Finding the Way Back (Book 1 in the Forgiving Hearts Trilogy) (3 page)

“No problem.” As they walked through the carpeted hallway to the exit, he asked, “Where are Juliet and Jacob going for their honeymoon?”

“Mexico. I’m so jealous; I’ve always wanted to go on a cruise.”

“Me, too. A few years ago, my brother, his girlfriend and my parents went on a cruise to Alaska. The pictures they took of the glaciers towering over everything in sight were breathtaking.” He came to halt as they reached her car. “I’ll follow you back and then drive us somewhere to eat. That way we won’t have to take two cars.”

“Okay. Prepare yourself for a slow drive.”

* * * *

Laurel couldn’t stop herself from peering into the rearview mirror every ten seconds. Why was the sight of Colton’s sleek sports model hugging the road a short distance behind her so exciting? This evening might end up being a complete bust. Then again, maybe the instant liking she felt for him was mutual and might lead to something more.

A couple hours later she was pulling into her parents’ driveway with Colton right behind her. He met her in the space between the cars, his glance going to the two-story brick house in the background. When she opened the trunk, he grabbed her two pieces of luggage and waited while she picked up the dress bag and shoe box.

As they walked to the front door, she glanced back at him. “I live with my parents; they’re on vacation in Florida this week.”

If he was surprised that she lived at home, he didn’t show it. “Do you have any brothers or sisters?”

Laurel opened the door and led the way into a spacious foyer. “I have an older sister. Rose and her husband live in St. Simons, Georgia.” She noticed he was still carrying her things. “Oh, you can put those down anywhere. I’ll take care of them later.”

Colton placed the suitcases near a pedestal table and looked around him with interest. He noticed a set of pencil sketches grouped together on the wall. “Are you the artist?”

Laurel laughed. “I can’t even draw stick figures. Rose did those.”

He moved over to look at them more closely. “They’re very good. That’s you, right?” he asked as he pointed to one.

“How did you know? Rose did that from a picture of me when I was about five years old.”

“I’d recognize those pretty eyes anywhere.”

“Have I mentioned you’re a terrible flirt?”

“Yes, but I can’t seem to stop myself. Maybe if I get some food, I’ll calm down.”

* * * *

Laurel tried not to laugh as she watched Colton gulp down iced tea.
Had he forgotten the bowl on his right contained the spicy dip?

“Whew, that was really hot,” he said as he wiped his forehead with a napkin.

“I thought you knew what you were doing.”

“Clearly, I didn’t. Thanks to that mistake, I won’t be able to taste anything else for days. My mouth is on fire.”

“I’ve heard milk helps.”

He grinned sheepishly. “I’m not usually such an idiot. You’re probably wondering how I made it this far in medical school.”

“I was actually thinking how nice it is to be with someone who can laugh at himself.”

“What else can I do? Here I am trying to make a good impression and instead I have a jalapeno-induced meltdown.”

“Don’t worry; you made a good impression yesterday. That will cover you for a few days. When will you finish your residency?”

“In July.”

Laurel ran a finger around the edge of her water glass. “Do you have a job lined up?”

“I’ve been offered positions here, in Atlanta, and in Hilton Head. I’ll have to make a decision in the next few weeks.”

“Do you like Charleston enough to stay?”

“I love it here. The beaches are just as nice, and it’s only two hours from Hilton Head which means I can visit my parents whenever I have a free weekend.”

“It’s a big decision. I’ll pray for you.”

“I appreciate that, Laurel. You mentioned meeting Juliet at college. You must have gone to USC in Columbia, right?”

She nodded. “I enjoyed the whole college experience, but I also missed Charleston. I was thrilled to find a job teaching at the same high school I attended.”

“You moved back in with your parents. Not too many people are willing to do that.”

“Yeah, my coworkers think I’m crazy. It actually started out as a temporary thing. The day after I graduated from college, my mother fell off a ladder and broke her leg in two places. It took several surgeries to get everything back together. Needless to say, she needed help and my father couldn’t take off work to stay home. My teaching job didn’t start until August, so I moved in to help take care of her. Once she recovered, I could have moved out, but I had sort of settled in by that time and didn’t feel the need to leave.”

“It really comes down to the relationship between the parents and the children. If it’s a good one, like in your case, it can be a win-win situation for everyone. My sister-in-law’s experience was very different. She was living with her mother and stepfather, and there were some major issues. After I left for college, my brother asked my parents if Simone, who was his girlfriend at that time, could move into my room. Josh wanted to get her out of a bad situation; my father didn’t see things quite that way.

“Surprisingly, it was my mother who talked him into letting Simone move in. Her only stipulation was Josh had to move to the basement. Simone lived with us until they got married.” He stopped for a minute and then laughed. “The only bad thing was when I came home for the occasional weekend I had to sleep in the basement, too.”

“I suppose your mother could do no less. It wouldn’t have been fair to Josh.”

“I didn’t mind, but I teased Josh relentlessly about it.”

“When did they get married?”

“In November of last year. Before we got off on that tangent about my brother, I was going to tell you that I was at Columbia, too. That’s where I did my undergraduate degree in biology. You were probably in junior high then.”

Laurel waved a hand at him. “Don’t remind me about junior high. I can still see myself towering over every boy in school by at least a foot. It got better in high school when most of the boys finally caught up with me.”

Colton laughed. “I was one of those late bloomers. I didn’t start growing until my first year of college. Josh, on the other hand, was six-feet-two at fifteen years old. It was humiliating to be six inches shorter than my younger brother all through high school.”

“Do he and Simone live in Hilton Head?”

“No, he’s an army ranger, stationed at Fort Benning.”

“What made you want to be a doctor?”

“I tore my ACL playing baseball and needed surgery. That was my first exposure to doctors for anything other than the occasional sore throat. I was fascinated by everything I experienced. I talked my doctor into letting me observe several surgeries. Something just clicked in my head, and I knew that was what I wanted to do.”

“I always wanted to be a teacher. Rose says it’s because I like bossing people around.”

“That’s funny; Josh says that’s why I want to be a doctor.” Colton glanced at his watch. “As much as I don’t want to end this evening, I know you still have essays to grade. Is there any chance I could see you tomorrow?”

“It depends on what you consider seeing me. After school, I have to supervise a car wash for the debate club and then I have to attend an induction ceremony. You’re welcome to join me for any or all of these exciting activities.”

He grinned widely. “I haven’t been to a car wash in years. When and where do I need to be?”

“Three-thirty at the Circle K in Patriot’s Point.”

Colton signaled for the bill. “I’ll be there, suitably attired. If I remember right, no one stays dry for long.”

The drive back to her house went too fast. In no time at all, they were standing on her mother’s welcome mat.

“Thank you for the escort home and the fantastic dinner.”

“I enjoyed every minute of it.”

“Even the hot sauce?” she asked with a grin.

“Maybe not the hot sauce,” he admitted. “Thanks to that mistake, I have no feeling in my lips. I’m glad you don’t kiss on the first date. When I do kiss you, I want to feel it. See you tomorrow afternoon.”

Chapter Three

Laurel arrived early at the Circle K. The owner was a friend of her parents, and she wanted to personally thank him for volunteering his business for the debate club’s fundraising event. By the time she finished visiting with the jovial man, several students were milling around outside. After assembling them into stations and handing out buckets and sponges, she wisely moved to a spot well away from the area set aside for washing cars. When Colton showed up, she didn’t want to be wet.

What she called her “sign team” took up their positions at the corners of the intersection to flag down customers. Within a few minutes, several cars pulled into the station. As Laurel collected donations and kept the kids’ enthusiasm from getting out of hand, she tried to ignore her disappointment at Colton’s absence. It wasn’t his fault she’d allowed herself to get so excited about seeing him again.

With a sigh of exasperation, she slid her cell phone into her pocket. Checking the time every five minutes wasn’t going to make him appear. For whatever reason, he hadn’t been able to come. She needed to stop acting as if he’d stood her up.

With that in mind, she headed toward her car. She was struggling to lift a large cooler containing ice, water bottles and soda from the trunk when someone walked up behind her.

“Let me get that for you, Laurel.” Colton took the cooler out of her hands and set it on the ground. “That’s too heavy for you to be lifting. Why didn’t you ask one of those young men standing around over there to do it? They’d be falling all over themselves to see who could get over here first.”

A wave of relief mixed with pure happiness washed over her. “You’re picking up right where you left off, Dr. Samuels.”

“I can hardly do anything else. You’re more beautiful every time I see you.”

Her eyes fell away from the teasing glance in his. “I’m glad you came.”

“Me, too,” he said softly. He tugged gently on the ponytail hanging over her shoulder. “Where do you want me to put the cooler?”

She’d forgotten the cooler and everything else in the excitement of Colton’s arrival. “I’ll get the box of snacks out of the back seat, and we’ll find a place closer to the building, preferably in the shade.”

“Lead the way.”

* * * *

As he trailed Laurel across the pavement, Colton wondered why she was wearing long pants. It wasn’t that she didn’t look great in jeans, but everyone else, including him, was in shorts. Was she modest? That in itself wasn’t a bad thing; he disliked the tendency of the latest fashions to show so much of a woman’s body. 

Once she finished arranging everything on a fold-up table, Laurel looked at him with a smile that did a number on his pulse rate. “I’m not sure inviting you was a good idea. All the girls are looking at you instead of washing cars.”

“Correction – they’re looking at
us
.”

“They’re probably in shock. I’ve never had a man with me at one of these things.”

“Never?” he asked in disbelief. “Why is that?”

“Mostly because I dislike the gossip and speculation that comes with it. Nothing gets by the students or other teachers. Another reason is I want to be a good role model – there are so few people kids can look up to today.”

“That’s admirable, Laurel. Most people don’t care about their reputation. They live the way they want without thinking about how it might affect or influence others.”

“You’re in a profession that is just as public; I’m sure you have to deal with it on some level, too.”

“Yes, it’s a delicate balancing act.”

They were interrupted by one of her students. “Miss Mills! Corey is spraying everyone with the hose.”

Laurel looked at Colton. “Excuse me for a minute.”

As he watched her walk away, a blast of water came out of nowhere. There wasn’t time to shout a warning. The heavy spray hit Laurel on the side of the face, bringing her steps to an abrupt halt.

“Corey Myers! Drop that hose and come here.”

A short, red-haired boy emerged from between a truck and the car sitting next to it. “I’m sorry, Miss Mills. I didn’t see you.”

“Everyone expects to get wet at a carwash, but not like this. If you can’t stay focused on the task at hand, we don’t need you here. Mr. McCallister is allowing us to use the water for free, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have to pay for it. Let’s save the water for washing cars.”

“Yes, Miss Mills. It won’t happen again.”

“I hope so.” She turned to look at the rest of the students. “The next person that sprays anything other than a vehicle will be writing essays until their fingers fall off.”

Colton hid a smile. He had a fleeting wish to get his hands on a hose and see what she would do to him. When she rejoined him, he said, “I don’t think you’ll have any more trouble. That essay threat was pure genius.”

Her impish grin reminded him of a little girl. “I’ve found it works better than detention or a trip to the principal’s office.”

“I’d offer you my shirt to dry off with, but every student here with a phone would be posting pictures of you standing next to a shirtless guy on Facebook.”

Laurel brushed the wet strands of hair back from her face. “You’re right; they would. The compulsion to share everything - good and bad - has permeated every aspect of society.”

“I agree. It’s a shame when you think about it. There’s no suspense or surprises anymore.”

“Do you use social media?”

“Not since I started medical school. When I think of all the time I wasted posting stupid comments and embarrassing photos, I could kick myself.”

“You realize you’re a rare breed.”

“I have more important things to do - like spending time with you. What time is the induction ceremony tonight?”

“Oh, are you coming to that, too?”

“I’d like to. If you don’t have other plans, we could get something to eat afterward.”

“I hope you’re not going to be bored out of your mind.”

“I’m not easily bored,” he assured her with a grin.

“The ceremony starts at six.”

“Is five-thirty soon enough to pick you up?”

“Yes. If you’d rather not go out, I could fix us something at the house.”

He smiled slowly. “I’ll let you decide; I’m not a picky eater.”

“That’s just as well - I’m not a great cook.”

* * * *

Laurel felt as if every eye in the auditorium was focused on her and Colton instead of the fifteen students waiting to be inducted into the National Honor Society. The two of them had been the focus of attention since the moment they walked through the door and took their seats. Had it been a mistake to bring him? It might have been wiser to wait until their relationship either progressed to the point where there would be something to tell or died a natural death in which case there would be no need to say anything.

Just after the principal gave his welcoming speech, Colton’s arm drifted to the back of her seat. Laurel hoped he didn’t notice her slight jump when his hand touched her shoulder. It seemed ridiculous to get so much enjoyment from an innocent gesture.

Once the final pledge had been made, she leaned toward him and whispered in his ear. “It’s almost over. We don’t have to stay for the refreshments.”

The subtle perfume she wore teased his awakening senses.
How could he have forgotten how stimulating being with a woman could be?
Colton stopped dating primarily because the demands of medical school required all his attention. Relationships needed time, and he didn’t have much to spare. Keeping to this decision had been easy until now. Laurel was the first woman in a long time to impose on his consciousness enough to make him willing to change his mind. Since meeting her at the rehearsal dinner, he hadn’t been able to get her out of his thoughts.

At the close of the ceremony, she turned to him with an apologetic smile. “You look half asleep.”

Colton rose to his feet. “I was just thinking.”

“I’ve worn you out with all this high school stuff.”

“Believe it or not, all this stuff has been relaxing.” Once they were away from all the interested stares, he took hold of her hand and swung it gently as they walked to his car. “What culinary delights await me tonight?”

She laughed and the sound brought his eyes to her face. “You’ll have to wait and see.”

He opened her door and waited while she got in. “Sounds exciting; I like surprises.”

“I’m not sure my cooking will be a nice surprise.”

“It can’t be worse than mine.”

* * * *

Colton laughed as Laurel tried to shoo him out of the kitchen. “Can’t I observe like they do on those cooking shows?”

“Absolutely not. I’m nervous enough as it is.”

“I don’t make you nervous, do I?”

“Yes, but in a good way, if you know what I mean.”

He moved closer and ran his fingers gently through her hair. “You’re refreshingly honest, Laurel. Most people dance around the truth never saying what they really think or feel.”

“I don’t have that problem; I’m too blunt most of the time.”

“Does that mean I can be blunt with you?” he asked.

“I prefer that to the alternative.”

“Meeting you has had an extraordinary effect on me. You don’t know this, but everything I’ve done since the rehearsal dinner is out of character. I’m not an impetuous person by nature and yet here I am. I feel this urgency to get to know you that is fighting with my more laidback nature. Part of me wants to throw caution to the wind and go with these exciting feelings. The other part is warning me to be prudent because once my break is over my free time will be reduced to almost nothing. Does any of this make sense or have I scared you into thinking you’re dealing with a lunatic?”

She grinned. “Something very similar has been going through my mind the last few days.”

“About me being a lunatic?”

“No, I meant the other thing you said – about how this situation is so different from anything I’ve ever experienced.”

“So it’s not just me. You feel it, too.”

Colton leaned closer and brushed his lips back and forth against her mouth in a kiss that was as gentle as it was exciting. As tingles of pleasure slid down her spine, the thought went through Laurel’s mind that it was nice to be kissed by someone who’d mastered the right balance between those two qualities.

“I think we should forget about cooking and order pizza,” he suggested with a slow smile.

Laurel didn’t care what they ate; she was wishing he’d kiss her again. “Are you sure?”

He nodded as he pulled out his phone. “Is Fazario’s okay?”

After the pizza had been ordered, she led him through the living room and outside to the screen porch. Pointing toward the woods enclosing the backyard, she said, “The lightning bugs are coming out. Soon they’ll be hundreds of them. When we were younger, Rose and I used to catch them and put them in glass bottles. We’d pretend we were on a deserted island waiting to be rescued by a handsome pirate captain. The plan was for Rose to marry the pirate, and I would become the first mate.”

“Didn’t you want to marry the pirate?”

Laurel shook her head. “I didn’t like boys then. They pulled my hair and teased me.”

Colton chuckled. “A natural reaction – young boys don’t know how to express their affection. It doesn’t get any easier when we grow up. We’re drawn toward these fascinating creatures we can’t hope to fully understand.”

“Doesn’t that just add to the ‘thrill of the chase’?”

“You’re not supposed to know about that,” he protested.

“Is it such a big secret?”

Before he could answer, the doorbell rang. “I’ve been saved by the pizza.”

* * * *

Colton glanced reluctantly at his phone; it was after one in the morning.
Where had the time gone?
Laurel had fallen asleep while they were watching a movie. For the last hour, he’d done nothing but look at her. He wound a lock of her hair around his fingers, wanting to delay the moment he would have to wake her up.
Had he only known her three days?

“Laurel,” he said softly.

Her eyes opened, and an apologetic smile touched her mouth. “I’m not used to staying up late.”

It was all he could do not to kiss her again. “It’s my fault; I should have left long ago. You have to work tomorrow.”

She moved away from him. “I’m sorry for using you as a pillow. You must have strong shoulders. I’m not exactly petite.”

He smiled as he pulled her up to stand next to him. “No, but you’ve got curves in all the right places.”

Laurel laughed as she followed him to the door. “A little too curvy in some places.”

Colton turned around and let his eyes drift over her. “You can’t be serious.”

She looked away from his teasing glance. “What exciting things do you have planned for tomorrow?”

“I volunteered to work the blood drive. My shift is from eight to twelve. In the afternoon, I’m helping a new arrival at the hospital move into my apartment. Ben and I have had the place to ourselves for the last six months, but we really need another person to make it affordable.”