7

 

“Is Zac well enough to leave the house?” Nate asked as he walked Shayna to her front door later that night. The moon, full and bright, was high in the starlit sky, and a slight breeze carried the scent of pine cones that littered the grass. Through the living room window, Shayna saw her mom curled on the couch with her nose in a book, sipping—most likely the green tea she loved so much—from an oversized mug. Shayna glanced at her watch and hoped that Zac had been asleep at least a couple of hours.

“It depends on the weather.” Shayna buttoned her coat against the cold as she turned to face Nate. “And on how he feels. He’s been more energetic the past week, and his counts are good, so Dr. Garrison said he can get out for a while if it’s not in a crowd. Why?”

“It’s supposed to be much warmer this weekend, and I was wondering if you’d like to come out to my place for the afternoon. It would give Zac—and you—a much-needed change of scenery.”

“He’d like that, and so would I.” She brushed hair from her face as the strands tickled her cheek. “I can only read so many books, and I’ve cleaned every inch of the house. It’s hard not to go stir crazy. Luckily, I’m able to do the bulk of my computer work from home, or I might have lost my job by now.”

“Saturday, then?” He nodded. “I’ll pick you up around noon?”

“Sure. That sounds perfect. I’ll tell Zac. He’ll be thrilled.” Shayna slipped her fingers around the door latch. “Thank you for dinner, Nate. It was a real treat. And I enjoyed the walk afterwards. It’s been a while since I’ve had the chance to feel the wind on my face, and the stars are truly amazing tonight.” They shimmered and twinkled across a velvety expanse of sky, and for the course of a few precious hours, Shayna felt that all was right with the world. The mini-escape was a gift.

“Shayna, wait.” Nate caught her as she pressed down on the door latch. “I need to say something.”

“What is it?” She turned back, her hair fluttering in the breeze. One look in his blue eyes and she knew something was up. He looked almost…frightened. “Are you OK?”

“I…” He stumbled over the words. “I mean, you’re beautiful, Shayna.”

“Oh. But I feel like a wreck.” She sucked in a little breath and offered him a lopsided grin. “You really should have your vision checked. Don’t you have a team doctor or something?”

“My vision is fine.” He leaned into her, sheltering her from the chill. The scent of his cologne drifted on the breeze. “And, I’d really like to kiss you.”

“Hmm…then poor vision’s the least of your worries.” Though her pulse quickened to a height that made it nearly impossible to breathe, she managed to keep her tone steady and light. She would not become one of those girls who fawned all over him—though she understood their motivation. Not only was he handsome beyond words, but the guy was also kindhearted and gentle, as well. She cleared her throat and pressed a hand to his chest to maintain distance. “I’m not kissable, Nate.”

“Oh, I’m sure you are.” He feathered his index finger across one dimple, and she shivered as his breath warmed her cheek. “But I’ll refrain—for now, at least.”

“I…why?” The stars overhead were reflected in his eyes.

“Because when I do kiss you, Shay—and I will—you’ll know it means something, and you’ll want it as much as I do.”

“You think so?” Shayna stepped back slightly, struggling to keep her pulse from exploding through her jugular. “Well, if I didn’t know better, Nate, I’d say you’re suffering from a concussion along with poor vision.”

“If I am, I hope it never goes away.” He reached over her shoulder and pushed open the door before turning away. “When Zac wakes up, tell him I said hello and that I’ll see him Saturday.”

“I’ll tell him.”

He brushed a knuckle along her jawline. “And I’ll see you Saturday, too, Shayna.”

 

****

 

Nate brewed a pot of decaf and settled in at the kitchen table. Moonlight shimmered across greening pasture grass. The snow had melted, and with February easing into March, the temperatures were beginning to moderate. The weather should be good come Saturday—not too cold for Zac to enjoy an afternoon away from home. Maybe, if he felt up to it, they could do a little exploring in the field or drop a pole into the stocked pond. Nate wondered if the boy had ever been fishing.

His conversation with Shayna replayed over and over in his head. Man, his desire to kiss her was nearly overwhelming and took him completely by surprise. What was meant to be a simple dinner—a little respite for Shayna with no strings attached—had become so much more. At least for him.

He wasn’t so sure she was on board. And why should she be? For all she knew from the media, he was just some football star out on the prowl. And the recent headlines did little to dispel that image. Maybe he’d get the chance to explain things to her, eventually. Not that it would matter much. Nate knew that once people were firmly set in their opinion, it was just this side of impossible to change their way of thinking.

He’d been close enough to Shayna to feel her pulse, and he knew from the drum of blood through her veins that she felt something. As the night enfolded around them, her perfume had drifted up to fill the air he breathed…something warm and floral—like the long-awaited whisper of spring.

Shayna was much more than just a beautiful woman. Nate admired the fact that she tried to keep things as normal as possible for her son. Sure, she worried about Zac. But she didn’t let that worry overwhelm. That took a strong faith, which Shayna possessed in spades, and courage—a kind of courage Nate had given little thought since Josh’s death.

Even after all the years that had passed, he still missed his brother. The ache smarted like a sliver of wood lodged in his heart. He figured by now it would have worked its way out. Yet, the pain still lingered, truly a part of him now. He’d detached himself from everything that mattered—even his mom and Harry. He’d gone weeks without speaking to them, though at least one of them left a message on his cell phone almost every day to remind him he was missed.

Nate was stabbed by guilt. How had he gone so long without finding a way beyond the hurt? Could he turn that pain into something good, now?

Nate reached for the devotional Stan had given him. He’d yet to read the first entry, and he supposed now was as good a time as any. His feelings were jumbled, his heart like a map lacking directions. He didn’t know where he was supposed to go, and the feeling left him unsettled.

He cared about Zac, and Shayna, as well. The very idea scared the stuffing out of Nate. What if Zac didn’t make it? What would happen to Shayna? He couldn’t bear the thought of her lost in a dark tunnel of grief.

Somehow, over the course of the last several weeks, he’d fallen in love with her.

He opened the devotional. Tonight he’d break the seal…read through the first few entries. But before that, he had a call to make. A heartfelt conversation with his mom was long overdue.

He scanned the contacts stored in his cell phone, paused at his mom’s and Harry’s in Fernandina Beach, and hit send to connect.