Seeking Me To Find You (Finding You Series Book 1) (8 page)

“Reeeally! I need to know more. I haven’t seen you have such a goofy grin ever. Not even with Roxanne.”

What the heck is he talking about?
I guess the puzzled look on my face let him know that I have no clue what he is talking about.

“You know. Roxanne. The girl that put out the red light,” Ben starts laughing.

He thinks he’s so funny.

“Jackass. Her name was Lane not Roxanne. I can assure you that Lane has nothing on this girl. Grace appears to be a good girl, yet has this spunk that makes her irresistible.”

Raising those eyebrows again, Ben replies, “Irresistible? Hmmm. You know, that is the type of girl that you have to watch out for. Angel by day, devil by night. I hear those girls can give a nice lay. They are the girls that you can take home to mom to give a good show, all the while mom isn’t aware that the little angel gives a whole different show between the sheets.”

This is what I like about Ben. He has a crude sense of humor that entertains the Marines during the day and charms the ladies at nights. We walk the kayaks out to my vehicle and get them strapped down tight. As we head back inside I notice Thor is still pawing at the back door. As soon as I free him, he starts chasing a bee. One of these days he is going to catch one and will not like the consequences. Opening the refrigerator, I complete an inventory of items that I can use to make an impressive lunch.

“What are you doing now?” Ben asks.

Bending down to get things out of the crisper, I say, “I have to make us lunch then go upstairs and find an extra camelback for her water. Then I have to find the sunscreen and –”

“Whoa. Wait a minute. You are making her a
picnic
lunch and putting together a
beauty
bag. You haven’t been on your first date and she has you wrapped.” Ben holds out his pinky and twirls a piece of paracord around it. “Are you then going to cut and dye her hair as well?”

“Screw you, Ben. She probably has been unpacking all week and hasn’t had time to run to get groceries or even the extras, like sunscreen. I’m not going to have her pass out then burn on my watch.”

Ben stands in the doorway bent over laughing. “Already whipped,” I hear in between each gasp of air.

Grace

I
believe this
has to be one of the longest nights in history. The anticipation of going out with Jackson this morning had my stomach doing flip flops all night. I roll over to scan the clock. “Six o’clock. You have got to be kidding me.” I slowly ease myself out of bed. As I descend the stairway, I start making a mental list of all that I need to accomplish before cross country practice begins in two weeks. I haven’t even started to unload the box that holds all of my school items; it sits neatly in the corner of my spare bedroom. I need to search for the flash drive that has all my pre-season work outs. Rory Simmons is the head coach of the team, as well as my previous boss’s daughter. She said that she was interested in meeting with me so that we could work out the best possible strategy for tackling this season. She indicated that the team is top heavy on seniors so we’ll need to start grooming the underclassman to fill the void for the following year. Thank goodness she’s a planner like me, always thinking ahead. I can’t work when things are in disarray.

As I start heating up water in the kettle, I search the cupboard for tea. When I pry open the airtight can of my favorite loose tea, I notice that I don’t have enough for one cup. I look farther into the cupboard and find that I don’t even have a crappy bag of tea. Tea bags are always my last option. When I searched the internet this past week, I found that my favorite tea store is in another town about thirty minutes away. Since the mall closes at six p.m. on Sundays I probably will have to wait until Monday to stock up. I can also do a little “back to school” shopping as well to maximize gas and my time.

With my stomach growling I open the food pantry. The only thing I have is crackers? I walk back to the fridge. Nothing. Nada. Zippo. I think I need to start another list – a grocery list. When did I get so unorganized? I guess I was just too focused on getting the house painted and furnished that I forgot about the main staples that keep me fueled. Looking at the stove clock, I notice only fifteen minutes has gone by. Nate said that there was a coffee shop about a mile from the house. I could just take my bike and make a quick trip so I don’t pass out on Jackson today.

I make my way back upstairs and throw on a bra under my t-shirt and pull on a pair of running shorts. That brings up another thing, what will I wear today? Crap! I just remembered that I’m out of sunscreen. I doubt a drug store would be open this early but I’ll see while I am out. If not, I believe that one of my UV protective long sleeved shirts is washed. I can pair it with my jogging capris. With my face moisturizer having SPF 15 and wearing a hat, I think that can shield my face. I’ll just have to apply the moisturizer to my ears and the back of my neck. Being a victim of how the sun reflects off the water, I can assure you that it can invade places that you don’t even realize until it’s too late.

Peddling my way downtown, I notice the air. It’s not thick and polluted like LA. I used to have to check the air quality before I went for a hike, bike or a run. There were times that we had to practice cross country and track in the school because it would not be safe for the kids. The kids enjoyed it though. They would weave through the hallways like they were running the amazing race. We only had one casualty – Mr. Kilburn. He stepped out without looking both ways. He had a black eye and a few scratches. I told him that he could make up a good story about how he thwarted attackers while saving me instead of telling people that he was tackled by a bunch a girls. He didn’t find that humorous at all. After that, I started sending emails to the teachers making them aware of our “indoor” practice. We bypassed Mr. Kilburn’s room altogether.

As I get closer to downtown, I notice the Mediterranean flair with a little bit of modern American accents. I hop off my bike and start slowly pushing down the sidewalk. Avenida Del Mar seems to have a little bit of everything lining its way. Of course, with it being before seven on a Sunday, most shops are closed. What brings a smile to my face is a store that sells specialty teas. Maybe I won’t have to get in my car at all tomorrow. I can just come down here and find most of what I need. Thankfully I see a coffee shop. Thank goodness it’s open because my stomach is not growling anymore, it’s roaring.

Opening the door, I notice a familiar face in line. Rory turns around and a big smile crosses her face. Rory accepts her beverage from the barista, then turns and embraces me in a tender hug. I feel a little awkward because I’ve never had a fellow female my age give me such a warm greeting. Rory is about two years older than me. She stands at my height, but sports a more athletic build. Her thick auburn mane is of medium length with slight waves. She reminds me so much of her mother, Mrs. James, who was kind and sincere. Since teacher pay is next to nothing, she earns extra money by coaching at the school and teaching yoga at a local wellness center. She explained to me that she married right out college to her high school sweetheart. Rory’s husband was a Marine in a reconnaissance team when his vehicle struck an IED in Afghanistan. I remember the day her mom received the dreaded phone call from Rory informing her of his death. Even though Rory’s husband died over a year ago, Mrs. James said she’s still struggling with the loss. Now, Rory throws all of her spare time into athletics because it wears her down so much that it helps her sleep at night. She has also pushed away from a lot of her friends. Understandably, Mrs. James expressed her hope that Rory and I could become close.

Hugging Rory back I say, “I didn’t realize that you lived close.”

“I live about ten miles away, but love this charming town. I always stop here on Sunday mornings to get an iced coffee and take it down to the beach. I lay out my blanket and rest upon the sand while watching the waves roll in. It’s kind of my little therapy. It’s a way to clear my head and get ready for the week ahead. My mom has been trying to get me to go back to church, but I hate receiving all those sympathetic looks.” Giving a light shrug she continues, “I was wondering if you could meet any time this week so we can come up with a training schedule. I have stats on all of our returning team members and my goal is to help them get their PR without a boat load of injuries. I find that if you don’t have a plan, you can plan on having an unhealthy team.”

Checking the calendar on my phone, “I still need to go through one more box and have to do some restocking of my pantry Monday. Are you available Tuesday? We can meet at my condo. I’m excited to show off the progress I’ve made on it.”

Obviously ticking her schedule through her head, Rory finally answers, “Tuesday works best for me. It’s one of the only days this week I actually have no commitments. Text me your address and I can be there as early or as late as you would like.”

“How about eleven-thirty? It will give me time to take a shower and recover from my morning run. I’ll make us a light lunch and we can get started. Does that sound okay?”

Giving me a sweet smile, “That would be perfect. See you Tuesday. Call me if something changes.”

Rory turns to walk out the door then suddenly stops. Turning back my way she has a devious grin. “Now, I would like to make a suggestion in what to order here. They make the perfect iced mocha ever. It is made with chocolate espresso beans, fresh crushed vanilla beans, and the most divine chocolate drizzle. One word of caution, order it skinny because if not you will need to tack on another five miles to your run. Oh, one more suggestion. There is a gourmet chocolate store up the way that makes the most decadent chocolates. Their chocolate covered strawberries are amazing and the chocolate covered Oreos will make you not care about the added cushion that they’ll add to your backside. They’re seriously well worth the money and added calories. See you Tuesday.”

As the bell on the door chimes, I think about the hell Rory has been through this past year. Even though she has such a charming demeanor, you can see little flecks of pain in her eyes. I remember when my stepfather would deploy, my mother tried to put on a brave face. We knew what a phone call or an unexpected visitor could bring. I also know that being detached from the bond of military friends brings people in your life that don’t always get what you are going through. Hopefully with my military roots, I can be the friend that she can turn to for understanding. I have a feeling that Rory and I could be the best of friends.

*

As I make
my way back into the condo complex, I see Jackson leaning against, what I assume is his silver, full size truck. He has the most heart-stopping smile. He pushes off of his truck and stalks his way to where I have stopped my bike. My insides twist with nerves and excitement.

“Good morning, Beautiful.”

Did he just call me beautiful?

“Don’t look at me like that,” he lectures while seducing me with his eyes.

“Like what?”

Shaking his head he turns course. “Never mind. I know it’s earlier than we had planned, but I’m ready to go when you are.”

“I’m sorry. I need a little time. I was out of everything this morning so I took my bike downtown to get a little breakfast.”

“You could’ve come over here,” he states as a matter of fact.

“My mom would be appalled if she ever found out that I traipsed over to a guy’s house that I barely knew, begging for food at six a.m.,” I say quietly. “It’s just that I’ve not stopped long enough to realize that my food supply was slowly dwindling down to nothing. I’ll go tomorrow.” I start to walk away when I realize my sunscreen issue. “Oh, do you mind if we make a stop on our way? I need to get sunscreen before we go out. Sunscreen is an item I can’t believe I don’t have since I usually carry it with me at all times. No offense, but I don’t want to look like I have a leatherneck by the time I turn thirty.”

Jackson takes off back to his truck and starts searching for something. Jogging back to me he shakes a bottle in his hand. A
sunscreen
bottle. “Gotcha covered. I know how it is moving. I always feel out of whack and disorganized. That is the one thing I hate about my job. I like being in constant control. I have lists, timelines, and reminders that keep me from reaching that point. When I move, things are in boxes and scattered everywhere, it feels as if I don’t know which way is up. I usually lose about five pounds because even
I
forget to buy food.”

Looking up at him, I wish he would take control. I wish he would lie me down and devour me like his food. Coming back to reality, “It’s seven forty-five right now. Do you mind if we leave at our original time? It will give me time to properly get ready.”

With a princely bow and a heart-stopping wink he says, “Anything you wish, my lady.”

I know that I’ve said this before, but I’m in
trouble
with this one.