Come to Me Free

by Leah Atwood

  “Not since earlier. They’re estimating it should be rolling out by late evening.”

  “Did you get through to your parents?” He popped a potato chip into his mouth.

  “Not yet, but I also didn’t try. They won’t know much until they go back tomorrow.” She had called Angela, but there’d been no answer.

  Rob set the bowl of chips on the coffee table. “There’s something I want to tell you before everyone comes home.”

  Shifting in her spot, she brought up her right foot and tucked it under her. She turned off the TV, at last admitting it was best for her sanity if she stopped watching the coverage. Judging by the expression on his face, it was an unpleasant topic. “What is it?”

  “I quit the band.” The muscles on his throat tightened, and his cheek twitched, waiting for her reply.

  She, on the other hand, laughed. “That’s what was so serious?” She gave his bicep an impish punch. “You had me scared for a second. When?”

  “A few weeks ago, after Bryce came back from the funeral.” He tilted his head slightly to the side, a half smile on his face. “You don’t care?”

  “Why would I? I’m sure you had a valid reason.” She shrugged, not seeing the big deal.

  “I did. I’m going to pursue songwriting full time.” His change to a complete smile proved, to her thinking, that he’d made the right decision.

  “That’s great,” she told him.

  “You don’t mind dating me even if I won’t be a famous musician anymore?” He cast a wink her way.

  “Hardly. The funny thing is that in my mind, you’re Bryce’s friend, and half the time I forget what you do for a living.”

  He donned an affronted expression. “Funny, but I imagined you thinking of me as more than Bryce’s friend.”

  Feigning an exasperated sigh, she lifted her glass and took a drink. She set it down on the end table. “You know what I mean, but seriously, I’m happy you’ll get to do what you really want and live your dream.”

  His lids lowered, narrowing the slant of his eyes. “I started living that when I met you.”

  Coming from anyone else, it would have made her cringe, but from Rob, she melted into a puddle. Feeling flirtatious, she batted her eyelashes. “Is that so?”

  “Are you going to make me prove it?” He moved his head toward her.

  “I’ll take your word for it.” Jumping from the sofa and moving behind it as a barrier, she grinned. “For now.”

  She acted nonchalant, but her heart raced. Had she not moved, he would have kissed her, and she wasn’t so certain she was ready for that. “I’m glad I never let Jeff kiss me.”

  Rob looked her with widened eyes. “Is that true?”

  Oh no, oh no, oh no. “Please tell me I didn’t say that out loud?”

  “I could lie and say no, but I’ve always preferred honesty.” The blues of his eyes twinkled with mischief.

  Mortified, she covered her burning face, positive it was redder than the blouse she wore. “Is there a hole I can sink in?”

  He strode to her and pried her hands from her cheeks. “For what it’s worth, that knowledge makes me indescribably happy.”

  A portion of her embarrassment vanished. “I suppose that does hold some worth.”

  The front door opened and Gracie burst through, startling them. “Guess what Aunt Dani and Mr. Rob.”

  Dani pursed her lips and put a finger to her chin. “Hmm, you saw a purple hippopotamus?”

  “No.” Gracie giggled. “That would be silly.”

  “You sprouted a unicorn horn,” Rob guessed.

  Gracie put her hands on her hips. “You’re being goofy.”

  Letting her shoulders sag, Dani blew out a breath. “I give up then.” From the corner of her eye, she caught Sophie pointing to her mouth and making a wiggling movement with her fingers. “Oh wait, one more guess. You lost a tooth.”

  “That’s right.” To show off her newly gapped row of bottom teeth, Gracie smiled wide. “How’d you know?”

  “Aunts have special powers.” She gave her niece a hug and looked up to Gram. “Did you have fun?”

  “It’s a lovely city. Now I can picture Bryce in the places he tells me about.”

  “What about me?” Gracie tugged on Gram’s sleeve.

  Gram ruffled Gracie’s hair. “And you, too.”

  TUESDAY MORNING, DANI woke up and immediately checked her phone, but her parents hadn’t made the call she’d been waiting on since she talked to them yesterday. When Angela contacted her, she’d passed on the good news that Bayou Bits came through the storm unscathed. The bayou bordering the restaurant had risen, but wasn’t expected to reach flood stage, a welcoming forecast.

  The condition of her house, however, was unknown. Several trees in the road had rendered her street impassable. By the time they’d been cleared, darkness had set and Dani’s parents weren’t able to do a full assessment. So far, the only known serious damage to any friends or family’s homes had been to Gina and Greg’s house, where a corner of the roof had all its shingles missing. Even that was fortunate because they rented their house from Greg’s uncle, the one who owned the construction company. Gina told her when they talked last night that a tarp should protect it for the next couple of days, and by week’s end, it would be fixed.

  Dani did a brief devotional before going downstairs, and in her prayers, thanked Him for everyone’s protection during the hurricane. “And thank you for this time with Rob,” she added. Even as she felt torn between her obligations—she itched to get back to Oden Bridge—the trip to Nashville held equal importance. Gram needed it, and Dani needed the time with Rob. Each hour she spent with him solidified her feelings.

  She readied herself for the day then went downstairs and sat on a barstool at the kitchen island. Bryce was standing at the stove, a skillet in one hand, a spatula in the other.

  “Since when do you cook?” she teased.

  He turned around, a look of despair in his eyes. “Sophie wanted pancakes, but couldn’t stomach mixing the batter. I offered to make them, but…” Holding the pan out, he showed Dani the blackened pancakes and pointed to a mushed pile on the side that resembled soaked bread.

  “Do you have more batter and a griddle pan?”

  “A what?” The ruined pancakes slid into the trash can when he turned the pan upside down.

  “Never mind. Where are your pots and pans?”

  He pointed to a lower cabinet.

  “If you can handle the coffee, I’ll take care of the pancakes.” She was already rummaging through the pans, happy to find what she was looking for.

  “Coffee, I can do.” The way he dropped the skillet back onto the stove, one would think it was about to explode.

  She heated the griddle pan. “Where’s the batter?”

  “Right there.” The coffee carafe was in his hand and he nodded his head to a nearby bowl.

  “Have you seen Gram yet this morning?” she asked a few minutes later while the pancakes were cooking.

  “I’m here.” Gram entered the room and smiled at Sophie, who was beside her. “We happened into some girl talk.”

  A weak laugh came from Sophie. “She was giving me advice on morning sickness.”

  Dani dished the pancakes onto plates. “How many will Gracie eat?”

  “She had cereal already, but speaking of, where is she?” Bryce looked around.

  “Changing her clothes,” Sophie answered. “She was wearing a skirt, but I told her it was too cold for that today.”

  After breakfast, Gracie, who’d come downstairs by then, slipped her backpack over her shoulders, and Sophie grabbed her attaché case. “I’ll see you around four. I love you.” She kissed her husband goodbye and left with Gracie.

  It was all so domestic and conjured all sorts of images for Dani of her and Rob. Would that be them one day? Would he make breakfast? He would, she knew with confidence. Rob looked out for others, even when no one was watching. Like the day of Gramps’ viewing. She
didn’t know what she would have done without his support that day.

  “Are you excited for your big radio debut?” Bryce asked Gram.

  “Wait—” Dani cocked her head. “Gram’s radio debut?”

  “Can you believe your grandmother’s going to be interviewed?” A rosy pink graced Gram’s cheeks and the corners of her mouth rose.

  Dani found her excitement adorable. “No. When?”

  “Bryce is taking me to the radio station at eleven thirty and we go on the air at noon.”

  “I was already scheduled for an interview before your trip. When Caroline tried to reschedule and explained why, the station decided it would be fun to have Gram come along,” Bryce explained.

  “Wow. What station? I don’t want to miss it.”

  After rinsing out his coffee cup, he rattled off a set of letters then numbers. “What do you and Rob have planned?”

  “We haven’t finalized anything yet.” She looked to Gram, then Bryce. “Would you guys think us rude if we skipped out on dinner tonight?”

  “Dinner or dinner with us?” Bryce grinned. “Gram has always said not to miss a meal.”

  She rolled her eyes.

  “Ignore him, dear.” Gram sent him a warning look, but her eyes glittered. “You have fun with Rob and don’t worry about us.”

  A phone call interrupted any more teasing from Bryce.

  “Hi, Mom,” she answered and moved to a different room.

  “How’s everything up there?”

  “Good.” Really good. “Did you know Gram’s going on the air today?”

  “She mentioned it yesterday.”

  Good grief, Dani. She really must be in her own little world to have not known. “She blushed when she told me about it. Her reaction was really cute.”

  Dani heard a happy sigh from the other line. “I can’t thank you enough for taking the time off to go with her. This trip has done wonders for her.”

  “I was glad to, Mom.”

  Her mom laughed. “And we all know why that is. According to Gram, you and Rob have gotten pretty serious already.”

  “Am I crazy?” The relationship between them was progressing at a lightning speed that should have terrified her, but it felt right. Even after praying, and talking with Gram, there were no clear signs saying they were moving too fast.

  “The way I see it, you and he have been skirting around this for months and it’s had time to build up energy.” Her mom paused for a split second. “Essentially, you started off with a friendship—that’s a good foundation.”

  “I hadn’t thought of it like that.”

  “If you’ve prayed about it and you have a peace about the direction you’re moving in, then that’s what is important. But, Dani…” She trailed off.

  “Yes, Mom?”

  “It’s easy to get wrapped up in the excitement of a new relationship. Remember to keep God at the center.”

  “We are.” She changed the subject, eager for news of her home. “Were you able to check on my house?”

  “Yes. The house is fine, but one of your elm trees is down. Your dad is already busy clearing it.”

  “That’s it?”

  “Yes. There were a few shingles in the yard, but we think they flew from the neighbor’s house because there were no patchy spots on the roof. To be sure, we went inside and checked for any signs of leaks, but nothing.”

  A rush of air came from her lungs and she spread it over a long breath. With that knowledge, she could fully concentrate on the remainder of her time with Rob, without that worry in the back of her mind. “Thanks for doing that.”

  “I told you we’d take care of it. Your dad’s calling me over. Call me if you need anything.”

  “I will Mom. Love you.”

  “Love you too, Dani. Have fun and be careful.”

  Chapter 20

  The credits rolled and Rob pressed a button on the remote, turning off the movie. He casually draped an arm over Dani. They’d eaten an early lunch, and then had come to his condo and listened to Gram’s interview. Since then, they’d had a lazy afternoon, making the most of being together.

  Straightening her back, Dani sat sideways, so that she faced him. “I can’t believe we watched two movies back to back.”

  “Your idea, Miss You-choose-one-and-I’ll-choose-one.” He stretched his arms, stiff from sitting so long.

  “Next time, we’ll skip right to my choice.” She winked, daring him to disagree.

  He arched an eyebrow. “Or we could find one we both like.”

  She tucked her bottom lip under her top teeth and became pensive. “You know what? It doesn’t matter as long as we’re watching it together.”

  That lump in his throat returned. It’d been showing up a lot the last few days, reminding him, as if he could forget, how much Dani meant to him. “I wish you didn’t have to go back Friday, or that I didn’t have obligations here.”

  “I know,” she whispered. “And Bryce has the next two days planned out. We won’t have much more time alone.”

  “We have this evening. And I’d rather spend time with you in a group the next two days, than not at all.”

  “When do you think you can come to Oden Bridge again?” Long eyelashes touched the rim of her brows.

  This was where he had to tell her. He wanted her to understand, but the insecure parts of him thought she’d be mad that it would take time away from what they could have spent together. “I need to tell you something.”

  “You have that serious look again.” She touched his shoulder. “Is this another thing like when you told me you quit the band?”

  “Maybe.” When she put it like that, his fears dissipated. This was Dani, she’d appreciate why he had to do it. “Can we go outside?”

  “Fresh air would be nice.”

  They both stood, and he unlocked the sliding door to the balcony. Outside, he moved two of the patio chairs next to each other and gestured for her to sit. He sat down beside her and folded his hands on his lap. Then he unfolded them. Then danced his fingers together.

  Dani took them in hers, stilling their movements. “Whatever it is, you can tell me.”

  “I’m going to California.” He watched her closely for a reaction, but she remained guarded.

  “For a visit? To live? To become a movie star?”

  “I need to see my family. It’s been too long. Watching you with Gram, Bryce, your parents—even Gina—makes me realize what I’ve missed out on all these years.” His thumb drew circles on Dani’s palm.

  A hesitant smile appeared. “Ever since you told me you hadn’t been back, I’ve been praying you’d decide to make the trip.”

  Her reply knocked the wind out of him. “You have?”

  She nodded her head slowly. “Family’s important, plus, until you go back, you won’t know for sure that you’ve moved on from the past.”

  “Don’t you think I have?” He thought he’d made it clear to her that he had.

  Her chest rose with a deep breath. “I want to believe it, I think you have, but there are still these ugly whispers that tell me you haven’t.”

  He pulled her hand from his and stood, facing away from her. Both hands ran through his hair. Deafening silence thundered in the air between them. Turning around slowly, he saw the wounded look in her eyes, and he realized her admission had cost her dearly.

  “Come here.” His arm extended, begging her to join him. Wavering a second, she finally came and stood with him. He took a step closer, leaving only inches between them. “When I told you I was ready for a relationship, I meant it. How can I convince you?”

  “Kiss me.”

  Shock reeled through him, expecting to hear anything but that. “Kiss you?”

  “You want to.” She put a hand to his chest. “Every time you look at me, I see it in your eyes, but something holds you back.”

  A hazy memory of Sunday afternoon surfaced. “You’re the one who backed away.”

  “That was then. This is now.
” Determined eyes refused to back down. “Tell me I’m wrong.”

  “You’re right.” A fingertip traced her lips.

  “Then what is it?” Warm breath tickled his skin.

  He tilted his head, resting his forehead on hers. “I’m afraid.”

  “Why?”

  “Because one kiss, Dani, that’s all it's going to take.” His voice faltered. “One kiss and my heart’s going to be lost.”

  Her eyelids fluttered and her breathing went ragged. “What if mine’s already lost?”

  That was all he needed to hear to lose the battle. His lips found hers. Every fear and hope he’d kept bottled poured into the kiss until he knew it was true. His heart belonged to Dani.

  Breathless, he broke away, but caressed her cheek with the back of his hand, his knuckles trailing her smooth skin.

  Dani covered his hand with hers, causing their arms to lock in the process. “Thank you—for making me believe.” Leaning closer, she kissed him again.

  “Dinner…” He forced himself away. “Reservations.”

  “You’re right.” She moved a few feet back in the opposite direction.

  They’d left the privacy of his condo minutes after sharing the life-changing kiss, the timing perfectly coinciding with their dinner reservations.

  “Where are we going?” Until then, Dani had been silent on the drive.

  “A place I discovered three years or so ago.” The traffic light turned red, and he stopped. When it changed to green, he made a left turn and parked in front of a brick, historic building. “Here we are. Ever since meeting you, I’ve referred to this place as the Nashville version of Bayou Bits—classic-country meals with an upscale flair.”

  “Then it must be good.” Her gaze travelled to the uniformed men out front. “Valet parking? Fancy.”

  “It’s laid-back once you’re in. Trust me, you’ll love it.”