I Crosse My Heart, page 17
“I’d probably scare them away.” Kallie gave a half-hearted laugh. “I must look like Bride of Frankenstein.”
“You don’t look like a raccoon, but your eyes and nose are puffy and red,” Amy said. “We don’t have time for a total makeover, but let’s see if we can’t fix some of the damage.”
“Thanks a lot.” But Kallie was too drained emotionally to put any heat behind it.
“Come on. Let’s get you cleaned up.” Amy guided her up Main Street. “Would you like more hot chocolate?”
The numbness wore off and Kallie began shaking. “S-s-soup, p-p-please.”
Amy guided her to their favorite sushi bistro a block away and ordered a bowl of miso soup while Kallie took advantage of the facilities.
Nearly screeching upon seeing her reflection, Kallie dabbed some hand soap onto a paper towel and washed her face, then applied a cold compress to her puffy eyes. Digging in her handbag, she unearthed a comb and raked it through her windswept curls. She couldn’t fix all of her makeup, but she reapplied mascara and her mocha lipstick.
Amy popped her head in the door. “You’re looking better. Your soup’s ready.”
“I’ll be right out.”
“Hurry up. We’re on a time crunch.”
Kallie remembered Amy saying thirty minutes on the phone earlier. She swiped the comb one more time through her hair and joined her friend at the bar in the restaurant. Amy sat on a stool, her back to the restrooms and her phone up to her ear.
Amy hung up her cell phone as Kallie sat on the stool next to her. “Feel better?”
“A little.” Kallie sipped the soup, the bowl warming her hands.
“Well enough to continue?” Amy asked.
A flash of irritation bolted through Kallie as she took another drink of soup. “Let me guess. I have to solve the riddle.” She couldn’t keep the frustration from her tone.
Various diners sat at the tables scattered about, some talking and laughing, other couples holding hands and smiling. One couple playfully attempted to attack each other with their chopsticks.
Amy touched her arm. “Someone went through a lot of trouble to set this up.” She retrieved the necklace from her purse and slid it across the counter. “That person really cares about you, and they’re doing this as a way of showing how much.”
“Why the riddles?” Kallie asked. “Why not say ‘meet me here at eight’?”
“The person who arranged this knows you, Kallie,” Amy implored. “They know you enjoy scavenger hunts and solving puzzles. How many times have we hunted for the Oktoberfest medallion?”
Kallie slumped as defeat swamped her.
Amy rubbed her back. “What’s wrong?”
“I guess I’m still worried about Rafe,” she confessed. She wanted to believe that Rafe was waiting for her at the end, but their last conversation had been brief and tense. She didn’t know if she fit into his future anymore.
“Do you think he’s broken up with you?”
Kallie hugged her abdomen as daggers of pain pierced her heart.
“Answers that question,” Amy said dryly. “Well, I think there’s only one way to find out.” She grabbed Kallie’s purse.
“Hey!” Kallie slapped her friend’s hand. “What are you doing?”
Amy had the audacity to laugh at her. “It’s about time you busted out of your funk. Finish your soup, and let’s solve the last riddle.”
Grumbling, Kallie polished off the bowl of lukewarm miso, scooping the tofu and seaweed bits with chopsticks. “Okay, what’s the last clue?” she asked, setting the empty bowl on the counter as Amy retrieved the envelope.
Kallie took the clue from her friend and read it out loud. “‘For love, it is the season. One last stop...here’s four million reasons.’” Having something to work out helped to somewhat take her mind off Rafe. “The season,” she pondered. “Four million reasons. What about a bank? The four million could refer to money. Maybe Rafe got a four-million-dollar bonus, which means he made it to the majors.”
“Could be,” Amy said thoughtfully. “But I don’t think that’s it.”
She didn’t immediately dismiss the idea, since they were across the street from a bank high-rise. She mumbled beneath her breath, trying to work out what else could involve four million individual parts. “I don’t think cars would have that many pieces.”
“They could,” Amy agreed, “but they’re not directly associated with any seasons.”
“Is the clue related to Christmas?”
“Well, to winter and the holidays,” Amy conceded.
“Okay. So, we have four million parts or pieces related to winter, and a season for love,” Kallie summarized, looking out onto Main Street. Lights blinked on the tree in the lobby of the bank across from the restaurant. “Duh. Rotary Lights.”
“Let’s go.” Amy paid the tab and they stepped out into the frigid evening. “It might be easier to walk to Riverside Park. It’s only a few blocks.”
“Why? Where are you parked?”
“In the ramp.” She pointed to the building next to the bank. “Second floor.”
Kallie huddled deeper into her heavy coat. “Might as well. I can’t get much colder.”
Snowflakes danced on the swirling currents as the cold winter wind bit at her exposed skin. Since 1995, the local Rotary clubs turned Riverside Park into a magical Christmas wonderland. Thousands of strands of lights weaved between the trees, and animated displays stood at random intervals around the lane. They’d started out with just two hundred and fifty thousand lights. Now that number topped four million.
Kallie usually loved Christmas, and seeing the park all decked out with millions of twinkling lights was her favorite attraction. But anxiety overrode her emotions. She tried to enjoy the festive displays as they passed, but Amy had grabbed her and they started jogging through the park. The woman was on some kind of mission.
“Slow down!” Kallie tried tugging at her wrist.
Amy’s grip tightened. “We can’t!”
A mix of emotions flooded through Kallie as they dodged other people walking through the park. Anticipation of the end, but also a little dread that it was almost over. “Where’s Rafe?”
“You’ll see,” Amy said again, propelling Kallie through the park toward the recently reconstructed bandshell. The open concrete structure, even with its wood and copper roof, provided little shelter against the elements, but Kallie ascended the wide, shallow risers of the stage anyway. Whether Amy realized it or not, she’d just revealed that Rafe had a role in the scavenger hunt. Hope uncurled inside Kallie, but her doubts refused to let it grow.
“So, what am I supposed to do here?” she asked.
“Wait.” Amy dashed off again.
“I’m going to kill her,” Kallie muttered, her breath a puff of white vapor in the frigid air. A strong gust of wind whistled through the openings between the tree trunk columns holding the roof as it blew across the landscape from the river. She shoved her hands into her pockets as she leaned against the wall at the back of the stage.
She kicked the concrete in frustration with the heel of her boot as she looked around the park. Thousands of miles of lights dangled from every tree branch. A rope-light train chugged, and the arms of a windmill turned with an invisible motor. On the side nearest the river, an animated squirrel darted up and over the trees, an acorn clenched in its teeth.
A continuous stream of cars crawled past at a snail’s pace as their occupants took in the displays. Others walked the ribbons of sidewalk winding through the landscape. Shouts and laughter echoed from the skating rink occupants halfway up the park. Christmas music blared from various speakers around the area.
At the north end of the park in front of the Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, displays danced and lights flashed in time with music from a local radio station. A lighted display of the La Crosse Queen churned its red paddlewheel across the snow.
“I’m going to kill her,” Kallie muttered again as she pushed away from the wall with her heel. “I’m gonna kill them both for putting me through this.” She descended the risers toward stage front with the intention of finding Amy, when she heard the soft whinny of a horse and the nicker of the accompanying driver offering carriage rides. A familiar face at the bottom of the steps stopped her in her tracks. She gasped, tears stinging her eyes as she covered her mouth with her hand.
“Hello, Kallie.”
“Rafe?” The word slipped out on a whisper. She blinked, afraid he was an apparition that would disappear into the swirling flakes. She slipped on a small patch of ice on the concrete.
Rafe caught her in his arms. “Easy, darlin’.”
A lone tear froze on her cheek as she wound her arms around his neck, inhaling his familiar scent. “What are you doing here?”
“I had to see you. I missed you so much.” Rafe kissed her lips. “That necklace looks so beautiful on you.”
“I missed you, too.” The last three years had been agony, only being able to hear his sexy drawl when their schedules had permitted. Especially once he’d started playing in Milwaukee’s farm system. “I’ve been so scared.”
He didn’t loosen his grip around her waist. “Why?”
“The –” she sniffed. “The last time we talked. I was afraid you didn’t want me anymore.”
“I’m so sorry, darlin’. I never wanted to give you that impression.” He released her and stepped back, cupping her cheeks with his palms. “I couldn’t say much, because I’d been called up to the big dance.”
Tears stung her eyes as the warmth of his hands seeped into her chilled flesh.
He cupped her cheeks in his gloved hands, brushing her tears with his thumbs. “Thank you for completin’ the riddles.”
She shrieked as happiness erased her frustration from the scavenger hunt. “The big – you mean you’re going to play at American Family Field?”
Grinning, he nodded.
“Amy?” she asked.
“She told me about how much fun you had with those medallion hunts, and she was happy to help. These last years have been the best of my life,” he continued. “Our time apart has shown me how much I want you by my side. You’re my rock, the one constant that kept me going when my life was chaos.” He kissed her again. “You’re smart and gorgeous. I can’t imagine not having you in my life.” He dropped to one knee on the frozen pavement as he retrieved something from his coat pocket.
Omigod. The thought raced through her mind as lights glittered off the melted snow dusting his dark hair. A few people sat on the benches in front of the stage, curious to see what was happening.
Rafe flipped open the lid on the box in his hand. A purple amethyst glinted from the bed of satin, surrounded by a halo of diamonds. “Kallie Huntington, will you marry me?”
Tears spilled over, freezing on her cheeks. Kallie could only stare. She swallowed, but couldn’t speak past the emotion clogging her throat. More people joined the crowd.
Rafe’s lips twisted into a wry grin. “Help me out here, darlin’.”
Kallie nodded as tears flowed faster.
“Come on, honey!” someone from the audience called. “Give the man an answer!”
Kallie laughed, sniffling at the same time. “Yes.” She squealed. “Yes, yes, yes!”
Thunderous applause rose up from around them, but she barely registered the noise as their lips met in the best kiss they’d ever shared.
Suddenly the air didn’t feel so cold.
THE END
About CJ Bower
Reading and writing have always been a huge part of CJ’s life, and she’s been creating stories since childhood. For as long as she can remember, she’s been putting pen to paper and
creating complex characters in rich settings. With the support of wonderful family and friends, she finally decided to make the big leap into the world of professional publishing.
CJ lives in Western Wisconsin with her husband. They have one child of the four-legged and furry kind. When she’s not working or writing, she enjoys baking, having picked up her first piping bag at fourteen. She started decorating full time at age twenty-three and spent four years in her family’s bakery before returning to school. She also enjoys volunteering at the local animal rescue shelter and advocating for those who are unable to speak for themselves.
CJ’s Website:
www.cjbowerauthor.wordpress.com
Reader email:
cjbowerauthor@hotmail.com
CityScapes: A sweet, romantic tour across the United States.
North Carolina:
Racing Away With His Heart:
Nisa Forester has avoided everything racing related since the violent crash that killed her father. Twenty years later, the track management has scheduled a memorial in his honor during the season's longest race, and she attends as a favor to her brother, Cole. Finding love is not at all on her radar.
Tyson Patterson sees Nisa for the first time at a pre-race party, annoyed that she attends with his biggest on-track rival. In an attempt to woo her away from Cole, Ty asks her to dance. However, as their relationship progresses after a case of mistaken identity, things get complicated between them.
Just as love blooms between them, Ty hits the wall next to the spot where her father did, giving Nisa a crash course on why she never wanted to fall for a racecar driver. Can she find the strength to overcome her fears? Will Ty be able to convince her that their love is worth the risk?
Wyoming:
Stuck in a Rut:
SUSAN ADDINGTON IS at a crossroads in her life. She loves her job as the premier wedding photographer for NYC's elite, but lately she feels like she’s been spinning her wheels. When her friend suggests a wagon train re-enactment tour in Wyoming, she jumps at the chance to get back to her roots as a nature photographer. She soon discovers that visiting still-visible landmarks along the Oregon Trail is like stepping back in time. And, oddly, coming home.
As her journey progresses from Fort Laramie to South Pass City, sparks flicker with the charming but mysterious Caleb McKnight, one of the tour group’s employees. Through daily interaction, Susan becomes more attracted to Caleb, and she finds that he’s not as immune to the chemistry between them as he appears.
Just as something more than friendship grows between them, they end up caught in the cross-hairs between danger and intrigue. Can Susan forgive Caleb for his role? And can this city girl and country boy find a compromise before they run out of trail? Or will they end up stuck in a rut forever?
Tennessee:
Music City Soiree:
Rocky Baker thought she was content with her modest, quiet life. Having grown up in the foster system, she kept mostly to herself. But a chance meeting with a lovely CNA gave her courage to open herself up to the residents of the Music City Senior Center. There, she met two amazing eighty-year-old women, whom she’d unofficially adopted as her grandmothers.
Alexander has no time, or desire, to focus on his personal life as he fights to rebuild his grandfather's legacy after his unscrupulous father nearly bankrupted it. When his grandmother introduces him to the new volunteer at the senior center, Alexander gives Rocky the cold shoulder, jealous of Rocky’s place in his grandmother’s heart.
After she’s attacked one night while leaving her job, Alexander comes to Rocky’s rescue. While she’s in his care, they form a fragile friendship.
When the threads of trust are broken, can Rocky learn to heal and forgive? Will Alexander learn that family is more than blood bonds and make amends?
Caked With Pleasure Series
On Track with Icing (book 1):
She's everything he wanted in a woman...except for one thing.
Plus-sized bakery owner Jacqui Jacobson's confidence is at an all-time low after her public divorce and her ex-husband's despicable accusations. So the last person she expects to show interest in her is racing hot-shot Nick Barrister. But when the two click over her risqué cake designs, it seems like icing on the cake.
However, Jacqui hasn't told him that not being able to have children was the main cause for her marriage ending. As her relationship with Nick turns from casual to serious he expresses his desire for children, and now time is running out. Can she tell him first before her ex-husband, who has reared his ugly head and is determined to destroy her new-found happiness, beats her to it? And will Nick still want her once he finds out?
Content Warning: contains lots of steamy sexual content and exciting racing action.
Icing the Competition (book 2):
Can the innocent beauty heal the arrogant stock car driver's heart?
Shawn Sheldon comes home early from Daytona and discovers his wife Lisa in their bed with two men. He immediately kicks her out and files for divorce, but the hits keep blindsiding him like a high-speed crash at Talladega. Shattered by Lisa's betrayal, Shawn takes a self-imposed sabbatical to let his heart heal. However, a chance encounter with the beautiful Persephone encourages him to try again.
Persephone Williams has harbored a secret crush on Shawn since their introduction a year ago. While she's dated in the past, she's never had a steady boyfriend, and none of them inspired her to punch her V-card. After one hot, steamy kiss with Shawn, she finds herself giving in to the desires of her heart. He is arrogant—cocky even—but he proves that he has a soft side too.
When Shawn's ex-wife resurfaces and tries digging her red-lacquered talons into him again, he shows Peri that she's the one he wants. But can Peri handle his high-profile career and the media circus that goes with it?
Content Warning: contains steamy sex and hot racing action
CJ Bower, I Crosse My Heart
