Running Home (Warm Springs Trilogy Book 2)

by Christina Kirby

  “That would be too bad. It was one of the things I used to like best about you.” Her face heated and she tossed her hair over her shoulder as she drove. She didn’t need to go down that line of thinking. It wouldn’t do her any good to reminisce and start thinking about all of Adam’s good qualities. It was much easier to focus on his bad ones. Like the fact that he was a coward who abandoned her.

  The second house she’d picked to show him was gray with white trim and dark wooden shutters. It had two wraparound porches, one for each floor, and two swings. As they entered the house, Adam’s eyes glazed over.

  She’d seen the look hundreds of times before. It was the look of someone who’d found what they wanted. She could almost see Adam making plans in his head. Envisioning his future and seeing what could be. And, she couldn’t blame him. The house was beautiful. With its spacious floor plan and large kitchen, it still felt homey. Like the kind of house that would feel welcoming at the end of the day.

  “Do you want to see what’s outside?”

  He nodded and followed her through the backdoor off the kitchen. A barn designed to match the house sat off to one side and a large fenced-in pasture was on the other. The barn was large enough to store farm equipment or turn into a separate guest house. The possibilities were infinite.

  “It’s four hundred and fifty acres and there are three creeks that run across the property. Now, it doesn’t have a lake, but you could easily put one in.”

  “Don’t the Ryan’s own the adjoining property?”

  Unsure where he was going with his question, she answered slowly. “I believe so.”

  Adam stepped off the porch and took off into the woods. Jenny blinked and looked around her for some sign about what he was doing. Coming up empty-handed, she hurried after him.

  “Where’re you going?” she called.

  He didn’t answer. She could still see his white shirt as he moved through the trees, but he was way ahead of her and her sling-back heels slowed her down. She stopped to carefully pick a thorny vine out of her skirt and cursed when she was forced to step over a rotting log.

  “Have you lost your mind?”

  “Where’s your sense of adventure?”

  She snarled. Crazy ass. What had happened to him while he’d been away? Ball to the head maybe? And if not, maybe she could offer to hit him with one. She continued to stumble her way through the woods and tried not to think about how her shoes were going to be ruined. Regular heels might’ve allowed for a solid wipe down, but these were covered in a colorful fabric. She whimpered. It was one of her favorite pair.

  When she finally reached Adam, panting and with her hair wild from snagging on branches, she stared around in amazement.

  “I thought we were close,” his voice was husky as his gaze absorbed the familiarity of the land. “It’s been a long time and the trees have grown up, but this is it.”

  He was right. She hadn’t thought about it before, but there it was in front of her, the memories both painful and perfect.

  For a moment, he was eighteen again. Seeing the field brought back a rush of memories so strong he thought it’d take his breath away. Campfires, target practices, the first time trying beer, they’d all happened in this place. He stepped forward and walked slowly through the tall grass, admiring the towering oaks as he did. The same smells filled the air: earth, pine, privet, and honeysuckle. The smells of the country. The smells of his youth.

  “You’re right.” Jenny remained in her place by the edge of the trees as though stepping into the open space might throw her into the past. “It hasn’t changed much.”

  He paused in the center of the field and kicked at the grass. “There’s no sign of our old campfire spot anymore.”

  “Not everything can stay the same.”

  He didn’t miss her double meaning, but chose to ignore it. No matter how much she’d changed, deep down she was still the same girl he remembered. And, he knew better than anyone what would make her happy, even if she didn’t want to acknowledge that little fact.

  A mass of twining vines laced with yellow and white blossoms caught Adam’s eye and he reached for one, careful not to crush the delicate petals between his fingers.

  “What’re you doing?” Jenny asked.

  Still holding the flower, he crossed back to her and held out the blossom for her to see. “Remember these?”

  She eyed it and then him, the shadow cast from the sweep of her long lashes visible at such close range. “Of course I remember.”

  One look at her scarlet cheeks told him she, too, was thinking about the night they’d spent in the field together. It was one of the best of his life. He’d taken honeysuckle blossoms just like the one he held now and dotted nectar along her bare skin, following its trail with his mouth. He could almost hear her laughter floating on the wind as she complained of him tickling her.

  Adam plucked off the green tip holding the petals together and pulled the long string-looking end through the bottom of the blossom, bringing its nectar with it. “Here.” He held it up to her, the nectar visible in the sunlight.

  “No thanks.”

  “Come on. You used to love these.”

  “Adam—”

  “One taste and I’ll go back to the house with you like a good boy.”

  She let out a deep sigh. “Fine.” She steadied his hand with her own and caught the drop on her tongue.

  His blood stirred at her nearness and the sexy way her mouth moved. How many times had he seen her do that before? Memories, just like this, had held him together during his worst bouts of loneliness in the city. A time when his life had been void of Jenny.

  With her still only a breath away, he tossed the petals to the side and placed a hand on her hip.

  “You promised to head back, remember?” she placed a hand on his chest. Her voice no longer steady.

  “So I did.”

  She broke away from him and ducked into the trees. The moment was over. Reality grabbed hold and snuffed out whatever had passed between them. But, he’d felt it as surely as she had.

  “Ow.” A few yards ahead of him, Jenny bent down to rub a hand over her ankle.

  “What in the world are you doing wearing those shoes out here?”

  Eyes blazing, she glared at him. “We were looking at houses. Not going on a safari.”

  “What happened to being prepared?” He bent down to give her ankle a once-over. Luckily, it wasn’t swelling. He’d never hear the end of it, if she were hurt.

  “You were the boy scout as I recall. Not me.”

  “That’s true.” He let his hand fall away from its place on her leg. “Your ankle seems fine, but your shoes have had it.”

  “Leave it to you to ruin something beautiful.”

  Before the conversation entered dangerous territory, he stood. “Well, we can’t have you stumbling around.” He bent over and hooked an arm around her legs, forcing her torso over his shoulder. “Here we go.”

  “Adam, are you insane?” She pounded her fists against his back. “Put me down.”

  “Stop squirming.”

  She wiggled again so he popped her behind.

  “Adam Hamilton, I swear to God, if you don’t put me down this minute—”

  “Relax, Jennifer. You’re making this harder than it has to be.”

  “Humph.”

  He smiled, thankful she couldn’t see it. Carrying her through the woods was the most fun he’d had in days. Feeling her body against his was natural in the same way coming home was.

  When they arrived back on the sale property, Adam set Jenny down, but he didn’t release her waist. Not yet. And for once, she wasn’t struggling to get away from him. As their eyes remained locked on each other, he could feel the heat from her skin through her thin top and it
took all his strength to refrain from ripping her blouse open and taking her there on the grass.

  The few inches of air between them heated as desire escalated. His gaze traveled from her eyes to her mouth and her lips called to him. He bent his face down to hers and kissed her. It wasn’t gentle. All the longing he’d felt for the last decade poured into the kiss until he felt her body go limp against him.

  Wrapping his arms around her to keep them both upright, he massaged her back with his fingers. Fingers that itched to touch more of her. He wasn’t sure how much time passed as he was thrown yet again into the past. A crow cawed in one of the nearby trees and, to his dismay, snapped Jenny to her senses.

  She twisted out of his grasp, her breaths coming out short and fast. “What do you want from me, Adam?”

  “I want you to forgive me.”

  “You thought kissing me was a good way to make that happen?” She shook her head. “Who says I haven’t forgiven you? Maybe I have.”

  “It doesn’t seem that way.” He stepped toward her. “I know you haven’t forgotten what was between us.” He took another step, until there was barely any space between them. “I’m sorry, Jenny, but I’ve wanted to kiss you since I first saw you in your office.”

  With color in her cheeks, she reared back and slapped him, leaving his face stinging. “It isn’t always about what you want, Adam. I have a boyfriend.”

  He laughed without humor. “James is nothing to be proud of. And, he isn’t good enough for you.”

  “This may come as a shock to your fragile ego, but it doesn’t matter what you think.” Jenny stopped yelling and smoothed her hands through her hair. “You’re my client. I shouldn’t have slapped you. I’m sorry.”

  He stepped toward her. “Stop being so damn polite to me. Not only do I not deserve it, it isn’t us.”

  “That’s because there is no us. The sooner you realize it, the better.” She turned to leave and stopped when he grabbed her arm.

  He leaned in close. “This isn’t over.”

  She jerked her arm free of his grasp. “Wanna bet?” she glared, and then stormed off toward her car.

  He stayed where he was a moment so she’d have a minute to calm down, but when she cranked the car and put it in drive, he started running.

  “Is this too polite for you?” she shouted through the open window right before speeding away and leaving him standing in the driveway.

  Chapter 6

  Jenny looked up when the knock sounded and smiled at her boss. With one hand in his pocket, Daryl stood in her doorway looking like he’d come straight from the golf course, or his second office as he liked to call it.

  “Do you have a minute?”

  She turned her attention away from her computer. “Of course. What’s up?”

  He took a seat in one of the chairs across from her desk and rested his hands on his flat stomach. Even in his fifties, he was body conscious, and it showed. Between spending time in the gym, playing tennis and rounds of golf, he was in great shape. The silver sprinkled in his hair was the only trait that hinted at his age.

  “I played a round with Henry today.”

  Jenny held her breath. Henry was the one who handled the Top Seller Award. Could this be it? Better to play it cool she mused. No reason to look desperate.

  “How’s he doing?” she asked, trying for a nonchalant tone. “It’s been awhile since I’ve seen him.”

  Daryl waved one of his hands. “He’s fine, fine. What I wanted to talk to you about was the Top Seller Award.”

  It was happening. Jenny clasped her hands together in front of her on the desk to keep them from shaking.

  “Here’s the thing. The girl over in Harrelson County—”

  “Shannon Tidwell?” she cut in, knowing she was right before Daryl nodded in agreement.

  “Yes, exactly. Well, as of right now, the two of you are tied.”

  “Tied?” All the air might as well have been sucked out of the room. How was it possible? Freaking Shannon. “So what does that mean for the award?”

  “They’re going to delay the announcement until the end of the month, giving each of you a fair chance to break the tie.” He stood and winked. “I didn’t mention that you had a big fish on the line.” He started to leave. “No reason to rub it in.” Leaning on the doorframe, Daryl paused. “Everything okay with our star client?”

  Jenny swallowed. “Yep, I took him out earlier today.” And left him. No reason to share that little bit of news with her boss.

  “Thatta girl.” With a final tap of his fingers, Daryl left her alone.

  She fell back against her chair and let out the breath she’d been holding. Tied. End of the month. Big fish. Those three things circled around in her head until she was dizzy. Her thoughts drifted to how Adam looked running after the car when she’d abandoned him in the middle of the country and her stomach dropped. He was going to fire her. No question.

  But, he’d deserved to be stranded after that bit with the honeysuckle. The nerve of him asking her if she remembered their time in the field. If anything, she was surprised he remembered it. He’d probably had a lot more encounters with women since then. Her blood boiled, but she was unsure if it was because of what he’d done to her or what she thought of him being with other women.

  Banging her head against the chair, she tried to decide what in the world she was going to do short of begging him to keep her as his realtor. Of all the people in the entire town, it had to be him. All she’d wanted was this one thing. This one award to prove that she was the best at something.

  Without wasting any more time wallowing, she grabbed her purse out of her bottom drawer and headed outside. She needed advice and not just any advice. She needed someone who knew Adam and knew how to handle him.

  As Jenny stood on the tiny porch, her eyes drifted to the swing blowing in the breeze. The same breeze was also blowing the hanging ferns dangling over the white railing. She remembered the summer she’d helped put up the screws holding the planters in place and suddenly wondered if she’d made a huge mistake in coming here.

  After all, Honey wasn’t her grandmother. But, Jenny still loved her, even if she hadn’t done a very good job of showing it over the last few years. Footsteps sounded on the opposite side of the door a moment before it opened. She blinked when a lady with dark skin stood with one hand on the door, eyeing her with open trepidation.

  “Hi, I’m looking for Mrs. Hamilton.”

  “We don’t allow solicitations.” The lady started to shut the door. “Have a nice day.”

  Jenny stepped closer to the screen. “Oh, I’m not selling anything. I’m an old friend of Mrs. Hamilton and her grandson.” Now she really felt guilty. Who was she to say they were friends after she’d spent the last few days stomping down that particular sentiment? “Would you mind letting her know Jenny Fillmore is here? I’d really like to visit, if she has the time.”

  “Well bless my soul, if it isn’t Jenny standing at my door.” Honey placed a hand on the other lady’s arm. “It’s all right, Vera. She’s family.”

  When Vera held the door open and let her in, Jenny smiled despite the lump in her throat.

  “Let’s talk in the kitchen.” Honey started her slow walk toward the back of the house. “You can tell me everything going on with you while you help me warm up for tonight’s game.”

  “Would you like some sweet tea?” Vera asked.

  “Tea would be great, thanks.”

  Vera moved down the hall past them, her thick soled shoes silent on the rug. As Jenny followed Honey, who was favoring her right hip, the framed pictures of the Hamilton kids and grandkids lining the walls caught her attention. They showed graduations, family reunions at the lake, and birthday parties. Years of family memories were all there in glossy prints.

 
She stopped when she saw one with her and Adam. He was wearing his college baseball uniform and she had her arms around his waist and a smile full of pride at being the one lucky enough to be by his side.

  “I always liked that picture,” his grandmother said from beside her.

  Jenny tore her eyes away from the happy couple who were now strangers to her. “It’s a good picture. Adam looks happy.”

  “So do you.” Honey moved away from the picture and crossed into the kitchen where Vera had already placed three glasses of sweet tea on the table. “Mind if I deal?”

  Jenny sat in the chair between the two women and took a sip of her tea. The sugary sweetness was delicious just like she remembered. It always amazed her how no two women’s recipes for sweet tea were exactly the same.

  “Vera lives with me now in the room Adam used to use when he visited. She helps take care of the house and me.” Honey dealt the final card and picked up her hand. “It’s hell getting old.”

  Jenny couldn’t help but smirk. “You’re not old, Honey. You’re mature.”

  Honey chuckled. “Oh child, you always could make me laugh.”

  Vera threw a few cards to the center of the table and remained quiet as Honey handed her three replacements. Jenny took a minute to eye her own hand. It’d been a while since she’d played and she was out of practice. Her own family wasn’t much into games.

  “So, what brings you by to see me?” Honey studied Jenny over her cards, a twinkle of mischief reflected in her eyes.

  “I saw Adam today,” Jenny started slowly, “And, we had a little fight.”

  “I see.” Honey full-on smiled now. “You two always did bring out the fire in each other.”