Out of the Blue Bouquet (Crossroads Collection)

by Amanda Tru

  “Leave it.” At least she and Gina could watch movies that didn’t require Clari to peek out from between her fingers. Maybe Amma had HEA TV movies on DVD in the other room. That was more Clari’s speed. Gina’s too. “I’m going to hop in the shower and change before we head back to Akushla. I’m sure one of the dressers upstairs has clothes that would fit you if you’d like to take one, too.”

  Joel held out a hand to help her up.

  “Thanks.” She reached for the crutches leaning against the side of the couch, but before she could get them situated...

  Joel kissed her again.

  The drive back toward Akushla was filled with silence. Maybe whatever Joel thought he felt for Clari was just his imagination. She clearly didn’t seem to have any of the same feelings. She hadn’t said much of anything after the second kiss, but hobbled off to take a shower. Then he found clothes in one of the dressers like she suggested and took one of his own.

  As they reached the series of switchbacks, he gripped the wheel tighter. This was the area where his parents had died several years earlier, and where Anabelle’s parents had crashed just a couple days before.

  He hated this route. So why had he taken it?

  He’d planned to go the other way.

  But this one would get them to Akushla faster, and Clari’s friend had finally gotten a flight out of Auverignon. She would be arriving about the time they made it to the airport.

  “Are you okay?” Clari asked him as he slowed down further going into a corner.

  “I hate this drive.” He still hadn’t told her about his parents. Just about the time he’d been left behind. Maybe he should. Maybe opening up to her a little more worried show her he believed there was potential for more to their relationship.

  “My parents died about the same place Annabel’s parents did.”

  Clari gasped. “Oh my! Why didn’t you tell me? We could have gone the other way.”

  “I know. But it takes longer. And you need to get to the airport.”

  “Not that quickly. Afi and Amma will pick Gina up if I’m not there yet. It wouldn’t have been a big deal.”

  “Still. I know you want to be there when she arrives. Her flight lands in an hour?”

  “Something like that.”

  He tried to make himself relax, even a little bit. “Then you should be there by the time she makes it to baggage claim.” He wouldn’t push the speed on the switchbacks, no matter how badly she wanted to get there on time. Maybe in a genuine emergency, but no other reason.

  She didn’t say anything else, but he could almost hear her reassuring him the other way would have been acceptable.

  Finally, they reached the last switchback. The one Joel dreaded most.

  He felt sweat beading on his forehead as he gripped the wheel even tighter. He could do this.

  God...

  That was the only prayer he could get out. No other words came, but the tension between his shoulder blades began to ease even before they came out of the curve.

  He glanced toward the cliff heading upward on one side and then down toward the river on the other.

  But what he noticed was Clari’s eyes closed and her lips moving.

  She was praying for him.

  “Thank you.” The tension eased further as they passed the spot where both accidents happened.

  “It seemed like the best thing to do.”

  “It worked. I haven’t been that relaxed driving this road in years.”

  Clari gave a half-snort, half-chuckle. “That was relaxed?”

  “Much more so than usual. I rarely take this route, but I have to sometimes for Yfir. I do fine driving up, but coming back...”

  “It’s hard. Thank you for going this way, even though you hate it.” She reached over and put a hand on his forearm. “I appreciate it.”

  He gave her a half-smile but didn’t say anything, though he wondered what she thought about that second kiss.

  It was all in his head, wasn’t it?

  There was no mutual attraction.

  “So what are you and Gina going to do while she’s here?”

  “I’m not sure. She’d planned for us to spend a few days at the cabin, catching up. I’m not sure what her plan was after that. Maybe spend the rest of the time in Akushla. I could probably get her a semi-private tour of the palace. She’d like that.”

  “Most people would like that. I would. So would Rachel and Anabelle.”

  She hesitated. “If I can arrange it, you guys can come, too. It won’t be much more than the official public tour, but a little bit of behind-the-ropes. A couple of rooms that aren’t being used. A glimpse at the Hall of Monarchs, but like no one is actually allowed in there. I’m not even sure King Benjamin is allowed in there without the palace curator with him.”

  That made Joel grin. “Really?”

  “I have no idea. But let me see what I can do.” She pulled her phone out of her pocket and tapped on it. “Hello, frændi. It’s Clari.” She held the phone away from her mouth. “My father’s brother. Could I arrange a tour of the palace for a few friends later today?”

  She made a few noises of agreement then thanked him and hung up. “I know Rachel doesn’t close the store until six. My frændi will give us the tour himself at seven.” Clari held out a hand. “I’ll text Rachel for you.”

  They were on a straight stretch of road with no cliffs on either side and no traffic. He used his thumbprint to turn it on then handed it over. She maneuvered through the apps, but instead of typing, the speaker came on.

  “Hello?”

  “Hey, Rachel. It’s Clari. Joel’s fine,” she hurried on.

  “Hi!” he called loudly. “I’m driving!”

  “Hi, guys. I guess you’re finally on your way back from the lake?”

  “Yes. We’ll be in Akushla in less than an hour, but I’ve got an invitation for you. Anabelle and her sister, too, if they’re up for it.”

  “What’s that?” Rachel asked.

  “A tour of the palace. My best friend is coming in, and I’m taking her. I’d like you, Anabelle, her sister, and Joel to come, too.”

  He could almost see Rachel blinking in surprise. “I’d love that. Let me check with Anabelle though. If she needs me tonight...”

  “Of course. If tonight doesn’t work, then anytime before Gina leaves would be good, too. And if it doesn’t, then we’ll find another time.”

  “Thank you.”

  “And if there’s anything I can do for Anabelle, please let me know.”

  “I’ll pass that on.”

  Clari and Rachel exchanged few more pleasantries and phone numbers, then hung up. Half an hour later, her phone pinged. “We’re going to the palace the day before Gina leaves.” It pinged again. “And her flight just landed.”

  A gnawing emptiness started to fill his inside. A week? Could he find a way to win her over before then? Or would he even have a chance?

  Clari held onto Gina as though she’d never see her again. It had been years since they’d last been in the same place.

  “It is so good to finally be here,” Gina whispered as they clung to each other.

  “I’m so glad you’re here,” Clari whispered back.

  “But what’s up with your leg?”

  They finally pulled apart. Clari held out her booted foot. “I broke my leg a few weeks ago, but I haven’t really talked to you since then. You were off on your trip through New Mexico and Arizona. I didn’t want to bother you with it.”

  “And Afi didn’t say anything either.” Gina gave a mock glare toward the city. “Silly old man.”

  Clari laughed. “Don’t let him hear you say that,” she told her friend, knowing what the response would be.

  “Oh, he’s heard me.” Giving each other a hard time was part of how Gina and Afi defined their relationship. “Now, we need to go to the cabin. Because I need some rest and relaxation.”

  Clari tucked her crutches under her arms. “You’ll have to drive my c
ar.”

  Gina stopped in her tracks. “You can’t drive, can you?”

  “Nope.” She held out her boot. “This is my driving foot.”

  “Then how did you do the treasure hunt?”

  Clari nodded toward Joel standing next to his car. “My Yfir driver, Joel. His sister owns Amma’s favorite yarn store.”

  “Small world.”

  “And he’s going to take us to my flat. We can chill there.”

  Gina hesitated then grinned. “Sounds perfect.”

  Joel helped load Gina’s suitcase into the back of his car while Clari took her seat in the front. The two of them whispered furiously for a minute before getting in.

  “I don’t actually know where you live, Clari.” He put the car in gear and looked over his shoulder before pulling into traffic.

  She gave him directions to her flat not far from Rachel’s yarn store. Gina chatted with Joel the whole twenty minutes it took to get there.

  As they stood on the sidewalk, Clari sent Gina upstairs while she turned around. “Thank you, Joel. I appreciate all you’ve done the last few days.”

  He shoved his hands in his pockets. “It’s not like I was able to go anywhere.”

  “I know, but you didn’t have to do so much. The pasta for lunch yesterday was fabulous.”

  “My pleasure.”

  “And thank you for letting me hide next to you when the dinosaurs attacked.”

  That made him look up and smile. “I’m glad you’ve finally seen one of the best movies ever.”

  “I will have to watch the other one again sometime. I couldn’t focus on it.”

  His eyes bored into hers. “That kiss affected me, too.” He pushed off from the car. “Maybe someday we’ll actually talk about it.” He leaned closer. “Maybe someday you’ll admit there’s something between us, and we’ll actually do something about it.”

  She felt her cheeks heat even as the cold seeped in. “It's possible. I’ll see you next week for the tour.”

  He tipped an invisible hat at her. “Until then, if not before.”

  Clari turned and crunched her way into the building, making her way slowly up the stairs. Gina had flopped into the big chair and waited for her.

  “I want to hear all about you and Joel and two days alone at the cabin.”

  “There’s not much to tell.” Clari collapsed onto the couch. “He delivered the flowers, which I forgot at the cabin, by the way, then drove me around to all the places. We got stuck up there. Watched a couple movies. Played a few games. That’s it.”

  Gina’s eyes twinkled. “He kissed you, didn’t he?”

  Clari felt color rush to her face again. “Maybe.”

  Gina squealed. “More than once?”

  “Maybe.”

  “So? Are you going to tell Amma you finally have a kærasti?”

  “No. Because I don’t. He wanted to talk about it. I’m not convinced there’s anything between us besides being stuck together at the cabin.” She closed her eyes as she sighed. “I couldn’t even tell him why I have my own room at the cabin in a family the size of mine.”

  “Why would you? It’s a pretty personal story, and it’s not really yours to tell.”

  “He told me about a couple of deep secrets, but I didn’t share my own. Doesn’t that mean I don’t trust him enough to tell him why we had my birthday party at the cabin and my whole family granted my wish?”

  For all her fun-loving sides, Gina knew how to be serious. “Do you trust him? Are you attracted to him?”

  Clari wrinkled her nose. “He is pretty cute. And he did take good care of me, even when he really didn’t want to be there.”

  “So should you call him?”

  Using her hands to help, Clari swung her leg up onto the couch. “Maybe. Or I’ll see him next week when we do the palace tour. See how that goes and if he actually asks me out.”

  “And if he does?”

  “I’ll say yes.”

  “And if he doesn’t, you’ll ask him?”

  Clari rolled her eyes at her friend. “Probably not.” For the next few hours, they caught up on almost everything. The next morning, Clari finally called Gina out. “Don’t think I haven’t noticed. It’s your turn. Tell me all about this guy in your life.”

  Gina waved a hand her general direction. “Nothing to tell. It’s over.”

  Not exactly what Clari expected to hear. She’d half expected to see an engagement ring.

  “I did meet a cute guy at the hotel in Auverignon, though. He’s supposed to call me when he’s here next month.”

  “Next month?” Clari sat up. “Are you moving back?”

  Gina grinned and held up jazz hands. “Surprise! Need a roomie?”

  Clari hesitated. She loved Gina, but they’d been roommates at university once. It hadn’t gone well.

  “I’m kidding! But if you'd let me crash here until I find a place that would be fantastic. Afi already has a couple of leads for me.”

  Afi knew before she did?

  “It’s a long story, Clari,” Gina told her softly. “Afi has been an invaluable shoulder to cry on. Almost like my own afi would have been.”

  “Then I’m glad you had him.”

  Gina sat down next to her and laid her head on Clari’s shoulder. “Thank you for sharing your family with me.”

  Clari rested her head against Gina’s. “They’ve always been your family, too.”

  “Not always, but close.”

  Clari’s phone buzzed. A text from Joel.

  I’m coming up. I have something for you.

  Joel held the flowers in front of him and waited for Clari to open the door. But instead, it was Gina that greeted him.

  “Hi! Come on in.” She stepped aside and let him pass. “Thank you for running back up to the cabin.”

  “You drove back to the cabin?” Clari asked from her seat on the couch.

  “I took the long way.” He held up the bouquet. “You left your flowers from Gina. She’d had your afi leave the last clue there when he dropped the food off. I brought the perishable stuff back with me so it wouldn’t spoil.” Crossing the room, he held out the flowers for her. Their fingers brushed as he handed them over. Electricity zapped through him.

  From the blush on her cheeks, she noticed, too.

  “Thank you. That was very considerate of you.”

  “I was happy to.” He pulled a card out of his coat and handed it to Gina. “Is this what you wanted?”

  She took it from him. “Yes, but I already told Clari what’s in it. I’m moving back to Akushla from the States.”

  “That’s great news, right?”

  Gina nodded, though her expression seemed guarded at the same time.

  Joel started for the door. “Now that I’ve made my deliveries, I’ll see you ladies next week for the tour.”

  After goodbyes, he went back to his car and drove to Rachel’s shop. The food would be unloaded there. Clari’s afi had told him to keep it. Instead, he’d pass it on to Anabelle. It was a rough time for her. She didn’t need to add grocery shopping to her list of things to do.

  From what Joel understood, she was having enough issues dealing with her grandparents.

  The front door was already locked, so he rapped on the window until Rachel opened it.

  “Come on in. Anabelle stopped by, but she already left. If you want to leave the food here, I can get it to her.”

  “Thanks.” He left the door propped open slightly and grabbed several bags out of the back of his car. “What can I do to help while Anabelle is taking a few days off?”

  “You want to come work for me?” Rachel was understandably skeptical. He’d always supported her venture but had little actual interest in it.

  “I’ll help you while you need it. Yarn really isn’t my thing, but I love you, so I’ll learn what I need to.”

  Rachel came over and gave him a hug. Joel wrapped his arms around his sister. At least they still had each other.

  “Do y
ou know how glad I am you weren’t with Mom and Dad that day?” she asked, tears evident in her voice.

  The one part he hadn’t told Clari. He had planned to go with them, but at the last minute canceled because he had a blind date. The date hadn’t gone well at all, but he’d regretted not spending that time with his parents.

  Then Rachel reminded him that if he had gone, she would have been left without any family at all. She’d taken her half of the inheritance, finished her last year at university, and started her own business. Joel took his and invested part of it safely. After taking some time off, he paid for his own university and was finally almost done. He was going to use the rest of the money to set up his own business doing accounting for other small businesses like he did for his sister. She’d had such a hard time finding a good person that he’d taken over almost as soon as she opened.

  “I’m glad I’m here with you,” he told her. “Even if it means I need to learn about yarn.”

  She laughed and moved away. “Come on. You’re about to get a lesson.”

  Worsted. Sport weight. Self-striping. Gradient. Bootheel.

  He wouldn’t be able to tell one yarn type from another by sight anytime soon, but at least he had some idea what the tags meant.

  “I expect you here by nine every morning,” Rachel told him as she pulled her keys out of her bag.

  “Anabelle doesn’t work every day,” he reminded her.

  “So? Unless you’re in class, I need you. Please?”

  He turned to see her looking at him with the big eyes he could never resist. “What is it?”

  She pulled her coat on. “I just don’t want to be alone.”

  Like he hated being alone at the cabin, she wouldn’t want to spend much time on her own after the death of Anabelle’s parents. He’d been away at a different university and, thanks to another storm, he hadn’t made it home for a couple of days. She’d had to deal with everything on her own.

  He took his keys out of his pocket and smiled at her. “I won’t leave you alone, ever. You know that. Not really.”

  “I know, but since you’re not working regular hours right now, I’d rather you be here in person.”