by JoAnn Durgin
She smiled. “I think you’re beginning to understand me. I like this side of you. Being able to talk about the ballet, I mean, even though you’re not especially fond of it.” Heather tossed the towel in the bin.
“Don’t you dare call it my feminine side.”
“No worries. Like I said, you’re one of the most masculine guys I’ve ever known.”
“That’s comforting. Now, backtrack with the macho man, if you will. Let’s consider our first meeting in my office as our first date. Then the second meeting was another date. Decorating the church for the shower was the third date, and then the shower itself. Not to mention the rehearsal and the dinner afterwards. That’s at least five, if not six, dates. Right?”
“You have to remember that except for the first couple of meetings, our so-called ‘dates’ haven’t been one-on-one,” she said. “That’s a consideration, too, don’t you think?”
“Yet here we stand, just the two of us,” he said, a smile hitching one corner of his mouth. “I’d love to take you out on a date. A real date. One on one. Just Heather and Chase. How about tomorrow night?”
“You’re a fast mover, aren’t you?”
“I never thought I was, but when it comes to you, it seems I’ve lost all ability to reason. The pool event at the rec center is only two nights away. Let me take you to Moretti’s, my favorite Italian place. It’s small but the owners like me. I’m pretty sure I can get the best table in the house. What they lack in atmosphere they make up for in great food.”
She grinned. “You’re going to fill me full of carbs?”
“Sure am. You can work it off in the pool on Friday night. During dinner, I’ll tell you more about the kids you’re likely to meet. Give you a little background.”
“So, this is a working date?”
“Not really. I’ll tell you about a few of the kids and then we can spend the rest of the time getting to know each other.”
“I’ll have garlic on my breath.”
He laughed. “I’m not a vampire. We’ll cancel each other out.” He tapped the tip of her nose with one finger. “Since you seem so interested, I can guarantee I will kiss you at the end of the night.”
Tell him. She needed to come right out and say the words. Trust God for the rest.
Heather inhaled a quick breath. “Chase, before I agree to an actual date with you, there’s something I need to tell you. Something you should know.”
Chapter 17
~~♥~~
Heather’s heart plummeted as Chase’s smile faded. “This sounds serious. Should we sit down again?”
“Not necessary. Just hear me out first, please.” She closed her eyes and hoped for the best. “Forgive me. I should have told you before I agreed to help out with the swimming event, and I hope this doesn’t change anything. I’m just going to state it flat out.”
He nodded and appeared concerned although not overly so. “Go on. I’m listening.”
Inhaling a quick breath, Heather began. “My father builds casinos. When you mentioned that night at the motel that your dad has a gambling problem, I knew I had to tell you. But with everything else going on, I just couldn’t.”
“I’m guessing this has something to do with why you haven’t returned my calls?”
“Yes, but…” She glanced up at him, not sure what to think. Nothing in Chase’s expression spoke of anger or bewilderment. “Chase, did Sawyer tell you about my dad?”
“No, and neither did Ava. In a weird twist—not coincidence, not fate, but I choose to believe it was a God thing—I happened to be driving by a theater downtown last Tuesday night. Ironically, I was driving my dad to his GA—Gamblers Anonymous—meeting. On the sidewalk outside the theater, there was a big sign with a photo of a man and the word casino spelled out in big red letters behind him. Then I noticed the marquee on the theater said something about Jeremy Montague.”
Oh, no. Heather’s cheeks flushed with warmth. Maybe she should sit down.
When she started to pull away, Chase wrapped his arms around her waist. “I’m not going anywhere. All it took was a simple search for me to find out Jeremy Montague is your father.”
This man was full of surprises.
She swallowed hard. “Chase, I didn’t think a relationship between us would ever work because of my dad. Then, when I heard about your dad’s gambling addiction…well, I figured that was pretty much the end. I understand Jeremy Montague and Montague Enterprises must represent everything you despise. Trust me, I have a hard enough time with it. I had a long discussion with my mother before the honorary dinner, and I almost didn’t go. Besides the fact that he deserted our family, my father encourages people to gamble and drink and those things destroy families. I can’t support that.”
“Have you always felt that way?”
“What do you mean?” She fixated on the cuff of his shirt, rolled over the sleeve of his sweater, as if it was the most fascinating thing in the fashion world.
Chase lifted her chin so she’d look at him. “When you were sixteen and first learned to drive, did it bother you that your dad builds casinos? When you went to college, became a principal dancer at the ballet, or started working for Ava—at any one of those points in time, can you honestly say that you despised what your father does for a living?”
Heather shook her head. “No, his business didn’t bother me until I became a Christian. I never really thought much about it before then.”
“Then why do you think it started bothering you after you became a Christian?”
She looked up at him in surprise. “Isn’t it obvious?”
“Is it because you believe gambling and drinking are sinful?”
“No, it’s not that,” she said. “At least not directly.”
When she turned away, Chase let her go.
Crossing her arms over her middle, Heather walked a few feet away. She needed to put some distance between them so she could think more clearly. “I’m not sure how to explain it, but I’ll try. I think it’s more the temptation factor. Remember when I asked you if you believe drinking alcohol is a sin? You said no, but that you’d have a problem if I drank and fell down—made a fool of myself, in other words. I understand that, and I totally agree. The problem is that too many people don’t know their limits.”
“Or they know their limits but don’t pay attention to their internal warning meter,” Chase added.
“Is that how it is for your dad with the gambling?”
“Yes. He drinks, too, but he’s not an alcoholic.” Chase moved closer to her, stood across from her. “That’s not denial on my part. That’s fact. The gambling is the worst temptation for him.”
Sadness washed over his handsome face. “Addiction can be a cruel beast and an insanely jealous mistress,” he continued. “It’s difficult, and draining, to stand on the sidelines when I want to help him but can’t. Dad claims he’s been clean, sober, and stayed away from any kind of gambling or alcohol for eight months.”
“You don’t believe him?”
“I think I do. I want to believe him. I don’t have any evidence to the contrary. It’s a start, anyway.”
“I’m sure you don’t like feeling helpless, Chase. None of us do. Did you know the staff at casinos are schooled in how to look for the patrons who seem”—Heather raised her fingers to make air quotes—“‘most likely’?”
Chase’s brows arched. “Most likely to…gamble? Drink?”
“Most likely to…everything,” she answered. “A woman who’s just been dumped and wants to drink herself into oblivion is an easy target. A man who swaggers and throws his money around trying to impress everyone is a target. I suppose it’s like any other business in that they want to sell someone a service or a product. In this case, they’re feeding on the emotions and pandering to a certain mindset.”
“Wow. I had no idea.” Chase rubbed his hand over his beard and gestured to the two chairs. “Can we sit down again?”
“Sure.” Walking back to th
e chairs, Heather sat down on one, lost in thought.
Chase turned the other chair around to face her. Straddling it, he crossed his arms over the back. “With Dad, it all stems back to when my mom died.”
“I doubt the death of a spouse is something you ever really get over,” Heather said. “You accept it, you cope with it, and then you move on. You let go when the time is right. I’m not sure my Grandma M. is willing to let go of my grandpa even though he’s been gone for years. So, for some, that time never comes.”
“Grandma M.?” Chase leaned his chin on his crossed arms.
“Montague. She’s a hoot.”
“I’m sure she is if you say so. Heather, do you think the thing that bothers you the most isn’t your dad’s business but the fact that he ‘deserted’ your family, as you put it?”
Heather lowered her gaze. “You and my mom would get along famously. She said pretty much the same thing during our talk recently.”
Chase waited patiently while she gathered her thoughts.
“Mom helped me see things from a different perspective. Even though they’re divorced, my parents have a good relationship. They still love each other in their own way, but Dad remarried within a year after the divorce. Now, please don’t say anything, but I’d assumed some things that were never true. When I asked her why she’d never told me before, she said she’d tried but I wouldn’t listen. I can’t argue with that.” Heather raised her hands in the air. “There you have it. I can be pretty stubborn.”
“I know, but so can I,” Chase said. “We all make assumptions, but I’m glad your mom was able to help you put things in perspective.”
“She did, and then at the dinner, I spoke with my dad.” Her shoulders slumped and she frowned. “I said some pretty horrible things to him. I was sarcastic and rude, and yet he didn’t walk away. I would have deserved it if he had.”
“You’re probably being too hard on yourself,” Chase said, his voice quiet. “I’m sure it wasn’t that bad.”
“Oh, I don’t know about that. Then the Bible verse from James 3:8 came to mind to remind me to watch my words. I love how the Holy Spirit works like that.”
“But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison,” he quoted.
“That’s the one.” Heather sighed. “Dad told me he’s trying, and he hopes I’ll look at him with admiration and respect again one day. Like I did when I was little.”
Chase’s smile touched her somewhere deep inside. “I’d say that’s a positive step in the right direction as long as you didn’t shoot him down in flames. You didn’t, did you?”
She laughed a little. “No. I told him that I wanted to look at him like that again. Then I stood at the podium and waxed eloquently about the wonder that is Jeremy Montague. I shared a few fond memories about my childhood and talked about how well-respected he is in the business community. But then something unexpected happened while I was speaking.”
“What’s that?” His blue eyes searched hers.
“A sense of calm and inner peace washed through me, and I understood what my mom was trying to tell me. She’s been attending a church—which is a great development I hadn’t ever expected—and Mom encouraged me to forgive Dad. I’ve harbored things against him and, in retrospect, I can see how the bitterness has slowly eaten away at me. I need to let go of the anger. Knowing how she’s forgiven him impressed me, and she’s right.”
Heather looked up at Chase. “I need to forgive my father even if he doesn’t ask. Even if he never asks.”
“Maybe that’s part of what your dad meant when he told you he’s trying,” he said. “I don’t know him, of course, but asking forgiveness is incredibly difficult for a lot of people.”
“I know,” she said. “Part of that is accepting who Dad is, and everything he represents, both good and bad.” Her lower lip trembled and her eyes misted. “So, where does that leave us?”
Chase rose from the chair and offered his hand. Facing her, he took both of her hands. “Where that leaves us is that I want to date you, Heather Montague. You are not your father any more than I am my father.” The look in his eyes was the same one she’d seen in Sawyer’s eyes the night he watched Ava dance at the recital. More than physical desire, Chase’s gaze revealed a level of gentleness like none she’d witnessed from any other man. This man truly and deeply cared about her.
Resting her hands on his chest, Heather searched his eyes. “I don’t want to date you for the sake of dating, Chase.”
“I hope this doesn’t scare you, but I don’t want to just date you, either. Heather, I want the honor of loving you, if you’ll allow me.”
“I’m the one who’s honored. You take my breath away,” she whispered. “Remind me later to tell Sophia something.”
Chase’s brows arched. “Seems Sophia is our guiding light in this relationship.”
Heather smiled. “True. I need to make good on a promise I made to her the night she did us the huge favor of locking us in the closet together.”
“Yeah,” he said, brushing his lips over her cheek. “I have the feeling I’ll be thanking her for years to come for that one.”
“Me, too,” she murmured, leaning in as he kissed her forehead. She lifted her chin and smiled. “I hope you’re planning to move that kiss further south.”
“Most definitely.” Placing both hands on either side of her face, Chase lowered his lips to hers, sweeping her into a kiss so full of emotion she would have fallen in a heap on the floor if Chase hadn’t wrapped his strong arms around her. Shivers rippled through her in the best of ways.
She ran her fingertips over his beard. “Your beard is much softer than I would have imagined. Do you wear it because of your position? To make you more authoritative?”
“Are you kidding? Most of the guys have more facial hair than I do. Besides,” he said with an irresistible grin, “by keeping my beard soft, you won’t have to worry about razor burn.” He dipped his head and touched his lips to hers again.
“Are we crazy?” Heather murmured against his lips. So warm. So tender.
“Probably, but there’s no one I’d rather be crazy with than you, Heather. We’ll figure it out. Together. Time to stop talking. And then I’m taking you to Carson’s for ice cream.”
“I can’t resist an offer like that. Kiss me, please.”
Smiling, Chase pressed his lips to hers more firmly.
Heather lost all rational thought. Her heart soared.
Chapter 18
~~♥~~
Mid-April
“Heather! Your order’s up.”
Finished checking her messages, Heather pocketed her phone and approached the counter to pick up her veggie and hummus pita pocket. “Thanks, Becca.”
“Welcome.” The young blonde behind the counter smiled. “I don’t know if I ever told you that we brought my 7-year-old niece, Adeline, to see The Nutcracker. Addie couldn’t stop raving about it. You were as graceful and beautiful as ever, and it made quite the impression on her.”
“That’s very kind of you. I appreciate it.”
“I haven’t seen you around as much lately,” Becca said.
“I’m doing an internship with the ballet marketing director this semester, and we eat lunch in the office most days. Today I had a craving for one of your famous sandwiches, so here I am.”
“You’re sweet.” Becca indicated for Heather to wait while she called another customer name for order pick up. “I forgot you’re still taking classes, too. You’re one busy ballerina. When’s your next show?”
“We’re in rehearsals now for Giselle and the show runs the last week in May through the second week in June.”
“Oh, that’ll be spectacular! You’re dancing the lead, I assume?”
“I am. I’ll bring you a list of performances next time I’m here, and you can choose the time you want to come. I’ll make sure two matinee tickets are reserved for you at the box office. How does that sound?” One of the perks
of being a principal dancer was being able to gift tickets, and she loved doing it for aspiring dancers, in particular. Most of Ava’s students came to her shows.
“Seriously?” Becca’s blue eyes grew wide. “That’s so awesome. Addie will be thrilled.”
Heather smiled. “Tell you what. I’ll also arrange a backstage tour if you think she’d like that.”
“You do that, and your meal here is on the house for a month! Thanks, Heather.”
When she turned around with her food basket, Heather nearly ran into the man standing behind her. “I’m sorry.” Startled, she struggled not to drop the basket.
He reached out to help her, his hand touching hers, lingering a little too long. “Not a problem. You can run into me anytime you’d like. All steady now?”
“Yes, thanks.” Heather avoided the man’s probing smile. He was young, attractive, and well-dressed, but he reeked of an expensive men’s cologne. Impressed with himself and trying too hard. He was the kind of guy she might have given the time of day to a few short years ago, but no more.
“If you’ll excuse me.” Scooting around the man, Heather made her way through the small, crowded deli to a table.
Please let him take his meal to go. She wasn’t up to dealing with a flirtatious man. Closing her eyes and clasping her hands on the table, she said a prayer. Maybe that would turn him in the opposite direction.
“May I join you?”
Relief flowed through her at the sound of a friendly female voice. Finished with her prayer, Heather glanced up at the lovely brunette standing beside her small table. “Grace Warner! How great to see you. How long has it been? Please.” She gestured to the chair opposite hers. “Have a seat and save me from the Leering One over there by the counter.”
“Yes, I know. I could see what was happening as I came in the door.” Grace seated herself. “We have to watch out for each other. And I think it’s been about a year? Although as fast as time flies these days, it’s probably been longer.”
