Running Home (Warm Springs Trilogy Book 2)

by Christina Kirby

  “There’s no rush. He isn’t going anywhere this time.”

  The backdoor opened and Adam’s tall frame and broad shoulders filled the doorway. He took in the sight of the two of them and seemed to sense he’d walked in on something he shouldn’t have. “I’m sorry if I interrupted. Jake sent me in to tell you some people wanted to say goodbye. Looks like folks are heading out.”

  “As it turns out, I was on my way.” With one last reassuring glance at Jenny, Ann slipped out.

  Voices from outside could be heard in snippets as the silence in the kitchen stretched on between them. Adam slid his hands into his back pockets and let his eyes rake over her.

  Heat flooded her face. Jenny tucked her hair behind her ears to keep her hands busy. “That was wonderful, what you did for Sam and Spencer . . .” she began, her voice too loud in her own ears.

  He shrugged. “It was nothing.”

  “You’re wrong.” Jenny stopped fidgeting and stepped forward. “What you did . . . you . . . well, you gave Sam the one thing she wanted more than anything.”

  “I’m glad I could help, but all I did was make a phone call.” His voice was innocent enough, but his eyes deceived him.

  “That’s all?” Jenny cocked a brow at Adam which made him smile. While she didn’t doubt he had a friend with a plane, she didn’t believe for one minute he’d gotten someone to agree to make a last minute flight before the storms struck as easily as he was trying to make her believe.

  “Let’s just say that if Terry ever finds himself in need of a kidney, I’ll be the first one he calls.” Adam began to stroll around the kitchen, stopping beside the refrigerator to study the pictures stuck to its side. “They have a beautiful family.”

  There was something sad in his voice, possibly envy. Jenny’s fingers twitched at her side, desperate to reach out and run a hand over his back and soothe away his loneliness with her touch.

  “Do you think this is how it would’ve been for us if I’d stayed?” He kept his eyes focused on the pictures and she was grateful for it. If he turned his gaze upon her face now, she feared what he’d find there: surprise, longing, anger.

  Her heart ached. How many times had she wondered the same thing over the years? How many times had she imagined what might’ve been? She was done with what ifs. What mattered now was doing the right thing for herself and her future.

  She took a step back from him. “I don’t know.” When her voice came out barely above a whisper, he straightened and turned.

  His eyes bored into hers. “I guess we never will.”

  The door burst open and Spencer strode inside. “Hey, if it isn’t two of my favorite people.” He paused to slap a hand on Adam’s shoulder. “I appreciate what you did for Sam.”

  “Glad I could help.” Adam’s gaze remained locked on Jenny a minute longer, but then the moment passed.

  “Hey, Sam’s about to head out with her parents,” Spencer said. “They’re staying at our place and I’m staying here. Are you guys stopping by the house before the ceremony?”

  “I’ll be here,” Jenny said feeling more relaxed with the wedding to focus on. “Ann and I are riding over to the park with Sam.”

  Spencer slapped Adam again, too happy to stay still for long. “I’m getting married,” he shouted. He began to whistle and left the two of them standing in the kitchen.

  “He’s a goner.” Jenny laughed.

  “He’s lucky,” Adam added. “I better get going, too. See you tomorrow?”

  Jenny nodded and watched Adam leave. He was right. Spencer and Sam were lucky. They’d found each other at the right time and fought for what they wanted. Jenny stiffened her spine. It was time she did the same.

  Jenny awoke to the sound of birds and with light filtering in through her curtains. When she rolled over, she saw her deep purple bridesmaid dress hanging in the doorway. Today was the day. Sam and Spencer were finally getting married. She stretched and smiled, weddings were always fun. And, today would be no different. If anything, it would be even more special since it was set to be an intimate affair with some of the people she loved most in the world.

  She rose and headed into the bathroom to shower. There was no need to hurry, but Jenny didn’t want to waste time. There were bound to be last minute details or issues to attend to and she wanted to be available to help. Humming as she washed her hair, a smile played at the corner of her lips as she thought of Adam. He’d looked hot in his khakis, blue button up shirt and casual sport coat. The ensemble could only be described as relaxed, but sexy. And, realizing he was still the same caring person he’d always been worked as the final blow to the wall she’d put up against him.

  When he’d left her behind, she’d questioned everything she knew about him and wondered more than once if she’d been a fool. Was she blinded by her love for him? Did she idolize him and fail to see who he really was? She stepped out of the shower and pulled the towel from the rack to dry off. It relieved her to know she wasn’t wrong about him. He was the good-natured person she’d always thought him to be. She’d just been too hurt to accept that although he loved her, he’d left her.

  She hated to admit it, but leaving her didn’t make him a bad person. The way he’d handled it had been poor, but it didn’t change who he was, just who they were together. The smell of coffee met her when she opened the door to the bathroom and she froze. She hadn’t turned on the coffee, had she?

  As she forced herself to calm down and her hands not to shake, she grabbed a robe from the back of her closet door. A burglar wouldn’t take the time to fix coffee. She walked to the kitchen and stopped short when she saw James filling two mugs at the counter.

  “Hey,” she said after recovering, “I didn’t expect to see you so early.”

  “I took the earliest flight.” He turned and handed her a mug. “Didn’t want to risk being late. You’d never let me hear the end of it.”

  She blew at the steam rising from her mug and tried not to give in to the sinking feeling in her stomach. It occurred to her she could rip the band aid off now. End the relationship early and go stag to the wedding. James’ eyes were on hers and he smiled over the rim of his cup. The smile he’d used on her when they’d met at a bar years before.

  It had been one of her rare nights out with her co-workers. Regardless of how busy they were, they tried to get out of the office for a night together once every other month. The only rule, they weren’t allowed to talk about work, which most people adhered to. The first time she saw James she’d just managed to knock her drink over and was desperately trying to salvage her pantsuit.

  “Can I buy you another drink?”

  Embarrassed, but intrigued by the dark-haired man with the nice smile, she’d agreed. They’d talked for over an hour and she found herself laughing at his recruiting stories. She glanced toward her friends, fearing she’d slighted them during what was supposed to be their night out together, but they took turns giving her thumbs up and sly grins.

  Their encouragement and the handsome stranger’s confidence were intoxicating. At the time, she’d been single for over a year and seemed to remember quite vividly how much she’d enjoyed the attention.

  Before leaving, he gave her his number as well as one for his dry cleaner. She’d laughed again and thanked him for the drink and when he called her two days later to ask her out, she’d accepted. It was the beginning of a warm relationship, one she’d wanted and needed at the time, but it wasn’t love. Not the all-consuming kind she desperately wanted.

  A faint sense of guilt roiled, but she ignored it. Breaking it off was the right thing to do.

  “James—” Her phone rang in her bedroom. She tried to ignore it, but the ringing continued and it was early. “One minute.” Once in her bedroom, she saw it was Ann calling. “Hey, what’s up? Everything, okay?”

 
“Can you go over to the park and check in with the guys?” Ann asked. “They’ve called twice for directions and Sam’s about five seconds from driving over there herself.”

  Jenny slid one arm out of her robe, switched the phone to her other hand and then shrugged it off completely. “I take it Spencer’s out there?”

  “He’s leading the troops.” Ann took her mouth away from the phone to yell something at Alex. “Sorry about that. Alex is on the verge of destroying the living room. I’d go out to the park, but I’m trying to get the kids and myself ready.”

  “Don’t even worry about it. I’m on my way.” Jenny hit speakerphone and continued to dress as they spoke. “I’m going to toss my stuff in the car in case I need to head straight to Sam’s.”

  “Not a bad idea. Hey, did you and Adam get a chance to talk last night?” Ann’s question was innocent, but her timing stunk.

  Jenny dove for her phone and turned the speaker back off, casting a glance toward the kitchen. Ann wasn’t loud, but Jenny’s apartment wasn’t big either. “Not really, but James got in this morning so . . .”

  “Oh, okay. Well, that’s good, I guess.”

  “Yeah, definitely.” The false sentiment in her tone wasn’t lost on Ann.

  “Oh, Jenny, when are you going to talk to him? You can’t go on this way.”

  She tugged on one of her shoes and then the other. “Tomorrow?” She caught sight of herself in the mirror over her dresser. She was on the hook now. She’d said it aloud. “Tomorrow,” she said again with conviction. It was more for herself than Ann. “After the wedding stuff’s over, I’ll be able to think clearly.”

  “Okay, well, if you need me, call me. Good luck with the guys.”

  Jenny headed out of her room, unhooking her dress from the door frame and draping it over her arm as she went. “No worries. I know how to crack a whip when I need to.”

  James was sitting at the kitchen table reading something on his phone as she entered and hung up her own. He looked up when he heard her voice and scowled when he noticed her shoes. “Heading out?”

  “Wedding emergency.” Jenny grabbed her bag from the bar and bent to give him a quick peck. Even the small gesture felt unnatural now, like she was betraying Adam in some way. “I’ll see you at the ceremony though.”

  “Yeah.” His voice was harsh and his shoulders rigid.

  “Hey,” she said in a soothing voice, “I told you I was going to be busy today.”

  He sighed and turned in his chair, placing his hands on her hips. “I’d just hoped to spend some time with my girlfriend so I took the early flight. I was hoping to get a little alone time.” He started rubbing his thumbs in small circles. “It’s been a while, Jen.”

  Her stomach dropped and she took a step back out of his reach. He knew she hated it when he called her Jen. “I know, but it just isn’t a good time.”

  “When is it ever, lately?”

  They stared at each other for a long uncomfortable minute, each with a challenge in their eyes. Even if she weren’t on the verge of breaking up with him, the way he was acting left much to be desired. In true James fashion, it was all about him.

  “I have to go,” she said finally.

  “Yeah, go on.”

  “I’ll see you at the wedding?” she offered a bright smile trying to salvage at least a shred of friendliness.

  “Yes, for Christ’s sake, I’ll be at the damn wedding.” He turned his back to her. “Thankfully, in twenty-four hours it’ll be over.”

  Jenny closed the door behind her and leaned against it. He didn’t know how right he was.

  Chapter 16

  The grass around the lake was still wet with dew as Jenny trudged over to meet up with the men. When she reached them, they were wrestling with a metal stake. The group made up of Jake, Spencer, Sam’s father and Nick looked worn out, but they hadn’t finished half of what needed to be done.

  “Need a hand?” Jenny asked, surveying the scene. There were four metal stakes in place, others lying on the ground, and the windows were leaning against one of the trucks. The wooden doors were still loaded in the back of a different truck and the tables were on their sides near a tree.

  Jenny pulled a hairband out of her pocket, looped her hair in a messy knot and fastened it into place on the top of her head. It was time to get to work.

  Jake grunted in frustration a few minutes later and swiped an arm across his forehead. “This is the craziest thing I’ve ever seen. Why not just get married inside a church?”

  “Didn’t I help you build an entire house?” Spencer said, narrowing his eyes at his brother.

  “Look,” Jenny said, before tempers flared, “maybe if you have an idea of what it’s supposed to look like when it’s finished, you’ll have an easier time. Do any of you have spray paint in your truck?”

  “Actually, I think I might.” Spencer released the stake he was holding. “One sec.”

  He jogged over to his truck and returned with a half-empty can of white spray paint. “I hope it’s enough.”

  “It is. We don’t want big marks everywhere, only a few spots.” Jenny took the offered can and began placing dots on the ground where all the stakes were supposed to go. “Now, grab the windows and lay them on the ground between each set of marks.” She continued around the designated space with her butt in the air. The men did as asked while Jenny tagged the area for the table and doors.

  Another vehicle arrived, an engine cut off, and a car door sounded moments before everyone shouted hello. And, that’s when Jenny saw him. Adam grinned as his gaze focused on her backside. She stood so fast the blood rushed out of her head and she nearly fell over.

  “All right there, Jenny?” Adam asked still smiling.

  She pressed a hand to her head and waited for the world to stop spinning. “I’m good.”

  “I’ve got the chairs. You want me to start setting them up?” Adam’s eyes roamed over the mess. “Someone’s going to have to tell me where the heck to put them though.”

  “Not yet,” Spencer said, “but we could use a hand with these stakes. We’re already behind schedule.”

  “You have no idea how much you just sounded like a woman,” Jake teased.

  Spencer punched his brother in the arm.

  “Hey, you guys get back to work,” Jenny said. “Don’t make me crack the whip around here.”

  They whistled and mocked, but got back to work. Despite the complaining, no one wanted to be responsible for ruining Sam’s big day. She was too well loved and too kind to let her down. And, it definitely wasn’t going to happen on Jenny’s watch.

  Once everything was unloaded and placed around the space, Jenny stood back with her hands on her hips. “Okay, so like this, but everything will be standing up. It should look like a church without a roof or walls.”

  “Right,” Spencer agreed.

  “Oh, shut up.” Jake rolled his eyes. “Like you know.”

  “I do, thank you very much.” Spencer crossed his arms over his chest and looked at the props laid out in an oval. “I just didn’t know how to explain it.”

  “Don’t worry about it. That’s what I’m here for,” Jenny laughed. “Now, the doors should be at an angle right here.” She used her arms to indicate the area where the aisle would pass through the doors. “The chairs will be on either side, in rows of course. And, the largest window at the end will serve as the backdrop where Spencer and Sam will say their vows.”

  The men eyed each other. Nick looked confused. Jake scratched his head. Spencer began to tap his foot, clearly eager to get back to work.

  “Okay, Adam, grab a few chairs and I’ll show y’all what I mean, and then we’ll get the windows upright.”

  Everyone helped with some chairs and then she caught Adam’s eye. “Come here.”

/>   “Okay,” he said, uncertainty in his voice.

  She looped her arm through his. “So, like this.” She dragged Adam down the aisle while everyone else looked on. When she stopped at the end where the large window was lying on the grass, she faced him. “But, the window will be standing and there will be a small railing here.” She could see the realization coming over each of them in turn. “Got it?”

  They nodded and started for the first window.

  “Nice explanation,” Adam said beside her.

  She started at the sound of his voice, almost forgetting he was there. As she glanced around them, her face heated. Why had she grabbed Adam, of all people? She knew the answer to her own question. It was because he’d always been there, until he hadn’t. And, the absence of her best friend had been one of the hardest parts about when he’d left.

  She took a step back from him. “Sorry, about that. We don’t have much time, and they weren’t getting it.”

  “It’s no problem.” His lazy smile sent the butterflies in her stomach into a frenzy.

  The heat in her face intensified so she started back the way they’d come. She needed to work. To do anything which would keep her busy. “How about I set up the chairs and you help the men?”

  “Sounds good.” He laughed as he moved over to where the guys were hoisting the first window into place.