Setting the Pace

by Bonnie Bryant

  Hobbling out into the hall, she realized that the phone had fallen silent after a couple of rings. Pausing at the head of the stairs, she glanced down uncertainly.

  “Carole?” her father’s voice came a moment later. He appeared at the bottom of the stairs. “Oh, there you are. Phone for you.” He winked and smiled. “It’s you-know-who.”

  “Thanks, Dad,” Carole said with a rush of relief. She grabbed the phone from the hall table and dragged it into her room, shutting the door behind her. Then she took a deep breath and put it to her ear. “Cam?”

  “Hi, beautiful,” Cam’s familiar voice greeted her. “I’m back!”

  “Welcome back,” Carole said softly. “I—I missed you.

  “I missed you too. Like crazy.” Cam’s voice was low and husky. “I thought if I didn’t see you soon, I’d go totally mental. So when can I see you?”

  “Right now,” Carole replied. “I mean, you know. As soon as humanly possible. How about if we meet at Pine Hollow?” She figured that way, after they’d exchanged gifts and snuggled a bit, they could take a ride and catch up. It would be a nice way to spend some quiet time together before the crowds and excitement of the wedding that night.

  Cam hesitated. “Actually,” he said after a moment, “I was thinking maybe you could come over here.”

  “Where? You mean your house?” Carole was surprised. “Um, are you sure? I mean, I thought the stable would be—”

  “Please?” Cam said. “It’s just that my dad borrowed my car because his is out of gas, so if I want to meet you anywhere else, I’d have to wait for him to get back. And I have no idea when that will be.”

  “Oh. Well, okay then.” Carole was in no mood to protest. She could go to Pine Hollow anytime. If Cam wanted to see her so badly that he couldn’t even wait until his car returned, who was she to argue? “I’ll be there in fifteen minutes.”

  Lisa picked up the remote control and flipped channels again. “Another how-to show,” she muttered, rolling her eyes as an earnest-looking woman began to explain how to use old Christmas ribbons to decorate a picture frame. “Great.”

  She had already spent most of the afternoon looking for something to distract herself from worrying about what to say to Alex. Cleaning her room hadn’t done the trick; nor had catching up on her back-to-school reading. And now the television seemed to be letting her down, too. The daytime programs hadn’t yet made way for New Year’s Eve specials, and the soap operas and talk shows didn’t interest her.

  With a sigh, Lisa hit the power switch and the TV screen went black. Stretching her arms above her head and propping her feet up on the polished cherry coffee table, she allowed her gaze to stray to the phone on the end table beside the couch.

  Should I just call him, get it over with already? she wondered, lowering her arms and slumping back against the cushions. I mean, we didn’t exactly say when on New Year’s Eve we’d talk. Maybe he’s just sitting around waiting for me to get in touch.

  Somehow, though, she doubted that. Alex was planning to attend the wedding that evening, just as she was. She was sure the two of them could find a private moment to talk during the festivities. Surely he was thinking the same thing.

  It makes sense, she thought. It will definitely be better to do this in person rather than over the phone.

  That much was true. But as Lisa pictured their meeting, her stomach churned nervously. What would they say to each other? What would Alex want to do? What did she want to do? She still had no idea, although she was starting to realize that there was no way they would be able to go back to what they’d had before. Not after everything that had happened.

  But did that mean they should just throw it all away? Should she just give up on the first guy she’d truly loved and move on to someone else? Start dating Scott and just forget that she and Alex had ever meant the whole world to each other?

  Scott. He would be at the wedding, too. “How weird will that be?” Lisa muttered, feeling herself flush slightly as she remembered their trail ride the day before. As far as she could remember, she’d never been in the same room with both Alex and Scott since she and Alex had decided to take a break from their relationship. How would she handle seeing them both?

  Then she realized that it probably wouldn’t be an issue, except perhaps in her own mind. This wasn’t a movie, where Scott was going to stride up and punch Alex out or challenge him to a duel for her hand. No, Scott knew exactly where he stood. Lisa was sure he’d be watching her and Alex with great interest, but she was equally sure that he wouldn’t interfere, no matter what happened.

  So I guess that leaves it all up to me, she thought uneasily. I just have to decide what I want to do, and then hope that Alex wants the same thing. After that, I can deal with Scott.

  Before she could think about that anymore, her mother bustled into the room. Lisa hastily removed her feet from the coffee table, bracing herself for the usual stern lecture on comporting herself like a proper young lady rather than an ill-mannered child. To her surprise, though, her mother didn’t even seem to have noticed.

  “Lisa,” she said distractedly, running a hand through her short, graying hair. “Have you seen today’s newspaper? I thought I left it in here.”

  “No, I haven’t seen it,” Lisa replied.

  Mrs. Atwood sighed loudly. Then she stared around the room, seeming lost. “I just don’t know where it is,” she remarked.

  Lisa gazed at her mother curiously, forgetting about both Alex and Scott for the moment. Mom has been acting kind of weird since she got back from New Jersey yesterday, she thought with a flash of worry. I wonder if there’s something she’s not telling me? Like maybe she put an offer in on some house in Aunt Marianne’s neighborhood and the moving vans are arriving tomorrow.

  “Mom?” she said uncertainly as her mother continued to stare into space. “Are you okay? Is something going on that I should know about?”

  Mrs. Atwood blinked and looked at her. “What is it, Lisa?”

  “Never mind.” Lisa decided it wasn’t worth delving into just then. If something was happening with the move, she would find out all too soon anyway. Besides, knowing her mother, her strange behavior could mean nothing at all.

  She’s probably in a snit because somebody looked at her funny on the plane, she thought wryly. Or maybe the flight attendant served her the salt-free kosher vegetarian meal by mistake, and Mom’s just trying to figure out whether or not she can sue.

  Finally Mrs. Atwood wandered out of the room, still mumbling about the missing newspaper. Leaning back with a sigh, Lisa put the whole encounter out of her mind. She could deal with her mother after the wedding. Until then, she had more immediate things to think about.

  “Carole!” Cam smiled as he swung open the heavy oak front door of his family’s house. “Come on in. You look amazing!”

  “So do you,” Carole replied shyly, stepping over the threshold and allowing him to envelop her in a hug. “Welcome home.”

  “Thanks.” Cam loosened his grip, then stepped back to look at her. He smiled. “Man, did I miss you this past week.” His fingers caressed her arm just above the elbow, making that whole side of her body tingle. “I couldn’t think about much else other than getting back here and kissing you.”

  Feeling bold, Carole tilted her head back. “What are you waiting for, then?”

  With a smile, Cam pulled her close. They kissed for a long moment that almost made Carole forget where she was. But finally, feeling a little embarrassed, she pulled away and glanced over her shoulder at the still open door. “Um, okay,” she said with a sheepish chuckle. “I guess we just gave your whole neighborhood a show.”

  Cam grinned. Pushing the door closed, he gestured for her to follow him. “Come on. Let’s go get more comfortable.”

  “Okay.” Carole followed him down the hall. “So where’s your mom? I haven’t even had a chance to say hi to her since you guys moved back.”

  “Mom?” Cam shrugged. “She’s out shop
ping. You can say hi later if you want.”

  “Shopping?” Carole repeated blankly. She glanced around, suddenly realizing that the house was very quiet. “Um, is your dad still out with your car?”

  Cam didn’t answer. Instead, he put his arms around her and pulled her close again. “Yeah,” he murmured, with his lips brushing hers. “And if you don’t mind, we could stop discussing my parents now. I’m more interested in me and you.”

  Carole gulped, feeling nervous, though she told herself she was being silly. This is perfect, she thought. Now we’ll have all the privacy we want to do our gift exchange. And then maybe we can go over to Pine Hollow in my car, even if Cam’s folks aren’t home yet.

  “Um, so aren’t you curious?” she asked abruptly, interrupting his kiss.

  He blinked and pulled back. “What?”

  Carole smiled and held up the wrapped gift, which she’d almost forgotten she was holding. “Your Christmas present,” she said. “Don’t you want to see what I got you?”

  “Oh. Of course.” Cam massaged her shoulder with one hand as the fingers of his other hand traced the line of her jaw. “Later.” He moved in, kissing her gently on the cheek, then on the lips.

  “Come on, Cam.” Carole pushed him away before she got lost in his kisses again. “I thought we were going to exchange gifts now.” She didn’t want him to know how nervous she was about what he would think of the framed photos, so she forced a playful smile. “Aren’t you curious about what’s in here?”

  “Sure, I guess.” Cam finally stepped back, looking slightly flushed. “Okay, then. Let’s have it.”

  He took the package and perched on the bottom step. Carole held her breath as he ripped through the paper and ribbon to the cardboard box underneath. Soon he was pulling out the frame and examining the two photos in it.

  “It’s sort of like a history of us,” Carole explained anxiously, praying she hadn’t made a huge mistake. “Read the card.”

  Cam did so, then glanced up with a smile. “Carole, this is great,” he said huskily. “I love it. And I love you. Thanks.”

  “You really like it?” Carole asked as he stood and kissed her on the cheek. “For real?”

  “Absolutely. It makes me feel so close to you.” Cam stood and wrapped his arms around her waist. “It makes me want to be even closer.”

  Carole wasn’t sure what he meant by that, but she couldn’t help laughing with relief. After all the agonizing she’d done over what to get him, it was wonderful to see the appreciation on his face.

  “What?” Cam asked expectantly, rubbing her back and smiling down at her. “What’s so funny?”

  “Nothing,” Carole said, not wanting him to know how nervous she had been about his reaction. She felt foolish and unsophisticated enough as it was sometimes just trying to figure out what being in a relationship meant, when Cam already seemed to know exactly how to go about it. He never intentionally made her feel that way, of course, but nonetheless, she figured it was better if he didn’t know just how clueless she felt at times. “Um, so how about it?” she added hastily to cover her thoughts. “Don’t I get to open my present now?”

  “Absolutely.” Cam brushed a strand of hair off her face. “It’s up in my room.”

  “Okay.” Carole stepped back and waited, expecting him to go upstairs and get it.

  Instead, Cam took the first couple of steps and then paused, looking back at her. “Well? Aren’t you coming?”

  Carole gulped. It hadn’t occurred to her to follow him upstairs. Suddenly she was once again very aware of the silence in the empty house. He wants me to go up to his bedroom with him? she thought uncertainly, feeling uncomfortable. Why? Why can’t he just bring my present down here?

  Cam was still watching her. “Well?” he said again. “Come on, you said you wanted to open it. So let’s go.”

  Looking into his familiar face, Carole did her best to shake off her nerves. What am I getting so stupid about, anyway? she thought. This is Cam I’m talking about here. He loves me. I love him. I trust him. So what’s the big deal about hanging out in his room for a while? What am I scared of?

  “Coming,” she said, doing her best to sound normal.

  She followed him up the stairs to the second floor. Cam headed for a door near the end of the hall, swung it open, and then gestured for her to preceed him inside. “After you, beautiful,” he said with a smile.

  Carole forced a smile in return, hoping that he couldn’t hear the nervous pounding of her heart. As she stepped into the room, she glanced around. The white-painted walls were covered with posters of basketball and football players. A bookcase between the two large windows was crammed with sports trophies and autographed baseballs.

  “Have a seat,” Cam said as he headed toward the closet. “I’ll get it.”

  “Okay.” Carole perched gingerly on the edge of a wooden chair near the door.

  Cam rummaged in the closet and emerged a moment later with a small box wrapped in gold foil. When he saw her, he smiled. “That doesn’t look too comfortable,” he said teasingly. “Come on over here and sit down.” He sat on the edge of his bed and patted the spread beside him.

  Carole laughed nervously. “Oh. Okay.” She got up and walked across the room, sitting carefully on the bed a couple of feet away from Cam.

  “That’s better.” Cam slid closer and handed her the package. “Here you go. Merry Christmas.” He folded his hands in his lap.

  “Thanks.” Carole immediately felt foolish. What was she so nervous about? Eagerly ripping off the gold paper, she uncovered a small white gift box. She lifted the lid and gasped. Nestled inside on a bed of white cotton was a necklace. The thin, delicate silver chain held a gleaming silver pendant shaped like a pair of running horses.

  “Do you like it?” Cam was watching her face expectantly.

  “Oh, Cam!” she breathed, looking up at him. “I love it! It’s so beautiful! Thank you.” She leaned over to kiss him.

  He met her kiss eagerly, his hands slipping around her. Nervous again, Carole broke away after just a few seconds. “Um, I want to put it on,” she said, jumping to her feet and hurrying toward the small mirror hanging on the wall near the door.

  Cam followed her. “Here, let me.” He took the box from her. Then, as she stared into the mirror, he lifted her hair aside and slipped the necklace around her neck, fastening the clasp and then reaching around to gently straighten the pendant at her throat.

  Carole gulped as his hand lingered there, his eyes meeting hers in the mirror. He was so handsome, so caring.…

  “I’m thirsty,” she blurted out. “Um, can we go downstairs and get a soda or something?”

  “Not now, okay?” Cam whispered, gently’ taking her by the shoulders and turning her around to face him. “I just want to show you how much I’ve missed you.”

  He kissed her again. Carole kissed him back, not wanting to hurt his feelings. She’d missed him, too—she’d missed him like crazy. And it was so nice to be in his arms again, knowing that he loved her.

  “Carole,” Cam murmured as his lips left hers and began to explore her chin and neck. “Carole, you’re so amazing.” He tugged gently on her arms, his lips never leaving her skin as he pulled her back away from the door.

  Carole’s heart was pounding as she realized he was steering them back toward the bed. She tried to speak up, to insist that they go back downstairs. But Cam covered her mouth with his own once again, even as he lowered them both onto the edge of the bed.

  “Cam, wait,” Carole mumbled, trying to figure out the best way to tell him they had to stop. She wasn’t ready for this, any of it. Her heart still beating like a drum, she tried to gather her thoughts. She was very aware that Cam’s left hand was wandering down her body, tugging gently at the hem of her shirt.

  “Carole,” Cam replied huskily, pushing her back against the pillows at the head of the bed. “Carole, you don’t know what you do to me. I can’t get enough of you.” He leaned over her, pr
essing her into the mattress as he bent to kiss her again.

  Carole closed her eyes as Cam kissed her deeply. Both his hands were exploring now in places they’d never been before, but she couldn’t seem to gather her will to stop him. She knew it was too soon, she wasn’t ready, but she didn’t know how to—

  “Cam!” a woman’s voice broke in suddenly.

  Cam leaped to his feet, elbowing Carole in the stomach in the process. “Mom!” he exclaimed, his voice cracking slightly. “What are you doing home so soon?”

  Carole blinked and came to her senses as she glanced over and saw a tall, slender woman standing in the doorway in a winter hat and coat, staring at her and Cam with a frown. Cam’s mother.

  Carole’s face turned beet red. “I, uh, I have to go,” she mumbled, sitting up fast and straightening her disheveled clothes. “I have to go.”

  She stood up and raced toward the door, not daring to look at either Cam or his mother. She wasn’t sure she’d ever felt so humiliated and flustered in her entire life. What did Cam’s mother think of her, catching her in Cam’s bedroom—on Cam’s bed!—like that? How could Carole have let things get so out of hand?

  Mrs. Nelson stepped aside, and Carole rushed past, heading straight for the stairs. She was vaguely aware of Cam calling her name, but she didn’t stop. She couldn’t face him or his mother just then. She had to get outside, into the clean, cold winter air, and clear her head.

  Within seconds she was sitting in her car and strapping on her seat belt. She put the vehicle in gear and backed out of the driveway as fast as she could, barely avoiding dinging Mrs. Nelson’s car, which was parked beside her.

  She didn’t relax until she was on the highway heading back toward Willow Creek. Whew! she thought, slumping down in her seat. That was pretty weird back there.

  She gripped the steering wheel tightly as she remembered how helpless she had felt to stop what was happening. What was wrong with her, anyway? She should have known better than to let things go so far. Why hadn’t she just spoken up and asked Cam to cool it? He would have understood. He cared about her. He wouldn’t want her to do anything that made her uncomfortable. He wouldn’t want to rush her.