James swung Isaac down. “Break it in smaller pieces.” Joni followed the directions he gave Isaac. A large white goose appeared from out of nowhere and honked. The frantic bird pecked the crumb that fell from her hand and waddled forward. She flinched and stumbled back against a solid chest rumbling with laughter. She forgave him when one arm wrapped around her and the other waved off the offensive bird. His chin rested on her head and he pulled her close. “Look, across the water.”
Hoards of geese and ducks swam straight for them. Her heart tattooed against her thin sweater. Isaac continued to feed the three while more than fifty birds flapped on the shore. Joni’s ears cringed at their squawking. She escaped behind James and threw her handful of broken pieces. The ducks kept coming.
“Daddy.” Isaac’s blue eyes widened and he ran for cover. Joni pulled him in between her and a laughing James.
James drew them close. “They’re not going to hurt you. Throw the biscuits.”
Isaac kicked at a goose. Joni’s pulse raced to the chaotic tune of the honks and screeches surrounding them. She couldn’t move. A duck craned his neck for the bag in the little boy’s hands. James snatched the bag and flung the contents at the irate birds. He lifted Isaac in one arm and tucked Joni under the other.
The frenzied sounds lowered, and she peeked out from his chest. From a safe distance, the three of them watched the birds fight over the remaining crumbs.
Her heartbeat slammed against her chest. “Those ducks are ferocious.”
Isaac’s wide eyes looked down into hers. “And mean too.”
Ripples broke the calm surface as the ducks sailed into the water. As they raced toward their island, her phone vibrated in her pocket. Trent. She blew her bangs out of her eyes. Her trembling fingers powered off the phone.
The arm holding her tightened. James lifted a brow. “Do you need to go back?”
She shook her head. No one, Trent and rabid birds included, was interrupting her time with James and Isaac.
Wide blue eyes stared at the retreating ducks. The irony of the situation hit her and a giggle escaped. “Crazy birds.”
Isaac reached for her and Joni lifted him into her arms. Blue eyes blinked in amazement. “Was you ascared?”
Joni tickled his sides and they both laughed. “Of course not. Dumb birds.”
Isaac twisted in her arms and yelled across the water. “Dumb ducks!” He threw the last remaining biscuit in his hand. At least fifteen birds flew out of the water toward them.
She screamed and ran with Isaac.
Laughter roared behind them and she knew they were safe. James clutched his sides in her peripheral vision. She set Isaac on his feet. “Let’s go swing.”
Lunch ended soon after, and she suffered through her last lecture of the day. That evening, she dressed for her date with James at her parents’. Not wanting Trent to intrude, she left her phone on her bedroom dresser. The only interruption during their dinner was a call from James’s mom. Isaac wanted to say goodnight.
Typical for this time of year, the public beach parking lot was almost empty. Stars twinkled and a crescent moon winked. Joni walked out on the gray boardwalk with James and watched the surf crash against the sandy shore.
Inhaling the salty air, she rubbed her hands over her upper arms. Sea grass rustled in the breeze. “It’s like music.”
James stepped close behind her and wrapped them both in his jacket. “God’s own symphony.”
Joni turned in his arms. “I thought you weren’t religious?” Her fingers plucked a thread on his sleeve. A dog barked and ran down the surf beside his owner. Her hand fell to her side and she tilted her head up at James.
The serious gleam in his eye surprised her. “I don’t want to talk about God.”
She climbed up on the hand railing and dangled her feet while he stared into the waves. She bumped his shoulder with hers.
He stepped in front of her and placed a hand on each side of the rail, blocking her in. The moon reflected bits of gold in his brown eyes. The emotion there didn’t invite a conversation, but there was something she needed to ask. “You’re the one who dumped me at church. I felt something, and I want to know what it was.” She shrugged. “So, tell me.”
“No.” He stepped closer. “Joni, read your Bible. It’ll answer all your questions.”
Her hands gripped his shoulders as she continued the conversation. “I don’t have one.”
He leaned in and chuckled against her neck. “Download the app.”
She ignored the warmth of his breath and pressed him for an answer. “I left my phone at the house.”
If she hadn’t been so close to him she would have missed his soft growl. “If you stop asking questions, I’ll give you one of mine.”
She jerked back but grabbed the lapels of his jacket as she almost fell off the other side. “Really?”
His smile returned. “If it makes you happy.” He lifted her off the rail and her boots clunked against the wooden boardwalk. The pads of his fingers teased her palm as he clasped her hand. Her heart fluttered at his wink. “Walk with me.” They strolled through the shifting sand to the water’s edge in silence. A wave rolled in and they raced backward. Laughing, they played cat and mouse with the tide until her heel sunk in the wet sand and warm water flooded over the top.
His laughter rang into the night. “Are you soaked?”
She didn’t want their fun to end. “I’m fine.” They strolled down the beach and back again. The taste of salt floated on the breeze. Words would have intruded so they kept silent. She was content by his side until the cool night temperatures turned her wet socks into icicles. Her teeth chattered by the time she stepped on the boardwalk.
James’s arms encircled her. “Joni? You’re shivering.”
She smiled past her trembling lips. “Only my f-f-feet are w-w-wet.”
He swooped her up and carried her to the truck. “Why didn’t you tell me? You’re gonna have pneumonia.” He set her in the seat and reached for her boots. He yanked without success.
She turned her ankle. “They z-z-zip.”
He unzipped the boots and removed her socks before running around the truck and starting the engine. The flowing heat felt wonderful against her bare skin. “Give me your feet.” He shrugged out of his jacket.
Gritty salt stuck between her toes. She kept them on the floor and shook her head.
With a sigh, he reached down and captured her feet, dusted them off with one hand, and pulled them into his lap. “Your jeans are wet.” He rolled up her pant legs and wrapped her cold feet in his fur-lined, leather jacket. “Better?”
She wiggled her toes. “Yes.”
As he caressed her ankles, the sparkle abandoned his eyes. “I’ve filed for custody. My attorney advised me to get Isaac out of town until the hearing. We leave tomorrow.”
Joni blinked misty eyes. She didn’t want him to go. “How long will you be gone?”
“Until Thanksgiving.” One side of his mouth turned up. “Save me some turkey, and I’ll bring you a surprise.”
With her feet in his lap, the knowledge of his departure placed a certain distance between them. Not wanting to leave the warmth of his jacket but not willing to put it on the floor, Joni curled her feet under. “I’d rather have you.”
His grin lit up his face. “Good. You make sure those frat boys know that.”
She frowned at her wet boots and socks on his clean floor mat. “James, be serious.”
A gentle hand caressed her cheek and turned her face. “I am serious.” Gold flared in his eyes as he dipped his head. Her lids fluttered closed. She waited but his lips hovered out of reach.
James straightened and rubbed a hand across the bridge of his nose. Pressing his lips together, he studied her with an emotion she couldn’t distinguish. Was it jealousy? Or concern? She was still uncertain when his face transformed into a mischievous smile. “Joni, are you going to church with Sara Wednesday night?”
His abrupt change of sub
ject confused her. He’d said he didn’t want to talk about God. Frowning, she answered, “I don’t know. I want to, but Trent advised me not to leave campus. I don’t think sororities encourage church attendance.”
His next smile made her dizzy. He pulled her tight against him and whispered, “Are you gonna let them choose? Tell you where to go? Who to see? What to do when you get there?”
He was right. She’d gained partial freedom from her mother’s schedule. She didn’t need anyone making decisions for her. But was knowing about God worth the chance of losing her new friends? “I’m not sure how I feel about church.”
James winked and shifted into reverse. “Let’s get you a Bible and then you can decide.”
Chapter Five
No one would welcome visitors at this hour. It was past midnight, but the streetlight illuminated James’s boyish smile as he turned into a residential community and pulled into a rose-lined driveway. Joni stared at the basketball hoop mounted above the closed garage door. “Where are we? Who lives here?”
He killed the engine. “This is my mom’s current project. I don’t read my Bible anymore. You’re welcome to it. It’s in the boy room.” He opened the door and slid out of the truck.
Her mouth opened but she couldn’t make a sound. In the hollow cavity of her chest, her heart raced silently, and then the words burst forth. “I can’t go in your house.”
“This isn’t my house. Mom’s in real estate. She buys foreclosures, fixes them up, and rents them out. Isaac and I rent a place in Tillman’s Corner, but my real house is two hours north. Dad lives there.” He held out a hand. “Come on, but don’t wake Isaac. You’re all he talked about this afternoon. I’m afraid he’s got a huge crush.” Wiggling fingers beckoned.
She unwrapped her feet and passed him his jacket. “The feeling’s mutual.” Her cold boots were still wet. Her warm toes protested at the thought of sliding them on.
James turned his back to her. “Jump on. I’ll give you a piggyback ride.”
“I can’t believe I’m doing this.” Her heart skipped as her trembling arms wrapped around his shoulders. She blew out a breath and pounced on his back. A giggle escaped her.
“Shhh.” He reached around for her knees and laughed. “Close the truck.”
With one hand, she did as he asked. “Don’t drop me.”
“Not a chance.” Around the side of the garage, they approached a door. He hunched over to keep her from sliding as he fumbled with his keys. Short beeps sounded. “Forgot about the alarm.”
The keypad glowed by her left arm. “What’s the code?”
“Four, five, eleven.”
She punched in the numbers. The beeps stopped. She sighed with relief as he stepped in the entrance and closed the door.
“That was close.” He cupped her knees and climbed the stairs. The dim lamplight faded with each step.
“James, I can walk now.” She whispered against his neck, but clung to him in the dark.
He trembled beneath her. “Shhh. Hardwood floors are freezing. Trust me, I know.”
She bit her lip to keep silent. Don’t let his mom wake up.
He stumbled and hissed. “Sorry, Isaac left a toy on the stairs.”
A door opened in front of them and an outside streetlight cast a glow through the window into the bedroom. She let go and slid to the carpeted floor. Masculine cologne lingered in the air. A blue and gray comforter covered the bed while matching sailboat curtains displayed the bay window. She moved to the trophy-covered dresser. Despite the baseball glove and helmet sitting between a T-ball trophy and an MVP football, the room was sterile. Generic.
She jumped as the door clicked shut. The tempo of her pulse pounded in her throat. Not counting her cousin Paul, she’d never been in a guy’s room.
James switched on the overhead light and winked. In two steps, he was by her side unzipping a large duffle bag. He tossed her a small bundle. “Put these on.” He continued to the closet and dug through a cardboard box.
The socks would come to her knees. She eased down on the bed to brush the sticky salt off the bottom of her feet. “Ugh!” Sand covered the rolled cuffs of her pant legs.
A pair of wind pants dropped onto her lap. “Shhh.” Gentle fingers touched her lips and then tugged on her hand. They walked into a full bath. A second door led into a feminine bedroom. His sister’s? Isaac’s blond head rested on a lace-covered pillow. The little boy slept in a pink, eyelet-covered bed.
James let go of her hand and shut out the peaceful sight. The cabinet door creaked as he opened it. His steady hands snatched a neatly stacked towel from the shelf and added it to her arms. “Hurry up and change while I find the Bible.”
She grabbed for the closing door. “I can’t wear your clothes.”
He turned and winked. “They’re drawstring and yours are soaked. It’s not a big deal.” Cardboard flaps scraped against the side of the box as he once again dug through the closet.
Joni locked both bathroom doors. The clean, white tub tempted her sticky feet so she took her time with the warm water. Though the wind pants swallowed her, the string in the front tightened them to a manageable size. She rolled the waistband down and the legs up. After rinsing the sand off her jeans, she folded them in the sink and cleaned her mess. Quietly, she opened the bedroom door.
James lay on the bed with his feet on the floor. A black leather book rested on his stomach. He started as Joni eased down beside him and reached for the Bible. “Is this it?”
He raised himself to sit beside her and kissed her temple.
“Anxious, are you?”
“A little.” She accepted the book and opened it.
“Wait.” He hugged her tight with one arm and closed the Bible with the other. “Promise you won’t let anything you read in here come between us?”
She tilted her head and blinked. The butterflies in her stomach danced to the rhythm of her erratic heartbeat. “Is there an ‘us’?”
“I hope so.” His finger trailed the back of her hand. “Your fascination with God might make you hate me.”
“It’s just a book.” She couldn’t escape the intensity of his gaze. They were connected somehow, and nothing could sever that connection. But how could she explain something she didn’t fully understand? “I promise.”
He flipped open the pages and read from the front. Was it his deep voice or the mystical words tempting her soul?
“Your Aunt Sandra said somebody’s songs are in here. Show me.”
“The Song of Solomon?” Flames of gold flecked his brown eyes. His voice dropped an octave. “I can’t.” He glanced over his shoulder at the bed and swallowed. “Not while we’re reading the Bible. God would strike me dead for sure.”
What was he talking about? Is the Bible that powerful? “James?”
His body shuddered and he shook his head. Then he smiled. The golden flames were extinguished. “She probably meant Psalms.” He turned to the middle of the book. “David wrote most of them.”
“What are they?”
“Songs and poems. Many are sung in church today.” Masculine hands gracefully flipped through the pages, stopped, and pointed. “Here. This is one of the fascinating things about the Bible.” His boyish grin illuminated the love he’d once had for this book. “Whenever you read L-O-R-D in capital letters it means God’s special name, Yahweh. Though His people constantly rebelled against Him, they refused to write or speak God’s name out of fear.”
“Like you.” She poked his chest.
His head tilted back and wide brown eyes gawked. “I’m not afraid of God.”
“If you’re not scared he’ll strike you dead, then show me the other song.” She smirked as he stuttered. Her point had hit home.
“Joni, it’s Psalms not songs, and I’m not scared.”
The bedroom door creaked open. An older version of Sara wearing a comfortable-looking gown and robe stared at the Bible in Joni’s lap. The intruder gasped. Moisture swelled in her eyes and spil
led down her cheeks.
Joni winced and closed her eyes, pretending to be anywhere but here. Beside her, James groaned. “Mom, it’s not what it looks like.”
Joni swallowed the odd lump in her throat. She closed the Bible and stood. The words of apology wouldn’t pass her lips.
“You’re reading the Bible.” The smile removed ten years from James’s mother’s face.
“No, Mom. Joni’s just curious.” He claimed her hand and pulled her toward the door.
Mrs. Preston laughed softly. “Joni? This is Isaac’s girlfriend? I thought he had a play date at the park. Praise the Lord.”
James tugged Joni out the door. “I’ll be back later.”
“Nice to meet you, dear.” James’s mother called behind them.
Blinking mutely, Joni allowed him to lead her down the stairs. Outside in the night air, he lifted her in his arms and carried her to the truck.
Climbing in through the driver’s side, she found her voice. “I can’t believe your mom saw me in your room. I feel like I’m sixteen again when Paul caught me swiping a drink of Daddy’s bourbon.” Trembling hands covered her face as she sunk down in the seat.
“Joni, it’s okay. You’re a hero in her eyes.” He pried one hand away and grinned.
“What?”
“Trust me.” He started the truck and backed out of the driveway.
“Oh, no.” Her favorite jeans. How could she have been so careless?
He shifted gears. “I promise she’s not mad. She heard me reading the Bible. It’s like her dream come true. By now she’s picturing a halo around your head and wings on your back.”
“I don’t think so.” She traced the gold-embossed lettering on the black leather book.
James stopped for a traffic light and kissed her. “Why not?”
“I forgot my pants in your bathroom.”
~~~
Although Isaac was four, James had been a father for less than seven months. During that time, convincing him to go to sleep hadn’t gotten any easier. James glanced at the digital hotel clock on the end table. According to the schedule Mrs. Dawn insisted Isaac adhere to, bedtime was forty minutes late. Tomorrow, the millwright’s wife would have to deal with his crankiness.
Whatever He Wants Page 6