played with them ten years ago when they were just a bar band. If I didn’t have a full time job, I could have gone on tour with them. They asked, you know.”

  “Holy shit. How cool would that have been? Seriously. How do you stay so nonchalant about it? I would be freaking out. The girls are going to die when they see this video. I can share it, right? I won’t load it to my blog, but I have to share it with them,” I say.

  “Lee wouldn’t have let you record it if he had an issue with you sharing it, babe. I’ll text him to ask to be sure if you want, though,” Zeke responds.

  “Yeah, please do. I wouldn’t feel right with putting it out there without approval. I’
ll send it to him to watch, if he wants to screen it or anything,” I say, queuing up the video and sitting on the bed to watch it.

  I’m bouncing on the bed and swaying back and forth as the video plays on my phone. I think the smile on my face gets even bigger. I realize that Zeke hasn’t moved or has said anything, so I glance up to see what he is doing.

  He’s just standing there looking at me and smiling.

  “What?” I ask, getting all self-conscious.

  “You. Just you. I would be completely happy just watching you for the rest of my life. Addictive, just like the strongest drug. I can’t seem to get enough of you. Don’t ever lose that enthusiasm or zest for life. It’s contagious, sweet girl. I can’t believe how lucky I am,” he says, walking over and lifting my chin to look up at him.