Tennessee Heat Read online

  He gave her one of his old college jerseys to sleep in before leaving the room to go get dressed for bed himself while leaving her to do the same in the privacy of the bathroom.

  She was suddenly feeling shy again and he seemed to know this because he came back to get her and lead her back to the bedroom where he proceeded to climb into bed in just a pair of sleep shorts and a tank that showed off his muscular form like it was the most natural thing in the world.

  She blushed to the roots of her hair when he pulled back the sheets to let her slide in beside him. In deference to her, he’d put on sleeping shorts and an under shirt, but was still worried about his body’s response and how she’d react to it if it came to that.

  He needn’t have worried. It was the first really peaceful night of sleep she’d had in too many years to count, and she hadn’t even realized she’d fallen off so easily until the next morning when she awoke.

  She couldn’t remember ever feeling this well rested upon awakening before and thought to herself that she could get used to it. That’s why she was so surprised and thought he was almost reading her mind when he made his suggestion over breakfast, which he made.

  “I want you to stay here while I’m away.”

  “What?” She stopped with her forkful of eggs halfway to her lips.

  “I think I’ve told you how I feel about that neighborhood you live in…”

  “Let’s not start that again.”

  “Annabelle, you may not like what I have to say, but when it comes to you and I, we will always hear each other out. Like I was saying, I don’t like that place. If I leave here to go take care of other people’s loved ones but don’t take care of mine, what would that make me?”

  She had no words. She was always amazed at how open he was about his feelings. How easily those words seemed to fall from his lips. So much so that she could almost believe it was all just part of a game. Because she wasn’t accustomed to such honesty.

  Why her? Why would he overlook the gorgeous, cultured and wealthy Lisa for the likes of her?

  “I don’t think I like what you’re thinking.” She snapped out of it when she realized that he was just staring at her as if he could indeed read her mind.

  “You don’t have to answer right now. I’m going to give you the keys to get in if you want to. Just give it some thought.” He didn’t push though he wanted to. In the end he knew they weren’t as close as he’d like, not close enough for him to have any real say in what she did.

  He couldn’t wait for that to change. Last night when he’d gone to pick her up he’d seen some rather shady characters hanging around outside. He knew he would never allow his sister to be caught dead in a neighborhood like that, and it was killing him that the girl he loved lived there.

  15

  The Saturday the week before Labor Day was a beautiful day: the cloudless sky with no breeze was a sure sign that they were in for another stifling day of heat by noon. But early in the morning, when Annabelle got out of bed and cracked open the window, the air was still fresh and cool.

  At least they’d left most of the oppressive summer heat behind. Though it could be a few months yet before they were out of the woods. That fractious Tennessee weather cannot be trusted.

  She took a quick shower and got dressed in shorts and a tank, clothes she wouldn’t be caught dead wearing outside, and wondered how she should spend her day.

  She thought of Kimberly’s invitation to their family’s yearly picnic. She was really tempted to go when Kimmy told her how much fun it was. But the thought of all the people that were going to be there gave her pause; she knew she’d only stick out like a sore thumb among the city’s elite.

  Still, it would be nice to get away for the day, but she didn’t feel like she belonged. She felt like crying at her pitiful existence. But told herself that it was better that she not go, and she wouldn't go no matter what her friend said. So though she was sorely tempted, could all but see herself there by the cooling banks of the lake, she once again brushed it off. She wouldn’t feel right without Chase there anyway. She’d miss him too much.

  Besides, she was still feeling a bit odd about his family not knowing about the change in their relationship or the night they’d spent together before he went away, and she wasn’t at liberty to share that news, not even with her good friend. Plus from what Kimberly had said, everyone else would be paired off.

  She was starting to feel seriously torn as she remembered how the other girl had gone on and on about how much she’d be missing if she passed up the chance. She was ever looking for an excuse to get out of here. No doubt the street would be busy today with the usual street side barbecues.

  She almost wished it was a workday, so she could go into work. But it was her day off and nobody wanted to switch because they got paid more on the weekend. She’d been sorely tempted to work for free if only to escape.

  Her mother, who had made such a stink about her staying home this time, was hardly ever here herself and she was regretting giving in to the other woman’s manipulations. She still had Chase’s keys…

  Her mother was still asleep, and she was in no great hurry to get breakfast started, so she sat quietly looking out the little space in the curtain out the window at the empty street.

  In a little while she started to see movement. People setting up their grills in front of their houses or on the sidewalk. Voices calling out to one another across the street as the neighbors got into the holiday spirit.

  Her phone rang and she reached for it on the nightstand answering blindly. It wasn’t time for one of Chase’s calls so she really wasn’t interested.

  “Hello, Annabelle!” It was Kimberly and she sounded way too cheerful for that time of the morning.

  “Hey Kimberly, what’s got you so chipper this morning?”

  “Oh nothing much, just got up early to help mom prepare the food for the picnic and now I’m sitting here twiddling my thumbs waiting for Colin. You sure you won’t change your mind? I don’t think big brother would appreciate me leaving you at home alone like this.”

  It sounded so tempting, but she was still not sure. But she also knew her friend wouldn’t stop until she got her way. “What time were you guys planning to head down to the lake?”

  “The party bus leaves at half-past nine on the dot.”

  “Girl, it's only seven. What time is Colin supposed to come?” She never changes. She’s always way earlier than that poor boy, and then she fusses at him for being late.

  “Oh, he’d better be early. I already told him what would happen if he’s not. I couldn't wait, too excited. I've been waiting longer than this actually. I've been up since five this morning.”

  “Since five! What have you been doing all this time?”

  “Choosing outfits, making sure my hair is right. I woke up so early. I've been dreaming all night about this stupid picnic. I simply couldn't sleep. Guess why.”

  She giggled into the phone making Annabelle grin right along with her. “I can’t guess, my mind is mush this early in the morning. Tell me.”

  “I think Colin is going to propose.”

  “Get out, really?”

  “So you see, that’s why I wanted you to come. Won’t you?”

  “Oh I don’t know, you said everyone there will be a couple, I’ll feel like a fifth wheel.” Annabel said mournfully, suddenly wishing she was indeed going. Anything to get away from her neighborhood and what she saw brewing outside.

  It was a given that somebody was going to start a fight before the day was done and then they’d be nothing but police sirens and mayhem. It never fails, every time there’s one of these get-togethers in the neighborhood somebody always has to spoil it.

  “You might as well. I want you there on my big day. And besides, Lisa won't be there, I don’t think and you can keep me company till Colin pop the question because you know I’m going to be a nervous wreck the whole time. I think he might wait until later in the day.”

  “I�
��m not even going to ask how you know all this if it’s supposed to be a surprise.” Annabel was much more interested in going now that she knew her nemesis wouldn’t be there, and she’d love to be there when her best friend got engaged, but she hesitated a little longer.

  Kimberly asked her once again. Then she said, “Alright; I'll come with you, and hold your hand till he pops the question if only to keep you from jumping the gun.” They both laughed as they were both aware of the truth in her words.

  It wouldn’t be much of a surprise if Kimberly decided to take the reins if she thought her beaux was taking too long. Annabel sometimes wished she had her friend’s confidence but knew it was going to take a lot to get her there.

  She took a nice shower and dug through her closet for something suitable to wear. She’d never been to one of the picnics but she’d heard stories and knew that she needed to at least put some effort into what she wore.

  She found a flounce skirt that came to just below her knees with a matching top that left her arms bare but didn’t reveal too much of anything that she’d want to keep hidden.

  She turned up her nose at the worn sandals, which were the only shoes she had that would go with the outfit but would have to do. A quick cup of coffee later and some time spent in the mirror putting on makeup and she was pleasantly pleased with the results.

  The weather report was calling for more heat later on in the day and though she was tempted to she did not bother to put on a hat, but decided to just risk it and go as she was.

  She’d forgotten all about her mother but thankfully the other woman was still asleep so she left another note that she had no hope of being read and walked out the door.

  She was surprised that she made it from her door to the corner and figured it was too early for the dealers and the pimps to show themselves, not when they had a whole day ahead to do what they did best. What with the neighborhood alive and kicking as it was bound to be with the impromptu barbecue party.

  Because it was the weekend the trolley and even the bus was a little less crowded than usual since not that many people had to trudge to their nine to five. Mostly it was other people like herself who were off to some gathering or another that was out and about that early in the morning.

  She hadn’t thought of Chase the whole way there until she came to his parents’ street and then the sadness set in again. He’d been gone for a while now and not only that, but his phone calls were few and in between. And when he did call he was always over tired. Sometimes he just called to hear the sound of her voice before hanging up again.

  She’s been following the situation on the news and feeling more and more desperate each time there was a new development. She’d never paid much attention to rescue missions before in the past, beyond the natural human instinct to wish everyone well, but this time she was glued to the T.V. and radio for any little bit of news.

  Chase would not share much with her other than to say it was bad, which she’d already gleaned from the television reports. Each time they broadcasted something she’d feel her stomach drop until she heard from him again, having only now realized the dangers that can exist after a killer storm.

  He’d told her that he was just there to help with the rescue, but she’d since learned it went much deeper than that and he faced more danger than he’d let on.

  She also got the idea that his team must be one of the head ones since they’d been reports of other teams moving out and heading back to their home states. But the last time they spoke he’d made no mention of coming home.

  Just seeing his childhood home up ahead gave her such a sense of melancholy she felt tears threaten. She missed him more than she ever thought possible and as she walked down the drive to his family home, she pushed her hand into her purse and rubbed her fingers over the key he’d given her. Maybe I’ll stay there tonight, to be close to him. She thought.

  16

  She heard Kim squeal up ahead before she even reached the door and figured her friend had been on the lookout for her. Suddenly the front door flew open and out she came running with a big infectious grin on her face.

  “You made it, I knew you’d come.” Kimberly wrapped her arm around Annabelle’s elbow and led her towards the front door where her dad and brother were already bringing stuff out to put into the waiting car.

  “I thought you said there was a bus?”

  “There is, but mom and dad always drives out, it’s too cramped and crowded to fit everything on there so they need the car. Plus if someone needs to make a run for something they forgot which happens every year without fail, it’s easier to take the car than the bus.”

  She bumped her friend’s shoulder, “we’re going on the bus though so you don’t have to worry about being alone in the car with your new in laws.” She made a run for it after making that statement leaving poor Annabelle to wonder at what she meant by those words.

  Although there was still nearly half an hour to go, Mr. Worthington drove them out to wait with the others who were also taking the bus to the picnic grounds at the lake. Kimberly chattered all the way filling her in on some of the day’s highlights and what she could expect.

  “Why isn’t Lisa coming? I’d think this was just the sorta thing she likes.” Kimberly shrugged her shoulders as she looked around at the people gathered there for any of their friends, who hadn’t shown up yet.

  This picnic was one of the highlights of the season, something no one missed if they could help it. When her mom told her that Lisa and her family wouldn’t be coming she had a pretty good idea why, what with their family drama, but she wasn’t at liberty to share so she just let her friend’s inquiry pass.

  The bus pulled up twenty minutes after they arrived and they climbed on, taking the first two seats up front. Everyone said hi on the way to their seats as they passed and Annabelle didn’t miss the appreciative looks both she and Kim received from the guys some of whom she knew from school and some who were complete strangers.

  A quick look around the now filled bus showed that there were indeed mostly couples there and she started to miss Chase. Would he have invited her if he’d been here she asked herself?

  It looked like everybody who was anybody of the social set was here or on their way there in their own car. Since no one was dressed to the nines, at least she didn’t feel like she stuck out in her bargain store outfit. But somehow she was sure everyone knew she didn’t belong there.

  Her thoughts took some of the shine off the day that hadn’t even started and thank heaven Kim was too preoccupied with her own thoughts to notice. She reminded herself that she was here to offer her friend support and pushed her own worries and cares aside.

  The bus pulled up and as she looked outside Annabelle couldn’t believe her eyes. Although Kimberly had warned her about some of the old southern traditions to be found here today, the last thing she’d expected to see were the old horse and buggies that were drawn up outside the main entrance of the little park that led to the lake.

  They were large and long, some of them with seats arranged across from each, so that four people could sit on it, two on each side, and some with the seats crosswise that would seat more, they were each drawn by two powerful looking horses whose harnesses the coachmen were now busy examining.

  The party bus was not the first on the scene, she saw, as there were already about half a dozen or more people milling about and for the first time Annabelle got her first real sense of just how big the picnic was going to be, while Kimberly grumbled because Colin wasn’t among them.

  “I’m going to scalp him. ‘Go ahead and I’ll meet you there’ he said, ‘I’m not going to be late this time’, he said. Liar!” She folded her arms and pouted as Annabelle looked on with a smile.

  The two girls stood off to the side, looking on as the driver helped people take their stuff out of the belly of the bus. Huge baskets full of food were brought out and passed to the coachmen who packed what they could on the seats leaving room for the owners to
sit.

  Cases of beer and booze were hoisted up and put in every possible place, under the seats, under the drivers’ legs, and even beneath the brakes. Annabelle didn’t miss the fact that her reaction to the sight was vastly different here than it would’ve been in her own neighborhood.

  As more people started arriving, Kimberly began to get agitated that Colin still hadn’t shown up yet so Annabelle turned her attention to keeping her friend calm. “Calm down Kimmy, he’s not technically late, and besides, you don’t want to start your big day off this way.”

  “I know, but I wish he'd come soon!” She said. ''I’m too nervous to wait much longer, I feel like I’m going to burst. Why would he be late today of all days?” Then she looked up and down the street across from the lake as if expecting him to magically materialize.

  “What if I read him wrong? What if I’ve gotten all excited for nothing? What if he doesn't show up? He’s going to get it if I have to hunt him down like a dog in the street. How dare he keep me waiting like this?”

  “Good grief Kimmy you’re making yourself crazy for nothing. There's still at least fifteen minutes left” said Annabelle, who couldn’t believe how flustered her usually levelheaded friend was. She guess she could understand though as she imagined herself in the same predicament.

  At last Kimmy saw him coming over Annabelle’s shoulder, and rushed off to meet him without another word. The smile on her face saying all was forgiven. Annabelle was left alone, already feeling like the fifth wheel she hated to be as all around her people were already linking up.

  She wasn’t sorry that she had accepted the invitation, but she did wish that he was here. Then maybe she wouldn’t be feeling so alone, even if they couldn’t be together the way they wanted in front of everyone, at least he’d be nearby.

  Kimmy and Colin walked back over to where she stood; he looked just as nervous as her friend so Annabelle surmised that her friend won’t be disappointed this day.