Chapter 30
Justin
“ I s it too soon?” I ask. “I know we haven’t been official long, but I feel like this all started a few months ago, at the hog roast. I was thinking, since neither one of us has our own place, maybe we could spend some time…” I peer to my side.
Devan is smiling.
Lowering my chin to my chest, I mumble, “Word-vomit.”
Her giggle rings through the cab of my truck. “I’m beginning to catch on. You talk fast and say a lot when you’re nervous.”
Straightening my neck, I clench my jaw. “I’m not nervous.”
Devan reaches over and lays her fingers on my arm. “No. Big, grumpy Justin Sheers is never nervous.”
A laugh ruins my attempt at a gruff exterior. I turn my focus away from the road to see her beautiful face. “I’m not nervous with you. I just don’t want to fuck this up. Like today.”
“What about today?”
“You fit in with my family like you are meant to be there. I feel the same way about yours.” I take a deep breath. “For the record, this isn’t about to be more word-vomit.”
“Okay,” she says with a giggle.
“It’s that I never even imagined dating, serious dating, exclusive dating.
It was totally off my radar. And then we kissed.
Shit, I’ve known you for most of your life, but I didn’t really.
Don’t really. I want to. I didn’t truly see you until that night by the pond.
I think it’s why no one, including Ricky, recognized the woman I described.
” I swallow and reach my hand over to her leg.
“Devan, I see you in a way that is so damn special. Maybe I was blind before or just not paying attention. Now, each time I see you, talk to you, touch you” —I squeeze her leg— “I’m blown away that you want to date me. ”
“I feel the same way.”
“Are you kidding? You’re gorgeous, fun, a damn hard worker, and sexy beyond belief. I’m thinking about packing a handgun, just in case any other man thinks he has a chance with you.”
“I don’t think that’s necessary.” She lays her hand over mine. “I’m not looking at another man. Away?” she asks. “To where and when?”
“Would you believe me that I haven’t thought that far ahead. I wasn’t sure you’d say yes.”
“Yes, Justin. I know what you mean about being soon and yet not feeling like we’re rushing it. I get it. After the other night, after you took me home, I thought about how nice it would be to still be in your arms, to sleep beside you, and to wake with you.”
“We’re on the same page,” I say. “Can we rule out that hotel in Bloomington?”
“Yes.”
We both laugh.
“How far away?” I ask. “Should I look into plane tickets?”
“That’s unnecessary. Besides, are we going to go sightseeing or do you have other plans?”
“I haven’t worked out all the details, but I’m thinking other plans.”
“My answer is yes,” she says. “You can surprise me.”
My mind is filled with possibilities.
Something special.
Something romantic.
Something out of my comfort zone.
Instead of taking Devan straight home, we head to a spot I know by a lake. It’s only a few miles out of town. There’s no public beach, but some friends of my folks have a house there and have given our family an open invitation.
“Where are we going?”
“Boggs Lake.”
“Are you kidnapping me?”
A smile lifts my cheeks. “I think I am. I’m not ready to take you home.” I turn my hand palm up, the one on her leg. Devan places her hand in mine.
I park behind the Howards’ garage. After a few knocks, we determine they aren’t home.
“Are you sure this is okay?” Devan asks.
“My parents have been friends with the Howards forever. Besides, we’re only going to go down to their dock.”
Taking Devan’s hand, I walk her along the side of the house.
This isn’t where the Howards live year around, but they’re usually here in the summer.
From what I can see through the windows, everything looks the same.
They could be out for a Sunday drive. We walk through their carport, pass a sprawling elevated deck, and walk down a narrow staircase that leads through a patch of trees to the waterfront.
Green grass covers the lawn up to a seawall. People can either walk out on the dock or take the steps down to the sandy shore.
At the edge of the lawn, Devan stops and lifts her chin. The breeze off the lake blows wisps of her yellow hair around her beautiful face. Unable to resist, I lean over and brush her lips with mine.
The sunlight sparkles in her eyes as she hums. “This is beautiful.”
We take off our shoes and sit on the edge of the dock, letting our feet soak in the fresh, cool water. I tell her how I learned to water-ski on this lake. I’m also confident that my many attempts to get up on top of the water on skis is part of Kandace’s embarrassing stories.
Devan shares how she learned to water-ski and her love of Jet Skis.
As we sit, we talk about things I haven’t thought of in years.
It amazes me how easy it is to talk with her.
Most people would probably say I’m quiet.
Around Devan it’s the exact opposite. That doesn’t mean that I don’t give her a chance to share. I do, listening to every word she says.
It’s after seven when we put back on our shoes and trek up the hill and stairs.
“Justin,” Mr. Howard calls from the deck as we get closer. While I think of the Howards as my parents’ friends, they are older than my parents. Mr. Howard’s hair is snow-white, and his frame has lessened with time.
“Mr. Howard,” I reply. Once we’re to the deck level, I introduce Devan.
“Nice to meet you, young lady.”
Devan’s cheeks are pink from our day in the sun. “Nice to meet you.”
“Would you like some lemonade,” he asks.
“I need to get Devan home,” I reply.
“Maybe next time. You two come back and take the boat out. I’m getting too old for those stairs, and it could use a good running.”
Holding Devan’s hand, I say, “Thank you. That sounds like a great offer.”
“What is your week like?” I ask Devan once we’re back in the truck and headed for the Dunn farm.
“Lesson plans.”
“Sounds fun.”
“Your week?” she asks.
I flash her a smile. “Planning your surprise weekend getaway.”
“That sounds like fun.”
After dropping Devan off and kissing her goodbye, I call my brother-in-law.
I usually call Ricky for advice. However, asking him where a good place would be to take his sister’s virginity doesn’t seem like a good call.
It sounds like a call that could end with me in the depths of one of the quarries.
“Sheers,” Dax answers. “What’s happening?”
“You met Devan.”
“Yeah, she was here a few hours ago. Is your memory going?”
“Shut up,” I say. “It was a segue.”
“Oh.” He laughs.
“Forget it. I’ll call someone else.”
“No. No. What can I do for you? Is this about the Dunn farm?”
“No.” I’d rather not think about that right now. “I need some advice.” Before he could make another asinine comment, I go on, “I want to take Devan away for the weekend. I want someplace special.”
“You’re asking me because Kandace has told you what a great romantic I am, right?”
“No, asshole. I’m asking you because Kandace seems to be putting up with you and your shit, so you must be doing something right.”
Dax laughs. “A few months ago, when we found out Kandace was pregnant, we went down to West Baden. It was a great weekend. Although, they book up fast, especially this time of year.”
West Baden Spring Hotel.
I hadn’t thought of it.
The hotel is famous and historic. Some even say it’s haunted.
“I’ll give them a shot,” I say. “Thank you.”
“Hey,” Dax says. “This caring about someone looks good on you. Don’t blow it.”
It’s my turn to laugh. “I’m trying not to. Thanks for the vote of confidence.”
As soon as I hang up and I pull into our farm near our garages, I look up West Baden Springs Hotel and click the website.