“Very good. I’ll email you the details, and look forward to meeting with you soon.”
Dropping the phone back into its protective cradle, Harley felt the blood pumping through her veins. The day was proving to be one of extremes, and she wasn’t likely to forget this high for some time. Giggling under her breath, she paused to pick up her cellphone, hitting the contact info for Annie.
Just got phone call. Trent Bauer needs cohost. Audition in New York week of Christmas. Dying!!!
With trembling hands, she dropped the cellphone to her lap. Working the desk with Denton was a nice thought, but cohosting with Trent Bauer? Hers would be the face millions stared at as they drank their coffees every morning. The most important international news stories of the day would cross her lips as people readied their kids for school or themselves for work. And to think they had contacted her simply because Trent Bauer was intrigued and wanted to see how she handled herself in person.
Her phone buzzed in her lap, and she hastily retrieved it and touched the screen.
Girl, shut up! That is sweet!
Laughing, Harley hesitated as another buzz vibrated her fingers.
If I could be happy for you, which I can’t. You are not allowed to leave.
Of course chasing her dreams would mean leaving, but she never intended Louisville to be a long-term situation in the first place.
But if you leave, I get the house. Just sayin’.
The house. Did she want to leave the house? Wonder Lane? Annie?
Ryan… He believed that God sent her to his family—how would she manage to break the news?
C hapter Twenty-Three
Tossing in bed, Harley pounded her pillow with her fist and sat up in the darkness. Sleep had evaded her, and it seemed like a fight she wasn’t going to win. Something was guiltily gnawing away at her, but she couldn’t decide what it was.
After coming home Monday evening and chatting with Annie about the thrilling possibility of a move to New York, she couldn’t manage to force the words past her throat when Ryan called. She hadn’t found the nerve to tell him about the news she received at the hospital, either. Instead, she talked to him about her stint that night at the news desk, her visit with the basketball players, and the fact that Annie had already allowed Jake into the house that day to patch up a few holes in the wall.
“Oh, by the way, I have a job interview halfway across the country,” didn’t seem like something she wanted to interject into the conversation.
Staring at the illuminated 3:04 on her phone, she deemed that silence a failure. He might have been disappointed, but the unspoken words wouldn’t be haunting her.
Stretching her body, she pulled her shorts-clad legs out from under her comforter and shivered as she moved to the window, placing her fingertips against the cold glass. A streetlight up the road illuminated her sleepy section of Wonder Lane, dotted by darkened houses and one home still ablaze with Christmas lights. The blue and white alternating bulbs stretched across the front of the roofline, and a giant candy cane glowing bright white and red rested just beyond the mailbox.
One and a half more weeks until the holiday, which she now had planted firmly in her brain thanks to the fact that her audition was next week. She had studied the calendar after the phone call, and realized that she only had a few days to prepare herself for the possibility. Was she ready to take on such responsibility? Enough research had been conducted during her dreaming phases that she knew those anchors were practically married to their jobs. Was that really the life she wanted?
A couple months before, she wouldn’t have given leaving Louisville a second thought, but in the last few weeks, she had grown roots. Not deeply planted roots, but small, short roots that were tangled with the dirt and trying to grasp onto something solid.
Sighing, she glanced upward from the street, out into the distant night sky, focusing on a light she saw in the distance. Through the dewy fog against the window she couldn’t tell if it was a star or a satellite or an airplane, but she supposed it didn’t matter. Rubbing the damp glass, the smears from her fingers caused the glow from the Christmas lights to shoot off in all directions in the reflection of the window. Allowing herself a slight smile, she shook her head.
“God?” Nervously licking her lips, she drew her brows together in slight discomfort. “God, if You’re listening, it’s Harley Davidson. Remember me? I was the kid who memorized all the Bible verses at church summer camp? Skinny, lanky kid who the other kids made engine noises at when they came near?” Clearing her throat, she forced her eyes to remain trained on that light in the distance. “I’ve always been the inquisitive one, remember? I would spend my time studying the giant Hebrew to English dictionary from Dad’s dresser, just to see if the Bible was translated correctly?”
Allowing a slight laugh to tumble out at the thought of dragging around that huge book, she bit her lower lip, feeling a tear slide down her cheek. “All I’ve ever wanted was to find the truth, and I’ve worked hard for as long as I can remember. There hasn’t been anything I’ve received in life that I haven’t struggled to obtain on my own, and now the culmination of every ounce of that effort is just on the horizon. When I think about the difference I could possibly make with that platform…”
Wrapping her arms tightly across her chest, she lowered her forehead to the glass. “If You really are as involved in our lives as Ryan thinks You are, then I’m asking for Your help. Help to find myself in the place where I can make the most difference. If I’m here for a reason, then to find myself fulfilling that purpose.”
The distant light in the sky disappeared suddenly from her view, and she let out a heavy sigh.
“Figures. The wise men had a star to follow, but all I have is a forgotten trail of Christmas lights and a vast expanse of darkness, left to fumble around like a blind man.”
Feeling another hot tear slip down her cheek, she closed her eyes.
“When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor.” Pausing, she opened her eyes to the darkness. “See? I still remember, even though my crown slipped off somewhere between there and here.”
“Next week? Harley, that’s not much notice.”
Squeezing her hands together, she forced a deep breath into her lungs. The protest from Mitch was pretty weak, and she knew he wouldn’t take much convincing.
“I know it’s pretty sudden, but just think about the positive publicity. The chances of Trent and the team there actually choosing me are slim to none, but I can put our station on the map a little bit and bring focus to the Louisville area.”
Lifting a hand to his chin, he scratched it absently as he stared past her at the door. “Well, you haven’t taken any vacation since you’ve been here, and you’re certainly due. Just take those five days right through Christmas, and then come back after.”
“Five days?” she repeated a little dazedly.
“Sure. You do know how to take a week’s vacation, don’t you?”
Laughing, Harley shook her head. “I’m not familiar with the idea, but I’ll figure it out. Thanks, Mitch.”
“Just do us proud,” he insisted as she rose and exited the office.
Pausing to adjust the zipper on her boot in the hallway, Harley hesitated as she knelt near the door to Denton’s office. Hushed voices rose from inside, and she immediately recognized Denton’s tone as the voice he used when he wasn’t particularly pleased. Wondering who he was arguing with, she remained crouched there, hidden from view.
“Because she wouldn’t do that, and you know it,” Denton’s agitated voice insisted.
“Don’t pretend that she’s a little saint,” the feminine voice said, and Harley immediately knew it was Summer. “She’s been gunning for the top spot since the moment she got here, and there’s no reason
to think she wouldn’t do whatever it took.”
“What you’re insinuating is beyond dirty, and I don’t like it.”
That perked Harley’s ears up even more, and she glanced behind her as she slowly rose and pressed herself against the wall.
“It’s some kind of scam, Denton. That girl’s brother is dating Harley, and they’re funneling money into something with that medical fund.”
Even as the assertion caused Harley’s heart to pound wildly in her chest, she twisted her mouth sideways in an effort to mask her consternation. For someone who couldn’t manage to do her own research, Summer had certainly sleuthed out Harley’s love life quickly. The mere thought was enough to humiliate and infuriate her simultaneously.
“Be careful what you throw around, would you? That’s a terrible thing to accuse someone of, if it’s not true.”
“Then let’s find out if it’s true.”
“No way. You’re on your own with that one.”
Summer emerged from Denton’s office, and Harley quickly straightened and attempted to act nonchalant as she faced the senior newswoman, whose face tinted slightly red beneath her blonde hair.
“Harley,” came the hushed acknowledgement, as she guiltily tried to brush past her.
“Summer,” Harley answered without emotion, glancing at the woman’s back when she passed. “Is that a new pantsuit? It’s very…you.” Taking a step forward, Harley shook her head at Denton.
“Hey, you were great last night, Harley. Listen, about that—”
“No worries,” she said, letting out a sigh. “Thanks for defending me. Of all the horrible things she could have thought up, that really ranks up there.”
“She feels threatened, and for good reason. She’s practically a goner, and she sees it coming a mile away.”
Sitting in the sterile gray room, Harley allowed her eyes to roam over a poster of the human body on the wall before she dropped her gaze to her hands. She had interviewed countless doctors for her news features, but this time she was out of her element. Rather than feeling in control and self-assured, she struggled to find her voice and calm her nerves.
“We’d like to start the filgrastim injections tomorrow,” the mostly bald doctor said, staring at her thoughtfully. “You’ll need to have those for the five days leading up to the PBSC donation, to increase the number of blood stem cells in your bloodstream.”
Five minutes ago, she would have felt like she was hearing a foreign language, but from her short interaction with the doctor and previous blood testing, she was already familiar with peripheral blood stem cells. Letting out a shaky breath, she squeezed her fingers together tightly.
“Tomorrow,” she repeated robotically.
“Yes, and that would put you in Dallas Monday morning.”
“Wait, Monday?” Slowly drawing herself from her stupor, she shook her head. “I’m supposed to be in New York Monday, so that’s not a possibility. Maybe after the holiday we could work something out.”
Leaning toward her from his stool, the doctor placed his hand over her own, forcing her to halt the twisting motion of her fingers. “Harley, what if ‘after the holiday’ is too late? The patient is in dire need, which is why they want to send you to Dallas.”
She dared to look up and caught his sympathetic eyes, dark brown like her own father’s, and she felt a tear surface at the corner of her eyelashes, releasing itself to move down her cheek.
“There’s nothing to be afraid of,” he attempted to soothe her. “There will be one apheresis session, a couple needles in your arm, and full recovery usually takes seven to ten days.” When that didn’t seem to change her countenance, he tightened his grip on her fingers. “You’re not obligated to do this, Harley. If it’s causing that much fear…”
Shaking her head, she pulled one hand loose to swipe at her eye. “I’m not afraid of the procedure. I’m afraid of…” Letting out a short laugh, she looked at the wall past the doctor’s head. “I’m afraid of my life, and what it looks like. Of my conscience, of holding a mirror up to myself. Who is this person?”
“Who are you?” the doctor attempted to clarify.
“No, who needs the donation? Is it someone like my friend Kelsey, who is seventeen and lovely? Or is it a criminal on death row?”
Giving a heavy sigh, he patted her hand again. “You know I can’t give you any patient information.”
“Which is exactly why I can’t tell you yes,” she muttered, squeezing her eyes closed.
“Go home tonight and think about it. I’ll set up the appointment for you tomorrow morning. If you don’t show, I’ll know your answer.”
Nodding, Harley rose from her chair and looped her purse over her shoulder.
“Sorry,” she whispered. “You must think I’m a horrible person.”
“No,” he insisted, giving her a sad smile. “I think you’re human.”
C hapter Twenty-Four
As her car rolled forward toward the end of Wonder Lane, Harley squinted her eyes, thinking her mind was playing tricks on her. In the large front window of her home, where she normally kept the curtains pulled tight, she saw twinkling lights.
Closing the door to her BMW, she hugged her coat closer around her as she stood outside her home witnessing the foreign sight. Of all days to introduce the Christmas spirit, it felt like a giant affront to her senses. A huge black sheet over the window would have been a more appropriate welcome.
Stepping up to the front door, she cautiously pushed it open, half expecting Annie to be waiting with a giant smile on her face, or reindeer antlers on her head. When she found nothing, she hung her purse on a coatrack peg and glanced over at the mirror against the wall, reflecting a young woman wearing a red dress, her dark hair falling in waves across her shoulders. Staring at her own reflection, she found it impossible to smile.
“Harley?” she heard from up the stairs. “Hey girl, ‘bout time you got home. I was starting to worry.”
Slowly dragging her feet up one step and then another, Harley managed to find herself on the second floor, standing in front of her closet/bedroom. The holes in the wall had been repaired, thanks to Annie’s quick friendship with Jake. Stepping out of her shoes, she stretched her arm behind her as she tried to unzip her dress.
“I made salad,” Annie announced, stepping up behind her. “I left some in the kitchen for you, provided the rats haven’t carried it off.”
“Thanks,” Harley muttered.
“Either you have something on your mind, or we need to have a serious conversation about the rat problem. I thought I was making that up. Until now I haven’t noticed any, so is there something you want to tell me?” Stepping forward, Annie grabbed the zipper and gave it a tug, pulling it to the small of Harley’s back.
“No rats, as far as I know. I saw your Christmas lights.”
Grabbing a long-sleeved T-shirt, Harley tugged it on as she allowed the dress to fall to the floor. She reached for a pair of faded jeans as Annie placed her hands on her hips.
“The place needed some Christmas spirit, at least that’s what Jake and I decided.”
“You and Jake are becoming quite the pair.”
Annie laughed and shook those purple curls briefly. “Not that kind of pair. Don’t get me wrong—he’s a total doll. I could stare at him all day. His heart’s not available, though. Totally messed up over somebody.”
“Alexis?” Thinking back to the forceful way she refuted being Jake’s wife, it certainly seemed possible.
“I don’t think it’s her…he only came here for his daughter. No, that man has a heartbreaker in his past, I can tell.”
“Well, maybe you can help him rebound,” Harley teased, facing her friend with a hint of a grin. The sound of a motorcycle engine drifted in from outside the window, and she wrinkled her forehead slightly.
“Oh, surprise! Ryan’s coming over.” Annie gave a little shrug, looking towards the door.
“Thanks for the warning, and how do you know this?
”
“He stopped by a little bit ago, but said he’d come back. He’s fantastic, you know. I think I finally get it.”
“Get it?”
“You know, why you’re in love with him.”
“Annie!” Swatting at her friend as the knock sounded on the door, Harley simply gave her head a quick shake. “Sometimes I’m tempted to give you a time-out.”
“Don’t worry, I’m unpacking my room, so you can have the entire downstairs to yourself, roomie. It’s like a self-imposed time-out.”
Giving a sly wink, Annie continued down the hall as Harley began taking the steps, careful to avoid splinters. Socks might have been a good idea, or even slippers, but it was too late and Ryan was standing outside. Taking a deep breath, she pulled open the front door.
With his helmet under his arm, a slight smile spread across Ryan’s face. His cheeks held a pink tint from the ride across town, and the blue of his eyes seemed brighter than normal. A forest-green beanie held his hair away from his face and covered his ears, which were likely pink from the night air as well. Studying his features, Harley’s heart pounded a little harder.
“Are you going to make me stand on the porch all night? ‘Cause I’m a little cold.”
Moving back, she watched Ryan step inside and press the door closed, bending down to place his helmet on the floor. When he straightened, he locked his eyes on hers while he shrugged out of his coat, hanging it on the coat rack.
“You know it might snow tonight?” she asked quietly, folding her arms across her chest to ward off the chill that permeated the entryway.
“I know I wanted to see your face. I didn’t get much farther than that.” He closed the distance between them and placed a cold hand against her cheek. “You okay?”
She attempted a small smile as she wrapped her fingers around his hand and pulled it away from her face. “Yes and no, and your hand is freezing. If the fireplace worked, I’m sure that would be helpful. It hasn’t been used in so long, though, I’d probably burn the house down. Or at least smoke us out of the room. Just…wait here, okay?”
Crowned (Girls of Wonder Lane Book 2) Page 24
