Tennessee Heat

by Cami York

  They already looked like a married couple, acted like one too. Colin was almost as gorgeous as Kimmy with a more laid-back personality than the other girl. He was a perfect match for the headstrong Kimberly.

  He was dressed much better than the other guys here, like he’d put in an extra effort, and this too helped bolster her belief that today just might be the day he popped the question for real. That, and the bouquet of flowers and the little parcel he had under his arm.

  “Hey Annabelle what’s up? Thanks for riding herd on this one till I got here.” He kissed Kimmy’s head while having it in a headlock, making her giggle and Annabelle wished she could share that same ease with Chase.

  More people had come along, and some of them started piling onto one of the bigger buggies until it was nearly full. Annabelle knew most of them, but thank goodness they were too busy talking to each other to notice her.

  “Well, let’s go ladies!” Colin said he and Kimmy climbed the short ladder steps up to one of the smaller buggies and took their seats. As Annabelle was about to follow she felt a strange prickling along the back of her neck.

  Like the feeling you get when someone’s looking at you; and she turned and let out an unladylike whoop. Chase was standing not more than a few feet away.

  She didn’t think, didn’t care about all the eyes that were watching them, just ran and flew into his arms. The arms he held open for her with a shit- eating grin on his face.

  He caught her and held her close to his chest and for some inexplicable reason she burst into tears. Her heart felt full to overflowing and she was too overcome with emotion to care.

  Chase was delightfully surprised by her exuberant welcome. He’d seen her standing there as soon as he got out of the car and released the breath he hadn’t been aware of holding since he’d left her more than a week and half ago.

  Just seeing her in the flesh was enough to take away the tiredness he’d felt both in body and mind. Seeing the devastation left behind after a natural disaster is always daunting, but this time it had seemed even worse and he had a sneaky suspicion it was because of the girl who’d just ran into his arms. He’d missed her more than words can say.

  “Hey baby what’s all this?” He tried pulling her head back to see her but she just held on tighter. “Won't you let me see that beautiful face? I’ve missed it.”

  No, Chase, I’m not ever letting go again. She didn’t say it out loud because she didn’t want to make an even bigger fool of herself. She’d been so excited to see him that she’d lost her mind for a second.

  Now she felt like an even bigger fool because she knew that everyone had seen her. Now she was worried that maybe he would be angry at her for her show in front of his family and friends.

  “When did you get back? Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?” She finally lifted her head to look at him. He wiped the tears from her face and pulled her in close to kiss her forehead gently.

  “I wanted to surprise you' he said.

  “Well, you certainly did that!” she answered, somewhat petulantly. At that moment someone slammed a car door and the sound broke her out of her daze; her heart gave a little jump when she saw who it was that had gotten out of the car.

  The joy she’d felt at his arrival was suddenly dimmed by the presence of the other girl. She heard Kimmy exclaim behind her but didn’t turn to her friend. And from the look on Lisa’s face she knew her day was only going to get worst.

  Two other people hurried along behind Lisa, and when they came near Annabelle saw that they were Lisa’s two sidekicks, the girls who’d ran the hallways at school and had made it their mission in life to torment her.

  She knew what kind of day it was going to be when Lisa stopped right next to them with a rather sultry look on her face. It didn’t help that the other girl was dressed for the runway, which made Annabelle feel frumpy in her modest clothes.

  “I didn’t know you were back in town Chase!” Lisa said to Chase. The way she said it implied that they were more than friends, or at least the tone of her voice hinted at such.

  “Hi Lisa,” he answered noncommittally. “I didn't know you were going to be here.” He’d heard the same story from his mom that his sister had, that that particular family wouldn’t be coming because of their own internal drama.

  He’d wanted to be sure just in case he couldn’t make it home in time because he knew how the other girl like to torment his Annabelle. Now he was doubly glad that he’d driven all night to get back to her in time.

  “I didn’t know you were coming,” Lisa finally turned her attention to Annabelle, “today should be fun.” Annabelle refused to take the bait and almost bit a hole in her tongue to keep from saying something catty to the other girl when she gave Chase a very inviting look.

  17

  Chase stood silently by her side but she felt the tension in the arm he still had around her waist. He did not look too happy which went a long way to making Annabelle feel better. Lisa, seeing this turned things up a notch.

  She knew that she was racing against time, that because of her dad’s ignorance she was about to lose the life she was accustomed to. Chase Worthington was always going to be the one to save her, the one she’d set her sights on long ago. No way was she about to let a little nobody from the wrong side of town take her place.

  Chase kept his eyes on the other girl as she stood there like she wasn’t done saying whatever it was she wanted to say. Lucky for her he’d never let Annabelle see his anger and he wasn’t about to make today that day. But if she got out of line he wasn’t sure that he could hold back.

  Then Lisa said to him, in a low voice: “I’m glad to see you though, I was very sad when I thought you weren’t coming!” It was too much. She’d more than crossed the line. But just as he opened his mouth to blast her Annabelle shook her head at him. She knew him so well already.

  “Let’s go baby, we’re holding up the line.” She only then noticed that other people had already climbed up on the other horse and buggies and were waiting for them to move on.

  He stepped up first and reached back for her hand and somehow she ended up falling onto his lap. The others climbed on and the coachman cracked his whip, the horses pulled off leaving her in her precarious position.

  She just stared up at him wondering if he’d done it on purpose. But decided it didn’t matter when she chanced a look over and saw the look on Lisa’s face. Whether it had been his intent or not, it was enough that the other girl thought so.

  As soon as Annabelle had recovered herself she started looking around at the other people on the buggy; trying to take everyone’s measure. The two girls with Lisa she already knew and then there was Kimmy and Colin, but she didn’t recognize the other young couple.

  “Hey Chase”, the man said, “heard you went down to Texas after that storm. Good to see you back in one piece.” He was talking to Chase but his gaze never left Annabelle’s face. Not in a creepy sort of way, but more out of curiosity.

  “Who’s that you have such a tight grip on there?” He laughed as Chase looked down at her.

  “This is my girl!” said Chase, smiling down at her. “You must be new. I haven’t seen you at any of our other outings before.” Said the guy, by way of making introductions. “I’m Jack!”

  “Hi Jack, pleased to meet you,” answered Annabelle. The girl beside him didn’t look too pleased with the attention he was paying to Annabelle, in fact she’d turned her face up. Annabelle was very well acquainted with that look and figured she’d be seeing a lot of it that day.

  Kimberly, always the troublemaker seemed to notice it too and took it upon herself to get involved. “Hi Sandra, haven’t seen you in a while. I heard you were sick the last couple of months, sorry I never got around to calling to see how you were doing.”

  From the way the other girl blushed Annabelle got the idea that there was more going on there than met the eye. “ You look better now, everything cleared up?”

  “Yes, I’m doing mu
ch better thanks for asking.” Her tone said that her health was the last thing she wanted to talk about. “Jack wanted to come today so of course I had to come with. You never know what strays might be on the prowl at these things.” The way she glared at Annabelle when she said that left no doubt as to whom she was referring.

  “Besides, I’ve been cooped up in the house so long a little outing like this will do me good.” “What about you, I hear you’re going away to school in a couple of days, congratulations on getting into such a prestigious school.”

  The two of them carried on the stilted conversation with barbed innuendos and hidden meanings, well hidden from anyone who didn’t know Kimmy that is. But there were three people on that buggy who knew very well what was going on.

  Meanwhile Annabelle was doing some looking of her own. First she noticed her dress: she was dressed the way Annabelle imagined a debutant would be on such an occasion, not a hair out of place and perfect makeup.

  Her jewelry was obviously not of the dollar store variety, and beneath the sullen parlor of her skin it was obvious that she was not very attractive and maybe that was her reason for lashing out at the younger prettier Annabelle. She was also older than the Jack guy.

  She had a large, fat face with a big mouth, and her hair was starting to thin on top. It was obvious that she came from money but all the money in the world couldn’t buy her looks, or manners it seems.

  Annabelle gave up watching her once it seemed that Kimmy had taken the woman’s unwarranted heat off of her, and soon the conversation changed again.

  Next it was Lisa’s turn to speak up and they spent the rest of the ride to the lakeside talking about school and what everyone had done this summer. Kimmy had gone back to gazing lovingly at Colin while Chase was busy whispering in Annabelle’s ear.

  Mrs. Worthington who hadn’t had a chance to see the girls off was glad to see Annabelle when their buggy finally pulled up to let them off. She’d had a very interesting conversation with her eldest son a few days ago and was dying to see the young lady again.

  Always before she’d seen the girl as just a friend of her daughter’s but from her son’s words she figured she had better take another look. From what she did know of the child so far, the girl has always been a joy. A perfect accompaniment to her usually headstrong daughter.

  She kissed Annabelle’s cheek hello and spoke to her like they were long lost friends, to the annoyance of some gathered there. Annabelle however was wondering about the slight change in the older woman’s temperament.

  It’s not that Mrs. Worthington hadn’t always been kind, but this was the first time Annabelle could remember feeling what she thought of as extra warmth from the woman.

  Chase noticed that not everyone was averse to his girl being there. She seemed to have more than enough admirers, something he’d never given much thought to before.

  First to approach her was some jock who looked like he was about to bust out of his shirt. Chase figured the guy didn’t know that she was his from his approach and set about remedying that right away.

  “Whoa Annabelle, is that you?”

  “Hi Bill!” she answered shyly while tugging at the hem of her skirt.

  “Wow damn girl!” he grinned as he looked her up and down. “You sure do clean up nice, how come you never dressed like this at school?”

  Chase stepped in just then and with a glare sent the other guy scampering away. But it wasn’t long before another enterprising soul with a death wish made his approach.

  “Annabelle Scacci always looked good you fool,” said his companion, turning round with mock indignation, “you fools just never took the time to notice, but did.” He did some kind of leering thing with his eyes before he noticed the scowl on Chase’s face and he too walked away with a cocky grin.

  “No harm no foul bro I didn’t know she was your girl. I was just playing around.”

  “I’ll let it slide this time but don’t let it happen again.” Chase said it in a joking manner but those who knew him well knew that he was far from it.

  And when Annabelle grinned up at him, pleased with his show of possessive jealousy, it was enough to smooth out the rough edges caused by the two young fools. Even more so when she rested her head on his shoulder for a few seconds before lifting it again.

  Chase was delighted, with her new show of affection, and the way she no longer seemed to be shying away from him in front of others. Forgetting himself for a minute, he wrapped his arms around her from behind with his chin resting on her shoulder. “I love it when you smile like that. You should wear that smile more often.”

  Before she could answer they both heard Lisa talking to her friends in a voice that was obviously meant to carry. “I guess every dog has his day.” The three girls snickered and made a point of looking back in Annabelle’s direction.

  “And you should know!” Kimmy retorted under her breath while Annabelle wished for the ground to open up and swallow her whole. “Hey!” Chase squeezed her around the middle where his hand was still resting around her waist.

  “You’re with me, you don’t need to think about anything else.” He was saying that but she didn’t miss the look he sent in the other girls’ direction as they walked away to go join the rest of their friends who were now arriving.

  “I’m fine, I’m not going to let her bother me today.” No, Annabelle had decided that she was too excited about having him back to let a little thing like Lisa’s jealousy spoil the day for her.

  From the moment she turned and saw him standing there, the feeling that had overcome her and touched her heart, was one she was no longer willing to ignore.

  “That’s my girl!” He kissed her temple and for the first time she noticed the silence all around them and out of the corner of her eye noticed that his whole family was watching their little byplay. Her whole body blushed and she tried pulling out of his arms with embarrassment.

  “So, what’s the deal here, you two dating or something?” Chase turned and glared at his brother’s uncouth outburst. Em backed up with his hands held out in front of him.

  “I was just going to say it’s about time. Damn bro, chill with the kills lights.” His brother grinned as he stuffed something in his mouth.

  “Hey, isn’t that Justine?” Chase asked while looking off in the distance and everyone laughed at the way Emory reacted. Like he’d been prodded with an electric prod.

  “That’s not funny bro!” Em was still looking around for his tormentor, only relaxing when there was no sign of her anywhere around.

  “Come with me!” Chase said to Annabelle, after grabbing a picnic blanket. He took her hand and led her away from the others before she could answer. He was beginning to think that maybe a public setting like the picnic wasn’t a good idea for their first meeting after a dry spell.

  He didn’t mind the attention so much, but he could tell that she wasn’t ready for it. At least he got the feeling that she was no longer running from him, which is a good thing.

  18

  They walked down to the water’s edge holding hands and Annabelle had butterflies in her tummy the whole way there. Everything seemed to be happening really fast today for some reason. Almost like they were in some type of time warp.

  From the moment she turned around and saw him, no, ever since she ran into his arms, everything seemed to be happening outside of herself. It felt as if their relationship had taken a turn in just that short space of time.

  He came to a stop beneath a copse of trees and quite a ways away from anybody else. Placing the blanket on the grass he took her hand and sat her down beside him facing the water. They were sitting so close their cheeks were almost touching.

  Annabelle’s heart raced in her chest, when she thought, that all she had to do was turn her face just a mere few inches for their lips to meet. It was so loud she could hear it beating in her ear.

  They sat there for a long while in silence; the sun was already getting to Annabelle's head, and the hot morning a
ir made her feel slightly intoxicated. She felt his arm come around her waist, and his much bigger form pressing against her side; she felt that same sensation she always gets whenever he’s near, as if her heart was about to burst, and something thick and heavy choked off her air. The feeling was so strong she thought for sure she would pass out.

  Her hands began to tremble, and her breathing grew rapid, as though she were suffocating. Almost fainting, she swayed a little where she sat, and a cold shiver ran through her from head to toe.

  As if he too felt the same, Chase put his finger under her chin and turned her face to his before his lips came down on hers. It wasn’t forceful or pushy; it was just right. The perfect kiss! They fell into each other like they’d been starving for the taste of one another.

  And when his arms came around her completely she forgot all about everything and everyone else. She didn’t realize until now just how much she’d missed him, or that his being away had opened up something inside her. Something she’d kept locked away behind her fear.

  Chase bent over her, and, wrapping both arms around her even more securely, deepened what started out as a simple taste of her lips into a long, passionate kiss. At last, panting for breath, she turned her head away and groaned.

  The groan was double fold, because of the kiss that stole her breath, and from the way he looked at her. She doubted anyone else in her life would ever look at her with just that look. She couldn’t be that lucky.

  “My beauty!” Chase trailed his finger gently down her cheek before helping her up to sit beside him again. They sat for a while in another comfortable silence, Annabelle full of a happiness and a new excitement that threatened to make her burst into flames.

  She had the insane urge to laugh out loud hysterically, but restrained herself before she gave him the idea that she was nuts. She couldn’t believe how giddy she felt, how her day had gone from dull to startling bright in just a few hours.