Lance drew closer. He looked pained, but hedidn’t lose eye contact with her. “Don’t you dare. Don’t stand hereand tell me I didn’t care.”
She pointed at him. “I thought you would atleast—”
“At least what? Come running after you?” Hebit his lip as if he realized his slip up.
“All this time.” Her bottom lip trembled. Shesmoothed the front of her blouse. “I’m glad I know now. For thefirst time in my life, I know the truth.”
Lance’s eyes softened. He touched her arm.“Come on, let me—”
She jerked away as if his touch singed herskin. “Leave me alone. Just leave me alone!” She marched off in herheels down the sidewalk, not caring to hear another word he had tosay.
Chapter 13
Lance tapped his pen on his desk, staring atthe bamboo plant in the corner of his office. He couldn’tconcentrate on his work. He’d been sitting in his comfortable chairfor almost an hour with no progress. Should he call it a day and gohome? Blowing out his cheeks, his eyes diverted to the landscapeview outside the window.
The sun’s hue dimmed from bright yellow to adeeper gold as it sank below the horizon. Shadows lengthened andbuilt, and shiny surfaces glowed with light. He wouldn’t trade thesight of Delta Heights’ sunset for any larger city in the world.Would Andrea enjoy the sight as much as he did? Would his gorgeousmodel appreciate the simple things?
Uncrossing his legs and taking his feet offthe desk, Lance adjusted in his seat. Something had to give. Hecouldn’t pull off the wedding plans without his bride to be. Thenhis phone rang on his desk. Grabbing his cell, he saw her name. Whydid his breath hitch? Why did his heart palpitate?”
He answered. “Hello?”
“Hi,” Chantelle said.
Lance swallowed. “I didn’t think I’d behearing from you so soon.”
“I wasn’t going to call, but giving someonethe silent treatment never works. Besides, I’ve made too muchprogress to backtrack now. So...”
Lance’s fingers tingled in anticipation.
“I’m sorry.”
He pushed away from his wooden desk and stoodto his feet. He paced to the window and leaned against the frame.“No. I’m sorry.”
It wasn’t the first time he said those wordsto her. He had said them that night on their favorite country road.He had found Chantelle sitting on the hood of her car. Lance tappedthe ring box in his pocket.
Was it a good idea to get married ateighteen? He didn’t care. He wanted to make things right. Hewouldn’t abandon Chantelle. Not her or their baby.
“What are you doing?” She had asked.
“Marry me?”
She shook her head. “That’s not the way tosolve this.” She jumped to her feet. Then she wiped her face.
Lance straightened to stand and walkedcloser. “I’m not giving our baby up for adoption. I don’t care whatmy parents say.”
“Think about it. How are we going to supportourselves, Lance? We’re supposed to be going to college. A babywill—”
He wrapped his arm around her waist. “We’llfigure it out. I want you, Chantelle. I don’t care if they thinkwe’re too young.”
He had meant those words. Lance could kickhimself for hurting her—again. He had to make things right.Refocusing on his present conversation, Lance continued. “I hopeyou believe me, Chantelle.”
She sighed. “Thank you. I believe you, but Ishouldn’t have snapped.”
His phone beeped in the background. What didhis mother want? It wasn’t the time, but he didn’t want her callinghim repeatedly if he didn’t answer. “Hold on.”
“Sure.” Chantelle replied.
Lance clicked over to his mother. He’d makethe conversation quick. “Hello?”
“A-CHOO!”
“Mom, are you alright?”
She sniffled. “I’m so sorry, son. I seem tohave caught a cold.”
“You never get sick. I haven’t seen you sicksince—”
“Well, I need to rest the next few days.Doctor’s orders along with your father.”
Lance’s eyes widened. “I hate to ask this,but who’ll help me with the—”
“I’ve already found someone to take my place.You should hear from June Myers by tomorrow.”
His eyebrows furrowed. “I hear she’sdifficult to work with.”
His mother coughed. “That’s nothing butgossip. June has a fine reputation. I’ll be back up on my feet tohelp again soon.”
Why did Lance think it was a bad idea? “Mom,I don’t—”
“Don’t worry about it. You and Andrea willhave the perfect wedding.” His mother hung up.
Lance clicked back over to Chantelle. “Areyou still there?”
“Yes.”
“Sorry about that.” He pinched the bridge ofhis nose. “You forgive me?”
“Yes. Do you forgive me? It’s been too longfor us to hold a grudge against each other.”
His mind flashed again to the last time hesaw her. Chantelle wore a hospital gown. The doctor had talked tohim, his parents, and Chantelle’s parents. Abnormal chromosomes,particularly damaged ones, were the reason she miscarried theirchild. He didn’t understand it with Chantelle being so young, butthe doctor told him there was no way to prevent problems fromhappening in a pregnancy.
Then he did the absolute worst thing. Hesuggested an annulment, at his parents’ bidding. Too heartbroken,he didn’t regard the consequences for his hasty decision. He hadblamed himself and figured Chantelle would have been better offwithout him.
“Get out,” she had said. Her voice cold likeice. She hated him. He knew that much. He didn’t blame her, butwhat could he do to fix it? He couldn’t bring their child back. Hisparents were right. They were too young to handle it.
He had stepped forward. Could he make herunderstand? “Chantelle—”
“Get out!” She threw a pillow at him. Hereyes watered. “Get out!”
Lance exited her room. Nausea took over, andhe ran to the men’s room. It was over.
He blinked, bringing himself back to thepresent. “I do and I agree.” Did she hear the hesitation in hisvoice?
“What’s wrong?” She asked.
“It’s... the first time we’ve said thosewords to each other.”
“You’re right. I guess we didn’t know what tosay at first.”
She had to know. He had to tell her. “It’snot what you think. I didn’t forget, Chantelle. It hurt metoo.”
“I know you didn’t. I assumed the worst.”
A light feeling took over Lance’s chest. Theburden he had felt for ten years was finally lifting. “I hope nowwe can...”
“I’d like that.”
He smiled, grateful that she could alwaystell what he was thinking. He cleared his throat. “Do you think youcan help me with something tomorrow?”
Chantelle answered.
