A Healing Heart (6 page)

The air was cool, a slight breeze stirring the trees nearby. The stars above us were shining bright and clear. It was so peaceful. It was a bit chilly, and I got cold easily. The breeze caused me to shiver, and Collin noticed. Before I realized what he was doing, he had gone back to the car and retrieved his jacket. As he draped it over my shoulders, a jolt of electricity shot through me when his fingers lightly grazed my shoulders, causing me to shiver again.

“
Thanks. I didn’t realize how chilly it is out here.” His cologne clung to the material; it was hard for me to think straight.

“
We won’t stay long, I wouldn’t want you to get sick. I just thought you might like it here.”

“
I do. This is so cool. Thanks for bringing me.”

“
You’re welcome.”

The romantic side of me wanted him to wrap me in his arms, to kiss me, but the practical side of me was trying to keep things in check, trying to slow things down. They were happening so quickly. I took a deep breath; I needed to enjoy this moment, to remember it. The minutes quietly slipped by, and before too long, it was time to head home. As we walked back to the car, I started to pull off his jacket to return it.

“
Just keep it on for the ride home, until you get warmed up.”

“
Thanks. I should have thought to bring my jacket.”

“
It’s okay.”

Collin turned back onto the road, weaving his way through the curvy streets back to town. We arrived at the front of my aunt and uncle’s house too quickly, and it was time to go inside. Collin got out and walked me to the door. My aunt had left the front porch lights on, and I could see the lights were on in the house. I knew she would be waiting for me when I got inside.

“
Well, here you are. I had fun tonight. Thanks for coming with me.”

Pulling off his jacket, I handed it back to him. “Thanks for inviting me, I had a great time.”

I stood there uncertain as to what to expect. He took the jacket from me and slung it over his arm. Pulling my keys out of my purse, I started to turn to the door to unlock it. His hand reached out so gently and brushed the side of my cheek. I couldn’t move, just looked deep into his blue eyes. His gaze made me warm all through my body and down to my toes.

“‘
Night,” he said so gently, almost a whisper.

“
Good night. Thanks again.”

“
I’ll see you at school.”

He pulled his hand back, turned, and walked back down the sidewalk to his car. I watched him go, and before he could catch me staring, I finished unlocking the door and went inside. After shutting the door, I spun around, looking back through the peephole. Watching him get in his car, I saw him glance back up at the house, and then he pulled away from the curb.

“
Well, it looks like you had a good time,” my aunt said from behind me, startling me so bad that I jumped.

“
What? Uh, yeah. We had a nice time.” I could feel the warmth spread across my face.

I locked the front door and started for the stairs. “I’m tired, I’ve got to get to bed for school in the morning.”

“
It’s okay, Bailey. I’m glad you’re going out and having a good time. You deserve it. And he is very cute, I must add. It’s good to see you smile again. I’ve missed that.”

I walked over to my aunt and gave her a big hug. I was not the only one that had lost loved ones. My aunt had lost her twin sister, and I knew that she had suffered just as I had over the past couple of years.

“
Thanks, Aunt Rachelle. I know I don’t always let you know how much I love you guys.” I could feel her arms tighten around me, and then she let me go.

I hurried up the stairs and down the hall to my room. I tossed my purse on the desk and fell onto the bed, staring at the ceiling in total disbelief. What a crazy couple of days! What an exciting couple of days! As I laid there thinking I needed to text Mia and Tasha, because they would want all the details, I heard my phone beep. I pulled the phone out of my purse assuming it was Mia or Tasha. But the text was from Collin.

sweet dreams; c u 2morrow

I could scarcely press the right keys as I answered back:

thanks! u 2 had a great time

My next text was to Mia and Tasha:

I’m back, had an AWESOME time, I’ll give u details 2morrow

They both came back almost immediately:

u better!
was from Mia.

glad u had fun! :)
was from Tasha.

I responded to them both:
=)

Getting ready for bed, I slid under my covers, replaying the entire day in my head. I finally drifted off to sleep, and it was the first time in years that my sleep was not tormented by nightmares.

~
Collin
~

When it had been time to leave the park, I knew that I wasn’t ready to let her go yet. A strong desire to spend more time with her burned inside me. I had to see if I could unravel the mysterious pull that she had on me. I liked nothing better than a challenge.

Dinner had been relaxed and fun. Deciding to take her up to the lookout had been a last-minute decision. It was one of my favorite places that I went to a lot, a place where I could think and unwind. Keeping myself from pulling her in my arms had taken every possible restraint. I didn’t want to scare her or push her too quickly. I could be patient and give her some time.

Spring break was coming up in one short week. I wondered if she was going to be gone, or if she was going to stay around town for the two weeks off of school. Secretly, I wished that she’d be home with few plans; it would give me a chance to spend more time with her.

Walking her to the front door, I had longed to kiss her, to know what her lips tasted like. Her eyes had seemed greener tonight, intense, focused. When I touched her cheek, a shot of electricity burned through my arm, which shook me a bit. The chemistry that was beginning to simmer between us baffled me. Girls did not have this effect on me; it was always the other way around. I was the one that was always able to disarm any girl with just a look. Having the tables turned didn’t sit well. I was surprised that saying goodnight had even been vocal and was glad it didn’t betray my feeling of being out of control.

Tomorrow was another day, and I wondered what it might bring. Moving from town to town had been hard on Lacey and me, but for the first time, I was happy for this move because it had brought me to Bailey.

CHAPTER FOUR

~
Bailey
~

T
he
next morning I overslept my alarm. I couldn’t even remember the last time that had happened, and in some ways it felt really good. Now, though, I was in a rush to make it to school on time. Hurrying down the stairs, I reached the kitchen as my aunt was pouring her coffee.

“
Morning. Want a cup?”

“
No, thanks, I’m running late. I’ll just grab a banana. I’ll see you later!” I grabbed the banana, my backpack, and keys and was out the door.

“
Have a good day!”

“
You too.”

Getting to school with just a few minutes to spare, I had to sprint across the parking lot to get to my first class on time. I slid into my seat just before the bell rang and tried to focus on our English journal assignment. English was one of my favorite subjects, and our journal assignments were always easy for me to finish. Our topic for the day was to write about a significant event in our life and to explain what impact it had on us currently. Amazingly, the first thought that flashed through my head was not the horrific accident two years ago, but an image of Collin. I could feel the heat already surfacing in my cheeks. Quickly, I tried to push the thought aside and figure out what I was going to write about for the assignment.

Halfway through our journal session, I still had nothing down on paper. I knew I had to get something written to turn in. Finally, I decided to write about the accident, and was surprised when I was done that the raw pain had dulled. My emotions were not a mess like they usually were when I relived that horrible night.

Class ended, I turned in my assignment, and I walked out of the classroom. I was extremely surprised to find Collin leaning casually against the wall just outside the door. His black, snug sweater showed off his broad shoulders. Excitement coursed through my body. Collin looked up just as I reached him.

“
Hey, what are you doing here? I didn’t realize you had class right after me.”

He smiled warmly, “I don’t; thought I’d meet you. This is the only class I knew for sure that you had, so I figured I’d walk you to your next class. What class do you have next?”

“
Physics. Not particularly one of my favorites, but the teacher is okay, makes it easier to understand.”

He fell into step next to me, and we started walking. “What’s your next class? I hope it’s not across campus. If it is, there’s no way you’ll make it in time.” I was still in a bit of shock that he had searched me out this morning.

“
It’s okay, I have Government, pretty close to the Math building. I’ll be fine.”

The crisp morning air cut through my lightweight jacket, but I didn’t even feel the cold. We went through our schedules comparing classes and teachers, realizing we had a couple of the same teachers. Much too quickly, I realized I was standing in front of the door for my Physics class.

“
How about lunch?” he asked.

“
Sure. Where do you want to meet?”

“
I’ll wait for you over by the Shop building. You can bring your friends if you’d like.”

“
Okay, I’ll ask them. I’ll see you then.” I turned and walked into class and found my seat at the back next to Mia. I had barely sat down before I was getting hit with questions.

“
Was that Collin I just saw at the door with you?”

I couldn’t keep the smile from my face. “Yeah.”

“
Wow, that’s so cool! Dinner, and now he’s walking you to class. That’s a big difference from Friday when you about plowed him over.”

“
I know. It’s really weird, I don’t even know how to describe it. I feel comfortable with him, like I’ve known him forever. Can’t say as I’m relaxed though; I feel like a constant bundle of nerves around him. I still can’t put my finger on it. Everything is so new, so different. Does that make any sense?”

“
I guess. I think it’s cool. It’s fun to see a sparkle in your eye. The dark shadows under your eyes are lighter today too.”

“
I actually slept pretty good last night, better than I have in a long time.”

Before Mia could respond, the teacher launched into our lesson for the day, gravity and acceleration. I tried to focus on the different formulas and examples. I hoped that my next two classes would speed by, but feared that the next couple of hours were going to drag on. Lunch could not come fast enough for me.

Both Mia and Natasha decided to join us for lunch. I knew they wouldn’t miss the chance. We walked together toward the Shop building. Collin was already there, waiting for us.

“
Collin, these are my best friends, Mia, and you probably already know Natasha.”

“
Hi, Mia, nice to meet you. Natasha, good to see you again. Are you guys ready to go?”

“
Absolutely,” Mia chimed in.

Collin motioned us forward and came up on my left side to walk next to me. I could just barely feel the light touch of his hand on the small of my back as we walked toward his car. Mia and Natasha were throwing out options for lunch. In the end, we settled on a burger joint a few blocks from the school. It had some of the best burgers around.