She crinkled her forehead in confusion. “What’s wrong?”
“Kendall, what do you plan on doing with the dog once you leave?” He forced himself to ask the question no matter how much he hated the notion.
Her serious gaze met his. “I’m impulsive but I’m not stupid. I have thought this out. A little bit.” She bit down on her lower lip.
“And?” he asked, holding his breath.
“I’m not so sure I’m going anywhere after all.” She turned away too quickly, not meeting his gaze.
Obviously she wasn’t certain of her words but the fact that she’d say them at all gave him a ridiculous shot of hope.
She patted her leg and the dog rose to trail after her as she started for the other room.
“What are you doing?” he asked as she disappeared into the kitchen, leaving him to focus on the denim jeans drawn tight over her behind and the sassy sway to her hips.
“I’m going to lock up Happy so we can get going. And I’m giving myself some space before I hyperventilate,” she called over her shoulder.
“Hadn’t planned on admitting you might like to settle here, huh?”
“It’s happening fast, Rick. Just give me time to think some more.”
He nodded. He could do that. After all, with a house, a dog, and a sister to take care of, she wasn’t about to perform any of her impulsive disappearing acts anytime soon.
Chapter Twelve
Fresh air, inky night sky, and Rick by her side. In such a perfect atmosphere, Kendall was able to breathe just fine as they approached the football field. For the first time in her life she allowed herself to give in to the idea of belonging somewhere and to someone—and to enjoy it without fear of either being taken away.
She glanced around. As Rick promised, a huge screen covered what had once been the scoreboard and people with blankets had collected on the grass. Holding her hand, he continued past the crowds, not stopping for more than a quick hello.
“Where are we going?” she asked him.
“You’ll see.” He tugged on her hand and led her toward the bleachers that were also filled with people.
“So far I’m not impressed with the privacy level,” she teased.
They rounded the stands, walking behind and then underneath the bleachers where only the echo of footsteps against the metal slats above reminded her they weren’t alone. He’d found them a modicum of privacy amid the crowds. “Okay, now I’m impressed.”
“Hey, I told you I wanted a secluded place where we could be alone.” Warmth resonated in his voice and in the trembling heat of his body as he wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close.
The relief of finally being in his arms along with the possibility of being caught making out like two teenagers upped her level of excitement and awareness. Her heart fluttered rapidly in her chest and white-hot darts of fire sizzled in her veins. It was always this way with Rick. Whether she was thinking about him or actually with him, the heat was all-consuming.
“Well, you found the perfect place for us.” She nuzzled her nose into the warm spot in his neck, between his shoulder and his ear, eliciting a distinct groan of pleasure in response. “I don’t know how we’re going to see the slide show and at this moment I don’t care. But we’re alone like you promised.”
“I’ll always keep my word, Kendall.”
“Then you’re going to have to find someplace else to hang out,” a familiar male voice called out. “Because we were here first.”
“Roman?” Rick asked.
“Who else?”
“Shit,” Rick muttered.
Kendall wasn’t able to stifle a laugh. “So much for originality.”
“Like I said, we were here first.”
Rick snorted in disgust. “And you think that gives you squatter’s rights?”
“Is this what they call sibling rivalry?” Kendall wouldn’t know considering she hadn’t grown up with a brother or sister in residence long enough to experience the phenomenon firsthand. But despite the unwanted interruption, she was enjoying the heated yet humorous exchange between the brothers.
“It’s what they call males marking their territory,” Charlotte explained, laughing along with Kendall. “Besides, neither Roman nor Rick can claim this spot. According to town lore, it was Chase who put the Chandler mark here first.”
“Ooh, do tell.” Kendall couldn’t imagine serious-minded Chase getting into trouble. However, even if Kendall preferred Rick’s more outgoing personality, she could see many girls falling for Chase’s strong, silent demeanor.
“Well, I heard that back when Chase was in school here, he got caught with a girl beneath the bleachers. They were cutting class and he was suspended,” Charlotte said.
Kendall let out a whooping laugh. “You’re kidding.” Rick shook his head. “It’s the last kidlike story we really know about Chase before he took over as head of the family.”
“Before he became the straitlaced, stern-faced brother we know and love,” Roman added.
“I wonder what it takes to tame that Chandler man,” Charlotte mused.
Roman let out a low growl. “I’m the only Chandler you’re going to be taming. Now hit the road, Rick. No offense, Kendall.”
“None taken.” She laughed. How could she not? She liked how possessive Roman sounded when thinking about Charlotte. And she appreciated that Charlotte had tamed her wanderer, and now trusted him not to betray her as she’d feared her father had done with her mother. All of which made Kendall wonder what it would take for her to make that ultimate leap of faith in any person.
In any man.
In Rick.
She was so close, she knew. Close to believing she too could have the happily ever after and stability that she’d always viewed from the outside looking in.
But lingering questions remained. Like what would she do with that all-encompassing fear of abandonment and betrayal? Where would she put the memories of being left and how could she overcome the years she’d spent teaching herself that being alone and moving from place to place was safer for her heart?
“Let’s go,” Rick muttered, breaking into her thoughts.
