Chapter Eleven #2
After a week, supplies were running low. They had already called the nearest neighboring towns, but all were rationing as well. The closest stores with any food or supplies were three hours away. Joel was packing to leave when Callie approached him.
“I’ll come,” Callie offered. “I imagine you’d want some company?”
“That’s pretty presumptuous,” Joel teased. “Maybe I like the alone time to belt out my karaoke in the car.”
“You sing?” Callie laughed.
“Not well at all, and only in the car alone,” Joel continued to joke.
“Well, I couldn’t deny your Ford the privilege of your performance,” Callie provoked and started to walk away.
“Of course, I’d like the company,” Joel yelled after her.
“Too late,” Callie called back. “My offer was only valid for ten seconds.”
“I don’t think so,” Joel said.
She continued to ignore him and kept walking. He chased after her, lifted her over his shoulder, and carried her back to his truck. She protested, but was laughing. He set her down gently beside the passenger-side door.
“You’re kidnapping me now?” she laughed.
“Yes,” he grinned.
He was looking at her strangely, and Callie’s heart started to race. She knew that look from men; she had seen both Ryan and Damian make it. She looked down, her smile quickly fading. Joel sighed, defeated. He started to open the door for her, then stopped and looked over her shoulder.
“What the hell?” he said, and then Callie heard it.
A helicopter was approaching. It was clear it was heading toward the town and would land on the beach. Callie recognized it immediately. It was the Grant helicopter.
“That’s Ryan,” she said softly.
“For real?” Joel frowned.
They walked toward the beach as the helicopter found a safe place to land and power down. But Ryan didn’t exit the craft. Instead, she saw Nathan. She stopped in her tracks, but Nathan had seen her and began to approach.
“What are you doing here?” she demanded.
“Bringing supplies,” Nathan replied.
Callie looked over his shoulder and saw the pilot opening the helicopter's doors. The helicopter was packed full of various foods and personal supplies. The arrival was noticed by several curious people, including Edna, and the pilot seemed to be telling them that the items on board were for them.
“We heard you were almost out of food and necessities,” Nathan explained. “Ryan thought he would save you the six-hour round-trip to town, which, by the way, is almost out as well.”
“This does save us,” Joel said, watching what was being unloaded.
“Tell him thank you,” Callie said. She was in awe. As good as Edna’s cooking was, she was getting tired of tuna sandwiches.
“You can tell him yourself,” Nathan said, motioning back to the helicopter.
Callie saw Ryan slowly stepping out of the other door. He stayed back, watching her. He didn’t move toward her.
“He says it’s up to you whether you want to talk to him,” Nathan explained.
“He’ll leave you alone if that’s what you want.
He just wanted to make sure you were safe and taken care of.
But Miss Bennett, he doesn’t want me to tell you that he’s been in the hospital all week, being treated for his injuries. They only discharged him this morning.”
“He’s persistent,” Joel sighed. “I’ll give him that.”
Callie started walking toward the beach, holding Ryan’s gaze.
She couldn’t read his expression; he had his lawyer look on, offering no indication of what he was feeling or thinking.
She looked back at Joel, who shrugged. She knew he wouldn’t try to influence her decision, though Nathan seemed to be pleading with her silently. She began to approach slowly.
“The ankle seems better,” Ryan said as she drew closer. “You’re barely limping.”
“It’s better,” she confirmed. “You left your partner in crime at home this time?”
“Yes,” Ryan confirmed.
“Why did you come back, Ryan?” Callie said, shaking her head.
“Because,” he started. “Even when I was hurting and trying to forget you, I couldn’t. And now that I know the truth about what happened, I can’t bear the thought of you punishing yourself for something that isn’t your fault.”
“I don’t deserve you,” she replied through tears.
“I don’t think that’s your call,” he replied softly.
He rested a gentle hand on her shoulder.
When she didn’t flinch or pull away, he pulled her close, looking at her with yearning, trying to show her he couldn’t live without her.
He searched her eyes for any sign she might still reject him.
When he knew she wouldn’t, he wrapped his arms around her and kissed her.
Callie thought her heart would burst. All she could think about in that moment was how much she loved him and wanted to be with him.
He held the kiss a moment longer, then released her, gently wiping away the tears from her cheeks.
He looked deeply into her eyes, hoping she would see how he truly felt.
“Please,” he said. “Will you come home with me?”
“I don’t deserve you,” she said again, but with less conviction.
“I thought we already determined that’s not your call,” he said, kissing her again.
She pulled away from him and sobbed. He wasn’t looking at her with the hidden terror she had seen the other night. He wanted her, and there was no more hesitation or judgment. She was punishing herself, but at the expense of his happiness.
“Please,” he whispered again.
“Yes,” she replied, finally. “Yes, I’ll come home.”
He kissed her once more, then released her and smiled. Callie stopped crying, his smile warming her heart that she had thought was shattered. She just wanted to be close to him, and never leave his side again.
“I love you so much,” he said.
That was exactly what she needed to hear to dispel her remaining hesitation and doubt.
This time, she reached for him and pulled him in for a kiss.
The kiss quickly grew passionate, and the desire she had always felt for him surged back, even stronger than before.
When they separated, they heard cheering from several of the town’s people, including Edna, who had watched the exchange.
Callie noticed Joel had begun to walk away.
“I’ll be right back,” Callie said to Ryan.
Joel had watched the interaction, but when he saw Ryan kiss Callie, he started to head back to the restaurant. Callie called after him, and he saw her rushing to catch up. He paused to wait for her.
“I’m leaving,” she said.
“I gathered that when I saw you kissing,” Joel said, forcing a smile.
“Joel, thank you,” Callie said, embracing him. “Thank you for being there when I needed someone.”
“Callie, all I ever wanted for you was for you to be happy,” Joel replied. “And if Ryan Grant doesn’t make you happy, call me, and I’ll come kick his ass.”