by Leah Atwood
“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 given 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.”
“I get that, but let me say this and get it off my chest.” Bryce sat on the bumper. “Dani means a lot to me. We were both only-kids and during my summers in Oden Bridge, we were practically inseparable. She’s the sister I never had, and I’d do anything for her.” His hand covered his mouth. For several seconds he remained quiet before standing up. “Please don’t do anything to hurt her.”
“You have my word I won’t.”
AFTER GRACIE WAS asleep later that evening, the adults were in the living room. Gram sat in the recliner, Bryce and Sophie on the couch. Dani was next to Rob on the loveseat.
“It’s so good to visit and see your life in Tennessee,” Gram told Bryce.
“We’re glad to have you. The timing was perfect.” Bryce scooted closer to Sophie and put an arm around her. “Next time, though, we’ll wait to tell Gracie until right before you’re here, because that is all we’ve heard from her since yesterday.”
Everyone laughed, knowing how Gracie was.
A sparkle shone in Gram’s eyes and she addressed Sophie. “I heard her call you ‘mommy.’ That was music to my ears.”
Sophie beamed. “Mine, too. We told her she didn’t have to call me that, but the last few weeks she’s been dropping ‘Miss Sophie’ in favor of ‘Mommy’ more often.”
Rob glanced at Dani. She met him with a smile, in the game they’d been playing all night. Patience. Dani needed the time with her relatives—he’d have time alone with her soon enough. Turning his attention back to the conversation, he saw Bryce exchange a loving look with his wife, who gave a barely perceptible nod.
“We also have a surprise,” Bryce announced. “We were going to wait another month, but since Sophie told her parents yesterday, and we can’t keep it in, here goes… we’re having a baby.”
Dani clapped her hands together, her smile showing her enthusiasm. Gram jumped up and gave Sophie a big hug.
“Congratulations, man.” Rob sat against the plush leather back of the loveseat. Once upon a time he’d wanted kids, but he thought that dream was over when Carrie died. Would it come true after all? He corralled his runaway thoughts and squeezed Dani’s hand.
The excitement died down, and Sophie’s face flushed. “Thanks, guys. It was a big surprise that wasn’t in our plans yet, but we couldn’t be more excited.”
“Every baby is a blessing.” Gram continued to beam. “My second great-grandchild. Gene would have been so proud.”
Dani left Rob’s side and hugged Gram. “I’m sure he’s grinning from ear-to-ear in Heaven.”
Bursts of affection exploded in Rob while he watched Dani with her grandmother. Pure-hearted selflessness reflected in everything she did, and to think, he was included on the receiving end. He prayed he wouldn’t let her down, that he’d live up to being the man she deserved.
Sophie joined them and touched Gram’s arm. “Bryce and I have already decided that if this baby is a boy, his middle name will be Gene, in memory of Gramps.”
“That’s quite an honor.” Taking a tissue from her sleeve, Gram sniffed and dabbed her nose. “Look at me, being a sentimental old lady.”
Bryce took a spot near Sophie. “I’ve told you before it’s the heart that matters, and you’ll always be young there.”
A bittersweet smile stretched across Gram. “In any case, this old body needs some rest. I better call it a night.”
She hugged her two grandchildren and Sophie. Then she came to Rob, and when he stood, she embraced him as well. “It’s truly good to see you, Rob. I hope I’ll see a lot more of you in the upcoming months.”
“The same to you, Gram. Have a good night.”
Dani came back to him. Bryce and Sophie shared another of their glances, and Rob didn’t miss the conspiring wink.
“If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to bed too.” Sophie yawned and stretched, her motions too exaggerated to be real. “This pregnancy is already zapping my energy.”
“I’m heading up as well.” Bryce addressed Dani and him. “Make yourself at home, Dani. Rob, stay as long as you want. If you don’t mind, set the alarm on your way out, please.”
“Got it.”
Bryce slipped his arm around Sophie’s waist and they walked up the stairs, leaving Dani and him alone.
“I think we’ve been devised against.” Dani lowered her eyelashes.
“Or for.” He tipped her chin and lowered his voice. “Don’t get bashful on me.”
“I’m not.” The soft interior light brought out the golden flecks in her eyes when she looked at him. “Overwhelmed, maybe, but that’s it.”
“We can take a walk down to the woods.” He noted the pitch black through the windows. “If I turn the deck lanterns on it should give us enough light to see our way.”
She nodded with her lips clamped together. Nerves churned in his gut, brought on by her sudden reticence. He led her to the deck, turned the knob that controlled the outdoor lights, and guided her down the deck’s steps.
Autumn grass crackled under the weight of their shoes. Water rippled in the distance. There were few other sounds and the nearest neighbors were a half-mile away. Dani walked with her hands at her sides. Rob hooked his thumbs in the belt loops of his pants. They stood close, their shoulders often brushing.
“Talk to me, please, Dani,” he urged, worried he was losing her already. “What changed back in the house?”
“Nothing.” She fidgeted with the silver and amethyst bracelet she wore. “Everything.”
His stomach tightened. “I need more than that.”
Dani rocked on her heels
. “The whole trip here, I kept thinking I should feel nervous and anticipated that seeing you would be awkward at first, especially in front of everyone.”
He’d had similar thoughts, all of which proved untrue. “And were you nervous or did you feel awkward?”
“No. Not at all.”
Half of his mouth curved up. “I’m pretty sure we took care of the awkward stage over the summer.”
She groaned. “You were so aggravating the week of the wedding. I wanted to backhand the constant smile off your face, but I was madder at myself for falling for your charm.”
“I’m glad you saw beyond that act.” He took a deep breath, still trying to figure out what was going on in her adorable head. “It’s good that we feel comfortable with each other already, isn’t it?”
“Yes, but it’s scary.” Her arms crossed, and she hugged herself. “Seeing you tonight, touching you, it made this more real, and it terrifies me. It’s a new experience for me.”
Releasing a sigh of relief that she wasn’t having second thoughts, he put his hands on her arms. “I’m scared too, Dani. My heart shattered into a million pieces once before, and I never want to relive that pain.”
“I’ve never been a risk taker,” she raised her eyes to his, searching them intently even in the dark, “until now.”
“Sweetheart, when I think of us, I don’t see a risk. In fact, I’ve never been so willing to bet on something in my life.”
When he felt a shiver send tremors through her arms, he resisted the urge to draw her near again. Instead, he opted for safer territory, took her hand, and they finished walking to the line of trees.
Chapter 19
Dani sat glued to the weather network after attending Rob’s church with him Sunday morning. Roderick was beating down on her state with fury, but not with the wrath expected. A fortunate series of meteorological events had worked together to shift the hurricane’s path and downgrade the storm to a category three. Still a force with which to be reckoned, but the potential for severe damage was diminished by a substantial degree.
“Any updates?” Rob handed her a refilled glass of tea and sat beside her with a bowl of snacks. He hadn’t uttered a single complaint when she, too worried about the storm, asked to put off the tour of Nashville for another day. Not everyone would have fit in one vehicle anyway, so Bryce and Sophie were out with Gram and Gracie, and Rob would take her out tomorrow while Sophie was working and Gracie was at school.
