Surrendered Hearts (10 page)

Jenn reached for her straps and froze. “Oh no, I left my backpack at the viewpoint.” 

Still breathing deeply, Bill glanced toward the mouth of the cave. Outside, rain poured down like a hose on full blast. “You’ve got your camera in there, don’t you?”

“Wes’s camera, actually.” How could she have left it behind? Why hadn’t she been more careful?

“I’ll get it.” As he turned to leave, thunder rumbled again. It sounded miles away, but closer than the first time they’d heard it.

“Wait!” She grabbed his arm. “You can’t go back out there.”

“It’ll only take a few minutes, and most of the way I’m under a lot of trees, not out in the open.”

“But . . .” She bit her quivering lip.

He reached out and gently ran his fingers down the side of her face. “Don’t worry. I’ll be all right.”

Surprised by his tender touch, she blinked and watched him head back out into the storm.

Bill snatched Jenn’s backpack off the ground and stuffed it under his shirt. No time to check it now. Lightning flashed, and about two second
s
later a loud crack split the air followed by a stunning explosion of thunder. The ground shook, and he took off running down the trail. The storm was traveling faster than he expected. He shot off a prayer for mercy, knowing full well he was breaking almost every lightning safety rule he’d ever been taught.

He sprinted over the muddy trail, panting, and promising himself he would never do anything this stupid again. Lightning flashed overhead, but he continued his mad dash along the tree-lined path. Finally, he scaled the slippery granite boulders and climbed toward the opening in the hillside where he’d left Jenn.

Thunder exploded behind him as he ducked inside the cave. Pulling in a ragged breath, he dropped the backpack and searched for Jenn. His eyes quickly adjusted to the dim light, and he spotted her crouched against the far wall, her hands over her ears and her eyes squeezed shut. One look at her frightened, pale face and he knew he shouldn’t have left her.

He called her name as he walked toward her, but the rumbling thunder overpowered his voice. He touched her shoulder, and her eyes flew open. The raw fear he saw there cut him to the heart. “Hey, it’s okay.”

He reached for her, and she leaped into his embrace. He tucked her in close and ran his hand down her damp hair, hoping to still her trembling. “It’s all right. You’re safe in here.”

Thunder crashed again beyond the cave entrance. She cringed, and her whole body tensed.

He held her close until the rumble faded, then pulled back and looked into her face. “The thunder can’t hurt you.”

She averted her gaze. “I know, I just don’t like the sound of it.”

He gently brushed a wet strand of hair off her cheek, trying to think of a way to distract her from the storm.

“When I was a little kid I used to get really scared during thunder storms.” He shifted so he could see her face better. “My dad would joke around and tell me the angels were bowling up in heaven. If it was dark, we’d turn off all the lights and watch the lightning flash. He made it fun, like a party. I guess that was his way of trying to help me get over my fears.” He chuckled, remembering his dad’s love for life and sense of humor. “Guess it worked. I like a good storm now.” He lifted his eyebrows and sent her a teasing grin.

“Well I don’t.” She pulled away and paced to the far side of the cave, clutching her folded arms across her chest.

A wave of regret swamped his heart. When was he going to learn that joking and making light of Jenn’s fears was not the way to reach her heart? He ran his hand through his wet hair. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t be teasing you about something that scares you.”

She turned back toward him, a silent apology in her expression. “No, it’s not your fault. I just . . .” She closed her eyes for a moment, then she straightened and focused on him. “Every time I hear the thunder I feel like I’m hearing my apartment explode all over again.” As if her words brought it on, thunder cracked and boomed overhead, and she raised her hands to her ears.

No wonder she hated the storm. He crossed the distance between them and took her in his arms once more. Closing his eyes, he prayed for the right words to comfort her. There had to be something he could say, but no answer came. So he held her, hoping his presence and strength would be enough to absorb some of the bad memories.

Together, they waited for the thunder’s fury to fade. She rested her head against his chest, her tense muscles finally relaxing. He slowed his breathing to match hers and listened as the sound of the rain grew softer.

She shifted slightly and looked up at him. This time warmth glowed in her shimmering green eyes. Her cheeks were damp from hugging him, and water drops laced her eyelashes.

Looking into her lovely face, his heartbeat sped up like he was running down the trail again. He pulled in a deep, shaky breath. She smelled fresh like mountain flowers and summer rain. Only a few inches separated them now. If he leaned down he could kiss her, and the sweet invitation in her eyes said she would welcome him.

But a voice he knew well spoke to his heart. Don’t take what isn’t yours. She needs a Savior, and you are not Him.

The truth pierced his conscience and cleared his thinking. If he kissed her now it would send them down a path to heartache, a path they would both regret. Groaning inwardly, he broke his gaze, and let his hands drop.

Her lips parted, confusion flickered in her eyes, and she took a step back.

Regret filled his chest and almost knocked the wind out of him. It was too late. Their time together today had deepened their connection and started them down that path, and there was no way to pretend it hadn’t happened.

* * * *

Jenn closed the front door, lowered her soggy backpack to the floor, and kicked off her muddy shoes. Trudging toward the kitchen she wondered which hurt more—her sore leg muscles, her tired feet, or her aching heart.

What was going on with Bill? One minute he was gentle and caring, taking her in his arms like a rescuing hero, and the next he was cool and detached, acting as though he wished she wasn’t around. It didn’t make sense.

For a moment, back in the cave, she thought he was going to kiss her. She shook her head, certain she must have imagined it. How embarrassing! At least she hadn’t closed her eyes and puckered up. She grimaced and pulled a glass from the cabinet.

Wes stood in front of the open fridge. “How was the hike?”

“Don’t ask,” she grumbled.

“Hmm, that good?”

She sent him a withering glance and filled her glass from the tap.

“Sorry.” He walked over and fingered a strand of her still damp hair. “You guys must’ve got caught in the rain.”

She nodded and took a long drink of cool water. How much should she tell her brother? Maybe if she talked it over with him he could help her figure things out. But she didn’t want to put him in the awkward position of choosing between loyalty to her and his best friend.

“Where’s Bill?”

“Outside cleaning up his truck.” Probably trying to find a way to avoid being in the same room with me.

“Let’s sit down. I’ve got something I want to talk to you about.” Wes took a seat at the table and motioned for her to sit across from him.

She settled into the chair and set her glass on the table.

“Lauren wants to offer you a job at her gallery.”

Jenn sat up. “Really?”

He nodded. “She had to fire Christy. She’s been late several times, and today we found out she’s been stealing money from the register.”

“Wow, she seemed so nice.”

“Yeah, we thought so, too. At least we figured it out before she got away with too much.” Wes leaned back in his chair. “Lauren confronted her. She gave some of it back and promised to repay the rest, so we’re not going to contact the police.”

Jenn nodded and took another drink.

“Lauren needs to hire someone she can trust. She’s hoping you’ll accept the job so she has time to train you before everything gets too crazy with the wedding.”

Wes lifted his hands, his expression apologetic. “I know it’s not an acting job, but if you could just commit to stay until we get back from our honeymoon, that would help us out a lot.”

“I love the gallery, and working with Lauren would be great.”

Wes smiled. “So, you’ll talk to Lauren about it?”

“Sure, I’d be crazy to say no to this.” She got up and trotted around to the other side of the table and gave her brother a big hug. “Thanks, Wes.”

He hugged her back. “Hey, you’re the one who would be doing us a favor.”

“Well, I appreciate it.” Jenn returned to her chair, her mind whirling with possibilities and questions about her new job.

Wes leaned forward, his expression serious. “I need to talk to you about something else, too.”

“Okay.” She felt a nervous flutter in her stomach.

“What do you think of moving over to Long Meadow and staying with Lauren?”

His question jolted her. “You don’t want me to stay here anymore?”

He reached across the table and touched her hand. “I like having you here. But I spend most of my time at Lauren’s. And the closer it gets to the wedding, the more we’re going to need your help.”

Relief rushed in, replacing her fears. He wasn’t trying to get rid of her. He wanted her close by, so she could take part in the wedding preparations. Those thoughts wrapped around her heart like a warm blanket. “Okay. Do you think Lauren and Tilley will mind?”

“It was Lauren’s idea, and Tilley says it’s fine.”

Bill walked into the kitchen, his damp hair sticking up and his boots leaving muddy tracks on the tile floor.

Wes chuckled when he saw him. “Man, you look like you fought a battle.”

Bill looked down at his clothes. “Yeah, we got caught in a serious storm.” He dropped a couple of dirty towels on the floor beside the washing machine. Turning away, he peeled off his dirt-streaked T-shirt.

Jenn’s eyes widened as she stared at his broad, muscular shoulders and tanned back.

He dropped the shirt on the floor and then pulled off his hiking boots and socks. Pushing the boots aside, he scooped up the dirty clothes and tossed them in the washing machine. “Do you want to throw anything in?” He turned and faced Jenn.

Her cheeks flamed, and she quickly shifted her gaze away. “No, not right now.”

He grabbed the detergent off the shelf, poured a capful into the machine, and adjusted the dials.

Wes tilted back his chair. “Hey, Bill, Jenn’s going to be moving over to Long Meadow and working with Lauren in the gallery.”

Bill turned around and leveled his cool blue gaze at her. His left eyebrow rose a fraction. “When did you decide that?”

Jenn swallowed and struggled to find her voice. “Just now.”

“Is that what you want?”

She lifted her chin, meeting his silent challenge. “I need a job, and staying with Lauren makes sense.” Why did she feel like she had to defend her decision?

Wes grinned, obviously unaware of the undercurrent between Bill and Jenn. “Yeah, now you can have your room back . . . and it’s even clean.”

Bill scowled at Wes and then stalked off toward his temporary bedroom just off the kitchen. As soon as he crossed the threshold, he jerked the door closed.

Wes rubbed his chin. “What’s up with him?” He shifted his focus to Jenn and drummed his fingers on the table. “Did you two have a fight or something?”

Jenn felt her face heating up again. “Not really.”

“Well, what’s going on then?”

She got up and headed for the stairs. “I have no idea. Why don’t you ask Bill?”

Jenn ran her hand over the soft green and peach quilt covering the queen size bed in her new room at Long Meadow. Even though she’d only worked in Lauren’s gallery for five days, she knew the beautiful design and intricate stitching made the quilt worth several hundred dollars.

Her gaze traveled around the room, taking in the sheer peach curtains fluttering in the warm breeze at the window. A tall oak armoire stood in one corner, and on the opposite side of the room sat a matching four-drawer dresser. They gave her more than enough room for the few items of clothing she owned.

Her heart warmed as she thought of all Tilley and Lauren had done to make this room special for her. But more important than that, they treated her like one of the family, and that was something she hadn’t experienced in a very long time.

There was only one small wrinkle in the situation—she hadn’t seen Bill since the day after their hike when she’d packed her one bag and moved to Long Meadow.

Biting her lip, she glanced toward the open window. What was Bill doing this morning? Was he canoeing in Jarmen Lake or teaching a class at the nature center? Maybe he was having lunch in town with Julia. She pushed those thoughts away, scolding herself for even wondering about it. It was silly to miss him. There was nothing between them.

Moving to Long Meadow was the right choice. Her friendship with Lauren had blossomed as they worked together in the gallery and relaxed at home in the evenings. Wedding plans were the constant topic of conversation, and Jenn loved being right in the middle of it all . . . if only it didn’t mean never seeing Bill.