to take my gaze off of them. He looks away uncomfortably and I notice is angular jaw with just a hint of stubble. Embarrassed, I turn to find the wagon. Shit Kimber, you just made a fool of yourself again.
Hurriedly, I make my way back to the big house and continue my video game marathon with the boys after they finish lunch. They love all of this attention. When four thirty rolls around I sprint out to my car, eager to finally call Heidi to tell her about my date with Andrew on Saturday night. Maybe it is meant to be and four years ago just wasn’t the right time.
Chapter Thirteen
My mom’s figure in the rearview mirror shrinks as the car careens to my unknown destination. All I know is that I can’t breathe here so I need to leave. I guide the car onto highway sixty-seven and head east; it’s as good as any other direction. It’ll take me into Arkansas. Perhaps a complete change of scenery is what I need. Then maybe I’ll swing down into Louisiana.
But once the landscape does start to change, I begin to second guess myself and wonder if I should have just stayed to face everything. The buildings become sparse as fields lay for miles on both sides of the four lane road. The sun shines bright overhead with few clouds to mask the heat. Once I turn onto highway thirty, nothing catches the eye for miles but for a single house occasionally and numerous herds of cows and horses.
I’ve pretty much been a planner my whole life. Susan and I fit together in that way so well. We had planned for our future together. She knew she wanted two children, a boy and a girl. She had the wedding pretty much mapped out much to her mom’s dismay. That night at the club, she announced to the table after I proposed for the second time, that it was practically planned. She already knew where she wanted to hold the ceremony and that she had found her dress. I think the only thing that saved her was the fact that she hadn’t bought it yet. She wanted her mom and mine to see it first to get their opinions. This appeased them a little. Planning was what she did best. Driving off without a destination in mind is something she would have never done.
The weekend Bree and David came to the apartment to tell us about their engagement was one of the most memorable with Susan. Bree burst through the door yelling, “Susan, where are you? He finally did it! He finally asked!”
Susan was making lasagna and her hands were covered in ricotta cheese. She started screaming as soon as Bree turned the corner, hugging her and covering them both in cheese. They ended up on the couch giggling out of sheer joy at Bree’s news.
We spent the night drinking wine and eating Susan’s impeccable cooking while sitting out on the back deck watching the sun set. It was great to see her so happy for her best friend.
Later that night after we drained a couple of bottles of wine and after Bree and David left, I led her into the bedroom. She was a little tipsy but I couldn’t wait. Bree was finally engaged so it was Susan’s turn. I had made the decision to wait because of the long history she had with Bree. I knew that night, that it was finally time.
I released her hand and told her, “Stay right there and close your eyes, okay?”
She frowned and looked at me quizzically asking, “Jordan Rhodes, what are you up to?” But she acquiesced, closing her eyes with a sweet smile. I remember turning around to stare at her for a moment before going to get the ring from its hiding place in my closet. She had a purple sundress on that hugged her tall frame. Her hands were fidgety, not able to rest at her sides. Once I found the ring, I came over to her from behind and rested my hand on her hip. I kissed her neck, creating those goose bumps I knew would show up. I grabbed her hand coming around to face her and rested all of my weight on my knee. I whispered, “You can open your eyes now.”
The surprise and delight on her face when she saw me holding out
Hurriedly, I make my way back to the big house and continue my video game marathon with the boys after they finish lunch. They love all of this attention. When four thirty rolls around I sprint out to my car, eager to finally call Heidi to tell her about my date with Andrew on Saturday night. Maybe it is meant to be and four years ago just wasn’t the right time.
Chapter Thirteen
My mom’s figure in the rearview mirror shrinks as the car careens to my unknown destination. All I know is that I can’t breathe here so I need to leave. I guide the car onto highway sixty-seven and head east; it’s as good as any other direction. It’ll take me into Arkansas. Perhaps a complete change of scenery is what I need. Then maybe I’ll swing down into Louisiana.
But once the landscape does start to change, I begin to second guess myself and wonder if I should have just stayed to face everything. The buildings become sparse as fields lay for miles on both sides of the four lane road. The sun shines bright overhead with few clouds to mask the heat. Once I turn onto highway thirty, nothing catches the eye for miles but for a single house occasionally and numerous herds of cows and horses.
I’ve pretty much been a planner my whole life. Susan and I fit together in that way so well. We had planned for our future together. She knew she wanted two children, a boy and a girl. She had the wedding pretty much mapped out much to her mom’s dismay. That night at the club, she announced to the table after I proposed for the second time, that it was practically planned. She already knew where she wanted to hold the ceremony and that she had found her dress. I think the only thing that saved her was the fact that she hadn’t bought it yet. She wanted her mom and mine to see it first to get their opinions. This appeased them a little. Planning was what she did best. Driving off without a destination in mind is something she would have never done.
The weekend Bree and David came to the apartment to tell us about their engagement was one of the most memorable with Susan. Bree burst through the door yelling, “Susan, where are you? He finally did it! He finally asked!”
Susan was making lasagna and her hands were covered in ricotta cheese. She started screaming as soon as Bree turned the corner, hugging her and covering them both in cheese. They ended up on the couch giggling out of sheer joy at Bree’s news.
We spent the night drinking wine and eating Susan’s impeccable cooking while sitting out on the back deck watching the sun set. It was great to see her so happy for her best friend.
Later that night after we drained a couple of bottles of wine and after Bree and David left, I led her into the bedroom. She was a little tipsy but I couldn’t wait. Bree was finally engaged so it was Susan’s turn. I had made the decision to wait because of the long history she had with Bree. I knew that night, that it was finally time.
I released her hand and told her, “Stay right there and close your eyes, okay?”
She frowned and looked at me quizzically asking, “Jordan Rhodes, what are you up to?” But she acquiesced, closing her eyes with a sweet smile. I remember turning around to stare at her for a moment before going to get the ring from its hiding place in my closet. She had a purple sundress on that hugged her tall frame. Her hands were fidgety, not able to rest at her sides. Once I found the ring, I came over to her from behind and rested my hand on her hip. I kissed her neck, creating those goose bumps I knew would show up. I grabbed her hand coming around to face her and rested all of my weight on my knee. I whispered, “You can open your eyes now.”
The surprise and delight on her face when she saw me holding out
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