"Thank you."
"Bye," JD whispered. He didn't like the sound of the word when he talked to Joella. If they never had to say good-bye, he'd be happy. He dropped his phone back in his pocket. Guess his heart won over this time.
******
JD pulled into Joella's driveway, stepped out of his truck, and rang her doorbell.
The striking woman in jeans and a red tee shirt opened the door. Her wide smile eased the heaviness he'd felt since his father's lecture and stern reminders.
"I don't know about you, but I've got a lot of stress to leave behind when we get to the park. I plan to skip a rock or two in the stream, and maybe even complain to the squirrels." With his hand on her arm, JD helped her into the truck.
When she got in the passenger seat, she turned to face him. "Count me in. That kitchen remodel is driving me crazy."
"Hey, you made me promise not to talk about kitchen stuff." He jogged around the front of the truck to get in.
She zipped her mouth with two fingers and glanced toward his CD player. "Can you turn on that praise music? It's so relaxing."
The soft sounds of a flute and piano duet filled his truck. "You're right. I hadn't thought about it quite like that."
"Did you have a lot of hassles at work today?"
A bothersome cough slipped from his throat. He couldn't exactly tell her he meant the demands of his religion and his father's expectations. "Oh, just things in general."
The road to Ormond Park appeared after the left turn. "Have you biked in the Upper Ormond?"
"All the time in college. That's where I got so good at riding my bike." She punched his shoulder.
"Ha. I don't believe that for a minute." JD sidled a glance toward her.
Her lips curved into a soft smile.
While he focused on the road again, heat crept up his neck. A schoolboy embarrassed at a girl's attention couldn't be shyer.
The Lower Ormond parking lot had plenty of spaces. "I suppose I'll have to challenge you to a bike race on those upper trails one of these days. Just so you can see you're not the only one who can ride."
"You're on." She laughed.
Her smaller palm gripped his when she took the big step down from his truck. She fixed her gaze on his face. If he were to guess, he'd bet Joella might be falling for him, too.
He reminded himself again. Her religious thinking and his were poles apart. A shiver wracked his body. He'd allowed this to happen—he couldn't blame anyone else.
The short path from the parking lot led to the trail paralleling Big Camino Creek. JD clasped his hands behind his back. Spruce and birch tree branches on either side of the creek intertwined to form a shelter from the sun. Gurgles and bubbles of the little stream found no competition but the chirping birds. The creek's surface flowed in smooth ripples until rough rocks sent blue and white mist into the air.
A table sat near the water. "Let's stop for a minute and relax," he said.
They slipped down on the wooden bench. Filling his lungs with cool evening air, JD exhaled as if that would eliminate his worries.
Lacing his fingers behind his head, he stretched out his legs, and leaned back on the table. He allowed the beams of sunlight through the trees to warm his face and whittle away at his cares.
A warm hand touched his shoulder. "Are you okay?"
He sat up, fists resting on his legs. "My dad gave me another of his famous lectures yesterday. It seems I can't ever do anything right." A flush toasted his face. He shouldn't be blaming things on his father. And why did he have to tell her?
She crossed one leg over the other. "What happened with your dad?"
This was the very question he'd hoped to avoid—but since he brought up the subject, she deserved a response. "I shouldn't have mentioned it. I don't want to bore you with family issues."
Joella laid a hand on his arm and squeezed. "Nothing you could say would bore me."
He trailed his fingers through his hair. "Dad lectures me periodically. He thinks I'm not living up to family traditions."
"What do you mean?" Joella said.
JD kicked himself for talking about it in the first place. But Joella seemed to have a listening ear. "He thinks I'm not devout enough to … to" JD shrugged his shoulders. "I'm sorry, Joella, it's too hard to go into it right now."
Her soft fingers ran over his hand. "It's okay. I'm your friend if you ever need to talk."
The desire to tell her everything threatened to conquer him. But how could he? She'd only try to convince him to believe in her convictions. No matter what qualities Joella possessed, he could never abandon his roots, heritage, and the faith his family had embraced for generations.
Truth glared him in the face, like when he first met her. He needed to walk away. The precarious fence on which he attempted to balance himself wobbled. If he fell off in the wrong direction, his position and chance for an EB wife would be destroyed.
JD stood and ambled toward the creek, his hand on his forehead.
"Come back and sit down." She patted the wooden seat he'd occupied.
He shrugged and edged down on the bench.
The pressure of her soft fingers kneaded his shoulders and released the tightness.
What was happening to him? He should get up, take her home, and never talk to her again.
A long breath only delayed his next move. He reached for her hand and tugged her around beside him on the bench. One more time, his heart won out over good sense. Didn't he have any willpower?
As if he'd find answers behind closed lids, he shut his eyes. He opened them, and her amber ones studied his. Tension and frustration melted when he looked at her. His chest rose and fell.
JD touched her face, trailing his fingers along her creamy skin. As he drew nearer, his lips hovered over hers.
He'd resisted before. I shouldn't do this.
The calm, trickling brook did nothing to soothe his soul or answer the hunger for her mouth. He couldn't hold out any longer. He surrendered to his heart. With quiet resolve, he curved toward her and allowed his lips to meet hers.
Shutting out the world behind closed eyes, he relished her nearness. He wove his fingers through her long silky hair, quickening his desire. Joella didn't merely excite him physically, but she stirred a longing deep within—a hunger to understand her heart, the essence of who she was. He drew her closer, feeling the warmth of her body next to him.
When her soft hand pressed against his neck, the aroma of apricots intoxicated him. He sought her lips more deeply.
He'd never kissed a woman like this before. Sure, he'd kissed a few girls in high school and college, but never like this … never with this feeling.
All too soon he moved away. He whispered in her ear. "Thank you for being my friend, Joella." Taking her fingers, he drew her to her feet. "Guess we'd better finish our walk."
JD's heart had crossed a line. No turning back. He wouldn't, couldn't stop seeing her. Too late now. He'd fallen in love for the first time in his life.
Chapter Eleven
Joella searched the bottom desk drawer and grasped her blue leather Coach purse. Time to go home and relax. Maybe she'd take a bike ride around the neighborhood or work in Mom's garden.
She slipped the vanilla gloss out of her purse and slid the wand over her lips, sparking the memory of JD's kiss. She'd melted like warm chocolate into his arms and nothing else mattered but his lips on hers. Was she in love?
Every time she saw him, his good manners, protective nature, and selfless attitude touched her. These things spoke of his Christian beliefs, though she wished he'd invite her to his church.
Out the back entrance of New Trend, fresh spring air brought the aroma of newly cut grass. Her car's ignition purred when she turned the key. The afternoon she and JD had spent at Lower Ormond Park still occupied her mind when the Crawford estate appeared at the end of the street. She pulled into the wide driveway leading to her apartment's front door.
JD's gorgeous eyes danced in her mind, but a sudden l
oud crash and a jolt backward brought stabbing pangs of alarm rushing through her body. What happened?
The front end of her Bronco jammed against the mangled back of a silver Corvette parked in her usual spot.
Ted's Corvette—in her place again. Heat began at the crown of her head and traveled to her toes. A rush of fear brought moisture to her face. Thoughts of JD had filled her mind when she drove in. The stars in her eyes must have blinded her to Ted's car.
Someone yelled and two people ran out of Mom and Dad's house.
"You idiot. What did you do?" Tammy raced to the sports car, both hands pressed against her cheeks.
Joella wanted to disappeared off the surface of the earth but crawled out of her car instead to survey the damage.
"What were you thinking?" Ted screamed. "Didn't you see my car here in broad daylight? Are you blind?" He rushed to his Vette and ran his hand over the tangled mass of fiberglass. Pieces of red plastic from the taillights lay scattered across the sidewalk. Exposed wires protruded, mocking her. The license plate lay sideways and the trunk was wedged in.
Words lodged in her throat. "But…but you were in my parking place."
Tammy glared at her. "That's no reason to demolish his car. I hope your insurance is current. It's going to cost a lot to repair a Corvette."
Joella nodded. What recourse did she have? Yeah, he was parked in the wrong space, but she hadn't paid attention to her driving. Those were the facts.
"Well, I'll need the name of your company." Ted huffed, his face bright red.
"Okay." Joella rubbed her stinging eyes. "I'll move my Bronco so you can get yours out, and I'll gather my information."
"Yeah, and I hope your insurance covers a wrecker." Tammy spewed.
Ted scratched his head and blinked his eyes. "Hey, I…uh…guess I shouldn't have been parked in your place. I'm sorry."
Tammy glared at her boyfriend. "Are you kidding, Ted? She should pay more attention instead of acting like an airhead."
Joella crept toward her car and backed out on the street in front of her parents' house, glad her Bronco started. Waves of regret roiled her stomach. She fumbled around in her glove compartment and pulled out the envelope with her proof-of-insurance card.
A knot tightened in her gut until she grasped her middle, trying to relieve the pain. Exhaling a long breath didn't expel the alarm. When she bought her policy, she'd selected the minimum coverage set by the state. Panic knifed through her. The cost of repairs to an expensive car like Ted's Corvette could be astronomical. How much would her policy cover and how much would she have to pay out-of-pocket?
*****
Joella's cell phone lay on the living room floor where it slid out of her hand when the insurance rep said good-bye. The man's words echoed in her brain, mocking her. Ten thousand dollars. Both hands on her forehead, she leaned back on the couch. Her stomach still hurt, and feelings of desperation ate at her. The large chunk of cash to pay for repairs on the Corvette would come from her savings, not counting another $1,000 for body work on the Bronco.
It hadn't taken Ted long to call Camino Collision and Repair Center. The estimated cost to fix his car would wipe out all but two thousand dollars she'd saved for her European trip. The stupid lapse of attention had shattered her dreams in one destructive swoop.
Three years of savings gone. Her hope of traveling to Europe, to improve her skills as a decorator, slid away. Who knew how long she'd have to delay?
Never in her life had she felt so small, so dim-witted. The accident didn't have to happen, but now she couldn't turn back time. At first she wanted to blame it all on Ted—where he'd parked. But in the end, she'd caused the collision. Feelings of worthlessness left her exhausted and depressed.
Like a magnet, her bedside drew her. She inched into the other room and knelt down on the carpet, folding her hands. "Lord, You are my Provider. I trust in You."
*****
Muffled chirping sounded in the living room. Joella raised her head off the bedspread and lifted up from her seated position on the floor. She must've fallen asleep.
Still on the carpet where it had landed, her cell continued to sing. She bent over, grasped it, and placed the receiver to her ear. "Hello."
"Hi, Joella." JD's smooth, comforting voice kindled longing to see the gorgeous man on the other end of the phone call. If he held her with his strong arms against his wide chest, the burden would lighten. Face it. She needed him—to wrap herself in the security of his embrace.
"Hey, are you there? I was calling to persuade you to go biking with me this weekend."
Like exploring the sandy beach on a summer morning, his words drove away the tension. "I'd love it. Anything to get my mind off my latest disaster."
"Oh, no. What happened?"
Joella headed into the kitchen. If she couldn't have JD right this moment, a cup of chamomile tea would have to do. "Just a little accident. I ran into my sister's boyfriend's Corvette."
"I'm so sorry, Joella. Can I do anything to help you out?"
"Yes, challenge me to a bike race this weekend and let me win."
Chapter Twelve
JD squinted at the blue sky. Bright sunshine and not a hint of clouds. A great day for biking. Joella's smile told him some of the burden she'd carried had lifted.
Glancing at the Bronco parked in the driveway with its damaged front end, he loaded Joella’s Schwinn ten-speed into his truck. "All right, Miss Crawford. I think we're all set. Looks like the weather is going to cooperate."
"That's a relief. And I'm sure we won't be encountering any of our famous fast-spreading canyon fires today."
"Hope not. The fire department must've come out at least three times last summer."
"Don't remind me." Joella gave the family dog a pat through the fence and threw her backpack into the truck's flatbed alongside their bikes.
One look at her in denim shorts and a pink tee that hugged her shape elevated his pulse. Each time in her presence, he fell a little harder. With a mental slap, he drew his attention back to the road. He needed to concentrate on driving instead of ogling Joella.
The road past campus followed Big Camino Creek and wound around toward the entrance of Ormond Park. A sign for the trails to Upper Ormond's rim pointed straight ahead. The last paved lot for motorized vehicles would get them closest. JD pulled into a parking slot. "We can take this path. It's a five-mile loop that runs in a circle off the main course. You still want to race?" he said after they exited the truck.
"Sure, but let's have a practice run first." The sun gleamed on her skin giving it a golden glow. She raised her face to the sky, as if soaking up the warm rays and the view. "I'm not sure if you're up for the long, challenging ride. You know what a good cyclist I am." She slipped her backpack over her shoulders.
He shot her a grin. "Me? Are you kidding? Can you handle this trail? We could look for something easier—someplace where you won't run over innocent pedestrians." He lifted her bike out and pushed the kickstand down then hung a plastic bottle of water in the mesh holder.
"Are you trying to get smart with me?" She tossed him a teasing grin.
"Yeah, how'd you know?" He retrieved his bike, straddled it, and tucked another water bottle into his saddle pack.
"Okay, funny guy. Let's go." Bike wobbling over the bumpy trail, Joella headed off down the path.
"Hey, wait up. You might get lost." A few seconds and he peddled beside her.
"JD Neilson, this is about the hundredth time I've taken this trail. I belonged to the hiking club as a student at North California University. You'd better stay close to me so you don't get lost."
Blue oaks dotted the hill to his left. "I'm surprised we never ran into each other during our undergrad years." What was she like then? She couldn't have been any more beautiful than now. JD's heart pounded from the climb and the woman racing alongside him.
"I guess we never had a class together." She huffed as they sailed along the trail.
"Uh-huh." The
path gained elevation, causing him to pedal harder. "We'll turn off toward the canyon in about a mile."
Sycamore trees lined the path. His tires crunched and crackled over small stones and branches. When they reached the spot, JD pointed east. "This way." A rounded hill covered with scrub oak lay to the right of the path. After an hour of uphill peddling, he pointed toward a grassy knoll. "How about stopping for a rest?"
"Yeah. I guess we can race next time." Joella puffed. "I'm ready for a snack." She leaned her bike against a tree and dropped to the grass swinging her backpack off her shoulders. "Since you're such a nice guy, I'm going to share." She reached in and pulled out raisin cookies, apple slices, and bottles of lemonade.
"Are your cookies as good as your brownies?" JD popped a sugary treat in his mouth.
"Of course. I might design kitchens, but I know how to use them, too." She sighed. "I'm going to have to design a lot more of them to build up my savings again."
A foothill pine offered back support as he extended his legs. He washed another bite down with a swig of lemonade. "You'll do it, Joella. You're a strong person. Before you know it, you'll be packing your bags." He chewed a few more bites. "These are delicious." Contentment spread through JD's chest at Joella's carefree mood, an improvement over the day of the accident.
When she drained the lemonade, she screwed the cap on and stuffed the bottle in her backpack. "I could stay all day. Problems don't seem to exist up here in the canyon."
She pulled a jacket from her pack. Settling it behind her head like a pillow, Joella leaned back and peered at the sky. "Look at that cloud. It looks like a bird … a dove, the symbol for the Holy Spirit. I believe the Lord can speak through little things like that. Don't you, JD?" She turned her gaze toward him.
He slipped down beside her and rolled onto his back. He couldn't answer. The cloud hadn't made him think of Exalted Father, and he didn't believe in a holy spirit.
Joella's faith riveted him. Whether she was right or wrong, she held strong convictions.
Yet he didn't want to talk about religion. He rose on one elbow to gaze at her. A soft breeze lifted a strand of her shiny hair. His eyes trailed from the smooth skin of her cheeks to the way her body curved in the right places. She stole the breath from his lungs.