by Karey White
“Ah burnt grits and gravy,” Beulah said and punched the mute button on her remote as Alex shook hands with the long-haired winner. “What did y’all need?” she asked looking at Blake and Lydia again.
“We’re trying to find Gladys Baker,” Blake said.
“Oh, right. Here it is. Gladys fell and bumped her head last winter. After that, she got all confused and forgot to get dressed in the morning, so Francie had her moved to a home where they’d remind her to eat and put her clothes on. It wasn’t a nursing home. Francie wouldn’ta put her in a nursing home. It was one of those nice places where they have social activities and fix ya dinner and you have your own little apartment. Gladys even got to take some of her own furniture. She said it was a real nice place, just like the name.” She held up the paper. “Shady Days Manor. Doesn’t that sound just lovely? It’s over in Hickory. You can write down the address and phone number if you like.”
Lydia took the paper and entered the information into her phone.
Beulah shook her head. “You kids have phones like a typewriter. Don’t even need pencils and paper anymore.”
“Thank you, Beulah. You’ve been very helpful,” Blake said and they each shook her hand. Blake held up his hand when Beulah started to pull herself out of the chair. “We can let ourselves out.”
“Yes, that would be good. I’ll just stay here and watch Wheel of Fortune with Sajak.”
Back in the car, Blake turned to Lydia. “I guess we should think about where to stay tonight.”
“I wish I still had a key to Cambri’s condo. I could have stayed there.”
“Let’s get a couple of rooms at that Residence Inn we passed out by the airport. They have laundry there. I’ve either got to wash clothes or go shopping, and I’d much rather wash clothes.”
They booked two rooms for the next two nights, and after a mildly awkward goodnight in the hall, Lydia and Blake parted ways. Blake’s room was next door to Lydia’s, and after a while, she heard him leave. Probably to go wash his clothes. She wished she’d offered to keep him company. If only she were brave enough to do that, she thought with annoyance.
Today had probably been the bravest day of Lydia’s life. She’d pretended Blake was her boyfriend to get rid of a security guard. She’d suggested he stay and search for his grandfather’s box then agreed to stay with him. She’d spent the afternoon and evening with a man she’d only just met and was planning to spend the next two days with him. So she hadn’t gone with him to the laundry room. Big deal. She’d been courageous today and she would give herself credit for that.
Was this adventurous enough to make up for her summer of seclusion? Probably not. But Lydia still felt proud of herself.
She was flipping through the channels of the muted television when her phone rang. As she fished it out of her purse, she hoped it was Blake, but then realized they hadn’t exchanged numbers. This made her feel strangely uneasy. She’d call his room when he got back and ask for his number.
Her phone quit ringing before she found it. The screen showed a missed call from her mother, and Lydia felt a wave of panic.
Lydia’s parents had moved to Arizona, but that didn’t stop Mom from calling regularly and keeping tabs on her little girl. She knew as much about Lydia’s life now as she had when they’d been living in the same house. Mom would certainly not approve of this little arrangement, even with the separate rooms.
Lydia was tempted not to call her mother back, but she couldn’t leave her hanging for two more days. Mom would start to worry, and soon she and Dad would be arranging a search party. Might as well get it over with.
“Lydia,” her mom said into the phone after one ring. “I just tried to call you.”
Lydia laughed. “I know. That’s why I’m calling you back.”
“Oh, of course.” Her mom laughed with her. “I was just checking in to make sure you got home okay.”
“Actually, I’m not home yet. I’m still in Charlotte.”
“Weren’t you going home today?”
“I was. Our flight got cancelled for mechanical difficulties, and when I rescheduled the flight, I got a ticket for Tuesday night.”
“I thought you had to be back at school tomorrow.” Her mom sounded concerned.
“I was planning to be so I could get my room ready, but I’ll just have to do that after the teacher’s meetings on Wednesday. It’ll be fine.”
“It seems like they ought to have been able to get you home sooner than two days. You should file a complaint.”
“I could have gotten on a flight tonight, but I decided to stay.”
“You must be having fun. Are you staying in Cambri’s condo?”
“I turned the keys to the condo in this morning. We’re staying at a Residence Inn.”
“We?” Lydia couldn’t believe she’d just slipped like that. She didn’t want to mislead her mom, but she didn’t want her worrying either. She’d spend the next two days and nights imagining every terrifying scene from Taken.
“Yes, Mom. I wasn’t the only one on the cancelled flight.”
Mom laughed. “Right. Of course. Well, honey, lock your door. And not just the regular lock. Be sure to use the dead bolt and put that bar across the door. And don’t answer it for anyone. Does the door have a peephole?”
Lydia scooted to the end of the bed so she could see the door. “Yes, it does. And I’m already locked up tight. No need to worry. Listen, Mom, I’m really tired. I was just getting ready for bed.”
“All right, Liddie Lou. I love you, honey.”
“I love you, too, Mom,” Lydia said. “I’ll let you know when I get home.”
Lydia felt terrible as she got ready for bed. The only time she’d purposely misled her mother was when she and Jace had planned a surprise birthday party for Mom’s fortieth birthday.
Lydia watched a home makeover show with the sound off so she could hear Blake return to his room, but her eyelids felt so heavy.
Just before seven the next morning, her room phone rang, startling Lydia awake with its brash, early morning sound. Some people with ridiculously toned and tanned bodies were dancing and sweating on the silent television screen. Sunshine seeped in from around the drawn drapes.
She fumbled for the phone. “Hello.”
“Hey, Lydia. Did I wake you up?” It was Blake. She must have fallen asleep before he came back to his room.
“Yeah, actually you did.”
“Sorry. I thought we could go down to breakfast together.”
“That’d be great.”
“I’m just getting into the shower. Can you be ready in forty-five minutes? I’d like to try to leave the hotel by eight-thirty.”
“Definitely. Just knock on my door.”
Lydia showered and put on a pale green belted peasant dress. She shook out her hands to help calm herself when she realized how nervous she was to see Blake. Settle down. It’s not like this is a date or anything.
“You look great,” Blake said when they were in the elevator.
“Thanks.” He looked great, too. He was wearing a pair of navy chinos rolled up at the hem with a gray polo shirt.
“But maybe you should change into some shorts or jeans,” he said. Lydia looked at him curiously. He was staring nonchalantly at the door of the elevator.
“You really think I need to change?”
A smile cracked Blake’s casual demeanor. “Okay, fine. I’ve got a little surprise and a dress won’t really work.”
“What kind of surprise?” Lydia met his playful smile with one of her own.
“You know I’m not going to tell you. Just change after we eat. You’ll be glad you did.”
“Aren’t we going to Shady Days today?”
“We sure are. Right after we make a pit stop.”
Lydia’s mind was preoccupied at breakfast. She wanted to exchange cell phone numbers, but she was nervous to suggest it. What if he thought she was forward? This was ridiculous. This was why she’d sat paralyzed in Camb
ri’s apartment for three months. She thought and thought about every move until she’d either missed the opportunity or talked herself out of it. She wanted to have his number. She wanted him to have hers. So be brave and ask for it, for heaven’s sake.
“Hey Blake, I was thinking last night that we should probably give each other our cell numbers. I mean, my bag is in your car, and we’re flying home together tomorrow. We should probably have some way of reaching each other. You know, we might need to call each other for something or we might get separated or—“
“Lydia,” Blake said, and his mouth quirked like his dimple couldn’t decide if it wanted to make an appearance or not. “Put your number in my phone.” He gave her his phone. “And hand me yours.”
Blake acted like it was no big deal. Why did she always have to make things so hard?
After breakfast, Lydia changed into a pair of jean capris and a pink and white striped t-shirt. It was hard to keep her excitement in check. What kind of surprise could he have planned? Better not get her hopes up. He probably thought a stop at the bookstore would be an exciting surprise for her. He’d be right. But why the pants?
“We needed to get on that onramp,” Lydia said in the car, as they passed the road they needed.
“I know. We’ll head that way soon.”
“Should I be nervous? Are you kidnapping me?” Lydia asked.
“Yes, I’m kidnapping you. And yeah, you should probably be a little nervous. I know I am.”
If his voice hadn’t held a note of teasing, Lydia might have panicked, but his excitement filled the car with a new energy, and Lydia’s heart started thumping a little harder. Blake must have seen her twisting her fingers together nervously because he reached over and patted her hand. “Don’t worry. It’ll be fun.” He put his hand back on the steering wheel. Suddenly, Lydia could think of nothing except his hand on hers.
Blake’s phone rang, and he answered it. “Hi, Brynn. You must have gotten my email.” He waited for her response. “I know. The timing isn’t good. But my flight was cancelled, and I needed a couple more days to track down this inheritance.” Pause. “I know. I was hoping you could call Mary Challis’s assistant—her name is Jean Crawley—and get their final numbers. After we have all those, we can email it to both of them for their approval. When those come back, we’ll be ready to put together the final documents.”
Lydia could hear Brynn’s voice, but she couldn’t make out the words. “I’m sorry. It’s only two more days. Please just take care of that for me. I’ll owe you big.” Blake’s face had gone from happy and playful to drawn and worried in just a couple of minutes. “I’m pulling over right now, and I’ll get the number for you.”
“Sorry,” Blake mouthed as he pulled into a parking lot.
“It’s okay,” Lydia whispered back.
Blake pulled his briefcase from the back seat and gave Brynn a name and phone number. “Don’t worry. I’ll be back in the office on Wednesday morning and you can call me if you need to.” He listened to Brynn talk while he put the briefcase back. “I have a pretty good lead today. I’m going to see her at an assisted living facility. Call me if you need anything else. And thanks, Brynn.”
Blake hit the off button on his phone and let out a long sigh. He leaned his head against the back of his seat and massaged the bridge of his nose.
“Is everything okay?” Lydia asked.
“Sure. I just have some big things going on at work.”
“Maybe I shouldn’t have suggested this.”
Blake looked at her concerned face. “I’m glad you did. I really should get this box, and it’s better that I do it now instead of having to make another trip. Besides, if I’d done it later, I’d have been doing it on my own instead of with your help.” He smiled. “I’d rather do it with you.”
This wasn’t good. All Blake had to do was smile and Lydia could hardly breathe, which meant she’d probably make a fool of herself. She’d stumble over her words or she’d blush constantly instead of just occasionally. Or maybe she’d do something embarrassing, like spill food on herself or split her pants.
“I guess we’d better get busy then. I’d hate for you to get behind at work and have nothing to show for it. Maybe we should skip this little surprise detour and just head to Hickory.”
“No way. We’ll get to Hickory soon enough. We’re doing this.”
Blake put the car in gear, and ten minutes later, they pulled into a small, private hangar not far from the airport.
“What’s going on, Blake?” Lydia asked. Her stomach was already in knots, and she wasn’t even sure what they were doing.
“We’re going skydiving.”
Lydia shook her head. “No we’re not.”
“Yes, we are.”
“No. We’re really not.” Lydia’s voice cracked.
“Are you pregnant?”
“No,” Lydia said indignantly.
“Do you have a heart condition?”
“No, but I think I might if you don’t turn around.”
Blake pulled the car up to a long, flat building painted bright orange. The sign said, “Charlotte Skydiving: The best way to see Charlotte is from the sky.” He put the car in park and turned in his seat to face her. “Listen, Lydia. You’re helping me. I’m going to help you. This will give you something to report to your friend, and once you do this, your fifth graders will think you’re the coolest teacher ever.”
Lydia tore her eyes away from Blake’s face and looked at the garish building in front of her. That bright orange was probably supposed to look fun, but right now it was just hurting her eyes. She took several shaky breaths. She knew Blake was right. This could help her salvage her unadventurous summer. If she lived through it. “Are you doing it too?” she asked.
“If you don’t mind sharing the fun.”
Lydia shook her head. “No. I mean, yes. I mean, no, I don’t mind sharing and yes, I want you to do it with me.”
“Then let’s go.”
Last night, as he’d waited for his clothes to dry, Blake had searched the internet, looking for adventurous activities they could fit into the next forty-eight hours. He’d found several lists of suggestions. Some were out of the question—cage diving with alligators in Australia and racing water buffalo in Indonesia. Biking the Pacific Coast Highway was logistically impossible, and somehow Blake didn’t think Lydia would enjoy rolling and smoking her own cigars.
But he’d found a couple of things that were possibilities, and this was one of them. Blake had never been skydiving, but the website had made it sound fun. After reading a few customer reviews and the qualifications of the professionals who’d be jumping with them, he’d selected Charlotte Skydiving. The biggest draw was that they could jump one right after the other, so they could experience it together. One pair said they were so close in the air, they could see each other’s expressions. Something about watching Lydia’s face as they plummeted through the sky was very appealing to him. He’d called before breakfast and scheduled the jump.
Buster and Liam were their instructors and would be jumping with them. Liam was short, muscular and so tanned you could practically see cancer cells multiplying. Buster had a bushy blond beard and a ponytail. When Buster explained what to do in the unlikely event that the chute didn’t open, Blake began to wonder if he’d made a mistake. Lydia looked like the Cullen clan had sucked her dry, and she was biting her bottom lip so hard, he feared she might bite through it. She clasped her hands together in a tight little ball on her lap, and her feet were hooked around the legs of her chair.
“Any questions?” Buster asked. When neither of them answered, he said, “All right. Come with us, and we’ll get you suited up.”
Blake stood, but Lydia seemed stuck to her chair. “Are you okay?” he asked her. Lydia’s head gave an indecisive roll. Was that a nod yes or a shake no? It was probably a little of both. Blake reached down to help her up. Her hand was freezing. She unwound her legs from the chair and let him pull her
to her feet, but when he started to let go, she grasped his hand tightly.
“This will be fun,” he said. When she didn’t answer, he stopped in the hall. “Hey, if you really don’t want to do this, you don’t have to. I’m not going to force it on you.” The truth was, Blake would have been fine backing out. This wasn’t something he needed to do to die happy.
Lydia took a deep breath. Her voice came out, but just barely. “I really want to do it. I’m just terrified.”
Blake tamped down the nerves he’d been feeling. He wanted to help her do this, and if it meant putting on a brave face, he would. “I read last night that they have to jump more than two hundred times before they’re allowed to jump tandem with someone. They know what they’re doing. Let’s just have fun.” Lydia nodded but didn’t let go of his hand. Blake didn’t mind.
“Thought we lost you,” Buster said when they walked into the room where they’d dress. Dozens of flight suits hung according to size against one wall. On another wall were parachute packs and goggles. Lydia pulled her hair back into a tight bun then Liam helped her get into her suit while Buster helped Blake. Liam was flirty and talkative, and Blake was glad to see Lydia laugh.
“I can’t believe I’m doing this,” Lydia said as they stepped out of the building.
“After you do it once, you’ll want to do it a thousand times,” Buster said.
Across the tarmac was a small plane. Blake had never been in a plane this small, and his stomach tightened.
“You’re about to have your adventure,” he said.
“Thanks to you. And let’s not get ahead of ourselves. I haven’t jumped yet.”