“Well, I’m so glad you and Maggie are becoming friends. She is truly a lovely girl.” Karen gave Rachel a hard look. “But I’m more curious about you and Liam. You two seem to be getting along a tad better these days.”
Rachel let out a little huff. “We are.”
“Come on, Rachel, you don’t have to hide it from me. It’s plain as day, just so you know,” Karen gently chided.
“What is?” Rachel said, surprised.
“Honestly, I know I’m old, but I’m not blind or stupid,” Karen said as she leaned forward and patted Rachel’s hand. “I see the looks you two exchange, and I’ve seen how you light up when he’s near and the joy that radiates from him too. There’s something special between you two.”
There was no point in arguing. Rachel knew Karen was right.
“I hope this weekend that maybe you guys can finally figure out what you’re going to do about it,” Karen added. “Liam’s a good guy, Rachel.”
“I know he is.” She looked down at her hands, knowing she had struggled long enough with her emotions.
“Why are you not interested, then?”
“Oh Karen, I don’t know.” Rachel paused. Admitting defeat was hard, and admitting she might, in fact, love Liam was even more difficult. “I am interested, but I just don’t see how it can work.”
“Well, I’ll be praying for you when you are out there this weekend.” Karen got up from her seat and waved good-bye. “Have a lovely time, Rachel.”
***
Rachel had started the process of packing, an activity she didn’t enjoy. She had several pieces of clothing strewn across her bed when she decided to take a break and plopped alongside them to call her friend.
“Hey Chelsea,” Rachel said as she snuggled further onto the bed
“Haven’t heard from you for a couple days. How did that testing stuff go?”
“It’s over, so that’s good. Now I pray for good results and the district signing me on for another year.”
“So you think you want to stay another year?” Chelsea questioned.
“Well, I don’t want to get fired, and I hope I did make a difference with the school.”
“I’m sure you did. I know you made an impression on more than just the students. Speaking of which, aren’t you headed out for your little adventure tomorrow?”
“Yup, I’m trying to pack now.”
“That’s why you called. You need help from the wardrobe goddess. It will be my pleasure to assist you,” Chelsea teased.
Rachel laughed. “You are the best. Besides, you are just so good at it.”
“I know, it’s a gift.”
“Hey, I almost forgot to tell you, the guest room is officially amazing. I had ordered some bedding online, and it’s so pretty.”
“Ah, you didn’t have to go to all that trouble for me. I know how busy you are. I could’ve helped you,” Chelsea whined sweetly.
“No, honestly, it was a great distraction.”
“I can’t wait to see it.”
“So when do we want to get your plane tickets?” Rachel asked as she leaned over to look at her calendar.
“I actually already purchased them.”
“Oh, okay. I wanted to get them for you, my treat, since you are my guest.”
“I know, but I haven’t taken a trip in forever, and when I went online, I saw a couple great deals and figured I better snatch them up,” Chelsea explained happily.
“Well, I’m glad you got them. I’m so excited to have you come up.”
“Okay, so enough about my trip. We need to figure out what you need to pack for yours.”
Rachel sighed. “True. It’s still kind of cold here, so jeans and sweaters are sort of a must.”
“Do you have leggings or skinny jeans?” Chelsea asked. “Something cute to showcase those great legs of yours.”
“I don’t want to wear anything too tight or revealing. His family will be there.”
“Oh, you mean that hot brother of his is going. Dang, I should have come up for this trip,” Chelsea complained playfully. “So how do you think it will be with you and Liam?”
“I’m not sure. We’ve been getting along okay, no fighting or anything. Then again, we’ve been too busy at work to argue. I want to have a nice time with him and his family. I hope we see a moose. I will try to get a picture for you if we do.”
“What are the sleeping arrangements?” Chelsea said with interest.
“I have no idea, actually. I know we’re taking RVs, so I assume we’ll have to bunk together. Come on, his parents and siblings are going to be there. This isn’t like a romantic weekend getaway or anything.”
“Maybe you need to turn it into one,” Chelsea suggested.
Rachel had barely gotten over her shame and guilt from sleeping with Liam, and she had no intention of doing that again unless they were going to try to have a relationship. She hoped being out in the woods would help clear her mind and give her some much-needed answers.
A beeping sound interrupted their conversation.
“Hey, Chelsea, I have another call. It’s my mom, and I better take it. I’ll call you a little later.”
Switching calls, Rachel inhaled before answering, “Hello?”
“Hello, darling, it’s your mother,” Evelyn Montgomery’s voice chimed at the other end of the line.
“Hi, Mom. Everything all right?” It was unusual for her mother to call her.
“Oh yes, nothing wrong at all. I had lunch with Chelsea’s mother, and she informed me her daughter was going to be coming up for a visit soon.”
“I was actually on the phone with her when you called. I’m excited about her coming.”
“I’m sure you are. Chelsea really is quite a lovely girl.”
Rachel could tell Evelyn was holding something back. “Mom, I hate to sound ungrateful for your call, but we haven’t talked on the phone in a very long time, so it seems a little out the blue.”
“I must say, I have some concerns I wanted to address.”
“Concerns? Everything all right?” Rachel repeated as she sat upright in her bed, on edge now.
“Yes, everything is fine. My concerns are with you, darling. Chelsea’s mother mentioned there might be a young man you may possibly be interested in dating.”
Rachel felt the sudden urge to kill Chelsea. Why would she tell her mother anything about Liam? Mentally gearing up for an all-out war with Evelyn, she tried not to blame Chelsea, who, after all, had a much better relationship with her mother. They were able to actually open up a bit to each other about what was going on in their lives, unlike Rachel and her family.
“My concern, dear, is not that you’re finally interested in dating again. I’m actually quite thrilled to hear you are. I am concerned, however, about the type of man you seem to be eyeing.”
Rachel groaned. “Mom, first of all, while I think I may be interested in dating again, I’m not seeing anyone right now.” She decided acting nonchalant was the best option for now. She didn’t want her mother to know anything about Liam, whom she was falling hopelessly in love with despite herself.
“Oh Rachel, it’s been over two years since you and Trevor broke up. But I can imagine why you had such heartbreak. That man was perfect, and somehow you let him slip through your hands. I think you made a huge mistake when you refused to quit working and marry him.”
No, that wasn’t the only reason they had broken up. Of course, her mother didn’t want to recognize that he had decided Rachel wasn’t enough and had slept with almost every nurse on the hospital floor where he worked. The sad part was that Rachel was almost willing to forgive the infidelities, but she refused to stay home with no career, letting everything she’d worked for turn into dust, while her potential husband screwed anything with a set of boobs. Trevor had only wanted Rachel so he could join her father’s celebrity-filled practice. She had been naive, and his good looks and charm had let him deceive her easily. It was her first serious relationship, and inst
ead of having a fairy-tale ending as she’d hoped, it became twisted and ugly.
“Mom, you know it was more than that. I don’t even want to get into this with you right now.” Rachel was steaming mad. Why couldn’t her mother take her side and actually defend her like a mother should—like how she knew Mary O’Brien would?
“Stop being dramatic, Rachel. I don’t want to see you be a fool and get involved with someone who isn’t up to par with your station in life.”
Rachel almost laughed. “You don’t care who I marry as long as he is rich and successful and runs in the same stupid circles you do.”
“That isn’t what I’m saying. I think you need to have someone who is equal, or even better than you.”
Was she hearing her mother correctly? Did she seriously think her daughter needed to find a man who was better than she was?
“You know, Mom, I think it’s best we agree to disagree. Thanks for the advice,” Rachel said before hanging up. As she lay back down on her pillow, hot tears immediately flowed in small rivers down her cheeks.
***
Liam
The sun was peeking out from behind stark white clouds as Liam pulled up to his parents’ home, fully packed and ready for the adventure they were about to embark on. He noticed the family’s three large RVs parked alongside the home and across the street.
Melanie burst out the front door and made a beeline for him. “Uncle Liam!” she cried and wrapped her arms around him the second he got out of the truck.
He couldn’t believe how much she had grown in only a month or so since he had last seen her.
“How’s my favorite niece in the entire world?” He scooped her up into an embrace and swung her around in a full circle before setting her back down.
“I’m so excited, Uncle Liam. When are we leaving?”
“I’m not sure, kiddo. We have to see what Grams says, okay? I know we are waiting for someone to arrive.” He hadn’t see Rachel’s car when he’d pulled up, and worry started to gnaw at him.
Melanie loudly announced his arrival as they walked inside, and Mary gave him a kiss.
“Morning, sweetheart. The guys are loading up the last of everything. Rachel called and is on her way.” She smiled knowingly.
“Yeah, I didn’t see her car.” Liam tried to play it cool, but he knew he wasn’t fooling anyone, especially his mother. He gave her a quick hug and set off to see if he could help the guys.
A few minutes later, Rachel’s silver BMW crawled slowly up the street, making Liam worry. Maybe she had doubts about going on this trip. But then Rachel parked and emerged from her car, dressed in a pale pink sweater and jeans, and Liam couldn’t help but think how touchable, soft, and purely feminine she looked.
“Good morning,” he stammered.
“Oh, hi. Sorry, I was running a little late. But I brought a peace offering.” She seemed distracted as she retrieved two large boxes from her car. “Donuts.”
Daniel must have smelled the fresh-baked goodies, because he rounded an RV instantly. “Morning, Rachel.”
“Hi, Daniel. Do you mind taking these for me?” She handed off the boxes.
“I’ll run these in to Mom.” Daniel turned quickly toward the house.
“Can I help you with any of your bags?” Liam offered, a little upset that his brother had come to Rachel’s aid.
“Sure, thanks.” She unlocked her trunk, where a medium-sized suitcase sat along with a backpack.
Liam hefted the suitcase out. It wasn’t very heavy, so he swung the backpack onto his shoulder.
“Oh, I didn’t mean for you to get everything,” Rachel said, following him.
Liam stopped at one of the RVs and stepped inside. The interior was clean, cozy, and comfortable. Each RV had a bathroom and a bedroom, as well as a decent-sized kitchen and large sitting areas. He hoped she liked it.
“Maggie insisted we bunk with them,” Liam said as he placed her suitcase near the sitting area.
“Oh, that’s great.” Rachel seemed to be relieved.
A couple minutes passed in awkward silence before Maggie joined them.
“Hey, roomie!” she cried as she embraced Rachel. “I hope you don’t mind,” Maggie said as she quickly exchanged looks with Liam.
“No, this is amazing.” Rachel squeezed Maggie back before adding, “Do you or your mom need any help before we leave?”
“I’m sure she does,” she answered.
Rachel followed Maggie out of the RV. When she turned back and gave Liam a broad smile, his heart lurched inside his chest. He couldn’t explain the hold this woman had on him. But judging by her expression, he was pretty sure Rachel knew.
Chapter Twenty
Rachel
“Mary, can I take anything out for you?” Rachel asked as she stood in the living room with Liam’s mother.
“No, I think we have it, dear,” Mary replied as a man Rachel hadn’t met walked through the front door.
“Got anything else for us to load, Mary?” he asked.
Maggie grabbed him by the arm and led him toward Rachel. “I would like you to meet my husband Michael.” She turned her green eyes to him. “Michael, this is Rachel.”
He extended his hand to her, and Rachel noticed it was soft and well manicured. His smile was filled with perfectly white teeth.
“Pleased to meet you, Rachel. Maggie talks nonstop about you. All good things, I promise.” He laughed as Maggie softly punched his arm.
“Nice meeting you as well,” Rachel said. He was handsome, too sharply dressed for a camping trip, and his demeanor screamed professional. She recalled Maggie saying he was a lawyer or something along those lines.
“We better get on the road, guys. Everyone out,” Mary ordered playfully as she shooed everyone out the door.
Rachel followed Maggie to the RV they would be using, noticing Liam was already behind the wheel of the massive vehicle. Their gazes connected immediately.
“Michael, why don’t you ride up there with Liam?” Maggie suggested. “Rachel and I will hang out back here with Mel.”
Michael climbed into the passenger seat, and Maggie led Rachel to the large sitting area. Melanie was curled up in the corner on one of the couches, her gaze glued to the screen of her handheld game system.
Rachel took a seat across from Maggie as the RV started to pull away from the house.
“So how far away is this campground?” she asked, feeling a little queasy as they rolled down the street. She wasn’t use to this jarring motion and tried to calm her nerves by looking out the window.
“About an hour or so. It’s really beautiful there. We go every year, and it’s a lot of fun, huh, Mel?”
Melanie looked up and smiled but quickly returned to her game.
“I’m glad your mom invited me. I’ve been looking forward to this since she told me.”
“I know, I’m so happy she asked you too. So how are things going at work?” Maggie said, looking toward the driver’s seat as if trying to tell if Liam was eavesdropping.
Rachel had been keeping Maggie in the loop for the most part through email and text messages. However, she had avoided discussing anything too deep about her and Liam. She knew she was walking a fine line here. After all, Maggie was still his sister, and Rachel knew the two were close. So divulging any information about her feelings for Liam could complicate their new friendship.
“Honestly, things are much better.” Rachel wasn’t lying; things were better.
Liam stole a glance at Rachel, and she gave him a small smile in return as she spoke with Maggie. She was completely at ease with his family, and she hoped she would get that way with him too.
Aside from the constant jostling of the RV as it worked its way over the wet, muddy ground along the curvy mountain roads, the drive to the campsite was incredible. Snow lingered on the walls of the mountains and hills, and they were surrounded by majestic tamarack and cedar trees.
“Mom, are we almost there?” Melanie whined, tossing her g
ame to the side. “I’m hungry. Can I have a snack, please?”
“We’re almost there, Pumpkin,” Maggie answered as she fished around inside a large bag for a box of graham crackers for her daughter.
Michael leaned over and whispered something in Melanie’s ear. It must have been quite funny, because she erupted into wild giggles.
Liam tossed a look at Rachel. “You doing okay back there?”
“Yep. Eyes on the road, mister,” Rachel commanded nervously. Her stomach still hadn’t gotten used to the constant jiggle of the RV. Liam smiled as he turned his focus back to the road.
A little while later, Liam followed the caravan of RVs to a partially secluded campground that offered a splendid view of a decent-sized lake. The RVs created a wall as they parked with their doors facing the lake.
Rachel sighed in relief. Now that they had stopped, hopefully her insides could go back where they belonged.
Everyone fled the RVs and sprung into action making camp. Mary led the women, including Melanie, in setting up portable chairs and tables. The men secured the RVs and discussed going out for firewood, even though they had brought a decent amount of dry, seasoned logs.
Rachel soaked in the damp, fresh scent that can only be found in the deep forest as she absorbed the rugged crevices of the mountains that surrounded them. She had never been camping before and couldn’t help but feel a bit uneasy about the animals or monsters that might be lurking in the thick trees. An image of Bigfoot crossed her mind. If that thing existed, it would be living out here for sure. Still, being outside among the greenery and stone made her mind feel free and clear. She felt as though she could finally think and breathe.
The campers settled in around lunchtime, and Mary had already started an assembly line for the women to organize the meal. One table acted as a buffet filled with homemade barbecued baked beans, potato salad, condiments, plastic cups, and cutlery. Paper plates were neatly stacked next to several packages of hotdog buns. Mary had already ordered for a campfire to be started, and it was billowing large plumes of smoke as the flames licked the iron grill where they would cook the hot dogs.
Loving Liam (Cloverleaf #1) Page 23