Intent(43)

The fact that he fell through the middle and is now soaked from head to toe is just a bonus.





Chapter Fourteen





Layne



Our trophies have a prominent position on the mantle directly over the fireplace as a constant reminder of how quickly everything can change. In the past two weeks since the day of the race, every day has felt like I’m in a dream. My life changed drastically on that otherwise ordinary day. Nothing is set in stone yet, so I try to control my emotions, not get my hopes up, and keep myself grounded. Yet, I still have to pull myself out of my daydreams and focus on the task at hand every few minutes.

That day, while Ace helped the other guys remove the inner tubes from the water, deflate them, and load them into the county truck, I spent time with Zoe, Lily, and River on the playground. Lily and I seemed to click right away in one of those instant friendships that made me feel like I’d known her for years. If I lived here, I could easily see the two of us becoming the sister neither ever had.

As she pushed River on the swing, she chatted easily with me. “Looks like things are getting pretty serious between you and Ace.”

Her Southern accent and sweet demeanor made the conversation feel so natural that it didn’t bother me a near stranger was prying into my personal business. In New York, I’d always been on guard and suspicious of anyone who stuck their noses into subjects they had no business knowing. But I sensed there was no hidden agenda with Lily, no angle that she was trying to play. She genuinely liked me and she obviously loves her brother and niece.

“I wish I could tell the future,” I admitted, thinking of the amount of time that had already passed and how much time was left in the summer. “I’m crazy about him, but I don’t know what’ll happen at the end of the summer.”

“Why does that matter?” Zoe asked.

“This trip was a sabbatical for me, a chance to get away from the stressors in my life and get my mind settled. I have a job and an apartment waiting for me back home.”

Saying “home” conjured a different image with the mere mention of the word, though. Instead of my luxury Manhattan apartment in the city that never sleeps, my mind’s eye pictured a mountain cabin hideaway. A cozy home nestled in the rolling hills and mountains, surrounded by a river with clear, flowing water, and a back porch with a grill, homemade ice cream, and the most gorgeous man I’ve ever seen. In the yard, a little blond-haired, blue-gray eyed girl plays with her toys, happy and content in the knowledge she’s safe and loved. In the pasture just a few feet away, a beautiful buckskin horse named Frankie grazes without an ounce of fear toward humans.

“Layne, where’d you go?” Lily asked.

“I’m sorry. Did you say something?” I replied and looked between Zoe and Lily. “What did I miss?”

Zoe laughed, her eyes sparkling with mirth. “Must have been a great daydream. Was Ace the star of it?”

“Zip it,” I retorted with a full smile.

“I asked if there’s any way we can change your mind about leaving,” Zoe replied. “But it looks like we need to talk to Ace and get him to change your mind.”

“I never thought a man could ever make me second-guess what I’ve always been so intent to have for myself,” I replied wistfully.

“Until Ace,” Lily replied matter-of-factly.

“Until Ace,” I confirmed.

“The heart knows what it wants, regardless of what your brain tries to convince you,” Lily answered. “It’s up to you to figure out which one you’ll follow.”

When River started yawning, Lily decided it was time to take her home for a nap. Zoe and I sat at a picnic table under an open-air pavilion. She suddenly became distinctly quiet and sullen, her long face conveying her deep sadness. My heart broke for her and I wished I could help her.

“Zoe, what is it, sweetheart?” I asked her as I grasped her hand in mine.

“I’ve put it off and hid it for as long as I can. I have to tell my parents that I’m pregnant. Everyone else knows and someone will eventually say something to them. I’ve been waiting for it to happen every day when I walk in.”

“Do you want me to go with you? Be there with you when you tell them?” I offered because I was honestly afraid of how Zoe would take their reaction.

“You’d do that for me?” She sounded so surprised, so shocked that someone would actually be there for her and on her side. Tears sprang to her eyes, and I noticed her neck working overtime to swallow the tears before they could fall.

“Of course I will. Do you want to do it today and get it over with? The more you build it up in your mind, the larger the problem seems.”

“I’ve been thinking about something else I want to talk to you about first. You may need some time to think about it, though.” She wouldn’t make eye contact with me as she spoke. Her voice sounded so small and unsure, as if she were afraid I’d turn my back on her when she confessed what had been on her mind.

“Zoe, you can tell me or ask me anything. I won’t judge you, I promise.”

“Layne, I really want to get out of this town and go off to college. I’ve taken the ACT and my scores are really good. My GPA is, too. My guidance counselor said I can get into the University of Georgia if I wanted to go there.