“He came into the shop the other day to get some cards printed for his business. We talked and the next thing I knew he was asking me to go a party for New Year’s.”
“Where?” Fancie asked.
“I don’t know. Some friends of his in Starkville. Who cares? It’s Shelby Dawson.” Charity turned to Ashley. “Hey, didn’t Ben go to school with Shelby?”
Ashley shook her head. “I don’t know.”
“Call him and ask so I can get some background on Shelby.”
“It’s late,” Ashley said.
“It’s not that late. And if he sees the call’s from you, he’ll answer. Come on,” Charity pressed.
“I’m not going to call Ben. Just drop it. Okay?” Ashley’s voice level rose a notch.
The women sat in stunned silence for a moment.
“Ash, did something happen?” Fancie asked.
Ashley’s lower lip trembled and her eyes filled. She drew her hair back and exposed the angry red scar that ran down the side of her face. “This happened. You should have seen the look on his face when he came to the hospital. And all he did was yell at me about my driving. I told him to go away. I gave him back the ring.”
“Oh, Ash. I’m so sorry.”
“He didn’t argue.” She sniffled. “He didn’t even try to convince me I was misreading him. He just took the ring and left. And I can’t blame him. I’m hideous.”
Fancie’s heart broke for her friend. Hot anger filled her as she thought of how easily Ben walked away when Ashley needed him the most. She sat on the arm of the chair and placed a hand on Ashley’s shoulder. “You’re not hideous. And Ben’s no better than pond slime to walk away from when you need him.”
“I don’t blame him,” Ashley insisted.
“Well, I do,” Mikayla growled. “The self-centered, spineless s.o.b.”
Ashley held up a hand. “Stop. Look, I get it. Y’all are my friends and care about me, so you defend me. Maybe this accident is meant to be a wake-up call for me, show me what’s most important. I don’t want to talk about Ben any longer.”
Charity nodded. “Good. Then perhaps we can talk about Luke.” She settled her gaze directly on Fancie’s face.
Mikayla looked from Charity to Fancie. “What about Luke?”
Fancie told them about the date with Luke the night before he left and about his phone call earlier. “I don’t want to rush into another relationship too fast. While I was in New Hampshire, I realized how I’d let Graham change me. I need to get my self back first.”
Charity nodded. “We’re not suggesting you marry him tomorrow. But don’t shut him out because you’re afraid of what might happen. You’re convinced the worst will happen. But what if it turns out to be something wonderful? You want to miss that?”
“No. I also don’t want to foster the notion that I have to have a man in my life to be happy. I like Luke and, if something’s meant to be, it will be.”
“Good. Then you go to New Hampshire. You talk. You spend time together. And you see how things go. You have to pick up your car anyway.” Charity yawned. “We need to figure out sleeping arrangements. I’m beat.”
“I should probably go home,” Ashley said, unfolding herself from the oversized recliner. “I’m not in a very good frame of mind for partying.”
“Honey, this is far from being a party,” Mikayla said. “It’s just us and there are no rules about how you have to feel to be here. You need a room to yourself or you want company?”
“I’m fine alone,” Ashley said. Then she looked at each of their faces. “I just love y’all, you know that, right?”
Fancie wrapped her arms around Ashley. One by one, the other women joined in a massive group hug.
After settling Ashley on an air bed in the small den and Charity and Mikayla in the master bedroom, Fancie curled into the big recliner. Chastity occupied the sofa.
“Chas, can you get away for four or five days after the first of the year?”
“Probably. Why?”
“I need to fly to New Hampshire and I’d like to have someone with me for the drive back. I’ll buy the plane tickets.”
“If we go over a weekend, like Thursday through Monday, I could take a few days off. When?”
“Whatever works best for your schedule. Check it out and let me know.”
“You danced around that conversation about Luke and the phone call. So there is something going on between you two?”
She sighed. “I think there could be.”
“Sure you want me around when you go up there?”
“I’m sure. I meant what I said about moving slowly. Luke and I mostly need to talk.”
Chastity snorted. “That would be unfortunate.”
“We’re still getting to know one another. I don’t want to rush something, especially a long distance relationship.”
“Fine. I’ll take a good book and make myself invisible.”
“I knew I could count on you.”
A pillow sailed through the air and landed on Fancie’s chest. Chastity snickered.
Fancie laid back in the oversized recliner, hugged the pillow and closed her eyes. Memories of the evenings she’d spent here with Luke danced through her brain. No more flight for her, except the flight to New Hampshire. Luke was not Graham. She was not the same woman who’d been engaged to Graham. Luke cared about her and respected her, and she trusted him when he said he didn’t want to change her. She smiled and snuggled down beneath her blanket.
Chapter Twenty
Fancie leaned across Chastity to look down at the snowy white landscape below. “Ever seen that much snow?” she asked her cousin.
“It’s beautiful,” Chas said. “But I’m not so sure about driving home through it.”
“We’ll be fine. The car has all-wheel drive.”
“It’ll be nice to see Luke again.”
“Uh-huh.” Fancie felt the heat of a flush bloom in her face.
“You’re blushing.”
The pilot announced preparation for landing and Fancie busied herself checking her seat back. “I’ve been thinking. I kind of feel like maybe Luke and I should see if we could manage a long-distance relationship.”
“Long distance? Honey, long distance is Memphis to Atlanta. You two are eleven hundred miles apart.”
“I know. But maybe something will change. We can explore the possibilities without rushing into a commitment.”
Chastity sat back and grinned. “I’ll stay out of the way. I promise. Pretend I’m not even there.”
“No, that’s not what I meant. I want you to see the town. Which, admittedly, will take all of ten minutes.”
“Think you could get your job back?”
Fancie shook her head. “No. I reapplied at The W, but I’m not sure there’s an opening. Uncle Avery reminded me of his offer at the newspaper.”
“So that leaves Luke to make a move? Is he on board with that?”
“I don’t know. We’re not anywhere near making that decision yet.” Fancie braced herself as the wheels touched down and the plane slowed.
“It sure would be nice to have that summer wedding at Quail Hill.”
“Slow down. Don’t pick out your bridesmaid dress just yet,” Fancie said with a laugh.
Chastity stared at her. “He makes you happy, doesn’t he?”
Fancie considered the time she’d spent with Luke, albeit brief. He made her feel valued, intelligent, talented, beautiful, and he listened to what she had to say. “Yeah, he makes me happy. He makes me feel like it’s okay to be me.”
Chastity unclipped her seatbelt as passengers around them stood and filled the aisle to retrieve bags from the overheads. “That’s all that matters.”
As they entered the terminal, Fancie glanced around in search of Luke. When she found him, a smile stretched across her face. She waved. He grinned and waved back, sauntering toward her.
“Hey.” He leaned in and kissed her cheek, taking her suitcase. “How was your flight?”
; His question came at her with an entirely different meaning. Her flight. She gave herself a mental headshake and said, “It was good. Thanks for picking us up.”
He nodded to Chastity. “Good to see you again, too. Let me take your bag.”
“Thanks, but I’ve got it. I hope you don’t mind me tagging along.”
“Not at all.” He gave them both a head-to-toe look. “Did you bring warm coats? It’s January in New Hampshire. Right now it’s twenty-two degrees outside.”
Chastity set down her bag and unzipped it, pulling out a thick fleece jacket. “Right here.”
Fancie took her bag from Luke and followed suit. Zipping her white down-filled jacket up to her chin, she said, “All set.”
Luke laughed.
“What?”
“You look like a marshmallow.”
She smacked his arm. “It’s all the down filling.”
He reached down and took her hand as they exited the terminal and crossed to the parking garage.
Fancie smiled and relished the warmth and strength of his hand around hers. He wasn’t going to make it easy for her to keep tight rein on their relationship. Despite what her head shouted about slowing down, her heart murmured that she was falling in love with Luke.
“Will Justin and Maura be at the house?”
“Not yet. They’ll be back on Tuesday. I guess you haven’t heard the other news about Justin and Kate.”
“Justin and Kate?” she asked.
“Yep. Apparently it was love at second sight. She wasn’t all that impressed at their first meeting, but he grew on her.”
“Now that’s one pairing I would never have guessed.”
Luke gave Chastity a quick tour of the area during the drive back to Henniker.
“It’s beautiful here,” Chastity said. “I’d bet fall is spectacular.”
“It is,” Fancie said. “You saw the photos I took last fall. They didn’t do justice to the colors of the leaves. And the earthy smells…. I think that was my favorite time here.”
“You haven’t seen spring in New Hampshire yet. Everything comes to life slowly, like nature is waking up from hibernation. You truly get the sense of all four seasons here.” Luke glanced at Fancie. “You’ve only experienced a bit of three. You might want to try spring before you decide New Hampshire’s not for you.”
“I just may have to do that.”
Luke prepared a seafood feast for them that evening. Once the kitchen was cleaned up and the dishwasher running, Chastity faked a huge yawn and stretched. “I think I have jet lag. I’m going to turn in. Thanks so much, Luke.” She caught Fancie’s eye and gave her a quick wink. “I’ll see y’all in the morning.”
Barney, who had been lulled into a near nirvana state by Chastity’s belly rubs and ear scratches, followed her to the steps, whining.
“I think he wants to come with me,” Chastity said.
“Go on, Barney. Keep our guest company tonight.”
Chastity called to the dog and he bounded up the steps behind her.
With a fire roaring in the fireplace, Luke sat beside Fancie on the sofa. “Tell me how your folks are doing.”
She filled him in on her father’s recovery and advancement to a boot on his ankle for support instead of the cast. “Mama’s surprising everyone, even her physical therapist. They’ll both be back to nearly full functioning in a month.”
“That’s great news. Is Tripp beating himself up over this?”
She drew her eyebrows together. “How did you know?”
“I talked to him right after it happened.”
“I hate that Tripp is so down on himself. He has talents I can only dream about. We really thought he’d become an artist or illustrator one day. I wish he could see in himself what I see in him.”
“It’s a shame to waste talent. Maybe this whole thing will get him to think. What about Ashley? Has she been charged?”
Fancie shook her head. “I imagine her father called in favors to get her a slap on the wrist and a fine. There was talk of community service and a license suspension for up to a year. My family isn’t pressing things, so it’ll probably all go away.”
“How do you feel about that?”
She shrugged. “She’s changed. If she’d seen this as no big deal and climbed right back behind the wheel of a new car, I’d probably be outraged. But she’s not. She’s withdrawn and scarred—physically and emotionally. She broke off her engagement and Ben didn’t argue with her. He just walked away. I hurt for her.”
Luke picked up her hand and turned it over, rubbing his thumb on her palm. “You’re a good person with a very generous heart. You know that?”
His actions sent a current up her arm and warmth into her belly. She tried to breathe normally, but found her heart racing at this slightest touch.
He leaned forward and kissed her. His lips were warm and firm on hers.
When he pulled back, Luke stared into her eyes. “Can we talk about us now?”
Fancie looked down to where his hand still held hers. “We can talk.”
“So, we agree there’s something happening between us. I mean, now that you know I’m not gay.”
Her face warmed and she smiled. “I’m so sorry about that assumption. But after that kiss, I’m very glad I was wrong.”
“You might want to be sure.” He kissed her again, this time releasing her hand and cupping the back of her head. His thumb traced over the sensitive skin on the back of her neck.
She shivered. “Yeah, I’m sure.”
“But you have some reservations, don’t you?”
“Not about you. And it isn’t about Graham, not exactly. It’s more about how I let Graham change me to fit his needs. I don’t think you’d try to do that. But I need to regain my equilibrium, get back to myself.”
Luke nodded, his fingers trailing along her shoulder and causing new sensations. “I can understand that.”
Is this guy for real? Fancie studied his eyes. He was being perfectly honest. “I’ve never been in a long distance relationship. I don’t have a clue how we do this,” she said.
“It’s not ideal, but I think we can work things out for a while. You’re here now. I could come to Mississippi for Valentine’s Day. I know it’s on a Monday, but I could fly down for the weekend and we could celebrate early. And you could come back up here in April.”
“This could be costly. Good thing I might have a job lined up.”
His eyes widened. “Really?”
“I’m thinking of taking my Uncle Avery up on his offer to manage the newspaper.”
“You don’t sound all that excited about it.”
“Teaching jobs are at a premium right now. I’ve sent letters of interest, but no openings. I need to work.”
“I have a break in late March. What if I drove down to Mississippi and you and I go to Pennsylvania to visit my parents. I can’t wait for them to meet you.”
“Isn’t that a roundabout drive? I could meet you somewhere, like halfway.”
She realized her response held more meaning than geography.
“We can talk about that. Fancie, I know this isn’t ideal, but I believe we can make it work. I’m willing to meet halfway, too.”
His next kiss ignited a desire in her that shook her to her toes. She finally broke off, gasping. “I think it’s time for bed.”
“I’m sorry. I’m moving too fast but, God, you’re beautiful.”
She stood and reached for his hand, laughing. “No, I meant for both of us.”
He lifted an eyebrow. “Are you sure?”
Was she? It only took a second to confirm her decision. Go for it. The ‘it’ being a chance at happiness. She tugged him to his feet and wrapped her arms around his waist. “I’ve never been more sure of anything.”
~
Fancie woke to a sliver of grey light beneath the drawn blinds. Luke lay beside her, flat on his back, snoring softly. She smiled as she lifted on one elbow and stared down at him. He had been gentl
e and attentive with her. She had drifted off to sleep feeling limp and boneless and completely satisfied, spooned back against him with his arms securely around her. Content.
Luke turned his face toward her and his eyelids fluttered. He gazed up at her and smiled. “Good morning.”
“Good morning. It’s only six-thirty.”
“Meaning?”
She slid a hand across his middle. “It’s still too early to get up.”
“But we’re both awake.”
She noticed the tease in his eyes and in the tug on his mouth. “We could just go back to sleep.”
He grinned and, in one quick move, claimed her mouth with his. “I have a better idea.”
She giggled as his fingers played along her ribs and then gasped when he claimed her breast. She forgot everything—the physical distance that would still exist between them when she returned to Mississippi, her determination to take things slowly, and the fact that her cousin slept within shouting distance.
Chastity stood at the counter making coffee when Fancie stumbled into the kitchen. Barney sat at her feet, staring up at her.
“Sleep well?” Chastity asked with a grin.
“Yeah. You?”
“On and off. This old house makes the oddest noises at times. Or it’s haunted and the ghost likes to shriek and moan. Even woke Barney once—or twice.”
Fancie frowned. “What are you talking about? I lived here for months and I never heard….” Then she saw the expression on her cousin’s face. Heat enveloped her cheeks. “Oh.”
“For the record, I am so jealous.” Chastity filled two mugs with coffee and set them on the table. “Luke ran to Dunkin’ Donuts. He’s probably still smiling.”
“Knock it off.”
“Don’t get me wrong. I’m happy for you. And I’d guess you answered the question of if you two are compatible between the sheets.”
Heat threatened to consume her from head to toe. Fancie walked to the fridge, opened the door and peered inside.
“What are you looking for?”
“Something cool that not’s interrogating me.”
“You know I’m just teasing. I am really happy for you and I know you and Luke can work out the mileage difference. You deserve someone who appreciates you for you and makes you happy.”
Flight of Fancie Page 19
