Forgiveness Creek: The Creek Series (11 page)

Dane was going to a great deal of trouble if he wasn’t serious about me going with him. We were getting very close, and I was beginning to have strong feelings for him, but the concern was creeping in. What if it was just a rebound affair? What if he was just a player and didn’t do relationships because of his constant travel?

And why was a great guy like Dane single? Were there other girls? Was I just the flavor of the month for him?

The following week went by quickly. Dane and I spent every possible minute together.

One morning, he took me for a horseback ride to watch the sunrise. We crossed the top of the hill in the predawn. Then he helped me off the horse, and we sat wrapped in a blanket together. I remembered the old saying: everything is the calmest just before the sun awakes.

“It’s so peaceful. I wonder how many people actually watch the sun rise from the depths of darkness.”

He inhaled a deep breath while his face was buried in my hair. “I try to do this at least once a week. It keeps me grounded.” His voice was soft—almost reverent.

“What rocks you to your core?”

“All the unease in this world. Before you, I was so wrapped up in the next big thing in the tech world that I didn’t have time for anything else. I went through women like crazy because they never satisfied me. Now, I only want to make time for you. You’re like a drug I can’t get out of my system.”

Later that morning, I had a good bit of studying to do, and he was actually a big help quizzing me.

“How’s your latte?” he asked, while we sat in Starbucks.

“Awesome. What is it?”

“Skinny vanilla. It’s one of my favorites. So, where are we going for dinner?”

“I have to tease you—the drink sounds prissy. As far as dinner goes, I’m working late, so it’ll be the hospital cafeteria?”

“Sounds too healthy.”

“And probably not organic or American made either. Just like this coffee.”

“You’re right. I’ll bring you a surprise then.” He winked.

There was something about his blue eyes flashing that made my heart beat a little faster.

“I’ll let you.” I knew he would be bringing a pizza from his restaurant, and that was quite all right with me. I’d eat anything if it meant I could spend another minute with him.

Later that night, we laid in my bed after making love and listened to the rainstorm outside. The more the wind blew, the tighter he pulled me to him.

I laid there, facing him. With my finger, I traced the contours of his face. “What do you think about when you’re making love to me?”

“I feel the heat of your body and the way it responds to me. Sometimes I like to go fast as if I’m driving you like my car. Other times, I want to savor you like a fine malt scotch over ice. I see the tenderness in your eyes mix with desire as you get aroused. It’s like watching a hurricane come to shore.”

His beautiful words left me voiceless.

When the end of the week came, I was sad to see Dane go. He had a driver take him to the airport in a limo and invited me to go with him, even though I told him over and over how I hated goodbyes.

“Ten days. I’m flying home to get you, and we’ll go back together.”

“It’s a long flight. You don’t have to do that.”

“It’s your first flight, and besides, there’s customs and all that. I want to be with you when you experience all the firsts, plus be there to help navigate. Customs can be overwhelming.”

I wrapped my arms around his waist and ran my hands up and down his back. “Have a great trip. I’ll miss you.”

He kissed me passionately and gripped my ass, pulling me close to his body at the same time.

“I’m gonna miss you more. Take care of Grandfather.”

I stood outside the airport terminal and watched him disappear through the glass doors.

I hated goodbyes.

Mr. Lawrence returned to treatments and was tolerating them much better, but overall, I could see his health deteriorating. He moved slower and slower, and his face was drawn with all the weight he’d lost.

At eighty-four, he said he’d live a very happy life. “I’ve almost finished my bucket list.”

“You have? What were some of the things you’re most proud of accomplishing?”

“Oh, seeing my name in
Forbes
, visiting Tibet, seeing to it that my grandson found the right track, and oh, I learned to play the saxophone.”

“I would love to hear you play. Would you play for me?”

“Absolutely. I don’t have the wind I used to, but I can still forge a decent enough tune.”

“What else do you have left to check off the list?”

“Seeing my grandson marry and become a father.”

That one got me. Was he implying it was me? Was he the one pushing us together? Did he intentionally set us up to achieve his own goal before he died? Was Dane just seeing me to make his grandfather happy?

“Let’s get you in this chair, so you can get home and rest.”

“You don’t fool me, Ms. Cunningham. I see things.”

“Oh, we’re back to formalities, are we, Mr. Lawrence?”

“I’ve got my eyes on you, Wrenn. I know you’re in love with my grandson. I watch the way you look at him, and I’ve noticed the glow that comes to your face when he’s around. Your eyes have a sparkle that wasn’t there when I first met you, and your sadness is gone. You won’t be able to hide your truth forever.”

“Oh, Mr. Lawrence, you think too much.”

Mom and I tried to talk every day, but sometimes she would fall asleep in her chair and not hear the phone when I called. When she would wake up, she would send me an email, since I’d installed a computer and Internet at the house.

She refused my offer of a satellite, saying that TV was a waste of money. She liked to read inspirational romances and enjoyed the Kindle I gave her for Christmas more than any other gift I’d given her. She was a one-clicking fool, but still insisted on paying her way. With her working part-time and her social security, she managed to cover her bills.

I looked at my wrist, and the charm caught the light. I’d worn it since the day she’d given it to me, never taking it off. It reminded me of the Circle of Life she always talked about. Only once had I mentioned her moving to Texas, and I thought she was going to throw things at me.

“I’ve lived here since I was sixteen, the day your father made me his bride. It’s not just a home, it’s my life, and one that I want you to have. Someday, you’ll understand.”

When I looked at the whole picture of my heritage, I envisioned pain and the dark side, but Mom saw the light and was able to forgive the dark. It didn’t have a hold on her like it did me. I wondered sometimes if she’d be able to forgive the sin of my father, the one she didn’t know.

Dane didn’t call me while he was in China. I found that odd and a bit disheartening, but with the time zone difference, maybe he didn’t have time to connect. Regardless, the non-existence of communication left me questioning why and doubting a good bit more.

“Does he have your email?” Karina asked one morning, while we were sharing coffee in the hospital cafeteria.

“You know, we’ve never emailed. You’re right. I’m so stupid.”

“Besides, I don’t think U.S. phones work overseas. He probably has a different phone.”

It was time for my clinical rounds to start. I pushed the chair back. “Well, his grandfather says he’s coming home tonight, so they’ve communicated somehow. I wonder if I’ll see him tomorrow at Mr. Lawrence’s treatment.”

“Hmmm, you’ll know soon enough.”

As I was walking to meet my clinical partners, I ran into Brad, my friend from anatomy class. “Hey stranger, what are you doing here?”

He stopped and removed his ear buds and lowered his back pack. “They have the best omelets, and I come here sometimes for breakfast. Haven’t seen you in a while, you doing all right?”

“Yes, looking forward to graduation.”

“Where are you working?”

“The cancer center. Mostly in the afternoons, but it depends on my schedule with school.”

“I should know that. I see the specimens come in to pathology. I usually work Wednesday through Friday in the lab.”

“I think that would be a cool place to work. The patient doesn’t yell back.” I laughed.

He slung his backpack over his shoulder. “Love to chat, but short on time. Next time I’m around your way, I’ll look you up.”

“Please do.”

The next day I finished my last class and headed to the cancer center and saw Mr. Lawrence’s name crossed out on the schedule. He had called in saying he was too ill. It worried me even more. No word from Dane, even though I’d left him voicemail and text messages, and his ailing grandfather left me questioning everything.