Love Waits

by Gerri Hill

  “What about your parents? Do they ever ask you questions?”

  Gina shook her head. “No. They don’t really seem interested in anything I do. My dad hardly even asks about basketball anymore.”

  “Do you think you’re still going to get a scholarship?”

  “I don’t know anymore. Calloway is such a small school. We don’t really get noticed that much.” She shrugged. “It doesn’t matter. If I don’t get a scholarship, I’ll just have to apply for financial aid, get a job. Other kids do it.”

  “Other kids also have help from their parents.”

  “I’m sure they’ll help me if they can.”

  “What about your grandmother? The one who paid for Catholic school,” Ashleigh suggested. This was one topic Gina never wanted to talk about—paying for college. To Ashleigh, it was the most important thing. She knew she wouldn’t have to work. Her parents had already set aside money for her. But Gina? She would struggle.

  “If I asked my grandmother, then she’d have control,” Gina said. “She’d make me go somewhere else, I’m sure.” Gina kissed her. “Don’t worry. If it comes down to it, I can always beg my Aunt Lou for help. She doesn’t have any kids.”

  “I’m just scared we’re going to end up apart, that’s all.”

  “We’ll never end up apart. I promise.”

  Ashleigh leaned against Gina, both staring across the water as the sun finally showed itself, a giant red orb rising out of the gulf. Around them, the sounds of the day began as gulls swirled overhead and pelicans and herons flew from shore in search of food.

  “You swear we’ll never be apart?” Ashleigh whispered.

  “I swear.”

  Ashleigh sighed, again resting her head on Gina’s shoulder. At that very moment, everything was perfect. Absolutely perfect. Their last sunrise, one she wanted to remember forever. Their last morning at the beach, at least for this year. Gina was right. She didn’t think she could ever come down here to the coast without feeling that it was their place. Too much had happened between them here. Their first kiss. Their first time making love. And always making plans for their future.

  “I love you,” Ashleigh murmured. “I mean, I really, really love you.”

  She closed her eyes as she felt Gina’s lips brush her hair, heard her whispered reply.

  “I really, really love you.”

  Chapter Thirty-Seven

  Present Day

  Gina bent over at the waist, trying to catch her breath. She hadn’t been on her regular evening run in so long, she felt winded. She also felt good. As good as she’d felt in the last month. The run had taken her focus off Ashleigh, had allowed her thoughts to subside, her mind to rest. After a month of indecision, a month of soul searching, a month of hoping Ashleigh would contact her—she had finally concluded that if anything were to happen, if they were to see each other again, she would have to be the one to make the first move. Ashleigh would not.

  She headed slowly back up the beach to the state park where her Jeep was parked, enjoying the evening breeze off the water. The sun had just set, leaving the sky streaked with pinks and reds. She stopped, looking out over waves, a rush of memories coming back to her. She and Ashleigh had been so attuned to each other, the few weeks they’d spent here at the coast were some of the best times of her life. It was the only time they’d been able to be together day and night. They shared secrets, shared their dreams, learned what falling in love felt like. They made promises and talked of the future. And the future was full of so many possibilities. Their future. A future Gina totally screwed up.

  She knew she had to get past the what-ifs and what could have been. While they would never get the years back, it would do no good to dwell on them, no good to wish them back. There was also no point in wasting the future years, not if they didn’t have to. The only obstacle to that was Ashleigh.

  Gina had been over it time and again, trying to figure out exactly what their day of lovemaking had meant to Ashleigh. While it had been playful between them—it always had—there was also an intimacy in their touches, in their glances. Remembering that is what had kept her sane this last month, knowing that Ashleigh had some feelings for her.

  Now, Gina was ready to find out how strong those feelings were and how much Ashleigh would give her. And how much she would trust her.

  The problem was reaching out to Ashleigh. Did she just call her? E-mail? Did she invite her down to the coast for a casual visit? Or did she tell her how she felt and what she wanted? Maybe she shouldn’t give Ashleigh a choice. Maybe she should just show up on her doorstep.

  She shook her head. No need in trying to force things. She would make the offer for Ashleigh to come down and then let it be her decision. Gina just hoped it was the right decision.

  It was nearly dark when she reached her Jeep, yet she lingered, feeling the breeze, smelling the humid air of the gulf. Yes, after all these years, the coast—the sound, the smell, the taste—still made her feel Ashleigh. It always would, she knew. She wondered what Ashleigh’s reaction would be. Would she still feel that connection?

  A thought came to her as she got in her Jeep. She got her cell from the console, finding Pat Ryan’s number as she drove away.

  Chapter Thirty-Eight

  Present Day

  Ashleigh stared at the box. There was no name on the return address, but even if it hadn’t had Corpus Christi there, she would have recognized Gina’s handwriting, even after all these years. She left it unopened, instead going to her large windows and staring out over downtown Houston. She wondered why Gina mailed it to her office and not her condo. But the fact that she did confirmed her suspicions that her mother had given Gina all the information she wanted.

  But why had it taken her nearly six weeks?

  She glanced back at the box, her curiosity piqued. But still, she didn’t open it. She was afraid. Afraid of what it was, afraid of what it meant. Was Gina reaching out to her? Why did she wait six weeks? Was Gina afraid too?

  She moved closer to her desk, her eyes riveted on the neat handwriting. Gina always had such pretty, elegant handwriting. Must be the artist in her, she mused. She sighed, knowing she had to open it. She found scissors and carefully cut the tape along the edges. The box wasn’t large, but it was flat. She hesitated before opening it, aware that her heart was beating just a little too fast. She swallowed nervously, finally breaking the last seal.

  She pulled out the bubble-wrapped item, carefully removing the protective plastic barrier. It was a framed print, the 8x10 carefully matted and enclosed in a larger frame. She sat down heavily in her chair, her eyes focused only on the rising sun, the giant red orb coloring the water, the sand, the sun. She blinked several times, her hands trembling as they held the picture.

  It was their sunrise.

  Oh, Gina.

  She took a deep breath, then flipped the frame over. Pat Ryan Photography. She nodded, remembering Gina’s photographer friend. In the corner was a business card. She plucked it out, seeing Gina’s name stenciled across the front. Her address, her phone number. Instinctively, she turned it over. Three words were written on the back.

  Come see me.

  She dropped the card on her desk and stood up, her feet taking her again to the windows. This time as she looked out she didn’t see the endless cityscape of the buildings around her. No, she saw the sun, she felt the sand, she heard the waves, the birds. She closed her eyes, remembering.

  She hadn’t been back to the coast since that last summer, twenty-one years ago. She hadn’t wanted to. At first, the opportunity just never came up. But once she moved to Houston, she was just a stone’s throw from the beaches at Galveston. It was then, when she balked at going, that she admitted it was because of the memories the beach held for her. Memories of Gina, memories of them as a couple. And at that time, she didn’t want any memories. She still hated Gina fiercely back then and she didn’t want any reminders of their relationship. The habit of avoiding the coast, the beaches, beca
me branded in her mind. She never once was tempted to go.

  She glanced back at the picture, feeling it beckon her, pull her. Gina couldn’t have found a more appropriate gift, and Ashleigh supposed that was her intention.

  Dare she go?

  No. That would just be crazy. Because if she went, it would only mean one thing.

  Dare I go?

  She closed her eyes, remembering the carefree days they shared at the beach. But now, in her mind’s eyes, Gina wasn’t the teenager she’d been back then. No, she was the woman Ashleigh had made love to after the reunion. She was the woman whose touch still had the power to render Ashleigh defenseless, to make her beg and plead for more, to make her lose control.

  She smiled. Teenager or adult, that hadn’t changed between them. Their lovemaking was as intense as it had been twenty years ago.

  That’s what really scared her. The intensity.

  Chapter Thirty-Nine

  Present Day

  “It’s going to be so weird,” Tracy said as she watched Gina carry another box down the stairs.

  “Why weird? I’ll still come in to work every day.”

  “Yeah, but I’m used to you being here when I leave and being here when I get in.”

  “Well now you’ll have that with Darrell.”

  “I can’t believe he wants to move into that tiny apartment.” She laughed. “Of course, you lived up there for six years.”

  Gina added the box to the others by the door. The apartment was tiny, yes, but it had become home to her and she’d grown comfortable there above their office. At the beginning, when they were just getting started, she couldn’t afford anything else. Tracy had been telling her for the last several years that she needed to get a real home, but Gina was content living there. It was a bit of a safety net for her. If things didn’t work out with the business, she could pack up and leave. Of course, things had worked out. Their business was steady and Tracy was always adding new clients. She was relatively debt-free. It was time.

  Truth was, it was time to get on with her life. It had been over a month since she’d sent the print of the sunrise to Ashleigh. At the time, she told herself she’d give it a week. But when that first week dragged by, she gave it another, thinking—hoping—Ashleigh would call. But who did call was Pat and Carly. They were at the beach house and invited Gina for dinner one evening. Once again, Pat broached the subject of selling. They had been living at the ranch house on the refuge for years and seldom used the beach house. Pat had been trying to get Gina to buy it for the last three years. Gina’s excuse was always that she wasn’t ready to settle, wasn’t ready to commit to that kind of investment. But she was only kidding herself. She was settled. This was where she belonged. So this time, when Pat asked, Gina said yes. And that was a whirlwind three weeks ago. Three weeks of securing a loan, dealing with inspectors, insurance, changing over the utilities and hiring a painter. They hadn’t officially closed on it yet, but Pat had given her the keys that night. The first thing she needed was furniture. Pat had left a few pieces but most had already been moved to the ranch house. Her old bedroom furniture and the futon, she was leaving for Darrell. Tracy had forced her into shopping one Saturday and Gina had been shocked at the prices. When she suggested a discount furniture store, Tracy told her she was being ridiculous and proceeded to hand her an application for a credit card. Thirty-six months, interest free is what sold Gina, but her debt-free status was disappearing quickly.

  “You’re taking the rest of the week off. Monday’s a holiday. So I’ll see you on Tuesday, right?”

  “You’ll see me on Tuesday.”

  “Are you sure you don’t want to come over on Labor Day? I mean—”

  “I know I usually join you guys but I just want to get settled in.” She shrugged. “And get used to living there. There’s all this space, you know.” She pointed up the stairs. “I’m used to that up there, which is about the size of my bedroom now.”

  “I know. I just worry about you.”

  “Well quit worrying. I’m fine. And I’m taking your advice and moving on. This is the first step.”

  Tracy surprised her with a tight hug, one which she returned. “Okay, get out of here. Go enjoy your beach. I’ll see you next week.”

  “I will. Thanks.”

  Gina picked up the last box then headed out the door. It was still stifling hot but the Jeep was topless. She tucked the box on the trailer she’d rented and pulled the netted cover over everything. She was soon crossing the causeway to Mustang Island. The bay was crowded with fishermen, most getting a head start on the Labor Day weekend. She assumed the beaches would be crowded as well. She was thankful that public access was limited at the beach house. While not considered a private beach, the nearest public access road was two miles away. Most of the beach traffic there would be from other homeowners and their guests.

  Homeowner.

  She grinned, feeling really good for the first time in awhile. Since she’d mailed the print, that is. She was so sure that Ashleigh would call. Each day that passed brought her down just a little. But now she was moving on. She’d accepted Ashleigh’s silence for what it was. She wasn’t interested. Fine. Gina wasn’t going to force her to talk to her.

  So each day she let it go a little more, each day her acceptance of the situation got stronger. She was getting on with her life. Next thing you know, she’d be dating.

  She laughed at herself, thinking she must really be getting old. The prospect of dating held none of the excitement as being a first-time homeowner did.

  Chapter Forty

  Present Day

  Ashleigh glanced at her GPS, making sure she was turning on the correct street. She was as nervous as a schoolgirl and twice on the drive down, she’d nearly turned around and abandoned her trip. Of course, logic told her she should have called first. They could have made plans to meet. But so many weeks had passed, she thought it was past the point of being rude. Not only had Gina sent her a beautiful gift—and an expensive one, judging by Pat Ryan’s Web Site—but Gina had also extended an invitation.

  Come see me.

  And Ashleigh had simply ignored it. No thank you. Nothing. She told herself nothing could ever come of it. She wasn’t foolish enough to fall into that trap again. But the scene in the print became too much for her to overcome. It literally drew her in. She found herself staring at it, able to hear the waves, smell the air. If she stared long enough, she was certain to see the rippling of the water, the sun moving higher, the lone pelican in the corner flying away.

  Come see me.

  Every day it grew stronger—the pull. That invisible string that linked her with Gina, that string that had never been broken. Not when Gina walked away from her, not during their estrangement and certainly not now. It was as strong as ever, pulling at her, beckoning.

  It was a week ago that she sat up in bed, her dream so real she could smell Gina, taste her, feel her. Her eyes immediately found the print, next to her bed. It was at that moment that she knew she had to go. Not so much the dream, but the fact that she moved the photograph from room to room, from home to office, told her she wanted—needed—to go. She’d lose herself for hours, staring at it, imagining them sitting there, watching the sunrise. Imagining so much more.

  To say her job had suffered was an understatement. She couldn’t muster the enthusiasm for the work any longer. She had written her last loophole, drafted her last contract. She gave them a month’s notice, but when they couldn’t talk her into staying, not even with a generous pay raise, they terminated her. She wasn’t really surprised. It was a cutthroat business and they had their interests to protect.

  She wasn’t worried. Her savings account was full and would be enough to hold her over without her having to touch her investments. She also knew she wouldn’t have trouble finding a job, but she would never go back to the oil and gas industry again. In fact, she was very likely to switch sides. She figured there were many environmental agencies and nonprofit group
s who would love her expertise to fight the big oil companies.

  But all of that could come later. Right now, she had to find Gina.

  She glanced again at the GPS. She was only a few blocks away and she took a deep breath, trying to ignore the anxiety she felt. She remembered the last time she’d suffered from this kind of nervousness—her trip to the reunion. And that time, as well as now, was because she was about to see Gina. She wasn’t as apprehensive this time as she’d been then. This time she was flat-out scared.

  What if Gina hadn’t waited for her? What if Gina had given up on her? Or worse, what if she started dating someone?

  No. Gina would wait.

  She had to.

  Ashleigh pulled into a parking spot, smiling at the name on the wall. Sunrise Advertising. Sims and Granbury. It was a beautiful beach scene and she wondered if Gina had designed it. She pushed down her nervousness as she reached for the door, pausing only a second before opening it.

  She stopped immediately, thinking perhaps she was in the wrong place. Not only was the office set up haphazardly, but a man and woman were dancing. They stopped, both with startled looks on their faces, then laughter as they pulled apart.

  “I’m so sorry. I must be in the wrong place,” Ashleigh said, now slightly embarrassed.

  “Oh, no, honey. This one thinks she can learn to tango, even though she has two left feet.” He sauntered over to her, dramatically placing one hand on his hip and arched what Ashleigh would swear was a perfectly plucked eyebrow. “How may we help you?”

  The woman rushed over as well. “Yes, I’m sorry. I’m Tracy Sims.” She held out her hand in greeting and Ashleigh shook it. “What can we do for you?”

  “I’m actually looking for Gina Granbury,” she said. She held up the business card Gina had sent her all those weeks ago. “Is this the right place?”