Righting a Wrong (A Ripple Effect Romance Novella)

by Rachael Anderson

  Cambri clenched her fists and glared. “Good thing I’m leaving so you don’t have to put up with my stupidness any longer.”

  A spark of humor glinted in his old eyes. “That’s not a word.”

  “Neither is bullwinkle!”

  “Sure it is. It’s the name of that stupid, cartoon moose.”

  Cambri suddenly wanted to throw something at him but kicked the cardboard box instead. Then she sent her father a scathing glare and stormed away—or, at least started to until she remembered the shed. She stopped and turned, pointing a finger at the house. “Actually, you go. I need to finish this.”

  Her father shrugged. “Okay, but if you need any cinderblocks, you know where to find them.”

  Her finger jabbed harder toward the house. “Now!”

  “Okay, okay.” He held up his hands in surrender. “Just don’t blame me if you go back to your hoity-toity job in North Carolina and figure out you’re missing something more important than that amazing new project.”

  Cambri clenched her jaw and jabbed one last time.

  He finally took the hint and left.

  As soon as he was gone, Cambri grabbed one of the flaps and yanked hard, tearing the box open and scattering metal pieces everywhere. She’d finish the shed today, then tomorrow she’d get on that plane and leave Bridger behind without a backward glance. Thanks to her father, she almost looked forward to it now.

  Almost.

  Cambri shivered in the chilly night air as she struggled to hang the shed door on its hinges. At one point, her father had come out carrying a sandwich—a peace offering, he’d called it—which Cambri had accepted, knowing that was as good of an apology as she’d ever get from him. He picked up the instructions, looked them over, and together, they spent the remainder of the afternoon working on the shed. He located the parts and told her what to do, and she did the work, with occasional help from him. While she was grateful for the help, she was even more grateful that he didn’t make any references to either Jace or cinderblocks. When his breathing became labored, Cambri had sent him inside.

  As she’d watched him go, a peaceful feeling settled in her heart. At least this time she and her dad would part on peaceful terms. And maybe, just maybe, they’d eventually have that normal father-daughter relationship she’d always craved.

  Now it was close to ten o’clock. Cambri was alone, thoroughly sick of the shed, and cold. As she twisted the last screw in place, a car pulled in the driveway, blinding Cambri with its headlights. She squinted into them, trying to figure out who it could be. They flicked off, and Lydia’s face appeared in the moonlight.

  “Hey, you.” Cambri straightened and smiled, walking over to give her a hug. “I’m so glad you dropped by. I kept meaning to call, but time got away from me.”

  Lydia waved her off. “No worries. Jace told me how busy you two have been. That’s how I found out you’re leaving tomorrow.”

  A dull ache registered in Cambri’s stomach. “I really wish we could have had that dinner.”

  “Me too.” Lydia shivered and rubbed her palms together. “You about done here? It’s cold.”

  “Just finished.” Cambri took a step back to admire her and her father’s handiwork. “What do you think?”

  “That it looks like a prefabricated shed. But a nice one.”

  Cambri laughed. “You’re right. But it’s my prefabricated shed, so I’m pretty proud of it.”

  Lydia grabbed her by the arm. “My car’s warm. Let’s go for a drive. That is, if you can spare an hour or so.”

  “Definitely.”

  As Lydia pulled away from the house and drove slowly down the street, she said, “I envy you.”

  Cambri shot her a look of surprise. “Me? Why?” Who in their right mind would envy her?

  “You had the nerve to go out on your own. I bet you’ve had so many adventures.” Her voice sounded wistful, even sad.

  It was a good reminder for Cambri. “You’re right, I have. And it has definitely been an adventure. I think it took leaving for me to learn who I am and what I want out of life.” Too bad she was a slow learner, and the things she realized she wanted were no longer within her reach because she’d left.

  Forcing sad thoughts from her mind, Cambri studied her friend’s beautiful profile. Lydia had always been kind of shy and reserved on the outside, but fun and witty underneath. It made Cambri wonder how many people were missing out because they didn’t know her friend. “Why haven’t you ever left? You sound like you’d like to.” It would probably be really good for Lydia if she did.

  Lydia laughed and waved her hand in a dismissal motion. “Are you kidding me? I don’t have your guts—or anything close to your guts. I wish I did. I’d give anything to have an adventure, and maybe even a fling.” Her eyes widened, like she’d just said something shocking, making Cambri laugh. And think.

  An idea sparked, and Cambri twisted in her seat. “Your wish is my command.”

  “What?” Lydia shot her a confused glance.

  “You’re off for the summer, right?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Come visit me in Charlotte,” said Cambri. “I can give you a list of sights to see during the day, and we can hang out in the evenings after I get off work. On the weekends, we can drive to the most beautiful beaches you’ve ever seen or take a road trip to DC. What do you say?” Having Lydia come to stay might be exactly what Cambri needed to distract her from thoughts of Jace. On the other hand, it could be a bad reminder too, but none of that really mattered. What mattered was that Lydia wanted an adventure, and Cambri was just the girl who could give her one.

  Provided she said yes.

  Lydia had drawn her bottom lip into her mouth and was worrying it back and forth.

  “Unless you have other plans for the summer,” said Cambri.

  “No, of course I don’t. It’s just that… well, I’ve never even been on a plane before.” There was hesitation in her voice, as though she was embarrassed to admit it.

  “Well, now’s your chance to see what it’s like.”

  Silence, more worrying of her lower lip, and finally Lydia smacked the wheel with her hand. “You know what? You’re right. I’m in. I’m going to buy a plane ticket, visit you in Charlotte and have the summer of my life.”

  “Don’t forget the fling. I happen to know a cute guy or two I could set you up with,” Cambri teased.

  Even in the darkness of the car, Lydia’s blush showed. “Oh, I was only kidding about that. I mean, who needs a fling when there are so many guys in Bridger to date?”

  “As in…?” Cambri prodded.

  “Oh, you know. Sam, the grocery bagger. Jimmy at the repair shop. He’s cute. And—oh, a couple of my students have single fathers who are just dying to date me, so there’s that too.”

  Cambri giggled, loving the release it gave her body. Even if Lydia was a constant reminder of Jace, they would still have the time of their lives. Lydia was that much fun to be around.

  She returned her attention to the window and immediately tensed, the smile slipping from her face. Lydia had just turned down Rose Street. Why? Her friend’s smile had vanished too, and she was back to worrying her lower lip in a guilty way, as though she was doing something she shouldn’t be doing.

  “Where are we going?”

  Lydia cleared her throat. “I thought we’d stop off at Jace’s place so you could say goodbye before you left.”

  “We’ve already said our goodbyes.” The closer they got to Jace’s house, the faster Cambri’s heart raced. Why was Lydia doing this to her?

  “Yeah, a lousy goodbye, at least according to Jace,” said Lydia. “I’m pretty sure he wants a do-over.”

  “Pretty sure?” No way would Cambri get out of the car with only a pretty sure.

  Lydia pulled into the driveway and stopped, turning a sympathetic smile on her friend. “Ever since you two started working on your dad’s yard together, Jace has been happier than he’s been in a really long time. But t
oday when I talked to him, I’ve never seen him more miserable.” She paused. “Go talk to him, please? He’s been through a lot this past year, and I hate seeing him like this. I can’t believe that either of you want to leave things like this.”

  It was Cambri’s turn to chew on her lower lip. Lydia was right. She didn’t want to fly back to Charlotte feeling this way, but did she have the courage to knock on his door and try to change that? To tell him point blank that she was willing to stay if he wanted her to? Her heart pounded, and her fingers clutched the armrests, not moving.

  “You’re the brave one, remember?” Lydia said quietly.

  No. Cambri wasn’t brave at all. She was a runner. A fleer. A person practiced in the art of avoidance maneuvers. And what she wanted to do right now was jump out of the car and run straight to the airport.

  So pathetic.

  But maybe it was time to grow up a little and start facing things head on, like an adult.

  I can do this.

  Still, her hands continued to clutch the armrests.

  Jace’s front door opened, and he appeared, squinting through the darkness. Cambri wanted to duck and hide, but a gentle squeeze from Lydia’s cold fingers made her reconsider. She drew in a breath and yanked the handle, then stepped from the car. As soon as the door closed, Lydia’s car backed away.

  Cambri glared at the person she thought was her friend. “Traitor,” she muttered.

  Not knowing what else to do, she clasped her hands together and walked slowly toward Jace. When she got within talking distance, she stopped. “This was all your sister’s doing.”

  “I figured.”

  Now that they’d got that out of the way, what now? Cambri shuffled her feet, feeling both awkward and cold.

  “Want to come inside?”

  She hesitated. Did she, or would this turn into another lousy goodbye?

  You’re the brave one, remember? Lydia’s quiet voice echoed in her mind.

  “Okay,” Cambri finally answered.

  They walked inside and stared at a room that was still a work-in-progress. There was no couch or loveseat—nowhere other than a cluttered kitchen table or bar stool to sit.

  Cambri sighed. “You’d probably be done with this room by now if it weren’t for me.”

  “I doubt it,” said Jace. “The store keeps me pretty busy, and I don’t exactly have money coming out my ears, so I have to wait and do projects as I can afford them.” He gestured toward the stairs, and Cambri sat down, then scooted over to make room for Jace. His shoulder brushed hers, sending warm tingles down her arms.

  “I’m glad Lydia coerced you into dropping by,” said Jace.

  “Tricked me is more like it.”

  A small smile touched his lips. “She can be sneaky like that. But I’m still glad she did. Even though we already said goodbye, it felt… unfinished. And I don’t know why. I mean, you’re leaving tomorrow and there’s nothing I can do to change that. So what else is there but to say goodbye and hope we keep in touch?”

  “You can ask me to stay,” Cambri’s voice was so quiet, she wasn’t sure he’d heard.

  He leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees, his dark gaze piercing hers. “No, I can’t. I don’t want to hold you back, Cam. You cut me out of your life before, when you thought I was trying to keep you here, and I’m not about to give you a reason to do that again. If returning to Charlotte is what you want, I’m not going to stand in your way no matter how much I want to.”

  He wanted her to stay. Cambri’s heart suddenly felt lighter and less broken. “You don’t have to stand in my way to keep me from getting on that plane. I just needed to know that you wanted to.”

  Jace shifted positions, and their knees touched as he faced her. “I do want to. I want to build a blockade, slash the plane’s tires, and disconnect the fuel line. But this has to be your choice.”

  “It is.” Cambri met his gaze, ready to lay all her cards on the table. “I’ve regretted walking away from you since the day it happened. Even though I’ve had other relationships, you’ve always been at the back of my mind—the dream guy I let slip away.” She lifted a finger to his chin and ran it across his five o’clock scruff. “If you’re offering me another chance to see what could be, I’m taking it. I—”

  Jace closed the distance between them and kissed her the way she’d wanted him to kiss her Saturday night. His lips moved over hers in a hungry, searching way, and Cambri responded with the same. They were suddenly back in that old Mustang, only this time Cambri had no reservations—no reason to pull back or run away. This time, she knew what she wanted.

  Her fingers cupped the back of his neck, pulling him closer and closer still, until a pain registered in her back and shoulders, marring the moment. Stupid hardwood stairs. She shifted slightly, trying to make the pain subside, but it only intensified, and she finally had to push him back. “Sorry, but my back is killing me.”

  “I can fix that.” Jace stood and pulled her into his arms. He kissed her again, only slower and more carefully, taking his time. He kissed her until Cambri’s senses were reeling and she couldn’t catch her breath. Only then did he finally back away, dropping his forehead against hers.

  “Remind me to thank Lydia for tricking you.”

  Cambri snuggled against him. “I know. Who would have thought she had it in her? She’s always so sweet and—” Cambri jerked her head up, nearly smacking Jace in the face. “Oh, no. Lydia! I invited her to Charlotte with me for the summer. I promised her an adventure and a fling.”

  “A fling?” Jace raise an eyebrow. “You promised her a fling?”

  “How can I do that if I’m not going to be there?” Her eyes pled with him to tell her what to do. “We’ve already made plans, and you should have seen the look of excitement on her face. I can’t disappoint her now.” Cambri frowned, feeling one of her happy little bubbles burst. “Maybe I should go back, at least until the end of the summer. My condo’s lease isn’t up until then anyway. I could finish up one last project at work and—”

  Jace’s finger rested against her lips, shushing her. “Do you want to go back?”

  “No.”

  “Good, because I don’t want you to either, especially if you’re going to search out guys for summer flings.”

  “Fling, not flings,” Cambri corrected.

  Jace linked his fingers behind her back and nudged her closer. “Lydia’s a big girl. If your condo is available, I don’t see why she can’t go on her own. In fact, I think it would be really good for her.”

  “I agree. But that’s the point. I don’t think she’ll go if I’m not there.”

  “Oh, she will,” said Jace with that adorable half smile she loved. “We’ll make sure of it.”

  “And how will we do that?”

  “By using the same method she used tonight. Trickery. We’ll pack her bags, kidnap her, then drop her off at the airport with no ride home. It will be like a mother bird pushing her baby out of its nest.”

  He had a point. Still, Cambri worried about sending sweet and inexperienced Lydia into the heart of Charlotte, with all its noise, traffic lights, and confusing street names. How would she handle it?

  “I don’t know,” Cambri said slowly. “I need to make sure she’s okay with it first.”

  “Just leave the talking to me.” Jace’s thumb traced over Cambri’s lower lip, sending goose bumps scurrying up her arms. “But now, I’m through talking about my sister.”

  Cambri’s laugh was muffled when his lips covered hers, effectively removing all thoughts of Lydia and Charlotte and summer flings.

  Bridger, Next Left

  Cambri smiled at the faded green and lopsided sign. After five long days in a car, it was a welcome sight. The overcast sky threatened rain and gloom, but Cambri didn’t feel gloomy at all. The deep green of pine trees and Kentucky blue grass appeared more vibrant and lush against the gray-hued skies, and a feeling of rightness stirred in her chest. She was home. Really home.

/>   How much had changed in only three short weeks.

  Cambri glanced at Jace, asleep in the passenger seat, and smiled. His lips were parted slightly, and quiet snores sounded in the car. He’d driven most of the day, but by late afternoon, he’d finally given in and let Cambri finish the drive home.

  He’d insisted on flying to Charlotte to help her pack and move her stuff back because he didn’t want her driving cross country alone. The apartment was furnished so there wasn’t much to pack, and with Lydia coming in June, Cambri made sure to leave a few pans, dishes, and utensils behind. Like Jace had promised, he’d been able to convince her to still go, not that it took too much convincing. She’d even teased, “It will be much easier to have a fling without Cambri there, getting in the way.”

  They’d all laughed, and Cambri had helped Lydia buy her first airline ticket.

  Since Jace insisted on having an adventure as well, they’d turned “the move” into a week-long road trip. They spent a day at Cape Hatteras beach, drove out of their way so Jace could take in the sights of history-rich Washington DC, then hit a few additional places on their trek home, like the Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky. Every day seemed to lessen the time they’d spent apart, and soon it felt like she’d never really left. Cambri wondered how she’d lived without him in her life for so long.

  As much fun as the past week had been, Cambri was ready to sleep in her own bed, implement the plans she’d been working on for Jace’s house, and get started on her new landscape design business she planned to run out of the Sutton Hardware Store. According to Cal, who’d filled in for Jace while they were gone, a bunch of unfamiliar plants had arrived on a flatbed and were selling like hotcakes. Everyone in town was oohing and ahhing over “all them new and pretty plants.”

  Cambri, who’d listened in on the conversation with her ear pressed to Jace’s, had shot him an I-told-you-so look. He’d tweaked her nose in response.

  Now here they were, ready to leap into a new life together.

  Cambri pulled to a stop in front of her father’s house and poked Jace in the ribs. “Wake up, sleepyhead,” she said in a sing-song voice.