Closing The Gap (Dangerous Pasts, #1) (5 page)

Lake avoided confident and sexy men like Josh so she felt completely out of her league and at a loss of what to do or say.  Why couldn’t something come naturally tonight?  She hated the awkward emotions coursing through her.  What had seemed like such a good idea leading up to this moment had become completely misadvised at the first hint of reality.  Lake just wasn’t physically or emotionally ready for this.  She had thought she was.  She so
wanted
to be but her churning stomach and flushed face betrayed her true thoughts.

As she leaned against the railing for support, she stared blankly at the twinkling lights hoping prudent thought would enter her mind to ease her unrest.  Lake tried to conjure up an excuse to get out of the date tomorrow night.  There had to be a way without offending Chuck. 
What was it?  Fake an illness.  Yes, that was it.
  No one would dare question an illness even if they suspected it was bogus.

As ridiculous as the fake excuse sounded, especially to her own ears, she’d take the easy way out.  Over the years, Lake had perfected running down to an art.  The blood rushed through her body so fast it caused a painful ache in her temples.  Why couldn’t this uncomfortable night just be done?  She couldn’t take another minute of the turmoil and decided to rush out the back door, run to her car as fast as her tight dress and strappy sandals would allow and text Lance and Summer on the way home that she didn’t feel well.

She would write a check for ten thousand dollars to HFH to get out of this mess.  With a new resolve, she straightened her spine, convinced her cowardly decision was the right one.  After what she had been through, Lake’s first thought became flight, even before she knew what exactly she needed to fear.  She felt compelled to go down in a vibrant and fiery blaze of glory and consequences be damned.

****

J
osh stepped down from the stage using the right hand stairs and his dress shoes hit the hardwood of the ballroom floor just in time to watch Lake Harrison escape  from the table.  She looked just as fantastic from that angle with her long hair streaming down her back as she had when he’d locked eyes with her from the stage.  He felt a strange and overwhelming urge to give chase but thought it would be perceived as odd to go off in hot pursuit of some woman he’d never even met.  He teetered slightly to the side, still shocked and disoriented.  It must be the surprise of finding out she was young and not involved in a romantic relationship with his dad.  He also needed to check in at the table and meet the lady who was his dad’s companion for the evening.  The confusing Lake and her reasons for buying his date would have to wait.

Josh clasped his dad in a bear hug then turned to the attractive older woman sitting next to him.  She had short blonde hair mingled with silver, looked to be in her late fifties and wore a silky canary yellow dress that set off her complexion.  Dad had caught himself a looker and Josh was thrilled.

“Who is this beautiful lady that is brave enough to be seen with the likes of you?”  Josh loved ribbing his dad, trying to get a rise out of him.  His dad’s calm and affable nature so ingrained, doing so became near to impossible.

“Joshua Adams, may I present the lovely, Lois Miller.”

Josh took Lois’ dainty hand in his large one and squeezed.

“Lois, I haven’t seen my dad look this great in ages.  I have a sneaking suspicion that we have you to thank.  I can’t wait to get to know you better.”

Lois blushed and gave him a pretty smile.  She enjoyed the compliment and obviously enjoyed sitting beside his dad because she snuggled a bit closer to Chuck.

His eyes searched the room.  “What happened to Roberts?”

Chuck laughed at the question.  “He went for two thousand to a beautiful blonde who looks to be about twenty five.  He’s in the back chatting with her.  You were the highest selling bachelor tonight, Josh.  I’m so happy we raised so much money for the shelter.  We’re going to be able to do so much with it.”

“Thanks dad, I was happy to help out.  You know how much I love dogs.  So much for drinks on the patio tonight with Roberts.  I hope he comes up for air long enough to spend time with us before he heads back home.  Did you let Lois in on his ‘sparkling’ personality so his bad behavior doesn’t shock her to within an inch of her life?”

Lois gave a big smile.  “I met Ryan before you got here.  He’s a wonderful and charming young man.  Really, he’s quite funny so no offense taken.”  Another score for the lovely Lois.  Any woman who could see through Roberts’ outward persona was worth their weight in gold.

“I think I’ll go try and track him down to check if we are still on for later.”  Josh needed an excuse to try to leave the room and search out Lake Harrison.

“Son, hang on just a minute and I’ll walk with you to the bar.  I’d like a private word.”  Chuck stood, pushing his chair back and gave Lois a squeeze on her shoulder.  “I’ll be right back and stop and get you a white wine.”

Lois nodded her agreement.  “I see some friends I’d like to catch up with so I’ll meet up with you in a few minutes.”

Josh sensed his dad’s anxiety and worried over the impending conversation.  Josh knew something was coming that he wouldn’t want to hear.  He perked up his ears, intending to listen with care.  His dad rarely gave lectures but when he did, Josh considered every word.  As uncomfortable as the subject matter might be, his dad didn’t give counsel that was ill advised.

“I know this charity is important to Lake and she probably wanted to support me by winning your date with that outrageous bid.  You need to know and understand something.  She is the most incredible woman I have ever had the pleasure of knowing besides your mother, god rest her soul.  Lake is not only beautiful but she is gracious and loving.  She’s gone through horrible things but she still lights up a room with her smile and is an asset to anyone who has the privilege of knowing her.  I consider it the highest honor that she gave me her friendship in spite of what she’s been through.  Loyalty like that doesn’t come around too often.”  His dad became lost in his memories for a few seconds before he continued.

“Do you remember when your mother used to read the papers and see your name there in black and white with your latest conquest?  It nearly broke her heart every time.  All she ever wanted was for you to find a loving wife after Shelly and start your own family.  The treatments were hard on her but the worst came when she finally accepted that she wouldn’t win the battle and you didn’t have another woman to take care of you.  Her love for you, Josh, it was endless.”

Bile started to rise in his throat.  He’d give anything for just one more day with his mom.  He’d also give anything to go back and change his despicable behavior while she was fighting for her life and wondered if Shelly ever had regrets about her behavior during that same time. 

“I wish I could take back my actions during those years.  I’m older and wiser now, dad.”

“I’m really glad to hear it.  In honor of your mother, I’m about to say something and you listen closely.  Joshua, you were not born in a barn.  Remember that tomorrow and don’t hurt one of my dearest friends on purpose.”

“Dad, its one date.”

“You don’t understand son.  This is the kind of woman you can’t forget.  She’s the kind of woman you hold on to with both hands and never even dream of letting go.  Lake is the kind of woman that will haunt you.”

“Dad, I would never dream of disappointing you.  Lake Harrison is safe with me.”  Even though they were only words, Josh knew that he meant them.  Josh would never dishonor his mother’s memory or his father’s friendships.  They were the only two people in this world worthy of being held on a pedestal.  Besides, after just one night, he’d be able to let this woman go and return to his life without looking back.  He’d done it hundreds of other times.  How could this time be any different?  Josh found his dad’s words gave him pause.  What could be so unique about Lake?  He didn’t know but was intrigued by the prospect of getting to know her.

Josh gave his dad a pat on the back to reassure him further and turned towards the door where he’d last caught sight of Lake.  He imagined her sitting out on the patio for a breath of fresh air; unless she’d taken the opportunity to hide in the ladies room.  He was now even more fascinated than ever and the time had come to meet the elusive Ms. Harrison face to face.  Women never fled the scene of interactions with him and he found his confidence taking a slight beating.  Most women flocked to him in droves.  After his dad’s impassioned soapbox speech, the evening had presented a mystery that he wanted to unravel just to find out if his dad was right.  Since his dad wasn’t normally so nostalgic, his curiosity had increased.  Perhaps the lovely Lois had turned his dad into a romantic softie.  He couldn’t even imagine being haunted by one woman.  When they were out of site, they were out of mind.

As he stepped out onto the cobblestone patio, he spotted her leaning against a wrought iron railing squeezing a glass of red wine as if to obliterate the lead crystal into dust.  Josh took the liberty of allowing himself the time to study her at length and noticed the blood start to surge through his body as he stared at her.  The light breeze tousled her loose curls and her hair floated like spun gold. He loved her dress and the way the corset back molded her body, revealing a tiny waist with ample cleavage.  He took note of her full breasts rising and falling with each deep breath she took and he considered what her pale skin would feel like if he trailed his finger under the top seam of the corset.  Would her nipples harden at the caress?  They probably would, right before she slapped his face. 

As she gazed out on to the manicured landscape, her full lips pursed into a pout.  The simple action caused her expression to take on a sexy quality in full contradiction to the style and grace of her attire and mannerisms.  He wondered if full passion lay beneath the veneer of her polished exterior.  Josh admitted to himself that this woman confused the hell out of him. 
God, she’s exquisite.
  His dad was dead on about that part.  She had an ethereal quality and a fragility as though she might shatter if the wind changed direction.

Josh wondered what ‘horrible’ thing had happened to her in the past to cause the protective armor to envelop her body like a second skin.  He sensed that she was holding on and holding back.  Someone had obviously hurt this woman and that hurt ran core deep if her behavior was any indication.  If nothing else, she’d benefit from some fun and he was definitely the man for that job.  Maybe this wouldn’t turn out so bad after all.  Josh started to move towards her finding he looked forward to tomorrow and his date with the stunning Lake Harrison.

“H
i.”

Lake heard a deep voice rumble behind her and whipped around to find the very object of her conflicted musings standing less than three feet from her back.  How long had he stared at her before he said something?  His blatant male energy penetrated her personal space, making her feel off balance so she tilted her head back a fraction to look into his eyes.  That simple action marked another mistake in her long line of critical errors over the course of the evening.  Spellbound by their vibrant blue color, she felt certain he could see straight inside her and unlock her hidden secrets.  Lake could not tolerate that notion, ever.  Not anymore. A woman tended to get blown to smithereens when she left her tender underbelly exposed to a man. 

The discomfort of her racing thoughts provided just one more reason to get out of the vicinity as fast as possible.  Her mind whirled far too fast to handle a simple discourse on the weather let alone think with clarity for an entire evening in this devastating man’s presence.  After speaking the one word, he leaned against the railing next to her.  His long legs and broad shoulders encased by the fitted, grey suit he had on.  The baby blue tie brought out the intensity of his eyes.  She’d never been so physically close to a man this gorgeous.  The crush she’d silently harbored when she watched him on television couldn’t compare to Josh in the flesh.  Saturday’s date
could not
occur.  Then, he smiled, showing two charming dimples in each cheek and perfect white teeth.  Lake had always had that thing for dimples.  Frazzled, she looked past him searching for the nearest escape route.  She couldn’t stay and run the risk of being completely disarmed, exposing her weakness to him.  He hadn’t proven himself worthy.  In the meantime, surely, she could find the inner strength to utter two syllables?

“Hello.” 

Her voice scratched like sandpaper as she rubbed her lips together in an attempt to return moisture to them. 
How embarrassing!
  The heat rose high on her cheeks and she could imagine how her red flush disclosed her upset.  She absolutely could not abide looking exposed in front of this man.  Of course, his voice had skimmed right over her, smooth and unaffected like a verbal opiate.  His buttery tone didn’t admit to a hint of nerves or trepidation.  It must be his broadcasting background.  The camera loved him as well as every female hockey fan that wasn’t interred in a cemetery.  He had more grey hair than the last time she’d caught a Blackhawks game on cable and he wasn’t sporting his signature facial scruff this evening.  It was sexy.  He was sexy.  She glanced behind him again looking for that escape route as her fear skyrocketed to an unacceptable level.  She had no idea how on earth she’d get out of this but she had to try.  Her annoyance at her own lack of control overcame her and she lashed out at him.

“I think there’s been a horrible mistake.”

A catty tone shot out of her mouth that she recognized. The one reserved for her mother when she deliberately pushed her buttons.  Anyone who knew her and what she had endured would recognize it as a defense mechanism but for Lake, it felt like pure survival.  What a disaster.  Ashamed of her bizarre behavior, she took a gradual step back and pressed her lower back as far into the railing as it would go.  If she could just get off this patio, Lake promised herself she would never force herself to speak to another man again unless he had no romantic interest in her, whatsoever.  She didn’t believe in fairy tales.