Finding the Way Back (Book 1 in the Forgiving Hearts Trilogy) (2 page)

“I wasn’t expecting that to happen,” she said on a laugh.

His eyes followed the silken strands of blond hair blowing across her face and down her back. The moonlight fell on her sparkling eyes and parted lips. For a second, he felt as if the wind had got knocked out of him. “Maybe getting out of the car wasn’t such a good idea,” Colton said slowly, still trying to figure out what had happened.

Reaching for her purse, Laurel threw in a handful of hairpins. “I was going to take it down anyway. My head was beginning to ache.”

“Why would you want to put it up? It’s a shame to hide such lovely hair.”

“Juliet wanted all the bridesmaids to wear their hair the same way.”

“That’s not a good enough reason in my opinion,” he said as he waited for her to join him on the sidewalk.

“Your bride may have other ideas.”

He grinned. “I won’t say a word. I want my bride to have the wedding day of her dreams.”

Laurel smiled slowly. “What about you having the wedding day of your dreams?”

“Just being there will be enough for me. I’m not worried about all that other stuff.”

“That reminds me of my parents. They got married on a weekend when my father came home on leave. There was no wedding or reception - none of the things that seem so necessary. When they talk about it, a certain look comes into their faces, and I find myself hoping my own experience will be as memorable.”

“Then there’s the opposite extreme. My brother and his wife had a huge wedding. There were moments when I thought I was at a convention instead of a marriage ceremony. Does anyone really need eight bridesmaids and eight groomsmen?” He looked out at the water and then back at her. “Are you driving back after the reception tomorrow?”

“I have to. I’ve got a pile of essays to grade before Monday. What about you?”

“Phillip wants me to stick around for a few days and hit the golf course. This is my between terms break.”

“It’s going to be nice weather for anything outside.”

Colton nodded. “I know, but I’m terrible at golf. I’d much rather follow you back to Charleston and take you out to dinner.”

Laurel wondered what Juliet would think of this development. “You may regret it; I don’t drive fast.”

“That’s okay; I only speed when I’m late for a wedding rehearsal.” By this time, they’d reached the end of the pier. He turned to face her, leaning sideways on the railing. The thought went through his mind that he wouldn’t have to bend down very far to kiss her - her lips were tantalizingly close. He hid a smile at such ridiculous thoughts.
He definitely needed to get out more. His self-imposed isolation was beginning to tell on him.
“Jacob has some explaining to do. He never said a word about how pretty you are.”

“Juliet also neglected to tell me what a flirt you are.”

He laughed with real amusement. “I’ve never been called that before.”

“It’s strange how things turn out. Juliet has been trying to set me up with Phillip and yet here we are.”

“I’m really in trouble now. Not only did I miss the rehearsal, I also messed up her matchmaking plans.”

“Don’t worry about it; she doesn’t give up easily.”

Colton reluctantly pushed away from the railing. “We better head back to the car. I don’t want to make Juliet any more upset by bringing you home late.”

Laurel fell into step beside him. “Thank you for asking me to come along tonight. I enjoyed it.”

“Me, too.”

Back in the car, she shrugged out of the sweater and ran her fingers through her hair. He watched her in silence, wondering why he felt so drawn to a woman he just met.
Was this the result of going months without a date?

During the drive back to Juliet’s house, he decided being involved in a wedding was the most likely explanation for his strange behavior. He hadn’t met a woman he wanted to spend more than an evening with since Britany and that had been two years ago. This sudden interest in Laurel probably wouldn’t last long.

“Where are you doing your residency?”

Colton jerked his thoughts back to the present. “St. Francis.”

“I have a friend who works there – Kathy Marshall. Everyone calls her Kat. She’s a nurse in the neonatal unit.”

“I don’t get to the fourth floor very often. I’m on the second floor with the orthopedic guys.”

“How much longer will you be in Charleston?”

“I hope that question means you want to see more of me.”

A chuckle escaped Laurel. “Juliet totally missed the boat with you.”

He took his eyes off the road for a minute. “I’m sorry – I can’t seem to stop saying stupid things. Believe me, I’m not usually like this.”

“Oh, I like you this way.” She stopped in horror. “What I mean is, you’re not saying stupid things.”

“That’s a relief. I don’t know what’s wrong with me tonight.” He drew the car to a halt outside Juliet’s house. “It looks like everyone has gone to bed.”

“If I’m lucky, I can get upstairs and into my room before Juliet comes looking for me. She’ll want a detailed account of everything that happened.”

A small smile played around Colton’s mouth. “In that case, let’s give you something to tell her.” Before she could ask him what he meant, he leaned across the console and kissed her cheek.

As he drew back, Laurel grinned. “Dr. Samuels, I don’t kiss on the first date.”

“I don’t, either, but it’s okay; our first date is tomorrow.” He got out and walked her to the door. As they stood in the dim glow of the porch light, he took her hand in a light clasp. “I was serious about dinner tomorrow night, but if you wake up in the morning and find the magic of this evening was the effects of good food and a moonlit ocean, let me know.”

“I will. See you later, Colton.”

She slipped into the silent house with a last, quick glance at his face. Just as the door closed, the light in the hallway switched on and Juliet appeared.

“Do you know what time it is?” her friend demanded. “I’ve been texting you for an hour.”

“I silenced my phone during the rehearsal.”

Juliet tightened the belt of her robe. “I figured that out; where have you been?”

“We took a walk on a pier; I’m not sure where it was.”

“Did he bore you to death talking about hips and knees?”

Laurel started up the stairs. “Shouldn’t you be in bed? You’re getting married tomorrow.”

Juliet followed her into the guestroom and closed the door. “What happened to your hair? If I didn’t know better, I’d think you had a make-out session in the car.”

“Make-out session? We’re not teenagers, Juliet.”

“Stop stalling and tell me what happened.”

Slipping off her sandals, Laurel sat down on the bed. “We just talked; what else would two strangers do?”

Juliet dropped down beside her. “You have that look on your face.”

A faint smile tugged at Laurel’s lips. “What look is that?”

“The one that says you’ve been kissed.”

“I couldn’t have. You told me I wouldn’t have to worry about that.”

“How could Colton have failed me like this? I had you and Phillip married by Christmas.”

Laurel laid her hand on Juliet’s arm. “Let’s be serious for a minute. What don’t you like about Colton?”

Juliet played with the belt of her robe. “It’s not that I don’t like him; he’s so independent. He doesn’t seem to need anyone.”

“Maybe he doesn’t. Is that a bad thing?”

She shrugged. “I guess not. So, what’s the plan? Did he get your number?”

“He did better than that. He wants to take me to dinner tomorrow night. Can you arrange to leave on time? I don’t want to rush my meal.”

Juliet slapped her playfully on the leg. “That must have been some kiss.”

Laurel only laughed. “Go to bed, Juliet; you’ve got a big day tomorrow.”

* * * *

Laurel watched with mixed feelings as Juliet and Jacob made their way down the aisle to the back of the church. Her friend had taken the first step along a new and exciting path, but it was one that led her away from Laurel. Their relationship would be forever changed.

Her eyes drifted to Colton, waiting just a few feet away.
Why did tuxedos make men look so much taller and more handsome?
She smiled faintly as he came closer and drew her arm through his.

“That went well,” he whispered.

“I think so, too.”

“Would it be in poor taste to admit I’m terribly hungry?”

“Not at all. Only the bride and groom can live on love. The rest of us need food. I was afraid my stomach was going to start growling right in the middle of the ceremony.”

They took their places in the receiving line forming in the vestibule of the church. Laurel listened to Colton as he exchanged greetings with the guests. Either he knew more people than he’d let on or he was one of the friendliest men she’d ever run across. His behavior indicated an interest in others that would undoubtedly endear him to his future patients and was genuine enough to impress her.

When the line began to thin, he spoke again, “Can I give you a ride to the reception?”

“You sure can. I was hoping to get another chance to ride in your car.”

He laughed softly. “The salesman told me the car was a girl-magnet, but I didn’t believe him until now.”

Laurel thought about telling him he was gorgeous enough to be a girl-magnet without the car. Instead she said, “The photographer just came in; it looks like a round of pictures is coming next.”

“This is the part I don’t like. After a while, my smile seems permanently fixed on my face.”

“It’s a good thing you’ve got a nice smile.”

At that point, their conversation ended as they were urged back into the sanctuary. As she stood where she was told and smiled for the camera, Laurel found her attention wandering. She was acutely aware of Colton’s presence. Over and above everything else going on, she easily picked out his voice.

“You haven’t been able to tear yourself away from her. I’m glad you got married; maybe now you’ll actually return a few of my calls.”

“Are you saying you’d have done anything different?” countered Jacob.

There was a long pause. Laurel slowly turned to look in Colton’s direction. He was staring right at her. “No, I probably wouldn’t,” he answered.

In the midst of the laughter that followed this admission, someone tugged on the back of her dress. “Laurel, you can look at Colton later,” Juliet uttered in a loud whisper. “Right now, I’d like to get these pictures taken.” Jerking her head around, Laurel mumbled an apology. Juliet chuckled. “You’ve got it bad, don’t you?”

“I’m not even going to answer that.”

Once their part of the picture-taking session was done, Colton gravitated to her side with a speed Laurel couldn’t help but be pleased about.

“I’m glad that’s over. Let’s go outside.” As he held the door open for her, he said, “I love this weather. Usually by April it’s already in the eighties.”

“I know; but so far, this spring has been great. The woods behind my parents’ house are covered with wisteria and honeysuckle.”

“Wisteria is the vine with the clusters of light purple flowers, right?”

She nodded. “It’s my favorite flower; it’s lovely to look at and smells heavenly.”

“I could say the same about you,” he said in a voice only she could hear.

There was no stopping the blush that rose in her cheeks. “Thank you,” she said quietly.

He touched her cheek with one finger. “Should I keep those comments to myself?”

Before she could respond, Juliet and Jacob burst through the door of the church. Everyone dispersed to find their cars and head to the country club for the reception.

* * * *

Laurel slid out of her bridesmaid’s dress and frowned in the direction of the faded jeans and t-shirt hanging over the padded chair. Why hadn’t she brought something else?
Because she hadn’t planned on having a date.
She’d packed comfortable clothes for the drive home.

With a shrug, she put on the outfit that was looking worse by the minute and then walked over to the mirror. Her makeup needed no touch-up, but her elaborate hairdo didn’t go with what she had on. She brushed the styling gel and hairspray out of her hair and captured the bright strands into a ponytail.

As she slipped the lavender dress inside its protective bag and placed the silver sandals in a box, Laurel realized that an event which had loomed large in her life for months was over. With Juliet married, she was the only single left in the group of five girls who roomed together in college. It was a sobering thought.
What was God waiting on? Didn’t He realize how much she wanted to find that special someone?

When she swung open the heavy door of the room set aside for the bridesmaids, Colton was leaning against the wall. He immediately stepped forward to take the bags dangling from her fingers.

“All set?”

“Sorry it took so long.”